NEA Pitch

 

Draft

 

Inspiration

 

Plan

 Plan for my magazine

Since the audience prefer independent to mainstream films I am going to take most of my inspiration from the Sight and Sound magazine. One edition will feature a new upcoming film director as the key image and the other edition with a famous actor from a new upcoming independent film. 

The colour scheme for each magazine will differ dependent on the key image and content being covered, but the layout will mostly remain the same. This includes: the masthead large and in bold across the top, one key image either mid shot or close up, the lead story with a headline at the bottom and minimal cover lines along the side. Each edition will use the same fonts to remain consistent.

The magazine will be called Film forum and will follow the typical content found in film magazines. For example some of the possible content it will include is:

• reviews on new films
• an article on a director
• an article on an actress
• top 25 films
• the best cinema snacks
• how to create a home cinema
• behind the scenes of the creation of a new film

Summation of findings

 Summation of findings

Overall during my research, I have explored more in depth about the genre of film magazines and what they usually include. Film magazines tend to target a niche audience of film enthusiasts but have to feature films that appeal to film enthusiasts as a whole. This is especially for the film featuring on the front page, whereas inside they can feature more undercover independent films. Film magazines are known to feature big blockbuster films opposed to smaller films made by unknown production companies. Film magazines try to include as up to date information on the latest films, actors/actresses and directors. The mastheads of film magazines are large, bold and sometimes obscured by the key image, this is mainly on magazines with a large popularity because the audience are still aware of the brand name and don't need to see the whole masthead to recognise it. The front pages include iconography of films included inside the magazine, this helps create a link with the front page and the film featured, and if the audience recognises it can persuade them to buy the magazine to read more. A skyline typically features at the very top of the magazine cover and for film magazines may promote the release of a new film. Puffs are often featured as bubbles or shapes with information that gains the readers attention, the shape and colour compliments the rest of the images and may link to the main film featured. For example, if it was Spider-man, it may be shaped like a web. they include a range of information, such as how to win free prizes and other incentives.

Brands that produce film magazines implement conventions that differ from each other. EMPIRE magazine typically includes a big blockbuster film on the front page. These tend to be films from big chain companies such as the marvel series. Sight and Sound magazine has a more eclectic approach to its front page. It doesn't always cover a film as its key image, they also include film directors. Even when featuring films, the images aren't as maximal and extreme. The images are more intimate and refined. The house style of Sight and Sound magazine can't necessarily be described as consistent like EMPIRE can be. In comparison, Total Film magazine is more similar to EMPIRE and implements the same conventions. The key images are bold and 'in your face' and of a well known mainstream blockbuster films. They are not so much exclusively chain films but are still very well-known. 

The audience is 16-25 year old middle and upmarket media literate. Being born in the digital age means they are up to date with  using social media so the brand can converge over multiple media platforms to reach a broader audience. The middle class have more disposable income and are willing to pay more for a product of good quality. Media literate assumes that the audience are well-educated and knowledgeable of media forms.

Audience profile- four

 

Audience profile- three

 

Audience profile- two

 

Audience profile- one

 

Case study- total film

 Case study- total film

Total Film is a British magazine predominantly based exclusively on films. The issues include a range of features including, upcoming films and their synopsis, spotlight interviews from famous actors and actresses as well as directors. Total Film magazine's target reader is an 18-24 predominantly male cinema enthusiast.The film magazine has the cover price of £3.99. 

Genre conventions: the film magazine Total Film includes the generic convention of a large key image featuring the protagonist of an upcoming mainstream film. The close-up of Cruella from the film Cruella conforms to this generic convention and is easily recognisable for the film-loving audience. The cover lines include articles featuring famous actors including, Hugh Grant, Emma Stone and Ben Whishaw. The colour scheme of red, black and white is applied consistently throughout and creates a strong theme which links to the lead story of the film Cruella. 

Intertextuality: film magazines use intertextuality to appeal and flatter the audience and demonstrate the world of content to be discovered within its pages. The references can be explicit because the audience share the same cultural competency as the producers. For example, the masthead Total Film, is white with black spots which is a direct reference to the film Cruella, a 'spin-off' of 101 Dalmations. The colour scheme also mimics this theme. 

Representations: film magazines create certain representations which reflect their brand and set the appropriate tone for the magazine as a whole. Total Film tends to create representations based on the characters from the film. Cruella has an evil, condescending facial expression, which matches the character in the film.

Case study- sight and sound

 Case study- sight and sound

Sight and sound is an international film magazine which focuses mainly on independent films but does feature worldwide blockbuster films as well. The target audience is well-educated and those interested in film. Also, typically the readers are middle-class males 35+. The price of the magazine is from £3-£4. 

Genre conventions: unlike other film magazines which include a mid-shot of an actor from a blockbuster, sight and sound magazine takes a more intimate approach. The key image dominates the front page and is a close up shot of Steve McQueen a British film director. There are minimal coverlines and the main story is titled "the future of film". The magazine appeals more to an audience who want to become more educated in the history of film rather than know about new films, however some of these are still included. The masthead is large and across the top of the magazine as it feature in each edition making the brand easily recognisable.

Intertextuality: film magazines use intertextuality to reference the cornucopia of content available inside the magazine. The references are explicit and those referenced are considered famous enough to require no explanation as the audience shares the same cultural competency as they are interested in film. For example, the audience can easily recognise Steve McQueen in the key image as he is a famous British film director, this flatters the audience and makes them seem smart.

Representations: film magazines select and combine different elements to create representation which reflect their brand ideologies and viewpoints. The close up shot of Steve McQueen in black and white with direct addresses, positions the magazine and audience as having a close relationship. The simplicity of the black and white with the questioning facial expression connotes the magazine is more laid-back and restricted. For example, Sight and Sound is more likely to focus on independent, niche films rather than the worldwide mainstream blockbusters which would require a more out-going, extreme representation.

Case study- EMPIRE

 Case study- EMPIRE

EMPIRE film magazine's audience is 3/4 male, the average age of 40 and more in the AB socio-economic group. A year's subscription to this magazine costs £49.99.

Genre conventions: film magazines typically have one key image which dominates the front page and is usually are mid shots of the main character. EMPIRE implements this convention as it includes one image in a mid shot of the character Black widow. The sell lines have names of famous actors, actresses and films to draw in the film-loving audience, for example "Tom Cruise". The colour palette includes a minimal number of colours keeping it simple as to not draw away from the main story. The puff "world exclusive" draws in the audience who want to know the 'never seen before information' and then are more likely to buy the magazine. EMPIRE is well known for always having the most up-to-date information on the latest films and A-list celebrities, which contributes to its audience's loyalty.

Intertextuality: film magazines rely heavily on intertextuality in order to quickly suggest a world of content to be discovered within its pages.They reference other films in the coverlines and includes articles inside the magazine. This is true of EMPIRE which includes articles about Black widow, top gun and x-men. The products are considered famous enough to require no explanation suggesting a shared experience with a culturally aware audience.

Representations: film magazines select and combine representations that will reflect their brand and set an appropriate tone for the magazine as a whole. The representation of a protagonist female character subverts stereotypical representations, Scarlett Johansson is a powerful, 'butt-kicking' and strong character all of which are qualities a male hero would usually possess. Scarlett is holding dangerous weapons and has a cool glare on her face which anchor this idea of power.