Sliding Scale of Broad Appeal Versus Specific Appeal

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The targeted audience of a work can be placed somewhere on a line between broad appeal and specific appeal. Like this:

• Broad Appeal, AKA Multiple Demographic Appeal: Somewhat limited in what can be done before you start alienating a particular audience. Easier to work with and will attract a bigger audience. Consider that the works of Walt Disney and William Shakespeare were made with the general public in mind and you will find an example of how simpler, broader things can be very effective.

• Specific Appeal, AKA Periphery Demographic Appeal: Has a much higher risk factor in success and less guarantee of profit or a wide audience. Allows more freedom and creativity in what can be done with a product. This pops up all the time with independent, especially non-commercial works.

See some examples of where works fall on this line below.

Examples of Sliding Scale of Broad Appeal Versus Specific Appeal include:

Broad Appeal

• Mickey Mouse, as well as Classic Disney Shorts and films, takes this part of the trope and runs with it.
• Pixar films also fit in here, but are kind enough to toss in some Parental Bonus. Same with Dream Works animated films.
• Cirque Du Soleil shows. All but the Las Vegas non-touring shows Zumanity (adults only) and Criss Angel Believe (children under 12 are discouraged from attending) shoot for Multiple Demographic Appeal in their combination of spectacle, whimsy, broad humor, and daring feats.

Specific Appeal

• Star Trek, which only appeals to people who like Star Trek.
• Pretty much any film made by Don Bluth...in the 1980s.