Technical planning - Synopsis

Synopsis

Our story begins on a wedding day, a bride and a groom are getting ready and the marriage ceremony is just about to begin. As the bride is ready, her sister comes into her dressing room and tells her "Its time". When they begin to walk to the ceremony, the bride stops because she hears a noise, however the sister carry's on walking as she "didn't" hear the noise. Suddenly out of a room jumps a hooded figure who slits the brides throat and walks away leaving her to bleed out. A few years later the murderer gets away with it and goes on with his life and his relationship with the sister of the dead bride, but the bride isn't going to let them get away with murderer, even if she is in the afterlife. So they are completely oblivious to the fact that a ghost haunts them hungry for revenge, until she shows that she's still with them both, and that's where the real story begins.

Target audience research

Target audience

The typical audience of Gothic horror's:

The main target audience for this type of film are people who would happily stand in line to watch this film, Goths/Gothic people, horror fans, people who are into blood and gore. These types of people are the main different types of audience that would watch this film, However the film could be watched by anyone but these are stereo-typically the main audience for this genre. Furthermore, the film is mainly aimed at 16+ because of the content within the movie this is also most Gothic horror films average at 16+ or 18+ age certificate rating. Women are also a big part in this audience because normally the main protagonist is male, so many men wouldn't watch it if there isn't a attractive protagonist to draw in male views using the "Male gaze". However the majority of a Gothic Horrors audience is male as they tend to enjoy watching these types of film more than women.

Who are Hammer horror's target audience?

Hammer Horror's main target audience was also a very typical Gothic horror audience, their films were aimed at young teens and adults (12+) due to Hammer horrors main goal of revitalizing the Gothic horror genre, they really focused on the teen and young adult generations because not only would their types of film appeal to them more, but there was more of this audience and they were also known to go out more, so they would have made their genre more popular and made more money from this audience. They also focussed on these age groups they wanted to get the younger generations into the Gothic Horror genre, so they aimed their films to this audience because they are easier to appeal to them that it is the older generation who do not really watch as many films as the younger generations.

Is the your film meant for people who enjoy the genre or are you trying to show the genre to a new audience?

Overall, the idea of our film is meant for people who currently enjoy the common Gothic Horror films as it contains common features from a typical Gothic Horror like a spooky setting, and a dark atmosphere. However our film could attract other audiences that usually wouldn't watch a Gothic Horror film because of the modern side of our idea. Because our idea is a Gothic Horror set within the 21st century it may not conform to all the conventions of a Gothic Horror like old costumes and old setting and this may make our idea appeal more towards other audiences as well. Our film, like Hammer Horror Productions is aimed towards the ages of 12 and above because our film is going to be a 12A. This is because they are easier to appeal to, and due to the modern view of our film, they would be more likely to enjoy our film than the older viewers.

Questionare and results

Questionnaire

To help us make our idea appeal more towards our target audience we created a questionnaire, this would help us because it would tell us what people expect to happen in a Gothic horror, the things they like to see within the opening of a Gothic horror and weather or not they would like to see a different approach to a Gothic horror and if so, what type of approach this is. This is useful to us because we are able to find out not only what our target audience enjoys seeing in a Gothic horror but also what they want to see in a Gothic Horror and weather they enjoy the common Gothic Horror.

Vox pops video

This is my vox pops video and within this, we asked multiple people 11 questions in total. These were the questions we asked;

1. Do you enjoy watching Gothic Horrors?
2. What do you think of the Woman in Black?
3. After hearing about our film idea, do you like the sound of it or not? why?
4. Do you think the killing of the woman will be to soon?
5. would you change anything of our film idea? If yes why?
6. What's your favourite part of our idea?
7. What is the worst part of our idea for our title sequence?
8. Do you like the story line so far?
9. Do you think the setting matches our film genre?
10. Out of 10, what would you rate our idea overall?
11. Would you like to watch our film opening when it is filmed and finished?

By asking these questions, it helped us figure out what our audience wanted to see and how they thought we could make our idea better. We learned what was good about our idea already like the plot line and the idea of the woman seeking revenge. We also learned what could make our idea better like adding music that creates a dark atmosphere and provokes tension. This really helped us because we learned what that our target audience enjoy spine chilling side of our film, they enjoyed the idea of redemption between the bride and killer. Also knowing what they want to see so it helps our idea become better because we know what appeals to them like the idea of the supernatural haunting is the thing they enjoy most so it would encourage us to show more scenes of that within our film.

Certificate research

The "U" symbol within this logo stands for Universal. A universal film is suitable for a audience aged four years old and above however this type of film could still upset a child as it is impossible to predict what upsets a particular child. Films and videos such as "Tinga Tinga Tales" and "Chuggington" are examples of a video with a "U" certificate. With a "U" certificate video, only infrequent use of very mild language is allowed (e.g 'damn' and 'hell'), A "U" rated video may include characters kissing or cuddling, or there may be references to sexual behaviour, but there will be no overt focus on sexual behavior, language or innuendo. "U" rated videos may include brief and generally mild violence like fight scenes or "Baddies" carrying weapons, but these will only be brief and not really focused on, and there will always be a reassuring resolve after these scenes. There is usually no reference of drugs within a "U" certificated video and they are also unlikely to contain and discriminatory language or behaviour unless it is clearly disapproved of. They also generally contain positive messages about loyalty, honesty and friendship, particularly amongst children.



The "PG" symbol within this logo stands for "Parental Guidance" this means the film or video is suitable for general viewing, however there may be some scenes which may be unsuitable for young children. Not all "PG" films are made with the thought of a young audience in mind so not all of them are made for younger audiences. A "PG" film will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child and usually explores challenging issues like bulling, bereavement or racism. In a "PG" film there may be some mild bad language like 'shit' or 'son of a bitch' but the context and delivery are always important. Sexual references are unlikely unless they are un-detailed and infrequent references, also if they are included, children are not likely to understand these references. Violence in a "PG" film will usually mild, there may be some scenes including blood or injury but we would not see the infliction of this pain in great detail. Some "jump" moments and frightening sequences as long as they are not prolonged or intense. In "PG" there might be some innocuous or passing references to illegal drugs or drug misuse, although there will be no strong focus on this.



There are two types of "12" rating, "12" means that this film is not suitable for anyone under the age of 12 years old and "12A" means that this film is not suitable for anyone under the age of 12, however if a adult thinks that their individual child is ok to watch it, then they are permitted only if they are accompanied by an adult. A "12" and "12A" film will not likely include a very dark or unsettling tone which could disturb the audience. Strong language like 'f***' would be passed at a "12" and "12A" depending on the manner it is used on. Moderate language like 'bitch' and 'twat' is also allowed in this rating. Any discriminatory language or behaviour will not be endorsed within this rating. furthermore, any homophobic or racist terms are unlikely to be passed within this rating unless it is clearly condemned. Sex within a "12" and "12A" may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Verbal sexual references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. There may also be brief nudity in a "12A" film but nudity in a sexual content should only be brief and discreet. Within a "12" and "12A", Moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. there should also be no main focus on blood and injuries, however, occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by their context (e.g brief sights of bloody injuries in a medical drama). Some horror films are passed within this category, as long as horror sequences are not too frequent or sustained and the overall tone is not disturbing.



The "15" rating means that this film or video is not suitable for anyone under the age of 15 years old. No theme within a "15" is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. Within a "15" rated film issues like;

• Strong violence
• Frequent strong language (e.g f***)
• 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
• Drug taking

Are commonly seen. There is a great deal of strong language allowed within the "15" rating and there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (e.g f***). Occasionally there may be uses of stronger terms (e.g c***) depending on the manner in which they are used, who is using the language and its frequency. There may be racist, homophobic and other discriminatory language within this category however on the whole, it must not endorse this behaviour. Sexual activity at "15" can be portrayed, but it is usually without strong detail and some sex scenes can be quite long within this category. There can also be strong sexual references to sex and sexual behaviour, but strong or crude references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. At "15" violence may be strong, it shouldn't dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however the strongest gory images are unlikely to be accepted. Strong sadistic violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. Sexual violence may be may be included by detailed verbal references  but any portrayal depiction of sexual violence must be discreet and justified by context. Within a "15" drug taking may be shown but it must not promote or encourage drug misuse and the misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances like aerosols or solvents is unlikely to be acceptable in a "15".

"18" rated films are made for adults, no one under the age of 18 is allowed to see these films at the cinema or buy them. No "18" film is suitable for children. No theme is prohibited at "18" adults are free to choose their own entertainment provided the material is not illegal or harmful. Within "18" films issues like; 

• Very strong violence
• Frequent strong language and very strong language (e.g f*** or c***)
• Strong portrayals of sexual activity
• Scenes of sexual violence
• Strong horror
• Strong blood and gore
• Real sex (in some circumstances)
• Discriminatory language and behaviour

are commonly seen within a "18". There is no limit to the number of uses of strong (e.g f***) or even very strong (e.g c***) which can be passed at "18". There may be racist, homophobic or discriminatory language at "18" however the discrimination must not breach any relevant legislation. There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at "18", including full nudity. Very strong, crude and explicit sex references allowed at "18". Strong violence can be portrayed with strong detail at "18". Even dwelling on the infliction of pain, injury, or scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence. Strong gory images are permitted in this category. At "18" horror films may contain very strong horror, gore and sustained threat. At "18" drug taking may be shown but on the whole it should not promote or encourage drug misuse. Very dangerous behaviour which if copied could poses a credible harm risk may be cut from a "18" rating film. Occasionally cuts are made to "18" rated films and DVD'S, this usually happens if the material is in breach of a criminal law or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence, if the material could appear to us to risk to harm individuals, or if there are a lot of explicit images of sexual activity which can not be justified by context.

Our Film:

Overall i think our film could be a 15 because of the violence within the title sequence when the bride gets her throat cut, this isn't really suitable to be viewed by anyone under the age of 15 as some people may find it quite disturbing. However there are no drug or sexual references that will be present in our film what so ever so it could be argued that our film could also be a 12 or 12A. In my personal opinion, i think our film should be a 12A this is because yes there may be some scenes of violence and death but they will only be brief and not really dwelled on. There will be no or minimal reference to sexual activity or drug taking so it doesn't really meet the 15 criteria fully, so therefore, i think a 12A is the most suitable certificate for our film idea.