Creating my own Film Magazine Cover

Re-creating a Film Magazine Front Cover

Original Magazine Cover

 My attempt at re-creation

Initially this involved finding the same picture of Sherlock to have as my main image, however a problem occurred in that it was not the same size as the magazine format, so would involve creating extra image around using the paint and blur tools.
I felt that finding a suitable and similar font was the most difficult task in recreating the magazine cover. Using photoshop, I felt that the font 'Narkisim' was the best for the cover lines and 'Angsana New' matched the title at the bottom of the magazine the best. Stretching the font to match the magazine cover lines, and sizing the font was also difficult, and I feel that if I repeated this task I would re-attmept this. When creating my own magazine front cover for my production I believe the use of font will be crucial, and must be suited to the thriller genre. I also had to find similar images for the films promoted at the top of the magazine cover, and also include a barcode, the date and matching cover line stories.









Research-Conventions of Magazine Front Covers

Film magazine covers have many typical features which make it more appealing and interesting for audiences. Popular film magazines include ‘Empire’, ‘Total Film’ and ‘Slant Magazine’, who all use certain conventions to entice their target audience. The main function of a front cover is to sell the magazine, so they are deliberately interesting, eye-catching and brightly coloured. They often display the ‘house-style’ of the magazine, which is the repeated brand image which is created through fonts, layout and colour due to synergy, in order to maintain a loyal audience.

The mast head of a magazine cover is the title at the head of the editorial page. This is used to make the magazine easily and instantly recognisable for readers. It is the visual branding of the title which is featured on every cover.

Cover lines are statements distributed around the main image that allude to the articles which will be included in the magazine. The main purpose of them is to entice the reader and persuade them into picking up and buying the magazine due to the exciting content. The cover line will usually coincide with the main image. A kicker is a piece of information designed to stand out from the rest of the page due to its importance, often achieved by using a box-out.

The main image takes up the centre of the magazine cover. It is normally of great interest to readers and also helps to draw the reader’s attention on the magazine, consequently persuading them to purchase the magazine.

A tagline is used on many magazines to create a strong and memorable brand imagine. It gives further information and also corresponds and works with the Mast Head/title. Usually, it is a short, sharp description of the title’s main marketing point.

Barcode and issue number - This standard barcode is used by retailers and has been displayed on UK magazines since 1988. It is usually placed in the bottom right corner so that it isn’t greatly payed attention to and so it doesn’t distract from the other information.

Pugs are the stickers that are found on the front page that are conventional to a majority of magazines. Pugs are promotional visuals, such as freebies, promotions and discounts which often inform and entice the readers. They usually overlap other images so that audiences are more likely the pay attention to them and read the information. The aids the magazine company in boosting sales as audiences may be persuaded by the additional information.

A puff is similar to a pug, but includes short words/statements to instantly grab the readers focus. It can include words such as ‘Free’ and ‘Win’ which are used as an incentive to purchase the magazine, therefore boosting sales. 

Stillborn Poster

Before Editing

When planning our film poster main image we decided that we wanted a close-up or a mid-shot focused on our main protagonist. During my research into psychological thrillers, I found that this was the camera shot that most posters used. As our AS production was focused on the deterioration of the characters mental health, and increasing paranoia, we also wanted to include props relevant to both the thriller genre, and specifically to our narrative. On of the main themes in our production was childhood, as the protagonist is fearful of a doll following her in exchange of her stillborn twin sister. We felt that perfecting mise-en-scene would be crucial for our main image, as a doll prop is essentially our antagonist character. We decided that our background would be a collection of destroyed and dismantled dolls for children. When setting up our photoshoot we placed these dolls around our protagonists head, entangled in her hair, creating the idea that the dolls are a part of her, and are apparent in her everyday thoughts and life. This means that the poster gives an indication of what the film could be about, which is a main convention that audiences expect to see in film advertisement. In creating my poster I decided to add a black and white effect as I thought this was unique and unusual, not only making the film more memorable, but also introduced the strange film concept and genre. I used photoshop to create my poster, this allowed me to use techniques such as keeping the characters lips in red, not only contrasting with the black and white background, but I felt also was successful as red is connotative of blood, love and danger, three major themes in our production. As star power was not apparent in my AS production, I decided to put a review from a popular film magazine in the top left corner, as this is typically the way that audiences read text, drawing attention to how the film has had positive reviews. 



Other photo options



Other photo options





Inspiration for Film Posters

In preparation of shooting a photo for our film poster main image, I decided to do some more detailed research into the film posters of other psychological thriller posters, and what they conventionally included.

In all of the posters I looked at I found that they mainly included dark and gloomy tones, due to the low key lighting in the photo. This is used to create an unsettling atmosphere and to obscure the audiences view. In the posters I studied, I found a variety of background's, with some being block colour such as Black Swan, and others containing some context of location, such as Gone Girl. However, I believe that as the majority of posters included a close up, or extreme close up of a character face, location was not the predominant area to consider. I believe these camera shots may often be used as it is unrevealing of anything else, as the image is focused one thing. This links with the genre and the tension of the unknown, which is an emotion synergised throughout the film production and its marketing.
The fonts used in the majority of posters are primarily condensed, sharp and defined, adding professionalism, whilst also signifying the hard-hitting and intense genre. In the two posters below the colour of the font contrasted with the foremost colours in the poster, making it more memorable for audiences, which is one of the primary aims of a film poster. If recognisable actors and actresses are in the film, their names are often featured in the top section of the poster, as this is conventionally the way audiences will interpret text, reading from top to bottom. Star power is often a main factor that marketers want to promote in the distribution of their film, therefore explains why is many posters it is featured in the top. 

I believe in my own poster I would focus on the use of mise-en-scene and the placement of the text I would want to include. The colour of font is also something I would have to consider as it is essential in conveying the genre. When shooting a photo for the poster, I would want to use either a mid-shot or a close up of my protagonist in my AS production, as it gives the audience information about the film, the cast and could also provide inferences into the genre of the film.

Annotation of The Dark Knight Film Poster

Research into the conventions of Film Posters

Film posters will often clearly give away the genre of the film, using elements such as colour, font and the main image. It will always attempt to present its Unique Selling Point to make it seem original and unique from other films. This could be done by focusing on the involved actors, the plot or the setting. They are often displayed inside and on the outside of cinemas, and elsewhere in streets, on billboards and in shops. It could also be used on websites, in newspapers and on packaging. This allows the film to reach the largest number of audiences prior to release.

Posters usually have a single dominant image in the centre of the poster, usually including the cast and showing the star actors, or presenting the location and setting of the film. They can also use iconography to present the film without directly stating what it is about. The posters can use a close up of a character or object which is crucial to the plot. They will often allude to the personality/genre of the film through the type of facial expression which is displayed on the characters face. Other mise-en-scene elements such as costume and lighting can also be used to suggest themes which will be apparent in the film featured on the poster. Technical codes of photography such as shot type, angle and focus could also be effects used to achieve this. Similarly to a film magazine cover, this is to persuade and encourage audiences to go to view the film either in cinema or to purchase a DVD.

The title of film is typically placed at the top, or at the centre-bottom of the poster, in the largest and most appealing font. The font used in the title will often to be used to represent and suggest to the genre, meaning it will appeal directly to audiences who are typically interested in that genre.

Taglines can be used to emphasise a point about the film, as well as possibly hinting towards what the films plot contains. Taglines will aim to be memorable, a catchy, so that audiences can easily remember it, and consequently also remember the film.

Usually the director and producer of the film are displayed, especially if they are highly recognised, and could be used as a selling point for the film. This is also applicable to featuring the actor’s names on the poster, as they could also be used to persuade audiences to view the film.

After a film has been screened to critics, posters can be created to include quotations of positive reviews, ratings and recommendations. These quotations after often from firms such as ‘The Telegraph’ and ‘Empire Magazine’ as people will trust their opinions, due to them being established businesses. Reviews can be essential in the promotion of a film; therefore including them on a film poster will help to enhance the effect that they can have. Awards that the film has achieved can also be featured on a film poster in a similar way. If a film is nominated, or has won an award, it conveys that the film is worth watching due too it being a well-received film. Star ratings can also be showcased on a film poster.

The date of release is shown on posters, so that audiences can plan their viewing of the film. Posters can features different types of dates, either showing a specific date/month, or using vague suggestions such as ‘coming soon’. This is all to create anticipation for the film’s release, causing the audience to feel excited when they eventually get to watch the film, and to make it feel worth the wait.

On most film posters there is also small print information which contains additional information about elements such as soundtrack, certificate rating, screenplay, Production Company, producers and directors. This information is very small as to not distract away from the main and crucial information.

Conventions of the Thriller Genre

What Makes People Scared?