Magazine Analysis: Empire

What is the name of the magazine? Why do you think it is called that?

The name is 'Empire' and this word connotes power, control or domination. The magazine could be called this to establish itself as 'the next big thing' which it now is.

What can you say about the sell lines? 

As this is the 'crime edition' of the magazine all the sell lines are features on other gangster, heist and crime films including mentions of the Coen brother Fargo and No Country for Old Men, Scarface and Eastern Promises. 

What can you say about the layout design (fonts, colour scheme)?

The layout is slightly unconventional but all the components of the magazine are very conventional as Empire is known for changing the layout and look of their magazines for special feature issues. Instead of the sell lines being on the sides of the magazine framing the main image, the are centre bottom of the cover which leads your eyes to the sell lines after reading the headline in order to get the audience interested in this issue. 

Empire's general colour scheme is white, black and red but with this issue they used accents of gold taken from the actual image like the tan, but gold-looking, Russell Crowe is wearing as well as slight hints of gold from the background.

What genre of film does it cover?

This issue is a crime edition and therefore covers crime and the appropriate sub-genres under that.

Who is the target audience?

As Empire commonly features sic-fi, comic and sometimes dystopian films the target audience would be as follows especially with promotion of free posters inside from The Blade Runner and so on which is a futuristic, dystopian film. However, with this edition it would obviously be targeted at those with are fans or crime movies whether it be a thriller, gangster or heist through the main image story and sell lines. 

Who are the major competitors of the magazine?

It's competitors are the other monthly film magazine's such as Total Film and Uncut which received roughly the same circulation however Empire is steadfastly the top film magazine.

What is the magazine's mission statement or slogan?

The slogan is 'The World's Biggest Movie Magazine'. This with the title 'Empire' solidifies the magazine as a 'great power' within the movie magazine industry.

What sort of film stars or directors are featured?

The Coen brothers are mentioned who are Academy Award winning directors of Fargo and No Country for Old Men and Michael Man credited with such thrillers as Thief and Manhunter.