Spectatorship Concepts

Questions and Answers

What is passive spectatorship?

A passive spectator is someone who, when watching a film, reacts in the same way that a mass audience would. They accept the director's intended meaning and don't question the messages presented to them.

How can filmmakers create passive spectatorship?

By encoding their films with very obvious codes such as music, lighting, and cinematography, as well as using linear narratives and continuity editing.

What is active spectatorship?

Active spectatorship encourages viewers to become more active producers of meaning by having to think about how to feel and respond to the film.

How does an active spectator watch a film?

An active spectator watches a film as an individual and can take their own meaning from it due to their personal experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dominant reading of 'Captain Fantastic' from a passive spectator's perspective?

There are different ways to parent children. They are all equally valid as long as the wellbeing of the children is at the heart of the choices made. Signup and view all the answers

What does the downwards tilt in the forest establishing shots signify in the opening scene?

It creates a sense of voyeurism within the audience. Signup and view all the answers

How does the opening scene create an uneasy feeling within the viewer?

The isolated footsteps of the deer and the intense scream after Bo jumps at the deer contribute to a tense atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the initial violent act have on audience alignment in the opening?

It may set the audience to be an active spectator throughout, due to the negative impression created. Signup and view all the answers

What are some enigma codes left by the opening scene?

The silence at the beginning shows the film is independent, challenging Hollywood's expectations of a film. Signup and view all the answers

How does the depiction of the Cash family change audience perception from oppositional to dominant reading?

The montage of the Cash family doing normal chores creates a sense of realism and warmth, making the audience understand and respect their way of life. Signup and view all the answers

What does the civil presentation of the Cash family do to the viewer's attitudes?

It changes the viewer's attitudes and feelings, making them an active spectator. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Passive Spectatorship

A passive spectator reacts similarly to the mass audience, accepting the director's intended meanings without questioning.
Filmmakers utilize obvious codes like music and lighting to create passive spectatorship, guiding viewers towards a unified interpretation.
Linear narratives and continuity editing are employed to obscure the constructed nature of film, making viewers forget they are watching a narrative.

Active Spectatorship

Independent films often promote active spectatorship, urging viewers to produce their own meanings through personal reflections.
Active spectators interpret films individually, allowing personal experiences to influence their understanding and emotional responses.

Dominant Reading with "Captain Fantastic"

The film presents various parenting styles as equally valid, emphasizing the importance of children's well-being in the decisions made.

Spectatorship in Opening Scene

The downward tilt of establishing shots conveys voyeurism, while isolated deer footsteps build tension.
An intense scream and the family's tribal presentation contribute to a sinister tone, suggesting cult-like behavior.
The initial violent act of killing a deer creates a negative impression, potentially prompting viewers to adopt an active or oppositional reading.

Enigma Codes and Viewer Engagement

The opening scene leaves several enigma codes, challenging audience expectations and hinting at the film's plot.
The absence of dialogue sets an independent tone, implying the film will deviate from standard Hollywood conventions.

Transition from Oppositional to Dominant Reading

A montage of normal family chores offers realism, creating empathy towards the Cash family.
Props like books suggest intelligence, while warm lighting fosters a loving atmosphere, altering viewer perceptions.
Peaceful music reinforces the family's harmonious existence, gradually shifting viewers from an oppositional stance to a more dominant reading of the film's message.
Despite newfound understanding, lingering enigma codes may compel viewers to adopt a negotiated reading, blending acceptance with residual disapproval from initial scenes.

Description

Explore the concepts of passive spectatorship in film. This quiz covers the definitions and techniques filmmakers use to influence audience reactions. Test your understanding of how passive spectatorship is created and its characteristics.