Magazine Cover Analysis

This is a cover from the magazine Total Film which is another UK based film magazine which was first issued in 1997. The masthead for this cover takes up about a third of a page which suggests that the magazine relies on their reputation as a magazine in order to sell copies. The title ‘Total Film’ suggests that the magazine is solely about the film industry which will attract avid fans of films. The styling of the masthead is very simple but as it’s in white on an otherwise dark page, it is very distinctive.

The main image is of Leonardo Di Caprio, who plays the protagonist in the 2010 film Shutter Island. The image is shot from a low angle which emphasises his power and authority. This is also shown through the phallic symbol that he is holding in his hand and the smoke in the image suggests that it is unknown at the moment whether he is going to be the hero or villain of the film. The genre of the film is shown through how the film title is written; it looks like a blood splatter which suggests that the film could be violent and the subheading mentions an asylum which could infer that there is psychological elements to the film as well.

One selling point on this magazine cover is the cover title that is at the top of the page, by featuring articles about movie art. This suggests the target audience is slightly more film obsessive (“aesthetes”) than the more mainstream magazine Empire which is aimed at more casual fans of cinema. Other selling points are at the bottom of the magazine cover where it mentions other film titles that will feature in the magazine. From these titles I can infer that this magazine is aimed at a male demographic that would appeal to those aged 18+, given the more mature feel to the cover's style.