Thriller Film Audience Research

Thriller Film Audience Research

What I want to find out?

• What are the expectations of a low budget/main budget films.
• How does ages effect expectation of films.
• Does the use of a well known director make people want to view a film.
• Does the use of a wall known actor/s make people want to view a film.

How am I going to find out?

• Questionnaire aimed at the customers, asking them the questions.
• Interview with a person from three different aged groups - then compare.
• Put the information into a graph/talk about and compare the graphs.
• Compare and talk about the questionnaires.

What I expect to find out

• Famous actors bring more audiences to the cinema.
• Most people will prefer to go see a mainstream film.
• (Editted Out)

Media Film Consumption Task

Film Consumption Task

For my task, I decided to pick two key areas to research. These two areas were, "Marital status" and "Film Consumption"

The aim of my research, was to see whether or not, marital status has a direct implication as to where a person views a film.

I decided, to ask thirty people, (ten from each marital category - to make it fair) their preffered way to consume films, I then put all the data into a graph to show the outcomes. Once this was complete I asked several why they preffered the option they chose, and also did a brief questionnaire on favoured Cinemas.

Graph Of Results - Marital Status/Favoured Consumption
Here, is the graph of results (Click To Enlarge) that I recived after inputting the data gained from the questionnaire. The results mainly go as I would expect them too, such as the majority of people "In a relationship" preferring to consume films at the cinema. However, there were some suprises such as the large gap between amount of films watched on TV by married couples and those in a relationship. I was also suprised by the fact none of the thirty people questioned chose the option of watching a film on the computer as their preffered way of viewing a film. I must note again though, that due to only thirty people being interviewed these findings may lack relevance to a questionnaire handed out to thousands of members of the public.

Graph Results - Preffered CinemaHere, are the results from my second question ("Favoured Norwich Cinema"), set out in a pie chart (Click To Enlarge). The results again were mainly as expected, with Norwich favourites Vue and ODEON contesting for top spot. Unfortuneately as expected Cinema City was down at the bottom of the chart closely followed by Hollywood Cinema. When asked to why the choice people chose was chosen, the general feedback suggested Vue and ODEON offered a far better atmosphere, appropriate film screening times and a very good selection of up to date films to choose from. My results seem to suggest even at the current economical climate people are generaly happy to spend a little extra money to watch a recent release at a well known cinema chain.

British Advert

Perfume Advert

Here, is my finished perfume/cologne advert. My main idea, was the use of the red arrows, I used the red arrows, as i wanted my advert to feel british, but at the same time I wanted it to differ from the general idea of Britishness meaning Red busses/Beefeaters/London Sights etc.

To start off, I used photoshop to create my actual perfume bottle. I found an image of a blank bottle that seemed appropriate and cropped it to a decent size, I then added an image of a British bulldog ontop, to add the feeling of britishness and pride. Once my bottle was complete i began a search for a suitable Red Arrows image. I used the image i did, due to the fact the image really shows the beauty and magnificence of the planes, the way the trailing smoke of red/white and blue (also coloures of the union jack) melt into the sky gives a feeling of beauty and pride.

"Movement" is the title given to my perfume, I chose this due to the fact it suggests that by using this product you are part of something big and british. Movement also fits in with the way the Red Arrows glide through the sky trailing their iconic coloured smoke. I chose "Fly Your Colours" as my slogon as very much like the product name it suggests you are part of something big, and that by using this product you are showing the world you are proud to be british.

I wanted to use an appropriate font for my advert, that would resemble my design and not look out of place. The font I used fits well with my design, the way each letter links together looks similar to the way the Red arrows weave inbetween each other and i am pleased with this connection.

I am generaly pleased with the outcome of my advert, I believe the use of iconic british images would attract those wishing to buy into a product that resembled the british lifestyle. However, with more time, I would probably change the design on the bottle due to the fact a Bulldog could suggest the product lacks the scent of beauty and sophistication. I also believe the design lacks a third element to it, with more time I would like to include a person on the far right side of the advert, prehaps a pilot.

Thelma and Louise

"Thelma and Louise"
Directed by Ridley Scott - (1991)


Thelma and Louise, uses various techniques to make it fit into the genre conventions of a thriller film. Directed by Ridley Scott, the film uses various techniques and a well written plot to give the idea that the two women live in a world where men control everything. Scott however uses his skills as a director to change this view throughout the film, allowing the two women to take control of their own lives and go against the stereotypical view that it is men only who can have control.

Here is a prime example of the way, Ridley Scott suggests that the world Thelma and Louise live in is a male orientated one. Scott uses massive manly looking veichles in the form of lorrys to act as threatening objects, to the women who are driving their stereotypical female car. The use of lorrys in this metaphorical way, suggests that Scott wants to show that the women are trying to escape from their male run lives, allowing them to be free, however the lorrys are effectively trying to block them from doing so.

Again this image shows us how Scott uses manly objects as threatening ones. The oncomming lory looms over the small car as it steams forward, the dark background is set alight by the floodlights on the lorry, suggesting it see's itself as important and threatening. Arguably just like a stereotypical man. Furthermore the enclosed space of the bridge, adds a feeling of tension and claustrophobia, giving the whole event various elements of excitement and suspense.

Jackie Brown

"Jackie Brown"
Directed by Quentin Tarantino - (1998)


Jackie Brown, directed by Quentin Tarantino, uses brilliant camera shots to go indepth into the world it presents, Tarantino known for his fantastic film making uses various techniques and methods to tell a story by using just one or two camera angles. Such examples include:

Here we have a low angle shot of Ordell insisting Beaumont to get into the boot of his car, the use of a low angle shot is used as a menacing representation of the boot, suggesting it is trying to claim Beaumont into getting inside. The low angle shot also clearly shows the roles of both chaarcters, Ordell is seen with a menacing facial expression and a tight grip on his shotgun, telling us his is very much in control. Beaumont on the other hand lacks a weapon and is seen to be both scared and confused, suggesting he lacks any control and is being pushed around by Ordell.


The opening credits, also feature a low angle shot, however this time Tarantino uses a tracking shot to follow Jackie through the airport. The use of these shots conotes that Jackie is very much in control of her life, she is very happy with her current status and likes to show it. Unlike the previous shot, this shot lacks no feelings of menace or horror, the shot is used as a way of depicting Jackies attitude towards lfie and giving a brief overview of her character.

Essex Boys

"Essex Boys"
Directed by Terry Winsor - (2000)

" Essex Boys" starring sean bean, much like se7en is a dark, tense thriller. Essex boys uses lighting very effectively to give the overall feeling of tension and unease, for this reason I will be focusing mainly on the way director Terry Winsor uses his skill with lighting to draw the viewer into the world he creates and into the twsited brutal lives of the characters invovled.

This opening shot, shows one of the charcters entering a garage. The use of the dark lighting suggests that the room itself represents the dark and mysterious character , the only light seen in this shot is a dim lamp that barely covers the whole room. This could suggest that there is not much hope for the man shown in the shot, he is surrounded by darkness and mystery and prefers to stay in the shadows. Furthermore the way the light is projected from the outside suggests that the garage is being used as a metaphor for all that is bad in the world, and that the charcter is unwillingly walking into this.


The second shot we have here, is a fantastic shot, showing the first meeting of Billy and Jason. As the car wipers remove the dust, jason slowly comes into view through the cars window screen, the way the light is projcected from behind him suggests he is an important character and is also used as a way to tell the viewer that Jason has arrived into Billy's life, whether Billy like it or not. The overall murkiness of this shot also tells us that Jason is a dark and again mysterious character, at the same time it also tells us that he means buisness and is not to be messed with.


The final shot we have here, differs greatly from the others, while the others relied on light comming from un natural sources, such as the lamp, this shot uses all natural lighting to get the desired effect of a barren wasteland. This shot feels much more open, due to the fact the other shots have been in enclosed spaces, such as the garage and inside the car, and therefore it feels a little more hopeful than the other two shots. The way the white van is used in this shot, could be seen as a metaphorical way of representing Jason himself, the van very much like Jason is alone in a barren, empty world and now has to fend for itself.

In Bruges

"In Bruges"
Directed by Martin McDonagh - (2008)

"In Bruges", differs greatly to the other thrillers I have been researching. The main difference being that "In Bruges" is a thriller/comedy. "In Bruges" uses black - comedy, in a way which makes you smile even at the most darkest of moments, which makes it a very interesting film to research. The basic plot is that hitman Ray (farrell) is sent on a job when it goes awry, he is then sent to Bruges to lie low and wait for further orders.

Here we have a shot, that is used during the opening credits of the film. This shot is one of many that effectively sets the scene of the film. During which, a narration is spoken by one of the main characters (Colin Farell). This shot tells us much about the upcomming film, the use of lighting here suggests that the film will be quite dark, the cobbeled streets suggest a world of deceit and mystery, and could quite easily give the impression of a Jack the Ripper like character. The music that plays during the credits adds a feeling of suspense to the images and the narration is of a very dark murder that Colin Farell's character commited. All in all the credits suggest that this will be a very dark and gloomy film that will cover various thriller/crime conventions.

The next image used here, is a very dark image. The image shows Ray (Farrell) murdering one of his targets, who is infact a priest he is confessing too. This image is very disturbing and very graphic, and fits in with the mood of the film. McDonagh uses the setting of a confession chamber as an ironic setting, Ray confesses to a murder before commiting that very murder on the priest he has confessed too. It is this ironic/dark comedy that makes "In Bruges" the film it is. Furthermore McDonagh uses a barrier between the priest and Ray in the form of a wodden door to suggest that prehaps Ray is in secret regretting the various murderous acts he has commited - he does not want to view the people he kills.


This final image from "In Bruges" shows two of the hitmen up a bell tower in the city. Again McDonagh uses a somehwat obscure setting for a murder, but at the same time comicly fitting. In this shot Mcdonagh uses the stereotypical modern day gangster/hitman clothing to show who is in control, he gives Harry (right) a well dressed look suggesting he is the boss, while he gives Ken (left) a much dirtier and scruffier look, suggesting he is not. Mcdonagh also gets Ken to look up to Harry suggesting he is below him, and this could also show that Ken has some admiration for Harry even though he is going to take his life. Finaly Mcdonagh uses the ledge between the two concrete pillars as a sort of picture frame, this suggests the two characters are trapped and that their skirmish will have to be sorted in this confined space.

Once Upon a Time in America

"Once Upon a Time in America"
Directed by Sergio Leone - (1984)

"Once Upon a Time in America" directed by Sergio Leone, is a crime/thriller that works hard on portraying life in 20th century America. Leone uses various techniques and conventions to show his views on the lifestyle of both gangster and civilian alike in this passionate and effective outlook of post war America.

Here we have an image taken from one of the first scenes of the film, an unsuspecting femmefatale is seen walking into a darkened room. Leone uses a the lamp as a focal point in this scene, switched on by the women it lightens up the gloomy surroundings. Arguably the lamp could be used by Leone to represent the women. This is hinted at later on during the scene where the women is brutally murdered and the lamp is switched off. Aswell as the lighting in this scene, there is much focus on the general colours of the room and indeed the womens clothing, a somewhat plainly coloured dress worn by the women suggests she is of little significance, while the bloody red wallpaper could hint at the bloodshed to come. Finaly leone fixates the camera on the womens necklace and jewelry suggesting prehaps she is a wealthy women, adding some glamour to the otherwise glamourless room.

The idea of mystery arises when the women turns back the bed sheets to discover bullet holes shaped in the image of a person, still very much a focal point, the lamp shines its light over the bed. The feeling of distress can be felt by the women as she realises the threat of death is near. Leone uses the rule of thirds to split the room into three seperate focal images. On one side we see a lonely pillow, possibly representing the women being alone, the whiteness of the pillow being used as a direct comparrison to the womens skin. Next we have the human shaped bullet holes a horrific image that both scares and puzzles the onlooker. Thirdly we have the women and the lamp leaning over the bed intrigued and scared of whats to come.

Here is an image taken shortly after the womens discovery of the bullet holes. Leone scares the women and indeed the audience with the sudden appearance of three dangerous looking men, the women who was clearly unaware of their presence now finds herself outnumbered. The camera is again split into three, each third being filled with a character, reinforcing the feeling that the women is very much alone. Leone uses generic gangster clothing to suggest these figures are very dangerous, the long coats and fedora hats being recognisable as early 20th century clothing for the gangster type figure. Leone also uses the camera to show one of the men having his hand in his pocket, this adds suspense as the viewer is not certain what he is holding, and suggests he has a gun or a similiar dangerous weapon.

One of the final shots in this scene, the women now lays dead facing the camera while the three murderers hover over her corpse. Again the lamp is used as a key object in the shot, being the only light source in the room it glares at the camera and lights up the faces of the three gangster looking figures. The shocking extreme close up of the women's dead face adds an element of horror to the fray, her skin now looks even more pale, almost matching her clothes and her glamorous jewelry has been covered up by her clothing, suggesting tshat all her glamour has left her. Meanwhile the three gangster figures look on, looking very profesional and very dangerous.

Once Upon a Time in America - User Ratings

Once Upon a Time in America

I decided to do some research into the general reviews of "Once Upon a Time in America." I used the website IMDB.com to find out the following information.

User Ratings

• Scored 8.4 / 10 overall.
• Mainly male voters - suggests this is a male film.
• Women voted 7.6/10 overall, a little lower than males.
• Most male and female voters were between the ages 18-29

Reviews

Positive Review - "Masterpiece"

"I can really recommend this movie to everyone, but especially to people who like the gangster genre. When you want to see the movie, you better be sure you will have the time for it. This isn't a movie that is finished after 90 minutes. You'll have to be able to stay focued during 3 hours and 47 minutes."

Negative Review - "Just Awful"

"I watched this terribly long, boring, slow, gory, silly film several times. It has nothing, but too much blood, sex, more blood, more sex, child molestering, child death and more blood."

General Reception

Above, are two reviews i found on the IMDB site, one ofcourse as the title suggests being negative while the other being positive, the general reaction to this film, however was overall generaly very positive. A gritty and pleasing Crime/Thriller "Once Upon a Time in America" uses the genre conventions effectively to portray an environment of gangs, sex, murder and lawelessness.

London to Brighton - Marketing and Distribution Research

Youtube Video - Obama

Here is a great piece of editing, showing Barrack Obama singing the Rick Astley song "Never Gonna Give You Up"

Introduction

Hi, im Adam Ward and this is my CNS media blog for my AS course. I will be using this blog to upload and display the work I do, and will be updating it often.