Audience Essay

In horror films and trailers, according to the theorist Hall, audience interpret texts very differently. The 'Dominant Reading' where they accept the preferred reading, the 'Negotiated Reading' where they question the reading, and the 'Oppositional Reading' is where they reject it. I will be using Terror House's trailer, Bedeviled, to apply, analyse and evaluate how the audiences fulfil their purpose. The first audience theory I will be applying is Cover Jones's desensitisation theory.

Desensitisation theory by Mary Cover Jones which says that the more violence viewers are exposed to in the media over a period, the less sensitive we become it. In the trailer, Bedeviled, there’s barely any violence that the audience are exposed to. The snapping of the neck can be seen as violence. The violence was portrayed through a close up of the protagonist which contained a sound effect of a cracking neck. The sound effect was effective as it sounded very realistic and since those who are fans of horror, they have no emotional reaction to it, because they’ve become desensitised. In addition, those who have watched the human centipede series have become desensitised due to the violence they are exposed to. Also, it was banned in the UK because it was too graphic and violent for the audience to see.

Uses & Gratification theory by Denis McQuail suggests that people use the media to their advantage in order to meet their individual needs. This theory emphasises how and why audience use a text. This theory is similar to the copycat theory. In the trailer, Bedeviled, there is a moment where violence has occurred and is imitable. The snapping of the neck is imitable for an active audience. However, this trailer is more for the mass audience as there’s not a lot of actions (violent) that are performed which are imitable. Also, people would watch it so that it can help them escape and relieve tension. This is also known as Tension Free Needs (Diversions/Escapism) which is one of the 5 individual needs. For example, someone could watch ‘Sinister’ so they can relieve tension

Catharsis theory is a theory which says it is an emotional effect experience by people who use the media to purge. It states that by watching horror films, the viewer is ‘cleansing’ and ‘purging’ by getting rid of negative emotions. This theory does not apply to Bedeviled trailer as there is not enough violence which is presented for someone to purge on it.

Copycat theory is the opposite of catharsis and it states that the audience will copy what they see in a media text. It refers to how the media influences audience’s behaviour. Similar to uses & gratification theory. In the trailer, the theory can be applied as there is a moment when the victim’s neck is snapped. This action can be easily imitated as it only requires your hands to do.