Conventions of film magazine covers

These are some of the main conventions used in film magazines noticed after researching them:

Masthead -
Will be the largest text on the whole front cover as it will most likely be the name of the magazine. The masthead is traditionally covered slightly with the main image.

Anchorage text -
This is text that includes additional information that will be included in the magazine and will, unlike the masthead, overlap the main image - sometimes used to entice reader to buy magazine as will use predation tactics that will make the reader feel as if they are missing out of they don't buy.

Cover lines -
These will tease other unrelated articles that will be in the magazine, such as interviews, first looks etc.

Main image -
The main image will be the largest image on the front cover and will be the feature story that the whole magazine will be mainly dedicated to - usually shows the main protagonist/s or antagonist/s which the movies storyline focuses on.

Secondary images -
Unrelated images that will have connections to cover lines, showing what else is inside the magazine.

Barcode -
Barcode will be printed on the front cover of the magazine traditionally.

Date, issue and price -
The date, issue and price of the magazine will usually be included on the front cover under the masthead in much smaller writing.

Tagline -
The magazines main tagline that features in nearly every issue of the magazine, making it easily identifiable to the reader.

Buzz words -
Words that will entice the audience to look, read or buy the magazine, examples are "exclusive", "free","never before seen" etc.

Banner -
A banner may be included in the cover to provide additional information for the main image.

Film logo -
The film logo for the main image will usually be front and centre on the magazine so readers can identify which film is the main focus of the issue.