The document discusses how the filmmakers attracted their target audience of 16-25 year olds. They used techniques like handheld camera footage, an actor in the target age group, and portraying a psychological entity based on audience research showing it was the most popular horror genre. The opening sequence hooked viewers through personal documentary clips and imagery that followed short, sharp textual descriptions to engage both active and passive audiences. Feedback on social media was positive overall, though some commented on an inconsistent accent or feeling uncomfortable during one scene.
2. Within our final piece, we attempted to attract
target audiences (relating to the questionnaire
results) through the use of a range of techniques:
we made great use of ‘personal filming’ with the
use of a hand-held camera throughout the film.
We also used an actor that was within the target
age-group to increase the audience-character
relation. The ‘entity’ related to the results drawn
from our questionnaire in regards to the
‘psychological’ aspect that was apparently the
most popular type of horror movie. (Which type
of horror movie is your favourite):
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Slasher Psychological Demonic Apocalyptic
The psychology aspect is achieved through the
placement of the entity within the film: it
appears from the darkness and Bruce
disappears.
4. How is your production
referencing other horrors?
5. Our product makes reference highly to
Paranormal Activity: Within both films, the
movie is greatly reliant on hand-held
cameras. Additionally, there is the
psychological aspect of something ‘ghostly’
within both pieces. There is also reference to
‘Hannibal Lecter’ in the use of the Entity’s
mask, which is used to cover up the
antagonist’s identity.
6. Are there any contemporary
issues or themes that you
feel are shown through your
production?
7. The original plan for the film was for the
‘entity’ to portray an original student (now
dead) that had suffered at school through
bullying: the entity would portray a character
that took out revenge on unsuspecting
victims. However, these plans were not
portrayed accurately within the film.
9. Audience feedback was not explicitly sought after;
however, we decided to broadcast our video on social
networking sites such as YouTube and Facebook.
From the feedback in regards to the 2minute opening, we
received an undisclosed number of comments. A high
volume of the audience enjoyed the production, however, a
few members did comment on the inconsistency of the
accent that ‘Bruce’ produced. A small proportion of
members also commented on the fact that the film did
make them feel slightly uncomfortable (more
specifically, the scene where the entity captured Bruce).
10. In regards to the target audience (mainstream
– 16-25), the ‘uncomfortable’ feeling that was
produced with the film is good.
Additionally, despite the inconsistent
accent, the large proportion of mainstream
audiences is passive, which means they may
not pick up on the inconsistent accent.
11. How did you engage with the
audience through the opening
sequence – how did you hook
your target audience?
12. The one-to-one communication projected by Bruce
right at the beginning of the piece immediately hooks
the audience’s attention, in addition to the use of
sound (reverse symbol crash), there are a series of
‘personal-documentary’ clips that are used to engage
with the audience. The clips from “There have been
reports of disappearances” to “slaughterings” are
short, sharp, and are followed by clips relating to the
word used (i.e. ‘Disappearances’ is followed by a clip
of an unknown character’s legs being dragged away).
This combination of textual imagery and visual
representation ensure that both active and passive
audiences are ‘hooked’.