Film Magazine Deconstruction - 'Total Film'

I will be aiming to further study the common codes and conventions of 'TOTAL FILM' magazine

Now in comparison, I will now focus on the conventional design and layout of 'Total Film' magazine in order to understand the features which are successful and work for this second film magazine.

Below, I have placed some examples of former 'Total Film' covers which instantly gives an audience the the image and information suitable for this magazine.

• This is an 'Total Film' issue cover from 2012

•  The mise en scene of the cover, colours used, text, typography, images, common features and codes will be the concepts I study and choose to replicate. 

• Secondly, the image on the right is similarly a 2012 cover issue from 'Total Film' magazine
• I can draw similarities and differences to these magazine covers both from 'Total Film' but also 'Empire'

Under the subheadings of design and layout come many codes and conventions and the following will help me fully identify and understand why and how such codes are used:

1. Images-size,editing,colour,what it is

2. Text-size, font, typography, colour, angles

3. Mise en scene-placement of every code on an A4 spread, why is that picture there?

4. Colour-colour theme, bright, bold, relevant, common colour theme

5. Title- 'EMPIRE'

6. Logo

7. Common codes-names of writers, photography, page numbers, photo tags, captions

Below, is a common design of a film interview/feature from 'Total Film' magazine which I will deconsturct using those main themes numbered:

*note that this interview I will deconstruct is split ino 2 articles exploring a new actor and new film release

1. Images

• Amount of images used totalled - 5 (half the images used in 'Empire' deconstruction)
• However, these 5 images have less size variaion and are more or less large scaled compared to 'Empire' deconstruction
• One image evidently holds the most focus and significance to the one of these articles/features. This is the striking, menacing image of actor Phillip Ridley placed in the first half of the 1st A4 page, and it covers past the centre line dominting the article
• Second image, is the next largest placed on the right side of the article which is the main focus in the 2nd article
• The three smaller scaled images are scattered through the space between the largest images and angled on slanted diagonals giving the article a three dimensional outlook
• Also, these 3 individual images have a slight white border separating them from the most important pictures seen and also giving them a cartoon/scrapbook feel as if they have been hand placed onto the paper
• All of the images present in the article are coloured and enhanced for bolder, brighter colours to stand out-all the images are coloured in much darker colours rather than lighter,pale shades

2. Text

• The main body of text is in small scale size - black
• The title is in white text contrasting to the main text and is bordered with a thin white box-this surrounds the text and makes the significant text noticeable
• A skilful editing technique to make the text seem somewhat more realistic is the clear effect where there is no secondary background upon the image forthe text instead the image is the background
• Some significant and important information such as release dates, actors, running times etc are in bold
• There are more quotes evident in this 'Total Film' extract, and these quotes are seen in other colours e.g. BLUE and RED
• The quotes are in read in CAPITALS, the quote itself is in bold capitals and the name of the actor quoted is in normal font-these quotations are completed with 2 large bold quote marks, thinly outlined in a speech bubble
• The text is aligned in vertical columns- a common code for magazine/newspapers/print media
• Similarly to the 'Empire' deonstruction some text is angled from horizontal to vertical i.e. on the central line of the double page spread (this normally includes photographic reference or the place or location of the image)
• A second common code of a magazine is the page number, it is normally stated as such totalfilm.com 11 in 'total film' articles with a pale coloured statement of total film website           (e-media) and bold numbering for page numbers

3. Mise en Scene

• This particular double page spread from Total Film magazine is very much divided into 2 sections, one covered in relating images and the other with written text however in a subtle and sophisicated way
• Images are placed across the top of the double page spread and written text is mostly aligned in columns below
• The only text in the top section is short description boxes, speech bubbles (shaped in boxes), titles
• Images- 1st at the top, 2nd on the right side centred, smaller image is above the 2nd angled on the left diagonal, following two extra small images scattered in the centre of the double page
• Quotes are symetrical and the two in this article are placed one on the right, one on the left
• Photo caption boxes with pointed edges on the side of photos
• A separate feature is placed on the left side of the article, on the main image itself
• In the top left hand corner of the article, a white edgy shaped logo is angled with the text 'BUZZ'
• This text is next to a constructed logo with the colours black and yellow-black circle background, with a lightening bolt shape (in yellow)

4. Colour

• With 'Total Film' there is a less clear colour theme however the background colour of white helps to collate all the different colourful text + images
• Also, the article title, image borders, and other text on darker colours is white therefore creating a relevant and suitable colour scheme
• Black- main columns of text, photo captions, page numbers and within imagery
• Blue + red - these colours used for the two individual quotations, also a brighter blue is the background of the secondary feature on the left of the article and the text colour of one photo caption box
• Yellow - 1st desciptive information beneath the main title is highlighted in this colour, sub headings in the 'total film' feature and the imagery in the 'total film' logo 

5. Title

• Previously seen in the front covers above, 'TOTAL FILM' is at the top central part of the page
• The word 'FILM' are in huge, bold capitals branded from one side to the other of an A4 page in white, and the first part of the magazine name 'TOTAL' is found in the horizontal space on the capital F
• The black and white gives the magazine a very monochromatic feel but also are the fundamental opposites in colour which allows the imagery or colourful typography/text to simply decorate the front cover

6. Common codes + conventions

• The most important codes I need to notice and replicate are these small conventions such as names of writers, photography, page numbers, photo tags, captions, quotes
• With these codes text is usually angled either vertically on the centre pages in the borders of the double page spread
• Beside each image used, a common convention is the information of who is responsible for the image and where it is from, this text is styled as so: PhotographyJohnWest, in this case with 'total film' this code is found in the side boxes with short descriptions/photo captions
• Photo captions in this article are described in small coloured boxes (colour according to colour of text and outlines). These are shaped in square speech bubbles with pointed arrows in the direction of the image its relating to
• Page numbers are seen in the bottom right corner, in this case stated as such totalfilm.com 11 with a pale coloured statement of the total film website (e-media) and bold numbering for page numbers