The document discusses the research conducted by a film director to inform the content and marketing of their slasher film. They surveyed 60 people using an online questionnaire to understand audience preferences around content, villains, weapons, locations and viewing habits. Key findings included that knives were the most popular weapon, Freddy Kruger the most popular villain but the director chose to create a realistic teenage boy villain instead, and deserted woods and abandoned houses the scariest yet low-budget locations. The research helped refine the film's narrative, trailer and ensure it appealed to the target audience's desires within the director's constraints.

2. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) is an independent, non-governmental organisation which is
funded by the film industry. Its responsibility is to classify and censor films within the United Kingdom.
Although their aim is to inform and recommend an appropriate viewing age, their age ratings are legally
enforced due to the Video Recordings Act passed in 1984. This means that based on the BBFC’s
‘recommended’ age rating of film, it would be illegal, for example, to buy or view an 18 rated film at the
cinema if you are under the age of 18. Therefore, they are regarded more as age restrictions. The
organisation was set up in 1912 and was originally known as the British Board of Film Censors. They were
also legally appointed to classify films, however the statutory powers on film remained, and still remain, with
the local councils. This means that local councils, if they deem necessary, are able to ban a film that has been
passed by the BBFC, pass a film that has been banned by the BBFC, and alter the age restrictions of any film
under their own licensing jurisdiction.
The category in which a film is placed is based on the content of the film, and how much of that certain
element it contains. The categories are as follows:
AGE RESTRICTIONS
The reason behind my research into the BBFC was to be able to have an understanding of their guidelines, in
order to apply it to my own film. I needed to know which age rating my film would fall into based on its
content and whether or not to sacrifice some content in order to gain a larger audience and therefore make
a larger profit. The minimum age for any horror/slasher film is 15, however an 18 rated horror/slasher film
allows for more gory, sadistic violence. Both certificates allow for sexual content which is vital in conveying
an important part of my narrative; the sexually active girl. Including this moral message was crucial as the
idea that sexually active girls are in more danger and have to be aware of the repercussions of their actions,
stands at the centre of most horror/slasher films.

3. • The wider the audience reached, the
more likely it will become popular.
• As a director there are certain
restrictions which may pose a problem
e.g. too much gore, violence and strong
violence.
• More profit is generated due to a larger
audience.
• Hardcore horror fans may be put off by
the younger age rating as it may lack the
violence and gore they desire.
• Larger budget due to more investment
based on reaching a wider audience. The
budget can also be used on more
production tools instead of extreme
special effects for hardcore gore.
• The are no restrictions on the amount of gore,
violence or strong language I can use.
• As the largest cinema audience are teenagers
around the age of 15, I would have eliminated a
massive opportunity for profit.
• My trailer/film will be more controversial with
its content, creating a higher likelihood of a viral
effect or progressing through word of mouth.
Even negative reviews will create a buzz around
my film and therefore prompt people to see
what the commotion is about for themselves.
• As the audience is smaller, the chance of
getting a large budget is unlikely as budgets are
given in light of perceived audience goals.
• Hardcore slasher fans will appreciate the risk
in having an 18 rated film and help boost profit
and interest as these are opinion leaders.
•As teenagers are exempt from viewing this film
in the cinemas or purchasing it in stores, this
may result in them illegally downloading it
online. This would have a serious impact on DVD
and box office sales.

4. In order to create a successful film trailer, I first had to take steps to find out who my audience
were and what they wanted from my film. I did this by creating a questionnaire on ‘QuestionPro’
and posted it on social networking sites such as ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’ to get a wide and
varied response. My group had a response of around 60 people due to the viral advertisement
which helped my results be more reliable and representative. These results helped me refine
the content of my trailer in terms of narrative and what my audience wanted.
It is evident from my research that
downloading is the most popular form of
viewing amongst my target audience. This
is not surprising in light of the advances in
technology over the last decade.
However, it proves the issue of teens
turning to illegal downloading if they are
unable to view in cinemas. Classic
cinemas are the second most popular
viewing medium ahead of modern forms
of viewing such as Netflix and DVD,
showing that cinema is still a popular
form of entertainment and will probably
never lose its novelty, even with new
competitors emerging every day.

5. The most popular form of weapon was the knife which is most likely due to its classic
connection with the slasher genre. The other three most popular forms of weapon
prompted us to think of scenarios we could incorporate into our film. Additionally, the film
‘Peeping Tom’ which our film reflects in some ways, uses a tripod leg to kill someone. Due
to this we planned to use other types of camera equipment to pay homage to this movie.

6. Freddie Kruger
(Nightmare on
Elm Street)
Ghostface
(Scream)
Michael Myers
(Halloween)
Others
Freddie Kruger reached the top of our
poll at 24%. However, we chose to
create our villain on the image of a
teenage boy, not an unrealistic
monster. This adds to the realism and
verisimilitude of our piece and
reinforces a more scary feel for our
audience. Although, these villains do
wear some kind of disguise and so
does our villain; a hood which covers
his face during the attacks. Again, this
is a more realistic icon instead of a
scary mask but still has the same
effect as it disconnects the audience
from the villains emotions, therefore
projecting the audiences personal
fears onto the masked figure.

7. The most scary location voted for by our audience was ‘deserted woods’ and ‘abandoned
houses’ as ‘woods’ was not specific or eerie enough for our audience. Other popular
locations included car parks, train stations and kitchens; all every day locations. This is a
positive as firstly, this reinforces a realistic theme for our viewers and secondly, these
locations do not require expensive equipment, professional construction or special effects.
This is good for our small budget and independent film amenities.