Audience research focus groups

The focus group involved each group pitching their film ideas to the rest of the class in order for the other groups to provide feedback for that group to improve the film. It also allowed the audience to gain some insight into what the movie would entail if the entire 30 minute film were to be created. We were also able to ask each other questions to ensure that each group has considered a variety of factors during the first stage of the planning process.

There were some particular points that people have made as shown below:
'The ending is a cliffhanger but it doesn't address your tagline'
'The cliffhanger is a good idea for this genre gives an arthouse twist unlike Hollywood films'
'Why is it a based on a Mexican running to the UK? Doesn't make much sense.'
'You can touch on immigration and refugees'
'I really like the voiceover idea and that you should research into the psychology behind it'
'Do more research into arthouse films featuring hitmen'
'How are you going to make the film fit the arthouse genre because it sounds like a mainstream film like Sicario'
'How will it fit the 15 rating?'
'I love this idea of an anti-hero... he's a bad guy but also someone we can sympathise with
'Do a lot of research on the dialogue... the scripting, try and capture some of the rythms and language seen in film noir'
This discussion has enabled me to hear various different points of views based on the same film idea. It has proven that it is a good idea to get opinions from as many people as possible, in order to create a well-thought out piece of film. Also, being that the focus groups consisted of a major portion of our target audience (teenagers from ages 15 - 17), this was helpful to understand aspects of the audience appeal for the film. Specific things that I've taken into account after hearing from others are:
That there should be very talented actors in order for the film to be a success
That we should speak to the Spanish Department for advice regarding the script for the Spanish dialogue,
Since these comments were made, I think we will make a huge effort to try to input these points into the film.

The final write-up of the target audience will be as followed:
Both genders, primarily males though as they are generally more interested in movies such as this. Although, the female gaze could be a unique selling point of this movie towards female audiences, since there are predominantly males featured in this film.
The age group demographic would be between the ages of 15 years old to people in their late forties,
The social class that this film would be targeted at would mainly be middle class. However due to the mysterious nature of the movie, a person who wants to escape from everyday life, namely a struggler, would most likely benefit from a movie like this.