Our PB4 topic discusses audiences. From the texts given to us through readings, discussion and research, most discourse surrounding texts discuss the power shift between media makers and the audience. “The People Formerly Known as The Audience” provides metaphors surrounding the accessibility and circulation of DIY media, home production and low budget User Generated Content.

Our group aims to look at interactive relations between tv and audiences, in particular Q&A (I’m not obsessed with Q&A, I know I bring it up a lot). This show operates on two levels of audience interaction; the questions from the audience members to the panel, and the live tweets from the viewers at home. Live interaction with TV is a driving force and one of the last remaining traits that acquires viewership in scheduled free to air television.

Another concept we will explore is audience boycotting of television or movie series. I am a vocal LGBT activist and my interest of media and my interests in activism often blend and I’m constantly arguing for better representation of minorities in film and tv. Too many times have I seen films boycotted due to their lack of representation, their white-washing or total reconstruction of LGBT narratives which has shaped our community. (Notable examples: The Danish Girl, Stonewall, The 1OO etc.)
The audience choice to boycott these texts cut their revenue in half and in turn, destroyed the reputation of all involved. This is the power shift the combined mind of the audience can have over media.

However in equal parts, we want to address media ownership, the power big businesses have over what we consume and the lack of control we have especially in Australia. Media ownership, censorship and coverage are topics we will define and hopefully make a statement on.