RESEARCH - Film Audiences

The film industry has power yet it needs to listen and to respond to audiences. In Film and Media Studies the view of the audience has undergone a great deal of change. In the olden days the main task of promoting a film was a little easier as there was not so much competition for audiences from other media - television, video, cable and satellite din not exist. Nevertheless, there was competition amongst film studios, for audiences and there were various attempts to package films according to particular selling points, for example stars, genres, directors and special effects. These same selling devices are evident in trailers and posters for films today.

Media production has increased throughout the twentieth century to give audiences the opportunity to experience stories told in a range of media: cinema, television, magazines and on the internet and the task of attracting audiences to see films at the cinema has not become easier, but arguably, more difficult with so much competition. With these media developments the cinema-going audience has a more challenging point of view. The audience is no longer viewed by producers or theorists as easily influenced into ‘buying’ their product. Instead, knowing the audience and how to appeal to them has become a source of considerable research and debate.

Comedy/ romance- Women/young girls aged 12 and over as it is more funny and it can be situations they can relates to and there nearly always a happy ending

Action packed- Teenage boys and over as it has more violence, gun fights which boys tend to me associated.

Animated – kids and young children

Target audiences for thriller films would be around 16-25 years as most are rated 15 and over. For our film, this can be related to by the audience, as our main characters are teenagers/young adults, and therefore audiences can relate.
The gender of the target audience isn't as specific as age ranges however it can be mainly boys as it contains more gruesome parts or jumpy parts which women may not be fond of.