Evaluating pictures for poster and magazine

Me and my group member liked this picture as it has the lake and forest in the background which his highly relevant to the film so really grasps the atmosphere of the trailer in this picture. The main scary character looks scary and eerie as her face is covered by her dark hair which portrays that scary feeling of not knowing what or who it is again. The fact she is dressed in white allows her to really stand out of the picture and remain the main focus, which is essential in being able to have a clear link represented between the poster, film magazine and trailer. Also the fact that in the picture the trees have all lost their leaves they look lifeless and soulless, which is like they are representing the main character and the horror aspect of the film. Further more , again the fact that the picture was taken in winter as is visible by the frost on the ground, the image looks cold and chilling which is creating good imagery as a reflection of the mood of the film.

This image again is very affective due to the setting and mise en scene as stated for the picture above. Yet we also really like this picture as it is very significant to the film due to the fact this resembles the shot when the girl drowns herself and therefore again is create a fearful and chilling image.

This picture is another one that i liked from our production as i feel the characters expression really connotes pain, fear and desperation. Also the natural lighting gives her a perfect complexion which makes the photo look professional. It also represents her vulnerability as a teenage girl being haunted in the woods and is therefore believable.

This picture was unsuccessful despite the good background of the deserted forest and the professional lighting on her face, the actress is laughing which does not connote the horror genre and theme we are aiming for.

Analysis of Film Magazine Cover

The layout used by 'Total Film' is very significant in the way they are looking to entice anybody that sees the magazine into buying a copy. The clear 'Total Film' masthead is in its conventional position in the center-top of the magazine cover. The main feature of the magazine has been given the central location of the cover and because of this positioning strikes the viewer straight away. The head of actor Russell Crowe slightly obscures the view of the masthead but as 'Total Film' is such a well recognised magazine this is irrelevant as people will identify with the brand of magazine without having to look too clearly.

A very rugged, brown colour background shot taken directly from the film really identifies the reader with the film 'Gladiator', the feature of this edition of Total Film magazine. The colour scheme is quite bland in-fitting with the Roman Gladiator's, the topic of this hollywood blockbuster. Both sandy and white colours are used for sections of text and once again these are infitting with the genre of the film.

The image of iconic Hollywood Actor Russell Crowe is very important for the look of the magazine cover as it is what will stand more than anything else when the magazine is on the shop shelf. The 'Hunky' image will attract female fans who find Russel Crowe to be very handsome. Also the way in which he stands in such a masculine pose, much like in the style of Clint Eastwood in his Spaghetti Westerns will make male viewers idolise this character due to his presence in a 'tough guy' role.

There is lots of coverlines on the front cover besides the bold title, one stating the actor's name and also the name of the film's director. This provides the reader with some background information about the film and this could lead them to gaining a greater interest and thus buying a copy. Also a quote used on the cover stating 'I Cant Handle My Drink' is very carefully placed on the left hand side as this is the side people will read when the magazine is on the shelf of a store. Immediately after people have read such an intriguing quote they will want to know more and thus more likely to purchase a copy of the magazine. In the bottom right corner of the magazine cover there are small rectangles which are bright red in order to drag attention towards them, famous movie icons Nicholas Cage and Arnold Schwarzenegger are mentioned and this will entice yet more people to buy.

A pug is used offering a chance to view a new Samuel L Jackson movie for free, this is yet another example of a great selling point as in this case the purchaser of the magazine will feel they are getting a real bargain as along as a quality magazine they are also getting a great cinematic experience for thrown in for free. 'Total Film' has also used a header stating another great offer gained through the purchase of the magazine. An offer of a free CD stated in the header is another exceptional piece of advertising which promotes the magazine to everybody that listens to music.

Having the date and price of the issue underneath the masthead in small font is again good as it adds to the professional look of the magazine. The small font takes peoples eyes away from the price, and to other parts of the cover that encourage the viewer to buy rather than discourage.

Analysis of Film Magazine Cover

The layout is very much in the 'Empire' mould with the famous red Empire masthead located at the top of the magazine cover and a very striking image located towards the center. The title of the feature of the magazine is located to the left of center with another selection of images included at the bottom of the page. The large image of hollywood star Megan Fox partially covers the 'Empire' masthead, only an established magazine like 'Empire' that has had such previous exposure does not need the whole masthead to be fully visible.

The magazine uses a simple colour scheme with a plain white background and predominantly plain pastel colours used as text. This colour scheme is used to promote a very 'clean' and 'fresh' image of the magazine and the contents, an image purchasers may find appealing.

The image used on the cover of the magazine is highly important as it is what really sells the magazine, 'Empire' knows this and thus employs a major movie star in Megan Fox to be the 'image' of this particular edition of Empire Magazine. Megan Fox is widely regarded as having sex appeal and this will really appeal to a male audience who will find her physically attractive. The way she is pictured with a bare upper body and leather trousers promotes a sexy image that will be very popular with both men but also women as they will aspire to be and look like her. Small portrait images located at the bottom of the cover promoting other films included inside the issue, are targeting a larger audience of people who have an interest in these stars such as Tom Hanks, pictured in his film Angels & Demons.

The language used throughout the magazine cover and particularly the adjectives throughout such as 'hot' and 'sizzling' are trying to convey the same message as the image of a hot and sexy magazine issue. The big bold title stating the name of the actress on the magazine cover brings the attention of the huge hollywood star yet more and increases the appeal of the magazine.

The price, date and barcode all included on the cover increase the authenticity of the what is already a world renowned magazine in 'Empire'.

Analysis of Film Magazine Cover

This 'Empire' magazine cover has a conventional layout, with a large image of the main actor from the featured movie, with Empire's famous red masthead at the top of the magazine cover. The way in which the center image covers the Masthead displays Empire's establishment as an iconic film magazine, the 'Empire' brand is so well known and thus does not need as much exposure as say a new magazine trying to launch itself into the market.

The front cover of the magazine uses a striking red, white, black and grey colour scheme, in tying with the traditional colours of the movie protagonist Spider-Man and also in keeping with the red 'Empire' title.

The image of 'Spider-Man' actor Tobey McGuire is very eye-catching as his face is very emphasised. His face looks very angry with his eyebrows pointed downwards and accompanied with his new black suit informs the reader that this 'Spider-Man', from the third installment of the series very contrasting to the stereotypical hero seen in the previous two movies. He is a new, darker Spider-Man. The iconic Spider-Man web-shooting pose means the viewer of the magazine relates the image straight away to the 'Spider-Man' franchise and not to the actor Tobey McGuire.

There is significant text included on the front cover besides the 'Empire' Masthead. The feature story located on the upper half of the cover, informs the reader of what they can find inside the magazine and does so in a very effective way due to the very large contrasting black and white font written behind the main image. The other section of text located in the bottom right hand corner tells the reader of other celebrities featured inside and means more people will be attracted as a wider range of very popular people with the likes of Cameron Diaz and Mel Gibson mentioned.

The cover is very conventional, with a barcode, price and date all visible. This adds to the authentic look of the magazine. There is very good use of advertising on the front cover with the offer of two movie posters for two big hollywood block-busters, this will entice yet more people to purchase a copy of the magazine particularly as the word 'free' makes the buyer really feel they are receiving an outstanding offer if they buy the magazine.

Analysis of existing film posters - Amytiville Horror

The main image on the poster is the main protagonist with his back to the audience, standing in front of the main house which is the key aspect of the film. However the the viewers who would have not seen this film at this point it would appear a mysterious figure standing in front of an old scary looking house. This would create a scary atmosphere as the character is unknown also he is carrying a gun which portrays a gory aspect to the poster as well as giving the audience a better idea of what elements this horror film contains. The overall poster image is dark which i have learnt from my other analysis that this is conventional and important as it allows the poster to fit perfectly into the horror genre and be distinguished as a poster advertising a horror film. Also due to the image being so dark in this particular picture it suggests to the target audience that the film is set in night time which again is another convention of a horror film and therefore appealing to the target audience. The overall colour scheme is mainly black and grey yet the title is printed in red. This is effective as just in the colour all elements of horror films are represented fro example blood, gore, anger and death but it also allows the title to stand out on the poster allowing the title to be easily read from a distance. Another good selling point to the poster is the fact that below the title it is printed 'based on a true story'. This is effective as it is scarier for the audience to believe that what happens in this film could happen to them and it automatically allows them to put themselves into the place of the protagonist. At the top of the poster it says 'From Michael Bay, producer of Texas Chainsaw massacre' this is another very effective selling point as it attracts a larger audience due to the fact it is making reference to a famous horror film that was veery successful and showing that the makers of this horror film are the same as Texas Chainsaw massacre. Further more this practically confirms to the audience that this film will be scary which is what the target audience are looking for when watching the film. A typical convention of a film poster is t display the age certificate however there is not on this particular poster this may be due to the fact they didn't want to turn people away.

Analysis of existing film posters - Gothika

The main picture on this film poster is of the protagonist in the film but the victim not the ghost. The actress is Halle Berry therefore a large audience will be attracted who may not even be big fans of horror as she is an established actress with a large fan base. The picture is very chilling as the majority of people are used to seeing her dressed up glamorous being a famous actress yet is clear to see in this picture she looks scared which conveys that horror element to the poster allowing it to immediately be established as a poster for a horror film. The editing on the poster has made the picture look darker which again compels the viewers to immediate associate the poster with a film that is dark and of a horror genre, which would therefore attract the target audience. It is clear to see that the phrase 'not alone' is carved into Halle Berry's arm which provides a very chilling aspect to the photo due to many different reasons. Firstly the actual phrase 'not alone' is very chilling due to the fact it insinuates that a ghost is there with her also the fact it looks like scars cut into her arm reinforces this gruesome horror aspect to the poster, giving an insight into what the film must be like. Also the rain in the picture emphasises that dark depressing mise en scene which immediately draws typical horror film fans in. On this poster there is a caption 'because someone is dead doesn't mean they're gone' a very powerful phrase which forces the viewer to ask questions and makes them want to then watch the film. Also the fact the phrase consists of saying someone is dead again reinforces that horror element into it and makes it chilling. This poster like the other ones i have analyses consist of the main characters names printed on the page, this is very important to draw a large audience in for this film particularly as the main characters are well known hollywood actors and actresses such as Halle Berry and Robert Downey Jnr, it is also conventional of film posters to print the actors names therefore i will be using it on my own production work. The main title 'Gothika' is printed in white font which reflects the idea of ghosts and coldness which are both presented in the horror film. The font style used is specifically used for the title Gothika and therefore the audience who want to go and see the film can distinguish the film and the poster as the same film due to just the title alone. Finally the release date is printed at the bottom of the page, which clearly from my analysis is another convention of film posters as it shows what date the audience who are interested are able to go and see it.

Analysis of existing film posters - The Ring

The main colours used on the poster are blue which is effective as it reflects the coldness of the horror and portrays that chiller aspect of the film to the audience. The blue colours also reflect the water aspect of the film within the poster. For my poster i feel it is essential to use colours that will keep in theme with the film and horror genre so the audience can immediately associate the poster with the film. The main thing on the page that grabs the audience's attention is the title. This title is very effective as it is normal block writing but shoes the main victim within the film screaming this again conveys to the audience that this film being advertised is of a scary genre. The main picture used on the front cover of the magazine is of a setting which includes the woods and the well involved in the film. The audience can immediately identify that that setting is very important to the film, also the setting is stereotypically scary as it appears to be deserted forest and field. As a result this targets the target audience of horror fans who would be drawn to this magazine as it looks scary just looking at it, immediately drawing them in. A convention used on film posters are quotes that established magazines or critics have said about the film, this technique is used here which is very effective as it compels the viewers to go and see the film, a very good advertising technique. ALso another convention used on this cover is the release date which informs the people who are interested of when the film comes out and when they can go and see it.