Disney - Big Hero Six factsheet

Research

Applying Audiences Theory

Hypodermic Needle Theory:

This theory assumes that the audience has no role in it's interpretation or reading of a media text. It is when the institution's intended message is entirely accepted by the audience. The model tells the audience what to think and that their view is correct. 

Film 4 - Shame:

This theory does not apply to Shame as the audience questions the film and the situations in the film. For example, when Sissy sleeps with Brandon's boss, the audience may have different interpretations of her actions such as she does it for money as she has no place to stay, whereas some people might think its because she has a liking towards him. 

Disney - Big Hero 6:

The hypodermic needle model does apply to this film as the audience does not question what and why something happens in the film and goes with it as the film is simple. This model apply's to the film in terms of representations of minority groups, such as the representation of Krei, the big business man. He is shown wearing a professional suite and as a mean person which the audience does not question as his actions connoted in the film are that he steals Hiro's microbots and lives up to the representation.

Uses and Gratifications:

This theory states that people use media texts in different ways, for different reasons. It may be for; entertainment, information, social relationships or personal identity.

Film 4 - Shame:

This theory could be applied to Shame as people could watch this film for information. As the film is set in New York, people in other countries, mainly the UK could watch this film to see how things are different there. Another reason why people would watch Shame is for personal identity. This could be because the audience may have been in a similar situation to Sissy or because they may know someone in the same situations as Brandon. Such as when sissy attempts to cut herself and attempts suicide, could relate to many people as it is a major issue.

Disney - Big Hero 6:

People in the audience would watch Big Hero 6 for entertainment and diversion. This is because the film is enjoyable. Also the film has music and songs playing in the back such as the single 'Immortals' which is well known in the Disney industry and the audience could like the song. Also as the film is based in a fantasy place, it has a sense of escaping reality to it. 

Another reason people may watch Big Hero 6 is personal identity. Someone may have lost a brother aswell and could relate to Hiro in the film.

Cultural Community Theory:

This theory relates to how the audience understand meanings in a text. It is based on the idea that the more cultural similarities between the audience members and the creator of the media text, the more they will understand. This is because the the creator might produce texts which represent their lives and experiences. 

Film 4 - Shame:

This theory might apply to Shame as some people may not see their siblings as often and could relate to how Brandon or Sissy feel. It also could be because the creator who is Steve McQueen my have the same wealth growing up.

Disney - Big Hero 6:

This theory does not really apply to Disney films as they are mostly based on fantasy and are made up according to what the audience likes. However the ideas of the films such as Big Hero 6 could had been inspired by an own experiences like the relationship of the brothers. 

Hall's Preferred Readings:

Preferred reading is how an audience would ideally perceive a representation in a media text. Negotiated reading is how an audience might be caught in two minds about a representation in the media. Oppositional reading is how an audience would be completely against a media representation. 

Film 4 - Shame:

This theory could apply here as some members of the audience may see Sissy as a neglected person who wants to be around people she loves whereas some people may think that she is a confused messed up person who doesn't know how to sort her life out. 

Disney - Big Hero 6:

This theory applies to Big Hero 6 as some people may see Hiro's aunt as someone who cannot raise children up properly as she is really laid back whereas some audiences may think her parenting methods are good as she gives Hiro space as well as some guidance. 

Meet my Audience

Case Study - Shame

Shame is a film4 film about  man called Brandon who lives in New York. He has an unhealthy addiction of having sex particularly with different married woman. His sister Sissy comes unexpectedly to live with him and shares a similar habit of sleeping with married men. Sissy tries to build up the siblings relationship and asks Brandon to come watch her gig where she is a lead singer. As the film proceeds you see Sissy sleeping with Brandons boss and experience a fight between the siblings. The film ends with Sissy cutting herself and ends up in hospital and leaves Brandon in even more despair.  

The film Shame would be targeted towards over 18 as there is exploited sexual content. There is a lot of nudity. Also the film denotes no barrier between the siblings for example there's a scene where Brandon walks into the bathroom when Sissy is in the shower and she takes no action to cover herself but throws her towel on Brandon. I think younger audience would not be mature enough to watch this. Also towards the end of the film you see Sissy sitting on the floor in the bathroom surrounded by her blood and a knife next to her connoting she tried to commit suicide and I think this subject is very sensitive to show younger audiences. I think this film is targeted towards both genders as you see an equal distribution of gender and instead of showing either females or males in a sexual way, both genders are explored equally connoting that this film is targeted towards both females and males. I think the film is for people who are interested in sexual relationships as it is a recurring theme in the film.

Case Study - Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6 is an animated Disney film about two brothers who share a passion over creating robots. The older brother dies when his university sets on fire in order to save his professor leaving Hero, his younger brother in despair. Hero then unites with his brothers friends and uses Baymax ( A robot designed by his older brother to help people) to find the bad guy who steals his micro-bots. He does this by upgrading Baymax with new techniques and also upgrading his friends talents. In the end he develops a great friendship with Baymax and also saves the world.

Big Hero 6 would be targeted towards people aged 6 and over. This is because the film itself has a moral in it connoting always do things that will do good to others. The film denotes an equal diversity of males and females and this connotes that the film is targeted towards both genders however I think it would attract males more due to the fact that superheros is a major theme in the film and the main character is a boy. The film would be targeted toward people who are interested in robots and inventions. This is because it is a recurring theme in the film. Also I think young people who like the idea of super heros and saving the world like spider man and other characters would be interested as they can be seen as role models.

Commisioner Factfile

Film 4 Productions

Film 4 productions is a British film production company owned by Channel Four Television Corporation. The company was responsible for producing a large number of films in the UK. Channel Four Television Corporation is also a parent company to Channel 4, 4seven, E4, More4 and 4Music. Over the years, Film 4 productions have produced and distributed many films. They have also exhibited films such as the Film4 Summer screen at Somerset House. The BFI is a charitable organization established by Royal Charter to encourage the development of the arts of film, television and the moving image throughout the UK, to promote education about film and their impact on society, to promote access to and appreciation of the widest possible range of British and World cinema and develop collections reflecting the history and heritage of the UK. As well as it's work on films, the BFI also devotes a large amount of it's time to the preservation and study of British Television. 

The BFI film fund are the largest public film fund in the UK. Each year they invest over £26m of lottery funds to support film development, production and distribution activity in the UK and the budget is set to rise to £30m by 2017.Film4's annual investment in developing and financing films is £15m. The aim of the company is to produce around 20 films per year. Film4 co-produce with other organizations most of the time in order to support the companies as well as gaining some profit. 

One of the biggest successes of Film4, is the worldwide known film 'Slum dog Millionaire', which won the Academy Award for the Best Picture. The film was projected to cost $15m. The genre Film4 usually focus on is British Social Realism, which denote everyday struggles, however some films are hybrid films with a hint of horror in them.

Film4 Productions is based in England hence focusing on British Films, however there are some films that have been produced with other countires such as India and America. Again, like Slumdog Millionaire. The fact that the company base is in England connotes the target audience to be British people.

The Film4 Ethos is to develop new British talent and lead innovation in the British Film Industry. Also to invest around £500,00 per film at the rate of 20 films per year. They also aim to support independent film makers by co-investing in their films. Another ethos of Film4 is to offer a platform for British and Independent cinema on terrestrial television by committing to show each one of the Film4 Productions on TV.

Tessa Ross, Controller of film and drama at Channel 4 says that With Steve McQueen's '12 Years a Slave' receiving 10 nominations and so much recognition for British talent, this is certainly a proud moment for British film.

Steve McQueen himself thinks he has come a long way in his career

The London Film Critics’ Circle first recognised Steve McQueen’s work in 2009, when his first Film4-backed film and feature debut, Hunger, was nominated for five Critics’ Circle awards, winning British Actor of the Year for Michael Fassbender’s performance, Breakthrough British Filmmaker for Steve and British Film of the Year. Film4 went on to fund and develop McQueen’s second feature, Shame, which was nominated by the Critics’ Circle for four awards, winning British Actor of the Year for Michael Fassbender’s performance. - See more at: http://blog.film4.com/category/actors-and-actresses/#sthash.nyDSnMnK.dpuf

Tessa Ross, Controller of Film and Drama at Channel 4, says: “With Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave receiving ten nominations and so much recognition for British talent this is certainly a proud moment for British film.  Congratulations to all of our nominees, Film4 is privileged to have supported them on their journey.  The very best of luck to everybody.” - See more at: http://blog.film4.com/category/actors-and-actresses/#sthash.nyDSnMnK.dpuf