Media exam blog 1: February 2019

Sunday 24 February 2019

January assessment learner response

1.

WWW.

Good use of theory in Q3 and positive to see both sides of the argument. A conclusion could've pushed it even higher!

EBI.

Revise industries! Vertical integration etc.

More examples from the media needed in Q2 and Q3.

Revise PSB

2.

1 -

Strategies

Conglomerate ownership

Vertical integration

Horizontal integration

Diversification

Synergy

2-
For: Unique funding model for BBC and Channel 4 means channels don’t need to chase
audiences. Channel 4 reinvests any profits back into programmes – this raises quality and benefits
audiences.
Against: Public service broadcasting creates a market that commercial broadcasters can’t fairly
compete in. Commercial broadcasters cannot compete to provide content such as news and current
affairs if audiences can get it free from public service broadcasters (e.g. BBC website).
3-
Gerbner and Gross later developed this theory to suggest that heavy TV viewing made
viewers fearful and homogenous (everyone believing the same thing). This is potentially very
damaging to society. Technopanics – the online version of moral panic.

3.

4.

The examples I used were incorrect.

5.

I mainly focused on public service broadcasters, I mentioned on-demand channels but next time I should also include things about commercial broadcasters.

6.

How far do you agree with the view that the media has a damaging effect on audiences?

You should refer to Gerbner’s cultivation theory alongside other media effects theories you have studied.

Gerbner's cultivation theory suggests that people are progressively influenced by things they see on media platforms. For example, he suggests that watching TV will, over a period of time, influence

the audience’s ideas and perceptions of everyday life. Just like the dependency theory suggests, as generations keep growing people are becoming more dependant on things such as social media and mainly their mobile phones. They often rely on media platforms to give them important information and help them make life choices. The two-step flow theory suggests that audiences are more likely to respond to people (influencers) rather than media institutions so opinion leaders in the media are crucial in influencing opinion and audience responses. However this could have a damaging effect depending on which influencer people decide to listen to as some could be really bad role models that influence people to make the wrong decisions. Social media platforms are beginning to be used in more of a positive way to spread awareness and positivity. Groups such as the LGBT+ society have largely benefited from social media platforms as they got a platform to voice themselves and spread awareness and on top of that, give thousands of more people to come out to the world and not embarrassed of their sexuality as it is now socially acceptable due to the efforts they made to reach out to people to show that it is okay using their social media platforms.

Ideology and binary opposition

1.

- The first binary opposition is that a comedian and a politician are going against each other.

- There is a contrast between formal and informal. It could also be a reflection of social classes.

- There is a difference between rich and poor in the audiences.

2.

- For and against the idea that immigrants are taking away the money when on the on the other hand some believe that the government has the necessary funds but are either taking for themselves or choosing not to distribute it at all.

1.

- People that choose to send their kids to public schools compared to those who choose to send their kids to private schools.
- There are several differences in their reasoning.

2.

- The idea the public schools are just as good as private schools as even rich, higher class politicians are choosing to send their children there.

- Obama believes that there needs to be an increase in the number of public schools and the level of education they provide to give more people a chance.

- Some choose to send their kids to a private school for religious reasons e.g. sending them to a Catholic school so they get a better understanding of their own religion.

Collective identity and representing ourselves

Collective identity and representing ourselves

1.

- (who are you?) We are all involved in constructing an image to communicate our identity regardless of what method you use, we have complex ideas about ourselves as there is a difference between the person we are, we want to be and the person we want to be seen as.

- (I think, therefore I am) Our identity would be based on aspects of our lives which were constructed beyond us such as religion, race, gender, social class etc.

- (the rise of the individual) People begun to define themselves as individuals in the the 20th Century and wanted to express their differences and uniqueness.

- (from citizen to consumer) Consumer boom began by convincing people that it was no longer enough to buy what you needed to survive, consumer goods were about creating desires and then satisfying them.

- (branding and lifestyle) Branding is the association of 'personality' with a product, advertisers sell their 'personalities' rather than products so people will choose products that match their own self-image.

2.

- The Body Shop; a well-known brand that you use mainly for your face and body to look after things like skin and maintain your healthy appearance.

- Apple; known for producing advanced technology products that are popular globally.

- Revolution; have now improved their skincare and makeup products and have earned a better position in the market for producing affordable yet very effective, good quality products.

3.

This means that looks are more important than content. I agree with this statement to a certain extent because on a lot of media platforms people try to pursue themselves as a glamorous, good-looking person rather than a kind-hearted, willing to give to others type of person. Same way people choose to purchase certain products due to the brand name and the high social class image that it creates for them rather than quality of the good itself.

4.

5.

My social media platforms do not reflect who I am as a person because I only share the fun and exciting parts of life on social media. There is more to my life than what is conveyed through the pictures I post. Real life struggles, the stress I go through, the process I go through to get a certain position in life aren't shown on my social media. I have deleted pictures in the past because I don't want other people to judge me because of things such as the clothes I wear, but I have now realised that the outside look doesn't always reflect who you are as a person and regardless of what you do, people are always going to have something to say so the thought of judgement doesn't cross my mind as much anymore when it comes to posting things on social media.

6.

Although it is sort of invasion of your privacy, as long as the database is kept confidential it is actually quite useful as you only get promotions and adverts for the products that best suit you so you don't have to go through uninteresting ad's and something useful may even pop up to your convenience. Something that you are looking for may pop up in an ad and would make it more simple for you.

Saturday 23 February 2019

Feminist theory: blog task

Media Magazine reading -

1.

The article talks about how things have changed post-feminism, women having more rights, going to work and challenging traditional stereotypes.

2.

Beyonce's music video is of her declaring herself as an independent woman; post-feminism, whilst also objectifying herself for 'male-gaze'.

3.

Texts like this show that there is no need for feminism anymore as women are becoming more empowering and have the freedom to do more things they wish to, however the fact that women have to go the extra mile to prove that they have the rights,when it's just obvious for men even when they're just getting on with their day-to-day lives does somewhat reinforce female stereotypes without the realisation.

4.

Nostalgia – A sentimental longing for the past, often only remembering the positives of the time.

Patriarchy – An ideology that places men in a dominant position over women.

Male Gaze – The gaze referring to Laura

Mulvey’s seminal article ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ which argues that main stream Hollywood films subject female characters to the ‘male gaze’ of the camera, fragmenting and objectifying their bodies.

Music Video Analysis: 'Why Don't You Love Me?' -

1.

This video reinforces Butler's theory to a certain extent that although men are the ones that typically do the dirty work such as repairs, a female character is doing it in this music video which connotes both men and women are capable of doing this job, however due to the way society reacts to it, it is looked at as a mans job. On the other hand, it also challenges Butler's theory as the woman is still dressed in a seductive way and strikes whats seen as 'sexy' postures which would attract male gaze and is seen to be the women's job to portray herself in this way so that men are attracted to her.

2.

This video begins by challenging stereotypes in society by having a female persona do the things a man is typically expected to do and also by having her smoke in the video which is not scene as a feminine trait. However, stereotypes begin to get reinforced as the video progresses as the woman is a homemaker who spends her day cooking in the kitchen and looking after the house. Moreover, she is also dressed in a way that would attract male gaze which reinforces stereotypes of women almost just being an item for men's sexual satisfaction. Although, some way argue that is an affect of post-feminism as females are now allowed to wear more revealing clothes and dress however they wish to without any restrictions.

3.

McRobbie wouldn't view Beyonce as an empowering role model for women as although she is trying to challenge stereotypes in the beginning of the music video, she gives up on the repair work she is doing and goes into the house to do the typical things a woman is expected to do. Another reason would be because Beyonce is trying to glamorise smoking and almost trying to convey the message that in order to be an empowering woman you need to do things such as smoking which would cause serious health issues.

4.

I personally believe that Beyonce has reinforced the traditional 'male gaze' because of the clothes she's wearing even though she's only at home and because of the way she poses as well. She tries to act in a seductive manner even when doing house chores at home which kind of reinforces the idea of a typical house wife waiting for her husband to get home. Another reason why I think it reinforces the idea of 'male gaze' is also because of the lyrics in the song along with the video 'why don't you love me' connotes that she is acting in this manner to attract a male's attention and is trying to do these things to make him love her.

Music Video Analysis: 'Gangsta' -

1.

The video suggests that representations of masculinity has changed in recent years as the male shown in the video is being more soft and subtle with his lyrics and his movements. His dance moves are usually what would be thought of as moves for females but it has now become socially acceptable for both men and women to be like this. The traditional representation of masculinity; being more powerful and aggressive has now began to change.

2.

David Gauntlett looked into men's lifestyle magazines and identified there is quite a different representation of masculinity. However, he disagreed with the idea that masculinity is in crisis which has been a popular opinion over the past 15 years.

3.

In my opinion, there are big changes happening to this idea of masculinity in today's society and the pressure on boys and young men to act in a certain manner to be classified a 'man' is beginning to change as more people are becoming aware and accepting of the changes. Men are now also able to be the way they wish to be without having to put an act on, on the outside. For example, James Charles is a beauty influencer who challenges traditional stereotypes of how a man should dress or behave.

Thursday 21 February 2019

Introduction to Representation

1.

- Men

- Women

- Americans

- Europeans

- Family

2.

- Men is a dominant representation as they are the ones getting down and dealing with the problems; having physical fights.

- Women is an alternative representation as they are portrayed in a more weak sense, all women shown in this trailer are emotional, scared and rely on men to solve their problems.

- Americans are represented in a dominant way as, whiles the main characters are in America they don't face any issues, the lighting is also more bright with warmer tones which sets a homely, relaxed feel.

- Europeans are portrayed in an alternative way as the issues start to occur as soon at the American persona enters Europe. The Europeans are the ones causing the issues and play the role of the villain. The tone of the scene also changes once the character enters Europe; there is more of a cool, dull and unfriendly tone in the scenes which connotes something bad is going to happen.

3.

- Women being inferior to men

- America being portrayed as a 'better', more friendly place whilst also being more tough compared to Europe.

- Only men are involved in the fighting scenes.

4.

Feminist groups would get offended as the film is suggesting that women always rely on men when in difficult situations and they need a man to rescue them. It would also offend Europeans as they are being represented as the villains, whilst America is being conveyed as a better place.

5.

Mainstream films often use stereotypes as they are more of a popular opinion, they choose to go for what's more popular and what ideas more people are aware of rather than challenging stereotypes and coming up with new ideas as that may be a threat to them if they don't portray it accurately or audience get the wrong understanding.