Codes and Conventions of a Film Magazine Front Cover

The conventions of a magazine front cover are almost the same for every type. The conventions of film magazines will be similar to women's magazines or sports magazines. This is so that the readers know just at a glance what it is they are looking at. However, there are slight differences between each type so that the reader knows at a glance what they're looking for.

Masthead - This is basically the title of the magazine. Dominant and striking, mastheads of film magazines tend to continue the masculine colour scheme of the front cover, or reflect the main feature article. The name itself tends to have strong connotations with the film industry (e.g. SFX), is a buzz word (see below for definition) (e.g. Empire), or a combination of the two (e.g. Total Film).

Buzzwords and punctuation - Punctuation such as exclamation points and buzz words such as "new" and "awesome" are used to excite the reader about article or features of the magazine. 

Symbols - This aspect is commonly used on magazines that are aimed towards males. It is scientifically proven that men respond better to symbols in regards to taking in information and paying attention. Lots of plus signs and arrows are used and other positive icons to show the reader where to look.

Strapline - Featured above the masthead, this is a sentence that can detail an important feature article, a deal in regards to the price of the magazine or something free that comes with the product such as posters or competitions.

Dateline - Generally written in small type beneath the masthead, this is a line of informaiton detailing, the issue number or month of release, the website of the magazien and possible the price.

Main image - This is the primary focus of the magazine front cover. Generally the element that draws in the audience, the image on a film magazine is usually of a famous actor that features in the main article. Depending on how many models the magazine has on the front cover, the tops of their heads may cover the title to emphasise the importance of them or their character. Also, the image of the film character is often the one used on the movie's poster and this creates a symbiotic link between the two pieces of media and makes it more recognisable for the audience. The image contrasts those found on lifestyle magazines as it usually features the model in a much more dominant pose that shows the strength of the character. The model will also be dressed to coincide with their movie, rather than just for fashion, and will be placed on a background of sorts, such as part of the setting of the film or in an action style shot, as opposed to a plain background used in lifestyle magazines as seen above to the left and right.

Feature article photographs - These images are designed to be the secondary attraction after the main image and shows the articles featured within visually.

Main sell-line - Placed centrally, below the main image, this short phrase either sums up an article in a witty fashion, or is simply the name of the actor or film in the main article.

Puff – This element is the circular, square or other shaped bubble placed atop the main image, usually towards the right of the page and at the top, to highlight a special feature of the magazine, be it an article, a competition or something of the like.

List of movies included - This is to attract the audience further to the magazine and establishes the type of magazine that it is and to what demographic they aim towards (e.g. mainly action movies aim towards a typically masculine audience). If the reader doesn't like the main article, they may like one or more of the other films featured and therefore still want to purchase the product.

Banner - This may be a strip of colour placed across the main image to highlight the main sell-line, or it may be, or may also be, featured at the base of the page as a way to show the images of feature articles.

Layout - The layout of the text, puffs and banners of a magazine is intended to frame the main image to make it seem more important.

Text - Generally in the left hand third of the page, the text is usually  between three and four fonts and three and four  separate colours so as to not confuse the reader and to not let the cover look too cluttered. The colours used in the text can also reflect the main image and sell line by reflecting a character (e.g. red, white, and blue for a cover with Captain America on it). The text usually follows a masculine colour to appeal to the primarily male target audience.