This document discusses the target audience for a psychological thriller film opening sequence. It identifies the target audience as males and females aged 15-30 globally, from social classes B to C2, with interests in mysteries and psychological films. It explains that the opening sequence will appeal to this audience by establishing mystery and tension through close-ups, sound effects, and an isolated setting to introduce the main character's psychological problem. The opening sequence is rated 15 for horror elements and enigmas. Audience theory suggests it will provide pleasure through mystery, information on psychological problems, a means of identity and social integration for those suffering similar problems, and entertainment through escape.

1. Assignment 23:
Target Audience (Draft 5)
Judy Ibelgauptiene
Leticia Silva
Katia Martins
Noor Naoum

2. Audience
An audience is a individual or group of people
who consume a media text.
They are the people who are going to consume
your product and give you feedback on it.
With their feedback they help to enhance and
make your product better.

3. Audience expectations of genre
Generally the audience expect the following
from the genre we have chosen:
• They would expect there to be a character with a
psychological problem.
• To have a lot of tense, fast paced moments.
• There to be very fast paced music which adds effect
to the film by making it more dramatic.
• To have a mystery to work out and solve.

4. Audience expectations of opening
sequence and genre
Generally the audience would expect the following for a
psychological thriller opening sequence:
• The audience would expect to be introduced to the main character in the
opening sequence.
• They would expect there to be lots of confusion in order for there to be a
high amount of enigma.
• They would also expect the opening sequence to be implicit so that the
audience can engage and be interested.
• There to be very odd things going on in the surroundings.
• The characters to be in an isolated place.
• There to be a cliff hanger at the end to keep them wondering what’s going
to happen so they watch the rest of the film.

5. Institution:
Blockbuster or Independent?
We are mostly inspired by blockbuster movies such as:
- Se7evn
- The one that flew over a cookoo’s nest
- Beautiful mind
- Momento
- Shutter Island
Our opening sequence would be a blockbuster film because
- Psychological drama films would be of an interest to a wider audience so that they get an inner insight of the
psychological problems that some people go through on an everyday basis. Which also could relate to some of the
people in the audience.
- The inspiration we got was mainly from blockbuster films.
Release:
Global because a psychological problem is a global everyday issue.
Also our target audience is mainly the UK and USA.
Exhibition:
The film would be a blockbuster film, therefore it would be exhibited in the followings ways:
• Cinema
• DVD
• Social networks (online)

6. Mass or Niche
It is target at a mass audience because its a
blockbuster movie and also because of the fact
that the opening sequence relates to a condition
that could happen at any age.
We also feel that our conventions and enigmas
would attract a mass audience.

7. What is a target and secondary
audience?
Target Audience Secondary Audience
A target audience is the audience that
you are intentionally making the product
for.
Is anyone who wants your product that
you did not target your product at.
Target
Audience
Secondary
Audience

8. Target Audience Details
Description Explanation
Gender Males and Females Psychological problems does not just interest and
affect one gender.
Age 15 - 30 This age it’s the age where there is more interest
shown for these type of things.
Location Global It’s a blockbuster film therefore it should be global to
obtain a large audience.
Ethnicity N/A There will be no ethnicity because it will be global.
Social Class B to C2 They are the ones that would most likely watch it
because they have a little bit of spare time on their
hands and its helps them be more aware of their
surroundings.
Interests/ hobbies Watching films that have mysteries and
psychological things and readings book
about things like that.
It may interest them how people with these kind of
problems cope with such things.
Social Group Peers who show the same interest of films
they enjoy.
Word of mouth could be used making the opening
sequence much more popular.
Profession /Role Teachers, students, doctors and psychiatrist. They are mainly the ones who would be interested and
be easier to make them engage with the film.
Sexuality All types. Psychological problems affects all types of people.

9. Secondary Audience Details
Description Explanation
Gender Males and Females Any gender is welcome to watch.
Age 30-50 at that age a psychological opening sequence
could relate and could be intriguing.
Location Local Anyone else who was not targeted in the local
audience who enjoys psychological films.
Ethnicity It does not apply. As it would be wanted for the film to be
appropriate to all audiences to engage a bigger
attention and anyone can relate to it.
Social Class A to E If they are able to watch and want to, they are
welcome to.
Interests/ hobbies Does not apply Audiences with outside interest could find the film
interesting even though it is not something they
would usually go for.
Social Group Open range Its a problem that could happen to anyone and
they feel really attached and feel like wanting to
watch it.
Profession /Role Open range It does not apply.
Sexuality Does not apply It’s an open range.

10. How does your opening sequence appeal
to your target audience?
Plot/ Story/Theme Forms Conventions
Girl is getting dressed and
ready to go out. Someone
appears in her mirror but she
doesn’t notice. She leaves
her house to go to the bus.
She sees the girl watching
her across the road but she
disappears. After waiting for
the bus and no bus she gives
up and decides to walk. She
walks past a stranger who
turns into the girl she saw
before so she runs. When
she stops she notices the girl
is everywhere.
Lots of extreme close ups
and close ups used to show
detail.
Lots of sound effects to
create tension.
An isolated place to
symbolise the isolation of
the character.
The villain usually wears
quite casual clothing.
Mirrors are generally used.
Involves a characters past.
Music is used to build and
create tension.
Setting is usually a familiar
place.

11. BBFC
Rating Chose of rating for
opening sequence
Comments from guidelines
U
PG
12A
12
15 X
We chose rate 15
because our opening
sequence has some
horror aspects and
maybe be scary for
younger audiences.
Also our enigmas fit
into this category.
What you can show:
strong violence
Frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***').
Portrayals of sexual activity
Strong verbal references to sex
Sexual nudity
Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence
Discriminatory language or behaviour
Drug taking
What you can’t show:
Anything outside of the things you can show is 18 and over
Eg: strong scenes of nudity and language which may not be appropriate
18

12. Applying Audience theory
Altman
‘A set of pleasures’
McQuail
‘Uses & Gratifications Theory: Reasons why people seek the media’
The opening sequence is
giving the audience
pleasure by creating a
mystery and a lot of
enigma so the audience
feel the satisfaction of
wanting to find out what
is happening and why it
is happening.
Information Personal Identity Integration &
Social Interaction
Entertainment
The audience may
learn about the
psychological
problem
(hallucinations)
from our opening
sequence and how
it affects someone.
They may suffer
from psychological
problems and feel
uncomfortable with
them, but may seek
comfort from our
opening sequence
as they see that
they are not alone.
The audience may
learn about people
who suffer from
psychological
problems and
through our
opening sequence
they understand
what it feels like.
They may like to
escape the real
world and they
enjoy psychological
thrillers which
excite them and
make their heart
race.