Main film magazines in the UK

Film magazines give in depth and detailed reviews on films which allow audiences to get an understanding and a rating of a film before they decide to go and watch it or not. Film critics can make or break a films marketing campaign as many people read their unbiased reviews and make a judgement on that based on what they have read. There are a number of global and UK based film magazines, all of which serve the same purpose; to review newly emerged films. However these magazines will differ in layout, style content and even the way they address the audience. This is because different magazines will have different target audiences and will therefore look to appeal to their target audience through the conventions included within the magazine. A magazine aimed at an older audience would tend to have quite a plain font and the layout will generally be set out in columns, with generally a more formal and sophisticated look about it, for example 'Sight and Sound'. Even the language and content will differ based on the target audience. A magazine aimed at a younger target audience would have a less droning layout and be more engaging for a younger audience as it will include extra information such as breakout boxes. The typography will also be generally more fun and of a bigger size than that of magazines aimed at an older audience which generally look quite tedious to read.

Sight and Sound
This is monthly Brithish film magazine which is published by the British Film Institute(BMI). It was first publisghed in 1932, however was taken over by the BFI in 1934. The magazine reviews all films films each month, including those with a narrow art house release (independent films) as opposed to the more mainstream focus of its compitition. This is beneficial for the magazine as it appeals to a range of people, not only those interested in the mainstream films. Sight and Sound differs from most of its competitors however, in the layout and the tone of address. The tradition of the magazine keeps in touch with its formal tone and in depth analysis. For a younger audience this might seem tedious and boring however people who like reading about films in great depth prefer this magazine. It also offers a full cast and crew credit list for each film reviewed. They also offer different breakout sections such as a synopsis, cast and review on themes etc, which demonstrates the depth of analysis. Sight and Sound is also seen as a specialist magazine for those interested in art house films, which audiences are unable to get from other film magazines. The magazine also compiles a list of the top ten films of all time every year with top film professionals across t5he world giving their opinion. The magazine has however come into critsism in the past for elitism, puritanism and upper- middle class snobbery.

Total Film

This is a Brithish magazine published 13 times a year (every 4 weeks) by Feature Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers film, DVD and blue ray news, revies and features. It has an average circulation of 85,000 (as of 2008). The magazine has an appealing and glossy look which appeals to a younger audience who will often 'judge a book by its cover'. The magazine is similar to Empire in its appeal and target audience, as it has a younger target audience it goes with a more informal appeal and has more features than that of 'Sight and Sound'. It differs from'SightandSound' as it does not include features on art house or independent films, it tends to focus on mainstream films and well known orup and coming actors. Its manner of address alsotakesupamuch more informal tone which appeals to a younger audience. The readers of thismagazine are more interested in finding out whether the film isworth watching or not, wheras the readers of 'Sight and Sound' look for a much more formal and in depth review on a film, therefore the tone in this magazine is much more laidback.

Empire

Empire is a British film magazine published by Bauer Consumer Media. It has been incirculation since July 1989 and is the biggest selling film magazine in Britain consistantly outselling its nearest market rival 'Total Film' by over two to one and is also published in Austrailia, Turkey, Russia and Portugal. Like 'Total Film' it features news and reviews on mainstream and Hollywood films as well as featuring future realeses. In common with most British film magazines, Empire is populist in both approach and coverage unlike less irreverent and more 'serious' magazines such as 'Sight and Sound'. It reviews both mainstream and art house films, however feature articles only focus on mainstream films. It also includes a unique feature called 'Classic Scene' in which theypick out themost iconic scene from each film they review. The magazine focuses on a male audience as it was found that three quarters 'Empire's audience are male, hence the informal address and the features included such as games etc. Empire also has an online subscription to which the audiencecan read news and reviews online. Also like 'Total Fim' magazinefeatures a glossy effect and a powerful front cover with large font which coneys the powerful and masculine tone of the magazine.