Audience expectations

Definition

Audience expectations refer to the preconceived notions and beliefs that viewers have about a film or performance based on factors such as genre, marketing, star power, and cultural context. These expectations shape how audiences engage with the content, influencing their interpretations and emotional responses. Filmmakers often play with these expectations to create surprise, tension, or resonance within the narrative.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Audience expectations are influenced by prior experiences with similar films or genres, which means they come into a viewing with an idea of what to anticipate.
2. Filmmakers can manipulate audience expectations by adhering to or subverting genre conventions, creating either predictable or surprising plot developments.
3. Expectations can lead to heightened emotional responses when a film aligns closely with what viewers hope to see or challenges their assumptions.
4. Marketing strategies play a significant role in shaping audience expectations by highlighting particular themes, actors, or story elements that resonate with potential viewers.
5. Cultural context also informs audience expectations; societal norms and trends can dictate what audiences find entertaining or acceptable in a film.

Review Questions

• How do genre conventions influence audience expectations when viewing a film?
  • Genre conventions set a framework for what audiences anticipate in terms of story arcs, character development, and emotional beats. For example, a horror film typically builds tension through suspenseful pacing and unexpected scares, while a romantic comedy might focus on humorous situations and heartwarming moments. When filmmakers adhere to these conventions, audiences feel satisfied; when they are broken or altered, it can lead to surprise or disappointment depending on the execution.
• Discuss the impact of marketing on shaping audience expectations for new films.
  • Marketing plays a crucial role in shaping what audiences expect from new films by creating buzz and highlighting key elements that resonate with viewers. Trailers, posters, and promotional materials often emphasize specific themes, genres, and star performances to draw interest. Effective marketing sets up particular anticipations about the film’s tone and story direction. If the actual content diverges significantly from these marketed elements, it may result in mixed reactions from audiences.
• Evaluate how filmmakers can creatively engage with audience expectations to enhance storytelling effectiveness.
  • Filmmakers have the opportunity to engage creatively with audience expectations by either fulfilling them in innovative ways or subverting them to elicit surprise and deeper engagement. For example, they might introduce an unexpected twist that challenges established norms within a genre, prompting audiences to rethink their assumptions about characters or plot outcomes. This engagement not only keeps viewers invested but also allows for richer thematic exploration, making the viewing experience more memorable and impactful.

Related terms

Genre: A category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter, which helps set audience expectations regarding the content.

Star Power: The influence that a popular actor or actress has in attracting audiences, often leading to specific expectations about the quality and tone of a film.

Narrative Structure: The framework that underlies the sequence of events in a film, which can either meet or subvert audience expectations based on its execution.