Collected Horror research

I asked the peers in my group, what they fear the most.

Thusly, I shall understand what people mainly fear and can suit my production to
my target audiences needs.
Results:
Shadows
Scarecrows
Old toys
Being trapped
The unknown
Flying insects
Torture
Darkness
Graveyards
Abandoned places

In addition I have wrote an email attachment to my peers, asking for their

genuine opinion of my plot.
Quotes from audience research
Really like your ideathe plot twist at the end is great! Could maybe be a flash
back.
I really like your idea, but maybe you could explain the back story in a little
more detail
This will explaining to the audience, the antagonists motives, for wanting to kill
his friends.
I really like the idea but it seems a bit unbelievable that someone gets arrested
for robbing a shop and when they get set free they go and break in to someones
house for revenge they would just get arrested again?
I took this into consideration. In reality, the back story (robing a shop and being
left behind) would not be a strong enough motive, for the character to want to
kill his friends.
The main character, who I have decided to call Sam, would need to provide as
the main catalyst, for the antagonists motives.

I came up with the following idea. Many months ago, Sam enticed his friend into
doing a dare competition. He was blindfolded and had to pick one, out of six
berries to eat. One of them was poisonous. Consequently he chose it.

While in hospital, he suffered mental health problems. He started hearing voices

in his head. The voices persuaded him to kill his friends and they deserved to
die.
This idea seems more legitimate. If this character had not suffered any mental
side effects, then he would see to reason. He would be angry, but not angry
enough to suddenly want to kill his friends.
For the 'PHYC out' series, there is a set of guidelines that Chanel 4 requires.

Survey result

This is Chanel 4's remit (copied and pasted from the website.
(a) Demonstrates innovation, experimentation and creativity in the
form and content of programmes;
My horror must go against the usual conventions of horror.
Usually the character has to overcome an intrusion/event.
However, one of the characters is later revealed to have set the whole scenario
up, in order to get revenge on his friend, for always exploiting him.
Horrors find new ways of injecting fear into audiences.
I intend for the characters to initially see glimpses of the antagonist. This gives
him a mysterious persona, enforcing fear of the unknown.
Only his hands and legs maybe shown, whilst moving outside the house.
Audiences may dread what his complexion looks like, as well as his intentions.

The ending shows John trying to stop their friend from killing Sam. When the
friend lets go, John claims to get a glass of water. However, John quickly returns
and stabs Sam.
There are indications of Johns' anger toward Sam, as well as the friend revealing
Johns' anger to Sam.
Johns' calm nature and acceptance of his anger though, entices the audience
into believing there will be closure for the characters.
Johns' later action will hopefully catch audiences of guard.

(b) Appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society;

My Horror, involves a hospital staff member briefly. I decided to ask a peer of

mine, who is black, to act.
He would be serious and speak professionally. Black people are usually
stereotyped as being casual and 'cool'. If my Horror used strong white men, there
would be no appeal from mixed audiences. People in Wiltshire are seemingly
generic (average). The characters have unique personalities. Sam is confident
and trouble making. John is decent and kind to others.
Sams mum will be a strong independent character. She will be distracted about
her work.
She is pushy toward Sam, ordering him to apologise to complainers. She is single
and has her own business. This brings a positive outlook on women, seeing them
capable of looking after themselves and not needing to rely on men/other
people.
Sams mum has a cockney accent, implying a diverse range of people from
different parts of England come down to Wiltshire.

(c) Makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the

licensed public service channels to include programmes of an
educational nature and other programmes of educative value;
People with psychotic disorders, are usually stereotyped as being criminal.
However, I will have a point where he stresses over what he is doing to Sam,
ultimately letting him go.
This will educate people about psychotic depression disorder and hopefully
provide insight into other health problems. Johns dark character will educate
audiences, that even people who appear to be nice on the outside, can be
dangerous/criminal too.

Both friends anger toward John will convey Sam's' horrible nature in bullying and
exploiting them both.
Audiences will be educated about how bullying can affect people.
Johns' anger is bottled up. As a result, his anger is soon released on killing Sam.
Audiences will learn that however, good you are at bottling up your emotions,
they will eventually be released and consequently affect other people.

(d) Exhibits a distinctive character."

This Horror leads the audience into thinking, the antagonist suffered a
psychological disorder from Sams berry prank. However, we suddenly learn,

John set it all up, so he and his friend could get revenge on Sam, for exploiting
them both.
The antagonist decides not to kill Sam in the end and starts crying. This brings a
pitiful approach to him. Antagonists are not usually remorseful. Therefore, a
twist occurs.
I would like to take a realistic approach to my Horror. As though it could happen
in real life. I will not use a paranormal theme, as the antagonist is a real person.
The antagonists in this Horror are realistically based.
The friend has a psychological depression disorder, which tempts him into killing
Sam. However, his psychological depression makes him become upset and
release Sam.

Johns' action in the end (killing Sam) is due to his anger building up. It also
because of Sam treating them both very badly. Sam treatment seems a
legitimate trigger for John. John meanwhile is kind and polite. Therefore, it would
be natural for him to not want to behave so aggressively, even to Sam.
The anger would override his characterisation, eventually leading to him
committing an action, without any self-control.
Conclusively, the Horror does not convey stereotyped villains, but rather
genuinely realistic characters, who have a convincing enough motivation to want
to kill their friend.

Conventions of Horror

I will consider using macabre elements, to make my Horror disturbing and quite
dark.
For instants, the antagonist has a split sided personality. One minute he will
forgive the main character. Then he will become angry and vengeful. Audiences
will hopefully feel tense, not able to predict how he may react next.
Todays' Horrors centre on youths/young adults as main characters. Mine will
revolve around two young teenagers, in order for the target audience
(teenagers) to appeal to.

Conventions end with a point, where the antagonist comes to life, or is actually
defeated. In mine however, I intend to end, with audiences conjuring varied
possibilities, as to what may have happened.

The smart/brave protagonists, are usually the ones who survive. To add further
twist, I will have him as the master mind, intending to kill his friend.

I plan to use diegetic sounds, such as footsteps. This will add unnerving silence,
when the characters walk around the house. For non-diegetic, I may incorporate
a low humming like sound/other for creepy atmosphere.
Psychological, will be my sub-genre, due to the antagonist having a mental
health disorder, as well as him being expressive on the hurt, his friend caused
him.
For Iconography, I intend to use low key lighting for shadows to appear in the
house. The antagonist will also use a pair of scissors as a weapon. This is a
common house hold item, making it scary to be used for a killing purpose.

Does it meet Psyched out requirements?

The minimum duration for each episode of 'Psyched out' is five minutes.
My Horror shall have the introduction of characters last for one minute.
The next two minutes will have the main character experiencing the antagonist.
The next two minutes will be of the antagonist breaking into the house. The
main characters then try to find him.
The next minute will have the tense ending, where John stops the friend from
killing Sam but ends up killing Sam himself.

How will it relate to appropriate conventions?

Horrors have a quite/isolated setting. My Horror takes place in a house. It isn't
next to any others. From the house to the rest of the village, is a long stretch of
garden.

When the characters are trying to look for the antagonist around the house, one
will hold a torch, to give tense tone. Dim lighting, hopefully will be used, so
shadows of the antagonist can be projected.
Murder weapons are common too. For example I have decided the antagonist
should hold a pair of scissors. This would add more fear, as a simple household
item, can suddenly be used to deadly effect.
Usual conventions involve the characters trying to defeat the antagonist.
My Horror involves two teenagers as the main character. One is immoral, as he
decides to try and kill the person breaking into the house. Whereas' the other
tries finding a peaceful solution.

Does it take place in the U.K?

The location takes place the South West of England, Wiltshire.

Narrative themes
Johns character is found to have organized their friend breaking into Sams'
house. They both reveal their anger with always being exploited by him.
We are shown Sams' bullying behaviour has pushed his friends too far.
The antagonists two sided personality can convey about the different side
effects to depressive disorders.

What events/fears can they reflect?

This can reflect to audiences, that you should not assume you cannot get away
with doing things (I.E control and bullying) without hurting/angering someone, or
any other consequences. In short, Sam's' arrogance will portray negatively to
people.

What sub genres are appropriate to these fears/events?

Psychological will be relevant. Sam's' exploitation will be conveyed through the
antagonists depressive syndrome. He will convey a lot of anger about himself
being used by Sam.
This will further convey Sam's mean nature, through the use of the antagonists
psychological depression.

Audience demographic research

Website link: http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/c4-reveals-digital-demographicgroups/5035818.article
Channel 4 has 8 personaes. (target audience).
Channel 4 use them when pitching ideas. The suited persona for the Psych:
out series would be Generation Web.
15.5% makes up the demographic online audience. They are aged 18-25,
knowledgeable online, but cash poor.
They view programmes, including Misfits, Holly oaks, Beaver Falls and How I
met your Mother.
These programmes revolve around youth/young adults.
The scenarios are typically placed on youth problems.
This includes meeting girls and not fitting in.

The Generation Web audience can relate and appeal to the characters, due to
the similar age and obstacles.
My Horror includes young teenagers. The main focus between the characters is
bullying, which many youths are subjected too.
John is exploited by Sam. John tries hiding his anger and never confesses it.
Some teenagers may find it hard to tell someone about any problems. Appeal is
approached to John.
However, John kills Sam, out of anger in the end. This shows audiences that you
should never stay in a false friendship, or bottle your feelings up.

Secondary Research: Horror Movie demographics

http://www.valmorgan.co.nz/audiences/profiles/horror-movies/
According to valmorgan cinema network, Males and under 25s find Horror
movies popular.
A third of audiences (37%) are aged 18-24.
58% of audiences are female. 42% are male.
In particular, more females like Horrors. Unfortunately, I do not have any female
protagonists. However, a female will make a brief appearance as Sams mum.
This will allow for some appeal from females.

http://www.slideshare.net/baaa_sheep/horror-film-7235672
According to the above website, audiences expect to feel adrenaline rushes after
seeing something, making them jump.

Research task 2: Secondary research

To obtain a better understanding of what audiences expect from Horror films, I

have looked at reviews found on 'IMDB'.
Comments on 'Paranormal Activity'

"4. Acting - the movie is well acted considering it is full of unknowns. The
characters are not obnoxious like most horror movie protagonists. They appear
genuine and very convincing in most of the film."
"The genius, centre, heart, and terror of this film lie in the realism of the
performances. The actors who portray the couple are so convincing and so
natural, you feel as if you are watching an actual homemade video. They do not

follow the usual "shaky-cam movie" model of acting in which the performances
often try so hard to be "real" that they are over-done and come off as a cheap
imitation of as what is assumed would be somebody else's reaction to that
scenario. Contrary-wise, we believe as an audience, that "Paranormal"'s
characters are true to themselves, and the decisions they make and the things
they say are true expressions of how the actors themselves would feel if they
had been placed in the same situation. Thus, instead of feeling like you are
watching actors in a movie portraying someone else, you feel as if are watching
two actual people in an actual haunting scenario. You recognize that everything
they say and do would be an actual reaction you could imagine yourself giving in
response to that scenario. This produces an extremely uneasy effect in which you
cannot escape out of their terror-filled world because you feel, yourself that you
are in it. There-in lies the key to this brilliant film."

Comments on 'The Woman in Black'

"The directing was also something to be applauded. Over all, this film was
wonderful and I would recommend it. And I must say, Dan Radcliffe did a great
job. He may not be the most incredible actor, but he has really improved so
much. It's most evident here because he could not hide behind words or a wand,
he could use just his face and body language. They are an actor's tool after all.
To be able to carry a film with body language is something to be commended.
Few actors can.
"On another note, I adored the fact they never hid the Woman in Black. They
embraced her from the beginning, with little traces of a face in the windows as
they were passed. The simplicity of the film was what I think made it so
terrifying."
"Horror movies these days get loss in blood and gore and that's what the work
thinks is "horror" these days, thankfully this movie took a turn to what horror
actually is. There are plenty of scenes that make you jump and keep you on the
edge of your seat and the storyline is great too."

Research in relation to subjects from The Night Is Young

Young teenager based research

To appeal to young teenagers, the conversations between my main characters
would need to cover particular topics.

Complaints about homework

Where they plant to work/ go for further education.

Women in their lives.

Anecdotes about friends. Something funny they may have done (e.g. fell over).
Phones/gadgets they have or want.
'Gossip' about famous celebrities or T.V programmes/films they watch.

These are speculated from myself.

I may ask my peers/other teenagers what they tend to talk about to their mates

Phone call conversation research

I wanted the hospital phone call to sound professional and realistic.

I used the following website
http://www.nelft.nhs.uk/_documentbank/Patients_Missing_from_Hospital_or_Other
_Healthcare_Setti.pdf
This contains procedures on whether a patient is missing, or 'A.W.O.L'.
There are 3 categories, patients fall under.
Below are "quoted" sections from the website.
"Low: There is no apparent threat of danger to either the patient or another
person and it is thought likely the patient is either at home or with
friends/relatives or is on their way back to the hospital."
"Medium: The risk posed is not immediate, but over time is likely to place the
patient in danger or render them a threat to others."
"High: The risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for
believing that the subject is in danger because of their own vulnerability or
mental state or the risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for
believing that"......

I believe Medium is the appropriate category. The friends 'psychological

depression' means doctors would have to detain him, as his symptoms
(depression) could make him vulnerable to himself.
Medium risk patients are often detained.
Actions in response to a medium risk missing patient (including all AWOLs)
Below are "quoted" sections from the website.
"7.1 The Nurse in Charge will ensure that the following actions are always taken"

"- Completing a missing patients form

- Notifying the responsible doctor/Responsible Clinician as soon as possible
- Informing the patients nearest relative (or other named contact) - In this case,
'John'.
- Informing the community team (CMHT or other)
- Informing the DNO or equivalent
- Informing the responsible police force.
- Faxing a Missing Patient Alert to local A&E and Mental Health Units where felt
to be necessary (See Appendix 3 for alert format and list of fax numbers)."

Psychological disorder research

The main antagonist has a mental health disorder. I went on to 'NHS Choices'.
(http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Depression/Pages/psychotic-depression.aspx)

It includes varied mental health disorders. I found one called Psychotic

depression.
The patient may have beliefs/thoughts, unlikely to be true. They could suffer
from hallucinations, where they hear imaginary voices.
This disorder suits antagonist. He hears voices in his head, persuading him to kill
Sam and John.
These hallucinations reflect on the person mood. They may feel responsible for
something and hear voices persuading them the same/otherwise.
Sams friend felt extremely angry about him being given a poisonous berry.
Thusly it would be psychologically possible for him to hear voices, persuading to
murder his friends. Another symptom, known as psychomotor agitation, is
common too.
The person has difficulty in being still and constantly fidgets and mood swings.
These will add creepiness to him.
One minute, he could become upset from why Sam pulled the prank on him.
Suddenly, he becomes angry.
The sudden transition enhance the horror in my production.
Audiences may receive a jump scare as well as feeling rather freaked out by him.
The characters depression will make our character feel sorry for him, enforcing
our dislike to Sam, for what he did.
Causes of Psychological depression include finance problems and genetic. I
could briefly mention his family/ previous generations having the same condition.

However, I would like this disorder to be triggered from the poison berry. It would
make a more legitimate cause for him to want to kill Sam.