War of the worlds Flashcards
Who directed War of the worlds?
Orson Welles
What did they want the audience to believe?
That aliens were invading
When was it released?
30th October 8PM 1938
Who wrote the original novel?
Howard Koch
Why did some listeners believe that aliens were invading?
- Some listeners tuned in late and did not hear that it
was science fiction that was said at the start. - Some listeners may have not read the novel.
- The audience were already feeling fear due to the
unknown start of WW2. - Convinced it was the Germans invading so not
audiences take the preferred reading.
Why was newspapers and radio so significant?
- 12,500 newspapers articles wrote about it, due to
them knowing radio was their main source of news t
they wanted to make them look bad. - Radio was seen as new and fun, families would sit
around their radio for news and entertainment. - Radio along with the film was one of the first means
of global mass communication. - Throughout the period of the 1930s till the 1960s
radio remained an important and vital part of media
Name some headlines from the newspapers?
“a wave of mass hysteria seized thousands of radio listeners”
“Fake radio war, stirs terror through U.S”
How did they make it sound believable?
- The use of panicked voices.
- They mention real locations.
- Talk about certain areas.
- The use of silence.
- No add breaks in the first half.
- Coincidence power cut at the same time.
Who broadcasted WOTW?
Columbia Broadcasting Company.
What was CBC?
It was a commercial station which meant they relied on getting large number of listeners (explains why they were willing to push such boundaries). In 1938 there were only two national broadcasting company, known as the networks.
Was radio regulated in the US in those days?
The US was regulated, the same now but by ofcom. Radio broadcasting was regulated by the Federal Communications commission.
Did moral panic actually happen?
- Although media sensationalised the reaction in the 1938 Orson Welles did have to later air and apologise.
- There were no news reports of mass deaths or serious injury the night of the broadcast, which would have happened if mass hysteria happened.
- A survey of hospitals also recorded that no one was brought in due to any effects of the broadcast.
How can the Hypodermic needle theory be linked to WOTW?
It states that the inject message will cause the consumers to act the same way and this shows that the audience all had different reactions.
How can Stuart Halls Reception theory be linked?
Preferred Reading: the audience would believe what the message was being sent to them. Negotiated Reading: the audience would be sceptical on whether to believe it or not. Oppositional Reading: the audience did not believe what they were hearing.
Can Baudrillard theory be linked?
an early example of how media could create hyperreal experience, where the line between fiction and reality becomes a blur.
Why was radio so significant?
Because radio was over powering newspapers and was seen as new and exciting.
What theatre was it featured on?
Mercury on the air theatre
How can cultivation theory link?
The audience had the repeated exposure of the potential news of Germany invading which would increased fear.
