Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which film is cited as an example of an independent film that challenges audiences?
Which film is cited as an example of an independent film that challenges audiences?
Mainstream films like La La Land always encourage passive spectatorship.
Mainstream films like La La Land always encourage passive spectatorship.
False
What is the term used for viewers who do not question the messages presented in a film?
What is the term used for viewers who do not question the messages presented in a film?
Passive spectatorship
A ________ spectator actively engages with the film and interprets its meaning.
A ________ spectator actively engages with the film and interprets its meaning.
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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What elements do filmmakers use to influence passive spectatorship?
What elements do filmmakers use to influence passive spectatorship?
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According to the content, the audience's experience while watching a film is solely passive.
According to the content, the audience's experience while watching a film is solely passive.
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Who introduced the Encoding and Decoding theory related to spectatorship?
Who introduced the Encoding and Decoding theory related to spectatorship?
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What does 'alignment' in narrative film primarily refer to?
What does 'alignment' in narrative film primarily refer to?
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Recognition involves sharing the character’s values and rooting for their cause.
Recognition involves sharing the character’s values and rooting for their cause.
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What term describes the gaze of the camera that offers voyeuristic pleasure?
What term describes the gaze of the camera that offers voyeuristic pleasure?
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'Spectator’s Gaze' includes aspects such as ______ and looking at the spectator directly.
'Spectator’s Gaze' includes aspects such as ______ and looking at the spectator directly.
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Match the narrative film concepts with their descriptions:
Match the narrative film concepts with their descriptions:
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Which film technique is used to create an intimate moment with the character Ben?
Which film technique is used to create an intimate moment with the character Ben?
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Empty bus shots are used to align the audience with Ben's feelings.
Empty bus shots are used to align the audience with Ben's feelings.
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What emotional response technique is used by Ross when Ben feels sad?
What emotional response technique is used by Ross when Ben feels sad?
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Factors influencing spectators' responses include age and ________ experiences.
Factors influencing spectators' responses include age and ________ experiences.
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In the context of narrative film, the 'shot reverse shot' technique is primarily used for what purpose?
In the context of narrative film, the 'shot reverse shot' technique is primarily used for what purpose?
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What type of audience positioning is generally found in blockbusters like 'Titanic'?
What type of audience positioning is generally found in blockbusters like 'Titanic'?
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Active spectatorship allows viewers to decode films in unique ways based on personal experiences.
Active spectatorship allows viewers to decode films in unique ways based on personal experiences.
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What kind of narrative structure does 'Pulp Fiction' utilize?
What kind of narrative structure does 'Pulp Fiction' utilize?
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The viewer's desire for __________ often leads to discussions about reality television shows like The X Factor.
The viewer's desire for __________ often leads to discussions about reality television shows like The X Factor.
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Match the definitions of Halls reception theory with their descriptions:
Match the definitions of Halls reception theory with their descriptions:
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Which of the following best describes 'active spectatorship'?
Which of the following best describes 'active spectatorship'?
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In the film 'Captain Fantastic', Ben's actions during the funeral are likely to be respected by viewers of all ages.
In the film 'Captain Fantastic', Ben's actions during the funeral are likely to be respected by viewers of all ages.
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Identify one way in which the performance of Lesley's dad in 'Captain Fantastic' contrasts with Ben's character.
Identify one way in which the performance of Lesley's dad in 'Captain Fantastic' contrasts with Ben's character.
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The close-ups on the children during Ben's speech help the audience empathize with the __________.
The close-ups on the children during Ben's speech help the audience empathize with the __________.
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Match the 'self' with the correct definition:
Match the 'self' with the correct definition:
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Which aspect is NOT associated with uses and gratifications theory?
Which aspect is NOT associated with uses and gratifications theory?
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The portrayal of religion in 'Captain Fantastic' is predominantly positive.
The portrayal of religion in 'Captain Fantastic' is predominantly positive.
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What does the term 'constructed reading' refer to in the context of blockbuster films?
What does the term 'constructed reading' refer to in the context of blockbuster films?
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The theory of __________ suggests there are multiple interpretations based on social and cultural backgrounds.
The theory of __________ suggests there are multiple interpretations based on social and cultural backgrounds.
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Study Notes
Passive Spectatorship
- Definition: A passive spectator reacts like a mass audience, accepting the director's intended meaning without questioning. They enjoy the immersive experience but don't engage beyond a preferred level.
- Encoding: Filmmakers use techniques like music, lighting, and cinematography to clearly communicate the intended message, aiming for audience agreement.
- Examples: Blockbusters, linear narratives, continuity editing. In Titanic, the director's choices evoke a shared emotional reaction to Jack's death.
- Key characteristics: Mass audience, acceptance of director's intent, 'constructed reading', immersive experience, superficial narrative.
- Underlying theory: Stuart Hall's Encoding/Decoding Theory.
Active Spectatorship
- Definition: Independent films often encourage active spectatorship, prompting audience members to create their own meaning and respond individually. Active spectators analyse the film, considering personal experiences, and may react differently.
- Examples: Pulp Fiction, films targeting niche/highbrow audiences.
- Key characteristics: Independent films, unique interpretation, analysis, individual meanings, varied reactions based on personal experiences.
- Underlying theory: Active audience engagement, open to multiple interpretations, diverse audience reactions are encouraged.
Uses and Gratifications
- Information and Education: Learning and gaining knowledge (e.g., news, documentaries).
- Entertainment: Enjoying the film.
- Personal Identification: Recognizing/mimicking oneself or finding similarities in values.
- Social Interaction: Creating conversation and discussion around the film's content.
- Escapism: Immersing oneself in a different reality.
Multiple Spectating Selves
- Social Self: Shared feelings and responses with other spectators who have similar values.
- Cultural Self: Unconscious responses and meanings influenced by previous media experiences.
- Private Self: Personal, unique interpretations derived from individual memories and experiences.
- Desiring Self: Recognizing references and generating connections from prior media consumption.
Hall's Reception Theory
- Preferred: Audience accepts the director's intended message.
- Negotiated: Audience accepts some messages while questioning or rejecting others.
- Oppositional: Audience actively rejects the director's intended message.
Captain Fantastic (2016) - Funeral Scene Analysis
- Director's Ideology: The film presents an anti-religious ideology (lack of positive Christianity) and challenges traditional capitalist values through the Cash family's alternative lifestyle.
- Dialogue: Ben's speech aims to make the audience understand Lesley and the director's ideology.
- Costume: The family's costumes represent their challenge of capitalist norms.
- Performance: Ben's father's reactions (anger) contrast with Ben's performance, prompting audience conflict.
- Audience Implications: The audience's reaction depends on age, religious beliefs, or lifestyle.
- Spectator's Gaze (intra-diegetic): Focus on individual character reactions (e.g., grief, confusion) through close-ups and shot-reverse-shot. This encourages spectator empathy.
- Camera's Gaze: Long shots of the setting contrast with close-ups of characters, highlighting vulnerability. This establishes emotional connection.
Murray Smith's Identification
- Allegiance: Physical identification with a character's path and viewpoint.
- Recognition: Moral identification with a character supporting their values.
- Alignment: Understanding character roles within the narrative.
Daniel Chandler's Identification (Gaze)
- Spectator's Gaze: Character interaction with the spectator; threatening or humorous.
- Intra-Diegetic: Spectator as a character's "eyes"; voyeuristic pleasure.
- Extra-Diegetic: Filmmaking process visible (crew, edit suite).
- Camera's Gaze: The characters' actions are observed, or create a film; creating empathy within the character.
- Text-within-a-text: Character interaction with each other to see how they see themselves and each other.
Director's Intentions & Audience Response
- Active vs Passive: Mixed goals; possible active engagement with Ben's journey, while potentially generating sympathy and passive emotional responses.
- Forced Response?: The film potentially elicits a feeling through the director's choices, which could make some audiences feel forced to respond.
Film Form Techniques (Preferred Response)
- Music: Sad, non-diegetic music highlighting Ben's sadness; transferring audience feelings.
- Close-ups: Building intimacy and empathy.
- Dialogue: Creating a forced emotional response via dialogue.
- Performance: Affecting character emotions (sadness, grief).
- Gaze: Characters' looks toward and away from the camera aligning viewers' perspective.
- Camera Angles: High/low angles create emotional impact.
- Shot Composition: Shallow focus, POV shots, insert shots, aligning viewers with Ben's experiences and feelings.
Spectator Response Factors
- Age: Varying emotional responses based on age.
- Past Experiences: Past experience regarding loss, grief, or similar circumstances could shape spectator reaction.
- Parenting Status: Whether spectators are parents or not can impact their understanding and connection to the characters.
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Description
Explore the concepts of passive and active spectatorship in film theory. This quiz examines how audiences engage with films, the techniques filmmakers use to shape viewer reactions, and the role of individual interpretation. Understand key theories, examples, and characteristics that define these types of viewers.
