Audience Development Toolkit for Ages 16-19

Into Film is the UK's leading charity for film in education. We support educators to unlock the power of film to deliver transformative learning outcomes for children and young people aged 5-19 in class, extra-curricular settings and in cinemas.

Designed in partnership with educators, our programme features Into Film+, the UK's only school-specific film streaming service, online teaching resources and training, careers information, cinema screenings and a network of extra-curricular Into Film Clubs. The core Into Film programme is free for UK state schools thanks to funding from the National Lottery (through the BFI), Cinema First and Northern Ireland Screen.

This toolkit is designed to support exhibitors, including cinemas and festivals, to run workshops to consult with and develop 16-19-year-old audiences. It includes suggested session themes and relevant resources to promote effective delivery of sessions, as well as some general tips for working with a 16-19 aged audience.

Special Events

The Special Events sessions aim to involve a group of young people in planning and running a special film event or programme launch, including its promotion and marketing.

Marketing

The Marketing sessions aim to discover what a group of young people already know about your venue and provide an insight into their recommendations when marketing to their peers.

Cinema Loyalty/Ticket Offer

The Cinema Loyalty/Ticket Offer sessions provide the opportunity to consult with your group on existing loyalty schemes and explore what could be a worthwhile incentive scheme for your venue.

Mystery Shopper

The Mystery Shopper sessions aim to discover what a group of young people already know about your venue's offer and to challenge them to experience a screening and provide feedback.

Icebreakers

Please find some suggestions for useful icebreaker games to include at the start of your sessions below.

Top Tips when Working with 16-19-Year-Olds

• Use icebreakers at the beginning of a session to get to know the group a little - taking this time will pay dividends later
• Keep the tone of sessions lively - try to bring positive energy in register and delivery style
• Consider adapting your register and delivery style as a session progresses and you discover the level and needs of participants
• You may be working with young people with additional support needs. If this is the case it is recommended to speak with teachers/parents/guardians to discuss any necessary adjustments to activity plans e.g. to consider how feedback can be shared if young people don't like speaking in front of a group (Post-It notes, anonymous comments box, etc)
• Provide refreshments for any face-to-face sessions
• Inform the group of timings of sessions and activities. Give time checks throughout a session. Especially important if there are practical elements.
• Allow space for participants to think and practise mindfulness. Silence usually means participants are thinking and not bored. Inform your participants you are giving them space to think and that it is fine to be quiet and not immediately give a response.
• Incentives - complimentary tickets, concessions vouchers or similar are a great thank you for contributions and can encourage return visits.
• Young people love to know their thoughts and ideas are valued. It's always worthwhile to let them know if and how their ideas will be moved forward or why it's not possible to do so.