Total Film, published by Future Publishing, is the United Kingdom's second best-selling film magazine. It offers film and DVD news, reviews, and features. The magazine was launched in 1997 and is published every four weeks (13 times a year). Each month, it provides a range of features, from interviews, with established and up-and-coming actors and directors, to major film preview.

In this issue it is clear what film is the main feature, through the use of the large picture of ‘Wolverine’ a character from the X-Men films. There is also the use of bright coloured text under the picture saying ‘X-Men 2’. The colour of the text is vital as it helps to catch the eye of the reader and also acts as a way of grouping certain features together. Another eye catching feature od this front page is the title. It is centred on the cover and is in a white font. This stands out as the background consists of mainly dark colours. Also the size of the font attracts the reader so they are absolutely clear what the magazine features and its intentions. Underneath the title there is a tag line saying ‘The complete picture’, this suggests that the magazine consists of everything you need to know about the any new releases. It also suggests there is no holding back and that the ‘whole picture’ will be made clear. The theme of the magazine is also made clear on this front page. ‘Sequels Special’ makes it clear that this issue will feature a lot of sequel films. This may act as a way of attracting reader and could be classed as a selling point.

As well as the use of one large main image there are also four smaller images. These smaller images help to show the reader what is going to be covered or reviewed in the issue. It also helps to attract the reader and may be a selling point. If they are reviewing a new popular film, then it will make their magazine more popular. At the top of this front cover there is a orange square that contains text, this square definitely catches the eye and reads ‘Every new movie and DVD...’ this is a good selling point and implies if you read this magazine you will be up to date with all the new releases and will not miss a thing. This is a good selling point as the reader will feel as though they are getting all of the information on all new films and DVD’S. Also to the right of the front cover there is a section headed ‘Plus’. This gives the impression that there is even more great features just when you thought that was it, they have even more exciting features for you. At the top of the front cover there is small picture that has a heading ‘on set with Spielberg’ this is a very famous name in the world of film and will be a feature that will be very popular. By using big name the magazine is appealing to a wider audience as he is director, therefore those who not only watch film but those who create it will find it a major selling point.

I feel this cover uses many features that help to attract the reader from the fonts used to pictures displayed. I feel as though it very successfully sells itself to the reader and uses features as a way of making people want to read it. Analysing these two covers has been extremely usefull and I aim to use a number of the features used in both covers when designing my own.

charlie brown