A2 Media Coursework: Genre Research

Research Presentation

Analysis of a Magazine Cover

Analysis of a Film Magazine Cover

POPPLET - ANALYSIS OF A FILM MAGAZINE

http://popplet.com/app/#/1207758

As you can see above I have analysed two film magazines. Through this I have been able to recognise the conventions of form therefore allowing me to use these features when I create a magazine cover. Firstly the masthead is always at the top of the magazine, it is in large writing and the colour of it contrasts with the background making it eye catching. It is written in capital letters which again make is stand out and make it easier for the audience to read. The masthead is also always written in a sans serif font like all of the writing that is on the magazine cover. This makes it appear modern and again easy to read. The next important feature is the main image. This takes up most of cover. This is because it is normally the thing that initially grabs the audiences attention. It is in the centre of the cover and the coverlines and other pictures surround it. Magazine covers also always use the route of the eye. This allows the audience to instantly see the key things. The masthead, image and main coverline all lie on this route. This is because these are the features that are most likely going to appeal to the audience and make them buy the magazine. There is always a colour scheme on magazine covers. This is because it makes it look professional and it is more appealing to the audience. The colours often contrast making them stand out against each other which makes it eye catching and bold.

In order to make my magazine successful and appealing I will use these magazine cover conventions. This will make sure my magazine cover will look professional and ensure I attract the audience for them to buy the magazine.

Analysis of a Film Poster

POPPLET - ANALYSIS OF A FILM POSTER

http://popplet.com/app/#/1207572

As you can see above I have analysed two film posters in order to identify key conventions so I can use these when creating my poster. I found posters include the film titles, an image, actors names, release date, taglines and production credits. The film title is either at the bottom or top of the page in large writing. This stands out so the audience can immediately recognise the film and be drawn to look further into the poster. The colour of it normally contrasts with the background so it is eye catching and bold. This is so the target audience will instantly be attracted to the poster and see what the film is. The image takes up majority of the space on the poster. It is normally in the centre and is a still image from the movie or related to the movie in some way. The main characters from the movie feature on the front of posters in their costumes and sometimes with props from the film. A long shot is normally used because this allows the audience to see the characters costumes and the scene (if it is shown). This shot type also corresponds nicely with the layout of the page as it is always vertical. Film posters also use the layout route of the eye. This means the audience will instantly see the important things on the poster as the title, image, actors names and sometimes the tagline all lie on this route. All of these are the main aspects of a poster that are used to attract the audience to watch the film. Therefore using this layout method ensures the audience will immediately notice them making them appealed to the film. Another key convention I found when analysing film posters is that the actors names are always on the poster. Only the main characters within the film and well known actors are printed on the poster. This could be another aspect that attracts the audience because they might love particular actors therefore making them watch films they are in. These names are written in a smaller font than the film title however larger than most of the other writing. The release date is another piece of writing that I found was conventional for a film poster. It is in smaller writing than the film title and the actors names. Sometimes it reads 'coming soon' or an actual date. This tells the audience when the movie will be released so they can go and watch the film. A tagline is another conventional aspect of film posters. This is a small piece of writing that attracts the audience and is linked to the film. It is normally a catchphrase or slogan that would be on most of the films advertisements. It is catchy and the audience will remember this. The last thing that I found that was conventional for a film poster was the credits block. This is a small block of writing centred at the bottom of the page that has the specific information about the movie. For example the production company, editor, producers and who the music was by.
Through analysing two film posters I have been able to identify various key conventions that I can now use when I create my film poster. This will make sure my poster looks professional and appeals to the target audience.