CCR research - Question #2

Hello everyone! In this blog post I’ll be talking about my research and planning for CCR Question 2, which is: “How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?”

Before deciding how I wanted to answer this question, I did some research about target audiences, suspense films and film distribution:

Audience Engagement

My story is a suspense and crime genre, which usually attracts people who enjoy mystery, investigation and stories that reveal information and catch you unexpectedly. In most suspense films, they keep the audience curious by hiding important details and revealing them little by little.

In my opening, the audience sees a scientist secretly running a DNA test that is connected to a crime. However, the audience doesn’t know who the suspect is or why the scientist is doing this test. With that, I can create curiosity and tension in my audience since I hid information from them, which makes them want to know what will happen next.

Another way my film engages the audience is through the visuals and the sound. I used warmer tones, close-up shots and I only used dialogue in the last scene, which was only 3 words (“I found her”), so it makes it even more suspenseful. to make small moments feel more intense. I also used a suspenseful melody that appeared throughout the whole opening. Also, I added a “boom” kinda like sound for example, in one of the scenes when the scientist is dropping liquids in the beaker to make it even more intense.

Resource: https://tmff.net/how-suspense-movies-keep-us-hooked-exploring-the-science-behind-the-thrill/

Target Audience

The main audience for my film would likely be teenagers and young adults, especially people who enjoy suspense, crime and mystery films. Many popular movies and series in this genre attract people who like to guess what is happening in the story.

Resource: https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/thriller-films-target-audience/75446250

Distribution

If my film were a real media product, it could be distributed through streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime, since suspense and crime stories are very popular there. These services allow people to easily access films and series from their home.

Another possible way my film could be distributed is through film festivals, like the ones that showcase independent or student films. This would allow the film to reach people interested in new filmmakers and is also an affordable option and is also fun, so I think that’s also a good idea. 

Resource: https://www.ep.com/blog/beginners-guide-to-film-distribution-overview-for-independent-producers/

My CCR Idea

For my CCR video, I’m planning to answer the question in a way that connects to the theme of my project. Since my film involves an investigation and an FBI case, I plan to answer my explanation as if I’m analyzing the case and explaining the mystery behind it. I like this idea because it connects well with the story and it helps me to make a fun CCR response. 

Also, my first CCR will include the first and second question, so here is the script answering these 2 questions:

SCRIPT:

INTRO:
Hi everyone! In this video I'll be answering Questions 1 and 2 of my CCR for my film opening called The Hidden Match.
My film opening tells the story of a scientist named Dr. Werner, who secretly runs a DNA test connected to a murder investigation.
Since my story is about solving a crime, I decided to set up a small investigation board to help explain the evidence behind my film opening.

GENRE CONVENTIONS: 

So, let’s start with genre conventions! My film belongs mainly to the suspense and crime genres and suspense films usually create tension and mystery by slowly revealing information instead of explaining everything right away. They often include investigations, hidden clues and unanswered questions that make the audience curious.
In my opening, I follow these conventions by showing pieces of evidence that slowly reveal what happened.

For example, the audience sees this crime report, which introduces the suspect connected to the investigation. However, the film doesn’t immediately explain the full story, which creates mystery and tension.

Another suspense convention I used is restricted information. The viewer sees the scientist working with evidence and running experiments, but they still don't know the full situation yet. Because of this, the audience has to slowly figure out the mystery along with the character. 

REPRESENTATION: 

Another important part of question 1 is representation. In my opening, representation is mainly shown through the character Dr. Werner. In many films, scientists are often shown as either the hero who saves everyone or the evil scientist who causes problems. In my project, I wanted to make Dr. Werner more complex and mysterious. 

He is clearly intelligent and professional, but he is also secretly running an unauthorized DNA test, which suggests that he might be breaking rules.
The crime report shown at the beginning shows that he is investigating the suspect connected to the crime.
Because of this, the audience doesn’t fully know if he is doing something good or something suspicious.
I purposely left his intentions unclear so viewers can question his actions.

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: 

Now moving on to question 2, which focuses on how the film engages the audience. So, my opening keeps the audience interested by slowly revealing clues connected to the investigation. 

At first, the viewer only sees the scientist working with evidence and running experiments in the lab. But as the opening continues, the scientist makes an important discovery. The DNA analysis shows a positive match! Meaning that the suspect that appeared in the beginning is actually connected to the crime. 

This moment is an important reveal because it shows that the scientist has finally discovered the identity of the suspect.
Also, at the very end of the opening, the scientist receives a phone call and says:

“I found her”. 

This moment creates a cliffhanger and encourages the audience to continue watching the story. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

Another part of Question 2 is thinking about how the film could be distributed as a real media product.
Since my project belongs to the suspense and crime genres, it could work well on streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, which often distribute mystery and thriller films.
These platforms are popular for stories that involve investigations and crime cases.

Because my film slowly reveals clues and builds suspense, it could appeal to audiences who enjoy films where the viewer tries to solve the mystery along with characters. This can include audiences that are mainly teenagers and young adults of both genders. 

CONCLUSION: 

Overall, my film opening uses many conventions from suspense and crime films, like mystery, dark lighting, restricted information and investigative clues.
By slowly revealing evidence like the crime report and the DNA match, the opening builds tension and encourages the audience to continue watching the story.