Uses and Gratifications

Peaky Blinders
The first area of Katz and Blumlers Uses and Gratifications Theory that we can apply is that the audience can gain information from the text. The audience can learn, self-educate and gain a sense of security through knowledge. Peaky Blinders was set in 1919 and therefore provides a lot of historical information about the era that it was set in. This is evidenced in the text when Tommy Shelby and CI Chester Campbell are making a deal in the tea room. Issues such as the IRA and communism are raised and demonstrates to the audience that these were the issues present in the time it was set. The dialogue between the two characters educates the audience about events in 1919 that they may not have known before. Audiences may also be able to personally identify with characters values within the text. They may find reinforcement for personal values or identify with already gained values. Although set in a very different era from modern day, contemporary issues are still raised. This is evidenced in the text when Ada and Aunt Polly are talking about her being pregnant and again when Aunt Polly gives the letter to Tommy and they discuss how Ada can't bring a child into the world on her own. The audience may have their own values and beliefs about this issue.

How does Peaky Blinders target its audience?

Peaky Blinders is a crime drama set in Birmingham in 1919. It follows world war one soldiers who have returned home and following this, have formed a gang. Peaky Blinders is aired on BBC2, a channel with a reputation for screening highly praised "high brow" dramas. This has helped attract its intended target audience, which can be argued to be both Niche and mainstream. The fight scene at the beginning of episode 2, shows a fight between the Shelby brothers and Irish gypsies. A range of camera shots have been used along with quick cuts, use of the soundtrack and slow motion. This allows the audience to understand the narrative and interact with characters. The use of cinematography shows off technique and the hugely stylised, high production value. The use of a  modern soundtrack in a period setting shows juxtaposition and you can argue that it attracts its audience by breaking mainstream conventions and doing something completely different to most mainstream dramas. The soundtrack allows the audience to understand characters and the narrative, which is a mainstream convention and therefore attracting a passive audience. Another way it can attract its target audience is by gratifying the audience by things such as introducing them to historical knowledge from the era. When we first meet Grace in episode 2, we are made aware that the representations reflect those of the era which it is set in, gratifying the audience with historical context.