Magazine Cover Analysis - Cinema Retro:Psycho

The main picture of the actor, of which was the protagonist in the movie Psycho, looks to be in the back stage of a set. As she is wearing a lace bra and a high waist girdle, looking at the camera making the audience feel as if they are back stage with her, even though she does not look uncomfortable, this creates a Para-social relationship between her and her fans. Although as the movie is set in the 50’s, women usually and especially then wear revealing clothes on magazine front covers suggesting that the target audience is male. However, her facial expression and body language show that she is confident somewhat than being a sexual target, which makes me, think that it is aimed at the older more mature generation with stylish taste rather than flesh showing woman.

As the movie was made a long time ago, the photo was taken in black and white, proving this statement. When looking behind the actors, is can be stated that it’s within a building, potentially a house or hotel, with fancy wallpaper, lamps, furniture and frames to insert photos. Medium shot of her is taken to show enough of her to attract audience and to show the surrounding.

Title Psycho is virtually placed in the middle of the cover to link the image and title together, with her looking right at the camera and facial expression being kind of shocked, audience may think they have that in common.

With the magazine name being at the top, like in any other magazine front cover, the positioning is very conventional for the layout, being central and attention seeking. With the use of bold grey and black italics to differ both words on the magazine name, especially with the font use makes it look old fashioned with the impression of being a classic publisher.

The content on the bottom right includes famous names, which are associated with the film industry and unlikely to be known by young audience, supporting my statement about older male being the intended audience in which they would be attracted to this magazine.

This front cover is very simple, with one picture used, without much writing, in which the main focus is the woman of course, makes it seem very easy to read, which I really admire about this old fashioned way of publishing.