Question 5- How did you attract/address your audience?

Audiences consume different media texts for different reasons, which is why it is important when creating a film, to think about what will make the film appeal most to it's audience.

For example, some people consume films because of their style and aesthetic pleasures that they gain from viewing it, such as through costume, sets and props. This is a way in which we have particularly tried to appeal to our audience, as it is highly likely that a large percentage of our audience, are those who enjoy such aesthetics which are so beautiful presented in other similar Noir. We have tried to therefore cater to this section of our audience by choosing glamorous and aesthetically appealing Mise-en-scene, such as the glamorous characters we have created, to the appealing and enriching vintage style locations. As well as this, it is filmed in a stylish authentic Noir like way, using lighting and camera angles in an interesting way that appeals to our audience.

 For example, the composition of the shot when Scarlett is applying lipstick,uses the rule of thirds, allowing the audience to recognise that it is well shot and follows the genereal guidelines of film making. In addition, it produces a secondary reflection image that will appeal to those members of the audience who gain pleasure from such aestheticly pleasing shots, as it is visually engaging and glamorous to view.

All of the locations that we chose to use were also ones which we felt would appeal to those who viewed films because of their aesthetics. For example, all locations we chose were visually rich and interesting for the audience to consume, so that those looking for aesthetics would be satisfied by the content within the shot. For example, the shots where Scarlett leaves the house do not just close in on Scarlett, but allow the audience to explore her environment, and take in the interesting setting in which she is placed in, the deserted and aspiring spotless urban setting.

Another example of when we have used locations which we felt would appeal to our audience interested in the visual aspects of thrillers, were the shots by City Hall, which includes a prominent and dominating Vintage feeling building, with columns  street lamps, and a statement making stair case, all of which projected grandeur and elegance which are not so commonly featured in modern day thrillers, and may explain why our thriller would appeal to that kind of audience.

One exception to this is when we had to use a seemingly plain location, where we had to shoot the dressing room scene, however we tried to over come this, by using tight shots, which did not expose the plain and dull setting into which she actually is placed in, and fill the shots, mainly with Scarlett, the enigmatic, bold character, and make the audience focus on the establishment of character rather than the necessary visuals at this point.

Another element that we had to consider when planning our thriller, were the narrative pleasures that our audience would gain from watching our film, as one main reason that audiences consume a media text, is because of the interesting narratives, and without that, it risks loosing a large percentage of its audience.

This is where we had to carefully consider the narrative structure of our thriller, as we had to hold the audiences attention, set up and establish characters, settings, and story lines in just under two minutes. We decided from the offset that establishing character was always going to be the main aspect of importance within our thriller, but in order to maintain the audiences attention, we would have to use enigmas and build suspense to keep the audience focused and hooked into our thriller.

One of the ways in which we created enigmatic codes, is by not choosing to reveal Scarlett's entire face for half of the establishing sequence, which although does not seem long, is frustrating and puzzling to the audience, as it makes them want to find out who this person they are so carefully watching is, and why she is so steadily getting ready. We then drop more enigmatic elements into the scene, by showing the image with her husband, her caressing the photo as if in fondness, her reflecting emotions, and then her drastic slamming of the jewellery box, which once again makes the audience question

why she seems to feel guilty, and then what memory spurs such an emotion that makes her slam the jewellery box shut so drastically. The audience are constantly given more questions within the opening clip, such as where she is leaving, why she is going, who is following her, why is he following her, who is she meeting, but are not given any of the answers. These enigmatic hooks keep the audience involved, as they wish to carry on viewing the film to discover the answers to the questions they keep asking.

The cliffhanger at the end of the opening of the sequence is rather ambiguous as it is not entirely clear what happens to her, although the audience can presume that she was eventually shot and killed by her husband, but what happens after the cliff hanger, is a question that our target audience are bound to ask, and by using a cliffhanger within our opening clip, it made audience dwell on the ending, and contemplate theories to answer their own questions, meaning that our media product is not one so easily forgotten, impacting the audience for longer.

Some audiences also watch films because of Genre pleasures, choosing to specifically enjoy certain aspects of genres, and therefore take an interest and watch films because they are of the same genre to each other. For this reason, we decided to conform to the majority of Noir conventions to address our audience, as it is likely that our audience were choosing to watch our thriller, because it is a Noir film, which are a limited and narrow genre type, with few set conventions, meaning that it was likely that audiences were expecting certain Noir criteria when viewing our film, such as the most obvious, although not essential, characteristic as being put in black and white, which immediately gives the impression of an older Noir like film. As well as this, we used quirky camera angles, as expected, subverting stereo-types of characters, such as the stereo-typical passive damsel in distress women, and replacing them with roles such as the Femme-Fatale, along with the idea and theme of deceit and betrayal which are essential within Noir films.

When viewing a film, some audiences seek aid and comfort through being able to relate and share experiences with characters, gaining Representational pleasure from viewing a media text. However, because of our characters being in such unique circumstances, such as the fact they live in such a different society, are of the upper class, and living such a glamorous life, along with such extreme and dangerous intentions, it is highly unlikely that the audience are going to be able to relate to the characters much, meaning that it had potential to lack representational pleasure for the audience.

 However, in some aspects of our thriller we created characters that our audience aspired to be, through this high class society life style they seem to lead, in a beautiful house, in a beautiful area, and especially through the elegance , beauty, possessions, and seeming power (at the beginning) that Scarlett possesses makes the audience envy her, and her lifestyle. 

Having said that the audience may find it difficult to relate to the characters, the audience can draw real life concerns that they have which can be applied and drawn from our thriller, such as fears that our female audience can relate to, as being chased, or indeed hunted by men, which is a fear still very applicable in modern day society, which the audience can relate to. Another example of concerns that the audience may have, are that of men being lured by beautiful women, who will eventually cause him trauma and emotional distress, such as the character of Ray, who the audience see destroyed by the works of a woman, and again is a relevant modern day concern within some men, that a woman could lead to his downfall. It also means that those who were betrayed and are the victims of a broken marriage, can identify with the characters on some level, and begin to establish a strong personal connection between the characters and the audience, again making the impact of the film greater, as well as giving the audience the representational pleasures so many desire.

 By drawing on the audiences own personal fears and concerns, it makes the audience feel as if they are being directly approached and gives the film a more personal feel to the individual viewing the film.