think: how does this dvd cover appeal to male and female …€¦ · refer to blumler &...
TRANSCRIPT
1All: will be able to define and illustrate methods of targeting audiences like star power;Most: will be able to analyse a film to explain how these methods are used;Some: will be able to compare and evaluate the methods of targeting audiences.
Think: How does this
DVD cover appeal to
male and female
audiences?Is it successful at targeting
both?
The success of Young Adult fiction
Young Adult is a category of fiction written for readers from 12 to
18 years of age. While the genre is targeted to teenagers,
approximately half of YA readers are adults.
The subject matter and genres of YA often match with the age
and experience of the protagonist.
Common themes related to YA include: friendship, first love,
relationships, and identity. Stories that focus on the specific
challenges of youth are sometimes referred to as problem novels
or coming-of-age novels.
The largest and most successful genres across both male and
female readers of YA novels are science fiction and fantasy. These
are often adapted into successful movies.
Make a summary of the key features of YA stories.
2
Female protagonists
1. More recently, these YA adaptations have featured
strong, female characters at the centre. Look at these
film posters and try and make notes on how each
protagonist is shown to be strong.
Try to refer to: mise-en-scene, gesture code, target audience3
Female protagonists
2. How have the makers of these DVD covers also
ensured the main science fiction target audience of
men and teenage boys are also appealed to?
Try to refer to: mise-en-scene, gesture code, target audience
4
Ensembles
The safest way to appeal to a wider audience is via an ensemble
or group cast featuring a variety of characters of different gender,
race, age and character role.
5
Which of Propp’s
character roles
do you think are
shown here and
why?
How has each
character type
been
represented?
Ensembles
The plot of a film like Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire with
teams of competing characters allows for a large ensemble cast.
Why does the DVD cover rely simply on the character of Katniss,
as played by Jennifer Lawrence?
6
Star Power
A good way to target audiences is through
recognisable popular actors with a strong reputation
for making entertaining movies. These stars might be
known for their acting ability, their sex appeal or their
reputation outside of the film industry.
7
As science fiction
movies are often
expensive with large
spending budgets,
they can afford to
attract these higher
paid stars to appear.
Star Power
TASK: Can you match the actors to their sci-fi films (not
all released in 2018)?
8
EXT: what aspects of
mise-en-scene tell you
that these films are from
the science fiction
genre?
Star Power
TASK: How do these movie characters appeal to both
male and female target audiences?
9
Star Power
Research: Look at the same ranking for 2019 films/stars.
10
If you are able to, spend 20 minutes researching these stars
and find which films they starred in / were paid for in 2019.
How many of these are science fiction films or hybrid films
with a sci-fi element? Did these films find success? Present
your findings in a couple of paragraphs and/or a table.
Star Power
Directors – the creative people who make the big
budget films we enjoy seeing – are often as important
as the actors in their films. All of these films were by
Steven Spielberg who has a reputation for making
exciting science fiction films, often for family viewing.
11
Star Power
Directors often work repeatedly within one genre meaning audiences
will know what to expect from their latest film. As well as creating their
own films, they often lend their expertise to other film-makers.
Here are just a few examples of director trademarks:
• Steven Spielberg – young people having adventures in strange new
worlds with strange new people/creatures.
• James Cameron – heroes battling unstoppable robotic or alien
enemies.
• Ridley Scott – a dangerous or unpleasant future world where
everything is out to get the protagonists (dystopia).
TASK: Make a note of one science fiction director and why audiences
might look forward to a new film from them.
12
Spielberg Cameron Scott
Star Power
Explain in your own words how star power might help
interest audiences in watching one of the new films below:
13
Plenary
How does this DVD cover for YA adaptation “The Giver” try to
appeal to as wide an audience as possible?
EXT: How does the smaller alternate cover try and appeal to
different audiences?14
15All: will be able to define and illustrate methods of targeting audiences via audience theory;Most: will be able to analyse a film to explain how these methods can be identified;Some: will be able to compare and evaluate the methods of targeting audiences.
Why might
audiences want to
go and see a film like
Geostorm?EXT: explain your own point
of view.
Blumler and Katz’ Uses and Gratifications Theory
This theory suggests that there are four main reasons why
audiences choose to engage with media products:
• Entertainment – to be diverted from their everyday lives, to
have fun, to relax and enjoy themselves.
• Information – to learn about the world around them, develop
new skills and keep an eye on changing trends.
• Social interaction – to mix with others (particular if the product
is linked to social media) and to be able to share appreciation of the product .
• Personal identity – to recognise characters or experiences we
know from our own lives.
16
I LOVE SCI FILMS BECAUSE THEY
TAKE ME AWAY TO EXCITING
NEW WORLDS!
I LOVE TO SHARE MY REVIEWS
OF THE MOVIES WITH MY
FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM!
I KNOW IT’S EXAGGERATED BUT I
LEARNED A LOT ABOUT SPACE
TRAVEL FROM “GRAVITY”!
THE WAY KATNISS DEFENDS HER
SISTER REMINDS ME OF THE WAY
I LOOK AFTER MY OWN FAMILY!
Blumler and Katz’ Uses and Gratifications Theory
• Entertainment – to be diverted from their everyday lives, to
have fun, to relax and enjoy themselves.
• Information – to learn about the world around them, develop
new skills and keep an eye on changing trends.
• Social interaction – to mix with others (particular if the product
is linked to social media) and to be able to share appreciation
of the product .
• Personal identity – to recognise characters or experiences we know from our own lives.
17
1. For which of these reasons might
someone choose to watch Geostorm?EXT: What other factors might influence their choices?
Blumler and Katz’ Uses and Gratifications Theory
• Entertainment – to be diverted from their everyday lives, to
have fun, to relax and enjoy themselves.
• Information – to learn about the world around them, develop
new skills and keep an eye on changing trends.
• Social interaction – to mix with others (particular if the product
is linked to social media) and to be able to share appreciation
of the product .
• Personal identity – to recognise characters or experiences we know from our own lives.
18
2. For which of these reasons might
someone choose to watch Alien Covenant?EXT: What other factors might influence their choices?
Blumler and Katz’ Uses and Gratifications Theory
• Entertainment – to be diverted from their everyday lives, to
have fun, to relax and enjoy themselves.
• Information – to learn about the world around them, develop
new skills and keep an eye on changing trends.
• Social interaction – to mix with others (particular if the product
is linked to social media) and to be able to share appreciation
of the product .
• Personal identity – to recognise characters or experiences we know from our own lives.
19
3. For which of these reasons might
someone choose to watch The Darkest Minds? EXT: What other factors might influence their choices?
Young and Rubicam’s 4Cs
This theory is a part of psychographics where we consider characteristics
or personalities rather than just the audience’s physical attributes.
The full 7 categories are:
• Mainstreamers – The largest section who seek to fit in and follow popular
trends.
• Aspirers – Those motivated by status who buy into high fashion and high
tech goods.
• Succeeders – Those at the top who enjoy having power and want to
keep and control things.
• Reformers – Those who want the world to be a better place.
• Explorers – Those who like adventure and new experiences.
• Strugglers – Those who don’t think much about the future and just seek
to escape from their lives.
• Resigned – Those who are older, more traditional and just trying to get
through life.
20
TASK: Which of these character types would you expect to be a
science fiction fan?EXT: Can you think of a particular example of a science fiction film which matches your choice?
Young and Rubicam’s 4Cs
21
TASK: Explain which character type might be drawn to each
of these films. Be sure to say why.
EXT: Use your knowledge of mise-en-scene in your answers.
Plenary
Using only the blurb of this film, explain how a science
fiction audience’s needs are being targeted.
Refer to Blumler & Katz’s Uses and Gratifications theory.
Include Young & Rubicam’s 4Cs.
Include other methods of targeting audiences from
previous lessons. 22
In the wake of an unknown global terror, a mother must find the strength to flee with her children down a treacherous river in search of safety. Due to unseen deadly forces, the perilous journey must be made blindly. Directed by Emmy winner Susanne Bier, Bird Box is a thriller starring Academy Award winner Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, Sarah Paulson, and Trevante Rhodes.