Media Audiences Embody the Fears and Fantasies of Their Social Context: Hunger Games - Essay Example

Media audiences embody the fears and fantasies of their social context: Hunger Games The hunger games film keeps the audience engaged at all times through its complex storylines and the message it conceives to the audience. A critical look at the film shows significant major social fears and unrest that most societies dread recently. Unlike other films that are majorly action packed or real life stories the hunger games touches entirely new on the aspects of apocalyptic warfare and its effects on society. Immediately after its release, the film was a major success in both the local United States film market as well as internationally. How is it probable that such a film full of war and teenagers murdering each other so successful? To get the answer one must take a critical look at how the storylines and plot of the film depict real life social fears and make them appealing to the audience. When making a film recognizing the target market is an essential part of the process. Although films have huge audiences, rewarding the most loyal fans is a core aspect of relieving tension and generating plausible reviews. The hunger games bring into question a number of social ills that are feared by almost every democratic nation and citizens in the world. The film is based on the effects of civil war and how it brings about poverty, class segregation, family classification, and discrimination. To add on top of all these social atrocities the film also portrays violent pictures of adolescents hunting and slaughtering each other in a brutal manner for sport. How can all this, be made appealing to the society? The film tries to ease tension in its violent plot by making the main protagonist Katniss offer herself to the annual hunger games contest as a form of a sacrifice to save her younger sister’s life (Hunger games). By using such a strategy, the film persuades the audience to overlook the violence of the movie and look at the sacrifice as the right option of Katniss to undertake her tasks. Here the engagement reflected is that family relationships and bond was stronger than any social ill, which enlightens the audience and educates them about the importance of family and making sacrifices. Katniss offered herself to the hunger games as a sacrifice over the life of her sister. This made her more dangerous than the other opponents. She was not only fighting for herself but also for her family’s survival. She knew that she had to make changes and prove a point to the system of governance. This was the only way she could impart such transformation and end poverty and slavery. The manner in which the film is presented to the audience enhances their experience on the subject matters that are shown in the film. For example, since the film touches on so many social ills, the film tries to make the audience familiar with these experiences. In order to comprehend the effects of poverty and its effect in the society one has to experience it, which the film has achieved by capturing the fears of each person or audience member and turns it to a film. In order to fight fear one has to embody it and come out successful. The hunger game tries to do this exactly. Katniss represents the fear that the audience do not want to accept, and her success in the hunger games tests portray the success that could be achieved if we accept the situation at hand. Hunger Games had to use a number of techniques and strategies to achieve such engagements with the audience. Technology has become a dormant aspect in the daily lives of peoples across the globe. It has made interaction much easier and since the film is an electronic medium it has steadily improved the film industry. The use of trailers and behind the scenes outlook of the film tells volumes on how the crew engaged its audience. Once this has been done word of mouth catches up and it increases the relevance of the film to the audience. This can further be enhanced through podcasts and online interviews with the main characters of the film on set. Marketing of the film is also another engagement strategy. Before its release, the film’s producers had to ensure that the film was attractive enough to the audience. This had to be done in an effective manner that does not bring into question the fears and fantasies of the film into lights. Carrying out tours and interviews with the most loyal fans of the film was one way. Photo exhibits with the stars of the film creates fun to the whole film. When this is done, the audience put aside and forgets about the real theme and message behind the film. Community and interest groups also have a say when it comes to the release of such a film. The Hunger Games brought to light number debatable factors that could raise social, economic and political concerns. Identifying whom the film affects and how as well as neutralizing the effects at an early stage is one way of engaging the audience (Burton, Pg 76). For example, the producers of the film knew the impending danger that loomed if families were not included in the marketing campaign. Therefore, they created a film in such a manner that it could suit family interest. The need to identify and realize rising interest groups across the globe such as LGBT groups, which have seen more identification in films at this present age, is crucial. The hunger game film has also identified such groups through adding supporting cast members who had qualities that are supported by such groups. Conversations of key characters within the film has also been use to engage the audiences. The interviews that the hunger games contestant were subject to in front of the whole district was critical towards gaining audience interest and confidence in the films. The interviews touched on crucial matters such as freedom, family bond, and victory among many other things. The audience becomes eager when conversations on such key issued are used within the film, which not only gives insight, but also involved the audience in the conversation. Their perception and views on the matter are also appreciated well after the film has been watched. There are different types of narratives all of which try to depict a different message. Some of the narratives used in the film include suspense thriller and personal histories. Although such narratives might have a common element, their characteristic is very different. The possibility of telling a story in multiple ways is increased when narratives are involved. Subsequently, narratives can be swayed to suit the audience’s expectation. Ideologies can be different among many people. It is not a guarantee that the audience would view and idea in the same manner. However, in films the use of ideologies is not to make the audience conclude to the same viewpoint but to relate the matter to their own viewpoints and make a judgment. There is no need to persuade the audience to change their views but rather have to view other ideas from a different angle and question the viability and credibility of theirs. It helps in creating an audience that is aware of the situations around them and how they are affected by these situations. Significance of the plot or storyline of the screenplay is also an important part when creating an audience. Films are considered a work of art; hence, can only be appreciated once the audience has the ability to judge the play’s credibility. Significance of the play matters more as much as the introduction of action and entertainment matters to the audience. The main point of making a work of art such as films is to create awareness of the societal problems that affect individuals. A film’s significance matters up to the point where the audience is able to distinguish between a reliable storyline and one that is bogus (Fulton 89). A significant film has to relate to the life and struggles of the audience. This is to create a solution and help them, in decision making when faced with critical moments. Significance will determine the type of audience one gets. For example, when significance is limited to fantasy and action, then the audience will likely be teenagers and young adults. Additionally, the genre of the film determines the age group of the audience interested in the film. Works Cited Fulton, Helen. Narrative and Media. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print. Graeme, Burton. Media and Society: Critical Perspectives. 2nd ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill International, 2010. Print. The Hunger Games. Hollywood: Gary Ross, 2012. Film. Read More