Magazine research Magazines help to promote films in a variety of different ways. Often magazines will feature interviews with cast members and directors in order to provide an ‘insiders view’ that makes the audience feel more involved and engaged with the film. Magazines can also put across a lot more information than a trailer or poster as articles can be in-depth. Visually, as well, magazines can put across a lot of information, creating a particular look or feel that compliments the feel of the film.

Little White Lies magazine Little White Lies believes in “truth & movies” not caring about celebrity instead celebrating film. These sell lines are a typical magazine convention however, here, as opposed to most mainstream magazines, the sell lines are kept simplistic and minimal yet they stand out from the background. The masthead is placed at the top of the magazine cover and presents the title of the magazine. It is generic to each issue of the magazine and can be associated with the company. As Little White Lies is not that well known and established, the logo is placed boldly and blatantly. The unusual graphic on the front cover fits perfectly with the comic book theme in our film and reflects the alternative/ indie vibe of out film. The magazine’s budget is also very low therefore an illustrated image is much cheaper than a professional photo shoot.

Empire is a much more mainstream magazine that tends to focus on Hollywood or block buster type films. It’s aims lie in film coverage and providing the biggest film coverage to its readers. The colours used are bold and eye-catching. The masthead is very large and remains the centre of attention, almost distracting from the main image which could suggest the magazine relies on it’s brand to maintain it’s readers. As Empire is such a well established company, they can afford to have the main image obstructing the logo. As typical, the film’s main character is the main image in the centre of the cover with the sell lines and additional information surrounding it at the edges. This is so as not to distract from the main image. The main character or actor generally, as with here, makes direct eye contact with the camera in order to lure and entice the audience.

The focus on a director rather than an actor demonstrates the main interests of the magazine and it’s readers. It shows that it is more involved in the making of the film and behind the scenes ideas rather than the more commercial side. The masthead is simplistic yet bold enough to be attention grabbing, especially when contrasted with the uncluttered background. Sight & Sound is marketed as a high-brow, consumer magazine. Contributing editors and writers are often academics or specialists within sectors of film.