2. The banner tells the reader
important information about the
magazine such as the release date
and the cost of the magazine.
As Empire's audience is mainly
regular (due to its specific target
audience and content) this
information will most likely be
known to the reader and so
Empire have chosen for it to be
quite small and in the bottom
corner of the magazine.
Unlike other magazines such as
„Grazia‟ the cost of the magazine
is not used as a unique selling
point (USP) and so does not to be
The Banner in a large font.
3. The Masthead
Empire is a well established
magazine and due to its bright
red recognisable colour and sans
serif font it is easily recognisable
when viewed from afar. Because
of this Empire is able to partially
cover their masthead with image
and in this case the cover line.
Like in most magazines, the mast
head is at the top of the
magazine as this ensure it is
clearly visible when it is on a
shelf.
4. The Main Image The main image in this magazine cover is
of the protagonist in the film. The low
angle portrays him as a dominant
character. By having the man look past
the camera it makes the audience
question what he is looking at creating
intrigue.
The use of chiaroscuro lighting meant
that a shadow has been cast over half of
his face and body. This has an impact as
it makes him appear as an isolated
character.
The genre of this film is film noir and this
is shown through the use of the black and
white image.
Due to the lack of props in the
background the audience cant interpret
much about the film, this is effective as it
means that the audience are left to make
their own interpretations about the films
narrative.
5. The Cover line
Unlike the rest of the
magazine‟s text, the cover line
is in a serif font with shading
on the background.
The cover line provides
information about what is in
the magazine.
Its placed at the top so that it
is eye-catching and can draw
their audience in.
6. Lead Article
The lead article in this magazine
is the films title. This informs the
reader that the main feature in
this magazine is about the film
It is capitol letters and sans serif
font meaning that it clearly
stands out and is easily visible.
The black edging around the
texts means that it stands out
clearly against the paler
background of the wall.
7. Anchorage
The anchorage is text that is used in
order to add meaning to the image.
In this cover the anchorage is essential
in adding meaning as narrative
enigma is created through the image.
The quote “I believe in God and mercy
and all that. But the dead are happier
dead. They don‟t miss much here, poor
devils”
This quote helps to enforce the genre
of film as a film noir film as it
introduces the concept of death which
in black and white films is often
through murder.
8. The Flash
Flashes promote the
content of the magazine
which entices the audience
to buy and then read the
magazine. Unlike other
magazines and even other
issues of empire magazine,
this issue only has one
flash.
