Black Mirror - Negotiated Readings

Theory by Stuart Hall

Scene - conventions, media language	Preferred Reading	Negoiated Reading	Oppositional Reading
Opening scene - starts off very sci-fi with the loading symbol and use of non-diagetic sound - utopian entry - like "heaven on earth" - symbolic of the 80s - tracking shot following Yorkie instantly allows the audience to understand she is our main character - she seems very disorientated and disillusioned which conforms to sci-fi standards - Tucker's club used neon lighting which is again representative of the 80s	- audiences will be able to identify with Yorkie's alienation and therefore be able to emphasise with her - Yorkie is seen as a symbol of perhaps 'not fitting in' and many audience members who felt like this can sympathise with her - audiences may be able to identify with the fact she doesn't dress as feminine as other characters in the scene	- audiences may reject Yorkie and argue that how she is presented isn't what it was actually like in the 80s - audiences may feel nostalgic through the representation of the scene	- audiences may reject the representation of Yorkie in the scene and and feel her alienation is a false representation of the time - may be annoyed at the ideologies the producers are enforcing
The dress-up scene - intertextual references to media products such as the Breakfast Club - Yorkie gains her confidence and tries to be more comfortable and confident within herself	- Yorkie is going through a relatable phase of trying to find her fashion and her style which is relatable to many audience members	- features songs and outfits symbolic of the 80s which is nostalgic to many audience members	- many audience members may reject the dressing up scene as they argue in the 80s, individualism was a huge concept and they reject the idea of dressing up to please a partner, especially in an LGBTQ+ relationship as it was not so widely accepted at the time
The Sex Scene - Kelly stares intimately into Yorkie's eyes which creates a proairetic code -signifies the intensity of their relationship	- audiences may admire the representation of LGBTQ+ couples as often they are not shown as intimately as heterosexual couples	- audiences can understand the situation they are in and like the fact they are progressing in their relationship as it creates an interesting storyline - a part of the utopian setting?	- audiences may reject the idea of seeing an intimate LGBTQ+ relationship as it was not common in the 80s as there was a lot of stigma at the time
The argument scene - character change in Yorkie's quiet, nervous and submissive character to a dominant and argumentative character	- audiences can idolise Yorkie and Kelly's relationship as Yorkie wants to spend eternity with Kelly	- audiences like their relationship but the argument makes them question whether it is a happy relationship which we have been shown before	- audience members may disapprove of Yorkie's message to Kelly as she is being very selfish; telling Kelly to pass over (die) to be with her - audience members can create a dislike for Yorkie's character - Yorkie shows no respect for Kelly's family and her past and only puts herself first - Yorkie becomes very manipulative, telling Kelly how she should be acting

The ending scene - use of non-diagetic sound during Kelly's illness creates a feeling of empathy and sadness. We understand Kelly has been through so much and we feel remorse for her

- many audience members will like the idea of Kelly passing over to be with Yorkie as it shows how their relationship is so meaningful and that they want to be with each other forever

- many audience members will appreciate the happy ending and respect Kelly for her choices even if they don't agree with them

- some audience members may disagree with Kelly's choice to pass over and feel like she should have chosen to pass naturally so she can pass like her husband and daughter did, not to be with someone she met recently - some audience members may further disagree with Kelly's choice due to the submissive and manipulative way Yorkie spoke to her in their last interaction