evaluation, question 4



Q4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

A target audience is a vital component to the production of a film. An audience must be targeted in order to get an idea of who the film must be aimed towards and therefore what must be added to attract various social groups. Generally the target audience has a large influence on the plot, characters and overall presentation of key events within the film. This is due to the film having to be altered so that it relates to targeted social groups. The target audience is mainly developed to increase viewings.

The target audience that my sequence is aimed at is teenagers; more specifically aged 15-20. This was decided upon as they are a key age group that have a large influence in society, meaning that although the film would be directed at them it could evolve to attract a widespread range of thriller fans. Teenagers are also generally seen to be very interested in the thriller genre as they enjoy getting a thrill out of the experience. Considering my sequence is highly conventional to the thriller genre this age group seemed the perfect choice as the target audience.

The sequence itself has been altered in order to attract this target audience. Firstly, the sequence is focused around typical teenagers, going to school, watching television and having a busy social life. This stereotypical presentation of teenagers is shown through the characters of Brittany and Carol, the victims. 
One way in which these characters are presented as stereotypical teenagers is through the plot and their tendency to take short cuts. The teenagers are seen taking various short cuts within the sequence through a council estate, a forest and an overgrown pathway, which are seen to be isolated and dangerous settings. This use of mise en scene and setting shows the girls to be stereotypical to their teenage age group as teenagers are typically seen being lazy and irresponsible when trying to get to places as quick as possible.
In addition to this, towards the start of the sequence, the two female victims are furthermore shown to be stereotypical teenagers. This was achieved through the iconography of the various pictures showing the girls that the antagonist is obsessing over. The pictures are 'selfies' a modern commodity where teenagers take photos of themselves for social network sites. It shows them as outgoing and conceited. These are stereotypical traits of a modern day teenager.

Another way in which the film targets the teenage age group is through its typical thriller conventions. Teenagers are generally seen to be fans of the thriller genre, so by making the sequence as conventional as possible it might appeal to their interests.
One conventional scene within the sequence is when Brittany’s friend is murdered by the antagonist. The sequence is based around the death of the victims friend, it is used to show the danger that Brittany is in. A way in which the death is shown with such significance is through editing; in particular slow editing when slowing the shot of the victim dead on the gravel. By slowing this shot down it develops the shock as the audience see the innocent girl die, plus the audience think more into the reasons behind the murder and the potential identity of the killer. It builds up a sense of shock and suspense for the viewers which are both key conventions of the thriller genre.
Another convention within the sequence consists of the female/male antagonist and victim relationship. This is highly conventional to the thriller genre. We feel sympathetic towards the younger, innocent female victim and fearful of the more dominant male antagonist. This results in a key relationship being built between the audience and the characters. It adds to the suspense and fear within intense parts of the plot, making it very conventional to the genre.


These thriller conventions are developed upon throughout the sequence; this should help attract the teenage target audience as they enjoy the shocking and thrilling factor of the thriller genre.