Side-By-Side Cover Analysis

My Magazine cover shares several of the horror conventions seen on the front of this publication of SCREAM Magazine. The first and most notable similarity is the image. Editing and iconography was clearly fundamental in both pieces, as was the nature of the photo. SCREAM immediately establishes genre through the connotations of the main image. The skull signals death; signals horror. I have attempted to emulate this through the use of a creepy, well-defined mask that also instantly connotes horror.  The text and colouring is also standard of the genre with the obvious connotations and name of both magazines.  I also, such as SCREAM have several features placed down the side of my magazine so as to intrigue and inform my prospective audience.   The magazine itself share common magazine features: taglines, bar code, title etc.  The cinematography of the piece  and the magazines overwhelming connotations make it stand out as being from the horror genre, while the text allows sustenance and intrigues my intended audience. 

Side-By-Side Poster Analysis

When constructing my horror poster I sought to comply with the industry standard horror conventions. One source I am able to use to cross compare is the poster for Grave Halloween.  The poster includes several features from my own piece and helps to show its quality. The initial and most apparent comparison is location. The isolated location and dark tones connote a message of no escape so commonly associated with the genre. This is once more supported by the technical codes, as this long shot allows for the establishment of both the wood and the antagonist.  Another key similarity is the use of character. Both posters show the antagonist central so as to show their large impact on the narrative as well as adding an air of mystery.  Another feature I we have both used is Iconography. While GH uses a rope I instead use the phallic symbol of the knife.  This type of weapon is often associated with the genre and aids in establishing the genre from first glance.  Editing is also used well in both posters. Where the cold blues help to establish genre in GH, I have instead gone completely black and white so as to help conceal my antagonist and help highlight the nature/ isolation that shall be within the film. I would even go so far as to say my poster exceeds that of GH  as it includes both credits, age rating and distribution; something also typical of film posters period. Overall the general mise-en-scene is one that clearly establishes the genre, the key antagonist and matches close to industry standard quality. 

Final Magazine Cover

Final Poster

Original Photos (Magazine)

This is the original photo for my magazine. I chose it due to it creepy features, as it feels very close and obtrusive. It also has a woodland background that would make my audience feel isolated and add to the magazine feel overall.

Original Photos (Poster)

This is my original photo for my horror poster. I picked it due to the location, mid-shot for poster framing, and the clash of nature with a hard, black figure that looks out of place.

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