Total Film is the title of this film magazine. The emphasis is on the word “FILM” which is
written in white capitol block font fitting the entire width of the magazine cover. “Total” is
written in a smaller size font that is able to fit into the ‘f’ of film. Allowing the audience to
see the word, yet are immediately aware that this is a Film magazine. The magazine title
focuses the potential buyers attention that the magazine is entirely based on film, as some
music and gossip magazine are a specific genre the do intend to cover a range of topics such
as film in their magazine content, whereas Total Film remains on Film.
Total Film is a British film magazine published 13 times a year (every four weeks) by Future
Publishing. Producing over 180 specialist publications in the UK, US and Australia with their
biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock, Guitar World, and Official Xbox
Magazine. Future sells 3.2 million magazines each month, attracting more than 23 million
viewers to their websites. Future exports publications to 90 countries internationally,
making them the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines. The
average readership for this magazine would be from late teens to early/late twenties with a
more male consumption as the magazine tends to focus on the more action, thriller movies
and not chick flick romance genres.
The target audience for the magazine would be any female/male reader who is interested in
film, but specifically action and classic film. Therefore ruling out a large number of female
readerships where films in the romance and chick flick genres that are targeted towards.
Reviews of these genres are usually found in women’s weekly gossip magazines etc. In Total
Film the magazine focuses on action films, commonly the favourite genre for the male
audience. Target audience of this magazine would be late teenage males to early thirties.
We can clearly see this as most of the articles featured on the front cover are based on
action films that have the male protagonist/hero or leading cast. Such can be seen; Harry
Potter, Spiderman, Mission Impossible, Sin City and Madmen.
The front cover image is of a recent film release that has such a huge reputation and
demand. The character Harry Potter played by Daniel Radcliff stands centre of the magazine
in a determined and ready to battle stance. With a stern, focused and intense expression on
his face, allowing the reader to see that this film is just as important as all the rest if not
more and that there is still more action and powerful storyline to be revealed and draw the
attention of the reader. Wearing ordinary clothes, this keeps Harry’s character intact and
recognisable, keeping in theme with the previous films. As he is in his ordinary clothing the
audience immediately aware that Harry is not in “Wizardry School” and he is fighting on his
own for himself, revealing there a story outside the school theme. His clothing also depicts
that the character has grown up. He also wears his iconic glasses that are seen in every film.
Something that will grab the attention of the reader is the fact that Harry is standing with a
sword instead of his usual wand, thus giving the impression that he enters a battle type
scene and that Harry’s life maybe in danger. The sword creates a much more dramatic and
attention grabbing feel towards the film and magazine. The colour scheme for the magazine
tends to change with each film to fit in with the particular movie and to create an individual
feel to the featured film. On this magazine Harry is based in an almost barren landscape,
with the main colour being red and black creating a sort of hellish and dangerous theme.
The magazine title that tends to remain in the same font and colour is contrasting with the
magazine background, which is easily seen and recognised by the reader and stands out
against the rest of the cover. The title of the film “Harry Potter 7” is also poignant of the
cover as is allows the reader to become aware of what number the film saga has released. It
is prominent in where it is placed below the main character; the text is sophistically placed
across the three thirds of the cover and is placed through Harry’s legs, as if Harry is standing
over it. Another feature on the front cover is the tag line that is recognisable on every issue
of the magazine, “The Modern Guide to Movies”, making the potential new reader aware
that this genre of magazine focuses on the new way of reviewing and interacting with a film
guide magazine. The magazine is modern in terms of style, journalistic techniques and there
interactive options online.
The overall presentation of the magazine presents a very defiant attention grabbing style.
The use of colour and imagery allow the readers to pick up the magazine and to want to see
the film advertised on the front cover. The featured articles on the front cover also give the
reader an insight into the specific type of magazine it is and what may be featured in the
magazine that week, if they are basing them magazine on a totally male hero genre of film
as it becomes apparent on this specific issue. The font style in the title is clear and
recognisable; standing clearly against the darker background of the magazine, as it is
presented in a regular block font it creates a more sophisticated and mature style to the
overall magazine. This and the overall presentation make the magazine look classic and
expensive to purchase.