EshaAS2014: Audience Research

Secondary Research:

Before conducting primary research I wanted to first complete secondary research in order to gain an idea of the standard age range of the genre, remind myself of the sub-genres and this also allow me to compare my own results to my Internet findings to see if they corroborate.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) set the guidelines for film makers to work with and then certificate them afterwards. From previous research thriller films tend to be geared towards teenage and adult audiences, indicated by the film certificates. This becomes more obvious when on the BBFC website:

12/12A: [1]

Suitable for children aged 12 and over, taking very young children not recommend.
Strong language may be passed, dependent on the manner in which it is used. Aggressive use of strong language not suitable. There may be moderate language.
Discriminatory language and behaviour not allowed.
Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Verbal sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Comedy may lessen the impact but frequent crude sex references are unlikely to be accepted. There may be nudity but in a sexual context should only be brief and discreet. This is all irrespective of sexuality.
Moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. No emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by their context.
Action sequences and weapons may be present, there may be long fight scenes or similar. Easily accessible weapons, such as knives, should not be glamorised.
Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated. Must also have a strong contextual justification.
Moderate physical and psychological threat is permitted as long as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall tone is not disturbing.
Dangerous behaviour, such as hanging and suicide, may be present but will not dwell on detail which could be copied or present those activities in a manner that children are likely to copy.
Anti-social behaviour should not be endorsed.
There may be infrequent sight of drugs misuse but portrayal should not be glamorised or provide instructional detail.

15: [2]

Not suitable for children under 15 years of age.
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Strong violence permitted but it should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable
Frequent strong language permitted. Occasionally there may be uses of the strongest terms, depending on the manner in which they are used. Continued or aggressive use will not normally be passed.
Portrayals of sexual activity permitted, but usually without strong detail.
Strong verbal references to sex permitted but portrayal depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context.
Sexual nudity permitted, but usually without strong detail.
Brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence permitted.
Discriminatory language or behaviour permitted.
Drug taking permitted but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be accepted.
Dangerous behaviour such as hanging, suicide and self-harming should not dwell on detail which could be copied.

I also looked at the 18 certificate but I deemed it not suitable for the film I am making. I feel that by pitching at an older audience I would loose a portion that I could really represent well due to being able to cast younger actors.

However 12 seems too young as there are many restrictions, obviously in place to protect younger members of the audience, but this may hinder my opening sequence.

I looked at the age ratings for some popular thriller films to help me decide: [3]

Inception (2010): 12A
Pulp Fiction (1994): 18
The Dark Knight (2008): 12A
The Usual Suspects (1995): 18
The Silence of the Lambs (1991): 18
Se7en (1995): 18
Memento (2000): 15
Die Hard (1988): 15
Heat (1995): 15

From this it seems that there are thriller films exist successfully across all three ratings. However this does mean that thriller films are usually targeted at teenagers, young adults and beyond. For this reason I will try to aim my product at 12 year olds and older. If, once my product is finished, my opening sequence does not meet the strict requirements of the certificate then it will have to be pushed up to a 15. I would like to aim for 12 as it would widen my audience.

I also want to ask people what their favourite sub genre of thriller films is, as I would like to see if there is any pattern between certain sub genres with age or gender. Here is a very helpful slideshare, explaining several sub genres, that I used for research: [4]

Primary Research: In order to execute my research I created a questionnaire, based on my secondary research, the opening scenes analysis and my own ideas for my opening sequence.