The document summarizes interviews conducted to understand audience preferences for zombie film openings. Key findings include: interviewees wanting more realistic zombies of varying ages/health and faster-paced zombies; a desire for strong independent female leads rather than weak/dependent roles; and the importance of building tension and suspense in openings to engage audiences. Interviewees generally agreed that hybridizing zombie films with other genres like comedy can enhance enjoyment if done well.

1. By Thalia Barrett
TARGET AUDIENCE INTERVIEWS/
FOCUS GROUPS

2. To further our knowledge into our target audience we
interviewed several people varying in both ages and covers both
genders, through this it enabled us to understand what they
liked and disliked about zombie film openings.
OUR INTERVIEWS

3. • Name, Age and Occupation?
• What do you enjoy about zombie films and why?
• Is there anything in particular that you think could be added to the zombie genre?
• Do you think the zombie genre is better as a hybrid or on it's own? What other genres
would you like to see incorporated into the zombie genre?
• What is your favourite film within the genre?
• What character types would you like to see in zombie films?
• Is there any specific zombie film openings you like and why?
• Is there any outdated elements in zombie films that you think shouldn't be used
anymore and why?
• Is there anything you dislike in zombie films?
QUESTIONS ASKED

4. MR. QUINLAN AND MR. JOHNSON

5. Both interviews members agreed that there should be more females main characters
in zombie films, they also accentuated how these main female characters should
challenge the conventionally weak and dependent women roles so that they are
strong leading characters. Mr. Quinlan especially highlighted that he though the
zombie genre should include a wider variety typing of zombies e.g. rather then the
usual fit and healthy young zombie there should also be child, and old aged zombie
because this would give it a more realistic affect. Both clearly identified that the
building of tension within a zombie film opening is essential for setting the proper
atmosphere for the audience, to get them really intrigued. In relation to the previous
point the suggested the significance of when a film opening includes a key point of
attention and importance. From the interview I also learned that both of our
interviewees have their favorite film down as being ‘Shaun Of The Dead’(2004), this
was because they enjoyed the hybrid use of both the zombie genre and the
combining of it with the comedic aspects within the film. They also both suggested
that in future zombie films directors and producers should avoid the generic
conventions of zombies behaviors e.g. slow moving and ‘Brains! 'as they thought this
made them and the films ending to predictable.
MR. QUINLAN AND MR. JOHNSON

6. MRS. GREENWOOD AND MRS. BEIGHTON

7. MRS. GREENWOOD AND MRS. BEIGHTON
Mrs. Beighton especially pointed out that she thinks zombies would
have a faster pace to make it more modern and fresh, we will use this
opinion to create realistic affect. Both of them also agreed that the
creation of tension within an opening is crucial for the rest of the film
to successful. However, they disagreed as Mrs. Beighton said the gory
aspects of a zombie film make it more affective, where as Mrs.
Greenwood argued that the use of gore unless its done well and to a
high standard is a massive contributor towards the making or
breaking of a zombie film, so she doesn’t like the use of gore in
zombie films.
They both mentioned that they liked to see hybrids when involving
zombie films as they thought it gave it something more interesting
for target audiences to watch.

8. CHLOE GRIEG AND LUKE MC DONALD

9. CHLOE GRIEG AND LUKE MC DONALD
Both Chloe and Luke agreed that suspense is a significant contribution
towards a successful zombie film opening and they also think it s
important in relation to forming an enigmatic feel towards the film. They
also support the previous interviewees that more strong female
protagonists should be used. They liked the storyline within the zombie
film of ‘Shaun Of the Dead’, as well as, that of ‘Zombie land’ this was
because of the comedic addition to the genre.
However, they feel that fake blood and the use of gore in a zombie film
opening is too cliché and especially when this is combined with cheap slap
stick comedy ruins the film, as opposed to the straight forward and basic
zombie film.

10. MISS PEACOCK

11. MISS PEACOCK
She stated that she enjoys the concept of ‘natural survival’, and seeing how
normal human being would react to challenging situation through their
instincts, she especially likes how zombie films outline the imperfections of
human beings basic nature and watching characters develop and watching
how circumstances can change relationships between one another. But unlike
other interviews we have taken Miss Peacock argues that zombie film are
better off as not being used a hybrid, she felt that it takes away from the scary
and seriousness of the virus/ disease. She also believes that a strong female
character shouldn’t be used souly for romantic purposes and should be shown
clearly standing up for herself. Additionally, she commented on how out dated
aspects of zombie films shouldn’t be used any more, such as slow and no real
panic is created because of it.

12. MR HIGGINS

13. Mr. Higgins outlined how he enjoys hybrid zombie films as he thinks the
use of other concepts such as comedy help add to the audiences
involvement and ability to relate to the film. He mush like Mrs Beighton
like the film ‘Shaun Of The Dead’ because of its use of comedy within it. He
also feels that the stereotypical zombies aren’t scary enough as they don’t
really create the sense of tension neither does it help with the films
attempt of creating pace.
MR HIGGINS

14. After our interviews it was clear that certain aspects of the genre people were both
pleased with whilst others were in need of replacement, these included:
• Generic zombie characters- they suggested that the traditionally slow moving and
basic zombie dialogue (BRAINS!’) no longer puts audience o the edges of their seats,
that zombies needed upgrading. Due to this revelation in our interviews I understand
that in my film my zombies will need to be fast moving and will need to challenge the
stereotypical behaviours of a zombie.
• Independent female characters- all of our results prove that they all would like to see
strong protagonist characters within zombie films, rather then having them only as
pleasurable ‘eye candy’.
• Crucial creation of suspense- They all agreed that tension is a must have in a zombie
film opening, without it then the zombie genre would never have caught any
audiences attention. Also it is through the generation of tension that enigma is created
which is a generic film opening convention which is crucial to our genre so I will
definitely include these in my film opening.
CONCLUSION