Peaky Blinders, set in 1919, is a crime drama, revolving around a small group of men who started a gang after the end of WW1. It is set in the early days of Birmingham's construction. The first series contained only 6 episodes, as they didn't have the budget to make more.
Peaky Blinders is both a mainstream and niche text, meaning that it attracts passive as well as active audiences by using conventions that will appeal to both.
One way in which it appeals to a mainstream audience is the use of film stars. The male protagonist, Thomas Shelly, played by Cillian Murphy has played other well known roles in mainstream films such as Batman and Inception, this will therefore attract an audience that is familiar with him.
A second example of a well known film star would be C.I. Chester Campbell, played by Sam Neil, also known for his role as the main protagonist in the popular films 'Jurassic Park'. These well known actors have been used in order to attract a wider, mainstream audience, by using the fact that they will be familiar with them, and be interested in the series.
However, a way in which it attracts a niche audience would be the soundtrack used throughout. The period it is set in does not constantly relate to the non-diagetic music in the background. For example, when the gang and various others are shown throwing the king's pictures into a fire, the non-diabetic music in the background is very modern, rock music. This goes against the mainstream convention of using a soundtrack or score that is of the particular era it is set in. This is a niche convention, which attracts a niche audience.
In contrast, there is also continuous uses of fast paced music that builds, this allows the audience to be more passive.
No comments:
Post a Comment