Typography

Now, I want to explore typography as a separate issue.

I have explored the use of typography, and how and what image it can create; for example it is used to produce:

• three dimensional images
• illusions
• simple statements
• displaying ideas/concepts of gang culture

As 'TWISTED' is a possible film title for my linked production piece I have used this word and added differently styled and manufactured fonts keeping mind the suitability, relevance and overall presentation of the poster.
I have completed this by using http://www.dafont.com/

Here are a chosen number of fonts which are relevant and suitable to the style I am aiming to achieve but at this point in the process these are still ideas.

This is an example of a more conservative approach, but what is successful is the gothic, contemporary edges of each letter. The slight italic styling also adds to the modern, young image I will be proposing.  (Similar to 'Kidulthood' and 'Adulthood' as capital letters with small variation horizontally reads and simply states the film title + allows the image to dominate and tell the story.)

Above, is a more youthful angle on the styling of the title. The white outlining around the capital letters and the faded colour effect gives the text an urban feel, however does draw similarities to text used in American Universities

This font is very much similar to typography used in the young new wave of urban films we see nowadays. The bold black effect is very strong and effective. The jagged, disjointed effect on the lettering could be connotations to anger, corrupton, breaking points and violence which are vital aspects to these new genre of film.

Above, the font is again diverse to other styles and creates more of an illusion and hard-to-stare-at vision.

This font has a strong concept which relates brilliantly to a idea I have had regarding my linked production piece. I will later post my first sketch/idea of a film teaser poster including

• 2 faces (1 man, 1 woman) in the forefront staring at each other
• with a grey concrete brick wall as the background
• central to the image is the man's friends/gang he is a part of creating a similar stance to characters in 'Kidulthood'
• an idea occurred of the intertwined/twisted relationship of barbed wire and roses which symblises the storyline of the torted and painful love and relationship between this man and woman from very different lives with complicaions of his gang
• TITLE 'TWISTED'
• CAPTION '2 LIVES. 1 LOVE'

Returning back to the chosen font, the lower case lettering is dissimilar to large capitals typically used, however the twisting of the letters and the jagged,broken up line running through the title relates so well to my current idea of barbed wire.

Typography - analysis

Studying a variety of Film Teaser posters, I have noticed the presentation of text and how significant where it is, what it appears like, the message it sends across and its relevance/suitability to the theme of the whole poster..........

Firstly, I will analyse past film posters I have displayed in older posts focusing wholly

• on the text used 
• appearance (colours, editing style)
• size

KIDULTHOOD

4.3.2.1

Text/Language/Formality of 'Total Film' Magazine

Now, I will study the use of

• text
• language
• punctuation
• structure

in terms of the

• overall formality
•  attitude of the magazine
• voice of the writer

I have drawn information both from print issues of 'Empire' and also the text interviews available to view online at http://www.totalfilm.com/

I will deconstruct and break down the text, language, punctuation and structure of a written based interview understanding the questions asked, the manner in whcih they are asked and whether humour is favoured over formality,or even used at all.

Also, notice the common codes + conventions used to identify the article with 'Total Film.'



Common Codes + Conventions

I have analysed the text, punctuation, structure and mise en scene of an 'Total Film' text interview and have concluded that this extract from 'Total Film' is similar to 'Empire' in the sense that much technical language is used in questions and the response; however there is some informality evident in terms of certain words and humour. Also, from this article I have understood that 'Total Film' is much more descriptive in terms of where the interview takes place and the appearance of the interviewee.

Below, are a list of common conventions which are evident mostly in all 'Total Film' articles but in all magazine articles or features:

• Heading + sub heading (introductory line)
• V.COMMON- states 'by 'TotalFilm' and the date issued '18th Jan 2012'
• Questions are more simlar to general statements
•  Statements are in bold and to an extent in a larger size and font
• Questions are unbold to differentiate the questions to the interviewee's answers
• Large images - coloured, stylish photos which break up the text-relevant to the subject matter

Text/Language/Formality of 'Empire' Magazine

Now, I will study the use of

• text
• language
• punctuation
• structure

in terms of the

• overall formality
•  attitude of the magazine
• voice of the writer



I have drawn information both from print issues of 'Empire' and also the text interviews available to view online at http://www.empireonline.com/

I will deconstruct and break down the text, language, punctuation and structure of a written based interview understanding the questions asked, the manner in whcih they are asked and whether humour is favoured over formality,or even used at all.

Also, notice the common codes + conventions used to identify the article with 'Empire.'

Common Codes + Conventions

I have analysed the text, punctuation, structure and mise en scene of an 'Empire' text interview and have concluded although very formal and technical language is used both in the answers and questions, there is additonally a very informal attitude towards the questions and voice of the writer.

This includes the slight use of humour, allowance of swearing (inappropriate language) and the use of words such as 'Yeah' rather than 'Yes.'

Below, are a list of common conventions which are evident mostly in all 'Empire' articles but in all magazine articles or features:

• Heading + sub heading (introductory line)
• Dividing line which separates title from the main body of the text
• Questions are in bold and to an extent in a larger size and font
• Questions are unbold to differentiate the questions to the interviewee's answers
• Large images - sophisticated, classic photos which break up the text-relevant to the subject matter
• V. COMMON- at the end of the inteview, a line of text relating to another article which may be of interest to the reader, in this case 'Martin Freeman talks Sherlock' (fellow actor)
• A 2nd line of text - gives vital information on the basis of the interview (Sherlock Holmes, BBC, and also where to grab an 'Empire' issue)
• Thirdly, it states 'Interview by Nick de Semlyen' - which identifies the reader with who is responsible for the interview and also the strong, critical or humorous voice of the article

Other Examples of 'Total Film' Interview Design

Here are some other leading examples of the style 'Total Film' magazine adopt focusing on film features, interviews and reviews

With ‘Total Film’ the focus is on large images, columned text, heavy on quotes, and the use of colour relating to the common black/white theme but still introducing new colours.

http://www.totalfilm.com/trailers/moviewatch-13th-january-2012

By clicking on the link above, you can watch a regular feature set up on Total Film online called "Movie watch" where the latest show business news and upcoming films are discovered.

You can experience 'Total Film' online interviews and understand the atmosphere of the known film magazine filled with

• critque
• opinions
• views
• film insider information

.Also, the questions asked and in the manner they are gives you a sense of the

• formality
• attitude
• approaches
• use of humour 

'Total Film' magazine inherits.

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

Other examples of 'Empire' interview design

Here are some other leading examples of the style 'Empire' magazine adopt focusing on film features, interviews and reviews

With ‘Empire’ the focus is on striking images, large slanted text, heavy on quotes, and the use of colour relating to the common black/red theme but still bringing in new colours.

http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1435

By clicking on the link above, you can watch a particular online interview with the actors and producers in the new film release 'Warhorse.'

You can experience 'Empire' online interviews and understand the image and reputation of the famous film magazine filled with

• critque
• opinions
• simple film insider information

Also, the questions asked and in the manner they are gives you a sense of the

• level of formality
• general attitude
• approaches 

'Empire' magazine inherits.