Based on responses from a survey of 10 people: - Most respondents were 12-16 years old and female - The majority watch psychological horrors for entertainment - Conventions like mysterious characters, scenes that make you jump, and music are expected - Music was deemed the most important convention - The opening sequence should feature various shot types and tracking camera movements - An ambiguous title, sense of mystery, and narrative inconsistencies are expected

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12-16 years 17-20 years 21-29 years 30-39 years 40+ years
How old are you?
From this question it is clearly evident that over half of the ten people asked about their age
seven out of ten said twelve to sixteen. This would imply that for our psychological horror to
appeal to this specific target audience we need to certificate our film around a twelve or
fifteen. By doing this we are engaging the majority of the people who took the questionnaire.
We have concluded to choose the certification of a 15 as during the film we have implemented
a suicide scene, although the girl is not seen killing herself the scene is not suitable for those
under the age of 15 as of the context that we have implemented.

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Male Female
What gender are you?
Commencing this question it is apparent that the majority of people asked were female. As this has
been portrayed to make our film appealing to the audience, we need to stereotype the film more to
females, for instance, possible making the typography of the title more feminine rather than harsh and
sharp which you would stereotype with males. However, the typography still needs to portray aspects
of a psychological horror. By doing this we are appealing to the audience, plus we are making it
apparent what our genre is as of the conventional features. To help stereotype our film to women we
have implemented most women actors.

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Yes No
Do you watch psychological horrors?
As the majority of the people who answered the questionnaire watched psychological horrors and only two
people didn’t we are still able to target our audience at twelve to sixteen year olds who are female. This
helps support the information that we are able to do this as eight out of ten people who answered said
that they watch psychological horrors. We are targeting the audience to the most popular genre that they
have chosen which the psychological horror was.

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Entertainment Escapism
If yes what purpose do you watch them for?
Most of the people asked said that there main purpose in watching psychological horrors is for
entertainment and two out of the ten said for escapism, this is a part of the uses and gratification
theory. From this information that has been obtained we are able to know that for our film to appeal
to its target audience we need to make it as divert as possible for the audience to stay interested. We
could also try and add aspects of the paranormal for those who watch them to escape from reality.
This would therefore, help to appeal to everyone who answered the questionnaire, regardless of
gender or age.

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Mysterious Characters Death Scenes that make you
jump
Realism
What are the stereotypical conventions (expectations) you expect to find in a
psychological horror?
From this question, we are able to obtain the information that the stereotypical conventions mainly
expected to see are mysterious characters and scenes that make you jump. From this information it is
evident that to appeal to our target audience we should add mysterious characters within the film and
opening sequence also adding scenes that make you jump. This would therefore make people want to
watch the film as through the opening sequence we are creating a sense of enigma (suspense) of what is
to come next, thus making the film from the point of the opening sequence entertain (see above
question).

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Dark lighting & Shadows Music Set & Props Characters
Which of the following conventions do you think is the most important
aspects of a horror movie?
The mainstream of people asked said that they believe that the most important convention in a horror
movie is music. Music within a film helps the audience understand what to feel during certain aspects
such as if there were loud stepping sounds with no one in sight the audience will automatically feel on
edge and it will create a sense of enigma. This is done just through the use of audio which represents
how much of an immense part it should play within our opening sequence of the film. As the audience
also agree with this, we are able to note that from the use of music they will be able to identify (uses
and gratification theory) with that genre. The stereotypical soundtrack of a psychological horror is
diegetic-sound; this is used for things such as watching someone run up the stairs as it gives an
unsettling sense of enigma (mystery). We will also use non-diegetic sound to create an eerie
atmosphere; the sounds will be dull and deep.

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Close up Mid-shot Long-shot Establishing
shot
Jump cut Extreme
close up
Matte
painting
Over the
shoulder
shot
Two-shot
What types of camera do you expect to find in an opening sequence of the
film?
Most of the people who had answered the questionnaire had stated that they expect to find an
establishing shot within the opening sequence, this will be used at the start of the film to set the
location and the theme, the long shot will also be added into to this to help create more of an
atmosphere. Every box has been ticked with what the audience would expect to see within the opening
sequence, so as the producers we will try and fit all of these camera shots in to please the audience. By
doing this it will help to appeal to the audience who done the questionnaires. Every shot is vital within
the opening sequence as it sets the scene for the rest of the film. By using shots such as over the
shoulder the audience will be seeing things from the characters perspective, engaging them into the
film more, this should give them a sense of unease. Close ups will also help the character connect with
the character. Long-shots will also help the character establish where they are.

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Panning Tilts Tracking Zoom Crossing the line Crab
What types of camera movement do you expect to see?
The majority of those asked said that they would expect to see everything but the crab movement;
therefore, if possible we will try not to add this within our film/opening sequence as it would not appeal to
our target audience. Tacking will be used a lot within our film as it a stereotypical camera movement for a
psychological horror in the sense the audience will feel that they are a part of the film and in the same
position of the character, making them more intrigued within it. This would also entertain them and
potentially help them escape (uses and gratification theory-see question four).

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Regan mc neil (The
Exorcist)
Normal bates (Psycho) Chucky (Child's Play) Leatherface (Texas
Chainsaw Masscre)
Out of the following horror characters, which one do you find most fearsome?
As all of the audience had stated that they find each one of these characters fearsome, we will try and
add stereotypical characteristics of these characters within our film to make the film appeal to our target
audience. It will also create a sense of enigma as the audience won’t fully know what the character is like
as they have a split personality so, therefore, would not know to is to happen next.

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Villain Hero Donor
(character
who provides
a special
service)
Helper Dispatcher False Hero Princess Father
(person who
rewards the
hero)
What characters do you expect to see in a psychological horror?
This is Trodovos props theory. He implemented that within every film there were these specific eight
characters, our target audience has clearly obtained this rule as all the different stereotypical characters
have been chosen to be portrayed throughout the film as represented. However, the most significant
character that the audience have stated is the villain, who will set the basis of our story, nonetheless, in this
case the be an object. We will however, add these characters throughout the course of the film to give it
more of a narrative, so that the audience stay entertained (uses and gratification theory).

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Yes- Creates tension Sometimes -False sense security No- too early
Do you expect a sense of enigma (mystery) during the opening sequence, if yes
why?
Most of the audience asked had stated that they do expect to see a sense of enigma and this was due to the
fact that it creates tension. An enigma is a stereotypically convention of a psychological horror so therefore
will be implemented within our opening sequence, it gives the basis of the film as the watchers would want to
stay and watch the film as they have unanswered questions which will only be revealed throughout the course
of the film.

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Yes- Gives it structure Yes- Story develops No
Do you expect a dis-equilibrum (sometimes to go wrong) within the
narrative, if yes why?
Again, the majority implied that they would like an equilibrium within the narrative. This is done so that it
sets and helps develop the narrative throughout the film. Every film has a basis of an equilibrium as it is a
part of what makes the narrative. It gives the narrative a more interesting outlook and helps create the film
to flow. Therefore, we will be using an equilibrium within out film.

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Ambigous Gothic drama Scary
How do you expect the title to be portrayed?
This question was used to help us decide upon our title. Most of the people asked said that we should
have an ambiguous title, this is so that the beginning of the film is unclear and therefore making the
audience want to continue watching as they would be engaged within the film. By using an ambiguous
title it creates a sense of enigma as the audience will be confused as to why that title has a relevance
to the film, again making them want to continue to watch to figure out the link.

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Scream Wolf howl Whispers Thunder Telephone ring
What sounds make you feel most frightened in a horror?
From what the audience have answered, it is evident that they feel diagetic sound is a lot more
frightening, such as a telephone ring, screams and whispers, however these sounds can also be non-
diagetic, this creates a bigger sense of enigma as the question where is it coming from will be asked.
During our opening sequence we will most likely use all of these sounds apart from the wolf howl.

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Fast Subtle Slow
What type of sound track would you expect to find in a psychological horror?
For those who answered the questionnaires most had stated that subtle sounds are expected in psychological
horrors. This would also create a sense of enigma as the audience would feel on edge as they wouldn’t know
what to feel from the sound effects as they would be subtle. This would also be used within our opening
sequence as we are trying to reach out to this specific target audience.

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The possession Session 9 Jacobs Leader Funny Games The Ordeal
What is your favourite psychological horror?
By using this question within our questionnaire we know what type of aspects the audience like to see
within psychological horrors. For instance, the possession is a film that is very subtle and creates a lot of
enigma, which should therefore be implemented within our film as the audience have stated that they
like these types of conventions of the film.

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Slasher' films & gore Dolls/Clowns/Children Supernatural Zombies/Vampires
Which theme do you enjoy watching the most?
From this question we know that the audience enjoy watching the supernatural in psychological
horrors, so therefore should apply this into our film, to again appeal to that target audience. They also
enjoy the aspects of clowns/dolls and children, which is what we should add into our film, so that we
can appeal to a mass audience.

18. Conclusion:
Overall, as the graphs represent that most people who answered were 12-16, we will attempt to aim our film at this
type of audience, as they are the ones who mainly answered the questionnaires, so would therefore, be most
interested. By doing this we are engaging the majority of the people who answered the questionnaires. This would
mean that we should certificate our film at a 15 with it being between the age groups, as some aspects of the film
are for an older audience, which would not be suitable for younger views (see graph 1). Furthermore, most of the
people who answered were also female due to the research gathered which represented 80% being female. However
the general narrative of the film would entice both males and females. However, to stereotype the film more to
females we will be implementing female actresses.
Those who answered the questionnaires stated that they watch psychological horrors because they are entertained
by them, this portrays the uses and gratification theory, and 20% however, also said that they watch psychological
horrors to escape. Due to this information we will try and base the film so that it entertains and gives a sense of
escapism, this could be done through the supernatural of someone being possessed. The majority of the people had
stated that they expect to find mysterious characters and scenes that make you jump, by adding these conventions
we are appealing to our target audience, so therefore, enticing them to watch the film.
The audience also stated that the most important aspect they expect to find within a psychological horror is music,
by creating an eerie soundtrack (see graph 6) the audience are able to know how to feel throughout the film as they
music will guide them to feel that specific thing, whether its suspense or sadness.
Within the film we will also add an enigma to the film to create suspense, equilibrium so that the film is appealing
and enticing and we will also be using Trodovs 8 props theory for the characters. These are some stereotypical
characteristics to horror films that the audience should be able to identify (uses and gratification theory) with.
As the audience stated that their favourite psychological horror would be ‘The Possession’, we will attempt to have
some aspects that are similar within our film, for instance during their opening sequence there is no dialogue, so we
could implement this within our to portray similarities between the films.
By applying what the questionnaires have stated we will be enticing the audience into the film as this is what they
expect to see as they have answered the questions. Throughout the film we will be referring back to what the
audience have said and we will be trying to add everything in that they have mentioned so that they are in a sense
able to identify (uses and gratification theory) with the film.