Qualitive Audience Research

In order to collect qualitative data we decided the best way to do this is by showing the audience a film trailer and to ask a sample of people a set of questions based on a film trailer of our choice, allowing our sample to express their opinions instead of choosing from a closed set of answers. We have decided to ask the questions personally from which we will produce a transcript to make the analysis easier.

We have decided to use the trailer from the film 'human centipede' as it fits in with the genre horror/ sociological thriller. We felt that because this film trailer (Human Centipede) has a genre that closely links to ours, the qualitative data that we retrieve from this section of our audience research could be closely linked to the film trailer we are going to produce, hence developing our understanding of the types of conventions used for film trailers with these types of genre.

Below is the film trailer for 'Human Centipede' which i have embedded onto my blog from you tube. If you encounter any problems trying to load or watch this film trailer, i have sited a link below which will take you to the original source of the trailer where you may also watch it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX8fKLjC__c

Due to the time constraints and nature of qualitative research, we have decided to limit the number of questions for this section of our audience research.

As individuals in the group we will approach one male and one female and ask the same five questions to both people, we will copy down and make notes on what is being said in reply to each question.

The questions we will be asking are:

1. After watching this trailer what genre would you say it comes under,explain why?

2. Do the sound effects in the trailer help to create tension and atmosphere, if yes? explain how.

3. How do you feel the colour, font, size and the movement of the text contributes to the overall feel of the trailer?

4. Does the way the footage is shown give a clear message of the plot and genre of the film, explain how?

5. Do you think the film trailer is successful, explain your answer?

Results:

Question and answer interviews after watching the trailer :

Boy aged 18:

1. After watching this trailer what genre would you say it comes under,explain why?

Answer: "I would say that this film is a horror film, because it has gory parts, with blood."

2. Do the sound effects in the trailer help to create tension and atmosphere, if yes? explain how.

Answer: " yeah i think it does built tension but it would be good if it was silent because then it would make me like really concentrate on what was happening."

3. How do you feel the colour, font, size and the movement of the text contributes to the overall feel of the trailer?

Answer:" the way that the text slowly appears with blood stains makes the trailer feel scary."

4. Does the way the footage is shown give a clear message of the plot and genre of the film, explain how?

Answer: " its good how parts of the film flash up from the beginning of the plot and the end of the plot, i got a clear massage from about the plot from the picture show and the text explaining what was happening".

5. Do you think the film trailer is successful, explain your answer?

Answer:"yeah i think it is a good trailer, i mean i would go and watch the movie after seeing the trailer, it makes the film look interesting".

Girl aged 19:

1. After watching this trailer what genre would you say it comes under,explain why?

Answer:" i cant decide if its a horror or a thriller, i think maybe its a bit of both, its sociological as well as gory".

2. Do the sound effects in the trailer help to create tension and atmosphere, if yes? explain how.

Answer: "I think the dialogue at the beginning is a good way of building tension and the sound effects, whilst the action is being shown builds a shocking atmosphere".

3. How do you feel the colour, font, size and the movement of the text contributes to the overall feel of the trailer?

Answer:"i think the way the text appears is great because it gives you time to read and take in what it says, I also think that the text being in large font and covered in blood splatters is a good way of telling the audience the feelings behind the film."

4. Does the way the footage is shown give a clear message of the plot and genre of the film, explain how?

Answer: " I think that this trailer gives a clear massage as to what the plot is because it shows the plot of the film in short steps that the audience can follow."

5. Do you think the film trailer is successful, explain your answer?

Answer:"This trailer is successful because it shows the audience what the film is about with a clear message and the genre of the film is obvious that's its a shocking one".

Women aged 27:

1. After watching this trailer what genre would you say it comes under,explain why?

Answer:" I feel this is a horror film, because of the nature of the plot."

2. Do the sound effects in the trailer help to create tension and atmosphere, if yes? explain how.

Answer: "Yes, the trailer works well with the added sound effects it creates a tense atmosphere and a good build up."

3. How do you feel the colour, font, size and the movement of the text contributes to the overall feel of the trailer?

4. Does the way the footage is shown give a clear message of the plot and genre of the film, explain how?

Answer:"the footage gives a clear message of the plot as it shows lots of action footage that contains the main features of the film".

5. Do you think the film trailer is successful, explain your answer?

Answer: " I think this film trailer is successful in the way it shows the genre and the plot very clearly, it also build tension so that the audience will want to go watch the film."

Man aged 32 :

1. After watching this trailer what genre would you say it comes under,explain why?

Answer: "I think that this is a horror film, because of the footage it shows of gore and it is scary."

2. Do the sound effects in the trailer help to create tension and atmosphere, if yes? explain how.

Answer:" yeah the sound effects do create tension that makes it fell scary."

3. How do you feel the colour, font, size and the movement of the text contributes to the overall feel of the trailer?

Answer: " yeah the movement of the text is good because it like swoops in, its quite creepy."

4. Does the way the footage is shown give a clear message of the plot and genre of the film, explain how?

Answer: Yeah the plot is really clear, the trailer shows allot of the plot and leave unanswered questions."

5. Do you think the film trailer is successful, explain your answer?

Answer:"The film trailer does work really well, it draws the audience in and leaves them wanting to watch the film."

Potential target audience:

After collecting a range of results from the qualitative and quantitative data we found that most of the people asked agreed on certain aspects of a film trailer.
They like that the text being revealed on a black background made the text stand out more so the audience had time to read and take in what the text said.
they agreed that sound effects are a good way to build tension. The majority liked to see the title and release date at the end of a trailer. They also enjoyed dispersed action and text being within the trailer. The people we asked like the plot to be revealed but not to much as they like to be left wondering what is happening, so that they feel they will go and see the film to answer those unanswered questions.

After these findings we feel that the rage of data has helped us decide on what aspects to add into our trailer and we are grateful for finding out what our audience will like to see. I feel that we have all the knowledge needed to create a successfully film trailer.

Quantitive Audience Research

This type of questionnaire contains only closed questions.This generates numerical data - following the guidelines of what quantitative research involves. Due to the limitations of carrying out quantitative research we decided to base our questionnaire on film trailer conventions, as conventions have a large,widespread view.

Below is the quantitative questionnaire that i have created on film trailer conventions, just click to preview:







Results:

Click on graphs below to enlarge image:



Audience research/ film trailer

Research

Now that we as individuals have researched about the conventions of a typical film trailer in our genre and deconstructed 2 film trailers with the same genre and also one with a different genre, we feel that we each have an understanding of what needs to be done to create a successful film trailer. I have also decided that i would like to look at the methods used to connect with an audience and what an audience likes to see in a successful film trailer.

I have researched 'Qualitative' and ' Quantitative' methods. What are these methods of research?

Qualitative:
Qualitative research explores the 'why' in its analysis of unstructured information. it is used to investigate peoples attitudes, behaviours, value systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations, opinions, culture or lifestyles and it is used to inform business decisions, policy formation, communication and research. Interviews are usually used, incorporating open end questions without set responses, usually generating non- numerical data.


Quantitative:
Quantitative research is used to measure how a sample of people feel, think or act in a particular way based upon a specific topic. Quantitative research tends to include large samples. Structured questionnaires are usually used, incorporating mainly closed questions - questions with set responses, usually generating numerical data or data that can be converted into numbers.

After researching these methods i feel it is key that we use both of these methods whilst researching into our target audience. Having a wider understanding of what the audience wants. having this level of understanding will really help us as a group to complete a successful film  trailer.

Film trailer conventions

Film trailers tend to have recognisable conventions in which the audience would be able to recognise what genre of film is being advertised. Some of the more commonly used conventions are:

Conventions

• Voice overs  are used to tell the story, describe the plot and give credit information,
• The main characters and stars of the film are showcased,
• key pints in the plot are shown through text or titles,
• Conventions between characters are mainly one liners,
• Dramatic camera angles are used to show main events or characters,
• Action is interlinked with actor or director credits on screen,
• Music and sound effects create an important atmosphere,
• The title of the film may not been shown until the end of the trailer,
• The often builds to a climax before ending,
• Montage (a series of shorts from different points in the film , edited together) is often used to highlight the most dramatic, humorous or fast paced aspects of the film.

Structure

• Conventions are structured around the most appealing aspects of the film without taking narrative order into consideration,
• A selection of shots are shown to show a significant amount of the plot and to connect with a wider audience,
• They aim to provide a basic narrative to guide the audience through the plot of the film.

Opening : Establishes settings and introduced characters.
Build up : Relationships are established, development of characters personalities and lifestyles are showcased.
Problem: A dilemma or series of problems unfold upon the character that he or she will have to overcome.
Events: A series of events where by the character is overcoming problems, this usually leads to further complications. A lot of emotion is involved.