The document summarizes the results of a survey about preferences for action thriller films among 16-24 year old females in London. Key findings include: - The target audience prefers films where the protagonist is male, between 16-24 years old, and in films like Taken, Casino Royale, and The Bourne Identity. - Print advertising like posters is most likely to expose the audience to promotional materials, and film trailers are very effective at enticing viewers. - Sound is the most important aspect for enhancing authenticity in an action thriller trailer, followed by location. The colors black and red best represent the genre.

1. SURVEY ANALYSIS
By Lydia Hughes

2. 1. How old are you?
• The brief made me aware
that the target audience for
my action thriller film is 16-
24 year olds. For that
reason, my survey gave only
two options for this question,
including ’16-19’ and ‘20-24’.
While 13 members of my
audience were 16-19 years
old, 3 members of my
audience were 20-24 year
olds.

3. 2. What is your gender?
• The brief made me
aware that my target
audience would target
females only. For that
reason, it was accurate
to question 16 females
in total.

4. 3. What is the promotional campaign that you are most
likely to come across? • The third question asks “What is the
promotional campaign that you are most
likely to come across?” The options
included the three media platforms,
comprising ‘Print’ – Magazines &
Posters, ‘E-Media’ – (Social Networking
Sites) and ‘Broadcasting’ – Trailers and
Radio Ads. 5 females chose ‘Print’, while
4 chose ‘E-Media’ and 3 chose
‘Broadcasting’. Even though each option
has been taken into consideration, it is
evident that ‘Print’ is the audience’s
chosen choice as the promotional
campaign that they are most likely to
come across. One may argue that Print
is a direct form of promotion since
consumers do not have to go out of their
way to discover information. Unlike
social networking sites (E-Media),
posters (Print) may be advertised on
billboards on the motorway, at bus stops
and on trains and also in magazines.
Therefore, posters are more likely to be
seen unexpectedly by our target
audience.

5. 4. Does a film trailer entice you to watch a film?
• This straightforward question
asks “Does a film trailer entice
you to watch a film?” 100 % of
my target audience answered
yes, which suggests that a film
trailer is an effective form of
promotion. Ultimately, the film
trailer gives the audience an
insight into what the film is about,
the characters, the location and
so forth. Therefore, the film trailer
gives the audience that extra
push/desire to see the film.

6. 5. In an action thriller film, would you prefer the
protagonist to be male or female? • After all of my research, it is accurate
to suggest that my target audience
would prefer the protagonist in an
action thriller film to be male rather
than female. For every action thriller
film that I have examined, the
protagonist is male. For that reason, it
is more common for a man to take
centre stage in an action thriller film as
regressive representations of a man
include strength, power and
dominance, whereas regressive
representations of a woman include
innocence, weakness and vulnerability.

7. 6. Would the film be more enticing if the protagonist
was your age? • This simple question focuses
on the characters in the film.
The brief stated that our film
should target 16-24 year old
females who live in London and
so we decided to incorporate
actors of our age into the film
trailer. As a result of this, our
audience will be able to place
themselves in the position of
the characters in the film and
consequently understand the
film in much more depth. For
example, 18 year old girls
attending a house party, which
ends drastically will relate to our
target audience of 16-24 year
olds much more than 40 year
old women attending a party.

8. 7. In order to make an action thriller trailer as realistic
as possible, what do you believe is the main aspect
that will enhance it’s authenticity? • To ensure that my action thriller film is
as authentic and realistic as possible, I
decided to question my audience on
the most believable aspect of a film
trailer. More than 50% suggested that
they believe ‘Sound’ is the main aspect
that will enhance it’s authenticity. It is
obvious that an action thriller film takes
into account a variety of sounds, such
as gun shots, explosions and fight
scenes (e.g punches). For that reason,
I believe my audience are correct in
choosing sound as the most important
aspect of an action thriller genre. In
order to guarantee that the action in
the film is believable, the sound will
enhance this belief. Even though
sound is extremely important, the
audience have decided that location is
the next best aspect. It is obvious that
the location reflects the issues
concerning the main characters. For
example, a dark, desolate street
resembles Ricky’s isolation and
loneliness when trying to find his girl
friend. Furthermore, costumes and
props help bring the characters to life
and ultimately make the film appear
and the plotline much more believable.

9. 8. Other than action thriller, what is your favourite
genre? • As we know, this survey was answered by
women only. As shown in the results on
the right, Romance has taken the majority
vote in my audience’s favourite genre. For
that reason, our storyline is perfect in
meeting the demands of our target
audience, since Ricky is willing to risk his
life to safe the girl that he loves.

10. 9. What is your favourite action thriller film?
• The results displayed on the left show my
audience’s favourite action thriller films. While
40% of those questioned chose ‘Taken’,
another 40% chose ‘Casino Royale’ and 20%
chose ‘The Bourne Identity’. It is evident that
the protagonist within each of these films star
well known, good looking actors who are
physically capable of anything, including Liam
Neeson (Taken), Daniel Craig (Casino Royale)
and Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity). One
may argue that the women answering these
questions focus on the physical appearance of
the male characters, which adds to the appeal
of a male protagonist.

11. 10. Which combination of colours do you feel represent
an action thriller film best? • The results displayed on the left convey the
predominant conventions of an action thriller film.
The tenth question asked users “Which
combination of colours do you feel represent an
action thriller film best?” The results conclude that
100% of those asked believe that “Black and Red”
is identified as the most likely combination of
colours that represent an action thriller film. Black
connotes death and therefore indicates power,
death, mystery and evil. However, red is the
colour of fire and blood and so it is often
associated with danger, energy, power, passion,
love and determination. For that reason, it is
obvious that the combination of black and red
heightens the mystery of an action thriller film and
represents the dark content within the film. An
action film is a film genre in which one or more
heroes are thrust into a series of challenges that
typically include physical feats, extended fight
scenes, violence, and frantic chases. That being
the case, it is evident that red symbolises blood,
heat and energy, which is very much apparent in
an action film. In addition to action, a thriller film
has to initiate fear and uncertainty for viewers, in
order to offer consumers a film that fulfils an
emotion such as excitement, plus a sense of
unpredictability at the same time. Black signifies
the unknown and so it is precise to suggest that
black and red represent an action thriller film
accurately.

12. 11. Which social networking site do you use most?
• As I am targeting a fairly young audience, I
decided to question my audience on the social
networking sites that they use most. The options
that my audience could choose from included
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat,
Whatsapp, YouTube and other. It is evident in the
results that Instagram is the most commonly used
Social Networking Site by my target audience. On
that account, it is worth noting that my audience
enjoy posting pictures of their everyday lives to
their followers, including dining out with friends,
attending concerts/festivals or holiday photos
also. Therefore, my audience are willing to
promote every aspect of their lives, including
going to the cinema (perhaps to watch Obsess),
which leads to a free form of promotion for our
film.

13. 12. What part of your social life do you enjoy best?
What part of your social life do you enjoy best? is
the next question on my survey. With 6 options
available, my audience could choose from Parties,
Concerts, Festivals, Restaurants,
Adventure/Holidays and Other. 50% of viewers
chose parties, which indicates that my target
audience are very sociable and are easily
entertained.

14. 13. Which location do you feel fits an action thriller
genre? • This question is very specific to my final
coursework project (film trailer). My group and I
decided to produce an action thriller film trailer
and so it is very worthwhile that I asked my
audience the above question. Which location do
you feel fits an action thriller genre? Options
included a Warehouse, which received the
predominant vote, as well as the woods, the river
and a cemetery. The typical perception of a
warehouse includes a dark, cold and empty room,
which leads to the idea of the unknown and
essentially causes mystery also.

15. 14. Which subject would you like to appear on the film
poster? • Yet again, this question was very specific to my
final coursework project (film poster). Here, the
question considers, ‘Which subject would you like
to appear on the film poster?’ In asking this
question, it gave me a greater insight into what
will essentially draw in the attention of my
audience, regarding the characters/actors in my
film. 31.25% of my audience suggested that they
would like to see the protagonist on my film
poster. Nevertheless, 31.25% also suggested that
they would prefer to see the antagonist on my film
poster. Overall, 37.50% suggested that they
would prefer to see the protagonist and
antagonist on my film poster. Taking this into
account, I believe my audience would like a
greater insight into the film and therefore want a
clear image on the main characters in my film.
The contrast between the protagonist and the
antagonist will generate greater interest for
viewers as it causes uncertainty and
consequently anticipation also.

16. 15. What content do you believe makes a successful
action thriller film? • As discovered in the majority of my research, an
action thriller film must generate anxiety for
viewers, as well as mystery. In doing this, my film
must uphold the typical conventions of an action
thriller film. That being the case, I questioned my
audience on the content, which they believe
makes a successful action thriller film. Options for
this question included answers such as Fast car
chases, Twists in the plot line (the unknown),
Guns & fight scenes, Justice and Other. While
50% suggested Guns & fight scenes, 25%
suggested fast car chases and another 25% of
my audience suggested Twists in the plot line (the
unknown). Altogether, it is evident that my target
audience desire a heart-racing film that will leave
viewers on the edge of their seats right the way
through. That being the case, our film must be
action packed and fast paced to ensure that we
meet our customers demands/expectations of an
action thriller film.

17. 16. Do you think the sound in a trailer, helps build
further anticipation for the film? • Question 16 asked viewers,
“Do you think the sound in a
trailer, helps build further
anticipation for the film?”
100% of those asked stated
Yes, which indicates that
sound is a very important
aspect of a film, especially an
action thriller film. Sound
effects enhances the
anticipation for viewers and
ultimately reflects the
mood/content of what is
happening in a particular
scene e.g. a scene depicting a
car driving at high speed will
not obtain a slow song as it’s
voice over – instead the sound
used for this scene may hear a
very loud fast paced song to
reflect the scene perfectly.

18. 17. Where would you most likely watch an action thriller
film? • Question 17 identifies where my
audience are most likely to watch an
action thriller film. Options included the
Cinema, Netflix and DVD. Although all
have been selected/chosen by some
viewers, Cinema has the predominant
vote at 75%. For that reason, it is evident
that my target audience are more likely to
go and seen an action thriller film in the
cinema as it gives the film the full effect.
The cinema offers better quality
filming/view, as well as sound, leading to
further adrenaline and anticipation.

19. 18. How often do you watch films?
• This simple question asked viewers how
often they watch films. 93.75% of my
audience stated every month, while 6.25%
stated every two months. On that account,
it is evident that my audience regularly
watch movies and are therefore
knowledgeable on well known action
thriller films.

20. 19. Do you enjoy sequels to a successful film?
• It is worth noting that
the majority of my
audience enjoy
sequels to a film.
During my research,
I discovered a
number of action
thriller films,
including The Bourne
Identity, Taken,
Casino Royale,
Olympus Has Fallen
and The Purge:
Anarchy. Each film is
either a sequel or
obtains sequels.
Therefore, it is
apparent that my
audience enjoy the
action to continue.
The storyline must
be extremely
gripping and
enticing, in order for
the audience to
desire a sequel.

21. 20. Do you believe that the antagonist in the film should
always serve justice for his/her wrongdoing?
• The final question asked “Do you
believe the antagonist in the film
should always serve justice for
his/her wrongdoing?” 68.75% stated
yes, while 31.25% stated no. Even
though ‘Yes’ received the majority
vote, it is worth nothing that the
option ‘‘no’ could lead to the option
of a sequel. Nevertheless, as a
group, we decided that we would
like our antagonist in our film to
serve justice.