Justify content, distribution and marketing methods identified for the planned production to meet a client brief (M1)

Content:

I was motivated to create "Vanished in the Shadows" to explore the realms of psychological horror and thriller genres. The story of Reece and Jack was meticulously crafted to captivate viewers in a suspenseful and tension-filled narrative that plays into the viewer's fears and expectations. Drawing on familiar types of the genre, the story takes viewers through dark and eerie settings, where the protagonist must confront a disturbing adversary and his demons. The narrative heavily relies on the psychological aspect, with the protagonist and antagonist using their wits and resourcefulness in their encounters, adding layers of complexity and depth to the story.

Distribution:

The target demographic for "Vanished in the Shadows" is mainly made up of viewers in the millennial and Generation Z generations, who are becoming more and more interested in horror and thriller films. This audience is drawn to the story's focus on a young investigator's encounter with a psychopath because they frequently love stories that explore the dark side of human psychology and have enjoyable, relatable characters. The unresolved ending, which raises the possibility of further meetings with evil, provides a layer of intrigue that might appeal to viewers who enjoy atmospheric and thought-provoking stories. "Vanished in the Shadows" tries to grab its audience and make a lasting impact by juggling character development, dramatic narrative, and psychological terror.

We chose to release our short horror movie on YouTube because it fits with current viewing habits and the platform's previous achievements with other short horror films like "Alexia," "Vicious," "The Passing," and "Creak," some of which have even received awards. When aiming at the Gen Z audience, who are moving towards easier and less expensive genres, YouTube offers a cost-effective production route.

Our social media advertising approach also follows these trends. Utilising social media audiences can increase visibility and buzz, especially for smaller productions, and is a practical and affordable strategy. Additionally, we can correctly represent the experience of Gen Z and broaden the film's audience by keeping an eye on social media trends and working with well-known content creators.

Sources:

1. [20 Terrifying Short Horror Films You Can Watch On YouTube - Nerdist](https://nerdist.com/article/best-short-horror-films-on-youtube/)

2. [Horror movie audience statistics | Deloitte Insights](https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/media-and-entertainment-industry-outlook.html)

Marketing:

Marketing our upcoming horror film means contacting Gen Z on various social media platforms. To gain interest, we aim to start a teaser campaign on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube one month before the premiere. We will incorporate elements of each platform, such as needed hashtags and short film content, to boost our strategy.

Two weeks before the film releases, we will release our main trailer on Youtube and promote it across all of our social media channels. We will use viral marketing tactics to expand our reach and encourage fans to share the trailer. Also, we will partner with more prominent brands and content creators to boost our message and views.

After the movie is released, we will maintain engagement with our audience by initiating discussions, sharing user-generated content, and revealing behind-the-scenes material. This approach will ensure the film remains relevant and foster a sense of community among our viewers.