Task 3 - Concluded Findings from Film Questionnaire

    As part of our AS media coursework we have been asked to create a two minute opening sequence for a new horror film. In order to find out what audiences would like to see within a new horror film, we were required to conduct a questionnaire which was then handed out and completed by a number or participants. The overall findings are as follows:


What is your personal favourite horror film:

  Final Destination (3), Halloween (1), Insidious (1), Saw (3), [Rec] (1), The Grudge (1)


  The films stated above vary in the type of horror film that they are. The most popular films were 'Final Destination' and 'Saw'. Both of these films differ in the type of horror film that the are. 'Final Destination' is an American horror/thriller which follows the lives of young people in persuit of cheating death. The film has a distinct story line and is primarily aimed at teenagers. 'Saw' however, is aimed at an older audience due to its rating being an 18, contrasted with 'Final Destination' being a 15 therefore containing a lot less gore than 'Saw' does. Neither films contain particularly famous actors and actresses, but enthrall the audience with its compelling story.


  What is your favourite type of music to be included the opening of a horror film:

   Orchestral (3), 'Dark Music' (4), Increasing Tempo Piano (2), Atmospheric (1)


   The most favoured type of music which audiences would like to hear within a horror film is 'Dark Music' which can be a combination of atmospheric, and increasing tempo music (perhaps orchestrial) which creates an eerie feeling for the audience and implies darkness and fear.


   Preferred gender of:

       Protagonist: Male (6) Female (4)
       Antagonist: Male (8) Female (2)

The majoity of the participants asked have concluded that they would rather see a male gendered protagonist and antagonist. 


Most expected colour of opening titles:

   Red and Black (8)

   Red (1)

   Red, Orange and Yellow (1)


   All of the participants asked decided they would like to see the colour red in the opening titles. However, the most favoured option was red comined with black as this was favoured at the most 'spooky' looking colour combination and is a common convention found in the opening of horror films. A red coloured font against a black background is particularly creepy-looking and is somewhat conventional for horror films.


   Favourite type of killer:

   Zombie: (5)

Vampire: (0)

Ghost: (2)

Child: (1)

Axe murderer: (0)

Cannibal: (1)

Normal person possessed: (0)

Attractive Female Villain: (1)


Our participants comcluded that they most favour horror films which revolve around the ideas of 'zombies'.


Preferred type of Film:

    Linear (7)

    Non-Linear (3)
  
  When asked whether the participants would rather watch a linear (chronological from start to finish) or non-linear (jumps back and forwards, perhaps to suggest a character's flash backs) they concluded that they would prefer to see a linear film. This film type is generally easier to follow, therefore since horror films are usually based on gore, anticipation and threat, a non-linear film is not always necessary as the audience is interested by the effects within the film, more so than a complicated storyline which invokes flash backs in a non-linear style. 


   Preferred location of Film

   Woods: (5)

House party: (3)

Suburban Street: (2)


Prefer to see a twist?

    Yes: (8)

 No: (2)


Ideal rating?

   12: (1)

15: (5)

18: (4)

Overall, people would like to have parallel sounds that compliment what we see on screen during the opening sequence. For example, a scary image will be complemented with the sound of eerie music which makes the audience feel uneasy and unnerved. The title colour most dominantly wanted by the asked participants was red and black, and a linear narrative was more favoured. This type of narrative is generally the easiest to understand, as it goes in a chronological order. The horror genre is not one for captivating its audience with a thought-provoking analytical storyline, but uses gore and brutality to shock and frighten audiences. The favoured type of killer is zombies and more people wanted a twist at the end of the film, as well as an element of black comedy.  The majority of people would like to see the film being located within the woods. The overall rating would be expected my participants to be a '15'.
Although our participants concluded that they would prefer to see a male antagonist, we have challenged the conventions which are followed by many horror films by allocating the role of antagonist to a young attractive female.