The focus group discussed several aspects of horror movies. On the topic of whether music enhances fear or distraction, most felt music enhances fear by portraying the intended emotions and helping with suspense. On plot details in openings, all agreed audiences should be left in suspense. Regarding trailers and openings influencing watching a movie, most said trailers are important but openings decide if one continues watching. On location's impact on genre, most felt it plays a big role in setting and indicating the genre. Finally, on characters versus settings affecting viewers, most felt characters/actors are more important in how they feel during the film.

1. Focus Group Research

2. Does the music in scary movies enhance the fear
factor or distract viewers from the action taking
place?
•
Joshua B. 17, male (1) –
I believe it enhances the fear factor as it portrays how we’re supposed to feel.
•
Atalanta J. 16, female (2) –
Music definitely enhances the fear factor, it helps with the suspense throughout.
•
Keira L. 19, female (3) –
Majority of the time scary music enhances the fear factor, however at times distracts audiences due to the fact
that a lot is going on at once.
•
Idris W. 17 (4) –
Yes, the music plays a big part in a horror movie, as it creates the scary effect for the audience, making a
dramatic reaction for them. The music adds a sense of horror.
•
Summary –
All people in the focus group felt that music plays a big part in a horror when setting the scene and mood of it.
they al felt it was a key component.

3. Do you think viewers should be told the main plot in
the opening sequence or left in suspense?
•
1–
I believe some of the plot should be shown in the opening sequence but not all of it should be given away, this
is because there is still suspense and the questioning of what’s going to happen.
•
2–
I believe we should be left in suspense and not told, as we can keep guessing and makes you think deeper into
the plot.
•
3–
Audiences should be left in suspense as it engages the audience to try and figure out what will later be
unfolded in the film.
•
4–
No, because it is better for the audience to find out the plot of the movie as its playing, as it will be more
surprising for the audience for specific events in the film, so they should be left in suspense
Summary –
All said that the audience shouldn’t be told about the main plot in the opening sequence, they said they
should be left in suspense.

4. Does the trailer or the opening sequence of a movie
impact whether you will watch it?
•
1–
The trailer has an impact in deciding whether you’ll even consider watching it, although the opening sequence
determines if you will carry on watching it.
•
2–
I think the trailer has an impact on whether you watch a film because it gives you an idea of what you’re going
to watching, but the opening sequence will impact if you’ll continue viewing it.
•
3–
The trailer has a big impact on whether I will watch the film as if the trailer is not interesting I will not be drawn
to watch it.
•
4–
The trailer plays a big part, as it roughly tells you what the film is about, meaning if I find a trailer good, it will
lead me to watch it in the cinema.
•
Summary –
All felt the trailer plays a big impact on if you watch the film, but some felt the opening sequence decides if
you continue to watch it.

5. In what way do you think the location of a scene has
an impact on the genre?
•
1–
It has an impact as we have our own views on certain locations, therefore it gives a view on what to expect.
•
2–
I think the location has a big impact because it shows us where and in some way, how the story came about.
•
3–
The location doesn’t have a huge impact on the genre it depends more on the characters, props and the plot.
•
4–
The location of the scene will play a huge part of the the film, especially in horror films, as locations may give
indications to the audience what’s happening in the film.
•
Summary –
Most of the people felt that location was important and played a big part in setting and impacting the genre.

6. Does the character effect you more during the film
than the setting?
•
1–
Yes, because depending on the actors performance. It will determine how we feel about the film and the
mood that is set.
•
2–
I think the setting effects me more because it can be a dark setting which will impact how I feel.
•
3–
The character could be extremely scary and therefore have more of an effect on me.
•
4–
Yes! The actor hold a big and major responsibilities of acting good, as good actors make it seem more realistic.
Personally, a horror film will be even more scary if the acting is played out good.
•
Summary –
Most of the people asked felt that the characters/actors were more important in effecting how they felt
during the film than the setting.