Evaluation Question 5

HOW DID YOU ADRESS/ATTRACT YOUR AUDIENCE?

Audience research allowed my group and I to decide upon possible additions to our film that were previously undecided. We used a variety of mediums to obtain this information. Ultimately audience research allowed our film to be a good as possible as we could engage effectively with our target audience. As I said, undecided issues were resolved through audience research one of these examples is the possible addition of a flashback as we felt that the storyline of our opening sequence lacked narrative however we were unsure if this flashback would take away from the films atmosphere. After the questionnaires, focus group and interviews we found that the majority of our target audience did not feel a flashback was required. This is just one example however multiple decisions were allowed to be made which not only helped my group and I but made catering for the target audience easier and more effective. We also found that many features we had decided on ourselves were ideal for our target audience. 
This is seen from the choice of location,
 100% of people asked stated that our chosen location (a boxing arena) was best suited for the film after being presented with multiple options. This occurred numerous times and it allowed peace of mind for the group that we were on the right track to making a successful film. This peace of mind allowed us to be more decisive in the way we would produce the film making us more time efficient which in turn meant the film could be of a higher standard. Audience research also allowed us as a group to understand how the film should be edited and how we would film the opening sequence. We found that the people asked favoured fast paced action films over slow ones. This meant that during the shooting of the film we filmed from multiple different angles meaning the shots could be a sufficient length but still fast paced. When editing we made sure that kept all shots short, tis put emphasis on the actions of characters. We found this piece of information out through questionnaires. The audience research also allowed us to chose a fitting track for the non-diegetic sound that would be played. The original idea was to have a slow track that would build up tension slowing increasing throughout the duration of the piece. But due to research we adapted this and made fewer moments of high intensity such as the shadow boxing and the actual fight sequence. We also found from our audience research that our target audience expanded beyond possibly what we had originally aimed for. During the questionnaire stage a large number were filled out so I felt it worthy to ask some males outside the age ranges and three females. We found that both these sections of people were interested in the film so we can branch out further than expected. Also in the interview we spoke to a female and she stated that she was also interested in the film and would watch it. In conclusion the audience research allowed multiple issues to be solved and for our film to be more successful than it would have been without it.


The methods of research used allowed my group and I to tailor the sequence we would make around our audience, intending to make it as watchable, engaging and exciting as possible. Our film has been tailored in multiple ways for our audience. The first major way we have done this is through the amount of action used. During the script writing process my group and I made sure that there was a sufficient amount of action included in multiple parts of the total sequences. We shot the shadow boxing sequence for a number of reasons but the main one was so the ounce could immediately become engaged with the action that is very desirable for an audience such as ours. The other place in our sequence we have used action is the fight sequence at the end. 

From watching multiple films with the same genre as ours we know that conventionally opening sequences of an action genre end with a high intensity piece of action, such as never back down and blood and bone. 

 

This means the audience will have a recognisable convention of an action film, this will enable them to become engaged with it and enjoy it. We therefore have sided with the argument presented by Steve Neale's in his Genre theory as he states that audience enjoy seeing either a repetitive aspect of a film or a difference. We have chosen to follow the theory in the opening of our sequence as if an audience can identify genre early then this would cause the viewing experience to be better. Although we have sued with Niels' theory in the repetition aspect at the start of our sequence throughout the rest of the film we had planned to switch to the 'difference' side of this theory as I believe predictable endings cause the film to be worse. The way the film was edited and shot was all to cater to our audience. The multiple shots we filmed were so we could edit our film to be fast paced but still of a sufficient length so the audience would not get bored. This comes from the fact our target audience will typically be those who are sporty themselves, or are adrenaline junkies so by making a face paced film it means they will enjoy this the most. Our film has been tailored to appeal to a wide range of people. Firstly a vast age range is in our target audience description, this is because we want to be able to sell our film to the largest number of people possible to ensure maximum profitability. We have catered to this large age range, firstly by, even during he violent scenes, using minimal graphic content so the film would not have an age rating that exceeds our target audience. This was also taken into consideration whilst writing the script, we did not use any explicate language as this too would cause the age rating to be exceeded. From the research i have done independently away from my group I believe our film will be

  
This age rating means fairly young children can view our film as I believe it is something they will be excited by, tell their friends about it and be willing to view. On the other end of the scale we had originally aimed for a maximum age of 50, however whilst filming and editing I feel we could aim higher than this as the viewing of violence, action and sport is something that appeals to people, mainly males, over the age of 50 so there is no need for a cap of 50 years old on our age range. This vast age range means the marketability.
'Hidden meanings' in our opening sequence are non-existent and everything displayed is as it is. This is because I am in agreement with the Post structuralism theory, speaking from experience and conversations i have had with people the ability of audiences to deconstruct an opening sequence is rare as well as the willingness to do so, this therefore would make hide meaning redundant so all of the visuals are used for simple purposes, this way i believe the film will be the most enjoyable. Not only do I believe that the majority of all audience follow that hypothesis, but more specifically i feel even more of my target audience would do this. Since our audience falls into many of the classes proposed b Young's and Rubicam in theory audience classification theory all of these classes would especially not be interested in deconstructing pieces and more in watching them for fun. Our target audience is composed of 'strugglers', 'mainstream' and 'explorers' all of whom would not be interested in the so called 'hidden meanings' that  structuralist theories propose. This chosen approach by my group and myself means the audience can understand all aspects of narrative as they are clear, meaning the overall viewing experience is as high as it can be. In addition to signifiers of narrative making the overall narrative clear we ill also be following a linear narrative to ensure the film is as comprehendible as possible, so audiences don't get lost in time jumps. We will also have a closed narrative so the audience is not left questioning anything as generally, most notably explores, seek the answers to the previous enigma codes.


I believe that the audience ability to identify genre is key for a successful film. If a films genre can't be recognised then the storyline and narrative would have to be weak and it would be lacking in many vital areas. From these opinions my group and I decided to make genre as identifiable as possible as we believe that genre can always be understood. The first method we used to signify genre is visual iconography, this method is used multiple times. We first see the shadow boxing which displays the genre as action due to the recognisable feature. The boxing gloves are also used for the same purpose. Not only are the boxing gloves used to signify genre but also as an action code. They are a clear indicator to the audience that boxing will be a key element of our piece. These boxing gloves coupled with the shadow boxing gives an impression of narrative and genre all with in the first few moments of the scene. As i said the gloves are used as an action code, codes are something used frequently throughout our film, both enigma and action. The usage of enigma codes comes from analysing never back down as the questions posed by these enigma codes causes the audience, in that case me, to become involved and engaged with the film wanting to watch on. From that research I have chosen to use enigma codes in my opening piece in dialogue such as "you know what you are fighting for." These codes are a direct result of the study of both never back down and Roland bath's code theory. Codes are used so the media texts can be used to help audiences interpret texts and understand their narrative. We have also used audio to signify the genre, the heavy breathing at the start during the shadow boxing shows genre as the protagonist is shown to be determined, passionate and powerful. These features show the genre as they are specific to this particular genre meaning it is extremely identifiable. 


By using a repertoire of elements in our opening sequence it comes across very conventional. Like I previously stated a recognisable genre is key so by allowing the audience to identify genre in the opening sequence it means they can become engaged in the film and begin to think how they feel the rest f the film will pan out. By having an overly conventional start the audience would believe the rest of the film would follow this pattern, in this case the protagonist trains, fights and works his way to a victory he has been searching for. This was intended by my group as the audience would feel they could predict the ending, but we had planned to switch from a conventional start to an unconventional end as it allows the audience excitement as what they thought would happen does not occur. This is seen in films such as 'cool runnings.' 

 There are sometimes issues surrounding this, for example the audience could be dissatisfied with the ending meaning the film would loose creditability, but in certain cases it may do the opposite if the protagonist manages to find themselves, or achieve some kind of goal and take a 'moral victory.'
As well as enigma codes audience would want to continue watching for multiple reasons. The fact we  have used a restricted narrative means that the audience would continue watching in order to gain an understanding of the narrative and to know the character better.
The uses of are film coincide with the  Uses and gratifications theory, it can be used for entertainment as it relieves from the boredom. It is used for entertainment as it is a thrilling film that fuels adrenaline amongst the audience. Social interaction is another aspect of uses and gratifications that is met by our film, it enables people to watch it together. Generally the people is friendship groups are similar so that would enable all members or a particulate group to partake in the watching of our film.
Utopian solutions are also offered are also offered, boredom can be met with excitement as, what i previously stated, it is a adrenaline fuelled. This theory is very similar to uses and gratifications so again the social interaction aspect can be met.

This is a compilation of me asking members of my target audience what they liked and disliked about the film, as well as if they would watch it if the whole film was to be made.