Audience Research Questionnaire

As a of focus point in our production meeting we focused on what genres are popular and what people expect to see in different types of genres. My task for the next lesson was to interview 3 people on what they expect to see in our top 3 genres (Rom-com, Horror and Sci-fi). Below are the questionnaires and results; this helped us with our research because it meant that we could use the results of the genre we chose the next lesson and use the information gathered when planning our opening sequence

Alice Robins

What do you think are the main conventions of a rom-com? I think the main convention of a rom com is a male and female protagonist either both liking each other or both just being friends to being with then fall in love, facing lots of obstacles on the way which end up in the breaking up temporarily before getting back together and having a happy ending.
What do you think the typical themes/occasions of a rom-com are?
I think rom-coms are often based around either a big occasion in someone's personal life (promotion or big birthday) or a special occasion that is public (new years eve or Christmas) these events then allow for a change to occur in someone life and therefore cause the situation where they meet the person they fall in love with or change the relationship with someone they already know which allows them to fall in love.
Are there any generic factors of a rom-com that you find boring and ineffective?
I feel they are all very generic and follow a very similar path, I think to make them more exciting and draw people in more they should make it more true to life; for example happy endings don't always happen and therefore I think some rom-coms, without loosing the feel-good factor shouldn't end with the couple falling in love and having perfect lives.
Who do you think the main target audience is for a rom-com and why?
I think the target audience is largely women, they often want their lives to be like the movies as they long for the romance and happy ever afters that come with them. Also, I think women can relate with the films more, they often end up with the male protagonist messing up the relationship. Moreover, the male protagonist is normally extremely attractive and the leading female is funny and relateable.
Why do you like/dislike rom-coms?
I like rom-coms because they put me in a good mood; they're funny whilst still drawing me into a characters life and creating a fantasy that I grew up reading about; a fairytale. Although, there are some bumps along the way which make it seem more relatable. However  these are clouded by the clever use of comedy to lighten the breakup or fight between the two leading characters. The endings of rom-comedies are always cheery and light-hearted, the use of upbeat music during the credits reinforce the idea that you have a good time watching the film and adds to the "feel-good-factor"

Craig Hutson

What do you think the main conventions of a horror are? Most horrors have a vulnerable protagonist that is being chased/threatened by a villain. They usually take place at night in an abandoned or mysterious place (warehouse, woods, empty house). Finally, they don't normally have a happy ending, I think this is to keep the gloomy feel to them and also adds to the unrealistic theme of the film.
What do you think the typical themes/occasions of a horror are? There is often someone being chased or you can see someone being watched from the villains viewpoint. It also nearly always happens at night, the darkness then adds to the scare factor. There is often a theme of the villain gaining power and status in the film and thus becoming the co-protagonist, they often gain power by to torturing or controlling the victim.
Are there any generic factors of a horror that you find boring and ineffective? I think horrors become more effective if they don't use the generic themes I mentioned above. By using these re-occurring themes the films lose their edge and become too predictable, this make them much less scary and I think they would be more effective if they used original ideas to draw in the audience.
Who do you think the main target audience is for a horror and why?
I think the main target audience is 15 or above; for a horror to be effective I think it need to have conventions and themes that aren't suitable for people who are under 15, if you make the age restriction too low then the film may lose some edge because the producer has had to make it suitable for their eyes. However, I do think teenagers and young adults are more likely to watch horror films than the older generations.
Why do you like/dislike horror?
I can't say I categorically like or dislike horrors I like the thrill of some where as other may lack a structured story line and be slightly boring; however, overall I think non-generic horrors are good and I definitely don't enjoy horrors that have an age restriction of under 15.

Caleb Thomas

What do you think are the main conventions of a sci-fi? Most sci-fi films have a lot of technological gadgets and weapons and are often based on spaceships. Also, many sci-fi films occur on a different planet or with different species, this allows the film to be as imaginative as it likes.
What do you think the typical themes/occasions of a sci-fi are? I think most sci-fi films follow the theme of 'to the future' many sci-fi films are based around either having to travel to the future to save the planet or something from the future travelling to the present day. I think most sci-fi films follow this film because again there are no limits; no one can predict what the future holds and therefore the film can be as far fetched as you like and it will still have an element of realism in it.
Are there any generic factors of a sci-fi that you find boring and ineffective? I feel that most sci-fi films follow the same pattern 'there's a discovery, Earth and it's population are at great risk and then the scientists or astronauts or pace men etc. save the day and everything is back to normal' I find this makes the films very predictable and some what boring.
Who do you think the main target audience is for a rom-com and why? I think sci-fi films are largely based at the male audience, the protagonists are often male and I think they appeal to men because of the action and possible risk in the films. I also think it attracts younger boys and older men rather than the teenage population because I think they would want something more relateable and I think male teenagers prefer fight and action scenes to sci-fi scene.
Why do you like/dislike sci-fi?
I dislike most sci-fi films because they aren't believable, I prefer films you can relate to. Because I don't believe the story line I don't get hooked on or drawn into the drama and therefore find it boring and lack the rush I feel when watching action scenes from other genres.