The text I have studied for this question is Lost in particular Series 1 Epsiode 2: The Pilot Part 2. I believe this targets a wide range audience. I will discuss different reasons as to why this targets a wide range audience looking at the use of enigma codes, the use of an ensemble cast and how Lost is being created as a hybrid genre.
Enigma codes are used within the text Lost to create suspence and tension. This attracts a wide audience as the text makes the audience suspicious as to what is going to happen next, interesting them into the program and making them want to watch more. Enigma codes such as the handcuffs and the transmitter are important within the text as it leads to audience to ask questions and wonder what will happen next. Enigma codes target a wide audience within the program lost as the audience can Socially Intergrate and discuss the episodes with others socially and will lead them to make up false conclusions as to what is going to happen.
The use of an ensemble cast also targets a wide range audience as most people can personally identify themselves to one of the characters. Stereotypes are used within this text to help users identify themselves with a character. This informs users and creates a bond with them so the audience can understand characters. For example, the character Sawyer relates to the audience as he is very violent and sexist, so he could be seen as a redneck in america, which equivilates to the British term of a 'Chav'. Personal identity is stereotyped within this episode as a wide range of different characters is used to relate to the wide range audience.
A wide range audience is also targeted when creating Lost as a hybrid genre. This uses the postmodernist theory because it mixes different genres to attract the wide audience. For example, Lost uses the action, fantasy and drama genre to attract an audience. Narrative is used to attract a wide audience by mixing specific genre conventions in a postmodernist way, using action and fantasy to create the basic ideas of the program. Conventions from each genre is used to create the text, for example, a frenetic chase scene is used to create tension and suspense when the group are being chased by the polar bear, the audience does not know what is going to happen next. Special effects are also used within the action genre when creating the plane crash flashback, it thrills the audience attracting them to watch more of the program by using a special effect when the back of the plane breaks off and people start to fly out of it. The fantasy genre is used when using the convention of going on a quest when the group climb up the mountain to try to get the transmitter to work. This attracts a wide range audience as it does not exclude any viewers and it is not 'pigeon holding' anyone as it broadens the genre so more audiences can watch the program. It gives Lost a new identity in modern day televison.
What grade did you get?? :) x
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