Magazine cover analysis

As well as creating a poster for a horror film we also have to create the front page of a film magazine reviewing our film. Before we are able to put the skills we learned last year to good use, we must first look at what makes a good magazine, and how the poster for the film is translated onto the magazine cover.

First, here is the poster for the film Scream 4, and a film magazine featuring this film on the cover. The main element of the poster (the killer's mask) is the focal point of the magazine cover too. Both are focused on the character as opposed to a particular scene of the film, or focusing on multiple characters. The mask in the poster on the right is actually designed to look like a knife, whereas the mask on the film magazine to the left is designed to look like the principal antagonist's mask. From this, we can instantly see that one character takes pride of place on the cover of a magazine. The image of the character on the cover of the magazine is clearly the same as that on the Scream 4 poster, albeit from a different angle.

As if to further reinforce this idea that only one character appears on the cover of a a magazine, the cover on the right shows the main character of the film Sweeney Todd. The image on the magazine is once again of the same character found on the poster, however, in this instance carries a far more angry expression, which differs to that found on the poster, where the expression could be interpreted as either a slight smile or a look of confusion on the main characters face. Once again, it is the antagonist of the film who takes pride of place on the magazine cover, due to him also being the character on the films poster. This therefore suggests that the character found on the cover of the magazine is the one featured on the film's poster.

Then again; I could be wrong. The poster for the film insidious features a child whom appears to be possessed, whereas the magazine cover features some kind of demonic creature from the film. On the surface, this goes against all the research thus far. However, when analysed, it goes on to support it. The child on the film's poster is not actually the protagonist of the film, yet neither is he the antagonist; however he is the reason such evil befalls the family in the film. Whilst he cannot be attributed as the antagonist of the film, it is through his actions the evil spirits in the film appear. Therefore, from this it can be deduced that the character who appears on both does not have to be the same, yet it would help if the two were somehow linked. 
          

Not really a horror film, but an incredible film nonetheless; The poster for The Dark Knight features the main antagonist (The Joker), much the same way as the Scream 4 and the Sweeney Todd posters do. Again; the film's principal antagonist features on the cover of the magazine, suggesting that magazines for films tend to focus on the main antagonist rather than the protagonist. The cover for the magazine features this character in a different position to that of the poster, much like the other posters. Therefore; it is evident that the images on the magazine covers are not normally repeated, and are not scenes from the film itself.

And now for something completely different. The poster for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland film is an almost direct mirror of the poster, with the main exceptions being the Mad Hatter's facial expressions and a cup of tea being replaced with a rabbit. This is the first poster to actually go against the theory that all posters and magazine covers featuring said film feature the antagonist on the cover. The Mad Hatter cannot be called the antagonist in the film, simply because he isn't. This may be an exception to the rule, however I assume this is due to the film being a kids film rather than a horror film aimed at adults.

Once again, not the poster for a horror film, yet no less valid for my research due to the content of the show; the poster for the show Dexter is featured on the right. Once again, the image magazine shows a significant contrast to the one located on the poster. The image on the poster depicts a far more graphic scene, with wings of blood splattered on a pale wall. Meanwhile, the image on the cover of the magazine is actually in black and white, creating a contrast between the plain image, and the red blood and text. Once again, the assumed antagonist is found on the cover of the magazine and the poster, despite the fact Dexter is also seen to be the protagonist of the series.

From the above research, we can take away that;

• Our magazine cover should feature our film's antagonist.
• Our magazine cover should feature the same character as that found on the poster.
• Our magazine cover should feature the same character as that found on the poster, but be in a different pose or position.
• Our magazine cover should reflect the overall feeling of the film.
• Our magazine cover should be good....

Therefore; we will have to bear these in mind when designing our magazine cover featuring our film.