Questionnaire with Results

We created a survey so we could think about adapting our horror film to suit the audience's preferences. To make sure that the survey reached the correct demographics, we handed it out to our friends and other people we knew as well as promoting it on sites like Facebook and Twitter, where lots of teenagers and young adults (an estimated 2 in 3) have accounts. As well as printing copies, we posted the survey on SurveyPlanet.com, using cross platforms to reach as many people as possible. SurveyPlanet enabled us to look at all of the results online and made it easier for us to analyse as it automatically put the data on graphs. 

Online Version HERE

Results

Conclusion

From the survey we can conclude that; 

• We could consider using aspects of fantasy and action to appeal to a broader audience.
• Suspense frightens the audience more than what they can actually see (such as gore and violence) unlike older horror films with more traditional audiences.
• Slashers, thrillers and teen horrors are the most popular sub-genres. We could look at the key conventions in each one and try and use ideas and themes from each; frequent violence and death, building suspense, using a teenage cast in an environment typical of that group
• If we do reveal a villain, a young, male one would be the scariest. It is unlikely we would do this in the opening, however, as the audience feel more frightened when the identity is hidden.
• Surprisingly supernatural elements appear less threatening than a human antagonist. This could possibly be because it adds to the realism of the plot, and the audience are at just as much risk as the characters in real life.
• A young, preferably teenage cast would be preferable as it would be more relatable for the target audience, therefore making them feel vulnerable as the plot develops. 
• An isolated location would also be ideal, for similar reasons (there is no escape)- there are a lot of places locally we could consider for this.
• We definitely need music, and to build tension it should be slow tempo, low pitch, in crescendo created by layering instruments and played on strings.
• Similarly sound effects could enhance the hysteria.
• Lighting effects the overall look of the film, and to achieve a frightening aesthetic, dark lighting is better. It subconsciously provokes fear of the unknown in the shadows. We could achieve this by filming in dimly lit rooms indoors or using filters to make it look like night.
• If we were to distribute the film, most people would watch it through online services (such as Netflix) or more traditionally, at the cinema.
• Although the production studio is fairly important, it would not be what the audience focus on as they form their judgement of the film.