Points of discussion:
1) What visual images would draw your attention to a horror poster? Are there any specific elements that you look for?
2)If you're in a DVD store or scrolling through Movies on Demand, what type of DVD cover would make you stop and consider watching it?
3)How do you feel about the narrative and do you find this type of pschological sub-genre compelling?
4)View the mock up posters and discuss whether of not they have been successful in suiting the stereotypical features of horror.
5)Having looked at my intitial horror campaign ideas, what do you think could be improved? (Typography/ layout /narrative/camera angles etc)
Focus Group: 9/01/2013
Duration: 20 minutes
Location: My house
I asked four friends (Rachel 17, Louise 18, Patrick 21 and Steph 24) to take part in a 20 minute session in which I would give them a few relevant topics to discuss for my project. The aim of this focus group is to receive constructive feedback about my mock ups and narrative ideas. Additionally, it is crucial to find out whether or not I am being successful in suiting the codes and conventions of the horror genre. As they are my friends, and were likely to sugar-coat things, I asked them to be as critical as possible because I find constructive criticism to be the most effective incentive to improve the standard of my work.
Interviewer (Me): What visual images would draw your attention to a horror poster? Are there any specific elements that you look for?
Rachel: I think for me, it's got to be something that's obviously scary. Something along the lines of a monster, zombie... anything covered in blood and guts! I watch horror's for the gore, what's the point in a horror poster if it doesn't show how terrifying the plot is? I love stuff like crucifix's and rusty torture tools too. Haha. Bottom line, if the poster is enough to freak you out, then the film is more likely to be a winner.
Patrick: Yeah, blood's good. Too much can look tacky, though. I kind of disagree with Rachel, I think the element of mystery and suspense is more effective than 'in your face' horror. So... I'd probably be more appealed to a poster of a misty and haunted, old forest as opposed to a bloody face. It leaves more to the imagination, right? Also, if the titles rubbish, then I probably won't look twice at the poster.
Louise: I don't really look for anything in particular... If the poster looks good then I'll consider watching it. I tend to always read the tag-line first, though. There are some pretty good ones, but others are awful! A bad tag-line would definitely put me off.
Steph: I'd say that it's important for the title to catch my eye. The font, you know? It's all well to have a decent horror name, but the font and all the other texts have got to be creepy looking. Otherwise...it doesn't look right! Like Louise, I'm not too picky and don't look for anything particular...I guess I prefer to see the characters of the film on the poster. I like to see the actors, haha. Also, you can't go wrong with a bit of blood.
Interviewer (Me): Imagine you're in a DVD store or scrolling through Movies on Demand, what type of DVD cover would make you stop and consider watching it?
Louise: Does the back of the DVD cover count? Haha. I will always read the blurb before anything. If it sounds scary or the plot interests me or whatever then I will give it a go.
Patrick: Quick story- I was in HMV the other day, looking through the movies. So I guess it's really important that the spine of the DVD looks good. Obviously, spines are the first thing you see; first glances are like first impressions when it comes to films- it has to stand out. I'd probably go for something that has lots of stars too, you know, high reviews and all that. That way I know I'm not wasting my money on a bad film.
Rachel: The title!! I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but when it comes to films, we all do it. If the title sounds good then I'll read the blurb and maybe watch it. So yeah, it's also really important to have a good summary of the storyline, one that doesn't give too much away!
Steph: I'm gonna be a broken record here and say the blurb! It's vital to have a decent description of the film because that's how the audience is going to be tempted into watching it. The layout of the DVD cover is important too; I like when DVD covers have those little still images (thumbnails) of certain scenes. It's like a cheeky little taster of the film.
Interviewer (Me): How do you feel about the narrative and do you find this type of pschological sub-genre compelling?
Rachel: A psychological sub-genre wouldn't have been my first choice. I would have gone for more of a slasher, blood-everywhere theme. But I think your narrative is strong and I would definitely give it a go if it were a real film, haha.
(Patrick, Steph and Louise all agreed that the psychological sub-genre would be good; they all find mind distortion a fascinating topic. The narrative involving possession deemed quite popular.)
Steph: My advice would be to make your posters and DVD cover more appropriate to obvious horror, rather than psychology. If your target audience are expecting horror then they will be disappointed with anything less. The psychological sub-genre will be an exciting bonus!
Interviewer (Me): Here are my mock up posters. Do you think I've been successful in suiting the stereotypical features of horror?
Steph: (referring to the black silhouetted poster) I like the way you've layered images of the girl because it looks quite eerie and ghostly. I think more could be done with the background though as it's plain looking. Maybe you could add images that fit the storyline, like candles or a mirror. I like the textures!
Patrick: (referring to the bloody window poster) I think this poster is alot more eye catching than the other poster, the colours are more vivid and, to me, it screams horror because it's practically dripping in blood! The veins are a nice touch, too.
Louise: (referring to the bloody window poster) I like the way the person is silhouetted out of clarity. Maybe you could elongate the fingers to make them look more creepy and distorted? The font looks pretty cool.
Rachel: (referring to the black silhouetted poster) Is it just me or does the tagline sound abit weird? 'Where do you run when the horror lies within...' Maybe rephrase it? I agree that the background looks lacking in content.
(All four agreed that the bloody window poster was more effective in portraying the codes and conventions of horror; it appears that blood and gore is a must.)
Interviewer (Me): Having looked at my intitial horror campaign ideas, what do you think could be improved? (Typography/ layout /narrative/camera angles etc)
Rachel: More colours! The black poster is so dark that it's almost a strain to see the images.
Louise: You could play around with the height of different camera angles to disorientate the audience.
Steph: More needs to be more added- image-wise. So far, there isn't much to build the narrative on.
Patrick: You need to condense the narrative down so it's quick but informative to read. You sounded a little unsure of the narrative yourself when you explained it, haha! Remember not to give to much away, though. Just enough to hook your audience in.
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