Audience expectations

Definition

Audience expectations refer to the preconceived notions and beliefs that viewers bring to a story based on their experiences with genre conventions, storytelling techniques, and cultural contexts. These expectations influence how audiences interpret and engage with narratives, affecting their satisfaction and emotional responses. Understanding these expectations is essential for blending and subverting genres effectively while crafting compelling stories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Audiences often form their expectations based on previous experiences with similar stories, which can lead to predictable patterns in storytelling.
2. Subverting audience expectations can create surprise and engagement, but if done poorly, it may lead to confusion or dissatisfaction.
3. Different genres come with distinct sets of expectations; for example, a horror film typically expects suspense and fear, while a romantic comedy anticipates humor and romance.
4. Successful blending of genres often relies on understanding and manipulating audience expectations to create fresh and engaging narratives.
5. When filmmakers or writers successfully meet or challenge audience expectations, it can enhance the emotional impact of the story and leave a lasting impression.

Review Questions

• How do audience expectations influence the effectiveness of a narrative in various genres?
  • Audience expectations play a significant role in how effectively a narrative resonates within various genres. When creators align their stories with established genre conventions, they can satisfy viewers' desires for familiar themes and structures. However, when they subvert these expectations creatively, it can surprise the audience, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative. Balancing both alignment and subversion is key to maintaining engagement while offering fresh perspectives.
• In what ways can blending genre conventions enhance or disrupt audience expectations?
  • Blending genre conventions can enhance audience expectations by combining familiar elements from multiple genres, creating an engaging hybrid experience that keeps viewers intrigued. For instance, mixing comedy with horror can lead to unexpected humor amidst tension. However, this blending can also disrupt expectations if the resulting narrative feels disjointed or fails to deliver on the emotional cues expected from either genre. Striking the right balance is crucial to achieve the desired emotional response from the audience.
• Evaluate how subverting audience expectations can be a double-edged sword in storytelling.
  • Subverting audience expectations can be a powerful storytelling technique that adds complexity and excitement to narratives; however, it can also backfire if not executed thoughtfully. When done well, it challenges viewers' assumptions and keeps them engaged by introducing unexpected twists that enhance the story's emotional impact. Conversely, if audiences feel misled or confused due to excessive subversion without proper context, it can lead to frustration or disappointment. Writers must carefully consider how much they bend or break these expectations to maintain viewer satisfaction while still delivering an original narrative.

Related terms

Genre Conventions: Common elements and themes that define a specific genre, which help shape audience expectations regarding plot, character archetypes, and visual style.

Tropes:

Recurring themes or devices used in storytelling that audiences recognize, which can either fulfill or challenge their expectations.

Suspension of Disbelief: The willingness of an audience to accept the premise of a story as true, allowing them to engage emotionally with the narrative despite its fictional nature.