Audience expectations

Definition

Audience expectations refer to the preconceived notions and assumptions that viewers bring to a film or television show based on its genre, marketing, and cultural context. These expectations are shaped by past experiences with similar content, leading audiences to anticipate specific narrative structures, themes, and character types. Understanding audience expectations is crucial for creators to meet or subvert these anticipations effectively.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Audience expectations are often influenced by genre conventions, which outline the typical elements and structures audiences expect to see.
2. When a film or show meets audience expectations, it can enhance viewer satisfaction and engagement, while failure to do so may lead to disappointment.
3. Creators can play with audience expectations by either fulfilling them or subverting them, leading to innovative storytelling.
4. Marketing campaigns play a significant role in shaping audience expectations by highlighting certain themes or elements that attract viewers.
5. Cultural context and societal trends also influence what audiences expect from media, as they reflect the changing norms and values of society.

Review Questions

• How do genre conventions shape audience expectations in film and television?
  • Genre conventions provide a framework for audience expectations by outlining typical narrative structures, character types, and themes associated with specific genres. For example, in a horror film, viewers expect suspenseful music, jump scares, and a final confrontation with the antagonist. When creators adhere to these conventions, they can create a sense of familiarity that enhances viewer satisfaction. Conversely, straying from these conventions can challenge audiences' anticipations and lead to unique viewing experiences.
• Discuss the impact of marketing on audience expectations and how it can influence viewer perception of a film or show.
  • Marketing plays a crucial role in shaping audience expectations by framing how viewers perceive a film or show before they even see it. Promotional materials such as trailers, posters, and interviews highlight specific themes or elements intended to attract an audience. If marketing effectively aligns with the genre's conventions, it can reinforce positive audience expectations. However, if there's a mismatch between the marketing message and the actual content, viewers may feel misled or disappointed upon viewing.
• Evaluate the ways in which filmmakers can both meet and subvert audience expectations to create memorable narratives.
  • Filmmakers can meet audience expectations by delivering familiar storylines and character arcs that resonate with viewers' previous experiences. However, they also have the option to subvert these expectations through unexpected plot twists or character developments. This duality creates tension and engagement within the narrative. For instance, by introducing an unanticipated resolution to a conflict or transforming a seemingly heroic character into an antagonist, filmmakers can provoke deeper emotional responses and encourage viewers to reflect on their assumptions about storytelling norms.

Related terms

Genre: A category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in style, form, or subject matter that influences audience expectations.

Cliché: An overused expression or idea that can lead to predictable outcomes in storytelling, often based on audience expectations.

Subversion: The act of deliberately undermining audience expectations, typically by presenting unexpected twists or outcomes in a narrative.