Audience Research

The genre of Thriller is aimed at people  seeking excitement and thrills whilst watching a film. The main audience of this genre wants excitement  and anticipation and to be kept on the edge of their seats through out the entire movie. The majority of Thrillers are aimed at people age 12 and older, this is due to the fact anyone younger this age range may not be able to understand or interpret the perceive actions on the screen., whilst some scene may be inappropriate for younger viewers. Moreover most Thriller films has an age rating of 12 or older.
Every movie regardless of the genre has a target audience; however there is no such thing as ‘the audience’. This is due to multiple categories in which a viewer can fall into, each different from the last. This has lead movie industries to somehow classify each category in order to maximize their viewing count; this is impossible however due to the vast majority of categories leading them to try and target a base audience sometimes accidentally attracting other ‘audiences’ in the process. For example the movie ‘Skyscraper’ (1996) an action thriller which was ultimately targeted for viewers who loved action, but drew the attention of audiences who loved police based movies  and main streamers who like to" follow the crowd".

Other thrillers such as Memento usually appeal to adults or sometimes people on the verge of adulthood.
However cross genres i.e Horror thrillers such as Final Destination 5 appeals more to young adults and teenagers.

people are under the impression that thrillers were more catered to young adults as opposed to adults; however when you looked at all the thrillers that people may have watched in the past, they all have been cross genres; but actual thriller movies are far more for older adults as it demands intellectual thinking and there is usually more violence, blood .scenes of sexual nature

This chart reflects the thriller movie target age group; as you would find that more older adults watch thrillers compared to teenagers and young adults.

At the same time; although age is part of the thriller target audience so is gender. 

It may not be a huge percentage difference between the two sexes; however it does show that it has different affects on people.

Here are different thriller film types and which gender it is usually dominated by:

Psychological Thrillers
The suspect does not use physical strength, but uses psychology to get to their victim. The suspense created by psychological thrillers often comes from two or more characters battling against each other's minds, either by playing deceptive games with the other or by merely trying to demolish the other's mental state. This type of thriller usually requires more intellectual thinking therefore 25+ year olds are more likely to watch these type of thrillers. An example of a psychological thriller is Fatal attraction.

Romantic Thrillers
The story is usually relationship based with an aspect of a thriller in it. Not too many of these type of thrillers are made as it is hard to come up with the plot and may confuse the audience. However; these type of thrillers are Female dominated. An example of this type of thriller is True Romance.

Supernatural Thrillers
Has a supernatural element to the thriller genre. Usually involves a twists into the plot, often the hero/ main character has some kind of psychic ability. This type of thriller is usually watched by female audience. An example of a supernatural thriller is The last exorcism.

 

In order to try and identify these audiences three types of profiling were created. These are social profiling, demographic profiling and psycho graphic profiling each classifying audiences differently.

Social Profiling

Social profiling is the profiling of audiences by their social classes and categories them in the form of a grade. These grades are formed by looking at audiences careers and money that they make etc. These grades consist of six different grades;

A-Higher managerial /upper middle class- Well paid professionals (judge’s, surgeons etc.)

B-Middle management/middle class– Fairly well paid professionals (lawyers, teachers, doctors etc.)

C1-Skilled non-manual/lower middle class- Supervisory ‘White collars’ (Nurses, bank clerks etc.)

C2-Skilled worker/skilled working class- ‘Blue collars’ (electricians, plumbers etc.)

D-Working class- Semi and unskilled manual (driver, postman etc.)

E-Lower level- Lowest paid grade (pensioners, casual workers, unemployed, students etc.)

These grades are often grouped into ABC1 and C2DE and is a way at looking at what kind of audiences films are aiming towards and have received. However, this type of profiling doesn’t treat people as individuals but instead as groups and so when looking at audiences may miss out a small audience of unlikely individuals.

Demographic Profiling

Similar to social profiling, demographic profiling is the profiling of audiences; however rather than careers and money this form of profiling categorizes them via a multiple of number of factors ranging from age to color preference. The most basic factors used to categorize an audience are:

·         Age

·         Gender

·         Race

·         Location

·         Family Life Cycle (F.L.C)

·         Sexuality

These are due to the way in which content can be used to reach an audience. For example if they were to target a young age in India they would have to restrict the amount of content that could be labelled offensive or not suitable for younger viewers, they would also have to translate its dialogue in Indian in order for its audience to understand.

  Psycho graphic Profiling

  Psycho graphic profiling is building up example profiles to represent types of people who make up a target audience for a film. This is usually done in the form of a questionnaire with relatively simple questions. The answers collected are then used to build and categorize audiences as well as providing key information on what viewers may like to see in a movie. Question’s usually used in this form of profiling are:

·         What are their names, age and gender?

·         What are their interests, habits or hobbies?

·         Who influences them?

·         Religious and political beliefs?

·         What worries them?

·         Where do they access their news from?

·         How do they dress?

These questions allow for quick short answers that are straight to the point allowing for the person being asked not to think too much about their answers allowing for a more positive feedback.

During the planning and shooting of our opening sequence me and my group will have to keep these forms of profiling in our heads since it is considerably the back bone of our whole course work, without an aim or a target set we would just be shooting a random sequence. The choice of target audience as stated before will affect the opening sequences content in many ways; it could decide on what kind of characters there will be, what kind of sub-genre and what kind, the plot and many more aspects of the sequence. However, we have to consider that the opening sequence is just a small segment so a lot of factors cannot be used.

As a further guideline apart from the three types of profiling, the BBFC also known as the British Board of Film Classification allows for an easier understanding on the type of audience we are targeting. This film board helps classify movies like social profiling by grades. These are:

U:

Standing for universal this rating is suitable for all ages. Though this rating is suitable for all ages there is no absolute suitability as each child is different and what one child could find amusing another could feel uneasy by what is on the screen. However if there is any violence, threat or horror in a U film, it would end quickly and the film would tell children that everything will turn out okay.  These forms of movies usually have a morale at the end in order to teach its highly influential viewers what is right and wrong. U movies usually have to follow these set of guidelines in order to be classified with that rating:

 

·         Theme/Topics – Films should be about subjects which are generally suitable for younger audiences.

·         Language - There should be very little mild bad language.

·         Nudity - There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, as long as they are not linked to romantic activities.

·         Sex and relationships - Only mild references (e.g. to 'making love') and mild behavior (e.g. kissing) are allowed.

·         Violence and Threat - Mild violence only. Some mild threat and menace are allowed.

·         Dangerous Behavior - There should be no dangerous behavior that can be easily copied by young children.

·         Weapons - There should be no focus on weapons that are realistic or easy to get hold of.

·         Horror - Moments with ghosts, witches and monsters should be over quickly and not be too scary. Nothing at U should really frighten or disturb young viewers. The film should tell children that everything is okay.

·         Drugs - Drugs should not be mentioned, unless the film teaches that drugs are dangerous.

·         Discrimination - There can be no language or behavior shown that would offend a person’s religion, color, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film teaches it to be wrong.

An example of a U movie is Nanny McPherson & the life of Pi

PG:

Standing for Parental Guidance this rating is suitable for children, but may contain some scenes that may be seen as unsuitable for young viewers. A 'PG' film should not trouble or worry a child aged eight or older. However the PG does tell parents that the content of the film may upset younger or more sensitive children. Like ‘U’ ‘PG’ movies have a set of guidelines before they are categorized with that rating:

·         Theme/Topics - Films and DVDs may be about more grown up topics such as crime, racism, bullying or violence in the home. There must be nothing which suggests these are good things.

·         Language - Mild bad language only.

·         Nudity - Some nudity is allowed, but not if it is linked to romantic activities.

·         Sex and Relationships - Sex can be mentioned, suggested or joked about, but only discreetly.

·         Violence and Threat - There can be stronger violence than at U, but without detail. Violence which takes place in a comedy, fantasy, or historical film may be treated less strictly.

·         Dangerous Behavior - There should be no detail of fighting techniques or other harmful and dangerous activities that children might easily copy.

·         Weapons - There should be no focus on weapons that are realistic or easy to get hold of. Weapons should not be made to look attractive.

·         Horror - Frightening scenes should not be too long or scary. Horror scenes which are part of a fantasy film may be treated less strictly.

·         Drugs - There should be no mention of illegal drugs or drug taking unless completely harmless, or the film carries an anti-drug message.

·         Discrimination - There can be no language or behavior shown that would offend a person’s religion, co lour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film teaches it to be wrong or is presented within an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character who is seen as a hero by the audience is also unlikely to be allowed.

An example of a PG movie is ‘Despicable me 2’ which showed

the purple minions getting hit by the jelly and turn back to normal

 

12 & 12a:

The 12A rating is only used for films shown in cinemas. It is given to films that are best suited to those aged 12 or older. However, people younger than 12 may see a 12A so long as they are accompanied by an adult! In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult however the 12 rating are only on videos and DVDs. This means that no one younger than 12 can rent or buy a 12 rated video or DVD. Both share the same rules when it comes to viewing. The guidelines for these two ratings are:

·         Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

·         Language: The use of strong language (eg 'f***') must be infrequent. Racist abuse is also of particular concern.

·         Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.

·         Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sex references may reflect what is likely to be familiar to most adolescents but should not go beyond what is suitable for them.

·         Violence: Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated.

·         Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques (eg combat, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorized.

·         Horror: Sustained moderate threat and menace are permitted. Occasional gory moments only.

·         Drugs: Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorized or instructional.

·         Discrimination: The film as a whole must not approve of language or behavior that would offend a person’s religion, color, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behavior is unacceptable unless clearly not approved of.
     An example of a 12 rated movie is 'The Woman in black (2012)'. This movie is a classical thriller genre, it consist of limitless tension, scary parts whilst ensuring that children as young as 12 can watch it by not adding any wet horror. 

   

15:

15 is a much stronger version of 12, targeted for people aged 15 and above.  Unlike the previous three ratings 15 rated movies have no themes prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. This means there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language, and the work could explore themes relating to this and in 15 rated movies sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail. The guidelines usually used to categories 15 rated movies are:

·         Theme: None

·         Language: frequent strong language within character dialogue

·         Nudity: sexual nudity present on screen

·         Sex: portrayals of sexual activity both on screen and within dialogue

·         Violence: Strong Violence present on screen

An Example of a 15 is the Resident. This movie shows the use of drugs partial nudity and quite strong violence. Another example of a 15 rated movie is 'world war Z (2013). 

18:

 18 films contain very strong themes which make them suitable for adults.

they are similar to 15 rated films but tend to take these themes to an extreme. They usually contain; very strong violence, frequent strong language. strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore and discriminatory language and behavior.

Most thriller films are classified as 15 or 18. For our groups opening sequence we will be aiming for the 12-15 band. we don't want to step into the 18 boundary. Also, our target audiences will be young adults of both genders. An example of an 18 rated movie is 'I spit on your grave (2013)'