Unit 1 Contextual Studies Special Subject

Audience Project - Audience Models & Theories applied to The Walking

Dead
Adam Holden
For my special subject I will do a formal PowerPoint on one of my favorite shows of all time
The Walking Dead I have chosen this subject because I believe I can develop enough
research to show how amazing the show really is and how much of an impact it has on
audiences all over the world. I will begin my research by using the following types of
research qualitative research, quantitative research, audience classification and qualitative
research being reviews from audiences online and peoples opinion, qualitative research also
requires reviews on the show. I will show this research in my PowerPoint to demonstrate
peoples views on walking dead! I shall also demonstrate and analyse fans review in relation
to the audience theories studied as part of Unit 1. I will illustrate from the active model
applying reception analysis. Uses and Gratifications Model is the polar opposite of
Hypodermic Model, this theory attributes the idea that the audience is seen as active, rather
than passive; meaning that the audience uses different media as a means satisfying their need
for escapism, information, pleasure, and or diversion, and their readings of the text. Morleys
view of dominant negotiated and opposition readings of text recognises the importance of the
analysis of signs particularly visual signs that shape much of modern media output. In this
model the audience accepts or agrees with the meanings communicated through the genres
codes and conventions. They can then choose to agree with the dominant reading of the text
or agree it works in parts (negotiated reading) or reject it (oppositional reading), for cultural,
political or ideological reasons. My audience findings are sourced from IMDB and fan polls
made up all over social media sites such as Facebook as an example for my qualitative
research on my special subject! I will also use quantitative research for my special subject
this type of research will show viewership figures such as box office, critic reviews from
magazines such as empire and IMDB specialists. I will demonstrate in my PowerPoint
statistic graphs, bar charts and scattered graphs based on how popular The Walking Dead
really is. For my PowerPoint I will explain what audience classification is and how it affects
The Walking Dead. I will also explain why it is needed and required for every big TV
production like Walking Dead and I will also explain the overall effects that walking dead has
on fans all over the world. To finalise my specialist subject I will demonstrate scenes of my
special subject The Walking Dead and audiences reactions to illustrate ways they empathize
with the text and its impact and synergy to other media and non-media products from
merchandising and consumer analysis.