Sophie, age 17, provided feedback on the opening scene of a horror film. She said her expectations of suspenseful music, scary sound effects, POV camera work, jump scares, and a villain were met. She enjoyed the creepy soundtrack and low lighting that created suspense. The deep laughter and whispering added to tension. As a young female, she believes she is the target audience for horror films that appeal to those up to age 50. Based on the effective opening scene, she would be satisfied watching the full-length film.

1. Name: Sophie Carey Age: 17 Gender: Female
The Project – Opening Scene Audience Feedback
1. Please list below, your expectations when watching a horror film.
2. Were these expectations met during the opening scene? If yes, please comment how and to
what extent they were effective.
3. Specifically, what elements of the opening scene attracted, satisfied or entertained you as a
viewer?
4. Do you believe that you are the intended audience for the product? What other ages and
genders do you think this media product would attract/appeal to?
Suspense building music
Scary sound effects
POV camera work/Hand-held camera work
‘Jumpy scenes’
A group of young characters
A villain/killer/supernatural
‘Low key lighting’
Yes, the expectations that I listed above mostly featured in the opening scene. The scary ‘laughing’ sound effects
combined with the creepy soundtrack created suspense. Many of the scenes were shot in low light making
creating a scary atmosphere and it ended with a jumpy scene of the masked face. I believe that the
conventions/expectations were effectively positioned and used to entertain the audience.
Personally, I love sound effects and the deep laughter and whispering dramatically added to the suspense in the
scenes. It was combined well with the music and events that occurred to the character in the scene and was made
to sound ‘distant’ with an echoed effect. Also, the use of the open, dark and isolated forest/wood scene(s) kept
me on the edge of my seat as I was awaiting more fright, and obviously the jumpy scene with the sharp change in
music was what i was waiting for, like in all horror films really.
Yes I think I am part of the ‘target audience’ for this media product as horror films tend to be aimed at the
younger generation. I would say that a product of this genre would attract and appeal to males and females and
probably up to the age of 50.

2. Name: Sophie Carey Age: 17 Gender: Female
5. Based on watching the opening scene, would you feel satisfied by watching a full length
version?
Yes I would be satisfied by watching a full version as I would expect it to include the horror film conventions and
keep myself and other audience members ‘uncomfortably entertained’.