Thriller audience research

To obtain information on what people expect from a thriller film I am going to ask a set of 20 people a number of questions on the topic. The people asked in the questionnaire will be of varied age, sex and social distinction to ascertain a wide range of answers and stop the data from being bias.

(question 1 prediction) I believe that the result of the first question will heavily favour the main stream thriller, this is due to the fact that independent thrillers are slightly suffocated from the world so people may not know of many independent thriller titles meaning they will favour the main stream releases.

1. What type of thriller do you prefer?
A. Main stream x 14
B. Independent x 4
C. Does not matter x 2

(question 1 result analysis) As predicted the main stream thriller was favoured over the independent thriller. This is because as previously stated not many people are aware of independent thriller titles being released, meaning they can not judge fairly between the two causing a level of favourability to the mainstream thriller that it perhaps does not deserve.

(question 2 prediction) This questions outcome is harder to predict due to the variety of answers that can be given, however I believe that A,B and C will be the most commonly used answer. This is because Main stream thrillers are advertised greatly on their Actors and special effects used and they have the ability to go to many locations and create vast expansive sets which wrap the watcher in the perfect locations for the thrillers purpose.

2. What do you like most about main stream Thrillers
A. the special effects x 5
B. the actors x 8
C. the locations x 1
D. the sound track x 4
E. the camera shots x 1
F. the editing / story line x 1
G. I like nothing about them x 0

(Question 2 results analysis) The results show that people like main stream thrillers most because of the actors within them, this shows vast amounts about popular culture and how a film can be made just because it has a particular actor in it. The results also show how special effects can influence peoples views on films not just thriller, it is a clear demonstration of how a big budget can generate viewers due to that fact. Finally the sound track in mainstream thriller has been chosen to be a favourite amongst people, this is the anomaly to my prediction and could show that people like to be made to feel like they are part of the film through its sound track and that they can’t be easily wooed by expansive and numerous locations.
(question 3 prediction) This question will probably give results revolving around the idea that mainstream thrillers have reached perfection I.e. a typical answer of G; I greatly hope my prediction is mistaken and that people realise that mainstream thrillers can often be based upon a story that is well know/the idea has been used before following conventions and structures that could be the death of the main stream thriller.

3. What do you dislike most about main stream Thrillers
A. the special effects x0
B. the actors x4
C. the locations x0
D. the sound track x3
E. the camera shots x4
F. the editing / story line x4
G. I dislike nothing about them x5

(question 3 analysis) The results of question 3 show that the main stream thriller is perhaps lacking in imagination in the areas of casting, camera work and storyline/editing this could show that people are beginning to tire of the continual use of conventions and set structures within main stream thrillers. However in saying this I am aware that a quarter of the people surveyed believed the main stream thriller to be flawless in its attributes (this could be due to the general nature of the question or perhaps the scope of the question is not as big as it should be) this could indicate that the main stream thriller is reaching perfection or the people surveyed are basing their answer on very popular big hitting titles such as the godfather and are not taking into account other titles.

(Question 4 prediction) I would imagine people will be enthusiastic about the story line and editing for this question with perhaps some reference to the quality of acting behind the thrillers.

4.What do you like most about Independent Thrillers
A. the special effects x 0
B. the actors x 4
C. the locations x 0
D. the sound track x 2
E. the camera shots x 1
F. the editing / story line x 11
G. I like nothing about them x 2

(Question 4 analysis) this question clearly shows that the story line is key in independent thrillers, this indicates a highly imaginative and enthralling story line can make up for lack of budget and there for lack of special effects and well know actors. The results also show that although people prefer mainstream thrillers on the whole they are not completely critical of independent film makers and are understanding of their situation I can say this because only two out of twenty people surveyed answered G to this question.


(Question 4 prediction) I can’t hope to predict this questions outcome accurately

5. What do you dislike most about Independent Thrillers
A. the special effects x4
B. the actors x2
C. the locations x4
D. the sound track x 4
E. the camera shots x 3
F. the editing / story line x1
G. I dislike nothing about them x2

(Question 4 analysis) this question provoked a mixed reaction only two of twenty disliked nothing about them compared to five out of twenty for main stream films however specifically nothing really is disliked more than the others perhaps showing that the independent film is of a lower overall quality but nothing can be claimed to be seriously wrong with them it is perhaps that they are victims of a prejudice because of their inability to produce extremely high quality filming and shots due to low budgets.

(Question 6 prediction) this question I am hoping will create a strong sense of challenges to stereotypical views namely being that females should be saved and the males should be strong and heroic.

6.what character types do you most like to see present in any thriller film (pick any three)
A. Heroic male from beginning x 9
B. Heroic female from beginning x 24
C. Female in need of saving x 6
D. Male in need of saving x 12
E. Lonely male
F. Lonely female x 4
G. Female anti-hero x 3
H. Male anti-hero
I. Troubled male
J. Troubled female x 1
K. None of the above (please write you suggestion) x 1
(I would like to see a male and female work together both being strong and heroic)

(Question 6 analysis) The results to this question clearly demonstrated peoples willingness to challenge stereo types, this is interesting because many people preferred main stream thrillers to independent thrillers. Main stream thrillers are commonly associated with stereotyping all roles in society where as independent thrillers are commonly associated with challenging stereo types, the results of this question wildly conflict the result of the first question; this could be due to many people not being aware of independent thrillers.

To conclude, it is my belief that many people would prefer to watch independent thrillers but many have not been given the chance to therefore I am going to base my thriller production on the conventions of the independent thriller.