9. Research: Audience Profile - FDA launchingfilms.com (Anna McConnell)

AUDIENCE RESEARCH - FDA launchingfilms.com

SPLIT (Night Shyamalan, 2017) - 20th January 2017

Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all of the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey, Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him -- as well as everyone around him -- as the walls between his compartments shatter

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Rating Certificate: 15 for disturbing thematic content and behavior, violence and some language

What does this tell us about our target audience?

If we decide to go down the route of a psychological thriller for our opening, we need to be considerate of the fact that the disturbing content may not be entirely suitable for anyone under the age of 15, particularly if we show scenes of erratic behavior, much like that of the protagonist in SPLIT (Night Shyamalan, 2017). Although our thriller will most likely not include profanities in the dialogue, we may choose to include themes of violence which may cause distress for a younger audience. This particular film references mental health issues; the protagonist is suffering with Multiple Personality Disorder thus we must be careful to target our film to a mature audience if we choose to make references to mental instability. 

Budget:

 $10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

 $40,010,975 (USA) (20 January 2017)

Marauders (Miller, 2016) - 26th December 2016

When a bank is hit by a brutal heist, all evidence points to the owner and his high-powered clients. But as a group of FBI agents dig deeper into the case - and the deadly heists continue - it becomes clear that a larger conspiracy is at play.

Genre: Crime Thriller

Rating Certificate: 15 / Rated R for strong violence, language, brief drug use and nudity

What does this tell us about our target audience?

If we decide to go down the route of a crime thriller for our opening, high action violence is to be expected therefore it would be unsuitable for a younger audience. Both of these films we have analysed have age ratings of 15, indicating heavily that for a thriller to be successful, it must include controversial or dark themes which requires us to put the age restriction at 15.