Ancillary Task: Magazine Review Research and Planning

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Sources: Google Images, Empire and Total Film Magazines

Type of Reviews

Having seen magazine reviews from both, Empire and Total Film I found out that there were numerous differences.Firstly, I wanted to choose one of these Magazines and look out for their layout in which I could incorporate similar designs in order to look like a formal/real magazine review.For easier use I looked for the least complex layout and the language type that they use to review.As I searched thoroughly, I found out that these magazines do 3 types of reviews; Mocking , Respectful and Both.Having read all of these reviews types (Mocking:G.I. Joe Rise of the Cobra, Respecful: Kick Ass, Both: Alien vs Predator), I was in a stumble in picking one of these. Knowing that my short film isn’t perfect I picked the one that talks about Both, the Mocking and the Respecting of the film. However, it was much better to go for the Mocking type as the audience is engaged more if they read a negative review due to its humour and the language used in these reviews as I found out for myself. As a result I went for that goal due to the fact that while reading the G.I. Joe review it was very hooking and less tedious.

The Language UsedAnother interesting feature I found within these magazines is the language used. It seems that it is highly basic and not so academic. There were words such as ‘things’ ‘wannabe’ and also a great deal of swearing. This captured my attention and it was one of the characteristics I liked and wished to do. Moreover, these reviews were allot about engaging the reader with communicative writing as if they were speaking directly with them using expressions; ‘oh, hugging the dumb’ etc and also asking questions to the audience to keep them hooked.

My second choice came to the Language used, I skipped the academic method and went for the basic language in order to catch the readers attention and make use of such expressions/swearing that could potentially be less tedious and more understandable rather than using complex words.

Empire or Total Film

Empire or Total Film

The Empire Magazine had quite attractive review content and further content with very eye-catching phrases and jokes. Whereas, the Total Film had more of a formal look with simplistic layout that weren’t as striking/appealing to the audience, in my view. I also noticed that the Empire reviews have more content about the cast, makers, story of the film unlike the Total Film. But generally, they were quite similar.However, my 3rd choice comes when I choose to do a review based on the Empire Magazine due to its attractive look, great-engaging language and the extra info to give to the readers about the films.

PlanningLikewise the Empire Magazine, the same layout has been incorporated,

The main Film Picture to keep the consistency/continuity similar content from the film has to be used

Optional boxes; to add further detail to the review.

The picture description

Title of the Film in upper case and in black font to make it stand out

The extra info for the film, director, plot, cast etc.

The main body review.

Planning

Continued Plan

The main body review, continued with a closing conclusion at the end.

The name of the reviewer, upper case letters.

The Verdict-the final description of the film in a short sentence.

Finally, the Film rating in stars out of 5.

Building up the picture

Using the Serif Page Plus software which has great reputation for editing pictures and creating posters/newsletters I have started to fit together to big picture of taking Empire’s look on the layout and its language used. On the left is the start of what I will be including which involves the picture, info box, title, intro, main body, the verdict and the rating. Although much more needs to be done this is where it stand so far