Magazine Research

Cover lines are also used to advertise other films shown in the issue, and gives the reader and idea of what else to expect. They however are not as big or bold, and this represents how the main focus will still be the Hobbit, and does not take away from the main title. The colour white connotes nativity, which could represent a personality trait of Bilbo.

The Masthead is Empire; this names connotes it includes all of the information you will need for films as it is a reputable source and has lots of popularity. It is somewhat obstructed by the main image, but the magazine relies on the audience to not need the masthead to recognise the magazine. The capital letters and sans serif; which connotes seriousness and familiarity. The gold font is also used to continue the synergy.

The main image is a midshot of Bilbo the main character featuring in the film. He is almost central, and is looking away from the audience; this engages the audience as it shows there will be action in the film. The background includes a secondary character, Gollum, who is featured as he is a fan favourite character from the trilogy previous, and he will draw attention to readers familiar with the storyline. The strapline is written in big, bold and is centred. This is in gold to continue the synergy, and is the main way in which the magazine advertises the film before anybody has even brought it as it is the feature film. ‘The Hobbit’ Is shown in capitals also, to draw attention and give it importance.

The barcode is shown in the bottom corner and it is relatively small, this is enables it to be purchased from a store. Publication details are also very small so that it does not take away from the overall front image, and it is not as important to entice an audience. The word excusive is used as it entices the audiences to buy the magazine as they will not be able to see the information in any other magazine. The Exclamation mark is also used to add excitement, and draws in the reader’s attention.

The use of the blue colour used throughout the cover, this is synergy as Bilbo has a sword which lights up blue. The colour blue also connotes coldness; which links into the image of the cave, and how they are associated with being icy and stony. This reaches out to the audience and empires demographic of middle class men due to blue being a commonly associated male colour. The gold colour used is also synergy for ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy, and it connotes royalty, and jewellery, linking to the ring.