Evaluation- Theory Links with our trailer

Cultivation Theory- George Gerbner
George Gerbner's Cultivation theory suggests that television is responsible for shaping or 'cultivating viewers conceptions of social reality, resulting in 'Mean World Syndrome'. He believes that what you see on television or within the media causes this world mean syndrome; making the world a horrible place.
This theory links with our production of our theatrical trailer, 'Betrayal' as we have shaped our audiences conceptions of reality, by the use of mise en scene, location and characters. The location within our trailer was based in the woods, which acted as the campsite for the protagonist'within the production. By using this location within a horror genre film, makes our audience believe that the events they see could happen to them, therefore cultivating their outlook on a wood location. Having used a campsite location, which is stereotypically associated with a family friendly location, within a horror makes creates a fear for the audience due to the two contrasting ideas of the location. This therefore creates a conception for the audience that the woods should not be entered alone at night as dangerous and murderous events could happen. The use of mise en scene, through the mask also reinforces this 'Cultivation theory'. It achieves this by connoting that people who wears mask and hides their identity are bad individuals who gain satisfaction through violent acts; making the passive audience believe this (linking hypodermic needle theory).

The Hypodermic Needle Theory
This theory suggests that a media text injects its message straight into the passive audience. This therefore applies to our theatrical trailer via the certificate of it. The certificate of the film is deemed as an '15', due to frightening and disturbing events which occur during the production, therefore not suitable for younger audiences. Also as the audience is seen as a passive mass who would immediately accept the conception of events which occurs, it means the audience would believe our trailer. When watching our trailer, 'Betrayal', the audience would believe that the character's are trying to create mishap and spill blood, which is reinforced by the use of mise en scene; masks, axes, hooded dark clothing. Using mundane realism (normal circumstances:group of friends within a wood, camping) and using masked antagonists causing horrifying events, makes the audience feel as though this could happen to them. This therefore means that they believe these antagonist's representation; following the hypodermic needle theory. Using this theory, meant that our passive audience believed our representations within our trailer, resulting in it being realistic and believable. If this theory was not applied, then our representations would be questioned, which follows Stuart Hall's 'Reception Theory', that the audience are either negotiated or oppositional audiences.

The Uses and Gratification Theory
This theory was presented in 1970's by media theorists Blumler and Katz, which declared that there were five main reasons why audiences consumed media text. The Uses and Gratification Theory has five categories; to be informed and educated, to be entertained, escapism, to enable socialism and identify with characters situations. When watching our trailer the audience would seek for excitement, due to the numerous enigmas created through the use of juxtaposition and camera shots. Due to making our audience excited it would make them want to watch the whole film to be informed about what actually happens; therefore supporting this theory of the uses and gratification theory. For a more passive audience, our trailer could be used for escapism from reality, as our trailer would allow them to feel as though they are in this situation, therefore a release from everyday worries and concerns.

The Male Gaze
'The Male Gaze' was explored by Laura Mulvey, who argues that  in films the audience view is predominantly from a heterosexual male point of view. Therefore she continues to state that women are objectified in films for the pleasure of a male viewer, for example through an attractive character or narrative. However, this theory applies to males in both ways; through the use of females and males. For example, using attractive female, which are seen as damsel in distress would appeal to the male audience as they would want to protect and save her. Using confidence, classy and muscular males, would make male audiences associate themselves with the character or makes them want to be like them. Within our trailer 'The Male Gaze' is seen through the use of our protagonist's. This is because they are seen as the Damsels in Distress due murderous unknown events which the audience assumes from the trailer. This therefore makes the male audience want to see them safe and avoid harm. This vulnerability was reinforced by the use of mise en scene from the girls having blonde hair and wearing white clothing (connoting to innocence and purity).

Claude Steele's Theory of Stereotype Threat
Claude Steele's theory is based on the concept of stereotype threat. This is where a perceived stereotype is popularised then the member of the stereotype social group become increasingly at risk of living up to the characteristics of the stereotype. This means that the stereotype has become normalised. Within our trailer, the protagonist's are a good example of this theory. Through years of horrors and thrillers, women have always been seen as the Damsel in Distress, where they always need to assistance from, stereotypically a man. Within our trailer we use female protagonists to follow this trend of which is used in horrors; this has become normalised. This also links to the 'Male Gaze' theory of which makes the male audience attracted to her, therefore wanting her to survive.

Adorno's Theory
Adorno's theory argues that people are almost slaves to the media and that mass media has a lot of damging power over people. To a certain extent this theory was shown within our trailer. It was shown within our trailer by the use of our antagonist, wearing an oversized hoodie, carrying weapons and having a hidden identity. Due to the media coverage reporting on crimes where stereotypically the criminal are youths and are described as this, it makes our plot seem very realistic, as the media has used their power to make the audience believe that people like this are dangerous. Therefore through the use of mise en scene we make the audience feel horrified and scared of what this murderous individual will do within the film.