Audience Research - Halloween (1978)

These are the questions asked to a group to identify the successes and fails to this specific film trailer. It is more related to horror than thriller however the opening of this inspired me with the making of ours due to the suspense which relates to our specific genre.

Videos:

Questions:

• What do you think builds the suspense?  The music, POV shot and using the mask to hide certain aspects of the film to build tension. In the opening, they also show flickering which can build to the atmosphere and make the audience afraid of what's to come.
• What do you think is successful about the opening? The build of the opening is successful as it is slow and can create the feeling of uncomfort and fear for the characters. This is done by the focus on small things that are happening which are brought to attention to the audience.
• Is there anything you think they could do to improve? Improvements would be that the special effects don't fit in with the scene and opening are separate to the film itself. As well as the death show at the beginning of the film could be more realistic, as it was presented to be quite fake.

Evaluation:

I plan on applying this research onto our production as with the feedback I got from the this opening, I can acknowledge the factors that make thrill the audience therefore to include that purposely into our opening to ensure it scares the audience. From the research, I have learnt specifically what the audience want to see or hear or feel when watching a thriller and with the answers I can incorporate it into our opening. The main effect is to make the audience jump or feel fear however this isn't  just all built up by the scene in front of them, it is a gradual feeling that has to happen with the use of titles, sound, editing etc. Therefore the feedback has allowed me to identify now that the other factors increase the emotions we want the audience to feel and that they need to be perfected in order to create the reaction we want. 

Treatment

Pitch- single line concept	A woman is being watch whilst walking to her car.
Director	Jess & Millie
Producer	Millie & Jess
Writer	Millie & Jess
Working Title	The One
Aprox running time	2-3 minutes
Genre/Style	Thriller
Target Audience	Teenagers - Young Adults
Objective of the scene	Let’s the audience know the genre and theme immediately, introduces characters.

Treatment of scene:

First image on screen is the Gracie film logo which lasts for 5 seconds, it the fades to a black screen. The scene is introduced with a girl walking up the stairs by a car park to the top floor, holding shopping bags. It then switches to a POV shot of someone watching her. She then walks past a lift and through double doors, the camera changes position to in front of her so the shadowing of her stalker can be seen. We watch her walk towards her car using different shots. It then switches back to the POV shot and we watch the woman put the key into the lock of her car which cuts to a black screen with the name of the film on. Throughout the sequence credits will appear at the bottom over the film and music will be played in the background. From this short opening we want the audience to feel threatened and engaged with the storyline of the film. 

Audience Research - Focus Groups

We took suggestions and improvements from different people who would fit our target audience (teenagers and young adults). After they watched the draft of the opening sequence and this is this the feedback we got back:

• The concept of the opening wasn't clear enough, make it evident that she's being stalker 
• However the opening was interesting as it makes you wonder why you're watching her
• Perhaps consider different angles and movements when refilming, zooming in and out on the character to add more effect
• In the last clip, her head got cut - make sure all characters and scenery is in frame when filming
• Add a few more shots with the guy (stalker) in it e.g. when the girl is walking up the stairs to include him so he's always there
• Too many cuts when the girl is moving
• The cuts were too quick and make the shots go together
• Different music - more sinister
• Make the stalker character fit the genre conventions more
• Varied angles of shots created it to look good
• Certain shots were effective and engaged the audience
• Shots were too similar 

Surveys on initial idea (Opening Sequence draft)

Questions asked:

• What improvements can you suggest?
• Does it fit the conventions of the genre?
• Do the titles go with the image being shown?

Feedback received:

• The titles are too quick
• The titles are all in the same place - placed in the middle of the screen, perhaps work with the footage
• Change the opening of the production, find an independent company to use instead
• Do not show the close up of the actor - doesn't fit in with the conventions of the film and isn't adding thriller or mystery to the opening 
• A lot of time being spent but not a lot going on - get more footage 
• The font doesn't fit the genre 
• Include different sounds such as ambient sound
• Add effects to the shots and text

Opening Sequence Draft

Story Board

This is the story board for the first draft of the opening sequence, this story board wasn't fully completed due to the change in shots. From the final first draft of the opening, certain shots that are shown in the story board aren't in it as they were changed for example the elevator shot. When filming, we decided to make changes and not have those shots to show the character more. However for the redraft, we may include these shots again as an feedback given was to add more shots not just focusing on the one character the whole time. 

Audience Profile

Our genre is a horror thriller therefore it has the elements that may be incorporated in a horror film but with more of a build-up and made to be more intense to fit into the genre. The typical audience for our horror would be teenagers to adults, due to the genre it would be more inappropriate to have any younger audiences watching. The audience of teenagers would perhaps be more likely to watch it due to the cast and just in general with films, teenagers and younger adults are prone to be more aware of current films coming up. As well as the fact that the audience could relate more to the plot of our film its more relatable than a supernatural film, there is a small chance that it could happen to any individual therefore it creates more fear. However despite this, from the results of question 7 it is shown that a horror thriller aren't very demanding which is why they are aimed at younger adults to teenagers. The psycographic we are targeting is main stream plus, as they are looking for 'good' films and can range from different genres. In comparison to main stream as they specifically focus on romance or action-based mainstream films. The key characteristics for our audience to be up to date with films and what is happening in the media. Our age range is for teenagers to young adults therefore they are expected to be into social media and be able to update their profiles/statuses on things they enjoy for example the films and their opinions on them. 

Female Audience Profile

• I am 18 and I'm in college. I am currently studying biology and phycology as when I am older, I want to work with the minds behind crime.
• In my free time, I like to hang out with my friends. I do like shopping but not that much. I prefer to relax at home and watch films/shows and I enjoy documentaries.
• I like reading fictional and non-fictional books, I like exploring more about the subjects I take and what I hope to advance myself in. As well as, with novels I like reading murder and mystery. I like to scare myself sometimes by picking up a book or watch a film that I normally wouldn't.
• Therefore leading on from this, when watching films I do enjoy horror and thrillers because I like the anticipation and adrenaline it gives me. I haven’t seen quite a lot of those genres of film but I do try and watch them with my friends to make it easier. As well as I love going to amusement parks again for the adrenaline rides give me so I enjoy scaring myself to an extent.

Male Audience Profile

• I am 21 and I am in university. I am studying business marketing and I plan to start my own business related to computer science as I previously studied IT at A levels.
• In my spare time, I like to hang out with friends. I often go to the gym, I also have started skateboarding. I enjoy listening to music as well, the main type that I listen to is rap, hip hop and rnb.
• As well as going to the gym, skateboarding and hanging out with friends I also have a part time job in PC World. This allows me to have an insight in all the new technical products and be up to date. When it comes to gaming products and apps, I do enjoy any time consuming games that are related to sci-fi and thriller as they excite me.
• When it comes to films, I range between sci-fi, thriller and horror. I watch all each individually and enjoy most the films that has a part of all of those genres. I tend to find those genres do not scare me but do however thrill me slightly. I am interested in the plots of the films and how they present the film to fit it with production etc. 

Audience Research - Survey

For the online questionnaire that we created, we first as mentioned throughout made sure to include a mix of questions involving the audience and our specific type of genre. Therefore this survey was made to be based around the target audience mainly, so when presenting it to the audience we shared the links to friends and members of the audience who are around the age range for our film. We also shared the link on social media which was a success as we expected many of our target audience to have and be experienced with social media to then easily complete the questionnaire. Through the use of the online questionnaire, it gave us more knowledge of what the audience want to see and especially as it was early on before filming had began, we were able to create an image of what we could produce. It also helped with ideas as we were able to pick out what the audience feared to pay more attention into that so when they came to watch the opening, it would spark up the reason they liked thrillers although we did find that thrillers were the least favourite genre. This then gave us more motivation to want to create a thriller opening which would intrigue our target audience to make them want to watch the film and more thriller's in the future.


Questions 1 & 2: For the first two questions, we asked simple and complex questions to understand the type of audience we had. From this, we can identify a little more about the audience and perhaps what gender would watch it and how they would know about the film.

Question 3 allowed us to know what scared the audience most in order to help know what to purposely include in our opening to ensure the audience get a thrill from the film. Using this is helpful as by knowing what scares the audience and incorporating it, the audience will be more likely to enjoy the film as they weren't bored or already expecting the plot.

Question 4: Asking this question enabled us to know whether or not the audience would actually go to the cinema to see the film. Especially with online streaming, many of the audience may not consider it and it was shown through the results that not a lot of people did.

Question 5: This was an important question to ask as this informs us what platform the audience use to know about the film. From the results, it is clear that social media is used to know about films. Therefore to be able to promote our film it will have to be done heavily through the use of social media. Without this, it will be harder to know how to communicate with the target audience to raise announcement for the film so it allows it to be an easier process.

Question 6: What cinemas do you go to or have heard of?

Linking similarly to question 4, but asking the company of cinemas the audience goes to. As from this, we will be able to acknowledge which cinema would be best suited to have a screening of the film. This also links to question 4, as it determines which one is more popular and the likeliness it is for the audience to attend.

Question 7: This was an unsuccessful question as thriller was the least amount picked as a favourite type of genre. However with this information, we have to ensure our film becomes something that our audience will want just from the opening to see by including the extra details from question in comparison to where they are now with the genre.

Question 8: By asking the audience of their favourite thriller film, we are able to include this in research. Finding out information about the films and mainly the plot can help advance us with our opening. This will be done as we have used the results to address the films they enjoy and research into them. Allowing us to find out why they would be of particular interest and how to create an opening perhaps using inspiration from the films listed.

Question 10: What do you find to be the most appealing factor within a thriller?

Questions 9 & 10:

Both these questions can help us as they are informing what the audience like about the genre. As well as indicating what they pay attention to most which then can be put into our film opening, so it is made to be attention grabbing and can therefore leave the audience wanting to know more with just the very beginning of the film. These aspects are vital to be asked as it gives us the voice of the audience and by following it; it enables us to build a successful film opening by what they want to see.

Shot List

Shot No	Date/Time/Location	Characters and Props	Equipment needed	Description of shot	Contingency plan
1.       Gracie film logo	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2.      Mid shot, high angle	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30 pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 11 and 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna) carrying a handbag and plastic bag	Camera, props (plastic bag)	Woman walks up stairs and turns to the next set	If one character can’t attend, record without as only one character needed
3.      Wide shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna)	Camera, props (plastic bag)	Continued walking Sound: ambient sound of footsteps	If characters are unable to attend, members of group can stand in
4.      Close up, side shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna)	Camera, props (plastic bag)	Close up of the stairs as her feet are walking down	If characters are unable to attend, members of group can stand in
5.      Mid shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna)	Camera, props (plastic bag)	The woman is opening the doors that go outside towards the top level of the car park	Check the weather forecast as the location is the top outside level of the car park
6.      Front view, long shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna)	Camera, props (plastic bag)	The woman is walking outside	If the camera dies, to start filming on an iPhone from where it was caught from
7.      Close up	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 2: Stalker (Ross)	Camera	Close up of the man’s face to introduce him	If one of the actors has to leave, to include a member of the group into the opening to then be able to re film with the actor
8.      Over the shoulder shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna) Character 2: Stalker (Ross)	Camera, props (plastic bag)	The stalker watching the woman as she approaches her car	Check the weather forecast as the location is the top outside level of the car park
9.      Long shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna)	Camera, props (plastic bag), car and car keys	The woman is unlocking her car	If the car level is busy, to either find a deserted level or reschedule on a less busy day
10.   Long shot	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna) Character 2: Stalker (Ross)	Camera, props (plastic bag), car and car keys	The woman is about to get into her car and in the background the stalker is watching her	If one of the actors has to leave, to include a member of the group into the opening to then be able to re film with the actor
11.    Close up	Date: 11/01/16 Time: After 06:30pm Location: Kingston Car Park B – Level 12	Character 1: Woman (Rhianna)	Camera, props (plastic bag), car and car keys	The woman is getting into her car	If one of the actors has to leave, to include a member of the group into the opening to then be able to re film with the actor

Sound and Lighting test shots

This is the first video for the sound and lighting test shots, it is our first location which is inside of Kingston's car park B. We used this location as it fit into the storyline of our opening and it was a less obvious location. In the shot and for the final production, we found that the lighting from inside was bright enough for us not to use any other light. The lights were bold and showed the actors and location in the type of light which wasn't dark nor too light therefore we felt like we shouldn't of used another form. However for the future, I would make sure to bring lightening as from the final production it could of been improved. As for the sound, we made sure to come at the days where the car park would be less busy however we purposely filmed on the top two floors which were both outdoor levels. Therefore it was less likely that anyone would be parked at the top and when we filmed for the final production, both car parks were empty. 

This is the second video for the test shots, it shows the outside both levels 11 and 12 of the outdoor levels of the car park. We purposely filmed after 6 therefore by that time, it was dark outside which we thought be benefit the storyline and the add to the tension. Therefore for sound, in the production the only visible sound is all ambient. For the final production, it is undecided if we will keep the sound however for the test shot, it was very quiet as it was late and empty in the car park which is what we wanted. As previously mentioned, for the lighting it could of been improved more for the outdoor scenes. By not having any other lighting and relying on natural light especially as being after 6 where there is no visible natural light for us to use, when filming the actors couldn't be seen in certain scenes as it was too dark to identify them when walking in shadows. Therefore to improve, we would definitely need to bring our own lighting as relying on natural lighting didn't go according to plan.

Mood Board + Horror Clichés

As the horror genre is very closely related to the thriller genre, I decided to create similar as above a mood board / image map of some of the many horror cliches. In this I have included images all relating to the cliches such as:

• The car never starting when the victim is trying to run away until perhaps the antagonist is right outside the car (e.g. The Hills Have Eyes, Freeway and Carriers - which all show cars breaking down before something fatal happens)
• The female characters always trip or stumble as they run to escape (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

• Whenever a character is trapped / kidnapped etc, they always plead to the antagonist thinking that they would be set free (e.g. Scream Queens, although it isn't a horror film it still is an example of the character asking the antagonist to stop however in this case not verbally)

• There is never any signal on their phones especially when being in the scene with the antagonist (e.g. P2)

• Victim's never run out of their front door and out of the house but instead run to hide in different areas of their house (e.g. Scream)

• Character with authority and parents never seem to understand or cannot help the victim (e.g. The Purge – Have authorities knowing all along, working with the villain)

• The antagonist most of the time doesn't carry guns and instead kills with other weapons which are more slower allowing the character more chance to escape each time (e.g. Scream)

• In a group of friends, they always add suspicion on the most obvious character and then create a plot twist on who it actually is (e.g. Scream TV Series)

Location Reece

Location to be used: Date of when location is needed: Time of when location is needed:	>Kingston Car Park B – Level 12 >30th December (Other dates in January will be needed) >After 6:30PM (Not many people around and it’s dark)	>We can use another car park near by >Chose a different date
Do you need permission to record/photograph in this location? Who will you need to contact?	>No we don’t need permission	>N/A
Will the levels of noise cause a problem? If so, how will you overcome this?	The level of noise will only be a problem if there are lots of people out in the street next to the car park. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem as the shops shut in the evening so there won’t be many people about.	>If there is too much noise then we can either edit the sound after or choose another day to film.
Is the level of lighting suitable?	>Yes	>If something changes and the lighting doesn't become suitable we can edit the lighting later on.
If inside, are the Emergency exits clearly visible and available? Is Emergency equipment provided?	>No because it’s outside >There isn't emergency equipment but if we don’t have the equipment it won’t be hard to carry on without it.	>We can use the light from our phones if the lighting isn't suitable or edit later on. >We all have cameras on our phones we can film with if the camera we are planning to use isn’t accessible
Is there public transport easily available to you?	>Yes we can easily get a bus or train to the location >We are using a car so we get there in that	>If strikes occur or roads are cut off we can rearrange the day >If the car breaks down we can use public transport

Location to be used: Date of when location is needed: Time of when location is needed:	> Car Park – Stairs Between Levels 11 & 12 >30th December (Other dates in January will be needed) >After 6:30PM (Not many people as the top floor is usually quite empty)	>Use another set of stairs on a different level >Go on a different day >Go at a different time of day
Do you need permission to record/photograph in this location? Who will you need to contact?	>No we do not need permission	>Choose a different car park
Will the levels of noise cause a problem? If so, how will you overcome this?	>No because there shouldn't be much noise as there won’t be many people around >No as it’s inside so there won’t really be ambient sounds	>If there are people we can wait for them to leave the staircase and inside area >We can edit over the sound at a later stage
Is the level of lighting suitable?	>Yes because this location is very bright which contrasts with the darkness of the next	>If the lights aren't working we will have to choose stairs on another level or wait till they’re repaired and shoot at this location at a later stage
If inside, are the Emergency exits clearly visible and available? Is Emergency equipment provided?	>Yes there is door on each floor so they are very close to where we are filming. >There isn’t emergency equipment but if we don’t have the equipment it won’t be hard to carry on without it.	>We can use the light from our phones if the lighting isn't suitable or edit later on. >We all have cameras on our phones we can film with if the camera we are planning to use isn’t accessible
Is there public transport easily available to you?	>Yes we can easily get a bus or train to the location >We are using a car so we get there in that	>If strikes occur or roads are cut off we can rearrange the day >If the car breaks down we can use public transport