Sight & Sound is a more pretentious, slightly ‘up market’ magazine (the ultimate glossy for film fanatics), aimed at movie buffs and film directors. The magazine reviews all film releases each month, including those with a limited (art house) release, as opposed to most film magazines which concentrate on those films with a general release. The magazines format is similar to that of a newspaper (particularly the interior layout and design of the magazine). The overall composition of the cover’s layout is neatly structured and formatted into a wellordered and clean appearance.
Some of their covers appear to look slightly similar to newly or soon to be release films teaser posters, revealing very little information only key material and facts such as actors and directors names. This shows that the magazine must have a specific targeted audience which knows what the magazine has to offer without necessarily providing a lot of awareness of its features. Also by ‘name dropping’ well-known names in the film business is surely enough to attract their audience of a slightly higher ‘knowledge’ of films, their creators and potentially how good/worthwhile they are to buy/read the magazine for
Overall, it is clear that “Sight & Sound” understand two very important things, the consumer magazine format and its audience. It is an interesting magazine for those who are interested in the analytical side of film study rather than being told what is ‘good’ and what is ‘bad’, therefore it does not need to include unnecessary clutter as only needs executive information to attract its target audience. Sight & Sound keeps this ratio as balanced as it can, never siding between mainstream and art-house, or focusing on high or low culture as a form of entertainment.
The overall choice of colours on their covers are moderately directed towards the warmer hues, which in contrast with the muted shades of the background bring the selected areas headfirst and highlight significant featured information that could possibly prompt a purchase.
Fangoria is aimed at a very niche market,(hard core horror fans) not only does it focus on horror but the horror sub-genre gore. It has a clearly defined target audience which helps them to narrow down audiences psychographics which in turn enables the magazine to be specific and fulfil the audience’s interests
The cover lines give an insight as to what the magazine will include and featured, particularly newly released films that would appeal and engage/attract the targeted audience. The cover lines appear to be placed on what looks like camera tape which shows it is film magazine. Fangoria covers are not as structured as those from ‘Sight & Sound’ however it is arranged in the order suitable to attract its audience, an organised clutter of temptations to tease and tempt the targeted audience to buy the magazine
The masthead of the magazine cover alike all ‘Fangoria’ covers is in a bold font and follows the theme of red (connoting blood, iconic imagery of horror films). The white outline highlights the text making sure that it stands out from the other typefaces and colours on the cover. The word ‘Fangoria’ is a play on word as the audience reading this magazine would be a ‘fan’ of ‘gore’. The colour yellow helps to highlight the special and limited offers and key information the cover and the magazine have to offer. Because the colours are contrasting yet appropriately positioned, they do not have battle for attention
The background of the cover behind the main image of ‘Godzilla’ is a solid block of the colour red, which is framing bringing it forward. Red is also the colour of blood, making it a very iconic and relevant choice for attracting their target audience. Overall the entirety of the cover is bold with its use of its chosen colour pallet, making it easily stand out against other magazines that would be on the shelves. The magazine is aimed at a male audience; this is shown by the colours used. The layout throughout the magazine is rather comical, making it the chance of it appealing to males more overly a higher chance