The document discusses the target audience for psychological thriller films and trailers. It states that the target audience for psychological thrillers is generally those aged 18+ due to potentially disturbing or gory content. However, the target audience for movie trailers of psychological thrillers can be 15+ as long as the trailers do not include explicit or extremely violent scenes. The author intends to aim their trailer for a psychological thriller at those aged 15+ as this matches the age ratings of trailers they have researched and allows potential viewers to understand the plot without risk of shocking younger viewers.

1. WHO IS THE TARGET
AUDIENCE AND HOW DOES IT
APPEAL TO THEM?
HOLLIE INGRAM

2. TARGET AUDIENCE GENERALLY
 The target audience for a psychological thriller is
generally those who are aged 18+. This is because of the
age of viewing in cinemas but also on the dvd packaging.
What determines the age limit is the content.
Psychological thrillers tend to be quite harrowing and in
some cases gorey. A younger audience could potentially
be seriously affected or disturbed. For this reason the age
certificate is raised and in aid to protect younger viewers.
Those over the age of 18 are more aware and know that
the story within the movie and the scenes are fictional
and aren’t real. They are simply created for
entertainment.

3. VIEWING AGE FOR TRAILERS
 SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: 18
 SHUTTER ISLAND: 15
 BLACK SWAN: 15
 DONNIE DARKO: 15

4.  The reason I decided to research into these trailers is
because I have watched all of the films and gives me
further knowledge. I also enjoyed watching them and
they are all well constructed movies and the trailers
convey this. My research helped me get to grips with
the typical conventions of that genre but also the
typical target audience which can be applicable in my
trailer.

5. WHO AM I AIMING MY TRAILER TOWARDS?
 I intend aiming my trailer towards the niche that enjoy
watching psychological thrillers. Psychological thrillers in
their nature would not be suitable for anyone under the
age of 15, so the minimum age to view my trailer would
have to be 15 as the younger viewers could potentially be
harmed.
 Not only this but the trailers I have researched into also
have a minimum age certificate of 15. I have used this as
a guideline, as I’m taking elements of all of them and
infusing them together it would be inappropriate for me
to certify the trailer for anyone under the age of 15.
 The reason behind not labelling the trailer an 18 is that I
do not intend explicit or extremely violent scenes.

6. REASON FOR A 15+
 The reason behind the age certificate of my trailer
being 15+ is that those younger could quite possibly
be shocked by some of the ideas featured or even
some of the scenes. Those above 15 years old would
have been accustomed to the ideas presented but
also allowing them to understand the plot and ideas.
 Following that those over the age of 15 are also more
likely to show an interest in my trailer and would
want to go and view the movie, where as someone
younger wouldn’t be as keen.

7. WHY WOULD THE TARGET AUDIENCE BE
INTERESTED IN MY TRAILER?
 It gives the viewing audience thrills.
 There is usually cliff hangers throughout, plot twists
and climax’s within the story line.
 A lot of tension and suspension.

8. WHAT YOURE ALLOWED IN A 15 (TO SOME
EXTENT)
 Strong violence.
 Frequent strong language.
 Portrayals of sexual activity.
 Strong verbal references to sex.
 Sexual nudity.
 Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to
sexual violence.
 Discriminatory language or behaviour.
 Drug taking.
None of the above is allowed to be endorsed or encouraged.