Focus Group
In order to think about what it is people want to gain from watching my film, I decided to get a group of people together to discuss a range of different questions that would help prepare me for when I begin filming. Asking detailed open ended questions would give me a clear idea of what people like to see in a crime film. The better my film suits my target audience, the more successful it will be as people will find it more enjoyable.
Before meeting my focus group, I came up with a range of different questions to ask, that would hopefully get the best responses and most helpful information:
1. What do you believe makes a good crime film?
2. Where would you say the ideal location for a crime film would be?
3. Do you think the gender of the main character affects how exciting the film is?
4. What would you typically expect to see in a crime film?
The five participants discussed each question in detail, giving me helpful feedback as well as other issues to consider. Below are the YouTube links to each question with a brief summary evaluating the responses and how each one will be useful during my production process.
1. https://youtu.be/PPKTd9k34nU
Question one helped me to understand what other people think makes a good crime film. What I believe to be a good crime film may vary from someone else's opinion, so it was useful to get a more all rounded view. The main points picked up in the discussion were:
- a storyline that is realistic and people can relate to
- different perspectives e.g. blurred lines between good and evil
- some kind of mystery/puzzle
- action to keep audience engaged
- variation from the typical crime films by adding different story strands
As a result of this, I will ensure that creating verisimilitude is a key point to consider when filming my opening. It is also clear that an in depth story line is preferred over a simplistic one, so I will therefore include different events throughout out the film that encourage the audience to question and think about certain themes.
2. https://youtu.be/O-QdP86YlpY
The next question demonstrated what people thought the idyllic location would be and why. This discussion contained more contrasting opinions that lead to the following range of answers:
- more to do with basing the location around the characters
- urban areas/suburbs
- familiar locations the audience can picture themselves in (e.g. London)
- however, unfamiliar locations are better at creating tension and mystery
- somewhere that explores the horrors of the real world
Overall, the majority of the group felt that busy urban areas would be better suited for a crime film, and this is something I would agree with too, as in reality crime rates are higher in these areas. Because of the responses I have received from this question, I think it is clear that setting my film in a big city would appeal to the audience, especially as large percentages of the population are used to this kind of environment too.
3. https://youtu.be/MLa_zttKL8I
When exploring if the gender of the main character affects how exciting a film is, the group came up with a variety of ways in which it can affect an audience, however the main underlying response was that no, it does not change the level of excitement:
- having expectations of male characters to lead
- lead female actors are heavily sexualised
- as long as the story is interesting, the gender makes no difference
- gender does not affect excitement, it is done more for the purpose of more profits
- many people do not give films with female leads a chance
The feedback given from the group suggests that the gender of the lead character depends on what I want the goal of the film to be. If I want to challenge the audience by being unconventional, then a female lead will be better at achieving this. However, it is clear that the main character is usually played by a male actor, especially in more violent action films, and going with this stereotype is likely to attract more people, in turn making the company more money.
4. https://youtu.be/1-IccaRXT4Q
Question four helped me to identify what audiences typically see in crime films, and which aspects of this that they like. The different points made throughout the discussion are outlined below:
- physical violence combined with emotional aspects too
- variations between the perspective of the criminal or the law
- questions that lead to audience involvement (e.g. enigma and mystery)
- a balance of action and psychological questioning
- character backstories
- intertwining storylines
- plot twists that lead the audience to guess the outcomes, but keeps them on their toes
- admiration for the criminals work
- character development of the criminal
- 18 age ratings to ensure younger audiences are not influenced by the illegal acts
This question again, further reinforced the audiences want for a detailed storyline and in depth character personalities. Building both the story and characters helps to envelope the audience into the story as they become more emotionally attached the more they like and understand a character. The point made about having a high age rating will come in helpful when I expand my research and decide on the age rating my film should be.
Before meeting my focus group, I came up with a range of different questions to ask, that would hopefully get the best responses and most helpful information:
1. What do you believe makes a good crime film?
2. Where would you say the ideal location for a crime film would be?
3. Do you think the gender of the main character affects how exciting the film is?
4. What would you typically expect to see in a crime film?
The five participants discussed each question in detail, giving me helpful feedback as well as other issues to consider. Below are the YouTube links to each question with a brief summary evaluating the responses and how each one will be useful during my production process.
1. https://youtu.be/PPKTd9k34nU
Question one helped me to understand what other people think makes a good crime film. What I believe to be a good crime film may vary from someone else's opinion, so it was useful to get a more all rounded view. The main points picked up in the discussion were:
- a storyline that is realistic and people can relate to
- different perspectives e.g. blurred lines between good and evil
- some kind of mystery/puzzle
- action to keep audience engaged
- variation from the typical crime films by adding different story strands
As a result of this, I will ensure that creating verisimilitude is a key point to consider when filming my opening. It is also clear that an in depth story line is preferred over a simplistic one, so I will therefore include different events throughout out the film that encourage the audience to question and think about certain themes.
2. https://youtu.be/O-QdP86YlpY
The next question demonstrated what people thought the idyllic location would be and why. This discussion contained more contrasting opinions that lead to the following range of answers:
- more to do with basing the location around the characters
- urban areas/suburbs
- familiar locations the audience can picture themselves in (e.g. London)
- however, unfamiliar locations are better at creating tension and mystery
- somewhere that explores the horrors of the real world
Overall, the majority of the group felt that busy urban areas would be better suited for a crime film, and this is something I would agree with too, as in reality crime rates are higher in these areas. Because of the responses I have received from this question, I think it is clear that setting my film in a big city would appeal to the audience, especially as large percentages of the population are used to this kind of environment too.
3. https://youtu.be/MLa_zttKL8I
When exploring if the gender of the main character affects how exciting a film is, the group came up with a variety of ways in which it can affect an audience, however the main underlying response was that no, it does not change the level of excitement:
- having expectations of male characters to lead
- lead female actors are heavily sexualised
- as long as the story is interesting, the gender makes no difference
- gender does not affect excitement, it is done more for the purpose of more profits
- many people do not give films with female leads a chance
The feedback given from the group suggests that the gender of the lead character depends on what I want the goal of the film to be. If I want to challenge the audience by being unconventional, then a female lead will be better at achieving this. However, it is clear that the main character is usually played by a male actor, especially in more violent action films, and going with this stereotype is likely to attract more people, in turn making the company more money.
4. https://youtu.be/1-IccaRXT4Q
Question four helped me to identify what audiences typically see in crime films, and which aspects of this that they like. The different points made throughout the discussion are outlined below:
- physical violence combined with emotional aspects too
- variations between the perspective of the criminal or the law
- questions that lead to audience involvement (e.g. enigma and mystery)
- a balance of action and psychological questioning
- character backstories
- intertwining storylines
- plot twists that lead the audience to guess the outcomes, but keeps them on their toes
- admiration for the criminals work
- character development of the criminal
- 18 age ratings to ensure younger audiences are not influenced by the illegal acts
This question again, further reinforced the audiences want for a detailed storyline and in depth character personalities. Building both the story and characters helps to envelope the audience into the story as they become more emotionally attached the more they like and understand a character. The point made about having a high age rating will come in helpful when I expand my research and decide on the age rating my film should be.
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