Horror Audiences

A variety of films have different target audiences, however to make a film sell successfully the film producers must be aware of the target audience and should direct their attention to aspire to the audiences required tastes.

Primary Target - The primary target is mostly identified through demographic variables such as age, gender and level of education. Your primary audience is the main body of viewers. The viewers that instantly take a liking to your product.

Secondary Target -The secondary target audience are viewers who fall outside the primary demographic but make up a large percentage of the test audience.

For example the primary audience for Sesame Street is children. Parents are the secondary audience.

Through internet research, I have established that most horror films are usually aimed around teenagers till mid-twenties. I thought it is probably due to the idea that they are most curious and daring to go and watch a film that is presented to scare them, and feel put up to the challenge. Also the characters within the films relate to the viewers, of naive teenagers being victimized by the antagonists. It has also been researched that women are in higher proportion to watch horror movies than men.

Stereotypical characters presented in horror films
Through research, I have been able to highlight the stereotypical characters that contribute to the success of a horror film: FEMALE CHARACTER:
Vulnerable and in need of protection
Usually young blonde attractive (appeal to wider male audience)
Presented as annoying and stupid, usually not first but killed in gruesome way
Character helps builds suspense and puts viewer on edge as they are normally over-dramatic about situations THE INNOCENT ONE:
Sensible
Common sense
Usually only one to survive as they’re of ‘purity’, which isn't associated with evilTHE NON-BELIEVER:
Often male
Presented cocky and convincing that nothing bad is going on and everyone is over reacting
Normally overconfident – first to be killed normally
  HERO:
Mainly strong male
Normally brave, young going after antagonist
Shows little emotion – want to look and stay strong EVIL CHARACTER (ANTAGONIST):
Serial killer, demonic possession, ghost, monster etc.
If human, normally disguises appearance, identity and emotion – fear of unknown on viewer and characters
Biggest impact on audience and strikes fear to viewer