Research Into Audience (Maisie Walker)

Thriller endure many sub genres which appeal to a range of different audiences

Crime Thrillers

For a  crime thriller research shows that they would appeal to teenagers and above. This is because they involve a lot of violence, crime and bad language. Most of the films researched were at a certificate of 15 and above. These films consisted of Night Crawler and the November Man. On the other hand films such as Sin City and The Departed were classed as an 18 or above. This means that the film can only appeal to those over the age of 18 which is therefore limiting their teenage audience.

Horror Thrillers

An example of a horror thriller would be Cabin in the Woods, the age rating for this particular film is a 15 therefore anyone over the age of 15 is able to watch. Much like all films, it is down to the parents permission whether children under the age certificate are able to watch. Another example of a horror thriller would be Psycho which is also a 15, this is a 1960's thriller therefore the horror aspect of the film isn't going to be as scary for children now days. Finally, House at the end of the street is a 2012 horror thriller which is certified at 15.

We found out that most Horror Thrillers that we looked at are certified at the age rating of 15, this is a fair rating as the film with have a broader audience.

Sci-Fi Thriller
An example of a Sci-Fi thriller would be Lucy, the age rating for this is a 15 as there is alcohol and drug use and frightening/intense scenes. In addition, The Jacket certificate has an age rating of 15, this is because sex/nudity and violence and gore is shown throughout the film. Finally Inception which was released in 2010 has the certificate of a 12. This is an anomaly because all of the films researched so far are at the age rating of a 15 apart from Inception which is a 12.

Action Thriller
The Purge Anarchy was released in 2014, this film is an action thriller because the use of frightening and intense scenes and a large use of profanity. The certificate for this film is a 15 however, due to the overuse of gore and death, i think it should be an 18 as it can be disturbing for younger viewers. Another example of an Action Thriller would be The Expendables 3, this has the certificate rating of 12A which is much lower than any other films we have researched. This is because of a large use of profanity and violence and gore, due to this, i believe that it should be at least a 15.

Psychological Thriller
The Ring is an example of a Psychological thriller, the certificate for this particular film is a 15 because of frightening/intense scenes. Another example of a psychological thriller would be Cube released in 1997, the certificate is a 15 again. However, in our opinion, this should be a 12 because, due to research, there are no traces of alcohol or drug use, profanity is used 2 times and nudity is not seen within the film. This makes the film mild and appropriate for children over 12 and under 15. Finally Saw includes horrific scenes of gore and violence, due to this, the film has been certified as an 18. This is also an anomaly because many Thriller films are at the certificate of 15. The use of an 18 restricts the audience as you are unable to have teens attend the screenings in the cinema.
Foreign Thriller
Headhunters has the certificate of a 15, this is because sex and nudity and violence and gore. This film was released in 2011

Our target audience was originally aimed at the age range of 15-50 but we have done more research into this age range and we feel our film will be best suited to people of a little older but not an 18 directly because the rest of the film does go to hard hitting extremes with the images of attack, rape and abuse to show the gritty realism of this day’s society. It also has images of the cuts which can be perceived as gore and may not be appropriate for the age range, but this will reduce our viewers and there are no graphic images the only reason we are hesitating putting the age of 15 because people may underestimate how real the situation is. Also certain shots in the film can be classed as ‘nudity’, in the two minute opening there’s a shot of the main character in the shower showing just her feet and the pool of blood beneath her after the attack and there is no nudity involved but some may find it inappropriate. We feel this is a prime way to show the events which have occurred. 

When we presented the pitch the our peers they asked very good questions regarding our age range and why we feel it may be too hard hitting for a 15 age range but too high for an 18 range. We have now edited our 2 minute opening of a feature film to shots of her feet in the shower instead of her running through the woods to show it was directly after the attack not while it was happening as we feel it was to hard to get the lighting correct and the right timing for certain angles with the running.