The document discusses the target audience for a horror film media product. It analyzes research showing that the main audience for horror films is 15-25 year olds, with teenagers and young adults most interested. While horror films are sometimes seen as targeting males more, research shows both male and female audiences in younger age groups. The document then discusses how the creator's horror film media product targets a similar 15-25 year old audience, with a focus on teenage boys, using conventions like graphic imagery and supernatural themes to appeal to interests in thrills, mystery and social viewing experiences.

1. Question 4 – Who would be
the audience for your media
product?
Isaac Randall

2. Research - Age
The general target audience for a horror film is
15-25, most commonly as teenagers and young
adults enjoy the thrills horror films offer, yet at a
low cost.
Many young people are not put off by the graphic
images, but are actually drawn towards them.
For example, The Human Centipede (2009) is
well known and viewed specifically because of
the graphic images it contains. However, many
audiences may be put of by the graphic content.
However, overall (as seen from the statistics on
the right) the audience is fairly split between the
various demographics, but overall the majority
lies within the ‘under 18’ and ‘18-29’ brackets.

3. Research - Gender
Although many believe that horror films are stereotypically
aimed at a male audience, there is also a high female
audience for the genre. Films such as The Human
Centipede and The Women in Black have a higher female
audience in the brackets ‘Under 18’ and ‘18-29’, as shown
in the graphs below.
The Human Centipede The Women In Black

4. Research - Interests
Audiences are also drawn to horror films due to their personal
interests. Horror films also may be aimed at those who have have an
interests in the supernatural or the unexplained. Also, those who have
a liking for illusion or enjoy a sense of mystery may enjoy films in the
horror genre, as many of the films withhold information from the
audience.
Horror films are also aimed at groups, such as teenagers. This is
because they are attracted to the films as it has almost become a
social event to get scared together. The Paranormal Activity film
series success is possibly due to this.

5. My Product - Age
My product is mainly aimed at a young audience aged 15- 25, as this
is what the research supports. We have used some graphic images
such as specifically using the blood and cuts on the actors face. This
conforms to conventions and attracts teenagers as they enjoy the
use of graphic images. The age of the protagonist also allows the
target audience to relate better, creating a more realistic feeling
amongst audience members as they could see themselves in the
situation of the protagonist. The protagonist clearly has an interest in
photography, supporting the stereotype that teenagers have an
interest in technology. It helps the target audience again to relate, as
photography and media are subjects many choose to pursue in
school/college/university or/and have an interest in outside of
education.

6. My Product - Gender
The gender of my product’s target audience is
boys however, as although many films have a
large female audience, they generally aim to
target the typical ‘teenage boy’ stereotype.
Meaning, that they enjoy cheap thrills and
actually seek to see, and then discuss the
graphic content, such as that featured in The
Human Centipede, mentioned previously,
Hostel and the Saw franchise.
However, there is a large majority of females
that make up the genres audience. My product
is also aimed mainly at a male teenage/young
adult audience as they are not put off by taboo
subjects. The content of the film also is
relatable for males, as the protagonist is
causing trouble in a location he is not allowed
in.

7. My Product - Interests
My product in particular will conform to the genre and will therefore appeal
to existing fans. The use of conventions, such as the young girl, creates
an ambiguous introduction, and the use of props immediately creates
reactions amongst the audience, such as the rope (indicating the helpless
victim) and dolls (suggesting a supernatural theme).
Groups, such as teenagers for example, of friends may view the film in
order to get a thrill, as one individual in the audience feedback collected,
said that it “[keeps the] audience at the edge of their seat” supporting this.
The scene when the CCTV stops working is an example of a thrill.
Another individual stated that my product “creates enigma codes within
the beginning” suggesting those that enjoy a sense of mystery would
enjoy my product.