AUDIENCE THEORY

 

Audience theory from LauraSouter1

PLANNING: TARGET AUDIENCE

 
1. Who is my primary target audience? 

My primary target audience ages 15-35 because these are ages I believe that will enjoy thrilling and horrific scenes and perhaps older generations would enjoy this less. This is not a family film as it includes distressing scenes and themes and therefore is not appropriate for younger individuals. 

2. What kind of films and television are they likely to prefer?

Most likely they will prefer to watch thriller, horror or drama production. These genres are relevant to our film because it fits into these genres. They will enjoy films such as 'Scream' and 'It' which is a psychological horror, and TV programmes which are similar to the Netflix Original 'You' which involves the theme of stalking and following, such as what we are portraying in our film. 

 3. What platforms do they choose to watch films and where are they likely to see information about films

Most likely my target audience will use Netflix to watch content or perhaps Amazon Prime. I believe this age group is more likely to use monthly subscription with streaming service instead of watching films/tv live, such as older people probably would. They will find their information most likely from Instagram adverts or physical adverts found on places such as busses and at train stations. 

4. what brands do they prefer?

I think that the target audience will prefer younger clothing brands such as Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Zara. Secondly, they will prefer apple to other brands such as Microsoft and I believe will be very involved with their social media. I envision that the audience will use apps such as Uber for transport and public transport. Although our interpretation is hightened by the horror genre, the film also explores current issues such as death and mourning which can be relatable for audiences. 

5. What makes my film stand out from the competition and why should they watch it?

Original idea:

My film stands out because it is very modern, including the fairly new app of Uber which creates a horrific take on what could go wrong when traveling with strangers. 

New idea:

 My films stands out because it has an emotive angle of a poor teenage girl mourning the death of her beloved sister. This is accompanied by the horrific style of a ghost who is lurking in the darkness, haunting the protagonist. My audience should watch my film to be scared and thrilled by the drama and the action taking place. 

PLANNING: AUDIENCE PROFILE

 

FILM TREATMENT AND PLANNING THE SCRIPT

CYNIC

Film name: CYNIC

For our film we considered different storylines that could be used. At first we explored using the concept of a 'stalker.' We then decided to explore more of the aspect of the paranormal and spirits. We adapted our idea, to still fit our theme of horror. 

Our film will be based around a young girl, Mary, and her experiences with paranormal activity.

 

Her sister died a few years previously, her death was unclear but just before she died the two girls had an argument. Emilia did not seem herself; this frightened Mary. A few days later, Emilia’s body was found in the local woods. 

 

Mary attempts to contact her sister, Emilia, who died, through the use of a Ouija board. However, she uses the board on her own and it breaks. She thinks she was unable to contact her sister and is now aware of the fact that she has contacted a spirit. 

 

Mary hears voices constantly; they do not leave her alone. Eventually she realises that the spirit is her sister, except the sister is evil; corruptive and wants to take her sister’s soul in order to live again. The spirit visits Mary by her bedside, where she awaits her fate. 

The history of the Ouija board 

The ouija board was first advertised in 1891. It was originally a toy created in Pittsburg and the adverts appeared in local newspapers. It was advertised as a 'Ouija, the wonderful talking board.' It was described as being able to answer questions about the 'past, present and future with marvellous accuracy.' It even had a novelty shop for the magical toy and it supposedly promised 'never-failing amusement and recreation for all the classes.' The board is similar to what is sold in stores today. The board is flat and letters of the alphabet are arranged in two semi-circle shapes. Above the letters; 9 and 0, the words 'NO' and 'YES' are displayed. 'GOODBYE' is written at the bottom of the board and the board also contains a planchette. A planchette is a tear-drop shaped device which can be used to manoeuvre around the board. To play the game two people are meant to sit at opposite ends of the board. They would then propose a question to the board and with their hands on the planchette they would look dumbfound as it appears to move across the board, letter by letter, as if by magic. It is supposedly dangerous to play a Ouija board on your own. 

CONSTRUCTION: PLANNING THE SCRIPT

•  home footage - dialogue over the top/ eerie music
• LOCATION 1: fade out 
• flash-forward to graveyard; girl standing at grave 
• flash backs - two girls arguing - sisters 
• voice over - "My sister Emilia died a year ago today. No one knows how or why, all I know is that something weird happened. Something that can't be described, paranormal perhaps. Yet it is all so inexplicable. I would do anything to see her again." 
• LOCATION 2: conversation with friend - I know a way you can contact your sister .... but don't do it alone ... she hands Mary a Ouija board ... she doesn't believe it but she takes it anyways 
• LOCATION 3: Mary goes to the woods running, listening to music but then finds the Ouija board on a bench/ground and decides to do it despite refusing beforehand.
• there is silence. her face looks disappointed/confused. audience may expect something to happen here but it doesn't.
• LOCATION 4: at home - the door opens which wakes her up and the cat is standing in the doorway. "oh its just the cat" (relief). 
• when she turns around the Ouija board is lying on her bed. (music gets louder and louder)
• split screen - friend: "Mary its so late why are you calling". Mary: "This isn't funny why did you put this in my bed". Phone hangs up.
• she tries to turn the light on but it doesn't turn on. she hides under her bed (sounds of doors slamming, cat screaming)
• when she comes out of covers Emilia is standing over her bed.

THE END. 

ORIGINAL FILM TREATMENT (NOW CHANGED)

 INHABITION 

-a restraint on the direct expression of an instinct 

The theme to our film opening is supernatural and paranormal horror. the 'man' is portrayed as an ambiguous figure, almost demon like. it is up to the audience's interpretation to make assumptions about what the 'man' is.

The plot line is about a girl, called Paisley, getting in an Uber with when a man with a face mask due to coronavirus but can't really see his face. She always ends up with having him as her driver. The driver is mute and never talks to her but is constantly looking at her a in the rear view mirror but yet he is driving normally. Every time she ordered an Uber it was always him but with different names. 

She got a Uber to school and it was the same driver so when she arrived she went to go talk to her friend Tilly. She starts to think that something isn't right. One day she decides to walk home and a random car starts following her. Every time she stopped and turned around the car would stop. it would happen again but then he turned his lights off. One evening she got in the car with him again and she felt very uncomfortable and unsafe. She told him to drop her off not at her chosen location. he then starts to follow her and she ran into the woods. He then pops up on the opposite side of the woods when she is coming out. 

Storyboard of our opening film

Opening scene is the main character running late for school and ordering an Uber. 

She gets in and the man doesn't say anything to her and she thinks it's a bit weird but doesn't think much of it.

*finishes school day

She orders another Uber. 

She gets in and it's the same driver. And, she doesn't think much of it; just a strange coincidence. 

Once again she orders another Uber the next day to go to school and it's the same driver. Now she begins to get freaked and worried that he might be following/ stalking her. 

She tells her friend at school and she just tells her maybe its because she accidentally keeps requesting him to pick her up, so at the end of the day her friend orders her an Uber to make sure it wouldn't be the same driver. yet it was. 

She didn't realise it was the same one because each time she orders it he has different names. 

She gets in the car and tries to get out but he has locked. She starts to freak out. His eyes keep catching hers in the mirror. He then starts to stare at her while still driving. 

ART OF THE TITLE: AMERICAN HORROR STORY

The establishing shot of the opening title sequence depicts the central focus of the series; a shot with presents the main characters who are crucial to the storyline. One singular coloured shot contrasts to the black and white features which are shown throughout the opening. The coloured imaged of deep red used represents the theme of blood, empathising the importance it may place throughout the series. The black and white footage hints that the programme is set in an early historical period. The time period is empathised through the old fashioned drawings which sit behind the credits. The opening title reveals symbolism; fire is presented on noticeable occassions to connote the emotions of destruction or death.

The lighting creates illusions and shadows which is a technique which infers that things are not what they seem. This suggests that the audiences' minds are deceived by the shadowy shapes. The delusions created can highlight the main message behind the series; the idea that we cannot always trust what we see.

Diegetic sound is a fundamental aspect of the opening sequence, the sounds created build upon the hypnotic surroundings of the characters. the astmospheric scenes and sounds, and the ambience become vital to the storyline. Regular hard cuts are used to present the fast pace of the series which hints that the programme includes plenty of jump-scared. The focus is split between the forest and the attic which establishes that these two scenes are crucial to the storyline of the show. 

ART OF THE TITLE: GONE GIRL

 

The 20th century fox logo is the first thing that the audience observes. This technique immediately interests and captivates the audience as the company is well established; people will have high expectations for the film. secondly the other production companies are displayed, and then followed by a narration by Ben Affleck. This voiceover introduces the viewers to the character, and strengthens the offscreen relationship between audience and character. The gruesome, twisted narration is juxtaposed with the the soothing, tranquil voice and the hand movements of Affleck. These visual and sound codes together indicates to the audience that the genre of the film is a thriller. 

A simple, plain background reveals the names of Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike which reveals that they are the important people involved in the movie and the screen time will revolve around them almost entirely.  

The camera flicks quickly between shots of the abandoned, small town. The lighting of the opening is very bleak and with low saturation which creates an eerie feel. There are no people visible to be seen, which builds suspense because audiences can understand that this is unorthodox information. The silence of the scene unsettles the audience and creates an uncomfortable impression. Atmospherical, orchestral non-diegetic sound plays whilst we are shown inside of run down, abandoned buildings. The abandoned atmosphere which tells the audience that nobody has been around for a very long time creates uneasy because the audiences feels as though we do not belong here either. finally, the viewers are introduced to Affleck; he walks back into the colossal house and the scene fades into a darkness. This brings the opening sequence to a close and intrigues the audience into yearning to understand more about the mysterious character and town.

ART OF THE TITLE: SPLIT

To begin my research for 'The Art of the Title', I used the website to explore film openings and title sequences to further my knowledge of the ways in which film companies successfully engage their viewers and excite them into watching. I decided to research about 'Split', a 2017 American psychological horror thriller film. It is the second installment in the Unbreakable trilogy written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan and starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Betty Buckley.

The opening to M. Night Shyamalan’s Split is successful in presenting the menacing, ominous feel of the film. The opening sequence initiates the theme and genre through the visual codes of the titles, intertwined between the footage of what appears to be a girl being taken accompanied by the foreboding music which sounds like scratches and low-level alarms or perhaps sirens in the distance which connote that danger and  threatening obstacles are to come in the narrative of this movie. The typography is the focal point of this opening sequence with only a black screen and white text in the font of Helvetica, which is a traditional way of presenting information. Not only is this sequence simple with its colour scheme, but the use of the colour black also signifies danger and darkness. The white writing could connote that hidden things are coming to light, and the text stands out against the blackness. The unpretentious, plain but effective opening focuses mainly on the cast list, directors, producers etc. In this sequence, the most prominent aspect is the text not the visual codes, but the visual codes do give an insight into the narrative which is important when attempting to captivate an audience. 

RESEARCH: DISTRIBUTION OF 'THE PURGE ELECTION YEAR'

 

Research 

'The Purge Election Year'  was distributed by Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. The Film was Directed and written by James DeMonaco and distributed by Universal Pictures. The Film delivers the best and most action-packed Purge yet when THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR, the third chapter in the thrilling franchise which was released on on Digital HD on September 20, 2016.

FILMMAKERS
Cast: Frank Grillo, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mykelti Williamson
Casting By: Terri Taylor
Music By: Nathan Whitehead
Costume Designer: Elisabeth Vastola
Edited By: Todd E. Miller
Production Designer: Sharon Lomofsky
Director of Photography: Jacques Jouffret
Executive Producers: Luc Etienne, Jeanette Volturno, Couper Samuelson
Produced By: Jason Blum p.g.a., Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, Sébastien K. Lemercier p.g.a.
Written and Directed By: James DeMonaco

Posters

The posters for the film display the genre firstly; showing that the film is a gruesome horror which includes murder (represented by the guns accompanied by disturbing masks to hide ones identity). Immediately the viewers can comprehend the type of film - frightening, graphic gore - and the type of themes it will include - death, torture or capturing. Viewers can proceed to watch the trailer to learn more of content of the film, but the posters are effective in engaging an audience themselves. 

Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXMp9fBomJw#

 

The trailer opens with diegetic sound of a news announcement reporting upon the upcoming 'purge'. This technique teaches the audience about the narrative of the film immediately and throws them directly into the tension. The speech is accompanied by a series of clips in a montage showing people captured, drenched in blood and a news reporter who is speaking to an audience. The trailer is used to introduce the audience to the plot line and give them a quick summary of the film; revealing interesting aspects and allowing suspense to be created. The trailer is successful in gaining revenue and attention for the film. Trailers are displayed in cinemas when people are currently watching films of similar type, so therefore people who enjoy the horror genre will already be inclined to take interest. 

Online, social media and publicity

'The Purge: Election Day' reaches a wild range of audiences by using social media platforms to promote the film and gain publicity such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. These are important because they reach out to all age groups, probably from teenagers to elders which is beneficial because this means that more people will gain knowledge about the film. Interviews are also used to introduce actors to the viewers as they discuss the upcoming film and the themes. This enables the viewers to make connections with the actors so they form relationships and are more inclined to be engrossed by the film and want to watch online or in cinema. 

interview:  https://uk.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=the+purge+election+year+interview#id=1&vid=fb2d35b6a29416331c44043cc64655ad&action=click