Target Audience

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Kidulthood Rating

Missing is primarily aimed at young adults and teenagers around the 15-18 demographic, as it is a contemporary thriller like The Girl in the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish version) which similarly attracted a younger audience of 18-29 year old females. Whereas the American version attracted under 18s (most probably due to Daniel Craig, who has been in many other Action/Thriller films such as 007). Also, a younger demographic would appeal more to Missing, as its contemporary and gritty surroundings, create an edgy and tense atmosphere which a younger audience may find more appealing than an older audience. Older audiences tend to relate more to classic Noir films such as Once Upon a Time in America as that is what they have grown up with. Though having said that; Missing might still attract an older target audience as it is more of an Arthouse film, which will most likely be shown at independent cinemas such as Cinema City: which attracts an older audience. Both Seth and Eve have contemporary costumes, so a younger audience may find it more engaging as they can indentify better with the main characters, as they are in their age demographic. This is similarly done in Kidulthood, which its characters also wear contemporary costume to relate to a younger demographic (it mainly attracted a male audience who were under 18) American Rating Swedish Rating Also, the main protagonist and antagonist are in the age group of 15-21, so a younger audience may find it more interesting to watch as they are more likely to identify and empathise more with the characters, as it is easier for them to imagine themselves in their position.

Age

Gender
The main protagonist (Eve) is female, so a female audience would most probably relate to her better than a male audience. They may find her more likeable and pitiable as she is vulnerable and weak from the domination of Seth, (captured through low angle shots). Eve a female is portrayed in a pitiable and positive way, whereas Seths manipulation and passive aggressiveness depicts men in a negative manner, therefore females viewers may be more inclined to watch it as the representation of females is more positive than males. Though, having said that, as Eve is a susceptible character and as Seth is the more dominant character; it would could also attract a more male audience as it portrays status between men and women in a more traditional and virile way, which a male audience would find more appealing. Also, there is some violent and disturbing aspects of Missing, which stereotypically a female audience may find disturbing. For instance the flash back scene captures Seths terrifying passive aggressiveness and Eves sheer fear as Seth wipes blood off Eves face: like Bill does in Kill Bill. A female audience may find this too domineering and graphic, so overall Missing is mainly aimed at a male audience. Although, one of the zeitgeists within modern society is that women are becoming less passive and more assertive, so a contemporary female audience may not be put off by the graphic nature of the film. So although it is aimed at both male and female audiences, it is more targeted at a less feminine female audience.

Ethnicity
It would be most probably that our Thriller film Missing would be targeted at a White British audience. One of the reasons for this is that the main characters; Seth and Eve are White British too, so other Ethnic minorities may feel put off from watching our Thriller, as it may be harder for them to relate to our characters. Also, British crime films similar to ours, such as This is England tend to attract a more White British audience as similarly the main characters are usually white and it is set in Britain.

Social Class
People who are between the C2 and C3 demographic (upper and lower working class) are the main target audience of Missing. This is because the settings are gritty and unglamorous, which generally a working class viewer would feel more comfortable watching compared to a middle or upper class viewer, who would most likely feel somewhat alienated. Also both Seth and Eve to an extent are streetwise; as presented through their costumes (i.e. dark jeans and leather jackets) which stereotypically working class people tend wear this kind of casual wear, compared to upper class viewers who stereotypically wear formal clothing, demonstrated in classic thrillers such Gilda: meaning audiences between the C2-C3 demographic would find Missing more appealing.

Media Interests
The audience who would watch our Thriller Missing may also watch other films that are contemporary such as Kidulthood as that demographic of people tend to like modern and innovative films and TV programmes. They may also like listening to Hip Hop and Drum & Base soundtracks like Pass Out by Tinie Tempah, as Missing similarly has somewhat of a young and vibe; being a contemporary crime Thriller, similar to the Dark Knight Rises. So out target audience may enjoy the same edginess and thrill that out Thriller opening offers Our target audience may be relatively up-to-date with the news and other current affairs, as they may associate the idea of running away with missing people stories in the news, such as Milly Dowler and Madeleine Mccann. Another similar film to Missing which our target audience or their parents/siblings may have watched is Essex Boys, as the antagonist Seth holds similar traits and characterisations to Jason, such as the black leather jacket they both wear that connotes a tough persona and menace, as well as their violent streaks: as demonstrated by Seth in the flashback in our Thriller.