Features of a film magazine cover.

On a film magazine cover there are many different features, all of these features can link into the films that are within the magazine. on the front cover the person on the front is not the main actor but the main character this is because a famous actor could be a character who is not the main character within a film but yet the main character might not be a famous actor.

There are many different features to a film magazine cover these features include;

• Background
• Title
• Puff
• Plug
• Barcode
• Date and purchase amount
• The main character
• Teaser

 When first looking at a film magazine front cover there is many things which can attract your attention. One of the features that is most likely to attract the audience is the background. The background has to be dominant to stand out from other film magazines as well as to catch your audience's attention. This is because if you did not have a dominating background and you just had a plain white background then the magazine will not be appealing towards the audience. By looking at the example on the right it is clear to see that the background on this film cover attracts the audience because it is unusual and eye catching, however if this film magazine had a plain white background then they are unlikely to pick up the magazine and buy it.

  The title within the film magazine cover is important because it tells the audience what magazine they are buying as well as it it's catching so the audience know what film magazine they are buying. by looking at the example I have on the right it is clear to see that the title it big bold and red which stands out from the background, which means that the title is clear to see as it contrasts with the background.

  The puff is an extra that you can get from the magazine, more like freebies which is an add-on for the audience as they are more likely to buy a magazine if they are getting a free poster or gift out of the magazine. However on this magazine this doesn't seem to be there, the company obviously feels like this magazine will sell without any puff.

   The plug is something exclusive within the magazine that can attract the audience. The reason for this is to attract the audience to the magazine, on the example that is above the plug is 'Review of the year' as well as 'massive oscars special' these are some examples of a plug on the magazine cover above.

   The barcode is there on the front of the magazine cover this is important as it can show how realistic the magazine is as well as the price. If the front cover did not include the bar code then the audience might see it as the magazine looks out of place as well as unrealistic and a fake.

   The date and the purchase amount is important to the audience, this is because they will want the most up to date magazine including more recent information but they also might be collectors and so getting all of the issues is important. The price to be visible is important to the audience this is because they would want to know how much the magazine is going to cost them.

   The main character is on the front of the magazine, this is important because this will then indicate to the audience what film is it aimed at and most importantly what character rather than the actor.

  A teaser can be used to attract the audience, a teaser is used when the contents of the magazine is lacking so they add in a teaser to increase the sale of the magazine an example of a teaser is a world exclusive or exquisite interview.