Audience Response Research Articles

Identifying and interpreting gendered violence: Visual literacy in an audience reception study of Issa López' Casi Divas

AbstractWe present an audience reception study of participant reactions to gender‐based violence in Issa López' 2008 film, Casi Divas, chosen for its nuanced depiction of women grappling with several violences. Over three focus groups with 15 adult participants, we used Galtung's conflict theory to explore what participants identified as violence, and how victims should respond to violence in various forms. We find that participants have a narrow definition of violence, seeing it as an individualized act and therefore neglecting to consider its cultural or structural foundations. The participants' responses to violence largely reflected neoliberal values of personal empowerment and choice, resilience, and “leaning in.” We recommend critical visual literacy as a tool in the educational context to identify and address violence, to fight inequity, and to establish emancipatory discourses.

Encruzilhadas: we believe in crossroads – Brazil at PQ23

ABSTRACT This article delves into the research and creative process involved in shaping Brazil's representation at the Exhibition of Countries and Regions during the 15th Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space. This collective effort aimed to integrate artists and researchers from across Brazil, resonating with the concept of crossroads, where differences converge and coexist. The curatorial team, attuned to the richness and plurality of Brazilian sonic landscapes, endeavoured to expand representativeness and diversity of perspectives and foster meaningful exchanges. The process aimed to address systemic and historical invisibilities, daring cross-cutting perspectives and dynamics, thus showcasing the wisdom embedded in the diverse manifestations of Brazilian identity. Exploring the creative process for a sound installation and seven sound offerings, alongside the site-specific relationship with the venue, exhibition design, and audience reception, the article elucidates the connections with Brazilian and Latin American authors and thoughts.

Research On the ‘Southbound Filmmakers’ with Their National Images: Diaspora, Anxiety and Spiritual Identification

The ‘southbound filmmakers’ refers to a group of filmmakers who, during 1931--1966, went to the Southeast Asia from the cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. They are one of the important parts of China’s filmmakers and their films is a significant attempt disseminating at abroad in the early days. To analyze the Southbound Filmmakers’ identity construction as well their activities such as living in the Southeast Asia, film-makings and dissemination, this paper adopts psychology, psychoanalysis, national identification, audience reception, etc., associated with theories like ‘culture, anxiety, identity and ideology’ under the overview of behavioral science. The ‘Southbound filmmakers’ is not only a group of filmmakers, but a historical concept and a special cinematic phenomenon. The diaspora complex and national identification were the important spiritual pillars for the filmmakers to carry on their film and social activities in the Southeast Asia. The Sounthbound films’ dissemination overseas is a helpful attempt for the Chinese films. Even though the filmmakers had different subjective activities and varied film contents, it objectively strengthened Chinese films’ connections with its foreign counterparts, promoted China’s films’ influences and increased Chinese culture’s dissemination in other countries, which is significant and has a long-time effect.

Performing Race: Interrogating Gareth Hinds’ Graphic Novel Adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet

Graphic novel adaptations, such as Gareths Hinds’ Romeo and Juliet, are a popular way to introduce audiences to Shakespeare, however focusing on a young audience obscures the fact that these are sophisticated interpretations integrating graphics and text, providing opportunities for adapters to reinterpret classic texts. The combination of visual and verbal resembles performance media (film and stage) and many of the analytical processes used for performance can also be applied to graphic novels. Recent studies of 20th and 21st century film and stage adaptations of Shakespeare critique the practices of directors and others involved in the selection process of actors of color for Shakespeare productions where race is not indicated in the original play text. These practices offer different approaches to, and understandings of, the semiotics of race in performance and the critiques identify issues associated with these various approaches. Applying these studies to graphic novel adaptations provides a more detailed understanding of the impact on audience reception of how adapters represent the characters and story lines of Shakespeare’s original texts. This paper interrogates Gareth Hind’s graphic novel adaptation and argues that, contrary to his stated intent of emphasizing universal themes, by racializing the Montagues and the Capulets, he introduces themes such as differential racialism and colorism into the story that problematizes readers’ interpretations of this classic Shakespeare text. This interrogation applies an understanding of the semiotics of race and performance in terms of non-traditional types of casting of characters, with a close reading of the interaction of graphics and text, comparing this reading to similar film and stage performances and how that reading may be interpreted/misinterpreted by readers/viewers.

Content Analysis and Audience Receptions of Online Da'wah on YouTube Social Media

YouTube social media has provided online da'wah content that the audience can access. This study aimed to analyze (1) the content of online da'wah on YouTube and (2) the audience's reception of online da'wah on social media. This research uses a qualitative approach with content analysis, determining message characteristics and reception analysis to determine the position of audience acceptance of online da'wah messages. The results of the study show that: (1) Online da'wah materials on YouTube social media contain various themes, namely the study of monotheism (Aa Gym Official), Fiqh (Adi Hidayat Official), and ethical issues (Ustadz Abdul Somad Official). The content of da'wah is in accordance with the characteristics of the preacher and the audience's needs; (2) The audience's reception of online da'wah on social media, YouTube is divided into two, namely the dominant position and negotiation, while the opposition is not found. The audience reception is related to the theme of da'wah, the community's needs, and the interactive style between the preacher and the audience. Therefore, the preacher needs to master social media applications, choose the theme of online da'wah according to his needs, and establish a strong relationship with the audience. Keywords: Da'wah online, content of da'wah, audience reception, YouTube, social media.

Public reception on the use of AI influencers in beauty brand campaigns on Instagram

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) influencers as models in brand campaigns in recent years, particularly in beauty brands, has sparked scepticism and distrust among the public. This study aims to explore the impact of AI influencer usage on message reception within beauty brand campaigns on Instagram according to the audience reception theory. Using a quantitative approach with random sampling techniques, the research covers the entire active Instagram user population in Indonesia, with 100 respondents. The analysis reveals a decline in message reception when AI influencers are employed in beauty brand campaigns on Instagram. Factors contributing to this decline include a lack of trust, limited social presence, and absence of humanistic elements in content. Additionally, aspects like visual realism and hyperreality content create a disparity between the portrayed image and reality. These findings indicate a tendency for declining message reception over time, warranting further investigation into public responses and AI influencer roles. To counter this decline, continuous monitoring of evolving trends and dynamics in message reception through AI influencers is recommended. Further, collaborative efforts between AI influencers and humans are suggested to mitigate the downward trend. This comprehensive understanding is vital for brands navigating the evolving landscape of influencer marketing and maintaining a positive reception among their target audience.

CARTOONS AND THE AUTOCRATIC CREEDS OF THE CULTURE INDUSTRY: VIOLENT AFFECTS AND EFFECTS IN CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT

This paper asserts that operations and patterns of violence are present in Hanna-Barbera’s Tom and Jerry, Butch Hartman’s The Fairly Oddparents, Thomas Edward Warburton’s Codename: Kids Next Door, and John Kricfalusi’s Ren and Stimpy. Cartoons are meant to be enjoyed by children. However, the incorporation of violence in cartoons can leave imprints in the impressionable minds of the children. With the media and reception of the children's audience in the foreground, the notion of false happiness can be deduced as the comedic and entertaining modes of representation in the cartoons do not just make the audience laugh but can also possibly penetrate their attitudes and behaviors. The cartoons and their violent features can be a springboard to engage media effects which can include aggression, agenda-building, and cultivation. As a framework, the discourses on violence and false happiness are supported by the critical claims of Adorno and Horkheimer on the culture industry and offshoots of immersing oneself in television. The analysis of the cartoons presented a typology of violence affirming that organized entertainment becomes synonymous with the displays of organized violence. These include blatant and forceful physical violence, subtle familial violence, violence of structural differences and tensions, and the aestheticization of violence.

Machine learning and deep learning-based sentiment analysis of IMDB user reviews

Movie reviews have always been a popular and enduring subject of interest among researchers. Sentiment analysis plays a significant role in this domain. The utilization of machine learning and natural language processing techniques can provide valuable insights into the emotional responses of audiences towards movies, as well as facilitate the appraisal of their reputation and market potential. This is achieved through the analysis of sentiment expressed in movie reviews. Furthermore, this approach is highly valuable in various application domains such as data mining, web mining, and social media analysis. This paper aims to conduct a comparative analysis by utilizing typical models based on machine learning and neural networks, along with the integration of natural language processing techniques. The IMDB database, which contains 50,000 reviews, will be used, and data preprocessing will be performed before applying these models. By comparing the accuracy of each model, insights regarding movie reviews can be derived.

Race and whiteness in football talk amongst English fans: audience receptions of televised national team coverage

ABSTRACT Televised football is still one of the main ways in which football fans consume football. Earlier studies into audience receptions of televised football often used focus group interviews with football fans and generally concluded that majority ethnic audiences tend to be engaged in ‘football talk’ that reproduces already existing racial/ethnic stereotypes and identifications. The current study takes one step further and has explored the consumption of televised football amongst White, male football fans while it takes place. We have watched matches together with young people in England combining participant observations in domestic settings with group interviews. Results give insights into the ‘backstage setting’ of football consumption, identifications amongst fans with the national team, and the reproduction of racialized discourses. We will pay specific attention to the different ‘shades of whiteness’ that participants in our study (re)constructed based on their interpretations of the football matches.

Mental health messages on TikTok: Analysing the use of emotional appeals in health-related #EduTok videos

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate how health educators use emotional appeals on the social media site TikTok to promote well-being, engage audiences and reduce mental health stigma. Design/Method: Our research team conducted a quantitative content analysis of 400 TikTok videos centred on health education. We evaluated the frequency of mental health content compared with general health education content and associated views, engagement and use of emotional appeals. Results: Mental health content frequently appeared in #EduTok health videos and earned significantly greater reach than general health content. However, videos discussing mental health earned less engagement and relied less on emotional appeals. Mental health content mainly relied on affiliation, hope and sorrow message appeals, although the presence of these appeals did not significantly affect engagement. General health content utilised personal stories, expert credentials and emotional appeals more frequently than mental health content. Conclusion: Evidence from this research suggests that mental health educational content underperforms general health videos and underutilises emotional appeals on TikTok. Health educators must critically analyse and adjust message strategies to enhance audience reception, taking note of success across health topics. We discuss the implications for how practitioners can use TikTok to reduce stigma and promote positive mental health with emotionally engaging content, especially among young audiences.

A corpus-based approach to the reception of Chinese television dramas streamed overseas

In recent years, the state government of China has vigorously supported the export of cultural projects. As the carrier of cultural output, television dramas carry important missions of cultural communication. In the age of convergence when the practice of watching television involves more viewer engagement, audience reception investigates how audiences may engage in a broad range of interactive experiences and activities. This paper focuses on the reception of Chinese television dramas streamed overseas on two prominent video streaming sites, YouTube and Rakuten Viki. Adopting a corpus-based approach, it first identifies the top ten most popular Chinese television dramas on the two sites. Subsequently, user-generated reviews and comments for the selected dramas are collected, and a corpus analysis is conducted on the data derived from the two platforms. The findings reveal that a) viewers exhibit a notable preference for Chinese contemporary dramas, and in particular, modern romance dramas; b) the predominant concerns underlying the reception of Chinese television dramas revolve around storylines, actors/characters and subtitles; c) reviews and comments related to subtitling can be categorized into distinct themes, which reveal the major concerns of international viewership. Through the investigation, this paper attempts to promote the translation and reception of Chinese television dramas and expand the export market of Chinese productions.

Fatal flaws? Investigating the effects of machine translation errors on audience reception in the audiovisual context

ABSTRACT This study reports on an experiment where machine translation errors in subtitling are evaluated from the perspective of nine viewers who did not know the source language and seven viewers who were studying the source language. Screen recordings, think-aloud protocols, comprehension tests, and interviews were employed to explore participants’ responses and reactions to erroneous subtitles and to investigate how specific errors impacted comprehension and immersion in the viewing experience. The analysis identifies which errors were most noticed and to what extent those errors affected viewers’ trust in the subtitles. Errors causing significant misunderstanding and distrust are initially considered ‘fatal’, as they may halt viewer immersion and prompt disengagement from the audiovisual product. However, the findings highlight a remarkable tolerance of the uncertainty that results from errors, as viewers filter out misinformation or draw on other sources of information to construe and rectify their interpretations. This tolerance is explained in terms of a general trade-off with the enjoyment of the viewing experience, which varies in accordance with the viewer’s knowledge of the source language.

‶Don’t Say Neigh, Say Yay”

‶Don’t Say Neigh, Say Yay”

THE TRANSLATION OF SALADIN AL AYYUBI: A STUDY OF METHODS, CLARITY, AND AUDIENCE RESPONSE

The purpose of this research is to reveal the clarity of the translation in the movie Saladin Al-Ayyubi. This research uses a qualitative approach with document analysis method. The data used in this study came from the dialog sentences of the two characters' speech in the subtitle of Saladin Al-Ayyubi episode 4 on the Arabic Cartoon YouTube channel and the results of a survey conducted on respondents totaling 21 participants. To collect data, the researcher watched and observed the movie Saladin Al-Ayyubi repeatedly to transcribe the movie. After that, the researcher distributed questionnaires to classify and analyze the types of methods, clarity, and audience responses to the Arabic - Indonesian translation in the Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi film. The findings of this study are the types of methods used in the Arabic - Indonesian translation of Saladin Al-Ayyubi movie and the level of clarity of the methods used according to the audience. The researcher found five out of eight Newmark methods used in the translation, namely (1) word-by-word method; (2) semantic method; (3 free method; (4) literal method; and (5) communicative method. The level of intelligibility in the Arabic - Indonesian subtitles of Saladin Al-Ayyubi movie shows that 19% of the text is at a low level of legibility, 59% of the text is at a medium level of legibility, and 22% of the text is at a high level of legibility.

Female Images in Documentary Cinema About the North Caucasus: Kitsch and Ways of Overcoming It

The heterogeneity and diversity of the North Caucasus culture, which has been rediscovered in recent years due to the growing demand for domestic tourism, inevitably attracts the attention of journalists, filmmakers and researchers. The relevance of the issues is confirmed by the release of a variety of audiovisual content devoted to the socio–cultural specificities of life in the Caucasus. Documentary materials about the region in various genres – from reportage to large documentary films – are released regularly and provoke contradictory audience responses. The novelty of the study lies in the compilation of a list of artistic expressive means of audiovisual works that contribute to the creation of a certain image of the region’s inhabitants and the peculiarities of their socio–cultural life. The author analyses contemporary documentary materials about the role and status of women in the culture of the peoples of the North Caucasus, published on the Internet or released on the big screen for 2015–2021. The artistic analysis of the pictures allowed us to identify the main expressive means used by the authors of audiovisual works. Among them we can single out visual metaphor, leitmotif, cliché, montage, presence of the author and voice–over text, interviews, audio accompaniment. These artistic means are not characteristic features of one type of cinema, but they are tools of audiovisual narrative and occur in different proportions in the films. A comparative analysis of the films was conducted, which helped to systematize the material and to determine that these documentaries about the region exist in such artistic categories as kitsch, propaganda and visual anthropology. This has a direct impact on the viewer’s perception of the documentary material and generates a multitude of interpretations both within and outside the region.

The Use of an Audience Response System in a Dental Gross Anatomy Practical Exam

Background: Traditional methods for administering and scoring gross anatomy practical laboratory examinations are time and resource-intensive and can be susceptible to errors in grading. Alternative approaches, such as audience response systems (e.g., clickers) and computerized scoring, appear to hold promise to improve the examination experience for students and improve the efficiency and accuracy of grading. Method: To assess perceptions of using such systems, two cohorts of students who completed the gross anatomy practical examination using clicker technology at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry were invited to complete the survey. Results: A total of 155 students completed the study. Responses reflect a mostly positive appraisal of the use of clicker technology by most students. In particular, students reported that submitting responses was easier and that the speed of grading and feedback on examination performance improved considerably. Conclusion: Based on the survey results, the use of audience response systems appears to have more benefits than liabilities and seems to be a worthwhile technology to use for practical laboratory examinations. KEYWORDS: Gross Anatomy, Practical Examination, Clickers, Audience Response System.

Cultural distance perceived by Chinese audiences in the Korean film Silenced: a study of cross-cultural receptions in film content elements

IntroductionIn the realm of cross-cultural film dissemination, cultural distance emerges as a pivotal factor influencing the reception of domestic audiences to foreign cinematic productions. Despite Korea's thriving film industry and China's vast film market, the cultural distance experienced by Korean films in China remains largely unexplored. This study focuses on the Korean film Silenced, renowned as a classic that champions justice in Korea.MethodBy employing qualitative survey and thematic analysis, this study investigates the cultural distance perceived by forty-four Chinese audiences when watching Silenced.ResultsThe findings revealed that various content elements, such as the film's setting, translation of verbal expression, non-verbal expression of film characters, and visuals/non-diegetic music did not exhibit cultural distance among Chinese audiences. Nevertheless, the plots of morally compromised characters with positive identities, theme exploration of societal darkness and human darkness, and tragic ending introduced a palpable sense of cultural distance perceived by Chinese audiences.DiscussionThis study scrutinizes the outcomes through the lenses of Korean film and Chinese audiences. While certain aspects of Korean cinema and Chinese audience preferences exhibit cultural proximity, mitigating barriers to appreciation in select content domains, Silenced adeptly employs the plots, themes, and ending to delve into the darkness of human nature and societal dynamics. However, under the influence of China's official propaganda and film censorship, Chinese participants evinced a constrained appreciation for cinematic portrayals of human and societal darkness. Concurrently, Chinese participants manifested expectations for films to provide a source of relaxation, a notion incongruent with the oppressive ambiance evoked by Silenced.

Culture as window dressing? A threefold methodological framework for researching the locality of Netflix series

Considering the implications of Netflix’s role as a content producer for cultural diversity in Europe, this methodological article investigates how to define and measure the locality of Netflix Originals. We employ a threefold methodological study based on industry data analysis, audience reception research, and content analysis. This replicable and scalable methodological design provides a solid analytical framework for future studies examining Netflix Originals from the normative perspective of cultural diversity. Demonstrating the steps of our exploratory study, we also find that Netflix’s locally-produced but globally-oriented content uses culture as window dressing, warranting further research.

Effects of using audience response systems (Kahoot and Google Forms and Sheets) on learning of medical students in a large class: A questionnaire-based retrospective study

AbstractThe effectiveness of implementing various audience response system (ARS) formats in large classes to engage students, positively influence academic outcomes, and align with their preferences for different types of activities lacked sufficient information. This study aimed to (1) evaluate students’ perspectives on different ARS formats, including Kahoot for individual (Kahoot-I) and team (Kahoot-T) play, and Google Forms and Google Sheets for multiple-choice questions (Google-MCQ) and for open-ended questions (Google-OEQ) on different aspects with/without subgroup analysis of students into quartiles (Q1-lowest-Q4-highest) of summative scores, and (2) determine correlations between students’ perspectives and academic outcomes. At the course’s final class, a QR code for a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was displayed for all enrolled medical students. 269/312 students (86.22%) provided written consent and completed the questionnaire constructed based on dimensions of student engagement. Across all ARS formats, students rated scores ≥ 4 for almost all aspects, with participation in class receiving the highest scores. For each aspect, Kahoot-T was rated highest in various aspects and Google-MCQ for “understanding” and Google-OEQ for “asking/answering question”. Higher academic achievers expressed more “enthusiasm” for Kahoot-I than lower achievers (P < 0.05). Formative and summative scores were positively correlated with many aspects. Students reported high engagement with all ARS formats, with higher academic achievers rating them with higher scores. Kahoot-T was the most favored for multiple aspects, Google-MCQ for “understanding” and Google-OEQ for interactive “asking/answering question”. Thus, selecting ARS in alignment with learning objective could enhance students’ engagement and learning outcomes.

Analyzing the Evolution of Indonesian Wayang Puppetry and Its Fusion with Modern Theater and Performance Arts

The integration of Wayang, a traditional Indonesian puppetry form, with modern theater and performance arts presents a unique blend of tradition and innovation. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities arising from this fusion, analyzing its cultural, artistic, and social implications. Through collaborative projects and technological advancements, Wayang has evolved to meet the demands of contemporary audiences while preserving its authentic cultural heritage. Audience reception and engagement with hybrid performances reflect the dynamic nature of cultural exchange and dialogue, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation. Despite challenges such as cultural appropriation and technological integration, Wayang continues to inspire creativity, empower communities, and promote cross-cultural exchange. As a symbol of Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity, Wayang bridges the past and the present, offering valuable insights into the transformative power of the arts in a globalized world.