hybrid radio form
The broadcast and the initial response to it has historical significance as an early, documented, example of the mass media apparently having a direct effect on an audience’s behavior.
War of the Worlds provides an historical context for broadcasting, being produced at a period when radio was the only form of domestic media; the 1930s and 1940s became known as the ‘golden age’ of radio.
Audiences
The Daily News in New York went with the headline “Fake Radio ‘War’ stirs terror through U.S.”
hypodermic needle theory- media text cant have a powerful and immediate effect on the passive audience. So many terrified listeners “rushed out of their houses”
Cultivation theory- This explains the hysteria. Gerbner– heavy television users. If texts resonate with the viewer, they become more susceptible to its message.
Even the two-step flow model of communication provides some insight into how the panic unfolded. For instance, a “throng of playgoers had rushed” from a “theatre” because “news” of the invasion had “spread” to the audience. The New York Times also reported how the “rumor” of war “spread through the district and many persons stood on street corners hoping for a sight of the ‘battle’ in the skies”.7 Therefore, not everyone who was terrorised by the radio play was actually listening to the broadcast. They heard the rumours from people they trusted in their social circle.
To fully appreciate why some listeners panicked, we need to consider the historical and social context behind the broadcast. In terms of Stuart Hall’s reception theory and his encoding / decoding model of communication, this is the audience’s framework of knowledge
Stuart Halls reception theory- Why some listeners panicked
“a wave of mass hysteria seized thousands of radio listeners”
Radio was a new platform- became beneficial, families, news entertainment.
Mercury on the air theatre segment- for people interested in drama and theatre
Directed and narrated- Orson Wells
Orson wells- successful, familiar voice to families= engage audiences.
writer= howard koch
based on an existing book- HG wells
Book had previous fan base who are familiar with story- reduces risk
Designed to feel like a real life breaking news broadcast
-fake interruptions to give it a real feel e.g orchestra
-to get auidences on edge
-reporter o scene- panicked voice
-real locations e.g new york city- engaged audiences
– radio falls silent ‘is there anyone there’
creating fear in an audiences that believed it was real
no ads- added to feeling of reality, suspend disbelief, immerse themselves.
several reports of panic and real.
huge number of police calls 2000 in 2 hours- real worried audiences
power cut coincidence – escalated panic.
12500 new paper articles- big reaction from audiences
possible deaths, heart attacks, hospital emissions.
why?
historical context– just before ww2
conflict and tensions from diff countrys – fearing invasions e.g germany v europe, munich
misinterpretations – germans invading.
warning in intro- audiences missed it
no tv, social media- could only talk to the police.
less educated audience- likely to accept it was real.
modern day- used to fiction
many complaints hadnt listened only read, heard from friends.
audiences react without hearing- sheep- Two step flow theory
news papers exaggerated- radio, newspapers competition
Industry
news was filled with tension e.g hitlers rise to power, war.
people turned to radio- opportunity which was more up to date, globally.
radio station- columbia broadcasting company cbc
relied on getting large numbers of listeners
need for high revenue, rating- broadcast controversial
directed- orson wells
-young prodigy
-borrowed ideas- inspired by the barricades
writer- howard cotch
-success with sci-fi products- Lower the risk
based on book- has fan base
-reduces risk
changed the setting- modern day new york
-in order to be more up to date and marketable
-lots of actors, voice over actors, orchastra, sound effects.
self regulation
-cbs changed the real names and companys to fictional to not get sued
-later reminders that it was fiction
scheduling- October 30th – day before Halloween ‘halloween special’
FCC radio regulators- got lots of complaints
banned fictionalised news reports.