• The main difference between mainstream and The main difference between mainstream and independent film companies is the amount of money independent film companies is the amount of money spent on the production and distribution of a film. spent on the production and distribution of a film.

• Independent films will have a much smaller budget Independent films will have a much smaller budget meaning less will be spent on the cast, the special meaning less will be spent on the cast, the special effects and also the marketing campaign. effects and also the marketing campaign.

• The mainstream films need to use these huge The mainstream films need to use these huge marketing campaigns to ensure they gain a lot of marketing campaigns to ensure they gain a lot of viewers to make all the money back they spent viewers to make all the money back they spent producing their big budget film. producing their big budget film.

• The larger the marketing campaign often means the The larger the marketing campaign often means the more people go to see it, which is why independent more people go to see it, which is why independent films usually stay unnoticed by many and gain a smaller films usually stay unnoticed by many and gain a smaller audience compared to the big summer blockbusters. audience compared to the big summer blockbusters.

• An example of a successful An example of a successful independent thriller film is independent thriller film is BrickBrick which had a measly which had a measly $475,000 budget yet managed $475,000 budget yet managed to earn quadruple this from US to earn quadruple this from US theatres alone. It was theatres alone. It was distributed by Focus Features, distributed by Focus Features, a company which specializes a company which specializes in the distribution of smaller in the distribution of smaller budget films.budget films.

• An example of a successful An example of a successful mainstream thriller film is mainstream thriller film is Skyfall Skyfall which had a massive which had a massive $200m budget and managed $200m budget and managed to recoup this after just three to recoup this after just three weeks on the US box office. It weeks on the US box office. It was distributed by MGM, a was distributed by MGM, a mainstream company which mainstream company which owns the rights to all the owns the rights to all the James bond films, one of the James bond films, one of the biggest film franchises to date.biggest film franchises to date.

• Hoodwink would be a mainstream film as it has a narrative which is Hoodwink would be a mainstream film as it has a narrative which is appealing to a wide audience and it could be made with huge stars, appealing to a wide audience and it could be made with huge stars, a established director and lots of special effects. We would choose a established director and lots of special effects. We would choose Universal Pictures to distribute it as they are the oldest mainstream Universal Pictures to distribute it as they are the oldest mainstream film company so are very well recognised and have distributed film company so are very well recognised and have distributed popular thriller films such as Shutter Island, The Skeleton Key and popular thriller films such as Shutter Island, The Skeleton Key and the Bourne Identity. All three films have dark themes like ours and the Bourne Identity. All three films have dark themes like ours and were all successful at the box office so I believe Universal would be were all successful at the box office so I believe Universal would be able to distribute our film successfully. They also have smaller able to distribute our film successfully. They also have smaller budgets compared to the big summer blockbusters like Hoodwink budgets compared to the big summer blockbusters like Hoodwink would have. A massive US distributor like Universal very rarely would have. A massive US distributor like Universal very rarely distributes British films but I think that Hoodwink has many distributes British films but I think that Hoodwink has many Hollywood elements such as lots of action so would still be Hollywood elements such as lots of action so would still be extremely popular in the US.extremely popular in the US.

• Hoodwink will be distributed internationally as are the Hoodwink will be distributed internationally as are the majority of mainstream films. We will use film festivals majority of mainstream films. We will use film festivals as part of our marketing campaign as these get the as part of our marketing campaign as these get the film recognition and praise before the film is even in film recognition and praise before the film is even in the theatres. If our film gets nominated for any high the theatres. If our film gets nominated for any high profile awards, that will also help attract viewers as it profile awards, that will also help attract viewers as it will be critically acclaimed. will be critically acclaimed.

• As young people typically really enjoy thriller films we As young people typically really enjoy thriller films we would take advantage of modern technology by using would take advantage of modern technology by using the internet and social networking to really push our the internet and social networking to really push our marketing campaign for Hoodwink to the younger marketing campaign for Hoodwink to the younger generation. We would do this as well as saturation generation. We would do this as well as saturation advertising, making sure everyone knows about our advertising, making sure everyone knows about our film as thriller films have such a wide target audience film as thriller films have such a wide target audience of 15-60of 15-60..

• We will try to emulate Se7en’s success We will try to emulate Se7en’s success at the box office. It was a relatively low at the box office. It was a relatively low budget mainstream with a estimated budget mainstream with a estimated budget of $30m like our film would. It budget of $30m like our film would. It made an unbelievable $316m worldwide made an unbelievable $316m worldwide and is now regarded as one of the most and is now regarded as one of the most successful films eversuccessful films ever..

Evaluation Q4Evaluation Q4

Who would be the audience for Who would be the audience for your media product?your media product?

HoodwinkHoodwink

Andrew RobinsonAndrew Robinson

• A typical thriller age rating is a 15 because the majority of thrillers are A typical thriller age rating is a 15 because the majority of thrillers are either this or possibly 12/18 depending on how graphic the violence is. either this or possibly 12/18 depending on how graphic the violence is. A 15 allows strong threat and menace and also allows strong violence A 15 allows strong threat and menace and also allows strong violence as long as it doesn’t include extreme gore, sexualised or sadistic as long as it doesn’t include extreme gore, sexualised or sadistic violence. Thrillers usually contain quite a lot of violence in the narrative violence. Thrillers usually contain quite a lot of violence in the narrative so this applies to the genre the most. No themes are prohibited so this applies to the genre the most. No themes are prohibited meaning they can be as dark as needed to match the dark, thriller meaning they can be as dark as needed to match the dark, thriller narrative. Other guidelines that might appear in thrillers such as narrative. Other guidelines that might appear in thrillers such as sex/nudity and strong language can be included as long as it can be sex/nudity and strong language can be included as long as it can be justified by context. Drug use is stricter as it can’t encourage the justified by context. Drug use is stricter as it can’t encourage the misuse of drugs or show the misuse of easily accessible drugs.misuse of drugs or show the misuse of easily accessible drugs.

• A psychological thriller, such as Taxi Driver or Se7en, could be given a A psychological thriller, such as Taxi Driver or Se7en, could be given a higher certificate as it makes the reader really think about the action higher certificate as it makes the reader really think about the action and is made to mess with the viewers mind so it will be quite and is made to mess with the viewers mind so it will be quite frightening. A fantasy thriller, such as Donnie Darko, may be given a frightening. A fantasy thriller, such as Donnie Darko, may be given a lower certificate as it will be in a made up world where unrealistic lower certificate as it will be in a made up world where unrealistic things happen. This means the viewer will know it is fake so will not be things happen. This means the viewer will know it is fake so will not be as strongly affected by the action.as strongly affected by the action.

• When watching a thriller, we expect the audience to be on the edge of When watching a thriller, we expect the audience to be on the edge of their seat with suspension as a thriller is meant to be exhilarating and their seat with suspension as a thriller is meant to be exhilarating and tense. A thriller is also meant to be quite scary and shocking because tense. A thriller is also meant to be quite scary and shocking because of the dark themes they usually have. The audience will be nervous as of the dark themes they usually have. The audience will be nervous as well because a good thriller builds up anticipation and leaves the well because a good thriller builds up anticipation and leaves the viewer thinking about what's going to happen next. viewer thinking about what's going to happen next.

• The core audience for Hoodwink will be 15-30 as these are The core audience for Hoodwink will be 15-30 as these are typically the people who go to the cinema and watch films typically the people who go to the cinema and watch films most frequently. The thriller genre also appeals to this age most frequently. The thriller genre also appeals to this age group the most. A broader audience would include 30-60 year group the most. A broader audience would include 30-60 year olds as the thriller genre has a large target audience. The olds as the thriller genre has a large target audience. The target audience would be both male and female as the thriller target audience would be both male and female as the thriller genre appeals to both gender.genre appeals to both gender.

• The films complex narrative may limit the potential audience The films complex narrative may limit the potential audience as some people may not understand it but this could increase as some people may not understand it but this could increase the box office earnings as they may want to see it again so the box office earnings as they may want to see it again so they can fully understand it. they can fully understand it.

• As our film is a crime thriller involving murder and kidnapping, As our film is a crime thriller involving murder and kidnapping, it has prominent dark themes and frequent violence so it it has prominent dark themes and frequent violence so it would not be suitable for a younger audience. The fact it would would not be suitable for a younger audience. The fact it would have a 15+ age rating would restrict the amount of people who have a 15+ age rating would restrict the amount of people who could go and see it but I believe the dark content makes it a could go and see it but I believe the dark content makes it a better thriller film so therefore, even more people would go better thriller film so therefore, even more people would go and see it.and see it.

• From researching other thriller films, I have discovered that From researching other thriller films, I have discovered that thriller films typically rely on trailers to attract their audience. thriller films typically rely on trailers to attract their audience. As thrillers our usually heavily narrative driven, the As thrillers our usually heavily narrative driven, the distributors use the trailers to set up narrative enigmas which distributors use the trailers to set up narrative enigmas which our left unanswered. This attracts the audience to the theatre our left unanswered. This attracts the audience to the theatre to see the film and find out the answers to the questionsto see the film and find out the answers to the questions.

Hoodwink Hoodwink Target Audience Target Audience

MemberMemberBrandsBrands

Magazines and Magazines and NewspapersNewspapers

TVTV

SportsSports

GamesGames

FilmsFilms

This is Cameron Taylor. He is 21 years old and lives This is Cameron Taylor. He is 21 years old and lives in the buissness end of London. He dresses in the buissness end of London. He dresses casually most of the time but on occasion dresses casually most of the time but on occasion dresses formerly. He enjoys watching films with his friends formerly. He enjoys watching films with his friends and going shopping with them. He enjoys shops and going shopping with them. He enjoys shops like Topman and Hugo Boss and enjoys eating out like Topman and Hugo Boss and enjoys eating out at Nandos. He enjoys films like Snatch, Se7en, Blitz at Nandos. He enjoys films like Snatch, Se7en, Blitz and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. He and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. He enjoys watching them with his friends at the enjoys watching them with his friends at the cinema but also shows an interest in the DVD cinema but also shows an interest in the DVD releases. If he watches TV, he would watch releases. If he watches TV, he would watch football, a film from a movie channel or even an football, a film from a movie channel or even an American drama such as Dexter. He would watch American drama such as Dexter. He would watch any of the Sky Movie or Sport channels, Film 4, E4 any of the Sky Movie or Sport channels, Film 4, E4 or Sky Atlantic. He enjoys listening to indie rock or Sky Atlantic. He enjoys listening to indie rock music such as Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys and The music such as Oasis, The Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. I think our film would appeal to him as he Killers. I think our film would appeal to him as he has a strong interest in films and also enjoys has a strong interest in films and also enjoys watching things which have elements of thriller in watching things which have elements of thriller in them like Hoodwink does.them like Hoodwink does.

Evaluation Q5Evaluation Q5

How did you attract your How did you attract your audience?audience?

HoodwinkHoodwink

Andrew RobinsonAndrew Robinson

As Hoodwink has such a wide target audience due to it being As Hoodwink has such a wide target audience due to it being a thriller, we will use push advertising and pull advertising to a thriller, we will use push advertising and pull advertising to attract our audience. We will use push advertising like attract our audience. We will use push advertising like posters and TV adverts to attract the older part of our posters and TV adverts to attract the older part of our audience, people between 40-60. We will use pull advertising audience, people between 40-60. We will use pull advertising like social media sites and film websites to attract the like social media sites and film websites to attract the younger part of our audience, people between 15-39. Also, as younger part of our audience, people between 15-39. Also, as Hoodwink is a mainstream film, it will have a large budget for Hoodwink is a mainstream film, it will have a large budget for the advertising so could afford to have a separate marketing the advertising so could afford to have a separate marketing campaign which links to the film. For example, a campaign which links to the film. For example, a merchandised hoodie for each person who pre orders their merchandised hoodie for each person who pre orders their cinema ticket to spread the films name around prior to cinema ticket to spread the films name around prior to release and encourage people to buy tickets. Mainstream release and encourage people to buy tickets. Mainstream films often appear at film festivals and are more likely to be films often appear at film festivals and are more likely to be nominated for awards so this would help our film reach our nominated for awards so this would help our film reach our intended audience as well.intended audience as well.

I would cast Joseph Gordon-Levitt as I would cast Joseph Gordon-Levitt as he is a relatively new, up and coming he is a relatively new, up and coming actor so he would be cheaper to cast actor so he would be cheaper to cast compared to other huge stars like compared to other huge stars like Tom Cruise. He has starred in Brick, Tom Cruise. He has starred in Brick, Inception, The Dark Knight Rises and Inception, The Dark Knight Rises and Looper, four very successful thriller Looper, four very successful thriller films so we would hope he could films so we would hope he could emulate this success in Hoodwink. emulate this success in Hoodwink. He also has a huge cult following He also has a huge cult following who would watch the movie just who would watch the movie just because he is in it which would because he is in it which would increase income.increase income.I would also cast Brad Pitt as he is I would also cast Brad Pitt as he is an incredibly well established an incredibly well established actor in the film business who has actor in the film business who has been nominated for four Oscars. been nominated for four Oscars. He has starred in successful He has starred in successful thriller films like Se7en, Snatch, thriller films like Se7en, Snatch, Fight Club and Twelve Monkeys, Fight Club and Twelve Monkeys, all regarded as some of the best all regarded as some of the best thriller films ever. Also, he is a thriller films ever. Also, he is a massive Hollywood actor with massive Hollywood actor with huge star power so would help huge star power so would help attract a large audience. attract a large audience.

The unique selling point on posters and trailers for The unique selling point on posters and trailers for Hoodwink would be to do with the stars or the huge twist Hoodwink would be to do with the stars or the huge twist

at the end, for example. at the end, for example.

Starring Brad Pitt and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.Starring Brad Pitt and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

An ending which will blow your mind away.An ending which will blow your mind away.

In order to gauge how our opening title sequence In order to gauge how our opening title sequence addressed our target audience, we showed out addressed our target audience, we showed out

film to our target audience and received the film to our target audience and received the following feedback:following feedback:

• In terms of genre our target In terms of genre our target audience said multiple times that audience said multiple times that the fact we had hidden the the fact we had hidden the identity of both characters identity of both characters conformed well to the genre conformed well to the genre conventions of thriller because it conventions of thriller because it adds mystery and suspense. adds mystery and suspense.

• The fact the narrative was of a The fact the narrative was of a kidnapping also fits well with the kidnapping also fits well with the thriller genre as it sets the thriller genre as it sets the narrative up and adds mystery as narrative up and adds mystery as to who she is and why she got to who she is and why she got taken. taken.

• The dark lighting was also said to The dark lighting was also said to be good because usually thriller be good because usually thriller films have darker lightening to films have darker lightening to set a more eerie atmosphere. set a more eerie atmosphere.

• The radio report was also said to The radio report was also said to be good because it makes the be good because it makes the audience want to work out what audience want to work out what is exactly going on. is exactly going on.

GenreGenre

• Our target audience said the Our target audience said the props helped make the props helped make the characters more believable, were characters more believable, were good in identifying each good in identifying each characters motives and were characters motives and were clearly plot devices. Shots like clearly plot devices. Shots like the close up of the police badge the close up of the police badge add to the character and gives add to the character and gives clues into what he is involved in. clues into what he is involved in.

• The close up of the bag was said The close up of the bag was said to be good because it adds to be good because it adds mystery as to why the bag is mystery as to why the bag is important and is a clear indicator important and is a clear indicator that it is important to the that it is important to the narrative. It was also said the narrative. It was also said the props and décor were really props and décor were really good as they were quite natural good as they were quite natural and something you could use and something you could use every day. every day.

Mise en SceneMise en Scene

• The costumes were said to be The costumes were said to be good as they give two clear good as they give two clear different representations of the different representations of the characters, the smart shirt and characters, the smart shirt and tie shows he is working class and tie shows he is working class and maybe of a higher profession. maybe of a higher profession.

• The black hoodie on the The black hoodie on the antagonist indicates he doesn’t antagonist indicates he doesn’t want his identity shown and want his identity shown and wants to stay hidden. The wants to stay hidden. The locations where clearly divided locations where clearly divided for the figure expressions for for the figure expressions for both character and it changed both character and it changed well in role of the well in role of the antagonist/protagonist. They antagonist/protagonist. They were also said to be good were also said to be good because it sets the scene of because it sets the scene of urban surroundings with urban surroundings with everyday life in the film. everyday life in the film.

• Our target audience said the Our target audience said the editing was good because it editing was good because it flows nicely and you do not flows nicely and you do not notice it which is typical for notice it which is typical for thriller films – good continuity. thriller films – good continuity.

• The titles and title placement The titles and title placement followed well with the music followed well with the music and action and did not over and action and did not over power the shot. power the shot.

• The graphic matches of the The graphic matches of the girl on the bench from the girl on the bench from the picture on the fridge as well as picture on the fridge as well as the bag worked well because the bag worked well because it hints that these two things it hints that these two things are important to the story line. are important to the story line.

• The desaturation in the The desaturation in the flashbacks creates a good flashbacks creates a good distinction between different distinction between different times and places. times and places.

Technical Aspects Technical Aspects

From the feedback given, I feel we have successfully targeted our From the feedback given, I feel we have successfully targeted our audience and addressed their needs as they said that our opening audience and addressed their needs as they said that our opening title sequence conforms to the Thriller genre very well. They were title sequence conforms to the Thriller genre very well. They were entertained by the suspense and said the element of mystery we entertained by the suspense and said the element of mystery we created made them eager to watch the rest of the film.created made them eager to watch the rest of the film.

• Voice over sets the story up and gives the audience some information but Voice over sets the story up and gives the audience some information but not enough for them to know what is going on. not enough for them to know what is going on.

• The music went well with the O.T.S it makes it more dramatic and fits with The music went well with the O.T.S it makes it more dramatic and fits with what is going on in the scenes. what is going on in the scenes.

• The change of music at the end to signal it was an important moment was The change of music at the end to signal it was an important moment was good as it made the opening title sequence more exciting. good as it made the opening title sequence more exciting.

• The music speeding up towards the end signals that it is building up to The music speeding up towards the end signals that it is building up to something big.something big.