Homework

Sixth Sense Trailer




Blumler and Katz - Uses and Gratifications

The audience have certain needs which, this theory says, are met by the piece of media. These are divergence - an entertaining break from every day life, personal relationships - when an audience member creates empathy, or sympathy, or a certain connection with certain characters, surveillance - tells the audience what is happening in the world and personal identity - shapes values of the audience member. The sixth sense satisfies several of these, the first being divergence. The story line is something abnormal and something that is rarely heard of in day to day life, therefore providing an unusual and interesting watch. The second is personal relationships, through the film the audience feels sympathy for the young boy as he is targeted by and afraid of the supernatural. The audience also empathizes with the character played by Bruce Willis and the young boys mother as they see the strain upon the boy of these occurrences.

Morley - Reception Theory

Reception theory states that individuals have different perceptions of media texts depending on their background; social influences, sex, race, age etc. Within this film age is probably the factor which would affect a persons reaction the most. Being a thriller/scary movie it is likely to have a bigger impact on a younger audience as they are more vulnerable to being scared and fear the unknown. Also as the main character is a young child it would be easily relatable for a young audience and therefore made more real. However an older woman, a mother perhaps, could also be equally as affected as they could empathize easily with the role of the young boys mother. Choosing to use a young child as the main character gives the film a vulnerability which would be recognised by women who have children of their own and have at one point or another felt the same anguish when they see their child in trouble.

Hall - Encode/Decode

Within a film or television programme the producers encode the preferred reading into the through different technical aspects. This is them decoded by the audience to understand the message of the piece. The preferred reading of this film is that ghosts exist and often need help moving on which can only be given by certain individuals. The film is supposed to be scary so the producer would encode this through several different techniques, we can see these used in the trailer. The eery music and SFX create a 'spooky' atmosphere and give the impression of an impending, outside threat. The editing and its pace as they quicken instill a feeling of adrenaline into the audience, the low key lighting also gives the idea of something unknown and dark. Each of these are typical conventions of a horror/thriller movie trailer. The inclusion of a child as the main character gives a sense of vulnerability which is ultimately more scary as the audience fears for their safety.