The document analyzes responses from a questionnaire about horror film preferences. It finds that thriller is the most popular genre at 33.3%, with psychological horror also being popular. Most respondents watch horror films once a month. Film trailers and posters are found to influence watching decisions. Trailers should include exciting clips and intriguing elements to satisfy audiences seeking thrills. Comedic elements can provide contrast to shocking scenes. Predictability should be avoided. Respondents are most interested in film magazine content like best of the year lists, actor interviews, and new releases. The analysis seeks to understand audience preferences to craft an engaging trailer and promote a horror film.

1. Questionnaire
analysis
By Nattaya Day

2. Question 1.)What is your
favourite genre of film
The answer indicates that thriller is
the highest percentage of 33.3% in
terms of genre for the target
audience, indicating that our target
audience enjoy thrill and adrenaline
rush they receive from experiencing
this genre. This can also be linked to
the target audiences personality of
being a thrill seeker who finds
pleasure from the scare factor and
shock value involved in thrillers.Taking this into consideration we will have to successfully and explicitly incorporate elements that will
give the target audience feels of euphoria by adding elements of thriller into our slasher film be it
through suspense or atmosphere or simply the ever so classic jump scare. Taking in the targets
audience need for thrills this will give them instant satisfaction and gratification through the media
text we will be creating.
2

3. 3
Psychological sub-genre is dominating against the
rest by 33.3%, again indicating the fear of the
human mind. This is vital as it is tapping into the
audience's deepest and darkest fear and by
exposing and exploiting that fear it boost the thrill
and the terror that follows. Slasher was tied with
supernatural/paranormal and sci-fi with 14.3%. So
to appease the target audience our slasher
narrative will have be psychological fear inducing
to give them that satisfaction of being scared, such
as the narrative of having a killer stalk a group of
teenagers. Based on the demographic we are
aiming for this will realistically relate to the
audience as it's something that can happen to any
of them at any point so it is psychological
disturbing.
To make the sub-genre prevalent we will stick to the conventions of the
slasher sub-genre by using the demographic of our target audience,
following conventional narratives but also featuring gory deaths whilst
playing on the message that the teenage taboos that most of them do
unnoticeable will get them killed.
2) What is your favourite sub- genre of horror
film?

4. 3) How often do you watch horror films?
The results for the question highlights that most film
lovers in general watch horror films once a month with
38.1% showing that the horror sub-genre is a major and
prime genre that is being watched monthly.Monthly
horror movie watchers are thrill seekers who are more
critical in terms of finding a specific horror with specific
elements that they enjoy before watching it. They are
enticed by clever and skillful use of lighting and camera
before which they will have a brief preview from trailers
before fully deciding on watching the film. The second
highest percentage was every 6 months at 28.6%.
There was also the smallest data represented for once
a week with 4.8%.
4

5. 4) Where do you most often view film trailers?
This question was vital in unlocking how we can reach
our target audience by exploring different platforms that
most use to view said trailer. By using this method of
research we can use this to apply to our by
understanding methods that are more effective in
drawing in the target audience. With the majority using
youtube's platform, it is essential to take this and make
the most of use of youtube through promotional teasers
and trailer. 19% said that they view film trailers through
the cinema specifying the key point of smart advertising
by trying to feature the film in the trailers that belong to
the same sub-genre mainly because of the same
demographic audience will be there watching film so
this element of exposure will be highly effective.
5
Another thing to take into account is that Television
advertisement is massive and if the correct method
of advertising is used the film will trailer will be
advertised on channels specifically that the target
audience will watch exposing them more to the film.

6. 1. Yes, because if a poster looks drab or plain, then it will make me think the
film will be boring. Similarly, if a trailer doesn't show the exciting bits
within the film, then I cannot be sure as an audience member, if the film is
going to be good or not.
2. Yes. Because if the trailer and film posters look enticing than It will
encourage me to watch the movie.
3. Film posters influence me to watch films as there I am able to receive a
brief summary of the film and what I can expect to happen in the film
further anticipating me to watch the film. I think films poster also
influence me as they should entice and intrigue my interest and once I feel
interested I feel more inclined to watch the film.
4. Yes, because they tell you which actors/actresses are in the film and they
give you a sense of the production quality.
5. Yes as they make me think whether I would enjoy the film.
6. yes, because they usually include the main characters and if a famous
actor is starring I will be more likely to see it. If the film poster is eye
catching and creative then it gives a good impression of what is to come
7. Yes, if they're eye catching I'm more likely to go and see the film.
8. yeah if they look like sick movies i will watch it.
9. Yes - if they are a genre I like or the actors are good
6
5) Do film
posters and
trailers
influence your
decision to watch
films? If so,
why?

7. 7
5) Do film
posters and
trailers
influence your
decision to
watch films? If
so, why?
1. Trailers, they are gripping and leave you wanting more
2. Sometimes, only if it looks like an interesting film
3. Yes. If the trailer is well pieced, I assume the film will follow a similar style
4. Yes, because if the trailer has good scenes in it then it will entice me to go watch it-
needs nice flair
5. Give you an idea what the film is about. Makes you want to see more.
6. Yes because if if you see the posters a lot it suggests it will be popular and you
won't want to miss out, and the trailer will make you want to know more about the
plot
7. No
8. You will know what a film will be like and who plays in it
9. Not really
10. Yes, because they give you a taste of what the film includes
11. Yes, because they give me an idea of what the movie will be like. I then use my
judgment of the trailer/poster to make a decision to watch the movie or not.

8. By looking at the response it is understandable and
forward about what the audience are really picking out
and paying attention in the trailer. Casting and
institutional information itself is important as it sets the
standard of how the film will be directed and made. Also
by adding more intriguing parts of the film in the trailer
will really satisfy the target audience to make them
crave for more.
8
By using a long written answer question more depth and breadth can be brought
out by the target audience themselves and this is useful as they are able to
freely express their opinions whilst also being able to add criticisms which we
can take on board to ensure that our media text is far off from the constructive
criticism which we can develop and build from. Like this response “Yes, because
if a poster looks drab or plain, then it will make me think the film will be boring.
Similarly, if a trailer doesn't show the exciting bits within the film, then I cannot
be sure as an audience member, if the film is going to be good or not.” From this
we can really build on the needs and expectations of the target audience so
making sure that they posters are enticing and visually attracting the audience to
highlight that film is more fascinating and interesting. Taking this onboard by
building the expectations and key elements that needs to be added to the
trailers that will excite and thrill the target audience.

9. 9
6) Why do you
watch horror
films, what
interests you
about them?
1. I like watching horror films because I enjoy pushing my limits of
what I can or cannot watch- I enjoy the adrenaline I get from
scaring myself, it's fun.
2. I like the thrill that you get from them and the tense atmosphere
they create. Its also a fun activity to do with your friends.
3. I enjoy the thrill and adrenaline rush that I receive from watching
horror films, as it gives me a sense of instant gratification. I enjoy
the use of special effects, makeup and horror imagery used in the
film.
4. I don't, Halloween activity?
5. They make me scared which is thrilling
6. I do not usually watch horror but when I do it is for the thrill of not
knowing what is going to happen next, look jumpscares etc
7. I like the adrenaline rush.
8. I don’t. there too scary for me
9. Enjoy if there is a mythology/lore behind the story
10. They are gripping

10. This question allows us to explore the
interests of our target audience which will
help to give us an insight of what aspect of
the horror genre that they enjoy. Many
said they enjoy the instant gratification
and thrill from the adrenaline rush they
receive e.g”I like the adrenaline rush.”
Taking these answers into account we will
be able to fully understand that we need to
add elements of suspense and thrill to
really give the fear factor in our trailer to
give our audience satisfaction from the
thrills and scares they’ll receive from
watching our trailer. We’ll also be able to
add some mysterious vibes in our film
poster to excite our audience and interest
them.
To also include that mystery element of what's
going to happen next by leaving the trailer as
suspenseful as possible to really entice and
draw in our target audience through the element
of surprise and scare.
10
6) Why do you
watch horror
films, what
interests you
about them?
1. The sight of blood and dead children
2. I like not knowing what the killer is
going to do next- the mystery of it all.
3. I like the suspense and the unexpected
4. They're exciting to watch
5. Scary ygm
6. They put you on edge and it's oddly fun
to be scared by a movie
7. I like the thrill
8. I watch horror films because they have
interesting stories and concepts. Also,
being scared can be entertaining and
they distract me from my thoughts and
life.

11. 11
7) Name a horror film you’ve seen recently, and why you liked it or didn’t.
1. Annabelle: Creation; I enjoyed it because the continued use of the creepy doll and the way it kept coming back into the narrative
provided a source of continued fear for the audience. Although, for people who'd watched the first film, the very detailed backstory took
away some of the scare factor surrounding the antagonist.
2. Annabelle Creation. I liked it because it had lots of good special effects and created a tense atmosphere. I liked the use of contrapuntal
sound as it was based around a young child. The use of an isolated setting added made it more scarier because the characters could
not escape. It also kept the audience engaged throughout the whole movie.
3. The Silence of The Lambs and I really enjoy the tense atmosphere and thrill that was elicited through the film and I enjoyed the
adrenaline rush I felt.
4. Carrie (original), bad quality, poor story line and tension was not built effectively so did not scare me.
5. Jaws, the tension that is built makes it extremely good
6. Annabelle. this movie included lots of jumpscares which constantly kept you on the edge of your seat, this movie was creepy which
personally is not my favorite genre as I prefer a more outright style of horror
7. IT, was terrifying but I also liked that the character of Richie provided comic relief.
8. Babadook - interesting concept, cleverly using psychology to create fear, but occasionally lost interest
9. Annabelle, I didn't like it cos they make stupid decisions during the film.
10. Child’s Play. It’s a doll that shanks you, what more could you want?
11. The Babadook. Didn't like it. It wasn't scary and the plot line was weak
12. Zodiac, I liked it because although it was a horror and scared me, there were elements of thriller and detective drama to it, creating a
more compelling narrative.
13. Shutter Island

12. 12
7) Name a
horror film
you’ve seen
recently, and
why you liked
it or didn’t.
1. IT - enjoyed it because was well
made and had aspects of
comedy which contrasted to the
shock scenes which made them
more shocking
2. Conjuring 2, it was a bit
predictable
3. It. Was a really good movie had
lots going on
4. It. I liked the acting and filming.
There was good suspense and
jump scares however it was a
bit predictable towards the end
5. The most recent horror movie
I've seen is 'IT'. I loved the movie
because it was hilarious.
This question allowed us to explore
more about the horror films that they
watched and tried to incorporate it
into our trailer so by having the right
balance and elements of comedy but
also suspense and tension, to have
that contrast that will always grip the
audience and keep them on edge all
at once. This will lead to that
adrenaline rush and thrill that the
audience are searching for.
By really reading and analysing the audience's
opinion predictability is something that we must
try to avoid even though we will follow
conventions we must avoid scenes that will
make the film predictable.

13. 8) Which of the following types of film magazine
content would you find most interesting?
13
This question allows us to fully explore which
content on a film magazine would intrigue our
target audience. Going on the highest percentage
we will know to include text on a sale line
mentioning a list of the year's best films, interview
with actors and latest releases.
By doing this we are able to fully satisfy our
audience's needs and curiosity on what will be
featured in our film magazine. By adding these
content synchrony will also be in place as we
can interview the star of our horror film to really
promote and aid our film by giving an insight to
the actors.