LO1: Task 1 - Audiences

As 21st Century Fox aims to generate a profit from their productions, they appeal to the audience by targeting the basic/visceral emotions (Altman 1999) which effects everyone, for example making comedy films such as the Simpsons Movie to appeal to the humour in the wide audience, or action films such as Avatar which appeal to the gut reactions to action - fear, excitement etc. This is effective as targeting pleasures shared by all demographics, which also helps to build a personal identity which attracts an audience (McQuail 1972) because as films become more popular, people are more likely to see them to say that they have. This is evident in the Simpsons Movie, that uses comedy in combination with shock and excitement (via mock-action) to entertain the audience.
In contrast to this, Warp Films targets a more specific audience. As a result of this, they are able to use more niche pleasures (for example intellectual puzzles) which only a certain audience will be interested in. While these techniques are often more effective for delivering a message or meaning, they are less attractive to a mass audience.
This offers another key difference in the two in terms of uses and gratification theory. The Simpsons Movie and similar features made by conglomerates offer escapism - offering the audience unrealistic and fantastical films that allow the audience to lose themselves easily in the plot and world, a common want for people of all demographics. On the other hand, This is England and similar things made by independent companies like Warp Films show a more realistic and gritty existence that many people share, offering surveillance - the audience watches another, real, life. This is a more niche interest, especially given the life shown can vary, which as a result has less interest. In addition, This is England offers the audience a way to build personal identity, because the film aims to relate to a specific audience, that audience will be able to use that film as part of their identity and that of their peers.