Generic Conventions of the Magazine Cover

In general on a film magazine poster, there are certain conventions. For example:

• Masthead - the name of the magazine, displayed large at the top and distinct from the background. This tends to be identical across editions, to identify the magazine.

• Background Image - Generally a simple image to do with the main film featured in the issue, be it publicity shots, a still frame, or an artists rendition, it usually portrays one or more of the lead actors from the film. It takes up the whole of the page and is designed to draw the viewer's attention.

• Film Title - Often in the very centre of the page, roughly the same size as the magazine title and telling the viewer what the feature article is about. This convention is often subverted however, as above.

• Skyline - a catchy slogan to grab the reader's attention on a magazine rack in a shop. Normally it's about the magazine itself (see Sight & Sound) or about the film (see Empire. Note, however, that Empire do still have a slogan about the magazine, but below the title).

• Other Features - This is probably the most changeable element of a magazine, even from issue to issue. This is usually some text and/or a pictures describing other articles in the magazine. This is in black text on the Empire magazine cover above.