Target audience

My intended target audience is young adults, this is because I feel like this group of people are usually more horror fans than any other age group, furthermore many successful horror films are aimed at teenagers, for example the ‘Scream’ franchise and the ‘Final Destination’ franchise. Additionally as I am also a young adult I feel as if I could portray my work well to my audience demographic.

We can instantly tell who a horror film is aged at by the classification it has, for instance a 15 film is ages at teenagers aged 15 and above whereas a film aged PG is only suitable for someone with parental guidance. The classification I have chosen to go for is 15 as this will give me a wider target audience than 18. There are certain guidelines that I must follow and; these guidelines have been set up by the British Board of Films Classification. These are there rules which can be found here: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/classification/guidelines/15-2/ 

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.

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

Horror: Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language: There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘f**k’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘c**t’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

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

Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed 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.

Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

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 or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Through my studies I understand that the media can be a vast a powerful thing, therefore I will not glamorise anything that a 15 year old should not know. I have taken all of these into account and will make sure that I follow these closely; to attract my target audience I am going to use some sexual attraction through my characters makeup and costume however I will make sure it is in accordance with the guidelines. I think that using a sight sex appeal is a good way to draw my audience as teenagers will be excited and thus will go and watch the film.