Analysing Magazines- 2

Content Code

Unlike the other magazine, this magazine is in English, and is the well renowned ‘Empire’ magazine. It looks as if it is a horror special, due to not only the typography on the magazine, but also the fact that is in grey scale and has a mysterious picture as the cover picture. The forest connotes mysteriousness and to some viewers may connote terror. The black figure in the middle of the page leaves the audience wondering what it is, which could again bring fear to them. In my opinion, the figure looks like the grim reaper, which is often associated with death and horror. We can tell that the picture has been taken in autumn, probably late October, as most of the leaves have fallen from the trees and have fallen onto the floor. This suggests that it is near Halloween, which is regarded as the scariest day of the year.

Technical Code

Shot Distance- The shot is a medium shot of a hooded creature in the woods. This creates mystery and suspense for the audience, which could cause the reader to buy the magazine.

Camera Angle- The camera angle is straight on but is at a slight low angle, looking up at the creature. This could connote hierarchy and show that the hooded creature is powerful and that the audience should be afraid and intimidated by it.

Focal Depth- The black and white photo is clear, but dark, which connotes mystery and possibly death? The picture is in shallow focus, with the trees in the background slighty blurred, which draws the reader’s attention to the hooded creature.

Typography- The title of the magazine ‘Empire’ is globally known, and is in red to signify horror. It is on a black background, which stands out, drawing the eye of the reader straight to it. The title of the film ‘Subliminal’ is in a spooky, confused font, which again connotes more uncertainty for the audience, which could also link to horror. The rest of the writing is in red and white, causing them to stand out from the picture more. The magazine only has three colours for fonts, black, red and white, which is typical of a magazine cover as and more coloured fonts may make the page look messy and unorganised. However, one less colour could make it look boring and uninteresting. I think that the makers of this magazine have found a good balance of the number of colours and fonts that they have used on the front cover.