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Main Image: The model Jennifer Lopez is this issue’s cover image as the magazine has covered an interview with her. Thus it was appropriate to use Lopez as the main image as readers will see the cover and be drawn into buying the magazine so they can read the exclusive interview. The image used has direct address as she is looking directly into the camera, emphasizing the idea of drawing readers to the magazine and becoming engaged into the story. The main image is positioned in the centre and everything else is revolving around the image, as she is the central focus of this issue. The image is a medium close up of the artist and denotes a professional photo shoot look as we notice from the model’s body posture and the way she is positioned, looking from her shoulders sideways. This relates back to the genre and target audience of the magazine, appealing to slightly older women who are interested in fashion. The model’s pose also relates to the story cover line as the artist embarks onto a new chapter of a life and denotes confidence as well as a vulnerable side to her. The model’s facial expression connotes a sexy and seductive feel as she looks to the camera. Laura Muvley’s ‘male gaze’ concept can be applied to this image as women will look at the photo and aspire to look like the artist, whilst men will want to look at her. The model’s makeup of red lipstick fits in within the cover’s colour scheme as a whole and her dress is also of a red colour, which connotes fire and sex appeal. The dress worn by the model also exposes part of her back, which further emphasises the ‘male gaze’ that has been created by the image.

Masthead: The title is of a red colour in a serif font that covers the top of the magazine, reflecting the genre of the magazine and also its target audience of sophisticated females interested in fashion. The masthead isn’t fully visible to the audience, as a part has been covered where the main image has been placed over it. This may have been a decision made by the editor as they felt the masthead is very recognisable to its audience and therefore they would still be able to identify the magazine through its generic conventions, without having to read the title itself. It also further emphasises the cover’s focal point being the cover image.

Main cover line: The font used for the main cover line is of a sans serif style, in contrast to the masthead. The use of a sans serif font makes the cover lines more appealable to the younger members of the target audience. The white colour used makes the cover line stand out and eye-catching as it contrasts with the red colour of the background Unlike other cover lines that I have looked at, this one does not specifically relate to the cover image. This could have been done to emphasise the focus on all the features in the magazine as oppose to just one. Positioned on the right hand side of the page, without distracting attention from the image or covering it up. Each word of the cover line gets bigger in size making the cover line attractive and eye catching to the audience who will be excited to read a feature that will help them transform their own image.

Target audience: The typical readers of this magazine would be affluent young/middle aged women of a middle/high class (A, B, C1 group of the socio economic group) who are interested in the world of fashion and beauty

Layout: The layout of the front cover follows the rule of the thirds, the left hand side of cover lines and barcode, the main image in the middle, and the remaining cover lines making up the right hand side of the page. By using clear columns, it gives the page a clear and professional look as everything has been designed and placed in a particular way, relating to their target audience of middle/high class women.

Colour Scheme: The main colours used in this cover are red, brown, blue and white. The colours used create a simplistic look for the cover, which makes the main image of central focus. The use of red makes the front cover look feminine attractive and bold whilst appealing to slightly older women who appreciate fashion.

Barcode: the barcode has been positioned on the bottom left corner. The barcode, price and date are all merged together in the box where readers can easily find them all at the same place. The barcode hasn’t been hidden or disguised in such way.

Masthead: The masthead has been written in a bold sans serif font that has been positioned on the top of the cover. The use of the colour red makes the masthead eye catching and memorable for the audience as although it appears simplistic, the choice of colour and font makes it iconic. In addition, the sans serif font suggests that the magazine aims to appeal to a slightly younger audience who are interested in the film industry regarding the latest films out. Although the head of the male figure in the cover image is covering a part of the masthead, the reader is still able to identify the magazine’s title because of its layout and memorable title. This could have been a choice made by the editor who felt confident that the masthead was iconic and memorable for its readers. ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ is placed above the masthead, acting as a strapline for the magazine. However in this cover, it is advertising a new film that is soon to be

Cover lines: The cover lines of the front cover all vary in terms of size and colour. The cover lines positioned on the left hand side of the page are of a smaller sans serif font in a brown colour, contrasting against the ocean blue background colour. These cover lines appear to be of less importance than the ones on the right hand side. The cover lines featured all relate to similar topics, including body and health, fashion and real life stories. From reading the cover lines, it is evident that the magazine places huge focus on fashion and beauty, which is the main genre of the magazine.

Website: The website address for the magazine has been included, placed on the right hand side beneath the masthead. This is a common feature of covers as it encourages readers to keep updated with the magazine and find out more exclusive information that perhaps wasn’t featured in their printed issues. For this genre of magazine it is important for them to create and build an

Masthead: the typography of the masthead is of a bold sans serif style, with the word ‘Total’ inside the letter ‘F”. This adds an artistic touch to the design of the masthead as well as informing readers of the genre of the magazine. The use of the sans serif font makes the magazine more appealable to the younger target audience, giving the magazine a modern and less formal image as we typically associate film magazines with a perhaps older target audience. The colour white contrasts well against the green background making the masthead bold and eye-catching to

Masthead: The masthead has been written in a bold sans serif font that has been positioned on the top of the cover. The use of the colour red makes the masthead eye catching and memorable for the audience as although it appears simplistic, the choice of colour and font makes it iconic. In addition, the sans serif font suggests that the magazine aims to appeal to a slightly younger audience who are interested in the film industry regarding the latest films out. Although the head of the male figure in the cover image is covering a part of the masthead, the reader is still able to identify the magazine’s title because of its layout and memorable title. This could have been a choice made by the editor who felt confident that the masthead was iconic and memorable for its readers. ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ is placed above the masthead, acting as a strapline for the magazine. However in this cover, it is advertising a new film that is soon to be

Website: The website address for the magazine has been included, placed on the right hand side beneath the masthead. This is a common feature of covers as it encourages readers to keep updated with the magazine and find out more exclusive information that perhaps wasn’t featured in their printed issues. For this genre of magazine it is important for them to create and build an

Masthead: the typography of the masthead is of a bold sans serif style, with the word ‘Total’ inside the letter ‘F”. This adds an artistic touch to the design of the masthead as well as informing readers of the genre of the magazine. The use of the sans serif font makes the magazine more appealable to the younger target audience, giving the magazine a modern and less formal image as we typically associate film magazines with a perhaps older target audience. The colour white contrasts well against the green background making the masthead bold and eye-catching to

Main cover line: Positioned beneath the character’s face as it relates to the main image. Unlike the other film magazine I analysed, the film title is in a smaller size font as the main part of the cover line in this magazine is the ‘ultimate summer preview’. In essence the main feature is about a variety of films as opposed to advertising the one. The large bold sans serif font makes it appealable to the target audience of the magazine. A smaller cover line also relates back to the main image; advertising the actor who plays the character in the main image. Positioned besides the face of the male figure in a white bold font to catch the readers’ attention.

French edition of ‘Premiere’ film magazine

Main image is of British actor ‘Robert Pattison’, positioned in the centre of the cover. The unusual pose of holding his hand upon reflects his quirky personality and may relate to the main cover line if it were to be translated to English. The clothing he is wearing denotes supremacy and power he has, further emphasised by ‘hand in the pocket’ pose looking uptight. In comparison to the other film magazines I have analysed, the actor here is not dressed in any character and is photographed as himself. This could be due to the fact that the feature is of an interview with the actor as opposed to advertising a new film he is starring in. The image has direct address making the reader feel engaged with the magazine and involved. (Linking to the Uses and Gratification theory). The use of direct address also creates a mood to the feature as the male appears to look serious and in deep thought. The cream background that has been placed behind the image enables it to stand out and catch the readers’ eye, as it becomes the focal point of the cover and the image almost looks 3D.

The colour scheme of cream, pink and black reflects the typical audience of this magazine of which we presume to be young females aged who will want to read an interview with one of their favourite actors. The use of such colours adds simplicity to the design of the cover and makes the different features of the page clear. The cover contrasts with the previous film magazines I have looked at, where both had busy style backgrounds as part of the image scenery. The layout of the cover also is of a simplistic and basic nature. In doing this, the cover looks clean and stylistic whilst looking professional. The layout is similar to the two-film magazine ‘Total Film’ and ‘Empire’ in that it follows the rule of thirds, conventionally of most magazines. The

Overall, in comparison to ‘Total Film’ and ‘Empire’ magazine that I have analysed, ‘Premiere’ magazine does not appear to dissimilar to other film magazines and adheres conventions that are typical of film magazine including the layout structure and use of one main image as the focal point. An obvious difference would be the fact that the cover is in French

Unlike the other film magazines I have observed, issue number of the magazine has been included on the cover. Positioned on the skyline of the cover in order for readers to be able to notice it.

Barcode: unusual place to position the barcode but the small size of it makes it not stand out to much amongst the other features of the cover page.