LO2 Task 3 - Audience for Four Lions

HI its Andre and for this vlog, I will be discussing the target audience for the film Four lions. For you to gain an understanding of the target audience Four lions you need to know some of the key terms that are related to this topic.

Demographic:

The demographic is a category relating to how media produces target audience so, breaking down the audience. There are many factors that the demographic, this includes the age, race, sex economic status, level of education, income level, employment.

Audience theory:

John Hartley (1987) and Ien Ang (1991) suggested that produces create invisible fictions or imaginary entites before creating a media product.

 In terms of the uses and gratification theory, there are 11 classifications sectors that can be used ‘class’ people in terms of their lifestyle. These are:

·         Affluent achievers – post graduates       
·         Thriving greys – healthy over 50’s
·         Settled suburban’s – family life
·         Nest builders – new couples
·         Urban ventures – student life
·         Country life – farmers, people who live in the country side
·         Senior citizen – OAP’s
·         Producers – creative industry, entrepreneur
·         Hard-presses families – struggling families
·         Have-nots – have nothing, have no interests
·         Unclassifiable – low achievers, unsuccessful

Four lions demographics analysis:

Gender – In terms of gender, males would be the ones that would most likely watch Four lions. This would be 80% of the target audience, with the other 20% of the target audience being females. This is because of the type of mindless behaviour that is displayed in the film and stereotypically males are attracted to this type of behaviour. An example of some of the mindless behaviour that is displayed in the film is when the group of jihadist are experimenting with all the gun powder they have, blowing up small chunks of the gun powder each time. Although Four lions is more suitable for males it can also be a pleasure for females, this is because of the message that the film is trying to get across. Four lions is more about friendship and how the love for each other conquers all of the other problems that they face. Regarding the uses and gratification theory, all of the people who would most likely watch this would be the urban ventures. Stereotypically students are known to be very reckless and they tend to cause a lot of mayhem, since a lot of this is shown in Four lions this appeals to the students nature.

 Age – According to BBFC Four lions is appropriate for anyone who of the age of 15 and over, this is because a lot of the content is deemed explicit. However I think that this film is more suitable for people who are over the age of 18, this is because of the meaning behind it. Four lions would be easier for people who are over 18 to understand why characters wish to do what they are doing, where as the 15 years olds would only one point of view.

 

Lifestyle – The lifestyles of the Four lions audience would be people who are generally quite mischievous and very outgoing. This matches the mood of the film as it is very wild and hectic, therefore making it appealing for that type of personality. When referring to the supper lifestyles profiles classification, the group of people that would watch Four lions would be the urban ventures. This is because generally, the people who would fit into this classification would be quite outgoing and would live very hectic lives. And it is this sort of personality that is apparent in the film. In terms of the NRS ABC1 demographics profiling system, the type of people would watch this film would be the C2, D, E. This is because students are the ones more likely to watch this and they are one of the groups that fits into this social grade. The stereotypical student has very little money for any entertain they wish to buy therefore, Four lions would be ideal for them as there is no merchandise for the film so less money needs to be spent. According to the uses and gratification theory ( Denis McQuail 1972 ) people can gain one of four things when they consume a media product. These are:
·         Surveillance: to find out information – news.
·         Escapism: living in your own world – T.V and news.
·         Building personal identity: using media personalities as role models.
·         Building personal relationships: media product that provides a topic of conversation – Soaps, news, magazines, gossip websites.

Four lions offer the gratification escapism from the current would problems by providing a serial intake on the topic of terrorism. Four lions also offers the gratification building personal relationships as the film is very controversial so therefore it provides a topic for a conversation. 

Spending power – The spending power links in with the lifestyle. Unlike C2DE, the ABC1’ have a greater disposable income so therefore they can afford to watch the film and to buy any sort of merchandise that comes with it. ABC1’s are anyone who is in the supervisory, administrative profession or higher. People who are in the C2DE sectors are most likely semi skilled workers or below that profession so therefore they would have less disposable income available to be spending on entertainment.