This document compares the magazine covers of Entertainment Weekly and Horror Hound. It analyzes an unconventional cover of Entertainment Weekly promoting the film Scream 4 that features Ghost Face in pink stars, diminishing the horror element. Horror Hound focuses on horror films and uses artistic covers related to the films' themes. While their covers interest niche audiences, the characters and films advertised may not be recognizable to some. Both magazines have advantages like clear images but also disadvantages like providing online information on covers or not attracting new audiences.
3. THE HISTORY OF
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Using google images I have
found a range of covers for
the magazine. The first issue
was published on February
16th 1990. It is apparent from
the magazine covers I have
seen and those shown here
that Entertainment weekly
has always marketed to a
younger audience. There are
colourful tag lines engaging
main images and the stylistic
theme almost always suits
the films genre.
4. WHY THIS IS
UNCONVENTIONAL?
Issue number 1150 shown above is similar to other film
magazines because of the image. Movie magazines have
always appealed to their target audience by demonstrating
their dedication to the film rather than the actors and other
behind the scenes factors. The reason the issue which
shows the fear inducing character of ghost face is
unconventional is because of the light blue splash, the visual
of the pink stars around the emotionless face diminishes the
horror of the Scream 4 film. Also the tag lines on the header
obstructs the image portraying the face as a brand rather
than a faceless killer who makes the Scream films terrifying
for viewers.
5. ADVANTAGES &
DISADVANTAGES
The Masthead is bold
and easy to recognise.
The sell lines are
positioned in a way
which doesn’t distract
from the image.
The use of a close up
emphasizes the
callousness of the
character of ghost
face.
The magazine has
kept its brand image.
The changes in font for
the header means some
articles may appear
less important.
The slash is too large
and this means the
content seems less
diverse.
The red background
isn’t deep enough to
have immediate
connotations of horror.
The magazine has
sacrificed the films
image which prevents
them from attracting a
new audience.
6. THE HISTORY OF
HORROR HOUND
Horror hound was produced in 2005 and is
an official long running fanzine. This has
restricted their marketing however this has
lead to the establishment of a unique
brand which interests the niche market
which it is aimed towards. Typically the
final images they have chosen for their
front covers have been artistic and
memorable. Subsidiary images are always
on the left column. The layout has
remained unchanged the colours are often
bright to highlight the madness of the
horror.
7. WHY IS THIS
UNCONVENTIONAL?
The sell lines are placed where the banner line is normally
found. The image is most prominent and because it is horror
specific the brand image often links in with the films style
and themes etc. There is less text surrounding the splash
than is normal and the font mirrors that which may be used
in horror films for titles, credits etc. There is no obvious
setting and the villain is portrayed in a fiery blaze. It would be
conventional to show the protagonist of the horror on the
cover or the face of a character who’s motives and true
character is abstract within the film. Even though it is
conventional to present the actors in character technically
the character of ghost face is unknown.
8. ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
The sell lines and
images are all clear and
effective.
The masthead is
impactful and the black
ink around the title
complements to the
horror style.
The advertising for
scream 4 ‘The return of
ghost face ’interests
the niche market
because unlike
entertainment weekly it
focuses on the horror
genre rather that the
other elements such as
a star cast and comedy
script.
The coverlines aren’t
presented successfully
to engage different
audiences.
The print used for film
logos is used for the sell
lines. This is appropriate
for a fanzine.
Nonetheless it could be
a disadvantage as it is
providing information
that can be found online.
The artistic covers mean
the audience may not
recognise the characters
or films being
advertised.
