Audience theories (Main)

Hypodermic Needle ( The effects theory)

This theory comes to the conclusion that an audience will all respond and receive to the films message the same way, e.g. if the film was a horror, all audience members would be scared at the same time. This theory suggest that the film is somewhat 'injected' into the audience, therefore suggesting that the audience have no other option that to take in what they all see, The media can also be seen influence e.g. children playing violent games makes them want to pick up a gun, or even the murder case of James Bulger. The case included the claims from the murderers that because they had watched 'Childs play' that was their reasoning behind their crime.


The Uses and Gratifications theory.

This theory is seen as the opposite of the above theory, the uses and gratifications theory states that the audience go to watch a film for pleasure, and to also accept or reject the messaging within the film. This also suggests that the 'power' is at the audience's hand and not that of the producers.


The Reception Theory

The final theory suggest that when the producers make the film, they then hide hidden messages or/and meanings which are there to impact on the viewing/cinematic effect on their audience. Again, a little like the uses and gratifications theory, the audience members can chose to accept or reject the messages,  but if an audience member doesn't understand this message, they possibly will decline it or negotiate, meaning that they may not understand it but they are not opposed to the idea.