Target audience and certification

The target audience for our film will be people aged 14 and up, that are interested in jumpy horror films, but we are aiming for a 12A certificate so there is the potential for a wider audience.

The BBFC allow the following features in 12A horror films:

"Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained."

Our film will feature moderate psychological threat, with the use of haunting sounds and darkened atmospheres, and also slightly disturbing sequences with jumpy, demon-filled action.

The quote regarding violence is as follows:

"Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context..."

The only blood in our film that we have planned, is the scene where Adrian (main character) trips and falls, banging his head on the floor. This causes a mild laceration on his forehead, which is then referred to later in the film - it is essential to the twist at the end, but will not be glorified or focused on for a prolonged period of time.

Character Profile - Adrian

Adrian Thompson (1994-)
Born in a small town, Adrian was the first child born into the Thompson family. He spent the first seventeen years of his life, living with his mother and brother, Chris in a bungalow.
 
He excelled at school, and passed college easily. He finished College at the age of 17, and moved straight onto a two year University course, which he finished with ease.

Having always succeeded in life, Adrian became arrogant. He only respected those at his own intelligence level. He would stick up his nose at everyone 'below average'.

After finishing University, he became CEO of a national business. He was a heartless leader, and would throw people out, as though they were garbage.

He was very attached to his wallet, and wouldn't waste a penny on anything. He never gave any money  to charity in his life, but not because he didn't have it. He would say that charities are ripoffs, and he needs the money himself.

When on holiday in Europe last year, he and his friends visited a 'fortune-teller' as a jest. She told him that his ways would catch up with him, and that 'karma' would get him. It would expose him for the harsh being he is.

After the holiday, he came back to work, and decided an office position in his hometown would suit him more. He is still the CEO, but runs things from the office.

Audience research interview

Research on Horror Films

A horror film consists of several conventions, it usually involves a victim suffering attacks or psychological assaults by some sort of entity. Sometimes the film can rely on somebody's imagination, for example, certain scenes in a horror film can be replaced with something, a curtain, or the attack is out of view. Which can make the age rating lower, to appeal to more people. As well allowing the audience to use their imagination, which can increase the amount of fear one can have on a certain scene.

They also can include the following:

-Dark/shadowy lighting

-Isolated location

-Female victim

-Disruption of normality

-Sub plot of male/female relationship

-Defeat of monster

The soundtrack of a horror film can also factor into the impact that the film can have on the audience. It can increase the sense of loneliness, as well as giving a more negative feeling to the atmosphere. The main audience for horror films would be 16+ and so we would aim to set our short film to meet this kind of audience, through; language, themes, mise en scene etc.

Horror Genre Research

The Horror Genre

The horror genre has been around for many years and is one on the most watched film genres of all time. People enjoy watching horrors as it gives the audience the feeling of fear and the adrenaline of what’s going to happen next. The definition of Horror is a film that brings out the viewers emotions, worst fear, terror and nightmares. The aim of horror is to scare the audience so much, that they enjoy it and want to go and watch another horror. The main stories that are in horror films are usually ghosts, zombies, aliens and demons. 

Sub Genre

Further into the horror genre, there are a number of sub genres. The main sub genres in horror are:

•  ·      Gothic
•  ·      Physiological
•  ·      Suspense
•  ·      Thriller
•  ·      Action
•  ·      Sci-Fi
•  ·      Family

Target Audience

Horror targets a number of different ages groups and audiences. For example some horror films are made for children made by animation which are usually rated PG. You then have the more extreme horrors that are for the older generation. Films like Paranormal Activity and Saw are just a few examples. Paranormal Activity was given the age rating of a 15. If you have seen these films, you will notice the difference between PG and 15 rated films. The biggest target audience for horror filmmakers to target are the young adults/ teens. The reason for this is because they enjoy watching horror the most out of all the other audiences.