The target audience is very important because following the UK film guidelines there is only a certain amount you can place within age restricted films under the R18 age limit. These rules are set out by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) they decide to what extent certain images etc can be placed withing age restricted filsm e.g. 'U' which stands for universal (suitable for all) has been giver these guideline :
Universal – Suitable for all
It is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.
If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.
Discrimination
No discriminatory language or behaviour unless clearly disapproved of.
Drugs
No references to illegal drugs or drug misuse unless they are infrequent and innocuous, or there is a clear educational purpose or anti-drug message suitable for young children.
Horror
Scary sequences should be mild, brief and unlikely to cause undue anxiety to young children. The outcome should be reassuring.
Imitable behaviour
No potentially dangerous behaviour which young children are likely to copy. No emphasis on realistic or easily accessible weapons.
Language
Infrequent use only of very mild bad language.
Nudity
Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual context.
Sex
Mild sexual behaviour (for example, kissing) and references only (for example, to ‘making love’).
Theme
While problematic themes may be present, their treatment must be sensitive and appropriate for young children.
Violence
Mild violence only. Occasional mild threat or menace only.
They set out what is allowed to be featured in films within this country. Focusing more on horrors many horrors are usually prodominantly rated 15 and this is because producers are aware that horrors appeal to majority of teenagers so they have to follow the BBFC's guidelines so they fit under that category. Only serious gory horror like Saw reach the 18 rating and this is mainly because of inhuman scernarios and also events that take place.
We have chosen to make are horror film trailer a 15 and this is because it covers exactly what we are looking for, it allows us to reach out to arguably the most profitable fan base teenagers. Another issue that appeals to us is that we have created a film scenario that teenagers con realte to so it makes it much more realistic.
Target Audience Profile