The document summarizes the target demographic of the 1985 film "The Breakfast Club" directed by John Hughes. It analyzes that the main demographic is 13-18 year olds as the film is set in a school, deals with themes relevant to teenagers, and features a popular soundtrack from that era. While the primary audience is students, it may also appeal to older audiences of class D who want to feel nostalgia. The gender breakdown of the audience is considered balanced as the film explores themes like romance that appeal to both males and females. The film was both a critical and box office success, cementing its status as a classic 1980s teen film.

1. The Breakfast Club
(1985)
Directed by John Hughes, the demographic of the film are 13-18
year old people, there are several reasons for this. Firstly,
Hughes is predominately known for his success in films including
teenage actor. He was seen as one of the first directors to
respect this age groups needs and wishes. This shows the film is
likely to be aimed at this target audience due to the techniques
Hughes will use. Secondly, the film is based in a school so is
relatable to a young audience. The narrative challenge themes
such as unfair treatment or stereotypes of teenagers throughout.
This immerses this specific genre in the storyline as they can use
it as a form of escapism and be realistic for them at the same
time.
Certain conventions of the film confirm a young
demographic. For example the soundtracks used,
such as simple minds, were popular songs for 13-
18 year olds at the time. The costumes of the
actors/ actresses target a young audience as the
clothing used connotes youth as it was the
fashion of the era. In additional they reveal
stereotypical traits of the characters like their
popularity and social status which is exploited in
this film. Costume helps the audience identify
character types following Propp's theory as
certain colours will connote if they are a well
received character or not. The setting further
supports the theory as a school environment will
always involve actors playing school children.

2. Following the demographic table, the demographic
are likely to be E or possibly D. This is because the
film is for students and they remain in the low social
class. However, as the film is a renowned classic it
may receive attention from classes such as D, C, B
as it has been labelled a successfully film in the
industry and at box office. However, it is certain the
primary audience of the film are students and the
secondary are people older(20-30) of class D
wanting using the film as a form of escapism to
relive their childhood. Katz and Bulmers uses and
gratifications theory supports that.
The target gender of the film could be
perceived as very balanced. The film poster
shows three male characters and two female
characters. This may imply the film is mainly
for males. The 3 names credited are 2 males
and 1 female which further implies the film
may be male dominate. However, the sub
genre of the film is romance, which is
stereotypically a female genre which
completely flips the argument of gender. I
believe the film has a balanced gender
breakdown as the character types will appeal
to both genders. Furthermore, as the film is set
at a school which both genders attend, it
implies all audiences are welcome whatever
their gender.

3. In February 1985, the film debuted at #3 at the box
office (behind blockbuster film Beverly Hills Cop and
Witness starring Harrison Ford). Grossing
$45,875,171 domestically and $51,525,171
worldwide, the film is a box office success, given its
alleged $1 million budget. The soundtrack for the
film, simple minds 'don't go', even made No 1 in the
US top 100 billlboard. This was a huge amount for
the era which meant the film left a great legacy.
The Breakfast Club is known as the
"quintessential 1980s film" and is
considered as one of the best films of
1985. In 2008, Empire magazine ranked it
#369 on their The 500 Greatest Movies of
All Time list. It then rose a remarkable 331
places to rank at #38 on their 2014 list.
Similarly, The New York Times placed the
film on its Best 1000 Movies Ever list and
Entertainment Weekly ranked the film
number 1 on its list of the 50 Best High
School Movies.
Source-Wikipedia