Summer Essay

Explain the methods you used to attract your audience in your AS coursework.

Firstly when planning our coursework we considered all the possible ways that audience members could be involved or pulled into our work; through listings of word phrases used in the clips, words such as ‘you’ and ‘me’ to directly aim the character to the audience member. These direct pronouns accompanied with threatening and thrilling phrases such as ‘someone is coming’ and ‘who will it be next’ created that capturing effect we wanted to portray within the film or trailer when advertising our final product.
As our thriller film was aimed towards tribe wired/ technologically advanced people we decided that a frequent involvement with newer technology would be a way of attracting these ‘aimed’ audience members in. As our thriller was based around a stalker we decided that bringing the old convention of a stalker into the 21st century would attract these audience members. Instead of following people this character could follow the character through social networking sites such as facebook or MySpace; these sites are included in our clip. Another example is the variety of changes we include; shots vary from a character using the very vintage and iconic red telephone box to make a call, but later on in the scene the character is seen using the very latest form of a blackberry; showing the diversity to the technology interested audience members.
In general, our film is heavily based upon the usage of modern and relevant technology, ranging from blackberries, cameras and mac laptops; Involving these items also attract another group of audiences members which we aimed to address, the youth. As we are classified as the youth, we had an advantage of knowing what sort of items and ideas would appeal to our ages and below (relating to the age certificate, 15) Using items which were within possession of the audience is extremely important as it gives the opportunity for them to become involved with the film. By using a brand such as Blackberry or Apple there is a very high proportion that the audience have at least one of these items; similarly the fact that these items are used in creative and potentially interesting ways the aimed members of the audience will then be appealed to watch the film at the fact that there is a possibility that they could gain something by watching the film.
The variety of camera techniques that were included when filming the clips were pre-planned to stick to the relevant style of the film. As the plot was involving secrets and stalking, the decision to stay within the plots style and act as though the character is being spied on himself. Frequent shots are taken from the character facing away from the screen, creating the effect that the film crew are behind him, almost copying the characters style of ‘stalking’ and hiding. Often the shots are from far away and followed by a slow zoom, this is stereotypically a ‘stalker’ style, characteristic and relevant in most films related to stalkers and spying. Our plan was to create the sense that the camera was another insight to the story, to show the plotline in another way, other than the obvious of one character following another. This plan, including the cameras, was aimed to attract the audience members who are passionate about media or productions.
I often find myself watching a film, and noticing all the small details, most commonly the editing. I find myself critiquing whether if I remade the film, I could edit it better, or whether there was more potential. For these types of audience members, we decided to try and be original with the editing styles. For a start, the direct start shows the photo and name of the production company, this involved a lot of editing. The photo itself was played about with on Photoshop, black and white effects, originally a red tint, texture effects, ageing, filters and stretching. The fonts of the credits and names were downloaded, created especially to suit the style and genre relevant to thriller and stalkers. All these little touches were added especially (firstly for quality) but secondly to appeal to the audience members who appreciate quality within a film. Attracting the audience members who love a good film, media fanatics, producers, students and even teachers; I wanted this to try and be an example, or even a comparison for media. I believe that all the contributions added helped this aim.
When considering sound, the audience we aimed to attract is similar to before; the fanatics and those audience members who appreciate the variety and quality of music. We used the combination of music and speech to appeal and attract to these audience members. The track heard behind the clips was produced by Alex, using his knowledge of music and production to create these relevant tones and beats that created exactly what our film required. When I listen to the track it seems clear that there is a lot of thought behind the production; when combining the music and film clips there is the opportunity to admire the precise timing and effects in place to portray exactly what we wanted. This contribution to the sound production was aimed to appeal to audience members who appreciate the whole package, sound, mis en scene, camera and editing.
Stating the obvious, we tried to attract audience members who were interested in thrillers; people who enjoyed watching, people who were involved in thrillers or even people who were interested in crime and killing. We knew the importance of attracting our key audience members; if the film didn’t attract them to watch it, what luck would there be in any success. We decided that the main conventions had to be there, stalker, mysterious characters, twisted plot line and creativity. We used a variety of mise en scene and camera to ensure the essentials were present; firstly the portrayal of the character. We decided the woman ‘Sarah’ should never be clearly shown within the beginning; I personally believe that this element works very well.
I think that our audience wanted to be thrilled, sounding vacant, but to state the obvious. If they watch a Thriller film they want to be thrilled, excited, involved and shocked at times. I would like to believe, considering that our whole film would be made, that the concept of the plot accompanied by the production our film would provide that. When considering the introduction to the thriller, I think that it provides a good insight and starting point to what the film could develop into, leaving no easy expectations or the possibility of guessing what could happen in the end. To me, if you can guess what happens, then the film is to cliché and isn’t really a success... especially if the film is a thriller; and I would like to believe that this film would have been a success.