Audience theories

Task 1:
1. Do you think that audience for most media texts do come from "all walks of life" or do different kinds of people watch very different kinds of programme? Are there any examples of media texts that you can think of that do seem to have audiences of all kinds of people?
   
   Different sorts of people from different backgrounds watch or read different sorts of media texts. The type of background a person is from will affect the sort of interests that someone has and therefore they will be interested in different genre's and a different variety of texts. For example, the channel 4 series 'The Inbetweeners' will appeal more to teenagers and people that are interested in innapropriate behaviour.

2. How much of your media experience occurs when you are on your own and how much when you are with others?

   When I am with others that I am often with, I tend to share my media experience with them. I also spend just as much time doing this when I am on my own. Although, if guests are invited round, then I spend no time experiencing media, as we tend to communicate with them instead.

3. Think back to your genre work, how is your media experienced?

   When watching telly, the genre's I have experienced are Reality TV; Soaps; Comedies; Drama's; Quiz Shows.
When watching films, the genre's I have experienced are Action; Comedy; Romantic comedies.
When looking at newspapers/magazines, the genre I tend to look for are Sport; Gossip; Horoscopes

4. Are there any ways in which you share your experiences of the media who weren't around when you experienced the texts?

    People share experiences of media through many forms such as Facebook; msn; talking; watching a Tv programme at the same time at someone else.

Task 2:

1. Can you think of any examples where the media have been seen to influence public behaviour or have been blamed for an individuals behaviour?

   The first ending made for Paranormal Activity that was screend in America, caused members of the public who saw the film the kill themselves. After this, the film had to use an alternate ending for further showings.
Also, size zero models seen in magazines and on the catwalk can easily influence people into wanting to be like them and therefore ending up making themselves ill, just because they want to look like someone they saw a picture of.

2. Is this influence always negative?

     No, sometimes there may be an inspirational character in a film who does something that makes or difference to people or an individual may just admire them. Therefore people may try and act like that person or character and do positive things to try and be like them.