Empire Magazine analysis

             

This is a March 2001 cover of Empire Magazine. Empire Magazine is a mainstream film magazine and this issue is a 'Bloody Valentine' special edition, from this we can tell that the magazine is gonna be based around the Horror genre and specifically gory horror films.The cover image is of thriller horror film Hannibal and is accompanied by the main cover line "WHAT'S COOKING?"A line famously associated on the film based around literature serial killer Hannibal Lecter, this shows that Hannibal is going to be the feature article of the magazine. The colour scheme is white and red, red is a colour synonymous with the horror genre. Red has connotations of evil, blood and danger, all conventions of horror films. The white is Empire Magazine's signature typography on their magazine covers and can almost always be seen on all cover lines of Empire Magazine covers. The masthead is in a bold red font and takes up a lot of cover space on the top third of the magazine and is the same on every cover as it stands out and catches the readers attention and makes it easier to find in shop shelves as readers know what they are looking out for. The coverline "Gore blimey!" is a gore related pun, followed by "The most shocking scenes ever" and "Catering for cannibals". Gore is closely associated with the horror genre and the most shocking scenes ever suggest that there is going to be gory articles which will appeal to horror fans as horror fans like to be grossed out. "March 2001 £2.90" is above the masthead showing that the magazine is a monthly publication and is sold on shelves for £2.90, the barcode in the bottom left further aids this. In the bottom right corner there is a cover line saying "Plus" with a list of famous actors and actresses such as Ridley Scott, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matt Damon and Will smith. These names will catch the attention of readers because these are all famous film stars with big fan bases and also shows that the film will not be a horror movie issue entirely as there will be articles for everyone. "EVERY NEW FILM REVIEWED" in the very top corner will catch readers attention as Empire Magazine is a magazine for film fans who will be excited to read about the newest films in the cinema as they have an interest in films and going to the cinema. "empireonline.co.uk" underneath the masthead shows that the film is digitally convergent and available as print and online, this allows the magazine to project a lot more interest as it is accessible on multiple platforms of technology such as smartphones, tablets and computers on the internet.