The Deconstruction of 3 Film Magazine Front Covers

Deconstruction 1 - EMPIRE 

Composition: (overall design/ layout) The overall design is both very dramatic and very powerful which reflects the genre of the film. It also appeals to women as they will find the male attractive and appealing and will appeal to male audiences because it is a generic Hegemonic male which many men aspire to be like.

Text - The text is bold and dramatic to fit in with the genre of the film and to also appeal to a male audience. It also stands out and gives the impression it is shouting at the audience but in a positive way.

Colour - The colour scheme is white, navy and red. Stereotypically these are more male oriented colours which suits the target audience well as they will mostly be male. 

Body Language/Staging - The male on this front cover is standing in a masculine pose, with a stern and serious look on his face. He is flexing his muscles which signifies strength and masculinity. This will appeal to the main target audience of men because often characters like this will be an inspiration to boys/men and they will want to look like him.

Framing - The main character in the film 'wolverine' is in the central park of the page. People buying this magazine will probably like this film or want to go and see this film because it is the main article inside the magazine. Therefore the target audience will enjoy the main character being the main focus so they know there is going to be a lot of reference about the film inside the magazine.

Lighting - The background is in darkness with a dark blue colour gradient and a bright white light in the background. The main focus is on the main image, the man. He has the brightest light shone upon him so he stands out the most on the page.

Font - All of the font on the front cover is in capitals. This gives a loud and attention grabbing effect, almost like the page is shouting at you, for your attention. This appeals to the target audience as the magazine front cover is stereotypically aimed at males because of the action films featured. Male oriented magazines have a 'manly' effect about them and the capitals represent; strength, boldness and loudness, which are all stereotypically male connotations.

Deconstruction 2 - FILM

Composition: (overall design/ layout) The overall design is very mystery, magical and fantasy like. This is through the use of orange and purple and fairy tale inspired makeup. These conventions also reflect the genre of the film.

Text - The text is minimalistic in order for the main image to raise questions and do all the talking. It includes 'buzz' words like FREE and MASSIVE to attract audiences to this magazine.

Colour - The colours of purple, white, yellow and orange are stereotypically feminine colours. 

Body Language/Staging - The fact that there is a rabbit on the front cover immediately appeals more to a feminine audience. Males, stereotypically would not be attracted to a fluffy rabbit on a magazine front cover.

Framing - The main character is central in a medium shot (usually the case for most front covers)

Lighting - The spotlight is on the main image so he stands out on the dark background and also to show he is the main character of the film.

Font - The text is simple and mostly white which stands out on the dark purple background. It is easy and clear to read which is important for readers who want to find out more about the film due to the interesting main image.

Deconstruction 3 - FILM

Composition: (overall design/ layout) - The overall design is very dramatic and powerful which reflects the genre of the film. It will entice the audience to go and see the film as they will want to see some dramatic and unique action and the film will want to be more successful than the previous films in the franchise.

Text - The text about Harry Potter are in the biggest fonts and the other information is in a much smaller font. This signifies that this magazine is centered around the release of the final Harry Potter film. The target audience will be males and females and people who love the Harry Potter franchise. 

Colour - This magazine front cover follow a three shade colour scheme of red, white and grey. These three colours appeal to both male and female audiences which is essential because the target audience for Harry Potter is both males and females. The red signifies danger and the black behind it signifies death and mystery.

Body Language/Staging - Harry is standing in a heroic posture and since he is the only one on the page it signifies that he is the main character and possibility the hero.

Framing - Harry Potter is in the centre of the cover, infront of any text on the page, this makes him the main focus.

Lighting - The main image stands out due to the background lighting. The lighting behind him is dark and fierce with the red and the black signifying danger. The spotlight on him shows he is the hero.

Font - The font is in lower case apart from the title, Harry Potter. This makes this the main focus on the front cover and will attract the target audience who love the Harry Potter franchise.