2. QUESTIONNAIRES
• We made a questionnaire and handed it out to members who fitted our
target audience. We asked 34 different people 5 different questions.
• From the answers we received, we attempted to fit our project around
the most frequent answers, or the ones which we thought were
great, unique ideas.
• However, most of the ‘quote answers’ we received were
inappropriate, so we therefore decided that dialogue was
unnecessary, and it was possible that the audience didn’t actually want
any.
• We also went around, personally asking friends what their opinions on
thriller films are, and what makes them perfect/rubbish. We did exactly
the same with our class mate, as these people were doing the same
project, therefore would be great resources for this particular genre.
• We put an example of one of our questions and answers.
4. VIDEO REACTIONS
• We also done a video reaction of a clip taken from ‘Taken’
• Although it was difficult to get our friends to act in a sensible
manner, we were able to collect good enough research from it.
• As the clip was being shown, we were looking at facial expressions in
which are friends are making. We look out for what points seem to
shock them, and which parts seem to have them engrossed into it.
From this, we could try and adopt similar passages into our own
project.
• This form of research turned out to be a bit unsuccessful. Although we
did manage to get some useful information, it was difficult to get the
volunteers to act naturally and really put across their natural feelings
across to both us, and the camera.
• A link is below to view the interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLL1xus
nXhM&feature=player_embedded
5. ACTORS
• Killer – The killer was mysterious and kept a secret the whole way
through. This was used to appeal to our target audience, as it allows the
audience to just watch the film, rather than think into too much detail.
The killer in the suit also suggests that he is an adult. This would makes
the teenage audience assume that not all bad people are teenagers, and
not everyone assumes that only teenagers are bad.
• Victim – The victim is a teenager himself. He is the same as the target
audience, meaning the audience can relate to him more. We can tell the
victim is a teen by the costume worn, and also the way in which he acts.
6. NARRATIVE
• All teenagers know that there is a danger of being targeted by people.
Our project exaggerates this teenager, and focuses on a potential
realistic scenario in which a teenager may be faced with, or may have
possible faced in the past.
• The whole idea of a chase relates back to our audience research. A key
element which was stated by all of our research members was the fact
that they loved a chase scene, or a film which included a chase. With
this in mind, we adopted the idea into our own project.
7. LOCATION
• The location, again, was selected through our research. A graveyard
came up a lot, therefore we decided to use it.
• The muddy track and the scary bridge was our own decision. We had to
have the story go somewhere, so we used our own ideas as well. We
too are teenagers as well though, so hopefully our mindset is in place
with others, and our ideas also appeal to the target audience.
• All the locations are quite ‘spooky’. It came up in the surveys that the
audience really love a spooky setting, therefore we attempted to do this
in our own project.
8. PROPS
• Mask – The mask represented mystery and possibly even the fact that
the killer was afraid to show his own identity. This is highly relatable
with the teenage audience, as a lot of the time, teenagers feel insecure
about looks, and try and hide it up using make up etc.
• Pocket watch – The fact that a pocket watch is highly ‘out of date’ is key
to relating to the target audience. As a teenager, it is important to have
all the up to date gadgets, and due to the fact that the watch is
old, shows that maybe the killings have been going on for a long
time, maybe even too long?
• Victim – During the few scenes when the victim is being carried around
by the killer, he is more of a prop, than a character. He makes the killer
seem bigger and more of a threat. This relates to teenagers, as
sometimes, teenagers feel as if they are being used, and they have no
real purpose.
9. LOCATION - EXAMPLE
Here is a
screenshot from the
graveyard. We
chose to do this
scene as it featured
many times in
questions we asked
out target audience.
10. COSTUMES – EXAMPLES
Victim – The costumes
are quite casual. He is
wearing jeans and a
football jumper. This
shows he is normal, yet
still has a childish side in
him.
Killer – He is in a
suit, probably portraying
that he is an adult.
Teenagers always think that
adults are nasty, so the film
backing up their
point, really relates to the
audience.
11. PROPS – EXAMPLES
This is the example I
used when I
mentioned the victim
as a prop. This just
shows his
domination in the
scene. It also shows
that the adult
character is nasty
and mean, relating
to the thoughts of
the character.
12. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO ATTRACT YOUR
TARGET AUDIENCE
• It is highly likely that the target audience are going to be the only people
that really like/understand the film. This means that in a cinema, the
most money will be brought in by your target audience. It is important
to attract your target audience, as they are the ones that are most
important to your revenue.
• It is also important to attract your target audience as if they enjoy the
film, they may recommend to their friends and family, or post it onto a
site, gaining a higher audience total, and more importantly, a higher
revenue.
