ADDITIONAL SUMMER POST - HOW DOES THE FILM ATTACK THE BLOCK ATTRACT ITS TARGET AUDIENCE?

How does the film attack the block attract its target audience?

Attack the block follows a hybrid genre of sci-fi, action and comedy as it tells the story of a young group of teenage boys and girls living in South London fighting against alien invaders. The trailer entails a journey of character building and strength as the teenagers combine their skills and work together with some of the older characters also living in their flat, ultimately to try and stop these aliens from taking over their council estate. This unique story line can attract a very British audience predominantly teenagers as it should be a reflection and representation of how they live their lives and how similar they are to some of the characters within the film. Another unique selling point for the film is the director ‘Joe Cornish’ he is very well known and has directed films such as ‘Hot fuzz’ and ‘Shaun of the dead’. These films reflect similar hybrid genres, hence the audience would have high expectations of the film itself.

The trailer helps to show glimpses of the whole story without giving major events or outcomes away. Todorov’s theory explains the order in which the narrative is shown, it generally follows the pattern (equilibrium, disruption, recognition, attempt to repair and once again an equilibrium). Todorov’s theory can be seen within the trailer, however the order is different and some sections for example the final equilibrium aren't shown as it will reveal to much about the film. The trailer opens with an immediate ‘disruption’, 3 close up shots are quickly cut alongside each other showing puzzled faces of some of the characters as they watch something falling from the sky. This was closely followed by a medium shot of a car exploding combined with non diegetic enhanced explosive sounds, this opening instantly engages the audience and potential draws them in to continue watching.

A ‘recognition’ is discovered through a point of view shot from the main character's eyes ‘Moses’ merged with his dialogue filling in his surrounding neighbours/ friends that an alien invasion is taking place. The trailer then shows an ‘attempt to repair’ through a number of fast cuts highlights close up shot of weapons being used, medium shots of the friends standing together almost like an army and a number of extreme close up and close up shots highlighting characters anxious and frightened facial expression as they prepare to fight back. Whilst this is happening fast and intense non diegetic music is played over the top of the action in sync to reflect the tension and excitement within the trailer.

The characters shown within the trailer are predominantly young, british, teenagers dressed stereotypically in hoodies and flat caps, mainly shown in shots where they are standing together in a gang, using threatening language and behaviour. Another character shown within the trailer was an older man named ‘Ron’ who is shown to be a bit scruffy looking and weak. Also one female character stood out in the opening, she was in her early 20’s and was shown quite independent but willing to help. These characters reflect a theorist named ‘Propp’ who believed every story had certain character types, these were known as (the hero, the villain, the donor, the princess, the helper, the princess’ father and the false hero). Not every story will include all character types but some do, the attack the block trailer indicates a couple potential character types. One being the ‘Hero’, I have previously mentioned him as ‘ Moses’, he is shown to be the hero through a number of close up shots showing his aggressive facial expression as well as shots indicating his bravery and leadership. Moses reflects a stereotypical hero as he is shown to be strong, wise and courageous. The gang/ friends who help to protect their flat could potential be seen as the ‘Helpers’ they reflect a helper mentality as they are seen to be like side kicks and aid the hero with completing the mission of defeating the aliens.

Overall I think that attack the block is a successful opening trailer as it excites the potential young audiences and is easily relatable for many teenagers.