Researching Target Audience

Target Audience 

    Hello everyone! The target audience plays a big role when making a film. You need to know 'Who will watch these films' and the 'why'. So, in order to make my film, we need to research more on the target audience and who will watch it.

    Horror movies typically attract younger audiences, mainly those under 25. Many watchers like the excitement and thrill that comes from being scared and going into a place that feels terrifying and different. Horror films tend to be less attractive to older viewers because younger audiences are more likely to want this thrill. Also, studies show that a significant amount of both men and women watch horror movies, showing that the audience is equal by gender.

    In the late 1970s, horror movies were highly targeted toward teenagers and young adults. Over half of American viewers were between the ages of 12 and 20, and many of them went on dates. Movie makers took into account how younger women looked because teenage females often picked the film for a date. For example, the female characters in Halloween discuss dating, school, and childcare in order to relate to younger viewers.

    Although slashers are often known for killings, many early films also focused on relationships and friendships. Advertising showed couples and feelings instead of just fear. This worked, and almost half of the audience for Halloween and Friday the 13th was under 17, and more than half of the viewers were girls.

    Horror is still very popular with Gen Z and Millennials, with most people in those age groups saying they often watch horror films. The genre is often considered a “date movie” and is popular with people who like thrills and tension. Through events like Halloween Horror Nights, which target those who enjoy intense and terrifying experiences, companies like Universal Studios sell horror.

~ Conclusion

    This research helps me understand that my film should be made mainly for a younger audience who enjoys thrills and relatable characters. Knowing that horror is popular with Gen Z and is often watched as a date movie helps me plan my story and characters to match what the audience likes. By doing this, I can make my film more engaging.  

  

~ Sources

-https://cmpalexgilbey.weebly.com/uploads/3/8/8/7/38878453/horror_film_research.pdf

- https://daily.jstor.org/selling-slashers-to-teen-girls/

- https://www.statista.com/statistics/1498439/horror-movies-tv-shows-age-generation-worldwide/#:~:text=Table_title:%20Share%20of%20consumers%20who%20watch%20horror,Boomers%20%7C%20Share%20of%20respondents:%2058%25%20%7C

- https://fearworm.com/who-is-the-haunted-house-demographic/