Reception theory deals with two main aspects, the exploration of meaning in film and a response to film. Meaning refers to the film being decoded after the spectator has viewed it. Meaning is concluded from specific themes and scenes. Response is how the spectator reacts to the film as a whole, without decoding any deeper meaning.
Theorists believe that what we desire in a film, is central to understanding spectatorship. There are three types of film we can look for:
- An intellectually demanding film
- One which is provocative
- One which is throw away spectacular fun
It is also believed that the key element to spectatorship is central imaging, the thing responsible for immersing us within the film.This is the idea that the film can recreate moments that provide a sensation, or moments we can relate to e.g. falling over or being ill. These opportunities to central imaging are enhanced with facilities such as the Imax.
Pulp Fiction
The director establishes these sequences as a construct on the grounds they are realistic scenarios that we can relate to, we buy into the belief that the films are in fact a reality. This can be concluded from the awkward silences in conversation and the drama that is established around provided the adrenaline shot. The reality is also constructed from conversational tone in the restaurant. These makes us respond to the film with sensations on the ability to relate, in addition to a variety of emotions towards the characters e.g sympathy for the woman, in relation to the pain from the injection shot, which we have internalised as something that hurts. This is communicated as a result of extra-textual information.
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