Target audience research

There are four quadrants in determining a target audience for an upcoming film:

Older males (>25) Older females (>25) Younger males (<25) Younger females (<25)

To start off our target audience research we have decided that our film will be aimed at younger males and females however no younger than 18 years. We have also decided that our film can be possibly relatable to older females and males, but no older than around 30 years. This is due to most successful horror films being rated 18 or over, because of the use of Gore and graphical nature, excluding the younger generation in viewing horror to its full potential. We have aimed to target this age group as the characters that we will use in our trailer, will be at a relatable age to the audience and therefor may appeal to this generation more. Horror movies also provide thrill and can excite a younger audience easier than an older one. Younger audiences are also less likely to be put off the film by unnatural images which could potentially make an older audience feel uncomfortable. We have chosen to target both male and females, however it is found that males are more likely to be a fan of horror movies due to their thrill seeking personalities and strong interest in violence. However we have also chosen to target females, due to the use of characters being both female and male. 

We believe that our film will appeal to a large mainstream audience, as compared to other horror films that we have researched, we feel our story line is enjoyable and relatable to a wide audience compared to films such as 'The human centipede'. The story line of this would only appeal to a niche market. 

The films we have researched have a similar target audience. Shutter island for example receives most viewings from males and females around the age of 18, however still a lot of viewings from other age groups. It therefore has a large mainstream audience, which is what we too are aiming for in our film. The average from males and females are equal at 8.1, meaning that the film appeals to both genders.

'The blair witch project', a film that we have researched, has a different target audience, focused predominately on the younger generation of teenagers under 18 as they have the highest viewings showed in this graph. We feel this is due to the use of younger actors making the film relatable to this generation. Males have a higher average in this table, meaning that men are more inclined to watch this film. This could be due to their strong interest in gore and violence. We aim to do the same in our trailer which is why this film is influential to out research. 

Another audience group that our film may appeal to is couples. It is known that couples who are either on a first date or who have been together for a while but not marries, commonly go to watch horror films. This is due to the films being frightening, leading to them seeking comfort making a first date successful. Horror films are usually watched in large groups as well as couples, meaning it is a good social activity for friends or family to do on the weekend. 

There are many different tribes of youth that our film will appeal to, as the majority of young adults enjoy the thrill and excitement of horror movies. However the film may appeal to more tribes than others. For example, after looking at the site www.uktribes.com we can identify that real gamers and skaters would prefer the film to fan girls. This is due to gamers obvious interest in violence and thrill, in comparison to a fan girl who would rather watch a romance or chick flick. However, as our film is aimed to a mainstream audience, we feel that all tribes would enjoy watching our film. 

Our film would potentially have a global appeal as we feel that it is not limited to one culture. The type of genre and story line that we have chosen to produce, is not 'urban themed' and isn't just specific to british audiences. For example, the film 'Angus, thongs and perfect snogging' is specific to british audiences as its set in East Bourne, and portrays a typical british culture, meaning it would be limited to a UK audience as other countries would find it hard to relate to that lifestyle. We believe that our film therefore could be a possible success globally, meaning it would hold a wider audience. 

Of course their are limitations on our product, due to it being british and therefore would be a struggle at the box office. In addition, due to our target audience being quite young, this means that we would have to include up to date music, and young characters to make the film appeal more to this age group. Also, this age may be also quite difficult to aim towards as younger people tend to have less money to spend on viewing films than older people do.  

Influences

Shutter island 

Shutter island is one of the trailers we have researched to gather ideas for our own. This trailer has influenced us in terms of its genre- a psychological thriller. This trailer effectively attracts the audience to the film, by drawing the most exciting and shocking scenes from the film, without producing any spoilers. The abbreviated scenes are separated by fast cuts, fading in and out of black. This is a good way of breaking down scenes in order for the audience to identify the type of atmosphere that the film involves. In contrast to this, there are occasionally quick flashes to create a sense of shock towards the audience, relating to the thriller genre. 

There is a short voice over from the main characters point of the veiw which gives the audience an insight as to what the film is about. In addition certain dialogue from the film is also revealed in this trailer, telling us more about what the film involves. There is a huge mixture of sound effects used in this trailer, there is no pattern or consistency to the sound, create a sense of suspense and mystery, these sounds consist of deep drones, ticking clocks, screams, strings, and hit reverbs. In this trailer a birds eye view shot of the main character in an empty warehouse is used to create a sense of vulnerability. 

Towards the end of the trailer, the deep drums build up, creating a tense atmosphere. Along with this, the scenes begin to speed up and more flashing images are used in order to make the ending of the trailer more dramatic. These fast cuts build up to reveal the title of the film making the trailer appear to be finished. However there is then an add-on at the end of the trailer of a mental patient attacking the main character, this is used to shock the audience and leave them with a heavy sense of anticipation.

Deliver us from evil

This film has recently been released and is still in cinemas. We liked the structural aspects of this trailer as we feel it uses good techniques to build tension in terms of music and visual effects. It also holds two sides of a story - the first half being the hectic business side to his life, and the second half being based around his family at home. This gives the audience a wider insight into the characters life helping them to feel similar emotions.  One thing we found effective was the use of key objects such as flickering lights, opening door and the jack in a box which are all known for being creepy mise-en-scene used in many other horror films. The exaggeration of the sound it makes and the extreme close up tells the audience that something scary is coming. 








We also found the music to be another key feature in this trailer to create anticipation towards the audience - the heavy use of high stretching strings getting louder and more intense. When the scary man appears, flashing and fast moving images are introduced and louder sound effects are added, again creating tension. The scenes in this trailer are broken up by fading in and out of black screens, to avoid revealing too much of the film and help the trailer to flow well. The titles are shown in between the scenes, they slowly fade in and out, creating a haunting feel. The trailer ends with a close up of the characters face looking extremely frightened which also creates a sense fear towards the audience. The title is then revealed at the very end of the trailer, making the name of the film more memorable for the audience.

Blair witch project

This trailer will influence us in terms of its micro/visual aspects. We like the fact that this trailer is all handheld film, making it appear more realistic. The fact that no special effects have been used and the bad quality of the film makes the film more believable and creates a spooky feel due to being personal towards the characters. we liked this trailer because it was different to many of the other horror trailers we have researched, making it stand out. We feel this is a good way of making the film more memorable. The trailer begins by introducing the audience to facts about the incidence in the film:

This immediately gathers the audiences attention, and gives a clear insight into the story line of the film. The most interesting shot within this trailer, is a character holding a cam directly towards her face. She then states an apology to the camera, aiming it to their families as if she won't be alive to tell them in person, her voice sounds frightened and weary. This creates a sense of fear towards the audience, due to a build up of tension in terms of her death. The camera then drops to the floor leaving only the bark of a tree visible. This leaves the audience questioning what is happening, building anticipation. 

When a stranger calls

From this trailer we found most inspiration in terms of the story line and structure also sound effect. The story line is about a babysitter taking care of 2 children, alone in an isolated house. An unknown caller continuously rings the house until the person finally enters the home, We are following a similar storyline, using the unknown caller as the main part of the film. In terms of sound effects the use of exaggerated phone sounds and the use of the flashing images going in time with the heavy sound of the phone ringing. We feel is a really effective technique to emphasise the phone as being the main object in this film, creating a spooky feel as the audience are unaware as to who is at the other end of the line. This builds tension towards the audience making the trailer more memorable. 

'What is a Trailer? What is a Teaser Trailer?

A teaser trailer is a short version of a trailer that is designed to interest their audience, and to get potential viewers excited about an upcoming film. They are normally released months before the expected release date of the film, and are used to build anticipation about the films they advertise. These trailers usually last between half a minute and a minute.

1- Man of steel 

This teaser trailer begins by revealing the companies that have been part of producing the film, for example the Warner Bros logo, followed by Legendary. This is the first thing and the last thing the audience sees as the companies logos are visible in the last scene of the trailer along with the credits. We think this is an effective technique of self promotion and recognition for the companies and gives them credit for their work.

The teaser trailer consists of silent imagery with non-ambient sad music over the top to emphasise what the characters previous life was like, plus a voice over from the perspective of the  main character giving the audience a more personal feel to the film. 

The title of the film is revealed after his previous life is shown, before his new life as the man of steel is exposed. This is effective as it accentuates how his life changes through becoming a heroic figure. The Man of steel is first introduced very powerfully shooting through clouds at extremely high speed, along with the digetic sound of the wind pressure, emphasising his strength. This is the final clip of the trailer, leaving the audience with anticipation about the upcoming film. 

2- The Master

This teaser trailer is one of 3 for the upcoming film The master, it effectively builds up anticipation about the film due to leaving the audience unsure on the story line. The trailer begins with a long scene showing a character deserted on a beach, along with consistent non-digetic music, which creates a heavy sense of freedom due to the music not holding a particular pattern. The use of the bass drums also makes the trailer more dramatic, holding the audiences interest. On top of this music, we hear a voice over of the character shown on the beach. In this voice over the character is being interviewed by someone who sounds high of authority, the character being interviewed gives very strange replies, laughing in and out of the conversation when serious questions are asked. 

This voiceover gives the audience a feel to what type of character he is, and what the film involves. The scene then cuts revealing the interview, which makes the audience feel more involved due to now knowing where the voiceover is occurring. During this interview, we see many close ups of the characters face, revealing his unstable emotions. The same music remains through switching scenes, however towards the end of the trailer, a singular violin is played creating a creepy feel leaving the audience with the impression that the character is slightly mental. 


4- The human centipede 2


This teaser trailer is effective in creating a sense of fear, relating to the horror genre of the upcoming film. This is done through the use of low key, black and white lighting, along with distorted, flashing images creating a shocking feel towards the audience. The titles that are presented in this trailer, also relate to its horror genre through the use of dark, distorted lettering on a foggy  background. There is a special effect used on the titles, giving it  a old, dirty, projector look. This adds to the creepy feel of the trailer, designed to interest the audience. 

The use of flash backs is used in this trailer of the previous film, the sound used here helps to emphasise the fear that the film exhibits. We hear digetic sounds of screaming/crying throughout the trailer, along with sound effects of deep whining drones. This helps to create a dark, mysterious atmosphere, relating to its genre. The exaggerated sound and extreme close up of a centipede crawling, reveals to the audience what the upcoming film will involve- a repeat of the original human centipede. 

5- Pompeii

This teaser trailer is effective in getting viewers excited for the upcoming film. One way of doing this, is through the use of a dark, echoing voice over which gives the audience an insight as to what the film will be about. This voice over is played parallel with a deep, ghostly drone that creates a spooky, abandoned atmosphere. For the majority of this trailer, the camera slowly pans mysterious, close up images, fading in and out of cuts. This creates a sense of suspense towards the audience as they are unsure as to what they are being shown. A birds eye view shot is then used to reveal to the audience what the images make up - bodies frozen in time. 

The month that the upcoming film is due to be released is then revealed in the trailer, so that the audience are aware of when it comes out. We believe is Sound is key in this trailer, as it gives the audience an insight into 3 main parts of the plot. Sorrowful music is played as the scene cuts to 2 characters who seem to be in love, which ties in with the sound. The trailer then takes a drastic change, through the use of fast cuts, and flashing images revealing a glimpse into the action that the film entails. This builds anticipation for the upcoming film. The music used over these scenes is heavy, and deep adding to the dramatic feel of this ending.