Applying Audience Theory

Frozen

Hypodermic Needle Model

Disney apply the hypodermic needle model to their film, Frozen as their intended message of a true love's kiss is entirely accepted by the audience. As Ana's heart is frozen, the audience are lead to believe that the true love's kiss is Prince Hans, the same result as any other Disney film- for example, Sleeping Beauty. But, the message later on shows that her act of true love is through risking her life for Elsa. This message shows that women should not always have to rely on men to save them, and this is not at all questioned by the audience. We also do not challenge the fact that there are only white characters in this film, we still go out and buy all of the merchandise despite this huge divide in colour.

Uses & Gratifications

Disney apply Entertainment/Diversion to their film as it is enjoyable throughout with its use of songs, in the first second of the film, their is a song, making the audience feel happy through their escape from reality. The film offers a lot of comedy, mainly through the Character- Olaf.
Frozen is also watched because of its Social Relationships, Frozen is an event film, and so a majority of people have watched it, it gives people something in common, something to talk about, especially at it's initial release.
Disney relates to it's young audience through their personal identity- Young girls can look up to Ana as although she is a princess, she still plays the role of an everyday girl through her clumsiness and humorous character, young girls will see someone that they one day wish to be.

Cultural Commonality-
Frozen is set in Arendelle, is a fictional place, said to be set in Norway. It can relate to everyone as it is not specifically made to suit people in any specific place.

Hall's preferred readings

Preferred reading- The younger would ideally perceive the idea of Ana finding her 'true love' and marrying him on the first day a normal happy ever after, portrayed in most Disney films.

Negotiated reading- The audience may feel sorry for Ana but disagree with the extreme behavior Hans is portraying of wanting to kill her sister.

Oppositional reading- The audience, especially parents of the children, may not agree that this is a good thing to show young kids, it shows naivety, as people are not always who they turn out to be, they may not agree with the message that this is showing kids.

Seven Psychopaths

Hypodermic Needle Model

Film 4 inject the idea that Americans are violent, use guns in their day to day lives and drink, as an audience we do not challenge these views and at any point think this is unrealistic, we just accept their views and enjoy the film.

Uses & Gratifications

Seven Psychopaths includes Entertainment through it's sub genre of Comedy, it is a film that will make the audience laugh throughout. The audience may also be able to relate to Marty, who is a struggling alcoholic, people who use alcohol as a escapism from real life. Also, Marty is writing a film, and struggles in the process, the film may relate to people who are trying to write a film, but are struggling to find the inspiration to do so. It may also relate to people who have experienced family being diagnosed with cancer like the character Hans who visits his wife in hospital everyday as she is a cancer patient.

Cultural commonality

Martin McDonagh was born in Camberwell, London, although Seven Psychopaths is set in Los Angeles, so the film does not portray life of where he grew up. People in LA may be able to the real life settings in the film. Martin used his real life experience of visiting LA and seeing posters of missing dogs everywhere to create the story line of dog napping, people in LA will relate to this as they would have seen the posters themselves and would know that this is a large issue out there.

Hall's preferred readings

Preferred reading- The audience will feel sorry for characters such as Myra and Marty.

Negotiated reading- They may disagree with the behavior of Marty who treats his wife badly due to his alcohol addiction.

Oppositional reading- They may think that killing a cancer patient due to her association with Hans is too far, and will upset viewers.