Q4: Who would be the audience for your media product?

We identified young adults aged 15/16+, mainly males, as our target audience because the product leans towards the action genre slightly. In terms of the ethnicity and socio-economic class, there is not really a specific target but as it is aimed at young adults, they are likely to be categorised in C₁-E as these are the most common groups among this age range. Despite this, there is no reason to suggest people outside of the age range or from higher socio-economic class categories will not like the product. Other films, such as the James Bond series, most likely have a target audience, but are easily accessible by a wide range of people.

Although it is sometimes hard to say exactly who will come and a watch a certain film as everyone has their own tastes, these might be typical audience members for a film such as ours. They would probably enjoy action films and other action thrillers, listen to music of a similar style to our soundtrack and maybe play action/adventure or FPS (First Person Shooter) video games.

To research our audience we conducted a ‘vox pop’. Vox pops are used to provide an overall viewpoint on a particular subject by randomly selecting people of various ages, gender, classes and communities so a balanced and fair response is received. An effective vox pop would consist of: 

• Short, quick interviews (approximately 30 seconds). 
• The camera focused on the interviewee (who would be on the right- more comfortable for the viewer and follows the rule of thirds). 
• The interviewee's gaze towards interviewer rather than the camera. 
• Passers-by in the background (shot in a public place). 
• Name, age and occupation shown when each interviewee first appears. 
• Interviewer not heard- only the answers to their questions.

The questions we asked our audience included ‘What is your favourite type of thriller?’, ’Why do you like thriller films?’ and ‘What is your favourite thriller film?’. By asking these questions, we discovered that our audience favoured action/crime in thrillers and so that is why we decided to fulfil this expectation by creating an action-based thriller.

In terms of our opening, the BBFC age rating it would probably receive is a 12, but when considering it as a whole film it is more likely to be classed as a 15 because of the use of props such as guns and the sustained sense of threat. The full guidelines for a movie to get this rating are as follows:  

15 – Suitable only for 15 years and over. 

No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work. 

Discrimination 

The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour, although there may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory themes and language.  

Drugs 

Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse (for example, through instructional detail). The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable. 

Imitable behaviour 

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Whether the depiction of easily accessible weapons is acceptable will depend on factors such as realism, context and setting. 

Language 

There may be strong language. Very strong language may be permitted, depending on the manner in which it is used, who is using the language, its frequency within the work as a whole and any special contextual justification. 

Nudity 

There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. There may be nudity in a sexual context but usually without strong detail. 

Sex 

Sexual activity may be portrayed, but usually without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable. 

Threat 

There may be strong threat and horror. A sustained focus on sadistic or sexual threat is unlikely to be acceptable. 

Violence 

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but the depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context. 

These guidelines are unlikely to impact our target audience as it is aimed at people who are at least 15, although it might reduce the audience size slightly as it makes it harder for people who are under 15 to watch it, even though they might enjoy it.