Empire Magazine Cover Analysis

By Georgia St. Louis

Typography
The masthead is aligned at the top of the magazine paradigm and it is covered up by the main image suggesting it is a significant part of the magazine. The paradigm of the small sized font suggests that it is of little significance compared to the title of the film and main image. The paradigm of a serif font has been chosen, this is to highlight the fact that this is a credible and trustworthy magazine syntagm. The paradigm of the capitalized text and the tight spacing of the letters gives the idea of a tight gripping thriller and the capital letters suggest that it is a must-see film.

Main Image
The central positioning of the main image paradigm, highlights the importance of the image to the narrative of the film and it takes up the whole magazine syntagm. The overlapping of the main image with the title shows how it has overpowered the masthead it is more significant and the magazine is well known. The paradigm of the close up shot of the main protagonist focuses on the thriller aspect of the film and gives the idea of torture.

Anchorage
The paradigm of the serif font gives the magazine a professional and classic look to it, making it seem credible. The aligning of the text to the right paradigm suggests that the anchorage is not as important as the image in relation to the narrative syntagm. The paradigm of the small font used for the anchorage suggests that the main image is what is going to draw you into the film rather than the quote - syntagm. The paradigm of the white text combined with the small font highlights the small attribute of vulnerability that is part of the film.

Flash Headline
The slanted effect of the flash headline paradigm and this positioning overlapping the main image highlights it is also of almost equal significance.
The paradigm of the colour red at the bottom and the beige on the bigger font gives an overpowered significance. The font of the flash articles within the magazine is capitalized to suggest that there are other significant stories within but the small font suggests that this film is the top one syntagm. The smaller font paradigm underneath suggests that the smaller font is less important than the other headlines within the magazine.

The Banner
The red colour of the text paradigm is significant as it overpowers the other texts on the magazine syntagm. The tight spaces of the text paradigm suggests that the film is going to be a tentative and thrilling experience. The large font suggests that the banner is the main aspect of the magazine and without the magazine would not be as well known and appreciated.

Choice of Colours
The choice of the colour white on the skyline text paradigm, overpowers the masthead and the black background making it seem significant. The colour beige of the film title paradigm insinuates that this is an important aspect of the magazine suppresses the main image. The choice of the colour red on the text paradigm connotes concepts such as danger and peril syntagm. Additionally, overpowering the black background chosen syntagm. The white colour of the anchorage text paradigm gives the impression of there being a small quality of innocence within the horrific traits of the film.