Target Audience for Horror films

The target audience for horror films is normally people between the age of 15-25. This is because young people seek thrills. Many young people are not put off by the graphic images, but they are drawn to them. The Human Centipede is well known for its graphic images and themes. Older audiences may be put off by such violence.

Horror films are generally aimed at the middle class. This is because they are able to acquire thrills at reasonably low costs. For the lower class a horror film may be a way for them to escape their less exciting lives.

Many young females also enjoy the horror genre, although they are most commonly aimed at males. Males are seen as immature, therefore they are more likely going to be into the blood, guts and gore that is normally in a horror film. Horror films are mainly aimed at males because stereotypically males enjoy the violence more than females and the thrill seeking attitude is also linked with males more than females.

Horror films can also be aimed at groups of people because normally it s a social event to go out with friends and get scared together by watching a horror film. groups of teenagers are also attracted to  these types of films as it gives them something to talk about afterwards. However, generally the target audience is people who have an interest in films that contain blood and intense horror. They may also be targeted at people who enjoy mystery because sometimes in a horror film, not everything is explained to us at the beginning of the film and we have to watch more for the information to be unraveled.

Location Planning

For our short film we were planning to film part of it outside in a park/forest area. We though about places such as a park near silverlink road which is also situated near TORC or Belgrave lakes.

Script

Script – screenplay

Starts in the forest on a Friday night and it’s dark and creepy

Girl is screaming and running away from something. She is panting heavily and running as fast as she can. Someone is running after her.

Still outside we see her stop and she is panting heavily and then everything goes quiet. Just as she is about to turn around we see a hand cover her mouth and she screams.  (when editing: add in title sequence with some creepy background music).

The next scene is then at the school. There are a group of teenagers quietly discussing something in the corner of the canteen.

Lily: I haven’t seen her since Friday afternoon when I dropped her off at home. She mentioned something about going on a date with some guy.

 Josh: Has anyone heard from her since then?

Ryan: No, she seemed a bit conflicted when I last saw her; like something was definitely wrong, she just didn’t want to tell me.

Josh: When was this?

Ryan: Friday afternoon.

They all look at each other, confused about what is happening and their thoughts.

(Detective Atkinson and some officers walk through the canteen up towards the teenagers in the corner)

Atkinson: Hello, I’m Detective Atkinson, I’m working on a new case. I need to speak to you all separately so please can you follow me.

(They follow the detective to the room and they each wait outside for their turn to be questioned)

Josh: I haven’t seen her since Friday morning.

Ryan:  She seemed conflicted.

Lily: She was meeting some guy.

Atkinson: hmmm (in deep thought)

Skips back to the beginning scene.

Storyboard for film