Uses & Gratifications

brainstorming

Our film has to be approximately 5 minutes long. According to Syd Field films follow the 3 act theory. The 3 act theory states that every film has 3 separate acts to it these are:

Start- this is where the characters are introduced and the scene is set.

Middle- Problem/Situation that needs to be overcome or major event that happens

End- Resolution of problem/situation or outcome of event.

So on average each section should be around 100 seconds/1 minute 40 seconds each approximately. This is quite a short time to be able to appropriately show each section of the film so the audience fully understands it.


Uses and Gratifications

The 'uses and gratifications' theory was first put by Bloomer and Katz (1974.) This theory claimed that all films are watched for a particular reason. Audiences watch films for:

1. Entertainment - simply to entertainment

2. Escapism - to get away form everyday life

3. Social Realism/ Identification - gives the audience something or someone to identify with

4. Information - for the audience to learn something from e.g. a documentary

5. Interaction - not only a interactional film but also maybe a film or television show that causes interaction between social groups


Most short films tend to either entertain, offer identification or inform people. As most independant films also offer identification we have chosen to make a film that fits within this. This is also quite a wide area to make a film in, making it easier to find a subject to work on that we can effectively re-create.

Some of the various things that could be included in the identification area are: racism, economic issues, illnesses, knife/gun crime, gang culture, drugs, homophobia, bullying, teenage pregnancy, etc.