Audience research.

These are the film classifications according to the British Board of Film Classification. These ratings are important as they inform the customer of which films are suitable for them and they should watch and which they shouldn't watch. To grade the films, the examiners look at a variety of issues from discrimination and nudity to language and violence. However, much more than this is taken into account. They examine the context, tone and impact of the work and how it will make the audience feel as well as the format that it is in as a DVD will lead to a higher amount of underage viewing.
 

Suitable for all


Parental guidance


Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over


Video release suitable for 12 years and over


Suitable only for 15 years and over


Suitable only for adultsThrough research, I have discovered that the typical ratings for British Gangster films are either rated 15 or 18. This is usually because the films contain strong language and violence that is unsuitable for children, younger ones in particular. This tells me therefore that I need to set my target audience as adults rather than people under 18s.

What signifies a rating 15?

To rate a film 15, it must be stronger than a 12 or 12A. This could be in any section from strong violence to strong language. Subjects such as sexual activity can be portrayed but without graphic detail. A lack of strong, gory images is important and issues such as suicide should not be dwelled upon.

What signifies a rating 18?

To rate a film 18, it must be stronger than a 15. Issues such as strong language have no boundaries and stronger gory images are permitted than in a 15 rated film. Other issues such as drug taking may be shown but not promoted and nudity is permitted as long as it isn't excessive.

To try and get an idea of who my target audience are, I have sent out a survey to try and understand what they would want or expect from a film opening. I have found the results to be very helpful as I can see that more males then females enjoy British Gangster Films but I can also see that people under 18 have filled out the survey. However I do not want to use them as my target audience as it would be inappropriate considering that some British Gangster Films are 18 rated, so although mine might be 15 or 18 rated, at the moment I know that it is unsuitable to set under 18s as my target audience. I have put in a link to the survey below.

Click here to take survey

Below are the results of my survey.



I have created a voki to represent my target audience.




To understand what my target audience are like and their interests, I have created rate cards to represent them. For the technology section, I have looked into a variety of gadgets that they might use, such as I Pads and netbooks as they are a suitable size for easy use. As my target audience would have grown up through the technology era, they would have a keen interest in new technology. Also, as they would be at an age where they disposable income so can afford the latest gadgets.

The fashion section represents what the men wear. As they are the age that will want to dress so that they fit in yet have their own personality quirks. An example of this is converse, where men will wear different designs and styles, but ultimately still the same shoe.

This age group have a variety of hobbies; these depend on their location financial stability. The men in the younger bracket of my target audience age range will be more likely to go to nightclubs, whereas the men in the older bracket will be more likely to drive. This shows that the men in this age bracket, although a similar age, can have very different personalities and social lives.

I have also looked into the food that my target audience eat. I have shown a variety of typically British fast food as this age group tend not to cook, largely due to a lack of facilities and ability.