Applying Audience Theories To D.O.B.

Stuart Hall's Readings

The preferred reading of our text is for the viewer to feel the fear that anyone could be targeted for something as simple, and out of their control, as the day they are born. Due to the specific ages of our characters I believe that teenagers aged 16-19 will most likely get the preferred reading due to them being similar ages to the characters.
 The negotiated/oppositional reading would suggest that the spirit just wants to rest and can not do this until it feels it has got even. This will allow for the audience to relate to the antagonist due to his personal loss. Through the negotiated reading the audience would take the antagonist's side and support the fact that he just feels he is doing what is necessary. Adults are most likely to get this negotiated/oppositional reading due to a potentially similar sense of loss.

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Personal relationships can be seen in D.O.B however they vary in how they are shown. Early on they are shown through the fact that each character is invited out for their birthday, offering the inference that they have large friendship circles and live relatively comfortable lives. This then changes drastically when they are throw into the unknown with four strangers. However, these characters quickly form bonds and this is shown most effectively when my character, George, rescues Sean in his car. From this the audience will be able to detect a friendship growing. Personal identity can also be seen in our film as the audience may put themselves in he shoes of one of our main characters. This is also shown in our film as we use some familiar settings such as my house, and the school.