Reception Study

Reception Theory

Reception theory is a way of understanding media by how audiences see it and how their interpretation is affected by the media. Also the way you view the media product affects it as well. So example, the people you are watching the film with may affect the way you enjoy the film. A good example of this is, pretend you're in the cinema, you're enjoying the film, but then you might hear some chatter behind you or kicking on you're chair. You're going to get distracted, miss some of the film, therefore your interpretation of that scene of the film might be different to other people as you may have missed something. 

Other things that may affect the viewer is personal experiences. For example, you're watching a romantic film, and you've recently broke up with your spouse, in you're mind you might be relating to it and may be affected by the film more than others. Other things may include, historical knowledge, political views and even social status. 

You may start to watch a film with expectations, if these are staying in your mind, these might change the way you watch the film. For example, if a review you read told you there was a really good scene 45 minutes through, you are waiting for this scene, and if it is not good when you get to it, your reception to the rest of the film would be even worse than your starting opinion. 

Vantage Point (film)

To look into this theory, I watched Vantage Point with my class at college. The film was projected onto a whiteboard and the room was lit. Occasionally there was chat behind me, but that was easily ignorable.  I think the experience would of been better with many factors including; better sound, better lighting (dark), silence in the room, bigger screen and better definition of the film. 

The experience would of been best in a cinema, it's dark, full surround sound and the best quality film footage on the screen size. Most of the time in a cinema you don't have people talking so there wouldn't be anyone to distract you. The only sound problem in the cinema is the minor 'popcorn eating' and rustling but that never seems to affect me at all as it is only a slight sound. 

Audience Profile

I care about my appearance,                 I wear baggy clothes when I go          All-nighters are my thing. 

I want to look smart all                         out dancing with my mates.                Don't stop dancing until I

the time.                                                                                                           pass out and fall asleep.

I want to do what I want

most of the time...sometimes                                                                         Alcohol and pills interest me

the police might get involved,

but i'm not fussed, as long

as i'm having a wild time.

I have a record collection.                                                                              I am 19 years old and work
Mostly northern soul.                                                                                        at a local pub weekdays.
I have been collecting for
5 years now.                                                                              



I hate conforming, the music
and the lifestyle takes you
away from all of that.

Research Methods

Research

This is my second idea, a music video. I found a channel on sky that plays old music videos. It's called Vintage TV. I had a look at this because it was the closest I could find to what I wanted. I researched on what the viewing figures were on BARB. I think because the viewing figures aren't that high compared to others, it is more of a niche market. This would be great for me as my music video would be based towards a niche market. 

I can complete qualitative research by asking people I know who are into the music and to see what they about my ideas. I was either going to base it around a 60s mod rock song, or a classic tune from the northern soul scene (as a music video for that has never been done before). 

My quantitive research can be completed online, as I am part of a forum with a good 20,000 members and can get a lot of results if needed, by filling out surveys. For example, a question on the survey would be, ' what would you expect to see in the music video?', 'do you think it is important to have a narrative?' etc. 

Secondary research can be used, to see what channel gets the most views at a certain time, if needed, to make sure that the music video gets the most views possible. 

Audience Feedback

Audience Feedback

Focus group are key to understanding audience feedback. They give the company 1st hand feedback. The group would be given a set of questions, listen to the radio and then answer the questions to the best of their ability. The focus groups would have to be separated  by male and female to start with. This would be because the different genders would have completely different opinions (in general). 

Reviews are also a great way to get feedback, you can get feedback from all types of people. The young to the old, and people who are interested in different types of radio. 

Questionnaires are also another way in which the public can give a review on the product. This could be as a multiple choice survey or a survey where you write down a full answer. 

Complaints from the audience are a great way of getting feedback as you can understand what the people want, what you're doing wrong, what you can change and how you can change it so more people listen in to your radio. 

Feedback will affect your product in a lot of ways, mainly on how you can improve it and change the way it is presented.

Rajar - Radio
Barb - TV
Abc - Print Based

Representation

Representation 

The definition of representation is, the description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way or as being of a certain nature. These are usually used along with stereo types, for example with the elderly you have the clothes, the attitude and the facial expressions. I found a video that has all these components in and really describes how the elderly stereotype. 

With my idea with the radio broadcast, I will have to stereotype what music my target audience will be listening to. This is easier because I am aiming at a small market. 

I had a look at this picture of the elderly. As you can see, there is alot of stereotypes involved. I'm just going to name a few:

• Glasses
• Clothes (plain)
• Facial expressions (grumpy)
• Sitting down
• Hand placement
• Old married couple (not happy)
• Watching something (possibly TV)

This stereotype is very negative, as it portraying the elderly in a bad manner, or depicting them as unsociable. 

In my product i am going to have to use representation like they have here, but to a different degree. Obviously you can't please everyone, so you have to have a basic plan, on what items and where they are going. For example, in a radio broadcast, the music played and information played on air by the presenter is going to be playing the mass. Even if the station is niche market, they will play to the mass of the niche audience.