Gender research for The Inbetweeners

1. Audience Research
The Inbeteeners movie

2. The Inbetweeners
movie (2011)
The film was directed by Ben Palmer and written by the series producers
Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, The demographic of the film is suggested
to be teenagers between the ages of 14-18 and perhaps slightly older
people such as early 20’s. This is because the film is based around 4
friends who have just left school and go on a summer holiday. This is the
same situation as 18 year olds when they finish their A-levels, making it a
relatable subject. Also the film is based of the series, all 3 series were very
popular with all teenagers as it was about school life, relationships and
showed 4 very different personalities within a small friendship group. The
4 personalities are all stereotypes of people in school for example, there is
always a person who lies about everything to make him/her sound better
than everybody else, there is always the boy/girl who doesn’t know what’s
going on and is clumsy inside and out side of school. This makes it seem
very realistic and true.
There are defiantly some conventions of the film that suggest it’s for the
demographic age of 14-18. For example it’s based around 4 boys who have
just completed their A-levels and will be going their separate ways such as
university and work. The theme song called “Gone up in flames
(instrumental)” by morning runner sounds like it would appeal to people
between the ages of 14-18 as it has quite a alternative rock/indie feel to it.
It’s quite fast paces and fits the opening credits perfectly. Alternative rock is
very popular with teenagers and older people, nowadays younger people are
getting into alternative rock bands such as Foo Fighters, Green Day, Nirvana ,
The White strips and many more bands to go with them. This appeals to the
younger generations and they can get hooked by the groovy theme tune.
The costumes they wear in the film can also tell
the audience an awful lot about the characters
themselves. Will wears shirts and jeans which
could suggest he’s mature and wants to be
more sophisticated and received better by
others in the film. It also implies the stereotype
that he’s a nerd as he wears glasses, wears
shirts and talks with confidence and
knowledge. All the other costumes are typical
teenager clothes for example a Y neck t-shirts,
football top and a vest. This could imply that
they’re on holiday to get drunk and party just
like many other teenagers who go aboard to
party after exams. These clothes can also
suggest they’re immature.

3. The gender audience for this film is
both in my opinion. All the boys meet a
woman and they all “fall in love”. It’s
not a romance but with all 8 main
characters falling in love I think it
would appeal to both genders. Also the
main story is based around a group of
friends at a mixed sex school, implying
the director aimed it at both genders.
Also when you go out partying you
tend to get of with girls and guys
judging on your sexuality and in this
film, you can see boys with girls
exposing their bodies to try and get
with them. However the films posters
and the DVD cover only shows 4 boys
suggesting male dominance in the film
and that the story is predominantly
based around the 4 boys. Based on this
information I'm saying the gender
audience is balanced around both male
and female.
On its first day of release, The Inbetweeners
Movie grossed over £2.5 million in 409
cinemas. The film then went on to set a
new record for the most successful opening
weekend ever achieved by a comedy film in
the UK, overtaking Bridget Jones: The Edge
of Reason and The Hangover Part II after
earning £13.22 million, compared to
second-place Rise of the Planet of the
Apes which took £2.4 million. The
Inbetweeners Movie was confirmed as
having the biggest opening weekend for an
independent British film. It retained its
number 1 position in the UK film charts for
four weeks before being overtaken
by Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on 20
September 2011, by which time The
Inbetweeners Movie had grossed £41.8
million overall. The film saw a limited
theatrical release in the United States on 7
September 2012, where it grossed $36,000
making its total box office revenue
$88,025,781 (wikepedia)