Questionnaire - Results

Mrs Martin
   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No
[X]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[  ]     Male
[  ]     Female
[X]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[X]     Action
[X]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[  ]     In the past
[X]     Present
[X]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[  ]     Yes
[X]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[  ]     Hints of plot
[  ]     Characters
[X]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
N/A




Miss Mckinney
   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No
[X]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[  ]     Male
[  ]     Female
[X]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[X]     Action
[X]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[  ]     In the past
[  ]     Present
[X]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[  ]     Yes
[X]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[  ]     Hints of plot
[  ]     Characters
[X]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
The action and quality of acting




Student
   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No
[X]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[X]     Male
[  ]     Female
[X]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[X]     Action
[X]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[  ]     In the past
[X]     Present
[  ]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[X]     Yes
[  ]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[  ]     Hints of plot
[X]     Characters
[  ]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
Funny and Gory




Student
   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[X]     No
[  ]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[X]     Male
[  ]     Female
[  ]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[X]     Action
[  ]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[X]     In the past
[  ]     Present
[  ]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[  ]     Yes
[X]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[  ]     Hints of plot
[  ]     Characters
[X]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
N/A




Student
   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No
[X]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[  ]     Male
[  ]     Female
[X]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[X]     Action
[  ]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[  ]     In the past
[  ]     Present
[X]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[X]     Yes
[X]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[X]     Hints of plot
[  ]     Characters
[  ]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
Killing the zombies




Student
   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No
[X]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[  ]     Male
[X]     Female
[  ]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[X]     Action
[  ]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[X]     In the past
[  ]     Present
[  ]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[  ]     Yes
[X]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[  ]     Hints of plot
[  ]     Characters
[X]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
Lots of tension and craziness. To see the normal done differently, eg empty locations that are not normally empty. Plus sexual appeal from the female characters.

Questionnaire

   1. Do you enjoy watching Zombie films?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No
[  ]     Depends on the plot/content


   2. What kind of main character(s) do you like to see?
[  ]     Male
[  ]     Female
[  ]     Group of mixed
[  ]     Group of male
[  ]     Group of female


   3. What sub-genre do you like seeing within a zombie film?
[  ]     Action
[  ]     Comedy
[  ]     Romance


   4. When would you prefer to have a zombie film set?
[  ]     In the past
[  ]     Present
[  ]     A few years into the future
[  ]     Around 15 years into the future


   5. Would you prefer to see a zombie film with the protagonist closer to your age?
[  ]     Yes
[  ]     No


   6. What would you want a zombie film trailer to show?
[  ]     Death
[  ]     Hints of plot
[  ]     Characters
[  ]     All of the above


   7. What about zombie films appeals to you?
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Feedback

Well done on getting the audience profiling posts done. Your blog is looking very detailed in terms of research. You should now move on to focus on the planning aspect.

To complete over half term:
Location and actor photos/profiles, along with an explanation as to why they are appropriate for your chosen genre.
Questionnaire (and feedback) about your initial ideas.
Initial storyboard.

Poster Inpirations

I came up with a idea for a poster which i was very dissappointed when i found out that in fact it is a design by Olly Moss. his style of abstract posters is something i would very much like to do. We shall be creating two posters one a abstract and one a normal film poster.
Here are some of Olly Moss' designs:
The Hand design is the one that i wished to do but we have worked with the art department in a our college to help us design our poster. 

Budget & Box Office

Film budgets and Takings with similar genre to the one we are looking at:

Audience Profile - Resident Evil (1,2,3,4 & 5)

Resident Evil

Resident Evil: Apocalypse

Resident Evil: Extinction

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Resident Evil: Retribution

Audience Profile - The Crazies

Audience Profile - 28 Days Later

Audience Profile - Shaun of the Dead

Audience Profile - Zombieland

The horror comedy Zombieland focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss -- but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying' bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies.

As seen within the table, the audience members were mainly aged between 15-24. This would be because at this age people seek a thrill, they are always looking for the next thing that is going to bring them excitement in any way, shape or form. At this age they are able to watch films that feature gore and a sexual nature. What else can you suspect to see within a film filled with blood spewing, flesh munching decaying people? The film will allow them to get the thrill from seeing a zombies head being smashed in while also being able to get a laugh from the characters. The film's character allow the audience to be able to connect with the characters as they seem like every day people that you would see in the street. Instead on focusing around the group of ex-police who are highly trained with fire arms, you follow around one character who has a list of things wrong with him, who is also a is extremely scared of the zombies that he is fighting against. while also adding in a complete contrast of a man who seem to have been waiting for the zombie apocalypse his whole life. Seeing short clips of him getting overly excited about killing the zombies in an almost sick and twisted way. But ever bad-ass has his weakness, and for Woody Harleson this would be the need to find a Twinkie.

Within that we see that the film mainly attracted a male audience. This would be because, males are known for their love of gory films while females are known for looking more into the character development, wanting to see a film where they can connect to the characters and wanting to feel for those characters. But this does not get away from the fact that a female audience was attracted, this would be because, although it wasn't a main focus within the film, you can see the character development. You watch the bonds between the two main male characters as they get closer to each other and begin to depend on the others strengths to help them survive. While also watching the two female characters protecting each other as they have their sister bond. Finally mixing the two groups together and watching a love story begin to unfold.

Audience Profile - Dawn of the Dead

As seen from the statistics from when Dawn of the Dead what in cinemas, the film attracted mostly an mid-teens to mid-thirty's audience. Meaning that the themes of zombies has an attraction to the generation that are seen as the more lively and energetic. Zombie films are normally packed with high anticipated moments that keep the audience on the edge of their seats as they wonder if their favorite character is going to survive, win the heart of their love or find the cure for the zombie infection. Also featuring jump scare moments, where the scene seems calm but is suddenly disrupted by a sudden event such as being found by the zombies or being attacked by a rival gang, ect.

This hints that with the fear used of the dead coming back to life/people becoming infected and eating the people they love, means that the film is not going to appeal to the younger generation who are more susceptible to the ideas given off by films bringing them into a form of Mean World Syndrome theory as given by George Gerbner. As they will begin to believe what they see within the film and begin to believe that this is going to happen some time soon. Leading to fears such as Nyctophobia (Fear of the dark) and Necrophobia (Fear of the dead).

Although attracting little, but some attention from the older generation towards the film from 35 to 45+ means that although very little, there is still some audiences that can be reached that you wouldn't think would. The idea of survival is a highly enjoyed subject within films as it allows those high adrenalin moments, watching the bonds between people being forged and broken and the slow intense moments of realisation or heart break.

Results show that although predominantly male the film still attracted an almost equal attraction between males and female. Stereo-typically the males are there for the action, from the gin fights, chase scenes and of course the slaughtering of the zombies, while the females are there to watch the relationships of the characters and how they come together in moments of need, but also fall apart and move away from the group as they fear for their own or the others safety. But both of these factors apply to both of the sexs although more than the other they still matter. Both men and women will share in the moment of at least a near tear when a few minuets from the end of the film, when all was though to be okay, the main characters best friend or love interest is killed suddenly, leaving the protagonist alone with the choice to escape and start a new life with the memory of their loved ones or to take end their own life so that all the pain, suffereing and misery can end.

Character Introduction

The characters within any post-apocalyptic film really change the dimensions and feel of the film. if you have hardened unemotional characters looking at the scenario as a simple job to do. killing zombies and remain unattached would make for a far more action/comedic based film similar to Zombieland where as if you focus more upon the state of emotion or the lack of human interaction outside any of the groups. This portrayal of the emotion side as well as containing some action is famously known from I Am Legend. where the character displays bonds with a dog and mannequins but also displays mental breakdown believing they are real.

We will be exploring more of a emotion based characterisation though we have yet to experiment with the characters and the script.

Audience Profile - I am Legend

From this table we can see that I am Legend was mostly seen by males aged 15-34. But still attracted a lot of attention from the female audience as well, this could have been because of the emotional connection between Robert Neville (Will Smith) and his dog Sammy. The connection between Robert and Sammy struck the audience strait to the heart. Weather it's because Sammy was Robert's last connection to his family who died during the evacuation, or because he is Roberts only companion in a world where he is the last man. Either way the scene in which Robert has to kill Sammy effected the whole of the audience.

Mood Board



1- This image shows a zombie. We have chosen this image because we are wanting to set our film in a post-apocalyptic world that have been over run with an outbreak or a virus, causing all infected to loose all memory, become cannibalistic and increasing the rate in which the body decays.

2- Here we see a gun. This was chosen as we want the audience to feel that the surviving humans have abandoned all hope in searching for a cure as the outbreak has accelerated at an incredible rate. The humans have realised it is either fight or die in this world that they once knew as home.

3- We have chosen Weybridge Gravel Pit as a location for our film. This is because the location has been abandoned and gives an eery atmosphere. Also from the look of the location it seems the prime place to set up a base for the surviving group to 'set up camp'. If not for this reason we found that this location would be great to set some infected up in the background show off that the infected have over run the world and can be found in nearly every location.

4- This image shows a character from the hit TV series The Walking Dead. We chose this kind of character as we feel that the film would need a range of ages throughout, one of which being the old man who blurts out wise and pointless speeches on how they survived the war and such nonsense as that. But also for the idea that he will bring that wise and kick-ass character into the group.

5- Here we see a lone man and a dog walking down an empty road. This image was chosen more for the shot that has been used, we want a shot that sets up the idea of isolation but also gives the character that idea of hope that they continue their journey because they hope that it will all fine in the end.

6- Ruben Fleischer, Director of Zombieland. I chose him because he came around a good way for showing some good zombie shots and the destruction that they have caused on the world. He can make the audience feel like the characters are completely isolated. This is a key feature that makes a post-apocalyptic film, the feeling of isolation. Although Zombieland is a comedy there were many scenes with zombies which felt like an action.

7- Woody Harrelson is an actor who played one of the lead characters within the film Zombieland, Tallahassee. The character that he brought into the film was the 'bad-ass', enjoying the fact he gets to kill zombies, character. This character would be able to bring a comedic side to a serious film and a prime character for the audience to 'relate to'.

8- This image shows a duster coat, commonly seen within western films. Used when riding horses to stop the dust damaging their clothes and guns. We chose this as a piece of costume as it allows the wearer to conceal on themselves. Also this allows for a recognizable piece of costume that will allow the audience to identify the character wearing it in any situation.

9- This image shows a black and white image of zombies occupying a field. We felt that this was a good clip to replicate, minus the black and white, because it shows the extent of the infection outbreak. Even places that you viewed as isolated have been over run.

10- This image shows a lone man, wearing a doctors uniform, walking through an empty street that has been abandoned from effects of the out-break. We chose this image as it is a shot that we would like to recreate. It gives the idea that even though the world has been plunged into this empty and dangerous world they still have to try and make life as normal as they can. Such as finding supplies and moving them around.

11- Here we see the sun setting, this was chosen to give the audience that no matter what time of day it is within this world there is always a strong feel of danger. This image was chosen to give a sense of time for the audience.

12- Finally we see a group of infected in a forest at the dead of night. This was chosen as a use of inspiration for possible scenes that we could try to create. The night shows once again that there is danger at all times, also playing off a fear of the dark. (The fear of dark is highly misconstrued, people don't have a fear of the dark. They have a fear of what is in the dark, more commonly referred to as 'fear of the unknown/unseen) We have taken this fear and are now giving them something to fear.

Feedback

There is some detailed analysis here, with evidence of analysis of similar products. Planning should now be underway and you can begin to evidence this through storyboarding, photos of actors/characters etc, along with explanations as to how your choices are appropriate for your chosen genre.

Targets:
Mood board to be completed and published, along with an explanation of why you have chosen the images.
Audience profiling posts - there is some in your film pitch, but more analysis of what type of audiences have been to see similar films to yours
Upload film pitch.