Question 5 how did you attract / address your audience?

Question 5 how did you attract / address your audience?

In order to attract our audience we used many elements in our film. For example, to allow the audience to relate to the character of Marie (the protagonist of the opening 2 minutes). This is because she is a regular teenager about to go to party, like most teenagers do. This relation will be sure to attract our teenage audiences, as it appeals to them directly. Another way we have managed to attract our audience is to focus the film on the subgenres that they prefer. These are slasher and psychological subgenres. By doing this and catering to their desires, we have increased the likelihood of them watching the film, and getting more people to come and watch it.

In order to gain extra attention to our film, we have included various intertextual references to various other well known horror films. One of these is the naming and fate of our opening protagonist Marie. This is short for Marion, the name of the first victim in Alfred Hitchcock’s psycho. Also in a reference to the film psycho and Marion crane, Marie dies in a bathroom, just like her namesake did. Another intertextual reference we have made is to the film scream. Just like our film, there is a killer in the house, who wears a cloak similar to ghost face. In a subtler reference to scream, our killer tries to get in contact with the victim, but she is away from her phone at the time, so cannot pick it up.

 

In our opening 2 minutes of footage I think that there are a few themes that are portrayed very well. One of these is perception. As the world is just the figment of one of the other characters imagination, we have put a strong emphasis on eyes. We have a shot where Marie puts on makeup, with the focus of the shot on her eyes. This is showing that the things the audience is seeing aren’t actually real. Another example of this is when the killer runs behind Marie from left to right. When she goes to the right outside the hall to investigate, the killer comes from the left again. This looks like a continuity error, but is actually showing that the world in which the characters exist can be altered in ways that defy the laws of physics. Themes of escapism are also featured, although cannot be seen, as the final girl Stacey is in an insane asylum. The film plays out in her head as she is insane, and she lives in this world to escape reality, a life she hates and has lost control of. This gives the film a postmodern feel, the audience watches the film as a form of escapism, while the world they are escaping to is a world that the main character of Marie is also escaping to. It allows parallels to be made between the audience and the final girl.

We have received lots of feedback regarding our 2 minute opening. A good aspect people told us was how the death scene was done, the use of camera angles and music. They also noted on the fact that the colour drained out of the scene where Marie was getting stabbed. The negatives included some bad sound effects (such as Maries gasp when the killer runs past her) as well as irregular pacing just before the killer strikes. The strengths of targeting 16 to 18 year olds are that they are very willing to give constructive criticism on how to improve our product. They are also easily pleased, as simple ideas can be enough entertainment for them. Conversely, if they are given a film that is too complicated and some of the more subtle features may be lost on them, lessening the films potential.

Engaging the audience through the opening sequence is essential. It needs to draw them in and immerse them into the viewing experience. If they aren’t interested from the first 2 minutes, chances are they won’t connect with the film, and this might end up in them disliking it. If the audience isn't immersed, they will also have trouble connecting with the protagonists, making their plights less terrifying.