The document discusses the target audience for a slasher horror opening sequence. It identifies the target audience as females aged 15-25 and the secondary audience as males aged 15-35. It explains that the opening sequence will appeal to these audiences through its use of conventions like mysterious music, flashbacks, and isolated female protagonist. The sequence aims to thrill and excite viewers while still leaving an enigma through its plot and visual storytelling techniques.

1. Assignment 23: Target Audience
Patrycia Butrym
Esere Simei-Akajagbo
Shivonne Weekes
Courtney Buabeng

2. Audience is ...
• Audience is a gathering of spectators or listeners at the cinema or a public event.

3. Audience Expectations of
Genre
Generally, the audience expect the following from our chosen genre:
 A clear narrative but don’t give to much away or make it cliche!
 Dark and myterious settings something like a low-key lighting or a greyscale colouring .
 They want to see blood and hear screaming so our open sequence should include a
gothic theme.
 Orchestral music throughout the whole open sequence because it would reinforce the
setting.

4. Audience Expectations of Opening
Sequence and Genre
Generally, the audience expect the following in slasher horror
opening sequence:
 They would want to meet the characters however do it in a way which establishes
the genre.
 In the first few minuts the audience would want to see some sort of action
happening EG Someone killing or doing harm to someone else as it is slasher horror.
 They expect some clues about the film so that they wouldnt be confused but at the
same time it would leave a strong enigma.
 Other audience would prefer a touch of horror as horror builds tension ready to
shock the audience in a highly similar way to what a thriller does.

5. Institution:
Blockbuster or Independent
We are mostly inspired by blockbuster films such as:
• Cabin In The Woods, Se7en, Texas Chainsaw Massacre
• Awake
• Obsessed, Hard Candy, Maniac
• Reservoir Dogs
Our opening sequence would be a blockbuster film because:
• We mostly watch blockbuster films and we got our ideas from blockbusters
• We feel that our opening sequence would be attracted to a wider audience
Release:
• Global
• This is because our targeted audience located in America
Exhibition- the film would be a blockbuster film, therefore it should be
exhibited in the following ways:
• Cinema
• DVD’s
• Posters
• Adverts- above the line and below the line

6. Mass or Niche?
It is targeted at a mass audience:
• Blockbuster films have a larger budget than independent films
• We feel that our conventions/ enigmas would be attracted to a wider audience
• Blockbusters are mainstream films- associated with America

7. What is a target and secondary
audience ?
TARGET AUDIENCE SECONDARY AUDINECE
Our target audience for are
opening sequence would be
(15-25) years of age. The
gender would be Females.
Our secondary audience for are
opening sequence would be
Males. The age would be (15-
35).

8. Secondary Audience Details
Description Explanation (why)
Gender Male The horror would interest the male gender. The
protagonist character would relate to the female
gender.
Age (15-21) They audience would be able to relate to the
character because they are around the same age.
Location UK The film is based in the UK so people would relate to
it.
Ethnicity N/A Its not targeted at any specific culture.
Social Class Unemployed They have less responsibilities so they more likely to
spend money on things they like to do.
Interest/
Hobbies
They like horror and
slasher films
They like to try work out who‘s the killer.
Social Group N/A Its not applicable because there are no subcultures
within the open sequence.
Profession/
Role
Students The main character is a student herself so the
audience would be able to relate to her because of the
age.
Sexuality N/A Its not targeted at any specific sexuality .

9. Target Audience Details
Description Explanation (why)
Gender Female Protagonist: female audience can relate to the
character.
Age (15-25) The conventions of our film would be a rating
between those ages.
Location America and UK It’s a blockbuster film and most blockbuster films
come from America.
Ethnicity White There is no ethnicity because it will be global.
Social Class 8- Unemployed The working class has disposable income to spend on
leisure activities.
Interest/
Hobbies
Going to the cinema Its there social activity .
Social Group N/A There is no social groups because its not targeted at
any subculture
Profession/
Role
Students This is because they are more likely to watch films and
go to the cinema.
Sexuality N/A Its not applicable targeted and one sexuality.

10. How does your opening sequence
appeal to your audience?
Story/Plot/Theme Forms Conventions
• It is a young susceptible girl
• It’s situated in an urban area
• The hero (female) is isolated
and an outside.
• She is also the one who is
creating the height of tension
and enigma
• Low key lighting, especially in
flashbacks
• Dense, mysterious score music
(It can be slow and sinister, or
rapid and full of tension.
• Sound effects with flashbacks
• Special effects for flashbacks
• Predominately high angle shots
to illustrate the vulnerability of
the female character
• Volume control in pivotal points
• Slow pace to add enigma
• It will be shot in a urban street
area with open space
• The narrative will involve a
puzzle or investigation.
(Revenge plot)
• It centres around the injustice of
society
• Mysterious score music and
sound effects
• The use of flashbacks
• Fast pace tracking and panning
• Close ups and extreme close ups
in order to hide identities or
objects
• Low key lighting in order to form
multiple shadows and dark
areas to create an eerie
atmosphere

11. BBFC
Ratings Choice of Rating for our opening
sequence
Comments from guidelines
(What you can/can’t show)
U It should include a wide range of themes and send
positive messages such as: friendship, family and
loyalty. Themes like drugs, violence and bad
language will not be expectable for this rating.
PG It can explore challenging issues such as bullying,
bereavement or racism. There can be very little sex
references or innuendos and themes of violence
must be mild.
12A This rating is the same of ‘12’, however a film rated
‘12A’ must be accompanied with an adult with a 12
year old.
12 Some strong language may pass for this rating and
have some moderate sex references or innuendos.
Moderate violence is allowed.
15 X
We chose the rating ‘15’ because our sequence
contains quite obvious themes of violence and
murders. Also, we found that the enigmas made
will appeal more to this age range.
This rating can consist of strong violence as well as
the use of frequent strong language. It includes the
portrayals of sexual activity and some sexual
nudity. It can also include some discriminatory
language/behaviour and drug taking. Contains
issues of society. For example, teenage depression,
self-harm or rape.
18 18 are for adults and can contain strong issues
such as: very strong violence frequent strong
language, strong portrayals of sexual activity and
scenes of sexual violence. It can also contain strong
horror, strong blood/gore and in some
circumstances, real sex, as long as it is not
pornography. This rating also consists of a frequent
use of discriminatory language/behaviour.

12. Applying Audience Theory
Altman
‘A Set Of Pleasures’
McQuail
‘Uses & Gratification Theory: Reasons why people seek the media’
•The audience gain the pleasure
of being thrilled and excited
whilst watching the opening
sequence.
•The conventions of this genre
are particularly evident,
therefore the audience have
the pleasure of understanding
what they are to expect.
Information Personal Identity Integration & Social
Interaction
Entertainment
•To find out about
relevant conditions of
their society or the
world.
•In need of realistic
advice or be able to
discuss matters.
•A way fulfilling
common interests or
inquisitiveness.
•Self-education.
•Gaining a sense of
creativity.
•Finding examples for
certain behaviours.
•Identifying personal
opinions or states as
others.
•Gaining an insight of
themselves.
•Having an insight into
the circumstances of
others in order to
relate or empathise.
•Gaining a sense of
belonging.
•Enabling some to
connect with their
social groups. (Family,
colleagues/friends)
•Being able to divert
themselves from their
problems
•Filling time
•Emotional discharge
•Relaxing
•For background
comfort