Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Explain how your research and planning skills developed over time and contributed to your media production outcomes. Refer to a range of examples in your answer.

Explain how your research and planning skills developed over time and contributed to your media production outcomes. Refer to a range of examples in your answer.


For my AS production I worked in a group of 2 to make the opening of a film in the genre of romantic drama or it could be classified as being in the sub-genre of coming of age. here as for my A2 coursework piece I am working in a group 3 to make a music video for a band in the genre of alternative rock.

Monday, 23 November 2015

To what extent is human identity increasingly mediated?

To what extent is human identity increasingly mediated? 

Identity is the fact of being who or what a person or thing is the dictionary definition yet aZygmut Bauman says "Identity is almost infinitely negotiable," which explains 

As Zygmut Bauman says "Identity is almost infinitely negotiable," meaning that being a ble to define it for each individual is difficult. To then explore the idea of identity being mediated becomes even more difficult as the term mediated is hard to define as well. According to Bauman mediation is the amount of  negotiation to resolve a dispute between two things meaning that an Identity being mediated is the person deciding between several factors that the media most likely has a strong part to play in.  De Zengotita says mediation is the process of us experiencing the world through the media, so the media must shape our identity.  Where as, Stuart Hall tells us that negotiation in the media - is when we interpret a media text based on ourselves and our own ideas, rather than mindlessly absorbing it.  

On the other hand, Buckingham and Poletta & Jasper say that we normally create this identity using a collective (group). P&J say this identity can be created by an outsider (The Media) but the group must accept it. This means that mediation could be the negotiation, the process of us using the media to create our identity. However, the topic to explore is has this process increased or decreased? 

The media can be both a site of change, but also fundamentally a site that perpetuates ideologies and norms. The media uses representations—images, words, and characters or personae—to convey ideas and values. Media representations, therefore, are not neutral or objective. They are constructed and play an important role in imparting ideology.
One question we might ask, then, is whether media produce ideologies or simply reflect them, mirroring what’s already happening in society. This is another difficult question to answer. The line between mirroring reality and producing reality is difficult to discern.
Regardless of where ideologies originate, the media plays a key role in conveying ideas and giving them weight. With the media, we tend to see the same images and representations over and over again. Media rely heavily on genres, conventions and stereotypes. As certain images and representations are repeated, they become familiar and natural. But are these representations really “natural”? 
Think about what goes on behind the scenes. Screenwriters, directors, casting agents, set and costume designers all make choices that help audiences understand who a character is and what they care about. These behind-the-scenes players use clothing, hair and makeup, the way characters speak, and how they move as shorthand in their storytelling. It’s important to look at these elements of the story, rather than take them for granted. Think about the choices made in creating characters and telling stories (even in non-fiction news, documentary, and advertising). It’s also important to consider whether or not a character is round and whole or more of a caricature and stereotype.
Understanding and critically examining what goes on behind the scenes can help us see that media representations are constructed and not natural. If identities in the media are constructed, should we accept them at face value? Or can we question them? And, even change them?
Read the overviews on gender, race and ethnicity, class, and sexuality to get a better idea of the way values and meanings are specifically tied to each of these individual facets of our identities. The overviews serve as building blocks to frame the media examples on this website. Each media example and the accompanying questions, in turn, prompt you to dig deep and critically think about the way media creates meanings, values, and expectations tied to our identities. Note that most of the media examples and the overviews are written from an American perspective or vision of the world. Once you familiarize yourself with the critical tools to analyze identity in the media, you can apply your knowledge and approach to any number of examples, including media from across the globe.



In a way if one looks at the new media such as you tube, that has recently become increasingly
 popular in the modern day supports the idea that the human identity is mediated as YouTubers are either identified with, or a  collective identity is formed as being a collection of fans starts tho define people.  A popular example is :

YouTube: - Zoella
Teenagers have always been a tricky lot, expressing themselves through the counter-culture, be that clothes, hair, sex, music or drugs. But these figures reveal something truly shocking: today's teenagers are square.
That's right: square. They enjoy school, love spending time with their families, live healthy, productive lifestyles. There has been a marked decline in risky behaviour, such as alcohol and cigarette consumption. At the same time, however, more of them report 'mainly spending time by themselves'. Many say they never go out. Nearly half of girls — 47 per cent — and 30 per cent of boys reported using social networking or instant messaging sites 'throughout the day'.
To someone of my vintage — one who couldn't wait to get out there and grab the world by the scruff of its neck — this seems a bit sad at first. What's wrong with them all?
In truth, though, it's just a new kind of rebellion, a kick against the establishment every bit as vicious as that delivered by The Beatles or punk. The only difference is that we don't feel it so keenly because it's happening in a different dimension from the one we inhabit.
This is the first generation to have grown up with the internet as ordinary. For them, it's not just another communication tool, a new way to access or share information with a pre-existing group of friends — it is an extension of their reality.

Today's youngsters have a similar thing: there is no mental barrier between the physical world and the virtual one. To them, there is genuinely no difference between sitting opposite someone on the bus and talking to them via a laptop screen.
So, while to you and I sitting on our beds watching someone curl their hair may seem like the most inane activity on the planet, to someone like my daughter and her friends it's like having a friend over. They all chat about it afterwards via What's App, or whatever the latest platform is — and for them it's as good as being there. They simply don't know any different.
In some ways, this is the biggest teenage rebellion we've ever witnessed: the kids have given up trying to change the old world, and have just gone to live somewhere else altogether. All without leaving the comfort of their own bedrooms. Scary, when you think about it.

On the other hand, some say that subcultures have died which evident in the article:
Newspaper - 
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/mar/20/youth-subcultures-where-have-they-gone




Overall, this challenges wether or not identity is mediated. 

Social media is an example that both supports and opposes identity increasingly being mediated as looking at group forums on Facebook and twitter suggests that youth would play up to the characteristics of this group meaning that the media would be mediating their identity. For example - UniLad 
- Ladbible 
e.g. 

As these groups post stories, videos and stories from the followers sending them in it shows how many youth's aims would be to achieve a post on the group. This shows how they are mediating their identity to be more like the ones they see online. 
Although, Social media's purpose is to enable people to create their identity online 

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/facebook-to-tweak-real-name-policy-after-backlash-from-lgbt-groups-and-native-americans-a6717061.html 

On Television, 


Educating Essex /Cardiff/EastEnd / Barely Legal Drivers / Made In Chelsea / Misfits / TheInbetweeners / Fresh Meat / Fandoms: Dr Who, Sherlock Etc. (People who identify because of being a fan rather than with the show, the content defines them)


MUSIC: 

One Direction / Justin Bieber / Lady Gaga / Rihanna / Beyonce / Specific Musical Subcultures: - Eg Dance / Grime / Metal / Punk / Dubstep / Rave / Indie etc.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/aug/24/one-direction-fans-boyband-teenage-girls

FILM:

Eden Lake / Shank / Harry Potter / Kings of Summer / The Hunger Games / Twilight /

NEWS: 

Reporting of London Riots / Knife Crime / Gang Violence / 'Out of control Party' stories / Moral Panics surrounding young people and: Alcohol / Sex / Violence etc. / Moral Panics surrounding internet memes and viral trends.


Other points:

David Buckingham says "identity also implies a relationship with a broader collective or social group of some kind."

  • Cohen says that if this group is not understood (they are Deviant) by society, they can be Demonised. This can create a moral panic against that group by the outside media. This can in return, strengthen and reinforce that group in a cycle. 
  • Lacan says that we like to look at people like ourselves (The mirror stage). 
  • So!... 
  • Mediation could be.... our relationship with the media, how we use the media to find others like ourselves and to define who we are. (This is often how subcultures exist or are defined) 


The questions says, has this process increased or decreased? 
Instagram: - One Direction / Taylor Swift / Justin Bieber / Essena O'Neill




Web 2.0 Sites:  - Reddit / 4Chan / 9Gag / LadBible

Tuesday, 17 November 2015

Steve Neale

He argues that "Genres are not systems, They're processes of systematisation"

Genres are instances of repetition and difference"

Steve Neale is saying that a film and it's genre is defined by two things:
How much it conforms with a genre's stereotypes and conventions.
He says that a film must conform to these conventions enough that it can still qualify and be identified as a film of that genre.
How much a film subverts the genre's stereotypes and conventions.
He says that a film must subvert these conventions enough that it is still viewed as a unique film, not just a clone.

survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/create/?sm=Ft1sXbpDkqdWKvg4385aq22W3e5GTFKZHE0Fog281oI_3D

Thursday, 12 November 2015

Genre theory

Make sure you have posted your notes on Altman's Semantic/Syntactic/Pragmatic approach to Genre theory.

Questions

  1. Can you personally relate to the idea of creating identity using the media? Are there any characters or media personalities who you feel represent you?                                                                                       

  2. Can you think of any examples of Collective Identities being heavily influenced and define themselves by the media? Particularly youth sub-cultures that are often defined by the type of media they consume:
  1. Are there identities that are often constructed then perpetuated by the media? Eg. ‘The Chav’ Or are there individuals? Eg. Amy Winehouse
  2. How can these media identities influence others? Eg ‘Skins Parties’
  3. In an Internet ‘We Media’ world how can we use the media to create identities? Eg. Online Fandoms, YouTube, instagram

Tuesday, 3 November 2015

Stuart Hall - Robbin Thicke

Applying Audience Theory to Rollingstone cover

The media text, Rollingstone is a famous music and political focused magazine that is biweekly. The main audience to consume this media text would be a well educated male who is interested in politics and music. This is evident by the fact that on the cover of issues the titles refrence politics, such as "Inside the war... Religious Right". This supports the idea that a reader would be educated as they would have to be aware of political issues. As "war" is presented it associates the reader as being male as stereotypically they are interested in war. Rolling stone also cover cultural events that are relevant to Americans. For example, "Brodie Miller" who is a sports star that is well known in America that again supports the stereotype of the reader. Above the masthead, there are a list of artists that suggest the age of the reader being older due to the time period where the artist was most successful, such as "Billy Joel" who was well known in the 70/80s.

 In the Febuary 9th issue, the magazine features Kayne West where a medium close up shot illustrates him as Jesus as he is wearing a crown of thorns with a bloody forehead. Kayne West as an artist contrasts the typical audience of the rolling stone magazine. The fans and followers of Kayne are younger and interested into controversial issues. As this issue has created two audiences for the magazine, one regular reader and the other a fan of Kayne West. This means that it is easy to apply Stuart Hall's audience theory as it indicates that the prefered reading for fans of Kayne is that Kayne is powerful and Godlike. The secondary audinence (a strong supporter of Kayne) would have the knowledge and understanding that Kayne is religious. However the primary audience who most likely would not be aware of his relgious would believe the opposition reading of the cover being offensive and balsasfermous. Another opposition reading of the February issue associates with the race of Kayne being conntoed as a black jesus which many readers would find offensive.  

Fans and followers of the artist idolise him meaning that for this front cover applying the Hypodermic Needle theory as a reader it would support the idea of him being a legend in music as well as in society.  The other audience theory that could be applied is the Cultivation theory that says that an idea is reinforced the more an audience consumes the media where the idea is repeated, applying this to Kayne would support the theory as most of his image demonstrates him being presented as religious and godlike.

The masthead and the colour scheme of being gold and red implies the concept that Rollingstone is an authentic and classic magazine. However, it could be interpreted that Kayne west being a wealthy rapper where some of his songs focus on the issue of money and gold suggests the magazine selling the perception of bling that is not typically highlighted to the primary audience of "bling" and "gold".


Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Two step Flow Theory

Two step Flow Theory - Paul Lazafeld
In 1944, paul researched the people choice.
He focused on process of decision making during a presidential election.
They expected to find lots of evidence to support for direct influence of media messages on voting intention.
Instead, they discovered that informal, personal contacts had more impact on peoples influence on voting behaviour.



Mass Media - Give message 

Opinion Leader - desivering information 

Mass Audiences - Semi- Passive Aduince 

Cultivation Theory

Cultivation Theory - George Gerbner
He created the theory about Tv.

The effects of the programme/tv happens gradually over time. It needs lots of Tv viewing to have an affect.
It REINFORCES the norms rather than changing it.

Action adventure movies make you more fearful of life in everyday world.

This generally creates moral panics as it reenforces peoples concerns about society.

Tuesday, 13 October 2015

Audience - Effects Theory

In the 1920/30s the theory Effects/Hypodermic model was created. The Frankfurt school theorised mass media acted to restrict and control audience to the benefit of corporate capitalism and governments.

Theory -
The consumption of media texts has an effect/influence upon the audience
Normally considered that this effect has a negative affect - Moral panics
Audience are passive and powerless to prevent the influence
Power lies with the message of the texts
Audience is powerless to resist.

Evidence of the theory - Moral Panics

Child's play 3 - Murder James Bulger

Man hunt (game) - Murder of stefan pakkeerah

A Clockwork Orange - increase in riots, rape and violence

Severance (2006)  - Murder Simon Everett



Friday, 9 October 2015

Stuart Hall - Reception Thoery

Texts were encoded by the producers of texts to contain certain meaning related to social and cultural background of the creator of the text. However, once the viewer of the text "decoded" that the then the meaning intended by the producer may change.




Reception models <ul><li>Dominant (or 'hegemonic') reading: the reader fully shares the text's code and accepts and reprod...

 
 
 
 
 
 
The interview 

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

Catgorising facial expressions


Marjorie Ferguson has categorised facial expressions in the cover photos of British woman's magazines.
. There are 4 of them.



1. Chocolate box

 half or full-smile, lips together or slightly parted, teeth barely visible, full or three quarter face to the camera. Projected mood: warm bath warmth, where uniformity of features in their smooth perfection is devoid of uniqueness or of individuality







2. Invitational
on this pose the emphasis is on the eyes. The mouth is shut with only a hint of a smile (teeth barely showing at times), head to one side slightly. The mood is suggestive of mischief or mystery, the hint of contact potential rather than sexual promise.














3. Super - smile
 this is of a full face with a wide open smile with teeth visible. Looking happy and giving off a good vibe. The Head is forward and the chin is back. Hair is often wind blown and suggests 'Look at me' approach.





Image result for romantic facial expressions majoire
4. Romantic/Sexual
 Dreamy, heavy-lidded and unsmiling. Overtly sensual or sexual. The projected moods are possibly 'available' and definitely 'available'. Often clothing is limited or props are used.







Laura mulvey

Visual Pleasure and Narrative cinema - (1975)
 The Male Gaze

Laura mulvey coned the male gaze. She believes that in film audiences have to view characters from the perspective of a heterosexual male. The concept of gaze is one that deals with how audience views the people presented

For feminists it can be though of in 3 ways
- how men look at women
how women look at themselves
how women look at other women

Features of the male gaze -
the camera lingers on the curves of the female body

lingering on body parts
narrative from the male point of view

Use of the male gaze in everyday life -
some theorists also have noted the sexualising of the female body even in situations where female sexiness has nothing to do with the product being advertised.

Criticism of Mulvey and Gaze theory -

some women enjoy being looked at

the gaze can also be directed towards members of the same gender for several reasons, not all of which are sexual, such as in comparison of body image or in clothing.Image result for male gaze         


Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Intertextuality definition and theorists

Referencing another text with/in another.

John Stuart - "Incorporating, raiding and reconstructing"

Juile Kristeva - "any text is the absorption and transformation of another"



Friday, 18 September 2015

How has the way the media has represented and/or created collective identity changed over time?

Media represents groups in society in a variety of ways that in a way can be argued that it has changed over time to a certain extent. This can be supported with the theorist David Gauntlet who says society requires us to choose an identity and media helps with this. On the other hand, Potetta and Jasper states that an identity is first constructed by outsides who may still enforce it, but depends on acceptances by those to whom it is applied to.  Youth is a collective identity that uses both of the theorists in the media to have a profile in society, although the issue is how youth has changed.


In the medium of Newspapers, Youth in the modern day are shown in a negative light such as in 2008 the Daily Mail shared the idea that "the true horrors we fear today aren't supernatural bogey men created by sciences. They're our own youth." Following the theorists, this would show that the modern youth's collective identity is negative. Similarly, the historical youth identity is shown negativly.  Douglas Hurd in the Guardian in the 1980s describe the youth; "with too much money in their pocket and too many pints inside them, but too little self discipline and too little notion of the care and responsibility which they owe to others."  This connotes that the collective identity of young people hasn't changed over time.

The media have created and continue to create many moral panics using music as the stimulus of them.  Elvis Presley's  rock and roll music was highly commercial but also extremely controversial. He was quickly branded as damaging and dangerous to the 1950's society. Any TV appearances of Elvis also showed his young, excited teenage fans and this led to an over emphasis of teenage involvement in deviant behaviour. Elvis was said to have aroused teenage girls in ways they shouldn’t be aroused with his “hyper-sexual” dancing of the time. Justin Bieber could be a modern example of Elvis Presley as his music focus on the idea of love and relationships which young teenage girls would strongly appeal to. Although, as Justin Bieber being a member of the youth as well he conformed to the stereotypical view of taking risk and being involved in crime. This consequent in dedicated fans self harming which started a trend that took over social media, especially twitter where there was hashtag cutforbeiber. There are many examples of music that created and influenced the youth's identity, it could be argued that in history that music was a bigger factor than today as technology has developed there are more media texts and sources that are easily accessible.   

 'Press gang' was a tv series in 1980s about school teenagers that have been set up to run a newspaper this shows the collective identity of teenagers as being intelligent and hard working. They are presented as trying to be part of the adult world, comparing this to the modern  tv series 'Misfits' shows how the media has changed how they represent youth. In 'Misfits', the characters are a group of young offenders sentenced to work in a community service program that presents the youth as being rebellious and criminal that are reluctant to give back to their society. This proves that the media has changed how they present the youth. 


Using the media text of film to see how youth is presented supports the idea that the identity has changed overtime. For example, a historical film Juno faces a mature issue as the youth actually become responsible due to the fact they're potential parents. The way they show it is comical and in a way they even show the adult world being more destructive. In comparison,  a modern film facing a mature issue is The fault in our stars where the characters are terminally ill which portrays the youth as being responsible and sensible about a serious issue. They fulfil there dreams and prospects in a short period of time that indicates them as being determined and successful. 

Media represents groups in society in a variety of ways that in a way can be argued that it has changed over time  to a certain extent.