Questionnaire on horror film audiences

By asking the below questions, it will become apparent to us what type of audience will want to watch our genre of film.

Questions

Q1 What minimum age do you think the certificate of horror films should be? 

15

18

Q2 Do you enjoy horror films, or would you prefer to watch something else? (Female)

Enjoy horror films

Prefer something else

Q3 Do you enjoy horror films, or would you prefer to watch something else? (Male)

Enjoy horror films 

Prefer something else

    

Conclusion of audience profiling

In conclusion, by looking at my audience profiling below it is clear certain people watch horror films. So this creates a target audience for my group and I.
The research showed that for all of the films:

Gender

•  The percentage of men watching horror films was higher than the percentage of women 

Age

• The highest percentage of viewers was the age bracket of 15-24
• The second highest percentage of viewers was the age bracket of 25-34
• This shows how horror films are directed at young adults/adults. 

Audience Profiling - 28 Weeks Later

28 Weeks Later Audience Profiling

• The image above clearly shows the percentage of men watching this film is higher than women (56% male, 44% female)
• The image above shows how the age bracket with the highest percentage of viewers for this film is 15-24, and the second highest percentage is 25-34.

Audience Profiling - Creep

Creep Audience Profiling

• The image above clearly shows mostly men watched this horror film (67% men, 33% female)
• The image above shows the highest percentage of people who watch the film are in the age bracket of 15-24, similar to the highest percentage of audience age for Silent Hill.
• Also, the same second highest age bracket is 25-34, similar to Silent Hill once again.

Audience Profiling - Silent Hill

Silent Hill Audience Profiling

• The image above clearly shows mostly men watched this horror film (68% men, 32% women).
• The image above also shows how the highest number of viewers in the age category consists of the age bracket of 15-24. The second highest percentage age bracket is 25-34, showing how this horror film appealed to young adults, and not so much anyone older. Statistics cannot be shown for anyone younger than 15 because of the certificate on the film.
• This gives my group and I a good idea of who would want to watch our film, and who our target audience is.

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. "

Analysis of Opening Credits

• There are two different types of opening credits. The first is credits on a plain background, and the second is having the credits over the top of the opening scenes of the film. Both of these types are effective.
• Having the credits on a plain background  (for example a black background with white text for the credits) is effective as instead of being distracted by the opening scenes of the film, the viewer will be able to focus on the credits, noticing who the directors, actors etc. are.
• Having the credits over the top of the opening scenes is effective as then the audience will not get bored of watching the credits, and will straight away be able to view the film. Though the negative side of this is the fact that the viewer will not notice who the directors, actors etc. are, they will be more interested in the film itself.

An example of credits on a plain background is The Grudge.

• This opening clearly shows how effective it is to use a plain background with text over the top for the credits, as the focus is on the credits, instead of being distracted by the film on screen when using the credits over the top of the opening scenes idea.
• Also, what is effective about the opening of The Grudge is that the text is edited in a way so it looks like hair is moving over it, relating to the character in the film.
• The colouring of red is chosen to relate to the killings in this film. This would be a good idea to use for our film credits, as it then shows a relation to the film and makes it interesting, already showing to the audience that this film will be scary. The credits are also quite mysterious, in the way that the audience doesn't know what is going to happen, as there is a lot of hair affects being shown, and a sudden hand print over the screen. But the colour red obviously shows it is something negative.
• At 2:55 there is the title of the film, but also with a black to red gradient as the background, this is effective once again as there is emphasis on the colour red, but now also black, which is seen as a negative colour, giving the audience something bad is going to happen.
• This film also shows once again how by using the colour red is effective in showing fear, and making the audience feel tense even before they have watched it. This is shown by at the beginning of the film, text is used to create fear. Also, words are left behind in red font. Words such as "curse" and "death" are in red, highlighting this is what the film is going to be about. By using this idea, it gives away what the film is about, but doesn't say who are the characters or what is causing all of the deaths.

An example of credits over the top of the opening scenes of the film is The Ring.

• This clearly shows how by using credits over the top of the opening of a film, the viewer will not get bored. But it also clearly shows the fact that the credits aren't noticeable, as the happenings in the scene distracts the viewers eye away from these.

Script Ideas

The only dialogue in the opening of our film will be when the main character is talking to a parent, discussing if she is going to look for her lost cat.


For example, the dialogue could consist of:


(The main character comes through door)
Parent: Is that you Lucy?
Lucy(main character): Yeah
Parent: Are you going to look for ____?     (Cats name)
Lucy: Yeah, in a minute
(Main character is seen getting coat)
Lucy: Bye
Parent: Bye




The beginning of our film will not have a lot of dialogue, this is so the audience cannot be certain as to what is going on, or what is going to happen. Meaning that tension is built up, which is effective in horror films.

Storyboard for film opening

This is the beginning of the storyboard. The first scene will consist of the main characters feet walking along a street. Costume is important in this scene, as we want to show this character is a female, so any masculine shoes will not be used but instead quite feminine.

This shot will be partly an establishing shot as it will show some of the setting of the scene. It is also low angle, just showing the feet, giving mystery to who this person is. This will be panning, so the camera follows the feet. The sound of this scene will be the sound of shoes, so this is the main focus of what's happening in the scene.

This shot is a medium shot of the character sticking this 'Lost cat' poster on a post. This also is a zooming shot, this is to emphasise the poster is important in this scene. The sound will be the sound of the poster being put onto the post, this is so there are no distractions away from the poster.

This shot is a low angle shot of the feet of the character, and once again panning so the camera follows the feet. This shows the person walking back home after putting the poster up. This will also have panning, so the feet are followed. Similar to the first shot, this shot will have the sound of shoes which is diagetic sound.

This shot will be a long shot/ establishing shot of the character entering her house. This shows the setting to the audience.

This shot will be a two shot/ over the shoulder shot of the main character and their parent. The sound will consist of the parent asking if she's going to look for her lost cat.

Low angle shot of the feet walking out of the house (editing used will be graphic match) then fades onto the feet walking onto Ashtead common.

Using this editing technique skips time, so the audience doesn't get bored.

Again the sound will be the shoes walking, this shows that the shoes are the key part of this.

Also panning will be used once again to follow the feet.

This shot will be a zooming shot of a rustling hedge, this is zoomed in on as it is the main focus as the character thinks this may be her cat, so enters the woods. The sound will be the rustling of the hedge, this is to emphasise the action.

This shot will be an over the shoulder shot of the character looking into the woods. The sound will be the rustling of a hedge, and the character will be approaching it.

This shot is a long shot of the character walking through the woods, there will be the rustling sounds continued.

There will be a close up of the characters eyes, showing the fear. The sound will be the rustling noise.

This shot will show the zombie character running across in front of the main character. It will be a long shot. As it is dark, the viewer won't have any idea of what the zombie character looks like, or what it even is. The only sound will be the zombie character running across the woods.

This is an extreme close up of the eyes to show the fear of the main character, with the rustling sound continued. This is to show the fear of the unknown character.

There will then be a series of short shots, from close up of the eyes, to fast panning shots showing the zombie character running. There will be the noise of screaming.

Comparison to our film setting

In the film The Blair Witch Project, the setting is in the woods. This shows the characters being abandoned and unable to get help in such a rural setting. This adds tension for the audience as they know the characters wont be able to get help, so it raises the question if they will be able to escape the attack, or if they will not get away.

Film Setting

As the film setting is in the woods, this shows the main character as being abandoned in a rural setting, creating more tension in the film as the character cannot get any help. This can be compared to the film Friday The 13th. The films main setting is in the woods also, like our film beginning will be. This film applies the same setting, that when the main characters are attacked by Jason, they cannot get any help. How abandoned the setting is is shown in the picture below.

Media Setting

For our first two minutes of our film we have chosen these woods as the main setting. These woods are where the character we are following walks through, then is attacked by something unknown. These woods were chosen as because it's winter, the trees have no leaves and this will give an eerie horror movie feel to the scenes shot here. It looks very abandoned, relating back to the fact that in horror films rural settings are used so that the character cannot get any help when attacked, and is purely alone and not safe.

First ideas of film shots to use

These are my first ideas for the shots to use in my first two minutes of my film. These ideas will be changed, as my group will have ideas also and then we can combine them all to create better ideas.

• The film will begin with fade in editing used to introduce the film slowly. A low angle shot of some feet walking along the street will be shown and then a medium shot of hands sticking a poster (the lost cat poster) onto a post, and zooming in will be used to emphasise what is on the poster.
• This will then be followed by another low angle shot of the feet turning around and walking. Costume will be important for the feet shots, as the shoes will not be masculine or intimidating, giving the idea this is a bad character, they must be feminine to show who this character is. 
• There will then be a long shot/ establishing of the girl entering her house, showing where the girl is, what the setting is like. Giving the audience the idea this house isn't in a big city, but more of a rural setting.
• A two shot/ over the shoulder shot of the main character and their parent will be shown. It will be over the shoulder of the main character, showing the parent. It will have the dialogue consisting of the main character stating she is going to look for her lost cat.
• A low angle shot is used to show the feet of the main character walking out of the house and then up the road, then the editing of graphic match will be used to overlap the scenes to show the feet walking somewhere else. This will give the idea of a jump in time, so that the audience is not bored having to watch the feet walking for a long time. Using this editing technique will also connect both of these different scenes as it overlaps them for a brief second.
• As there is a rustling sound in a hedge in the woods nearby, there is a zooming shot to the hedge moving. The main character then presumes this may be her cat, and in hope enters the woods.
• There is an over the shoulder shot of the character looking into the woods where the rustling came from, and not seeing her cat.
• The main character then begins to walk through the woods, hearing more rustling sounds. There will be a series of fast shots to create tension, extreme close up shots of the characters eyes showing fear, the characters torch moving around the woods in long shots trying to identify what is making the rustling noise.
• A long shot is used when quickly something runs across the path of the woods.
• An extreme close up of the characters eyes are used here to show the fear.
• Then a long shot of the character is used, quickly showing the unknown character (the zombie) running towards her

Character Ideas: Comparison with Friday The 13th characters

• In the film Friday The 13th, the film follows the idea of characters getting killed off one by one, and the other characters not knowing who is doing this. This is very typical in horror movies, for example it also happens in Creep. We will be using this idea in our film beginning as it works well because it keeps the audience engaged, wanting to know who will be killed next, and who is killing everyone.
• Our main character for the beginning of our film will be compared with the characters who are going on vacation to Crystal Lake, as they all have no idea what is happening. Although our film beginning will not have the idea of killing of several different characters one by one, it will just be killing one. But this one character will show how in horror films people are not sure as to what is happening, as they are just leading their normal lives and then disaster strikes. As we see in Friday The 13th, people are killed in different places unexpectedly. For example, one male character is killed in a shed when going looking for something. In our film beginning, the character will be killed when walking through the woods looking for her cat.
• This film also follows the idea of setting the film in a rural setting, so that the characters cannot be helped. Our character will be attacked in the woods, again a place where she cannot be helped by somebody else.
• In this film, as people are killed the audience see who is actually doing it, therefore getting rid of the element of suspense, which we will be using in our film. Though this film does use the technique of really focusing on the main character. Unlike most horror films, such as 28 Days Weeks Later, which focuses on a group of people being feared, this focuses on one character. Why he is attacking people, and why he is the way that he is. Which may add suspense as it creates fear, knowing why this character has issues with other people.
• Our main horror character will not be based on Jason from the film Friday the 13th, as he is a lot larger than normal humans therefore adding more fear. Our horror characters will be normal human sized but with makeup on, like people back from the dead.

Character Ideas: Comparison with Creep characters

• Our main character will compare with Kate from the film Creep. This is because our character will be seen as innocent and living her normal life, and then suddenly something bad comes along in it which will be the zombies.
•  In the film Creep, Kate is living her normal life, trying to get to a party via the tube but falls asleep and suddenly bad things are happening, people are getting attacked by something in the tube station.
• The fact that whatever it is attacking people isn't shown is also effective, as it builds tension. This is an idea we will also be using for our film beginning, having the main character of our opening attacked by something, but people are unsure what as it will not be clearly shown.

Character Ideas: Comparison with 28 Weeks Later characters

• Our main character who is followed throughout the opening two minutes of our film will be based around the ideas of the characters (Don and his wife Alice) in the film 28 Weeks Later.
• I chose to compare the main character with the characters from 28 Weeks Later. This is because this films is based on people being infected, almost like zombies as they attack the normal people, so this compares to our opening of a film as we are including zombies.
• These characters are trying to escape from the infected in the film, similar to how in our film people will be trying to escape from the zombies. In the beginning of 28 Weeks Later, the characters Don and Alice are hiding in a house, and then Don runs from the infected. This emphasises how people try to escape from zombies/infected in films. And this will happen in our film also, the main character will be attacked by zombies and will be attempting to escape or get help in their situation.
• Also, in this film the characters that the audience and main characters fear (the infected) are normal humans, but just with makeup. This is relevant to our film as our horror characters will be humans with makeup on, instead of changing the people completely (e.g Jason from Friday the 13th)

Analysis of The Omen

This post will analyse the beginning of the film The Omen. I have chosen to analyse the beginning of this film as it comes under the genre of horror which is the genre I am focusing on as my 2 minute film beginning will be of this genre.


The film begins with diagetic sounds of cars moving along the street around the car that the main character is in. The shot is filmed at night, as usually at night bad things happen to characters in horror films so this creates tension to begin with. There is medium shot of the main character in the car, sometimes his face is lit up by street lights passed by, this creates tension as there is not proper lighting, creating the idea that something bad could happen any moment. In this shot there is a voice in the main characters head saying "The child is dead", this could be some relevance to happenings in the film, but the viewer will not be sure yet as they have no idea what he's talking about.
In the next scene a baby is shown in a nun's arms, slow piano and harp music is used to create tension for the audience, making them question, is there something wrong with this child?
As all of these scenes are to do with having a child, this shows that this is what the film is like.
At 1:39 this long shot/ establishing shot sets the scene to show where the film is set. As this film is set in the city, as it shows a lot of lights and busy streets full of cars even at night, it shows that something typical wont happen in the beginning of this film. For example if the setting was rural, it would suggest something bad will happen to the main character and they will not be able to get any help from anyone. Whereas because it is set in the city, this shows that help can be easily acessed.
At 2:24 there is a high angle shot. This shows the two characters as being small and having no power, showing whatever the bad character in the film is, that they will have power over these two characters.
At 2:35 there is a two-shot of the two male characters. This shot shows the emotion of the two characters through their body language. The character on the left seems concerned and the character on the right is upset.
At 4:25 there is a medium shot of a man speaking, and another man speaking in a medium shot follows. This is to emphasise their emotions about their conversation. A shot/ reverse shot is used for this to clearly show they are talking to one another and no one else is involved.

Horror film cliches

From Joe Queenan's guide to horror film cliches from the guardian, a lot can be learnt about the cliches in horror films.
For example, Queenan states that without cliches, horror films would be ruined and the audience would find it unusual. As Japanese horror films revolve around little girls who come back from the dead, if this did not happen, the audience would find this unusual as this is typically what they would want to see.
Another example Queenan states that it is typical is zombies turning up in strange places, and that the audience expect this to happen, if it did not, again this would be unusual. As Queenan says this, it is helpful towards my groups horror film beginning, as we are focusing on zombies, so making them turn up in unusual places is expected to happen.
Queenan states that horror films work best in rurual settings, this is helpful to keep in mind for my groups horror movie, as if a zombie film was set in a city, it wouldn't be as good, as the characters could be saved by other people. Where as if the film is set in a rural setting, the character will have no people to rely on to save them.
Another quote from this article helpful to my groups film is that horror movies also contain lots of scenes in which the living dead zip past an open door or window, but nobody sees them. This will be helpful as if we keep this in mind, it will add tension to our film including zombies, as the audience will not be sure what just went past, and what will happen to the characters.


The main parts of Joe Queenan's guide to horror film cliches that will help my group and I with our work creating the first two minutes of a film is the parts it is typical zombies turning up in strange places, and also horror films work best in rural settings. This is because we are to base our film in the woods, which is rural and abandoned, showing there is no help for the characters. Also zombies will turn up in the middle of the woods, which is a strange place, as they are very unexpected.

Analysis of the opening of The Ring

This post will analyse the beginning of the film The Ring. I have chosen to analyse the beginning of this film as it comes under the genre of horror, which my group has chosen to do for the first two minutes of our film. 
The film begins with an establishing shot of a house. The colouring is dark, showing it is evening/night. This gives the audience the idea something bad could happen any time soon, as typically in horror films bad things do happen at night. This shot has the diagetic sound of rain and people speaking over the top, which is a sound bridge as it follows on into the next shot.
The next shot is a long shot of two girls in a bed room, the camera is clearly angled from where the television is suppose to be, as the girl with the remote is flicking through channels and looking in the direction of where the camera is. Using a sound bridge with this shot shows to the audience that clearly these girls are in this house. The quote beginning "I hate television..." and the fact that the shot of the two girls in a bedroom is based around television, gives the idea that this film may be based around something to do with a television. 
In between the shot of the house and the shot of the two girls, there is a sharp quick sound. This sound may be diagetic or non-diagetic, as it could be from the television, though it may be added in also because it adds tension to the change of shots.
At around 1:18, the girl with the black hair begins talking about a tape. Similar to in Silent Hill, it's always in horror films the male/female characters with black hair who cause the trouble, and this film re-enforces this view. An over the shoulder shot is used to show the girl with the black hair is speaking directly to the other girl. The camera slowly zooms in to the girl with the black girl as she is speaking, to put emphasis and focus on what she is saying, as it is obviously important in the film. The only other sound is the rain in this shot, as if there was still the sound of the television (it was previously turned off) it would be distracting. 
At 1:47 an over the shoulder shot of the other girl is shown. This shot is also a close up, so the audience focus' on the reaction of this character. She is obviously fearful of this tape, as she is looking at the girl with the black hair worryingly.
At 3:22 a close up of the girl with brown hair is shown, as the phone starts ringing. This shot shows the fear in her expression.
This shot is then followed by a zooming shot of the clock, to emphasise what the time is, and that she is obviously in danger because of this. The shot has non-diagetic sounds over the top of it, a low sound that gets faster, making the audience scared and know clearly the time is relevant to the phone ringing, and the brown haired girl. Using a zooming shot is effective when wanting to make the audience focus on a particular object in a film.

As this film beginning is set in a bedroom, this creates a strange feeling for the audience. This is because usually a bedroom is a place of comfort and safety, but the beginning of this film changes this idea and gives it a tense feeling as the girls begin to talk about the tape, and then the phone rings.

Analysis of the opening of Silent Hill

This post will analyse the beginning of the film Silent Hill. I have chosen to analyse this film as it links to the chosen genre of my groups film, horror.

When there are titles and then it leads into the film, it is a sound bridge of the dialogue coming from the woman. This makes the audience begin to feel tense, as they aren't sure what's going to happen.
The film begins with dull lighting being used, this makes the film seem as if it is starting off negative, as using bright lighting gives a positive feeling.
The sound begins with dialogue from a female character, screaming the name of her daughter. It becomes apparent it is about a child as the female character picks up a teddy bear, which assumeably belongs to the child. This gives an idea to the audience that the film is based on the child and what happens to them.
Synchronised sound is used to amplify the sounds of the forest, e.g bugs making noises. This is so that it becomes clear to the audience of the setting of the film, that it is in the forest. As typically a film that is set in a forest shows danger, as the house is abandoned and if the people living in the house get into danger, there is no one else to save them. The synchronised sounds of the car adds tension to the scene, as there is not a lot of sound and then suddenly there is the loud sounds of cars passing by. This also gives the idea that the film is set somewhere that's busy, as there is cars driving around even late at night.
An aerial shot is used of the woman running along the rocks near to a waterfall, this is to clearly show the setting and her costume. The setting is near to a waterfall, suggesting danger as being that near to a cliff is dangerous. Her costume (clothes she would most probably wear in bed) shows she has panicked about whatever is happening and whoever has gone missing, as she has gone out late at night without a coat, showing the rush and panic.
The diagetic sound of the waterfall really emphasises the setting for the audience. An establishing shot is then used to show where the woman character is. This shot shows how high up the waterfall is, and emphasises the danger. A close up shot is then used on the woman's face to clearly show the fear of seeing her daughter standing on the edge of a cliff.
A mid shot is used of the daughter. This shows how the daughter is acting possessed, muttering to herself with her eyes not properly opened. She is also swaying, making the audience feel as if she's going to fall. An aerial shot is then used to show how close she is to the edge of the cliff, this creates tension as she may fall.
Creepy music begins to play when the daughter is shown on the screen. This creates tension as the audience do not know what is going to happen, but as this music is used it is guaranteed to be something bad, as in most horror films.
The aerial shot then looks as if the camera is falling over the cliff. Computer edited objects then appear, slowly turning to a red colour with black surrounding. As red is the colour of danger this then creates tension as the audience doesn't know where the camera is leading. A face is then shown surrounded by fire. The fire makes the audience know that this is dangerous, and a face is then shown quickly. This makes the audience question what is going on, what that face is about too. The non-diagetic sounds and music speed up as the camera is falling.
After the face is shown with the fire, a close up of the little girl is shown. She still seems possessed, which makes the audience know that there is a connection between the computer generated face and this little girl. The little girl has black hair and pale skin, suggesting she may be something evil. As typically in horror films, little children with black hair and pale skin are to be feared. Examples of this are The Grudge's child and Damien from The Omen.
A quick long shot of the girl about to fall and her mother saving her is used. Also included in this shot is a prop, a glowing cross. This is used to make the audience question whether religion is relevant to this little girl being possessed, because it isn't just a coincidence that the cross is there. In this shot it is also clear that the setting is very misty, creating a more tense feeling, as not everything can be seen in the surroundings, meaning something more could be there and this builds suspense for the audience. 
When the little girl is screaming and moving, it is clear something is very wrong with her. As before she was silent, and as she was knocked over by the woman she has begun screaming. She says "Silent Hill" which is the name of the film. As it seems she still may be possessed when she says this, it is clear this place is clearly a main factor of the film, and something for the audience to look out for and focus on.
Further on there is a long shot of the family after the girl has stopped screaming. This shot again shows the misty, dull setting, showing what has just happened is clearly negative. But also in this shot, the glowing cross is shown again in the light. Emphasising this, as well as Silent Hill, will be a key factor of the film for the audience to focus on. A sound bridge is used from this scene to the next, which is the title of the film. This slow, non-diagetic music shows what has just happened is upsetting for the adults, as it is slow piano music, used so the audience empathise with the adults, even know they aren't certain what is happen. As the title Silent Hill comes across the scene, drums are added in over the soft piano music, creating tension and suspense for the audience, as they know now something bad happens in Silent Hill. 
In the beginning of Silent Hill, a lot of short takes and quick cuts happen with each shot, this is to show the action in the film is happening quickly, so the audience is panicing. Also if the shots were longer than ten seconds long each, this would make the audience bored and not feeling tense and scared about what is happening in the film, as it wouldn't be fast paced.