Audience Theory Analysis of Our Music Video - "To Catch a Thief" by Lovage

Our personal production of “To Catch a Thief” by the band Lovage, is aimed at a very specialised audience and would therefore fit into the category of niche marketing. Although the music video has a strong storyline behind it, it has a distinctive theme and perspective that would not appeal to most mainstream audiences. This narrowness of the market makes the production quite unique and distinguishable compared with other music video productions.

This uniqueness can be explained by the genre of the music itself. The genre is known as trip-hop; a mixture of electro and house music, that is a relatively new hybrid genre that was created in the mid-1990s. There are no specific trends or requirements that fit into the trip-hop genre as it quite experimental so we tried to incorporate this abstract feel into our music video and I believe the production reflects this well.

The production shows the abstract nature by the presence of the main protagonist and antagonist, the bunny. The video follows the bunny being a thief which links in with the title of the song, “To Catch a Thief” and the production shows an episode from his life, whilst the visuals and lyrics explain the story in the background. The band was included in the production in order to fit the stereotype of the trip-hop genre.

Overall, our production was aimed at a niche market and audience, therefore meaning that the consumers would more than likely be faithful to our product, rather than drifting between genres, as many fans of mainstream music tend to do. This means we would still be able to generate a respectable amount of fans and viewers of our music video.

In terms of our audience theory and profiling audiences, I would predict that our production would be aimed at the ‘Succeeders’ category, as that type of people generally like to feel secure and in control and they buy brands which reinforce their feelings of control. This would fit in with our production, as ‘Succeeders’ will feel in control, as this genre is relatively small and low key, so the small majority of them would hold a lot of influence over the artists. The other group that would be attracted by our music video would be ‘The Individual’, as they are highly media literate, expect high production advertising and buys into the product image rather than the product itself. This would fit in with our production, as ‘The Individual’ would like our product because they are buying into the product image, and would like the abstract feel of the music video.

The ‘Uses and Gratifications’ Theory would be the best example to compare with our production, as the audience have taken an active part in choosing and deciding what media they wish to interact with. This is true for the audience of our production as it is such a niche market and audience that the audience would have to willingly want to watch the music video. This differs to mainstream genres and markets as a passive audience usually consumes them, as the cultivation theory explains. Because mainstream audiences are so exposed to the mainstream genres they generally ‘like’ them just because they become over-exposed to them. Our audience however, would actively choose to watch and consume our production because it is what they want to watch.

To conclude, our production is on the whole aimed at a media literate audience who will actively choose to watch and consume the music video, because they like the abstract and niche uniqueness of the finalised product. The audience we have targeted is very specific but one that ultimately reflects the trip-hop genre and the song “To Catch a Thief” by Lovage.

Audience Analysis - Own Production of Music Video - To Catch a Thief by Lovage

My production of the music video for ‘To Catch a Theif’ by Lovage is aimed at a very niche market, therefore a niche audience. The music video has a unique theme to it and is quite abstract. Although the storyline is strong this type of music video would not appeal to a mainstream audience.

The uniqueness of the music video I helped to create comes mainly from the hybrid genre the song belongs to; trip hop, a combination of electro and house music. This genre does not really have any set conventions, as it is quite experimental and is not generally seen as mainstream and I feel that the music video that we have produced reflects this well.

Our music video is abstract as it’s main character is a bunny who steals and the music video simply follows an episode within his life whilst the lyrics and visuals link throughout. We also included the band which conformed to the conventions of the trip-hop genre.

So, as you can see from the summary of the genre of our music video the audience is a unique and niche market. Through being a niche audience I would assume that the consumers of this product are very loyal towards it so do not necessarily float from genre to genre as mainstream audiences may.

When looking at specifics and profiling our target audience I would say that this music video is aimed and the ‘Individuals’ within the categorisation of personal aspirations. This type of audience would be highly media literate and would by this grungy image that our music video portrays rather than the actual music video. However, the audience who buy products such as our music video may also fit into the ‘Succeeders’ category as they are within this unique band of people so may feel secure in such an immediate group therefore will buy this brand/product to reinforce their feeling of control and security.

I would say that the ‘Uses and Gratifications’ Model is prevalent with our target audience as they have actively chosen and almost created this niche genre of music and this niche market. Unlike mainstream genres and markets which are usually consumed by a passive audience through repeated exposure, as the cultivation theory explains. Most of us listen to and watch mainstream products and media and this is what we have been exposed to the most and most often therefore we ‘like it’. Whereas, with our target audience, like I have said they actively chose to seek out this genre and music video type.

Overall, our media text of a music video is aimed young people who are media literate and can look into a music video to see behind the motion picture to reveal the meaning which are video holds. The audience wee have targeted is a very specific one which reflects the unique music genre of the song ‘To Catch a Thief’ by Lovage.

Only Way is ESSEX Audience Analysis

Who is the text aimed at?
This reality television programme is aimed at teens to young adults, predominately females.

What assumptions are made about the audience which are revealed in the texts scheduling or positioning?
The scheduling of this programme is after the nine o'clock 'the watershed' so assumptions that are made would be that they are adults or young adults. Also, programmes after the water shed generally have strong language and possible sexual references in them so the audience would have to want to watch this type of programme.

Where and when is the aduience likely to receive the text?
On their home television or on the catch up service ITV Player. They have to watch the programme at the scheduled time on their home television yet on the catch up service it can be watched at any time whenever the audience wants.

How does this influence the form and structure of the text.
This influences the form and structure as they can put in swearing, sexual innuendos and the language that is used, as it will be more accessible to the socio-economic that understands the language and is more familiar with it. This group such as young adults are able to access services such as ITV player on smart phones, net books etc.

 
How will this audience read this text?
This audience will read this text through gaining a stereotypical view of people who live in Essex. When in actual fact the programme only focuses on one particular social group within Essex.

The only way is essex

Who is it aimed at?
Young teens - older adults. Both genders enjoy this. Open to everyone.


What assumptions are made of the audience which are revealed in the texts scheduling or positioning?
the common assumptions generated about the audience is firstly the scheduling of the show, it comes on at 10 o'clock on a sunday and wednesday, this is an hour after the watershed time of 9 and shows that the show is inappropriate and involves bad language and other deviant acts.


Where and when is the audience likely to receive the text?
The audience is likely to watch it at 10pm on itv2 on wednesdays and sundays. If they miss it they can watch it on itv player at any time.


How does this influence the form and structure of the text?
The fact that they use alot of cliff hangers on the programme makespeople want to come back and watch it more.

'Only Way is Essex' audience

Who is the text aimed at?
The Only Way is Essex is particularly aimed at young people, specifically young women. It is also aimed at individuals who are very fashion concentrated and intwined with popular culture.

What assumptions are made about the audience which are revealed in the texts scheduling or positioning?
In this programme, many of the scenes are set in settings such as clubs or shops. This is on the assumption that the audience is attracted to this type of lifestyle.

Where and when is the audience likely to receive the text?
Television at home- late night, online ( ITV Player - anytime), portable devices e.g. iphone etc

How does this influence the form and structure of the text?
The program being aired late at night means the characters are entitled to swear and indulge in their preferred social activity

How will this audience 'read' this text?
The purpose of the media text is to entertain and although the character's of the show are meant to be real, there are parts acted out purposely for entertainment of audiences.

The Only Way Is Essex Audience Analysis

1. Who is the text aimed at?

Young adults that are influenced and enjoy popular culture. This is mainly aimed at women although a smaller minority of men do come under this category. 

2. What assumptions are made about the audience which are revealed in the texts scheduling or positioning? 

From the time that it is broadcasted it would suggest that the suitable audience would be mid teens and above. If the timing of the program was earlier it would be classed as unsuitable as some of the scenes have adult content. 

3. Where and when is the audience likely to receive the text?

Most viewers of this program tend to view it from their home television although it is available to watch online at 'ITV player'. 

4. How does this influence the form and structure of the text?

As the program is shown on ITV 2 it conforms to the stereotypical coventions of itv and mainstream television. A feature which features highly is the use of 'cliffhangers' which work in conjunction with the adverts and the end of the program making the audience return to find out what happens.  

5. How will the audience 'read' this text?

This text's purpose is to entertain although the cast is meant to be real, their parts are acted out to ensure continuous entertainment. The individual characters of the show portray certain stereotypes which some viewers relate to.

The Only Way Is Essex Audience analysis.

Who is the text aimed at?

Teens, either people who like the lifestyles or people, who laugh at the life styles. A proggrame such as this has a lot of help from two step flow. Many people watched this programme because it was so talked about, fir being awful.

What assumptions are made about the audience?

The proggrammer assumes that the audience will be awake and watching television at 10 at night.  This is key to the proggrame as it uses words and views that can not be aired before water shed.