p3

1. Research
Luke Headland

2. Existing Product
The colours are very dim, dark and plain, which
could be a metaphor for the films overall
atmosphere, as it is a horror film. The lighting is
also similar, it is very dim and there isn’t a lot of it.
This once again could also tell the audience that
this is a dark and scary film, and is inappropriate
for younger audiences. Another hint to this is the
R rating in the bottom left corner. The title ‘The
Purge’ and also the tagline ‘One night a year, all
crime is legal’, suggest to the audience that this
film is going to be violent and have graphic scenes,
as the word ‘purge’ is another word for
exterminate or, ‘getting rid’ of something.
The mask in this
poster is very
ominous and
disturbing, with an
evil looking grin. The
way this mask is
positioned is also
very intimidating, as
we see a mysterious
character looking
through the mask
staring at the
audience / viewer.
This shows a level of
dominance, and is
likely a hint that this
is possibly the main
antagonist of the
film.

3. Existing Product
This image uses shadows, darkness and a scary mask which is similar to what I am using in
my own product. The image (taken from the Halloween 2018 trailer) features a big, bold
grungy title, as well as the mask in the background. The mask is surrounded by darkness
which makes it stand out more, and gives it more of a horror effect. The mask also looks
decayed, worn and dirty, which also highlights the genre a lot. The title also has a scratchy /
grungy texture which highlights to the viewer that this is a horror movie.
The lighting is very
dim, and there isn’t a
lot of light visible in
this image. This gives
the image more of a
dark and disturbing
theme, as these
particular colour
connotations are
usually linked with
horror and a rotting
theme.

4. Existing Product
These three posters from the movie You’re Next, all use the same format with a different image
each time. The posters feature three characters all together, and each character is shown to be
wearing a different animal mask, in this case a Fox, Lamb and Tiger. These masks are portrayed in a
very dark manner. Each of the masks are shown with blood on them which tells us that this is going
to be a violent film. The use of shadows are also being used in these posters, having the deeper
parts of the masks not visible and covered up with shadows. The titles are also written in very thin,
scribbled like writing, as if they have been written with a sharp object. This furthermore highlights
the genre of the film, and is most likely targeted at an older / young adult audience.

5. Existing Product
This film, (The full Friday The 13th franchise) was a horror phenomenon in the 1980s
and is similar to my own product in many ways. Both this and my project feature a
similar, basic plot line involving a killer. The franchise sets the tone of a vengeful killer,
looking to kill innocent young people for his mother, as he had a troubled past, being
bullied for his differences. The films were mainly rated R (18) as they did adapt to the
older / more mature audience, with strong violence and language. At the time, slasher
movies were a new craze, and were very popular, getting the attention of a lot of
people and creating iconism for new fans and people to the horror genre.
The colours in these
specific images are very
bright and colourfull
which juxtaposes the
franchise as it is part of
the horror genre. The
characters stance is very
intimidating as he is
much bigger, and
looking down into the
camera on the second
image.

6. Research Analysis
• What common features do the researched products have?
– The four existing products use dark lighting and dim colours to
highlight there genre and what kind of film it is.
– They all featuring a killer / villain to also emphasize the genre and to
build fear towards a certain character such as Jason Voorhees.
– Masked characters to furthermore emphasize the fear of the unknown
and the fear that people have over scary looking objects, like
unsettling masks.
• What aspects of the research will you include within your on
work?
– I will include a lot of it such as the use of a scary mask and dim lighting
& colours. I will especially work with similar shadow techniques to
make my product stand out as a horror film and give the character a
stance of dominance, being the main image of the poster & teaser
trailer.

7. Questionnaire Analysis
Luke Headland

8. Audience research
• Observation: Most people have watched a horror film.
• What this says about my audience: They are obviously interested in the genre and
perhaps would like to see more of it.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product is a horror film, so they
will likely be interested.

9. Audience research
• Observation: Saw was the most know horror film.
• What this says about my audience: They are interested in the dark, gritty and gory
side of the horror genre as Saw is classed as a gory film.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My film will be leading towards the
more gory and violent side of horror like the Saw films do.

10. Audience research
• Observation: A lot of people last saw a horror film relatively lately.
• What this says about my audience: A lot of them enjoy watching the films and
watch them on a regular basis.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: I will try to make my product as
entertaining as possible, so people will want to watch it more often, and hopefully
get them hooked on it.

11. Audience research
• Observation: People were most familiar with the character Jigsaw.
• What this says about my audience: They take an interest in the Saw franchise as Jigsaw
is the main character in the films. This also tells me they are particularly interested in
the gore / violent films.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My film will be similar to the saw movies
with the violence and hopefully create iconism for my characters, making them a staple
for the film.

12. Audience research
• Observation: People prefer horror films from 2010 onwards.
• What this says about my audience: The modern films appear more to them, mostly
the newer ones.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My film is set and made in the
modern day.

13. Audience research
• Observation: Paranormal is the most preffered type of horror film.
• What this says about my audience: That stories of ghosts and supernatural happenings
interest the audience and they like to be scared because paranormal films tend to be
the most scary in the horror genre.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: Even though my product is not a
paranormal horror film, it will still include the suspence and jumpscares that almost
every paranormal horror films have.

14. Audience research
• Observation: The audience prefer scary masks in the films.
• What this says about my audience: That they are interested in hidden identity films
where there is someone in a mask and you don’t find out their identity until later on in
the film, which creates suspence and activly makes the audience think who the killer
could be.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product contains three scary masks
and will also hide the identities of the three killers, creating suspence and giving the
audience something to think about.

15. Audience research
• Observation: Realistic types of horror films are most prefered.
• What this says about my audience: They enjoy films that arent far fetched and
unrealistic like paranormal films, this could be because the realistic films are more
relaitable to the real world.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will be fully realistic
with no paranormal aspects such as ghosts.

16. Audience research
• Observation: Hostel was found to be the most scary from this list.
• What this says about my audience: A film like Hostel has always been portrayed to
be possible, and things like it happen in the world today, which can scare a lot of
people thinking that this may be real, which is possibly how the audience feel
about these kind of films.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will also take a
plausable, realistic theme, and have a story that could happen in real life.

17. Audience research
• Observation: The audience are interested in a whole range of different types of
horror films.
• What this says about my audience: They are interested in different types of horror
movies in the genre such as violent & paranormal films, and they are not all
interested in the same type.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will feature aspecs
from every type of horror film from the horror genre such as jumpscares, violence
and more.

18. Interviews

19. Interview 1
• Interview with: George Wetton
1. Do you like horror movie posters, if so what do you like about them?
2. Do you like the images used on the posters, if so why?
3. What methods of photography do you find most effective?
4. Are there any posters you find effective, if so, why?
5. Is there a common feature you would expect to see in most posters?
- 1 – Yes, ‘I like the fonts used on most movie posters and how it blends in with the backgrounds, and
how the fonts have their own characteristics which link in with the theme of the film. Also how a lot
of the posters are very minimalist and have a powerful meaning behind them. I also think they are
very striking and like how the faces in the posters stare at the audience in an intimidating way.’
- 2 – 'Yes because I think they are the most important thing and they catch your eye better than the
title does. They also act as a teaser, letting you know what you could be seeing in the film.'
- 3 – 'Dark photography because it highlights the genre of the film and is always a lot more effective,
e.g. a face / mask in the dark.'
- 4 – 'Yes, the Halloween 2018 teaser poster, http://www.impawards.com/2018/halloween.html I
really like how the mask blends in with the dark background, there are also hidden details that you
can find if you turn up the brightness on this poster which I find effective because it makes you
want to look for more hidden details.'
- 5 – 'Yes, I often think that the main character e.g the bad guy or good guy, should be one of the
main focuses of the poster.'

20. Interview 1
• Observation:
George likes horror movie posters and the concept behind
them. Also is interested in the more darker / sinister styled
posters.
• What this says about my audience:
This highlights that they are interested in the horror genre and like many
aspects about it, not just the movies. It also tells me that they are
interested in the creative / production side of the genre.
• How will your product appeal to this audience:
My product has most aspects that every horror movie poster would have
and creates it into its own unique poster and film. It also has aspects that
every horror fan would like.

21. Interview 2
• Interview with: My brother.
1. Do you like horror movie posters, if so what do you like about them?
2. Do you like the images used on the posters, if so why?
3. What methods of photography do you find most effective?
4. Are there any posters you find effective, if so, why?
5. Is there a common feature you would expect to see in most posters?
– 1 – ‘I like horror movie posters because they act as a preview before the film is released.'
– 2 – 'I like the pictures because they act like a preview before the film has come out.'
– 3 – 'I think the darker style fits horror a lot more and gives the posters more of a creepy and
scary tone which is what every horror film poster should feel like. Also I think black and white
work very well together for the horror posters.'
– 4 – 'The Insidious Chapter II, http://www.impawards.com/2013/insidious_chapter_two.html Is
good because it has the light and dark effect and also gives the feeling of the unknown as in
the picture, the baby is seen being lured into the darkness.'
– 5 – 'Yes, I would expect to see a disturbing image from the film that would make the viewer
feel scared and uncomfortable.'

22. Interview 2
• Observation: My brother likes how simple the
posters are and effective the darker / sinister posters
can be.
• What this says about my audience: That they
are interested in different methods of how the
posters are made.
• How will your product appeal to this
audience: My posters will feature minimalism, and
the common images people usually see in posters.

23. Audience Profile
Category Demographic Content to appeal to this audience
Age Range
Primary: Aged 18-
24
Secondary: Aged
30+
• Themes of violence, gore and murder. The
use of strong, explicit language.
Gender
Male & Female • Both male & female dominant roles. Horror
and scary themes.
Psychographic
People who enjoy
horror films & the
genre.
• Scary & violent themes. Scenes of terror.
Social Status
It will be known as
a horror film.
• It will feature aspects that every horror
movie has, such as scares and violence.

24. Research Evaluation

25. Research Evaluation
• Give an overview of how you conducted your research. Discuss the
strengths and weaknesses of each method
– Product Research
• The research did not take too long and was easy to conduct using simple resources
such as Google and IMDB.com.
• I was able to give data I personally knew about the product I was researching
because I was familiar with it.
• I was not 100% sure if the data was legitimate.
– Questionnaires
• I was able to collect the data upfront and in a simple form.
• It took a long time for the results to come in.
• Not every question was answered with details.
– Interviews
• I was given the data upfront and clearly.
• It was easy to right down that data as I was told it.
• There wasn’t too much detail given.
• Sometimes, the candidate didn’t have too much to say.

26. Research Evaluation
– What sort of a response did you get?
Upfront, simple mostly one word answeres which helped
with getting simple answeres, but not a lot of details were
given in the answeres that could posses a lot of detail.
– How did you distribute your survey? Give an advantage and a
disadvantage
-I distributed my survey via SurveyMonkey.com
-The site was easy to use, and I was able to get the surveys out to people
fairly easily.
-The results took a long time to come through and sometimes the results
would not register so I could not collect the data.