Explain and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different ideas for an original media product based on a client brief (P1/M1)

 

SWOT of Brief:

Strengths (internal):

-Many successful British Horror films, so there is a market

-Large group of fans because it is popular

Weaknesses (internal):

-15 age rating so there is a smaller demographic

-Being able to achieve the brief

-Lots of films so hard to compete

-Can be very expensive

Opportunities (external):

-More realistic approach

-Loads of sub genres

Threats (external):

-Mindful of where to film 

-Film may not work out

-Language barrier overseas

-Cultural differences

MOVIE:

The Purge (2013):

Distribution - Universal Pictures

Box Office - 89.3 million USD

• Plot - In an America ravaged by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government sanctions an annual 12-hour period during which all criminal activity -- including murder -- is legal. James Sandin (Ethan Hawke) and his family face the ultimate test when an intruder drags the vicious outside world into their home. James, Mary (Lena Headey) and their two children struggle to survive the night while trying not to turn into monsters like the ones they are striving to avoid.
• Characters - James Sandin, a top salesman for elaborate security systems designed specifically for Purge Night, returns to his home in an affluent Los Angeles gated community to wait out the night with his wife, Mary Sandin, and their two children, Zoey Sandin and Charlie Sandin.
• Cost to make - $3 million
• Box Office - In its opening weekend, The Purge topped the box office with $16.8 million on opening day and $34.1 million throughout the entire weekend. The film earned $64.5 million domestically and $24.9 million outside the United States, for a total of $89.3 million worldwide.

Horror Audiences:

Horror Audiences in general - Horror films predominately attract a younger audience (25 and under). Roughly, 42% of horror audiences are women, making 58% men.

The target audience for horror films is 15-25. The most common reason is that young adults and teenagers enjoy scares and thrills.

Generation Z:

• 31% like horror. Horror ranks as their second favourite genre of entertainment, narrowly behind only comedy
•  Gen Z grew up with technology, the internet, and social media, which sometimes causes them to be stereotyped as tech-addicted, anti-social, or “social justice warriors.”
• According to Morning Consult's survey, YouTube is the most-used platform for Gen Z — with 88% spending their time on the app: Coming in at the number two spot is Instagram at 76% — hinting that the platform isn't “over.” And TikTok (68%) and Snapchat (67%) aren't too far behind either.

Millennials:

• 31% like horror. comedy, action, and horror are their top 3 genres.
• Millennials have been described as the first global generation and the first generation that grew up in the Internet age.
• Around 88% of Millennials subscribe to a video streaming service while 60% subscribe to a music streaming service. They spend an average of around 105 minutes per week watching video content via their smartphone, a possibility which is unavailable via cable TV.

BST for own British horror film:

1. Man goes on a killing spree in a town then hero has to stop him

2. Convict from prison enters middle-aged man's house to try and kill family

3. Kid in school being bullied has to stand up for themselves

4. Drug addict teen on the streets gets help but relapses and dies

5. Middle-aged man with young-onset dementia leaves house being jump scared and scarred for life

6. Sleep paralysis demons haunt character in bed

7. Paranoia making character hallucinate being always on edge and scared

8. Hero being stalked, always on edge, tense, villain intrudes house to hurt hero

9. Supernatural occurrences in house, ghosts haunting hero

10. Hero is kid and goes on dark web, getting viruses and IP address stolen, people stalk him and he eventually runs away 

3 horror short ideas

Idea 1: In the suburbs, convicts have escaped the local prison. Richard (protagonist) hears a window smash. His suspicions are correct that it is a convict. Has to protect his family. 

Genre - Killer Horror 

SWOT:

Strengths - not too hard to record, easy to get actors 

Weaknesses - May be difficult to film because of little space

Opportunities - Use darkness to portray fear

Threats - Will take a long time because of many takes when don't have long

Idea 2: A teen on the streets battles his drug addiction and eventually gets help from a woman that comes across him in the town. He manages to get back on his feet, become sober and live his best life. 

Genre - Psychological horror 

SWOT:

Strengths - Brings a good message across, relates to addicts, ex-addicts and teens thinking about drugs, lots of space to film

Weaknesses - Hard to film because of amount of people in the town, they may get the wrong idea and try to stop filming

Opportunities - Can ask ex-addicts how their life was 

Threats - Lots of makeup so will take long time, in public so may need to wait for people to leave and that could take up a long time

Idea 3: 50 year old man finds out he has young-onset dementia wants to live is life to the fullest before he's completely gone. end scene is in hospital. general location is in his town and with family

Genre - Psychological horror

SWOT:

Strengths - Educates people on young-onset dementia, will make people emotional and scared

Weaknesses - Difficult to portray young-onset dementia, 

Opportunities - Can spread awareness

Threats - Research on young-onset dementia will take a very long time to get right

Final Idea - Idea 3

I am going with this idea because dementia is very serious illness and I think I can help portray a good rendition of what it is like to have young-onset dementia. However, it may take a long time to research film and edit but I think it will be very worth it.

50 year old Richard has had young-onset dementia for 5 years. Not being allowed out the house by his family; he plans to sneak out, although he can't remember thinking about it.One night on the other hand, he plans and leaves his house. Knowing nothing about his whereabouts, he follows a figure in close proximity. Turns the same corner as the figure and it's gone; no where to be seen, he turns around to be surprised with the horrendous face of the figure. 

(For the scene after the face, show hero in his chair see the figure walk past the window and hero gets scared)