Audiences for horror films

Target audience for horror films:

• For horror films, there isn't a specific gender for the target audience. This is because both male and female enjoy watching horror films, though it may be argued men enjoy it more, as stereotypically women are scared of many of the scenes.
• Horror films don't have a specific target audience in regional target audiences, or ethnicity, as anyone can watch them and enjoy them.
• Horror films will be aimed at an young adult/ adult audience, as scenes will be too horrific for young children, which is usually stated on the back of films, along with the age rating. For many horror films the age rating is 18, as the producers recognise their type of film will scare younger viewers.
• All of the above points will be shown and proven in my Audience Profiling (above).

Certificates on Horror Films

• An example of the age limit on horror films is Paranormal Activity. This film has a certificate of 15. By choosing the certificate for this film to be 15 means that more money can be made, as there is now a larger target audience. So if the film can be risked to be certificate 15 instead of 18, it is effective.
• Paranormal Activity 2 is also rated a 15 once again, even though it has been commented on, stating that it is a lot more scary than the first film, it's still a certificate 15. Again, this is effective as more money can be made with the wider target audience.

                                                                      

Some people may question why anybody would want to watch a horror film, below is a quote from a website giving ideas as to why this is:

" Some studies suggest that the real draw to scary movies is the feeling of relief when they are over.

Other research, especially a 2007 study conducted by Eduardo Andrade and Joel B. Cohen, argues that the reason people like watching scary movies is that they are a way to experience both positive and negative emotions simultaneously. At the same time negative and sometimes absolutely horrific images play across the screen, the person watching the film is also experiencing positive emotions. This dual emotional state may reinforce the need to continue to watch horror films since it is an instance where it is acceptable to feel in two contrary states. "