Short write up from image research- Feminism

The woman in this image is represented as a sexual object; this is shown in the way in which she is posed; with her face tilted down to look at the camera- with a slight smile in her expression, whilst holding onto her bikini top to stop it from falling down and revealing her breasts. This immediately objectifies this woman by representing her to be something that is achieved by using the product advertised. Because she is wearing a bikini with string ties it gives the impression she is both available and accessible, this is important when considering the audience of the advert. The audience for this particular advert is men, due to the product being ‘Lynx’ a body wash and spray for men, this induces the ‘male gaze’ theory that allows the man to be active and the female in this image to be passive, therefore giving the man the power in how this image is received- which primarily is sexual. As she is a slim, young, white female she creates an idyllic image of what a woman should look like, this fits in with the feminist theory of scopophilia, in that the men looking at this image of the ‘perfect’ woman get pleasure from objectifying her. This is done in the way that by using this product, you can get her, therefore representing her as a prize to be won or achieved.

The news

the guardian article

Featured at the top of the online Guardian page was the above article:

Despite the article stating how Britain have become more liberal, with a 'dramatic change' in attitudes towards gay rights etc. The above image shows one clear female kissing a not-so-obvious-gendered person. hmm...

The article continues with various facts and figures about how Britons opinions have changed over the last 30 years.
With 83% believing it's okay for gays and lesbians to be teachers from only 41% in 1983.
Religion is another thing people no longer seem to identify themselves with, with the numbers halving.
The system of the NHS still seems the most popular option in view of healthcare despite it's more recent negative appearences in our news- including lack of spending in this area/ shortages.
In 1983, 9 out of 10 people believed the banks were well run, but now only 19% of people do.

 

In what way do the institutions involved in Trance try to connect with and empower their audience

 

The institutions involved with trance use a number of different ways in order to connect with and empower their audiences.

Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook allow their audience access to exclusive posts including video interviews, photographs of the premiere and new updates of film releases and inside gossip. By Facebook and Twitter having things such as 'comment boxes', 'like buttons' and 'Retweets' it allows their users to interact with the film by giving their opinions, it also gives them the ability to share this on with their friends meaning the film also recives free advertising through their audiences. Trance's own Facebook page has ______ likes.

Other E-Media sites such as YouTube allow the audiences to produce their own user generated content, giving audiences the freedom to experiment with the idea of the film. This makes the audience feel a part of something as they have the ability to delve into the film themselves. YouTube also offers the audience a chance to comment on the original trailer and 'like or dislike' the video. 

Class Work

Year 12 Lesson - finish these sentences and write your own exam questions:
1. Do you believe that audiences are becoming more powerful in influencing the media?
2. Do the products in your case study show representations of today's society?
3. In your opinion, and based on your case study, do you think that audiences access the media via a variety of platforms?
4. In what way do the institutions from your case study use a range of platforms to advertise?

Next up - you need to think about developing your answers. Based on what we did yesterday about Trance, brainstorm the answer to this question.

Is the media 'dumbing down'?

Discuss this statement in relation to the media products from your case study

-evaluate to what extent the media products in your case study do more than just entertain
-support your answer with reference to examples from three media platforms

Brainstorm:

In order to answer this essay question I will include the following:

Why might the media 'dumb down'?

• To focus on the audiences need for diversion and escapism
• To fufill this through over-dramatised and humorous media
• keep it fairly balanced with light and dark story lines- equilibrium
• easy to work out/follow the story-line

How my case studies relate or don't relate to this:

TakenRaises an important issue in modern society- human trafficking in women.
Reveals a harsh reality to its audience.
Shows in-depth and realistic situations in an emotive way (father, daughter relationship)
Gives the audience a strong sense of personal identity.
Requires a level of thinking when following the protagonists moves, reasoning behind certain decisions.However,
Gives the audience entertainment through murders of antagonists, fight scenes, car chases and explosions.
Has small aspects of humour (example: protagonist being followed, looses follower and sticks finger up)

The Dark Knight
higher level of thinking when understanding hidden phsycological meanings (the character of the joker and his motives)
requires audience to relatively understand previous films in the set-up for this film
allows audience to work things out in their mindsHowever,
advertising and marketing was hugely in favour of the audiences like for a hero
typical protagonist vs antagonist, superhero vs villian story-line
equilibrium
audience watch for diversion, and escapism- belief in good defeats evil, gives audience a fufillment. Website- gives audience escapism, provides a game service (advertising/marketing)
youtube spoof- UGC gives the audience and opportunity to 'dumb down' the media themselves, and produce spoofs or parody's of well-known popular films. (recieved 19,478,697 views)
Harry PotterRequires a level of understanding of previous films to follow the story-line/narrative
Delievers complex development of characters, requires high level of thinking to understand certain characters backgrounds/ reasoning behind given actions (prof Snape and his link between Lily, voldemort, and Dumbledore)
Aimed towards children/young teenagers (DVD cert 12a) gives them the access to the novels, grasps interest in literacy and films at a young age, developing their level of thinking.
gives the audience a mysetery to solve- throughout the films, problems to work out and suspects to uncoverHowever,
does offer aspect of escapism through fantasy ideas (wizards and magic)
plays on childrens imagionation
typical good vs evil, equilibrium, with expected ending (although this is challenged slightly)
heavily branded in advertising and marketing.

500 Words on Media Coursework

Original Brainstorm:

When coming up with my idea for the television show (following the brief), I originally decided on following the idea of 'Wife Swap'. However, to adapt it to my audience I used the codes and conventions of The Only Way Is Essex, using the idea of having a group of young people of a stereotype.
I then combined the two and came up with 'Life Swap', after further adaptations, I eventually changed the name to 'Lifestyles'. A TV show where two contrasting groups of young people swap lifestyles and have to live by the rules of the opposite group.

Magazine Print:

When creating my souvenir magazine, I decided on following the codes and conventions of a wedding magazine to make it effective to my audience. My original design however wasn't very professional looking, and I needed to make certain changes, such as background change, photograph positioning,  fonts and the content in my article. I struggled when following the brief of a souvenir magazine and relating this back to my relevant audience. However, when I eventually picked up the additionally skills on making it look more professional I really enjoyed making my print and am please with the overall product. Orignally I was using publisher as I was more familiar with this programme, however, I changed this to Serif Draw which was a programme easy to pick up and had far better editing software.

Radio Edit:

To be completed