Friday, 16 May 2014

(collective identity) Case study essay

In A2, i studied the many different representation of women and how the media portrays their identity. There are many arguments that the media under represents women and that they reinforces the stereotypical gender roles, which is men are the breadwinners, whereas women are the housewives.These roles are usually reinforced by TV series and fictional characters, for example Betty in 'mad man' (1970s).The series present Betty with a false identity,creating an illusion that she is happy with being an housewife.Not much has changed over the past years the contemporary media also encourage women to take up the stereotypical roles. Cleaning advertisement such as 'Fairy' and 'Mr muscle' give females the lead role,representing their job as cleaning the house.This stereotype has become redundant that it no longer holds value and is seen as he identity of women. A research conducted shows that girls who are high viewer of TV think they are happier at home, give up on education than those who are light viewers. 


The identity of women are also shown as sex objects, like Laura Mulvey argues the male gaze theory.The uses and gratification model shows that media provides the male audience with text that sexually pleasurable. We can see this through perfume advertisements (Gucci) Where the females are semi-naked.Music videos such as Rihanna 'pour it up' and Mylie Cyrus 'Wrecking ball'.Where the female artist are also semi-naked and they are 'Twerking'. 

Twerking is the provocative dance became part of hip-hop culture (The guardian-2013) We can find many YouTube videos of younger girls 'Twerking' this shows that It has become a trend because younger viewers are following what they see these celebrities do.Therefore we can with argue that the media is injecting their ideology into our heads (Hypodermic needle theory).

 The identity(women are for sexual pleasures) has become dominant because the representation has been constant, for example Snoop Dogg (Historical media) music videos also show semi-dressed females surrounded by the male artist.
                    
We can also argue that the media uses magazines such as vogue to reinforce the dominant ideology of what an 'ideal' women should look like. Which usually consists being slim, tall, clear skin, large eyes etc. Angela McRobbie studied (from jackie to j17) 1991 debates that women magazine empowers young female audiences with their views for example makeovers, and having the 'ideal' body. 
Retail stores such a H&M indirectly reinforce body images by using slim models wearing bikinis and other item of clothing. This also sexually exploits women as they are told to wear revealing clothing to attract both male and female audiences.

Articles on the BBC news websites state that  "The fascination with celebrities, their bodies, clothes and appearance has all increased the pressure that people typically feel at a time when they seek to establish their own identities". This show us that young people can easily be influenced by the false images the media provides us. It may also increase our expectations of something that is not real. Recent debates on radio four,also show that the number of women that get surgery has raised over the years. This can be due to the amount of immediate and constant media we can consume now, such as Facebook,fashion channels, magazines online, more models and competition.

Overall the media show many representations of women, which can become an identity for them if its redundant.However it depends on the audience whether why want to accept and be influenced by the way media presents women identity. .

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

Ancillary-Digipack idea

Christina Aguilera- Bionic 





  ----->
Close up shot






Music genre:Electro pop

In this digipack the main focus is Christina Aguilera. As a close up shot of her face is printed at the front and back of the digipack. Her bright red lipstick is appealing to the male audience which links in with the male gaze theory, adding to this her the close up of her blue eyes and flawless skin is features of femininity which is what the audience like to see. As she is directly looking into the camera this creates a connection between the artist and audiences. Her digipack links with her music videos as some are these close up shots are always used in her music video. Its easily recognisable, which is effective.We are also able to recognise the artist/character in the music video on the digipack.

We can build upon this idea by doing something similar when creating our digipack. For example we can use one of the characters from our music video on the digipack to show a connection between the two media products.We can be creative through mise en scene.

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Evaluation Plans

Evaluation 1

  • Chat show
  • Dressed up as the boys from the band 'The Summer War'
  • Interviewer dressed smart, red lipstick and blazer
  • Point out the conventions of the genre of music we have chosen
  • How we have challenge these conventions
  •  Theorist -Sven E Carlsson  'Lyrics and images interact creating meaning'.
  • Micheal Shore mentions 'recycled styles'
  • Andrew Goodwin- Narrative
  • Pace of the song and video
  • Real life, existing conventions that have inspired us and how they have influenced our work
Evaluation 2
  • Visual pod cast
  • Discussing the link between our ancillary and music video.
  • show visual images as evidence to support out points, for example our digipack.
  • Explain how it attracts people. 
Evaluation 3
  • Personal video diary
  • Showing the different techniques and technology we used to get audience feedback
  • explain what we learnt from it and how it helped us develop our products
  • Questionnaires/surveys
  • Social media
  • Family members and friends  
Evaluation 4
  • Visual essay 
  • software's, explain how we created the effects
  • images of our work and other existing product that inspired us
  • different technology we used for marking, ancillary and music video
  • Final pro cut, photoshop etc