Media Studies exam prep

Task 1-

Dear Interactive TV,

I am very excited as a media enthusiast to be given this opportunity to create a new truly interactive game show called ‘YouPlay’ by using a range of new technology which allows it to be the first of the next generation of game shows as you have requested.

As a media enthusiast who watches many game shows, I agree that the main conventions of a successful game show are: an engaging host, a USP, plenty of drama and excitement. These conventions contribute to the audiences’ engagement with the game show.

A successful game show requires an engaging host in order to keep the audience entertained. For example, the host in The Cube Phillip Schofield, uses a serious tone to contribute to the tense and dramatic atmosphere created by the game show. However, he also uses a satirical tone to add a sense of humor (humour) into the atmosphere in order to keep the audience entertained. In contrast to the chase which is hosted by Bradley Walsh, he uses a humorous tone to create a friendlier atmosphere in order to keep the audience entertained and remain engaged by the making them laugh.

A USP allows game shows to stand out from other game shows as the audience will be more likely to watch a game show that doesn’t display the same traits as typical game shows. For example The Cube has a USP by making their contestants complete their challenge in a cube rather than a typical place like outside in Total Wipeout. In contrast to The Chase who has a typical prize of money like the other game shows. This is because it is broadcasted on the commercial channel ITV which makes money through adverts compared to a public broadcaster such as BBC which makes money through TV license. A USP allows the audience to remain engaged and entertained by having something different which means that they are likely to watch more episodes.

A game show needs plenty of drama and excitement in order to appeal to the audience as they wish to be entertained. The Cube builds up drama and

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excitement by diming the lights down while a challenge is being completed to keep the audience focused. The audience are not aware of when a contestant may fail so are intrigued and focused to find out if they’ll complete it or fail. The game show Take me (Me) Out builds up an enigma for the audience as they do not know who will get picked for a date which causes a dramatic and exciting atmosphere. Plenty of drama and excitement allows the audience to remain engaged and entertained throughout the show.

Task 2-

My game show ‘YouPlay’ will be based on the genre of fiction TV shows. My target audience will be teenagers interested in fiction in TV shows aged 13-17 as teenagers largely use social media. This allows the game show to be truly interactive and targeted to a niche audience as you have requested. This relates to the uses and gratifications theory by allowing contestants to be involved via social media.

The game show will require four contestants to answer ten questions about one fiction TV show that will be selected out of a choice of 5. However, the contestants will be aware of the 5 choices but will only find out the one that they’ll be quized (quizzed) on during the show. This builds up suspense as the audience will be intrigued to find out which fiction TV show gets picked. Each time a contestant answers correctly they gain a star but if they answer wrong they lose a star and will be made to do a challenge. This engages teenagers as they’ll look forward to seeing some action. The first to 5 stars wins the prize of signed merchandise of the fiction TV show they were quizzed on. This allows ‘YouPlay’ to differ from the typical prize of money. As you have requested the game show to use new technology, the contestants will answer questions on an IPad pro (iPad Pro) instead of a standard red button. This appeals to teenagers as they use a wide range of technology.

The set of ‘YouPlay’ will have a colour palette of bright colours as it will engage with teenagers. Brightly coloured seats will be around the stage so that the audience can watch the game show live. Coloured spotlights will be used but will dim down when a contestant answers a question to create a dramatic atmosphere so the audience are engaged. The host will present the questions on a large screen instead of reading a card. Also the walls and floors will be screens that project the same thing as they large screen so that the audience can see clearly. This uses new technology as requested.

The host of ‘YouPlay’ will be a young man and woman as they’ll be more likely to engage with teenagers. This also subverts the stereotypical view of a man presenting the game show, which makes it more appealing to teenage girls. The contestants will be the audience that can apply through the ‘YouPlay’ website as teenagers will be more likely to be entertained by their own age group. This also allows the game show to be interactive by letting the audience be in it.

The scheduling will be at 6pm and last for one hour till 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The game show will also be broadcasted by the commercial channel ITV. This makes it appealing to teenagers as they won’t be have school the next day so will be able to watch the game show.

Task 3

I can make ‘YouPlay’ more interactive, as you have requested, by creating social media accounts that allow the audience to get involved in a range of ways. I could put up competitions and give out signed merchandise, while also keeping them updated with the latest news about ‘YouPlay’. An advantage of this is that teenagers use social media largely so will easily be able to get involved. Another advantage is that they’ll want to win signed merchandise even if they are not on the game show itself, so will be likely to enter competitions.

Another way to make ‘YouPlay’ interactive as requested is to allow the audience to pick the fiction TV show the contestants will be quizzed on. I can do this by putting a survey up on the ‘YouPlay’ website which as (has) a choice of 5 fiction TV shows. An advantage of this is that they’ll be more likely to watch a game show that they helped pick the theme of. Another advantage is that they’ll be curious to find out which fiction TV show got the most votes, so will watch the game show to find out.

A suggestion to make the game show more interactive is to make games available for the audience to play. This relates to the uses and gratifications theory of entertainment as they’ll have fun playing the game and personal relationships as they can relate to video games. An online game could be put on the ‘YouPlay’ website which allows everyone to get involved as it’s free. This is an advantage as it is available to everyone. To further extend this idea, I could make a video game version for the Xbox and PlayStation. An advantage of this is that most teenagers have consoles so will be able to buy the game.

The game will be exactly like the game show so if they enjoy the show, they will buy the electronic version of it.