Explain and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different ideas for an original media product based on a client brief (P1/M1)
To qualify, you must plan and pitch a horror film to us that meets the abovementioned criteria. Following this, finalists will be asked to supply a short of serving as a guide for what to expect. In this brief, all audio and video must either be self-produced or copyright-free; using the latter must be clearly referenced in your work.
Organisation: The BFI
Organisation details: The British Film Institute provides funding for film and TV development and production, which includes international co-productions and completion funding.
Website: www.bfi.org.uk
Overview of Brief: The BFI is searching for the following outstanding British Horror Film. To qualify, you must plan your film, prepare a pitch and ensure that the BFI’s cultural criteria are met (https://www.bfi.org.uk/apply-british-certification-tax-relief/cultural-test-film). As part of the pitch, you must schedule a short that maintains your feature film's general plot and tone. The sub-genre of horror is your choice.
Length of short: Between 4-10 minutes
Age rating of short and feature films: 15
Documentation required:
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:
- Talented filmmakers: England has a long history of producing gifted filmmakers in the horror genre.
- Iconic characters: British horror has created some of the most memorable and iconic characters in horror, such as Jack the Ripper.
- Dedicated fanbase: British horror has a dedicated and loyal fanbase in England and worldwide.
Weaknesses:
- Restricted funding: In comparison to Hollywood, British horror frequently needs more funding, which can limit the production's scope and quality.
- Lack of diversity: British horror has come under fire for having a limited range of characters in many of its films, many of whom are primarily white men.
- Overuse of tropes: Several British horror movies tend to overuse well-known horror clichés, which can result in predictability and a lack of originality.
Opportunities:
- Greater exposure abroad: Because of the growth of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, British horror has a chance to appeal to a larger international audience.
- Collaborations with foreign filmmakers: Collaborations with foreign filmmakers could provide British horror new insights and innovative ideas.
- Researching new subgenres: British horror could investigate new subgenres and topics to vary its storytelling and appeal to a larger audience.
- Adopting new technologies: Technological developments like virtual reality and interactive media may open new possibilities for creative and immersive horror encounters.
Threats:
- Competition from other genres: Other genres, such as action and comedy, which might have a wider audience, compete with British horror.
- Dependency on remakes and adaptations: British horror may grow overly reliant on these techniques, stifling originality and creativity.
- Falling interest: Support for and possibilities for British horror could dwindle with interest in the genre.
- Adapting to changing audience expectations: As the tastes and trends of the audience evolve, British horror may also need to alter.
Conjuring 2
Horror Audiences
The typical target demographic for a horror movie is between the ages of 15 and 25. Young adults and teenagers appreciate thrills, which is the most frequent explanation. Younger audiences are more likely to be excited by these thrills than older ones.
Three primary elements are responsible for horror's appeal as a genre: Tension: creating a feeling of mystery, dread, shock, or fear. Relevance: forging a cultural or personal bond, triggering an innate anxiety, such as a fear of dying.
Both Gen Z and millennials are significant audiences for horror movies. Generation Z, in particular, is known to like horror and thriller content, and 70% of them say they want scary movies (variety).
Additionally, millennials were found to watch movies most frequently, with ages 25 to 39 making up 32% of all US movie attendance (MPAA). Both generations are heavily influenced by online content and social media, which can affect their movie choices. Horror films dealing with current cultural and social horrors, such as pandemics and social injustice, may also appeal more to these generations.
Blue sky thinking:
A group of friends unknowingly enter an isolated town where the residents have been turned into monsters by a mysterious virus.
A family moves into a new home only to discover that it is haunted by the ghosts of its former inhabitants, who were brutally murdered.
A young couple on a road trip stumble upon a ghost town where the spirits of the former residents come back to life and seek revenge.
A town is threatened by a serial killer that gets hunted down and killed.
A town is surprised when people dressed in clown outfits wander the streets.
Swot ideas:
1. Age rating - 15
Location: abandoned house or a creepy forest in the countryside.
Theme: mysterious kidnappings.
House is haunted by multiple murders, and people keep disappearing and ending up in strange locations.
Villain - a sociopath with crazy ideas and hyperactivity.
Hero - People who escape the villain and track him down.
2. Age rating - 15
Location: Town at night.
Theme: Creepy sounds are heard everywhere.
The town is haunted, and people keep having strange feelings.
Villain - Ghosts.
Hero - People who found the source and freed the town of the curse.
Strengths:
Ghost is a popular classic horror villain that can attract fans.
The haunted house theme and spooky sounds create an exciting and mysterious atmosphere.
The protagonist's journey to find its source and liberate the city can provide viewers with a satisfying sense of resolution and completion.
Weaknesses:
An age limit of 15 may limit the film's potential audience, as it may not be suitable for younger audiences.
Using a ghost as the sole villain can limit fear and make it more predictable. The theme of haunted houses and eerie noises is used in many horror films, which can lead to a lack of originality.
Opportunity:
A night city backdrop allows for creative and visually stunning cinematography.
Explore the haunted house theme in depth and discover interesting backstories and lore.
A hero's journey can create a solid emotional connection with an audience and promote positive word of mouth.
Threat:
The horror genre is highly competitive, with many other films vying for audience attention. An addiction to jump scares and overuse of horror can lead to a lack of originality and creativity.
If the film is well received by critics and audiences, it can protect the filmmaker's reputation and future projects.
3. Age rating - 15
Location: Astbury, mere
Theme: Drowning people
Villain - A crazy man that drowns people that are going on walks.
Hero - A person walking a dog sees it happening and kills the villain.
Strengths:
The drowning theme can create suspenseful and exciting movie plots.
The idea of a hero stepping in to save the day is very satisfying for viewers.
The setting of a peaceful place like Astbury can provide an exciting contrast to the violent behaviour of villains.
A 15-year age limit may attract younger adult audiences drawn to horror and thriller films.
Weaknesses:
The drowning theme can be disturbing and exciting for some viewers, which can limit the film's audience. In addition, for some viewers, the plot may need to be more complex and predictable, resulting in lower engagement.
The protagonist's decision to kill the villain can be controversial, and some viewers may disagree with the message that violence is the solution.
The limited number of characters may limit plot twists and character development opportunities.
Opportunity:
The film can contain elements of mystery and suspense to keep the viewer engaged and puzzled by the villain's motives and identities.
Backgrounds can create a unique atmosphere and mood that enhances the film's impact on the audience. The film can explore heroism, justice and morality themes to create a thought-provoking viewing experience.
Movies may feature different characters and perspectives to appeal to a broader audience.
Threat:
The disturbing nature of the film's subject matter limits its appeal and may deter some people from watching it.
The controversy surrounding the main character's decision to kill off the villain may provoke negative reviews and criticism from some viewers.
A limited number of characters and a simplified plot make the film memorable and unremarkable in the crowded film market. The potential for a movie to be seen as exploitative or insensitive to victims of drowning or violence can damage its reputation and affect box office returns.
Overview:
Number one is the best due to its violent and explicit material. This novel is exciting and exhilarating but is best suited for a more mature audience. The backdrop, whether an eerie forest or an abandoned mansion, gives the narrative an atmosphere of danger and loneliness. A typical but intriguing scenario that viewers will likely find engaging involves mysterious kidnappings. In addition, a psychopathic villain with irrational views and excessive energy heightens the narrative's sense of chaos and peril. The hero's quest to stop evil and solve the mystery is a captivating plot that viewers may readily feel immersed in. The most incredible option for folks who want suspenseful, terrifying stories that are appropriate overall.
