Suzanne Micael

1. 4) Who would be the audience for your media product?
Throughout my research, it was made obvious that the majority of films within the horror genre
were aimed at teenagers aged 15 to adults aged 40. This was the case as they would show most
interest in being entertained in terms of the uses and gratifications by the content of the films. As
well as this, the conventions of horror and graphic nature would be deemed as completely
inappropriate for a younger audience which includes those below a certain age. This age range
allows me to produce a film product that could seek the attention of many different types of people
and potentially boost the success of the films via sales etc. Horror films stereotypically appeal to
male teenagers aged 15 – 19 however my film was manipulated to attract both males and females
by ensuring my two main heroic stock characters were females which allows other females to
identify with them which Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggest has the ability of boost self esteem as
they witness people they can relate themselves with.
In order to gain a clear spread of who my potential target audience could be, I constructed an
example of a bio that suits the description of possible consumers:
Gender Female Male
Name Sophia Sebastian
Age 18 30
Occupation Student at College, Part Time Cashier Head Teacher
Hobbies  Swimming
 Table tennis
 Socialising with friends
 Reading
 Cycling
 Mountain climbing/Abseiling
Favourite
Films
 The Shining
 Shutter Island
 Gothika
 Poltergeist
 Slither
 Jaws
Music  Hip Pop
 Pop
 Jazz
 Rock
Class Working Class Middle Class
Status Living with parents Owns own home
I recognised my media product ‘Unchained’ as belonging to the certification of a 15 after looking into
the BBFC guidelines. This age range entitles all those who are of the age 15 and above to view the
film without a struggle (although most multiplex companies ensure identification that presents proof
of age is presented before viewing the film) and restricts anyone of a younger, more vulnerable age
from viewing the film at the cinema. Almost every film within the genre also certifies their film to
this age as that way, children below the age will not experience mental harm (which they may feel as
they may not be developed to the level of an understanding and become impressionable with what
they witness). As anyone of and above the age of15 has the ability to watch my media product, this
creates more of an opportunity to increase box office sales and the majority of people this age have
the financial ability to go to the cinema more freely hence increasing sales figures. It was important
to base the certification of my film product on the whole synopsis and not just the opening sequence
of the film as it meant to reflect the entire plot.

2. In terms of the BBFC guidelines, my media product is allowed to include specific things that are
deemed appropriate for a 15+ year old. Specifically, in the middle and towards the end of my
narrative a strong sense of violence carries out between the demonic figure and victims in addition
to the hero. Throughout these scene, discriminatory language is used such as ‘fuck’, ‘ugly’,
‘retarded’, ‘sick freak’ when describing the demonic figure. This has also been proven by the BBFC
guidelines as it states if it is relevant and necessary within the film, which in this case it is as it is
imperative the hero, Clarissa appears as if she is not giving up. Although, the guidelines states that
the film should dwell on the violence and inflicting of pain. This is imperative as it ensures
impressionable people do not become influenced by such graphic nature and focus more on the plot
development.
With focus given to the visual technical forms, it was important the editing and mise-en-scene
obviously targeted 15 – 40 year olds. This was achieved by creating a fast pace opening sequence
that made sure the audience could pick up on the foreshadowing elements of the film as it offered
many details the audience could interpret. This target audience would be able to approach the
situation logically and try and understand the sequence of shots transitioning to created location of
an abandoned camping site.