Research into Target Audience

Target Audience 
People aged 16-25 are most likely to visit the cinema, so many films are aimed at people within this age range. Thriller and action films are popular with young adults, which is why many of these films are rated 15 or 18. Some films of this type are toned down slightly and rated a 12 or 12A to reach a wider demographic.

This allows more people to see the film, so there will be an increase in marketing through word-of-mouth, and an increase in exchange. In addition young adults aged 16-25 are most likely to engage in social media. This links to the amount of online exchange as they will post photos and statuses about their experience which will help to promote the film. Rating a film a 15 or 18 gives the producers more creative freedom as they can explore things such as violence, language and sexual content, which wouldn’t be allowed in a film rated 12 or below.

Also, people aged between 16 and 25 are more interested in watching films of these natures than any other age group, so an action or thriller film will appeal to them. In addition, our film will contain some scary scenes and jump scares, as well as possibly some language. For this reason, the target audience of our film will be teenagers and young adults.

Shot List

Shot List-

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14kDMCJg9TUHK_9muz2pf4H7IehE35BLrrBeh0PzYeyU/edit

Title sequence research

Title Sequences

A title sequence is used to present a films title, key production and cast members, applying visual effects and sound. It typically begins the opening credits, and helps establish the setting and tone of the film. It may consist of live action, animation, music, still images, or graphics. When title sequences first came about, simple title cards were used to begin and end silent film presentations in order to identify both the film and the production company involved, also they were a way of showing the audience the film had started. In the late 80’s and early 90’s the introduction of digital technologies to film changed the industry leading to a resurgence in title design, with David Fincher’s Seven having one of the most iconic title sequences of that decade.  

A title sequence gives the audience clues and an idea of what is going to happen in the film including fast cuts between shots so that it doesn’t give too much away. Using fast cuts gets the audience excited, focused and drawn into the film as they want to know what happens next. This is why the title sequence of a film is very important, especially with the opening credits as it crafts an image of what the film is going to be like for the people viewing it. Music has to be used very carefully too in the title sequence,as it creates a certain mood and sets the scene. For our thriller we will use dark and gloomy music and make sure we have permisssion to use it in the sequence. There is often a lot of text shown in the title sequence too, including who the production company is, who created the film, actors, title of the film, casting director, costume designer, producer, director, and many more, but although we are a small team of people there wont be as many names/roles to include in the credits. The title sequence is usually the first thing you see so you have to blow the audience away and consider every aspect of it including the font. The typography used needs to reflect the films feel and genre, not be too complicated, or use a tacky font, as the font used brands your film so is extremely important.

I think the title sequence used or our film needs to be quite simple and use effects and images to give the audience a clue on the genre of our film, somehow including a forest/woods shot to hint at the setting. The music will need to be suspenseful and eery to impact the viewers and make them feel scared.

Research into title sequence

Research into title sequence:


Title sequences should give a feel of what the film is about without giving the plot away. For example the title for Casino Royale contains guns and gambling chips, which hints at elements of the film without giving away the storyline. The use of playing cards references, for example, clubs and the king of spades, hints at the theme of chance, and gambling. This links in with the film as James Bond often gambles with his life and isn't afraid of taking a chance.
Casino Royale title: https://youtu.be/OzX14t4dCQ0

Music:
Music in a title sequence tends to have no lyrics and compliments the on screen images. Classical style or acoustic music is a popular choice as it doesn't distract from the titles. The music used often matches the theme of the film, for example, an action film often uses music that is tense and gradually gets louder, this is the same for a thriller. Romance films tend to use calming, happy music that reflect the tone of the film. In the title of Insidious, a creepy music is used to build tension. Sound effects such as heavy breathing and clinking sounds add to the eerie feel. This makes the audience feel on edge as they know something bad is going to happen. It also hints at the content of the film.
Insidious title: https://youtu.be/g1e1feo4DUk
Spectre uses a pop song by popular artist Sam Smith, however the song fits in well with the title and adds a mood of mystery and sensuality, which is reflected in the film. The ongoing references to an octopus hints at the dark theme of the film, and foreshadows the role of Spectre, which is represented by an octopus throughout the film.

Font: 
The font used in a title sequence is very important as it catches the audience's eye immediately and must create an impression. The size of the font should always be considered because if the font is too large it may distract from the rest of the title sequence, but if the font is too small the audience might miss it. We have decided to use a medium sized font that is simple. A fancy font may be difficult to read or distract from the feel of the title, where as a simple font is easy to read and understand, and gives the film a more professional feel. The colour of the font is important as it can help to hint at what the film is about, and creates a first impression. For example, a sci-fi film about robots could have a metallic coloured font to create a futuristic or dysopian feel. A simple font is used in the titles of Terminator, so as not to distract from whats going on in the background. Tense music and metallic lettering is also used.
Terminator title: https://youtu.be/5WeO5ZxdCYM

Research into Distributors

Research into Distributors:

I have decided to research independent film distributors as this would be more appropriate for our type of film than mainstream distributors.

Independent: 
Specialises in Uk distribution. Their films are split into two catagories, Library and current. Library films are based on books, often by famous or prize winning authours. Examples of this are: The Sea, based on a novel by prize-winning writer John Banville, and Boxing Day, based on Leo Tolstoy's Master and Man. Current films are unique ideas written specifically for the screen. Our film would be a current film as our idea is original and written to be filmed. Independent films distributed the hit release What We Did On Our Holiday, starring David Tennant and Billy Connoly, which then got released through Lionsgate due to its popularity. Independent would be a good distributor to use as its films win many awards in the UK, US and Australia. In addition many of their films have well known actors such as David Tennant, and Game Of Thrones' Masie Williams.
Information from:  http://www.independentfilmcompany.com/distribution.php

Axiom Films:
Film producer and distributor based in London. Founded in 1997 and distributes films all around the world. Many of its films were released in other countries such as Mexico, Argentina, USA, France, Germany and Belgium. The last film they distributed was About Elly, produced in Iran in 2009. Axiom films is a subsiduary of UKI, one of the largest privately owned investment companies. Axiom distributes films digitally through LoveFilm and iTunes, as well as 20 DVDs and 10 theatrical releases each year. One of Axiom's most notable films is Half Nelson starring Ryan Gosling for which they won Best Actor in the 2007 Academy Awards.
Information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axiom_Films

Momentum Pictures:
 Originally one of the UKs leading film distributors, releasing on average 20 films a year. It could be argued that Momentum Pictures is a mainstream film distributor as it has released many big-name films such as The King's Speech, starring Colin Firth, The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt, The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliff, and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. More recently Momentum films are released under the Entertainment One name. Despite Momentum Pictures starting out as a British film distributor, it also works with many production companies in the US and Canada. This has led it to become a more mainstream distribution company.
Information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momentum_Pictures

Certificate of Film

Certificate of film

What is classification?

the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released to protect children from unsuitable and harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it. They watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and insight to each one using and applying the standards and criteria in the Classification Guidelines. Occasionally the BBFC need to take specialist advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm. This process has to happen for DVD’s and Blu-rays too. Issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence have to be looked at during the classification process too.

15

The 15 symbol means no one under the age of 15 is allowed to see a film at the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. This is because of some of the content/themes can be too mature/violent for children younger than 15 years old. In 15 rated films you may see some of the following: strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence, discriminatory language or behaviour or drug taking.

I chose the 15 certificate as my groups film is a Thriller, and it is going to include some jumpy, scary and suspenseful scenes which could be too mature/violent for children aged under 15 years old. Also our film may have some strong language in it, which meets the criteria of a 15 rated film.

Film Distributors

UK Film Distributors

Arrow Films
Arrow Films is a UK distributor of classic, horror, thriller, cult films and TV series on Blu-ray and DVD based in Hertfordshire. After being established in 1991, Arrow’s diverse and rich product mix has forged one of the most energetic and cutting edge labels in British distribution. Recent awards include being named Label of the Year by prestigious publications as the Guardian and Home Cinema Choice. I chose this distributer as it is UK based and specializes in the genre of film my group would like to make.


Icon Film Distribution

Formed in 1999, Icon Film Distribution is one of the UK’s leading independent film distributors generating in excess of £150m at the box office with a library of over 200 titles ranging from mainstream hits such as Paranormal Activity, 30 Days of Night, Transporter 3 and What Woman Want to specialist break-out titles such as Tom Ford’s A Single Man, La Vie En Rose and Man On Wire. I chose this distributer as it is an independent company and distributed an upcoming film called The Forest which is a supernatural horror about a girl whose sister goes missing which is relatively similar to the storyline my group decided for our film.

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution 

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (KFD) is an established International Sales outfit based in London, offering full UK and international distribution and sales capabilities. KFD specializes in commercial features films and branded documentaries. New titles include: The Seven Five, a documentary, soon to be made into a major feature film by Sony, charting the dirtiest cops in history, who stole money and dealt drugs while patrolling the streets of 80s New York and Glassland, a heart-breaking and award-winning tale showcasing extraordinary performances from Oscar Nominee Toni Collette, and up and coming stars, Jack Reynor and Will Poulter; and Sundance documentary premiere. I chose this distributer as it is UK based and distributes quite gritty and socio-realist films which is what I want my group’s film to have a feel of.