The document discusses improvements made to the opening sequence of a thriller film based on feedback from test audiences. It describes how including a flashback helped clarify the narrative by establishing context around the main character killing his target. It also notes how using a younger main character who has been bullied makes him more relatable. Based on recommendations, the filmmakers opted for a simpler title font. The document reflects on lessons learned, such as employing a greater variety of shots, strengthening the narrative, and incorporating additional sound effects to build suspense.

1. How my research and target
audience feedback has helped
develop my thriller opening
sequence

2. Narrative
• Some audience feedback involved the story not being explained in a
clear manner in the opening sequence, which led to the audience
being confused about the story.
• This was soon resolved by including a flashback to the scene where
Junior (our main character) had just killed his target (Dennis).
• The use of this flashback has clearly laid out our storyline in a more
understandable manner as opposed to what we had before (which
was just jumping into a random scene that didn’t follow any
chronological order).

3. Characters
• Whilst you’d usually expect an older psychotic male in a typical thriller
film we decided to some what subvert from the typical codes and
conventions associated with the thriller genre. Our main character
(Junior) is a young ambitious teenager who has been bullied his entire
life. The use of a much younger character who’s going through a
common hardship (at his young age) makes it much more easier for
the audience to relate to our character.
• Later on in our opening sequence Junior is seen to be developing
psychotic thoughts, however it is questionable whether Junior is truly
psychotic or is simply an angry, revengeful child.

4. Titles
• Typography can be extremely important in a opening sequence which
is why I wanted to make sure that I got it right. Some feedback we
received from out target audience involved the recommendation of
using a simple easy to read font.
• As a result of our target audience feedback, we’ve decided to go with
a simple, capitalized (fully white) font which we believe will fit in
perfectly with the thriller codes and conventions.

5. Sound
• A wide variety of sound will be used in my opening sequence. This
rangers from diegetic, to non-diegetic, to parallel sound and even
contrapuntal sound. The use of a wide variety of sounds will definitely
aid the overall success and effectiveness of my opening sequence.
• Dialogue plays a big part in our opening sequence as we rely on our
voice-over narration to guide our audience through the opening
sequence. I believe that the use of this narration will give the
audience more insight behind the character of Junior.

6. Shots
• I made sure that a range of shots were used when filming my opening
sequence. Shots such as: mid shots, close ups, extreme close ups,
long shots and tracking shots were used throughout my opening
sequence. Rules such as the 180 degree rule were also followed
accordingly. Tracking shots were used to capture the moments where
Junior was walking around. Establishing shots were used to establish
the mise-en-scene of the specific shot. Mid shots, close ups, long
shots and extreme close ups were used throughout the entire
duration of the opening sequence as these are the most generic (and
frequently used) shots used in Media, and they work quite well in
regards to most of the shots we wanted to film.

7. Evaluation – What I learnt
- By completing this research I fully understood the main areas of concerns that my viewers had. I
have now taken on-board the ideas that my target audience had and took action by implementing
them into my opening sequence.
- I learnt that I needed to use a wider range of shots in order to benefit the quality of my opening
sequence, instead of sticking with only a few generic types.
- I also gathered that a stronger narrative would have been more useful as it allows viewers to
connect with the story of the film.
- The typography in my opening sequence was particularly weak as it was extremely hard to read,
and overall was unclear due to its small size. My target audience advised me to make the
typography more clear and larger, which I did.
- My target audience also suggested that the use of more sound effects would add to creating
suspense in my opening sequence. As a result of this feedback, I decided to include more sound
effects like e.g. a heartbeat sound, and a sharp piercing sound which implies that a flashback is
taking place.