Audience Theories

Now that I have a target audience I am aiming to please, I have also looked in further and considered theories that revolve around general audiences. This should help me in understanding how other film makers attract their audiences.

The Hypodermic Needle Theory - this theory suggests that the media sees us as passive audience, and so they try to inject messages that they want into our minds. This is where things such as stereotypes and conventions are applied, as the media want us to see things a certain way. Relating to my target audience, I would say this is one of the reasons as to why the rating to a typical film in my chose genre is a 15 or an 18. Because, the age range of 15-25 is so easily influenced by the media these days they wouldn't really question why certain things are portrayed. (Like an active audience).

Uses & Gratifications Theory - This theory states things that are completely opposite to the theory above. Instead of passive, the audience is active and uses the media text to its advantage. The audience uses media texts to gratify they needs, e.g escapism, to fit in, comparing lifestyles etc. I could use this to my advantage, as I can make sure all the pieces in my production will attract my audience in all these areas. After seeing the trailer they may want find a way to fit in with others by talking about and getting the word spread about the film. They may also want to use it as a way to escape reality, and so will pay the extra money to see the film in the cinemas.