Results table for my primary research in norwich

Audience research in norwich

THRILLER PLANNING IDEAS

Film noir ideas: Setting-Elm hill, (cobbled streets), maids head hotel area, night time - deserted- dark, old English houses- old style bedroom.

Costume ideas: Femme fatale- faux fur coat, heels, beret, clutch bag, pearl jellewary. Lover- White vest top. Running man- messy suit, hat, brief case. Man following- long coat, hat.
Cast: Holly Dove (femme fatale) played by Holly Delany. Running man. Jason Viper (killer) .

Props: cigarettes, make-up, jellewary, snake.

Summary: The opening credits displays an isolated woman (Holly Dove) walking in an old cobbled street. Audience sees a man standing in the alleyway smoking (Jason Viper). A stranger runs into her making her drop her belongings- a clutch bag. She picks up her bag and carries on walking. She reaches her destination (a house) and enters a room. Jason Viper (who has been following her) goes into the house and kills Holly Dove with a snake.

Soundtrack ideas: moonlight- Serenade. I like this song because it reflects the time that film is set in and is ironic to what happens in the opening of the thriller.

Soundies-Surrender. This is my preferred song as it conveys the femme fatale and her lover and the tragedy of what occurs. Through research into possible soundtrack ideas i have picked this song. The song could also be a message between the killer and the femme fatale, "just surrender".

Independent research. How director Alan Parker utilises the thriller genre in Angel Heart DRAFT

'Angel Heart' was released in 1987, and was written by William Hjortsberg (novel) Alan Parker (screenplay). The film holds many characteristics of the thriller genre such as the lighting, which is dark and gloomy and there are constant shadows, this suggests that something or someone is following Harry Angel, this could either be portrayed to be his conscience or Louis Cyphre (the devil). The audience sees the story through Harry's eyes so when he is confused in a situation the audience understands and relates to the confusion. Although in the last minutes Harry is revealed to be evil, the audience sees him to be angelic as he is seen trying to get justice.

The film is certificated an 18 and this is understandable as the film is very dark, with use and belief in Black Magic, with scenes of blood and death.

As the opening credits roll, the surrounding is visible which shows not only the location (old deserted alleyway) but also the time (night). There are clear signs of danger such as the animals (black cat) wondering around on their own, the wet streets. As the camera pans a body is seen, a dead body.

This is becomes very important in the film and the relevance and identity are shown much later in the film. Throughout the film the audience like Harry, are unsure who is killing all the suspects and people related to Johnny Favourite. Johnny's name is ironic as he can be seen as the "favourite character" as the film relates around finding him. The animals in the film are very important in finding out who Harry really is, as whenever Harry comes to contact with dogs they try to attack him. This can be related to the superstition that dogs have a “sixth sense” and suggest Harry is corrupt. Harry is also afraid of chickens, this could be because they are often seen being sacrificed in r rituals, which suggests that he has used them in a sacrifice before. Another important factor is Johnny's illness caused from the war, which meant he forgot many things before and after being in hospital (dementia).

Advertisement for a new perfume product.

The image shows a medium shot of Kate Winslet, who has a white coloured perfume bottle next to her, showing what is being advertised. The specific genre chosen for the advert was romance. This genre can be seen by the romantic sky in the background and the colour of Kate Winslet’s dress. Kate Winslet’s facial expression could also display love as she appears to be distant from the audience showing she is in deep thought. The target audience I chose was thirties -forties. I think I have successfully kept this target audience because the unique selling point (Kate Winslet) inspires this age group; this is because she is a successful beautiful British actress who has aspirational body, and is stunning for her age. She is also an English signifier and a role model for young people as she doesn’t break the law or criticised in magazines for making a ‘fool’ out of herself. “Discover your inner rose” suggests that beauty doesn’t have to be on the outside, and adds a sense of belonging to the county, (English Rose) making it personal and possessive.

The perfume bottle is called ‘Rose’; this can be reflected with her character in “Titanic”, who plays the classic ‘English Rose’. The character is a strong female who defies her status as a middle class woman, as she falls in love with a working class man and leaves her fiancé Cal Hockley. This was unheard of in society at that time. Therefore this can be aspirational and reflects the genre of the advert.

The colour red has connotations of confidence, love, passion, glamour and boldness. The necklace Kate is wearing has the English flag printed on it, which represents her country and where she belongs. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can be seen in the advert in the esteem level; as Kate Winslet oozes confidence, respect of others and achievement.

The light coming out of the bottle is powerful and positive as it seems beyond human manufacture and is almost Godly, as it is with the clouds. This suggests an ethereal (light inside the bottle coming out) unearthly character. The flower on the perfume bottle links with the name, and, like the background is feminine. The advert has connotations of peace, tranquillity, and is dreamlike and translucent. The colour of the bottle is also optimistic and angelic. The position of the bottle makes it seem to be floating in the air, next to Kate. Kate’s facial expression is distant as she is wrapped up in her own world of love.

The costume of the female is classy due to the black coat and red dress which gives a binary opposition. This shows the social class being targeted- middle class. This is due to it being targeted at women with successful jobs needing some time to regain their beauty and self-confidence. Kate’s character “Rose” in Titanic (who is middle class and inspiring) might help to appeal to the targeted class.

The ideologies the advertisement communicating might be, “If you buy this perfume, you will gain confidence and sexuality”… “When using this perfume you will be perceived to be a natural beauty, and will look and have a natural pretty scent”. The rule of thirds is used and the perfume bottle and Kate Winslet are put into separate thirds. This gives them more attraction and appeal.

Overall the advertisement is very angelic and gives out an innocent appearance and meaning. The brand name makes the product fashionable and new, “Chic”. However, the brand name could appeal to the younger audience as it is quite basic and childish. The slogan displays the target audience for the product, thirties. The pose is very natural which links well with the message being brought to the audience, “natural beauty”. This also highlights the status of the perfume as it is only worn by the rich and famous, which engages the audience to make them feel included, as they too can become rich and famous. The picture is very calm and has a soft atmosphere which makes Kate Winslet seem frozen in time. The pearl earrings and silver necklace show wealth and have connotations of happiness and contentment as these are associated with being, “a woman’s best friend”, which shows the social class, and represents the perfume to be a woman’s best friend.

Proposal for first hand primary research on audience in the area (Norwich)

For my primary research i am going to do a set of interviews on my chosen audience segmentation. My chosen audience segmentation is gender. I chose this area as there is lots of conflict and wide range discussion on how films can be made stereotypically.

I am going to interview a wide range of male and females from the age of six years old to sixty years old. Age is a big part in finding out the difference between what females like in films and males because films can be targeted at different markets of audience. I am going to visit and look at exhibition areas where audiences consume film, such areas include, cinemas - example: Vue, Odeon, Hollywood cinema, Cinema City. Also DVD's, computers and television. When looking at marketing i am going to watch adverts and look out for billboards around the city, read reviews in female and male magazines, and listen to the radio.





Once i have collected my primary research i am going to write an essay on how different actors, settings, storylines can affect the fanbase from being mainly male to mainly female and what can be stereotyped for men is actually liked by female.

Independent research. How director David Fincher utilises the thriller genre in Panic Room DRAFT

Panic Room was written by David Koepp and released in 2002, and although the storyline is slightly original the camera shots are very unique and add a much more sinister affect to the film along with the music. The tone of the film is instantly set with opening title which features a chain of shots of New York City, and built into these images are the credits.

After the credits Meg (Jodie Foster) and Sarah ( Kristen Stewart) are seen walking into a house which is for sale. The house is very large but with little lighting giving the house a dark edge. The music again adds a menacing tone to the atmosphere. As the scene progresses the audience see the panic room, which is for emergencies. The room has very bright lights compared to the lighting of the rest of the house and emphasises the claustrophobic atmosphere.

Meg falls asleep the camera pans around the house to downstairs. There is noir lighting which creates a shadowy tension. Looking out of the window, a typical convention of the thriller genre is seen: the rain and wet streets. The only sound now is rain and wind coming from outside. As the camera pans across the room the viewer can see three men look into the house from outside. As Burnham breaks into the house upstairs he notices the Meg and Sarah. This seems to shock him as if he wasn't expecting them to be there.

The plot of the film is typical for the thriller genre, a villain (Raoul) who presents obstacles the hero must over come, also the villain is trying to get money.

How director Quentin Taratino utilises the thriller conventions in Jackie Brown draft

Jackie Brown was written by Quentin Taratino and Elmore Leonard. Unlike most typical thrillers Jackie Brown main star is a middle aged black woman, as in most thrillers males’ occupy the majority of the cast. The first couple of minutes focus on Jackie with low angle tracking shots. Quentin Taratino utilises the conventions of the thriller genre in the murder sequence of Beumont Livingstone by Ordell. The characteristics which show this are the noir lighting, unglamorous locations (uninhabited, old industrial areas), and the use of water through reflections, rain and wet streets. As Beumont and Ordell walk to the car, Beumont follows behind Ordell which reflects his vulnerability. When they reach the car, Ordell wants to put Beumont in the boot. This is a typical convention of the thriller genre as the boot is a claustrophobic space and the person inside the boot is blind to what’s going on around them.There is a close up of Ordell putting on his gloves and getting out his gun. These are very masculine objects and show power, and strength as well as threat. There is a pan shot of the deserted area and a long shot as the car pulls up on a field. The noir lighting hides expressions on the face giving a bigger impact on the murder, as it has no emotions and Ordell is detached.