1. Questionnaire Results.
Age - 17
Gender - Female
How do you find out about new films that are released?
- Trailer
- Poster
- Magazine
Do you find black and white horror films scary or difficult to watch?
- Scary
- Difficult to watch
- Other
I personally find them quite outdated, and cheesy.
What do you think is a suitable length of time for a trailer? And why?
I think around 1 minute – 1 minute 30. A trailer that is too long would get boring and
ignore the actual purpose of trailers.
What attracts you the most to a horror film from watching a trailer?
The building of a climax through use of fast paced editing, in both visuals and sound.
Do you like captions/phrases or text throughout the trailer?
- Yes
- No
Do you think a voice over has a large impact on a horror film trailer?
- Yes
- No
What types of code and conventions do you expect in a horror film?
Blood, knives, a killer and victim, dark lighting, weird sounds.
The main purpose of a horror film is to scare its audience. What codes and
conventions are most effective in aiding this purpose?
Scary, atmospheric music, and sound in general, and very dark lighting.

2. Age - 18
Gender - Female
How do you find out about new films that are released?
- Trailer
- Poster
- Magazine
Do you find black and white horror films scary or difficult to watch?
- Scary
- Difficult to watch
- Other
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What do you think is a suitable length of time for a trailer? And why?
About a minute or so, to make sure enough information/content is contained within
it without it dragging on.
What attracts you the most to a horror film from watching a trailer?
If the film is realistic and based on true happenings in at least some way.
Do you like captions/phrases or text throughout the trailer?
- Yes
- No
Do you think a voice over has a large impact on a horror film trailer?
- Yes
- No
What types of code and conventions do you expect in a horror film?
Blood, gore, danger, good vs. evil, dramatic music, good sound effects.
The main purpose of a horror film is to scare its audience. What codes and
conventions are most effective in aiding this purpose?
I think the most effective codes and conventions are sound related, i.e. dramatic
music, great sound effects.

3. Age - 17
Gender - Male
How do you find out about new films that are released?
- Trailer
- Poster
- Magazine
Do you find black and white horror films scary or difficult to watch?
- Scary
- Difficult to watch
- Other
I find them quite old and stupid.
What do you think is a suitable length of time for a trailer? And why?
1 minute 15 seconds, and because trailers should be short and sweet, but contain at
least a decent amount of content/information to ensure the film is advertised as
greatly as possible.
What attracts you the most to a horror film from watching a trailer?
If it noticeably has a strong, realistic storyline to it.
Do you like captions/phrases or text throughout the trailer?
- Yes
- No
Do you think a voice over has a large impact on a horror film trailer?
- Yes
- No
What types of code and conventions do you expect in a horror film?
Weird, loud sounds and music, blood, danger, paranormal happenings, a strong
antagonist who preys on young victims, teenage characters.
The main purpose of a horror film is to scare its audience. What codes and
conventions are most effective in aiding this purpose?
Effective use of sound in both a musical and general aspect.
A slow editing pace that strongly builds suspense and tension. A weird bad guy.
Good use of FX.

4. Age - 16
Gender - Male
How do you find out about new films that are released?
- Trailer
- Poster
- Magazine
Do you find black and white horror films scary or difficult to watch?
- Scary
- Difficult to watch
- Other
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What do you think is a suitable length of time for a trailer? And why?
30 – 40 seconds.
What attracts you the most to a horror film from watching a trailer?
If it is action filled then it attracts me. If it isn’t and is slow and boring then it does
not attract me.
Do you like captions/phrases or text throughout the trailer?
- Yes
- No
Do you think a voice over has a large impact on a horror film trailer?
- Yes
- No
What types of code and conventions do you expect in a horror film?
Weird bad guys, low key lighting, violence, blood, gore, paranormal activity.
The main purpose of a horror film is to scare its audience. What codes and
conventions are most effective in aiding this purpose?
Slow pace editing that builds a great amount of suspense. Paranormal activity that is
realistic.

5. Age - 18
Gender - Male
How do you find out about new films that are released?
- Trailer
- Poster
- Magazine
Do you find black and white horror films scary or difficult to watch?
- Scary
- Difficult to watch
- Other
........................................................................................................................................
.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
What do you think is a suitable length of time for a trailer? And why?
A minute, I don’t know why really.
What attracts you the most to a horror film from watching a trailer?
Mostly if it says it’s a true story.
Do you like captions/phrases or text throughout the trailer?
- Yes
- No
Do you think a voice over has a large impact on a horror film trailer?
- Yes
- No
What types of code and conventions do you expect in a horror film?
A female victim and a male killer, weapons like a knife or dagger, dramatic music,
poor lighting.
The main purpose of a horror film is to scare its audience. What codes and
conventions are most effective in aiding this purpose?
Realism and the music mostly.