Researching the Target Audience

Target Audience - Zombie Horror Films

Zombie horror films are the type of film genre that tends to make the target audience feel frightened and to surprise them; yet scaring the audience. 

People who watch our chosen film genre try to make themselves comparable to the characters, so that  they are able to establish how long they would be able to last if a ‘zombie apocalypse’ was to occur. 

The target audience for zombie films is 15 and 35. This is the chosen age range of audience because most people of an age of 18 or over are less likely to be interested in seeing a Zombie horror film in the cinema. Whereas people of 12 years and over are unlikely to be allowed by their parent or guardians to see a film of this genre.

A film example that fits with our chosen film genre is "Shaun Of The Dead". 

Shaun of the Dead (Rated 15)

Shaun of the Dead is a British horror comedy directed by Edgar Wright in 2004, starring Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, who also helped to write it with Wright. Simon Pegg plays Shaun, a man attempting to get some kind of focus in his life as he deals with his girlfriend, his mother and stepfather. At the same time he has to cope with an apocalyptic uprising of zombies.

The film was rated 15 in Britain and R (Restricted – Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent Or Adult Guardian) in the US. 

Our genre of film tends to contain a large amount of blood, gore and violence. Stereotypically, this appeal more to men then it does to women as it comes across as masculine not to be affect by this gory violence. 
 

As mentioned above, zombie apocalypse films contain gruesome scenes; therefore they tend to be targeted at the more mature members of society. The age range of 15 to 35 are more inclined to watch this genre of film as common topics in everyday convocations are about such circumstances as a zombie apocalypse. People then become intrigued to find out how long they would survive if something was to occur. 
 

Apart from this, there is no specific target relating to social class or financial status. 

 

In the opening two minutes of our film, we are going to introduce a group of boys who are completely innocent and vulnerable to the zombie attack they are going to face. This will draw the audience as they don't expect an usually attack which keeps them drawn in, making them watch the film to the end.

 

In conclusion we believe that the main target audience will be older teenagers and above. The theme will attract both sexes but more directed to the members of the male audience.  From looking around online, I feel as though I agree with what I have read as I know a lot of teenagers who go out and regularly watch zombie-horror films, whereas I don’t know many older people that watch similar things. This poll is clearly related to younger people and males in particular. What I found interesting was that there were many films added as good choices in the comments - this shows you how many popular zombie films there are so there is an established target audience.

http://www.horror-movies.ca/2011/10/you-voted-15-best-zombie-movies/