This document provides guidance for conducting research into the horror film genre. Students are asked to: 1) Research the development of the genre using primary and secondary sources; 2) Identify a horror subgenre for a film project; and 3) Evaluate their research findings. They must create interview and survey questions to answer what makes a film 'horror' and use sources like the internet, books and experts' opinions. The assessment will evaluate students' research process and ability to work independently to understand the genre and complete tasks like meeting deadlines.

1. Horror Film Genre
A2 Unit: Research for Media Production
Aim / Objective
•To conduct research into the Horror Film genre using Primary and
Secondary research methods; showing understanding of the development of the
genre
•To identify a specific subgenre within this topic area for your A2 film
production
•To produce a written evaluation of your research findings
Research Project
Key question to investigate:
• What makes a film ‘horror’?
Research methods
•You must devise questionnaires and interview questions to help you answer
you key question.
•You must also use secondary forms such as the internet, journals, textbooks,
expert/film theorists’ opinions etc., to help you answer the key question.
Note
1. Create six questions on the planning sheet to help you answer the
Key Question.
2. Include an evaluation of the research methods you used to help
you answer the question.

2. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR THIS TASK
My work will be marked on the following:
Assessment objectives Knowledge, understanding and skills
Conduct research into the 1) I must show that I can
horror film genre conduct research into a key
media area
2) I must be able to use:
(a) Primary research methods
(questionnaires, interviews,
Watching horror films)
(b) Secondary research
methods (internet, books
magazines etc)
Demonstrate the ability to I must be able to:
work independently •work without supervision
•follow instructions
•meet deadlines
Review progress I must also write about my
findings in an Evaluation

3. Planning Sheet for research into the Horror film genre
QUESTIONS WHAT DO I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT WHAT DO I NEED TO FIND OUT WHICH RESEARCH
THIS KEY QUESTION? ABOUT THIS KEY QUESTION? METHOD WILL I USE TO
FIND THE INFORMATION?
1 What is the first
horror film?
How has the
genre changed
and developed?
2
3
4
6

4. Complete a written Evaluation of your research
Use the following table to help you write your evaluation
Prompts Examples…
The horror film genre I have been researching
What did you already know about Through my own observation of ….
Horror films?
What did you want to find out? I wanted to find out …..
Which research methods did you I used primary methods to find
use? (list each research method then out…
explain its strengths and weaknesses)
What did you find out about Horror Through my research I found…
films, through your research?
What conclusions have your drawn
from your findings?