P1

1. Audience Research
George Wetton

2. Secondary Audience research
• Observation: From what I had gathered by watching these video. Thy were looking
at iconic movie posters but they didn’t know that much about the film. This just
shows how iconic the posters are and how much they are missing out.
• What this says about my audience: This say’s that this audience don’t know that
much about classic horror. In terms of stereotyping it’s usually teens that watch
horror films the most out of any age group. So for them modern horror is too good
that they haven’t really given the classics a chance yet.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this
audience because it goes into saying why classic horror is just as good as the
modern films that are coming out. It features clips from many iconic movies. So me
which were pointed out in this video.
Teensreact. (October 31st 2017) DO TEENS KNOW 70s
HORROR MOVIES? (REACT: Do They Know It?) Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6JIWdF_bwg

3. Secondary Audience research
• Observation: This video does a similar thing as to which I’m going to be dong in my video. They are
watching the classical movie clips and make some comparisons to modern horror. They note that
there was no jump scare needed in the the exorcist clip that they had watched. A lot of the
comments is them saying that it’s all done well and that it doesn't rely on jump scares so much. This
doesn’t make it look cheap in any way.
• What this says about my audience: A good point that this audience picks upon is that the
characters are defenceless but they are relatable. This makes the film relates to the audience even
more because the scared person is doing everything he/she can to escape. This says that the
audience are smart too and know how the characters should be feeling with them being humans
themselves because they are putting themselves in that character’s shoes.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because it’
a similar product. Whilst it won’t be a reaction. I’ll be analysing these videos in more in depth and
because we have the same opinion. We’ll be saying similar things.
OSSC. (September 2nd 2020) Koreans React To 'The
Best Old Horror Films' In U.S – Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEIy98G-l4w

4. Secondary Audience research
• Observation: Horror films have become less scary as the years as the years have gone by. This is
something which the article talks about. Some horror films are labelled as thriller’s as it isn’t seen as
being very scary. For instance silence of the lambs is not classified as a horror but it has characters that
are similar to Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience are know what the traits are that are
needed to make the villain. The archetype needs really evil motives in order for them to be a threat and
it’s not just about what they do but it needs to be shown as well. So that the danger comes through
properly.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because it
breaks down the essentials that are need to make the film scary. Not just the film but the characters and
how they aren’t just their for a cheap jump scare but their backstories are even creepy.
Vulture. (5th December 2018) Horror is not defined by what scares you - Link:
https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/horror-is-not-defined-by-what-scares-you.html

5. Primary Audience research – 1
• Observation: From the majority of these comments. This sort of stuff is the thing you would
expect to see I a horror film. Good plot twists. Strong characters. Good jump scares and surprises.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience are intelligent enough to recognise
the god qualities that are need to make a successful horror film. The elements that are needed
and why they are so captivated in watching it themselves (being an viewer) so much.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because
it will list the deeming qualities that are needed to make a good horror films. As well as picking
out what previous films have done wrong with them not keeping the basic formula or keeping it
but ruining the film as a whole.
Survey Monkey What is the main thing that you look for in a horror film?

6. Primary Audience research - 2
• Observation: From the list there isn't just horror directors. There is a bunch of directors that connote to a
whole range of genres. Tim burton is the one that is most interesting. Whilst his films aren't horror. They
do however have spooky elements that are incorporated in them seen in films like the ‘corpse bride’ or
‘the nightmare before the Christmas.’
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience aren't just interested into horror. They
admire the works from other directors but a few people did say John carpenter and Rob zombie. This
shows that the director hare on there really are mixed bag and what people view as a good director is
really subjective.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal t this audience because whilst I
will not be talking about all the directors that are listed above. I will be talking a bit about Rob zombie and
John carpenter. Talking about there editions of Halloween and how they can be quite different in
comparison but still compelling.
Survey Monkey If you have one who is your favourite director? (horror or not)

7. Primary Audience research – 3
• Observation: From looking at my results. It can be seen that 1978’s ‘Halloween’ was the most
popular film to get rated. Having 70%. The rest just got 10% and ‘insidious’ didn't get any.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know how iconic of a film
‘Halloween’ is. They recognise the music and the famous characters even if they aren't horror fans.
I don’t think my audience are the other films are bad or even saying that this one better but in
terms of which one is the most popular. They know full well that it is ‘Halloween’.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because I t
will shine light on how popular the film is. Now knowing the results I know which one should be
focused on the most and frankly I agree with it. I will be talking about the other films mentioned
above thought. Just not as much in-depth.
Survey Monkey Which movie do you find more iconic?

8. Primary Audience research – 4
• Observation: The only observation that can be made from this is that. The scores are 50/50. Some
people I asked consider gore to be overused. Others think that jump scares are overused too much.
• What this says about my audience: This says that even if you are horror fan or not. You know when
a horror film is taking it too far with scares or gore. Everyone has an opinion on it. I consider when
being asked a question like this it jogs the memory of the viewer. Some fans don’t even think to
care about stuff like gore just so long as the film is good. If it’s bad. Then that’s when every other
little things becomes more noticeable.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because its
also picks upon cheap jump scare and the overuse of gore. The films can be reviewed harshly of
doing this and so they should. When making a film within that genre you need to know a few basic
things within and those two points is just something you should know to make up that point.
Survey Monkey Which out of the two do you think overuses?

9. Primary Audience research – 5
• Observation: From looking at these results it can be seen that my audience don’t care as much
whether it’s a classic or a modern horror film only that the quality of the film is good but looking at
the other two separate results. Classical horror is rated than modern horror.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience don’t think so much about classical
films like they are classic. Of course they know its dated but that doesn't bother them. They are
more interest in the quality in which the film is in. This is good because this is what I want my
documentary to do. Is to have them think about which one is more important?
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because
they will be getting point of both sides for what time period it is depending on what round it is. I
have tried to keep my evaluation of my results fair. Whilst adding a little more encouragement as to
why people should be watching classical horror and why it should be brought back?
Survey Monkey Which do you preferer classical horror films or modern ones?

10. Primary Audience research – 6
• Observation: This is the observation that I had expected to see. That a lot of people haven't seen the
hammer house horror films. Having 60% not seen them that leads to 20% saying they are ok and the other
20% saying they are brilliant.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience are not well known with the hammer
house horror franchise. There are films that have been have seen images or clips of but never have
bothered to watch the full plot because it was too old for them to get into. However it does show the
range of my audience because whilst there isn’t some that haven't watched it. Some have.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because it
encourage them to watch it. There isn't many films/documentary that do this. The series is often passed
off as if hundreds of people have seen it already.
Survey Monkey Do you think the hammer house horror films are good?

11. Primary Audience research – 7
• Observation: Looking at the results the most common answer that came up was the use of
technology and special effects. The rest was based upon other things that horror films have
advanced. Like from previous films being used as inspiration like ‘Psycho’ and ‘Halloween’.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know how technology has
advanced horror films. They have seen what the originals used to be like and the transition is
something that amazes them. Everyone is thinking how far will these special effects will go in
the future.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience
because it will go a bit into CGI. The realism that some films capture and the bad effects that
are often chucked at when they trying to execute a scene with a creature.
Survey Monkey What do you think has been the biggest influence to horror films?

12. Primary Audience research – 8
• Observation: The most common answer that came up was ‘Halloween’ but that only came up
twice. Others appear to be ‘Texas chainsaw massacre’ or ‘scream’ which feature iconic antagonist
characters that have gone down well in history.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know many different films where
they don’t all have equal thoughts. This shows how subjective films can be and whilst there can be
icons out there. There are hidden treasures too which if you were a filmmaker stepping into horror.
You would need to look out for.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because it
will pick up on the various films that come up. It will mention why these films are so popular and
hopefully the opinions that I will express in certain parts of the documentary. My audience will also
agree with.
Survey Monkey What is your favourite horror film?

13. Primary Audience research - 9
• Observation: Like many of the questions that have been asked the answers have been all totally
different than what the other has said. However Dracula did come up by three other different
people.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience like before know what they like.
The character they have listed are iconic to the horror franchise and they might not even be a fan
of horror but they know that this character is scary because of the popularity behind it.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because
there will be several references mentioned about the character that are up above. I think the
biggest talk in the documentary. What is an iconic horror film and what makes it iconic? The
biggest one word answer to that is the villain. Which is something that I will go further into in my
documentary.
Survey Monkey What is your favourite horror film antagonist and why?

14. Primary Audience research - 10
• Observation: My audience value plot over characters or visual storytelling. With visual storytelling
only getting 10%, characters getting 40% and then the most valued was plot having 50%. Meaning
half my audience consider the plot to be the most important part.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know what is the most important
part to any film that is being released. That is the plot. The plot is what brings the audience in and
takes them out of their lives and with the characters on the screen. Whilst the other elements are
important too. Plot is the most important part. That fails then it can all go wrong in the viewers
mind. Other elements fail but it has a strong plot. Then they will let it slide.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: Me being interested in filmmaking. I talk about
cinematography a lot. So If I was making something I would want it to be visually stunning.
However I agree that the plot is the most important part and in the documentary I will be talking
about how some films have just copied other films by using a similar plot. So it’s them doing wrong
with what is most importantly needed.
Survey Monkey Which one is more important?

15. Primary Audience research - 1
• Observation: For part of my research I conducted a survey on my Instagram
highlights. The first question I asked was is the public rated hammer horror house
highly. This got a 78% of yes within a circle of 22% no.
• What this says about my audience: This say’s that a wide majority of my
audience are interest In all types of horror including the classic like hammer
house horror but a small few don’t possibly because of how dated it is.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this
audience because hammer house horror and the classical elements that’s went
to it is the main subject that my document is presenting.
Instagram Highlights

16. Primary Audience research - 2
• Observation: Looking from the results here there are people picking out there
director. Three of them including horror out of the four. Coincidentally one of them is
James wan. The four of these are horror directors
• What this says about my audience: This says that I am aiming at the right audience.
They can not only name horror directors but they are their favourite directors.
Knowing a whole range of talented diverse directors that have been well known in
history but have done many films too.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: Whilst the documentary doesn't
discuss the other three directors up above. The main director it does delve into is
James wan.
Instagram Highlights

17. Primary Audience research - 3
• Observation: Looking at what the results say the main element that is needed is the capability to pull out a
good scare. Though there have been some other comments such as the fear of the unknown, strong
characters and a psychological terror.
• What this says about my audience: From this my audience know the basic ingredient that goes into a horror
film. They know that a good scare in a horror film has to be put out better then anything else in the film. One
comment said strong character which shows that 2D characters can distract you from the plot. Also another
comment said that fear of the unknown showing that not everything is needed to be shown in a horror film
in order to scare someone.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: With this being a documentary of course there wont be
anything new or have new characters implemented into it. The closest thing it will get is showing the existing
clips. My product will appeal to the audience because there is a wide range of analysing when it comes to
character development ad the psychology of character including antagonists in the film. It will also look into
how a good scare can be executed well and how some modern horror films have sadly butchered it.
Instagram Highlights

18. Primary Audience research - 4
• Observation: In this observation I asked my audience what their favourite horror film was. I did
this so I was able to conduct which film needed analysing the most. The one that got the
highest result was Halloween (1978). However Saw only go two point backwards having 4
people pick it.
• What this says about my audience: This say's that my audience know how much of an icon the
film ‘Halloween’ is. However this might be a little unbiased as a lot of my followers are SAW
fan’s. So that’s why it got the four up votes. I feel like my audience do consider the other two
films to be great as well because they are iconic but not as good as the others.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience
because they feature clips from each of the four films that I have put in the voting stance.
However I now know which one will be longest in duration.
Instagram Highlights

19. Primary Audience research – 5
• Observation: As seen my audience know the elements that have been carried on
throughout horror history. They have seen the influences that been shown in horror films.
Whether it’s 70’s slashers or the film psycho. They know in cinema history the horror films
in the past have been a massive success. An even bigger success today than it was 20 years
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know what to pick up on
when they see horror films. They see the continuity of how each one of them has been
created from taking influences of previous horror films. My documentary will just be
talking about where all these horror films have sprung from what was there original source.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience
because essentially its about the history of horror. Not only will it pickup on the films but
the rational fears that the viewers hold and how they have been adapted into horror films
to scare them even more. It will also show examples not only on how horror has changed
but also how it has been influenced and not so different to the classics.
Instagram Highlights

20. Primary Audience research – 6
• Observation: A lot of these characters have been seen in horror history. They have characters such as Freddie
Kruger and Michael Myers which are known by people that aren't even interested horror. Jigsaw is also labelled
as someone’s favourite antagonist because of it not just being scary but that his morality makes him more
likeable. This shows more of a character analysis as opposed to a fear factor which is something the audience
are more scared of.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know the characters that are not only important
to the horror genre but they what makes the story. I have said before that having a mysterious entity which you
don’t see can be more terrifying than seeing it but just so long as we have enough information on the
antagonist in order to get scared.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because I won’t fully
dissect why I like these characters but they will be going why the films they are in are so popular. Why they are
so terrifying and what makes them so unique in contrast to other films?
Instagram Highlights

21. Primary Audience research - 7
• Observation: As seen through my results. It can be seen that jump scares are overused a lot more
than gore is. With the results of jump scares having double the amount to gore. I used these two
types because they are the two points that are made when talking about horror film.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know about stereotypes that are
placed in horror. They often watch films and don’t actually get scared of the jump scares. They care
more about the plot and why that is so terrifying. So to have jump scares wedged in that just don’t
work. Seem unnecessary.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because I
also agree with the results. Jump scares can often be called cheap. They have fallen into stereotype
and that is the problem with a lot of modern horror films.
Instagram Highlights

22. Primary Audience research - 8
• Observation: 71% show that they much prefer classic style horror films such as ’IT’ and ‘Pet cemetery’.
They have a vintage charm that can be found a lot today. Things that are vintage come back and reach a
new level of popularity.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience are like the horror films that could be
considered vintage. These films are about brining back the ways. If you look at IT. It has classical techniques
that could have possibly been taken from the original because it’s a reboot but that’s the reason its such a
success because it has been updated.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because its about
the encouragement of the classical horror over the modern horror. This question points towards the
modern horror films that have done it well as well as the classical. This is why James wan is mentioned a
lot because he is a modern director creating classical films.
Instagram Highlights

23. Primary Audience research - 9
• Observation: Looking at my results this says that a strong storyline holds more importance than visual
storytelling. With a strong storyline having 5% but visual storytelling only having 2%.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know that even if a films looks good.
The most important part is the characters and it’s not possible to have a strong storyline with weak
characters. That is the biggest element that has to be portrayed. You want them to be intrigued by
them. They know that strong storyline can carry everything else if done really well.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to this audience because it
opens up on both sides of the storytelling. There’s no part where it values one over the other but they
are both described as being rather important and both hold the same amount of recognition.
Instagram Highlights

24. Primary Audience research - 10
• Observation: As said in my previous question. The characters are the most important part of the
film. You have to relate to them and be able to follow them without getting bored of what's
happening.
• What this says about my audience: This says that my audience know the stereotypes that fall into
the horror franchise. My audience know from watching spoof films or just common knowledge that
the characters have become a stereotype and if the acting is bad or the not convicing then it can be
seen as comedy.
• How will your product appeal to this audience: My product will appeal to my audience because it
will pick up on these point. It will be shown through the acting in various clips that will use in
examples to compare them to the acting that has been Oscar winning or just deemed good in
history. Characters play a part in one of my stages of the documentary as I think they are very
important and poor characters can be horror downfall sometimes.
Instagram Highlights

25. Primary Audience research 1 -
Interview
• Name: Sam Wetton
• Would you consider yourself to be a horror fan: “I’m getting more into
the genre, but I do try and look out at the things that I didn’t want to see when it didn’t
like it. I don’t mind the jump scares but it’s the gore that makes me flinch and put me
off the films sometimes. However I’m getting more into them and I really enjoy the
tension of them.”
• What do you think about hammer house horror: “It’s not a particular
series that I have ever watched. I have seen various clips where it features such
villains as Frankenstein or a mummy, but I have never sat down and watched a full
film featuring them. Which is a shame because you not really involved with it. If
you haven’t watched it but if I ever get the chance, I would be intrigued to watch
the films.”
• What is your opinion on the director James Wan: “I think he’s ok. I
never personally think about the director himself but the films/content that he makes
are films that I really enjoy. There the type of horror films I prefer the most above any
others because they are based upon true events. That is something that is more
frightening and doesn’t really rely so much on the gore or torture porn.”

26. Primary Audience research 2 -
Interview
• Name: Frank Carroll
• Would you consider yourself to be a horror fan: “I would consider
myself to be a horror fanatic. I found my fondness for horror to be very diverse. I like a
whole range from the classics to the modern. I like the exorcist. I think that’s very scary,
but I also like the scream films because I found their storytelling to be rather thrilling.”
• What do you think about hammer house horror: “I rather like the films.
I consider them to be a bit of lost art. My granddad is the one that admires them the
most because he was a fan of them when he was younger, but I do have a childhood of
sitting with him and watching these films. I have very fond memories of them, but I
think that’s just because It was something I used to do and not the films themselves.
Sadly, I don’t have much time for them these days, but I would really like to start
watching them again.”
• What is your opinion on the director James Wan: “I think he’s a brilliant
director. He’s someone I rate very highly particularly for the SAW films but also because
of the conjuring. Along with the others. I feel like has brought back a vintage way of
looking at the horror franchise and branched his own films. They feel old but fresh and
for an audience member to have that complicated feeling. It’s really intriguing.”

27. Subject Research
BFI. (22nd February 2016) Where to begin with Hammer horror – Link:
https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/fast-track-fandom-
beginners-guide-through-hammer-horror
Hammer house horror wasn't considered very popular for it’s time and only began to
get really popular during the early 70’s which was around about the time the films
were finished. So really it never got the big box office viewings that were needed.
Something which is a shame because it does very well at any screenings that are
shown at the BFI cinema or any other place. For that these films are considered to be a
lost art. Starting off the career’s of Peter Cushing and Christopher lee. With them both
being well known for those films. The films were gothic and in order to set a scare they
couldn't rely too much on the visual effect. This made them rely more on the
storytelling. Sadly because whenever they did used the budget. Even though it was
scary for it’s time. It was just something that people weren’t interested about. It also
falls into the category of if you have seen one then you have seen them all which is
completely untrue. Each film has a charm that it is presented in a way that it tackles
serious issues even back then. They feel like horror drama’s. The characters don’t feel
2Dimensional. Their backstory is set and you’ve got to look at the story ahead knowing
what you know.

28. Bibliography

29. Bibliography
1. Chris Vander Kaay. Horror films by subgenre: a viewer’s guide – Link:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mwKQCwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=horror+f
ilms&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwil9bDuiZPsAhVZTRUIHZiqCMsQ6AEwAnoECAUQAg#v=on
epage&q=horror%20films&f=false
2. Cinemamassacre. (October 7th 2017) History of Horror Films - 31 Monster Madness
reviews combined – Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUDYpT9UYU0
3. Clear critique. (October 31st 2016) 6 Horror movies (That are actually scary) – Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpdR0jqGBSE
4. James B Weaver. Horror films: current research on audience preferences and reactions –
Link:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=3Tn8AQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=horror+fil
ms&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwil9bDuiZPsAhVZTRUIHZiqCMsQ6AEwCXoECAQQAg#v=one
page&q=horror%20films&f=false
5. Jordan Peele (20th march 2019) Us – Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6857112/
6. John Krasinski (April 2018) A quiet place – Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6644200/
7. John Carpenter (27th October 1978) Halloween – Link:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077651/
8. Neal Bell. How to write a horror film – Link:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fRDYDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=horror&hl
=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjtxo3WjZPsAhWIaRUIHZqwAYc4ZBDoATAHegQICRAC#v=onepage
&q=horror&f=false
9. Watchmojo.com. (May 25th 2020) Top 20 horror movie plot twists – Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5ly0u-rwZI
Google books
Video links
Existing films