An A to Z of an issue
What little-known job roles are essential when it comes to creating a cinema magazine? Discover the main steps in producing an issue of Cahiers du cinéma.
1. Preparation
An issue of Cahiers takes shape with the first content ideas discussed at the editorial board meeting, sometimes several months in advance (for large features), depending on the month's cinema releases.
The board, brought together by the Editors-in-Chief, agrees on draft content, which will be worked on until the last week of wrap-up. The editors then go to press screenings and ask for books and DVDs to review. The Editors-in-Chief receive the first articles, provide feedback to the writers and make any corrections. Then the proofreader checks for syntactic and spelling consistency in order to comply with French editorial standards and the magazine's style guide.
Photo selections for an issue of Cahiers du cinéma (2024)Cahiers du cinéma
2. Image processing
Once the articles have been corrected, they are ready for the mockup and are passed onto the image editor who searches for and chooses — alongside the editorial team — the images that will be used for the issue, such as photograms, film shoot photos, archives, etc.
The image editor also manages the image rights. They work closely with the graphic designer, who formats the texts and images to produce a PDF mockup of the issue. Another team of graphic designers is responsible for the cover, which is approved by the Editors-in-Chief and senior management. It's also sometimes specially commissioned from artists. Luz, Blutch, Bertrand Mandico, and Juliette Binoche have all created covers for Cahiers du cinéma.
Special Number - Les Amants du pont-neuf. Supplement au n° 448 - October 1991. (1991)Cahiers du cinéma
For the special issue on Leos Carax's Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (The Lovers on the Bridge, 1991), the Cahiers editorial team used a drawing by the film director.
3. Wrap up
Wrapping up is the most intense stage of editing. It involves the last two weeks of receiving and formatting articles. The last day is dedicated to proofreading, carried out by several people, to remove any final typos.
After wrapping up, which usually takes place in the middle of the month preceding the release of the monthly magazine, the ready-for-print version is approved with the printer who would have also received the advertising inserts.
Delivering an issue of Cahiers du cinéma (2024)Cahiers du cinéma
4. Production and release
Using the ready-for-print version, the printer creates a press proof and starts production of the issues. These are then mailed to subscribers, and sent to kiosks and newsstands. They are available for mail order while stocks last.
The issue is also made available to subscribers on digital eReaders. And that's how the magazine reaches readers, who can, if they wish, contribute by writing Letters to the Editor to be published in the following issue.
Gloria Swanson reading Cahiers du cinéma (Mid-1950s)Cahiers du cinéma
Gloria Swanson reading Cahiers du cinéma.
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