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DISCUSS WHAT YOU FOUND OUT FROM
YOUR AUDIENCE RESEARCH
Though we didnt do typical audience research, we
used other resources such as the internet and our
fellow peers to help us gain more information to aid the
development of our understanding of our film. After
watching and researching into films alike our opening
such as Kidulthood and Shifty, it was easier to gain a
bigger grasp of our ideal target audience mostly boys
aged 15 to 21 who live in London. In this genre of film,
its very male dominated, therefore we wanted to abide
by the norm to ensure that the audience can find it
appealing. We also wanted to represent our main
character in the correct way too, therefore recognizing
the typical conventions such as an Adidas tracksuit and
new trainers, to follow closely to the assumptions. It
was evident we had to use an urban location as the
films we were taking inspiration from have done the
same, being a typical convention. This meant the target
audience would be able to relate and identify with the
surroundings as it may be an every day occurrence for
them.
HOW DID YOU TAILOR YOUR PRODUCT
BASED ON WHAT THE AUDIENCE
WANTED?
We wanted to reach the target audiences
expectations as well as possible, therefore meeting
many conventions and following similarly to previous
films in the British gritty teenage drama genre.
People who enjoyed films such as Anuvahood and Ill
Manors would most likely appeal to our opening
sequence as we have drawn inspiration from them.
People watching these films crave excitement and a
thrilling experience. Following Blumler and Katzs
Uses and Gratifications theory, the audience may
crave entertainment, therefore watching our
opening sequence will appeal to them as it has an
exciting and thrilling atmosphere.
HOW HAVE YOU MADE THE GENRE OF
THE FILM CLEAR TO THE AUDIENCE IN
THE OPENING SEQUENCE?
After we discussed the typical conventions of a
teenage gritty British drama, we wanted to
communicate it as well as possible in our own opening
sequence. For example, using conventional camera
shots such as establishing and close ups as these are
always seen in this genre of film to set the scene and
communicate certain facial expressions. Also, by using
lots of non-diegetic grime music, this connotes a typical
teenage film, set in London, allowing the audience to
feel the gritty, dangerous atmosphere we want to get
across. Other things including Wills costume and the
setting of Shanklin emphasize the genre as its very
typical to see these aspects. As I have mentioned
before previously, these semantic elements we have
used, help prove Rick Altman's theory suggesting these
factors such as costume and location can be used to
easily identify the genre.
HOW DOES YOUR OPENING SEQUENCE
ENGAGE AN AUDIENCE AND MAKE THEM
INTERESTED IN CARRYING ON
WATCHING?
We have included many enigma codes in our opening
sequence, for example the text message showing Im here,
however the audience may be uncertain and ask themselves
who texted the character this? Therefore, being intrigued as
to who the sender was and where they are, the audience
will feel the urge to watch on. Many audiences crave
something exciting and thrilling to happen, to quite literally
keep them on edge throughout as they dont experience it
in real life, therefore seek it somewhere else on screen. In
our opening sequence, we made it more exciting towards
the very end, forcing the audience to crave more. We did
this by using a grime beat throughout and when the two
boys walk towards Will, you can hear the diegetic heavy
breathing of him, this engages the audience as it connotes
his anxiety and desperation, leading them to watch on, to
find out what happens to him. Also, by using many different
camera shots and almost montaging them, this keeps the
audience unaware of what is to come.
WHAT USES & GRATIFICATIONS HAVE
YOU OFFERED YOUR AUDIENCE? WHAT
ABOUT UTOPIAN SOLUTIONS?
As the theory suggests, audiences need to satisfy a certain need
when theyre watching, for our audience, I believe we have offered
the identification function. This is because our audience can relate
and identify with our main character Will, perhaps they are similar
to him or know people alike as he is a generic London boy. Also,
we could say we have offered the education aspect too, as it allows
people to witness what is really going on with teenagers in todays
society. Though this might not be a content feeling for the audience,
it gives them a sense of reality. Linked with Blumler and Katzs
theory , he suggests audiences consume media products to escape
reality or to compensate for their lives inadequacies. An audiences
problem for example boredom can be solved by excitement, in our
opening sequence the pace increases throughout, creating a more
thrilling experience for audiences. Also, you could argue it can solve
some peoples confusion within society and the social borders,
therefore solving this problem and educating the audience giving
clarity about different cultures alike the urban one in our opening.
WHAT DID YOUR AUDIENCE THINK
ABOUT YOUR OPENING SEQUENCE AND
HOW DO YOU KNOW? HAVE YOU DONE
FOCUS GROUPS SINCE FINISHING?
WHAT DID THEY SAY?
Though we havent used focus groups, we asked many
people who would fit into our target audience what their
thoughts were on our opening sequence. We gained much
positive feedback as well as some constructive criticism to
improve upon in future. Many comments spoke about the
clear, well filmed shots which portrays the character and
setting well so that they could identify the genre easily.
Also, some of the audience commented on the urban
atmosphere and how it proceeded throughout the duration
of the opening; this was pleasing to us as this is what we
needed to communicate most. Constructive criticism wise,
the feedback we received mentioned how we couldve
included more enigma codes to entice the audience more,
making them ask questions wanting to find out more.
Lastly, they also commented on the symbolism of the birds
which starts the opening sequence, as some of our audience
didnt understand the meaning straight away.