Research Into Audience

There are three different types of audience theories in film. These include the hyperdermic needle, limited effects and the uses and gratification. Uses and gratification is where the audience make use of the media. The different areas of this are Identity..

Thriller films draw in audiences of all ages depending on the film. Films such as 28 days later would appeal to both the younger people and the older generation however other films such as psycho would appeal more to older people as it is an old film. Hitchcock films are more likely to suit the older generations as its style is very different from modern thrillers. This is because of the development in technology and how things have changed over time, technology is a big part of society nowadays so the advancement in technology will improve the quality of thrillers and will draw in more of an audience then that of older thrillers which do not have enough to affect the audience in the same way. 

As a group we have decided the target audience for our thriller will be young adults. There are certain things we will need to take into consideration to attract the audience we want. This includes the language used; the classification we are using is "15" the film will not be suitable for anyone under the age of 15. Therefore some strong language is acceptable but will have to be justified within its context. In a Thriller aimed at 15 year olds gore is a key feature however the strongest of gore images are not permitted. Some drug scenes are also acceptable however they must not influence drug use.


Classifications of Films (BBFC)


The U Classification
These films are usuallly set for pre-school chrildren. It is impossible to know what may upset any particular child. U films should be suitable for children for children aged 4 years and over. U films should be set in a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. The themes and their treatment if they are problematic must be sensitive and appropiate for a younger audience. In terms of language, very mild or language is infrequently used. Only mild sexual behaviour are used i.e making references to love and kissing are allowed. Usually "U" films aren't realistic in the sense that children can copy what they see in the films so realistic and dark themes are not used. Themes such as drugs and horror should be avoided however, if they deliver a positive or reassuring outcome i.e drugs are bad, then this is allowed. This would be not appropiate for the thriller genre because thrillers aren't set in a positive framework.


The PG classification
The PG classification stands for parental guidance only in that in some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. The themes in PG's are more serious than those in a U in that it deals with things such as domestic violence and racist behaviour but it should not be made so that children may copy what is said or done. Language that is used is mild. Sexual activity may be implied but should be discrete and infrequent. Any sexual references or inuendo should be mild only. Violence can be used mildly depending on its setting i.e comedy or fantasy. Frightening sequences should not be prolonged or intense, fantasy settings may be a mitigating factor. Any references to drugs or drug misuse must be innocous or carry a suitable anti-drug message. Again, this is isn't really appropiate for the thriller genre as most thriller themes are usually unsuitable for children. A thriller film tend to have frightening sequences which leave the audience in suspense and on the edge of their seats. 

The 12 (12a) Classification.
The 12/12a classifications are suitable for children aged 12 years and over. No one younger than 12 may see a 12a film unless they are accompanied by an adult. Alot more mature themes are used in these classifications but they must make sure that their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers. The use of strong language such as the word 'fuck' must be infrequent and racist abuse is also of a particular concern. Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Dangerous techniques eg hanging or suicide should not dwell on imitable detail or appear pain or harm free. Easy accesible weapons within the films should not be glamourised. Again the use of horror or drugs but again should not dwell on the detail of the pain but moderate uses of horror are permitted. Drug use must not convey a image that it is okay and for audience viewers to take drugs. This is an appropiate classification as thriller films as there does not have to dwell on the violence that is used and can focus on events around the plot i.e. the aftermath of a bomb exploding. 


The 15 Classification
No one younger than 15 is able to see a 15 film. There are no regulated themes within a 15 provided that the 15 is appropiate to a 15 year old. There may be a frequent use of strong language but the strongest of language will have to be justified within its context. Continued agressive use of the language is not accpetable. Again the use of dangerous techniques must not dwell on the imitable detail. In the terms of horror, strong uses of it are permitted however the strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Drug taking may be shown in the film but must not promote drug misuse. This is appropiate for a thriller genre due to their being no regulated themes, this means that thriller can be a wide of themes such as bomb explosions however, they must stay within the control of the classification so not as strong violence or gore. 



The 18 Classification
No one younger than 18 may see a 18 classified film. All elements oulined that must not be portrayed in the other classifications are acceptable. This classification can either be confused as being a horror or thriller because some films have strong use of bloody violence and gore for example films such as 28 days later and Saw. 

In terms of looking at the thriller genre, the suitable classifications for this are 12A,15 and 18, a U classification would not be as suitable as it is limited in what you can do. The use of darker themes is prohibited in the U classification and thrillers tend to have dark themes throughout such as kidnapping or a bomb explosion.  

Both 28 Days later and Psycho are controlled by their certificates, the classification and content of the film 28 days later makes it an 18 and vice versa for the film psycho which makes it a 15. Therefore this means that no under the ages of 15 or 18 can see either film because of the content that the film contains which is controlled by the specification.

 However in terms of attracting audiences, 28 Days later would appeal to younger audiences because it is faster paced. However this film does not have typical common traits of a thriller film where as psycho have the classic thriller conventions. A film that has the classic thriller conventions is then easier to incorporate into a more modern remake or interpretation of the film for example. The re-make of Psycho was filmed in 1998, it has the traditional character names and was filmed literally the same for shot by shot but, it has a more modern and contemporary feel to the film for example, Marion Crane played by Julianne Moore instead of stealing $400 steals $400,000 of cash instead from the real estate office and also in the shower scene, more rear nudity is shown and there is computer generated stabbing sounds.