RESEARCH AND PLANNING TASK: TARGET AUDIENCE

After researching the target audience for Horror we have decided our movie will be certificated a 15.We identified most horror fans are between the ages of 15-24. Furthermore, by having our movie rated a 15+ allows it to be available to a wider range of audiences. However, we need to take into consideration on what is appropriate for the age certificate. This is because there are limitations on the amount of gore and graphic material that can be shown.
There are a number of successful Horror films that is rated a 15+ such as The Ring, Grudge, and Halloween. These films have a similar concept to the opening scene for our movie.    

In the data above it shows the age group Horror is most popular with. From the data collected the bar chart clearly displays the genre is enjoyed by 15-24 years old. Normally, Horror films are targeted towards the younger age group. This is because the young adults and teenagers are thrill seekers.Horror films include thrills that excite the younger viewers more than the older viewers. Likewise, the younger audience are not put off by the graphic images and use of  strong language unlike the other age groups that may be offended . 

Furthermore, Horror tends to be relatable to the target audience. This is because a typical plot in a horror film consists of  having a naive teenager ( the protagonist) that gets victimised  by the antagonist.   

The pie chart above shows the percentage of male and female that watch the horror films. From the data collected, we can see the audience for Horror is made up of 55% men and 45% women.Although horror is loved by both genders the male audience seems to prefer it more. This is because stereotypically men are seen to be thrill seekers and love watching violence. In addition to this, they are more susceptible to blood and gore then women due to the stereotype men are immature.

Moreover, most Horror movies are aimed at the middle class and working class because of the thrill, elation and pleasure the audience experience at a relatively cheap price.
In conclusion, Horror films are aimed at the middle class mostly males between the ages of 15-24.

This is a audience comparable profile for A Nightmare On Elm Street. Some aspects of our opening two minutes are similar to this film. It's interesting to see what groups the film was most popular with.

We can see the movie was a big hit amongst both genders, especially the male audience, aged between 15-24 and 25-34. Normally, horror films are mostly watched by 15-24-year-olds, however, because the movie is an 18 it’s understandable. Additionally, the profile also shows the class the film was most popular with C1 and C2. 

Furthermore, this will help us make a decision on what to class our opening two minutes and what we can include in our film to attract a wider audience.

RESEARCH AND PLANNING TASK: FILM INSTITUTIONS

20^th Century Fox is an American film corporation found in 1935, which is one of the six major American film studios, located in century city area of Los Angeles.  It’s one of the most well- known and recognised film institutions in the word. The most successful films were produced by 20^th Century Fox some examples are Avatar, Star Wars, Speed, and Titanic.  Mostly, the majority of popular and successful films produced by 20th Century Fox are Comedy & Family genre films such as Ice Age, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Deadpool.

They prefer to make these genres because it's the most profitable as it’s appealing to a wider range of audience children and adults. In addition to this, the 20th Century Fox also makes horror films for example:  From Hell, Jennifer’s Body and The Omen. However, when it comes to horror films they prefer to distribute them rather than produce them. 

Universal Pictures also known as universal studios was founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmle. It’s one of the six major movie studios and is one of the oldest American movie studios that still continuous production. They create and distribute theatrical and non-theatrical filmed entertainment. Universal has achieved both popular and successes by producing movies like A Beautiful Mind, King Kong, and The Pianist. The film institution universal prefers to make movies based on Drama, Romance, and Adventure. This is because typically these genres are already very popular and successful.  However, although they are not well known for their horror films. Some recognised horror films, made or disturbed, by Universal Pictures, are Drag Me to Hell and Dead Silence.

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.  Founded by four brothers in 1923 and currently owned
by the company Time Warner.  Warner Bros is a major entertainment company based in California and New York.It produces television, Films, and music entertainment. In addition, it’s considered to be a global leader in distribution, creation, marketing and licensing all forms of creative content across different media platforms. 

Warner Bros are known for making numerous successful films, for example, Harry Potter, The Dark Knight,Slumdog Millionaire, and Conjuring etc. Furthermore, they produce and distribute a variety of genres from comedy, fantasy, horror, Adventure, romance and Action. This is because by producing a variety of films, suited for different types of viewers, it appeals and attracts a wider range of audience.  

Usually, a movie created by Warner Bros has a very high budget. This is because the company has a lot of money from having success in the film industry.  In the year 2009, Warner Bros made history by becoming the first film studio to gross more than $2 billion internationally in a single year.

Hammer is a film production company based in the UK founded in 1934.  There work is best known for producing series of Gothic Horror between the mid-1950s until the 1970s. Movies created by Hammer are The Curse Of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy. 

In the late 1960s and 1970s, the market for the genre horror was so competitive that Hammer lost American fundings. This led to the company shutting down in the 1980s.

However, in the year 2007 they produced films after announcing plans to begin making movies again in 2000.  More recently they are known for making women in Black that earned around  $20 million in the opening weekend. This made history for the hammer production company, as the movie became the highest-grossing British horror film in 20 years.

RESEARCH AND PLANNING TASK:CERTIFICATE RESEARCH

U Stands for “universal” if a movie is rated U this means it should be suitable for all ages over 4 years

Themes in a U rated movie should be a subject that is appropriate for the younger audience to watch for example movies like Toy story.

Use of bad language should be infrequent and occasionally used. In addition to this the language used should be suitable for the target audience e.g. “dam” 

The violence used in U rated movies are very mild such as little threats and brief scenes where the characters are in danger.

Weapons can be shown and carried by characters, for example, the baddie. However, the weapons are not to be realistic or easy to get hold of such as a knife.

PG stands for “parental guidance “this means it’s suitable for children over the ages of 8. However, parents still advised to check whether or not the movie is suitable for their children. Examples of movies that are rated PG are Home Alone and Shrek. 

Themes in PG rated films can be based on topics that seen as grown up like crime, racism, and bullying.

Mild bad language can be such as “shit” can be used

Scenes such as some nudity are allowed but only if it’s not linked to any form of romantic activities.

Use of violence can be stronger than in U rated films, however,  should not be shown in detail. If violence is to occur it should only take place in comedy, historical and fantasy films.

 Weapons should not be a focus in the films or made to look attractive. If weapons are shown then it shouldn’t be something that is easy to get hold of and realistic.

12 A &12 show movies are acceptable for ages of 12 or over examples of movies that are considered a 12 A&12 is Mean Girls and Step Up.

12 rated movies contain topics that are not suitable for the ages under 12. 12A requires an adult in order to see the movie in the cinema.

Themes can be mature in 12 A and 12 rated movies but must be suitable for the young teenagers. Sex activity can be discreetly and briefly shown. However, it should reflect on what the 12-year olds already know perhaps from school.

Strong languages such as ‘Fuck” is allowed but must be infrequent and it depends on the manner which the word is used in.

In horror films, with this age certificate, it may include scenes that are intense and can occasionally show glory moments.    

Age certificate 15 shows the film is suitable for 15 years and over.No one under is able to watch it in the cinema or buy it on DVD. 

15 rated film contains strong material such as discriminatory languages and dangerous behavior such as suicide, self-harm. However, should not be shown in too much detail where is can be copied by the audience.

 Accessible weapons are allowed depending on the context

 Very strong use of language in a 15 rated film with frequent use of the word “fuck” and occasionally heavy swearing.

Strong violence is shown in a 15 however it should not dwell on the infliction of pain.

Drug taking and sexual activity can be portrayed without going into too much detail.

 An 18 is only for adults

Very strong use of violence reviling extreme gore and blood 

Involves offensive content and topics 

In an 18 it contains explicit images of sexual activity and may involve sexual assault.

Dangerous/ violent acts and drug taking is shown in detail 

RESEARCH AND PLANNING TASK:RESEARCH ON OUR CHOSEN EXAM GENRE

                                 

Why We Chose Horror 

For our opening two minutes we have decided to produce a horror film. After researching all genres we personally liked the effect horror had on the audience. The genre puts pressure onto our emotions to cause a negative reaction by playing on our fear and nightmares. Unlike like other genres I believe the use of technical elements such as mise- en-scene interacts and keep the audience engaged. In addition to this special effects used in horror is the part I most enjoy and appreciate. It helps create a specific tone and atmosphere compared to other genres like romance, comedy, and action. We hope to include this in our opening scene despite it being challenging and perhaps  even difficult.  

The genre horror originated with the expressionistic movement in Germany. In the late 1980s was when the film genre first became known. Le Manoir du diable known as The Haunted Castle was the first horror film made in 1896, which was said to be the best horror film. Once the genre gained popularity in 1960s budget for horror movies increased. This then lead to supernatural-themed films like the movie The Exorcist made in1973.   

Horror consists of playing with people’s fears designed to frighten, scare and shock the viewers. Despite that, the genre still captivates and entertains the audience. In most horror films it focuses on the dark side of life using common themes such as the supernatural and macabre. In addition to this, the genre may sometimes overlap with other genres such as fantasy, Sci-Fi or thriller. The concepts usually in the genre horror are good vs. evil, nightmare, insanity, serial killer, revenge and science gone badly.

Within horror there are sub-genres for example:

Action horror: In this subgenre, it includes elements of horror such as evil spirit or an event of supernatural elements mixed with convention in an action film for example gunfights and chase sequel. Themes that are common in action horror are gore, demons and most typically zombies. An example of this sub-genre is Dawn of the Dead. 

Slasher: This subgenre of horror involves serial/psychopathic killer who kills multiple victims in a violent and explicit way using a weapon of choices such as a hammer, saw or knife. This subgenre overlaps with genres like thriller and crime an example of a movie that is a slasher is Friday the 13Th.

 

Splatter: The subgenre splatter focuses on the graphic use of gore and graphic violence, such as gruesome murders, using special effect makeup and excessive blood. Movies such as Saw and Hostel are the example of the subgenre .The characters in the movie represent extreme vulnerability of the human body and its mutilation.

Psychological: This subgenre is based on realism and true stories, which is the reason why it’s popular in Modern day. By focusing on everyday life and reality psychological horror plays on the audience's fears to create discomfort. This is because the sub-genre exposes common and universal psychological vulnerabilities in order to frighten the audience. An example of movies that are of this genre is Orphan. 

Technical elements: Camera shots high and low angle are typically used as it can show dominances and innocence of the characters in the movie. The point of view shot is also used in horror films to show the standpoint of the antagonists.   

Usually, low-key lighting in horror films is dark to create a sense of mystery and curiosity hinting danger. Sounds in horror film are diegetic and non-diegetic in order to create tension in the atmosphere.       

Preliminary Evaluation

                                               

For our preliminary task, we created a video using the software Adobe premiere elements. The software is simple and easy to use for making videos to look impressive and professional.

There are a variety of tools available in the software. To make our video we used the ripple edit tool to trim the clip and make it flows continuously. The trickiest part about editing was matching the clips together to form continuity. It is important for the shot to seamlessly flow into each other in order to avoid jump cuts and messy editing.

Although we are happy with how our preliminary task turned out there are some strength and weaknesses.

Strengths

Our video runs smoothly without any jump or odd cuts between the different scenes. We were able to achieve this because we followed the rule of continuity editing. Furthermore, in our preliminary task we effectively used different shot types such match on action, shot reverse shot and rule of third. As it was the first time using the software our video was successful.

Weakness

One of our main weaknesses was sound between 0.10 sec and 0.12 sec the sound of the door is cut. When we were filming the footage we were more focused on getting the right camera angles and didn’t even take sound into consideration.

However, this will be one of our targets for the future when making our own films. Additionally, another target for us is getting more practice and comfortable in using the software.