Secondary Audience Research

I have been researching drama films in relation to music, as well as self destruction within the protagonist characters role, in order to create a strong estimation of the targeted audience of such films. The films ''A Serious Man'', "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" and "Walk The Line" are all set in the past, with the latter two being based on iconic musicians, "A Serious Man" is more of a culture based film, however the self destruct aspect is definitely present. "Crazy Heart" is set in real time whilst portraying a fictional musician who has passed his prime. All show quite an intimate journey in the downfall of the protagonist. All films attract quite a wide range of age groups, with "Walk The Line" gaining a majority audience at the 15-24 category, perhaps due to the sheer size in popularity of Johnny Cash. Whilst "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" (the only other out of the four based on a real musician set in the past), seems to connect mainly with 45+ audiences, this could possibly hint that Ian Dury is not of big enough significance to appeal to a mass younger audience. "Crazy Heart" also appeals to a mainly 45+ audience, however a significant amount of 25-34 year olds and even 15-24 year olds are interested, the fact that this is made in real time perhaps connects to a younger audience, along with the fictional element of it. Based on these findings, my targeted audience is likely to tilt towards the 15-24 age group, due to it's fictional musician aspect, however considering the self

destructive and broken life the protagonist will lead i would like my film to excite and relate to older groups and i would imagine this to be the case. ''A Serious Man" and

"Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" draw extensive male audiences with the latter reaching a 79% male audience, "Crazy Heart" is directly split in the middle, which came as a surprise to me, as i thought the film was more connective towards a male audience, even more of a surprise is that "Walk The Line" the film showcasing Johnny Cash's decline gaged more of a reaction with the female audience. Perhaps the case is that the stereotype of angst and reckless violence in films no longer lies exclusively with a male audience, this should be taken into account when presenting the turmoils of my own character.

Whilst targeting a majority audience of 15-24 year olds, i will also be directing towards a socio-economic grouping of C1, although the films i have analysed tend to fix with the AB group, my film is targeted at a slightly younger audience than most films here. I would like for the film to draw likeminded older males who can relate to the character, whose life experiences are very similar to the on-screen dramas they will see. Taking this audience in mind, i will likely have lit

tle dialogue, i feel a narrator could fit much better, with slightly audible dialogue in particularly dramatic parts, the trailer is to feature music running at different volumes in the mix but still present throughout. The narrator should have an aged voice, perhaps to represent the on screen character at the present day looking back, it should be deep and have soul and feeling (it's likely i'll be doing this myself in another accent to my own). The contrast between the masculine voice and ambient music should help to create a bridge for both sides of the targeted audience. As for the editing pace, it should stick fairly close to the tempo of the soundt

rack, however some fast paced editing helps to create the tension within the plot, a trait that works really well in drama trailers, so i will be experimenting with this also.

Below is a montage video based upon pictures of how i believe best describes my target audience, the soundtrack is one of the tracks from an album by 'Omar Rodriguez Lopez and John Frusciante', which i have already gained permission to use from the artist, this is one song i may choose to use in the final trailer. I think it's fair to suggest that the "Leading Edge" tribe (that i am targeting) are old fashioned at heart, perhaps almost hippy-esque, however they do like to synchronise this with the latest technologies for a different and new result in lifestyle.

I would like my film trailer to show a few modern day home truths, perhaps projecting the effect of an early influence in a persons life, making for quite a compelling yet awkward view for the intended 15-24 year old age group. My thoughts are that the use of on screen/ off screen binary opposition, using the voice of an aged storyteller combined with on screen visuals of young adult(s) should culminate in a masculine and real approach on angst that seems to plague musicians in particular. This style of course being ever more popular since the appearance of 'new masculinity' on daily television programmes and films.

From " www.uktribes.com "