Thursday, 24 January 2019
Introduction to Feminism Blog Task
Case study: Everyday Sexism
Watch this TEDx talk by Everyday Sexism founder Laura Bates:
1) Why did Laura Bates start the Everyday Sexism project? The reason Laura Bates started the Everyday Sexism project is because she has been sexually harassed multiple times and when she spoke up about it, everyone saw this as normal and wondered why she was making a big deal out of it.
2) How does the Everyday Sexism project link to the concept of post-feminism? Is feminism still required in western societies? The Everyday Sexism project links very well to the concept of post-feminism as it helps support women and helps them speak up about their experiences. I think feminism is still required in the western societies as not everything is balanced between men and women e.g. majority of builders are men and there are not many female builders around.
3) Why was new technology essential to the success of the Everyday Sexism project? Apps such as twitter allow the Everyday Sexism project to share stories and allow people to talk to people the Everyday Sexism project. This also creates awareness for everyone.
4) Will there be a point in the future when the Everyday Sexism project is not required? What is YOUR view on the future of feminism? At this rate, I don't think so as there are countries outside England that have women doing all the work at home and men going to work.
Monday, 14 January 2019
Introduction to Representation
1) List the different people/groups represented in the trailer (men/women/Americans etc.)
In the beginning of this trailer, the Americans are represented as more positive and they all have smiles on their face however, when Amanda goes to Paris there is a strobe effect and low-key lighting which suggests something bad is going to happen. The eastern Europeans are presented as sex traffickers and dodgy. In this film trailer as a whole, females are presented as powerless and vulnerable because after Amanda gets kidnapped, every shot of females are seen as them crying. However, men are presented as strong and vigorous. This reinforces stereotypes of Males, Females, Americans and Eastern Europeans.
2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation is a dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.
The representation of males and females are dominant representations and reinforces the stereotypes that men are more stronger than women whereas, women are vulnerable and weak. The media wouldn't be surprised seeing how males and females are presented in this film trailer.
The representation of American's are dominant representations as people see America as the perfect place and potentially their dream country to live in.
3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer? One of the stereotypes I can identify in the trailer is that eastern Europeans are always seen as criminals and they're always sex trafficking where as the Americans are seen as innocent.
Another stereotype I can identify is Men seen as more powerful then women. After Amanda gets kidnapped, almost every shot of women in the trailer is seen of them crying whereas, the men are working hard in solving out where Amanda is being held.
4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?
Eastern Europeans might take offence in this Taken trailer as they are not all sex traffickers that kidnap people.
Females might also take offence to the Taken trailer as not all of them are weak, vulnerable and always rely on men to do all the work.
5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?
Mainstream films use stereotypes for the audience to relate to which will encourage them to continue watching the film.
In the beginning of this trailer, the Americans are represented as more positive and they all have smiles on their face however, when Amanda goes to Paris there is a strobe effect and low-key lighting which suggests something bad is going to happen. The eastern Europeans are presented as sex traffickers and dodgy. In this film trailer as a whole, females are presented as powerless and vulnerable because after Amanda gets kidnapped, every shot of females are seen as them crying. However, men are presented as strong and vigorous. This reinforces stereotypes of Males, Females, Americans and Eastern Europeans.
2) For each group you identify, decide whether the representation is a dominant or alternative portrayal. Explain why you think this.
The representation of males and females are dominant representations and reinforces the stereotypes that men are more stronger than women whereas, women are vulnerable and weak. The media wouldn't be surprised seeing how males and females are presented in this film trailer.
The representation of American's are dominant representations as people see America as the perfect place and potentially their dream country to live in.
3) What stereotypes can you identify in the trailer? One of the stereotypes I can identify in the trailer is that eastern Europeans are always seen as criminals and they're always sex trafficking where as the Americans are seen as innocent.
Another stereotype I can identify is Men seen as more powerful then women. After Amanda gets kidnapped, almost every shot of women in the trailer is seen of them crying whereas, the men are working hard in solving out where Amanda is being held.
4) Why might the Taken trailer offend or alienate certain groups?
Eastern Europeans might take offence in this Taken trailer as they are not all sex traffickers that kidnap people.
Females might also take offence to the Taken trailer as not all of them are weak, vulnerable and always rely on men to do all the work.
5) Why do mainstream film and television texts such as Taken so often use stereotypes?
Mainstream films use stereotypes for the audience to relate to which will encourage them to continue watching the film.
Friday, 14 December 2018
Thursday, 13 December 2018
Cultural Industries
1) What does the term 'Cultural Industries' actually refer to?
Refers to the creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
Hesmondhalgh said that cultural industries are highly profitable.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
Some media products want to gradually stay away from being bias therefore they have to show two arguments for their opinions which often leads to challenging initialism and society's inequalities with these certain ideologies.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
Risky business
Creativity versus commerce
High production costs and low reproduction costs
Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
Hesmondhalgh says that media companies are a risky business. There is no guarantee a creative product will be a success.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
In my opinion, I strongly disagree about the fact that media should be all about 'profit'. Media products are a form of artistic expression and they play a very important role in society.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
One way is through promotion. This is where the company creates an advert or banner to promote their company.
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
I strongly agree that content creator such as YouTubers should be more credited for the media products they create and produce. Hours and days are spent on planning for the content they're producing and all of them start off with nothing. They should definitely be better rewarded for their work that they produce.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
The Freakonomics podcast speaks about the Visual-Effects Industry suffering from bankruptcy despite the fact it is key in most films including award winning films such as Life Of Pi that has won the oscars.
10) What is commodification?
Turning everything into something that can be bought or sold.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
I agree with the fact that huge number of media texts are created however, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society. This is because the media mainly only focuses on politics and talks about opinions they believe in e.g. some newspapers are more left wing and some are more right wing. They fail so include everyones opinions on the particular topic.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed?
Hesmondhalgh acknowledges that media companies are operating a risky business. There is no guarantee a creative product will be a success.
Refers to the creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
Hesmondhalgh said that cultural industries are highly profitable.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
Some media products want to gradually stay away from being bias therefore they have to show two arguments for their opinions which often leads to challenging initialism and society's inequalities with these certain ideologies.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
Risky business
Creativity versus commerce
High production costs and low reproduction costs
Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
Hesmondhalgh says that media companies are a risky business. There is no guarantee a creative product will be a success.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
In my opinion, I strongly disagree about the fact that media should be all about 'profit'. Media products are a form of artistic expression and they play a very important role in society.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
One way is through promotion. This is where the company creates an advert or banner to promote their company.
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
I strongly agree that content creator such as YouTubers should be more credited for the media products they create and produce. Hours and days are spent on planning for the content they're producing and all of them start off with nothing. They should definitely be better rewarded for their work that they produce.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
The Freakonomics podcast speaks about the Visual-Effects Industry suffering from bankruptcy despite the fact it is key in most films including award winning films such as Life Of Pi that has won the oscars.
10) What is commodification?
Turning everything into something that can be bought or sold.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
I agree with the fact that huge number of media texts are created however, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society. This is because the media mainly only focuses on politics and talks about opinions they believe in e.g. some newspapers are more left wing and some are more right wing. They fail so include everyones opinions on the particular topic.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed?
Hesmondhalgh acknowledges that media companies are operating a risky business. There is no guarantee a creative product will be a success.
Media regulation: blog task
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:
1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?
Regulation prevents content that doesn't meet the age restriction from being shown. Media needs to be regulated so young people aren't exposed to explicit content.
2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
OFCOM is responsible for regulating TV, radio and the internet.
3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?
These are all the sections on the OFCOM broadcasting code-
Section 1: Protecting the Under-Eighteens
Section 2: Harm and Offence
Section 3: Crime
Section 4: Religion
Section 5: Impartiality and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions
Section 6: Elections and Referendums
Section 7: Fairness
Section 8: Privacy
Section 9: Commercial References in Television Programming
The three most important sections in my opinion is Section 1, Section 5 and Section 2.
4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?
I agree with OFCOM, this is because on a Sunday evening there is always children at home who are often watching television. Previous films have been shown at this time on channel 4 so in this occasion families would think it is okay for their child to watch this. This would lead the child to watching violent content.
5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.
Accuracy, Opportunity to reply, Privacy, Harassment and Intrusion into grief and shock.
6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?
Due to a lack of statutory powers.
7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?
Because of the phone hacking scandal and the company was found to be hacking phone calls related to the royal family.
8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?
The PCC was replaced with IPSO in 2014.
9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio?
I think it is important so there its isn't supporting left wing nor right wing. It shares news from both side and keeps it balanced.
10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?
Regulating the internet is a very difficult task as there are many loopholes to get around things even if they are patched.
1) What is regulation and why do media industries need to be regulated?
Regulation prevents content that doesn't meet the age restriction from being shown. Media needs to be regulated so young people aren't exposed to explicit content.
2) What is OFCOM responsible for?
OFCOM is responsible for regulating TV, radio and the internet.
3) Look at the section on the OFCOM broadcasting code. Which do you think are the three most important sections of the broadcasting code and why?
These are all the sections on the OFCOM broadcasting code-
Section 1: Protecting the Under-Eighteens
Section 2: Harm and Offence
Section 3: Crime
Section 4: Religion
Section 5: Impartiality and Undue Prominence of Views and Opinions
Section 6: Elections and Referendums
Section 7: Fairness
Section 8: Privacy
Section 9: Commercial References in Television Programming
The three most important sections in my opinion is Section 1, Section 5 and Section 2.
4) Do you agree with OFCOM that Channel 4 was wrong to broadcast 'Wolverine' at 6.55pm on a Sunday evening? Why?
I agree with OFCOM, this is because on a Sunday evening there is always children at home who are often watching television. Previous films have been shown at this time on channel 4 so in this occasion families would think it is okay for their child to watch this. This would lead the child to watching violent content.
5) List five of the sections in the old Press Complaints Commission's Code of Practice.
Accuracy, Opportunity to reply, Privacy, Harassment and Intrusion into grief and shock.
6) Why was the Press Complaints Commission criticised?
Due to a lack of statutory powers.
7) What was the Leveson enquiry and why was it set up?
Because of the phone hacking scandal and the company was found to be hacking phone calls related to the royal family.
8) What was the PCC replaced with in 2014?
The PCC was replaced with IPSO in 2014.
9) What is your opinion on press regulation? Is a free press an important part of living in a democracy or should newspapers face statutory regulation like TV and radio?
I think it is important so there its isn't supporting left wing nor right wing. It shares news from both side and keeps it balanced.
10) Why is the internet so difficult to regulate?
Regulating the internet is a very difficult task as there are many loopholes to get around things even if they are patched.
MIGRAIN October assessment learner response
1) You start reasonably with Todorov but need to add so much more detail, theory and insight in the rest of the paper.
Lack of theory for Q1 + Q3 - revise narrative and genre. You also need to revise and practice applying reception theory - there are so many points that could be made for Vibe's oppositional reading but you don't make any of them.
2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Identify at least one potential point that you missed out on for each question in the assessment.
One potential point that I have clearly missed for question 1 and throughout the exam is consistent use of high media terminology. I also need to work on doing detailed analysis on question 1 along with mentioning different theorists in my answer.
For question 2, one way I could've massively improved my answer is by expanding my answer and showing that I understand the question rather than waffling. I need to use media terminology in my answers so I am able to gain full marks.
3) Read this exemplar response from a previous Year 12 (a strong B grade). Identify at least one potential point that you missed out on for each question in the assessment.
One potential point I missed out for each question is that I didn't name the theorist. Naming the theorist and applying it to the question is crucial and that is something I missed out on each question.
4) Did you get any media terminology or theory wrong in the assessment? Make a note of it here for future revision, including theories/terminology that you could have used but didn't.
Some of the theories that I didn't use during the exam but I should've uses is Propp's character types and Barthes enigma codes.
5) Identify your strongest question. Why did you do better on this question? My strongest question in this exam was question 1.
This is because I mentions a theorist and clearly analysed the question whereas, the other questions I analysed weren't detailed enough and wasn't written sophisticated enough to achieve high marks.
6) Identify your weakest question. Why did you score lower on this particular task?
My weakest question in this exam was question 4. The reason I scored lower on this particular question is because I didn't stick to the timings and I ended up running out of time. To prevent this from happening I will need to practise doing exam papers in timed conditions.
7) Re-write your weakest answer in full. Use the mark scheme to identify anticipated content you can add to your response and make sure your typed re-draft is a top-level answer.
Genre is important for producers because otherwise the producers will not have a solid narrative or a target audience. Genre is extremely important so producers will also know what typical things to include e.g. for horror movies producers will use the typical dark lighting whereas, for comedy movies they'll use high-key lighting.
Genre is also extremely important for the audience otherwise the audience will not know what they are watching and they will not know what to expect e.g. for action films the audience would expect a fight whereas, for a comedy film they'd expect something to make them laugh.
REDRAFT:
Genre is important for audiences because it gives the audiences the expectation of the narrative, character plot and the content that is expected. The genre also can give audience pleasures e.g. when watching the trailer of a film, there are enigma and action codes. If there was no genre then the audience would not know what to expect which could potentially lead the film to fail.
Genre is important for producers because otherwise the producers will not have a solid narrative or a target audience. Genre is extremely important so producers will also know what typical things to include e.g. for horror movies producers will se the typical dark lighting whereas, for comedy movies they'll use high-key lighting. Genre allows the producers to evolve genre but maintain their audience.
Abercrombie suggests that television set out to exploit genre conventions as it makes economic sense (Makes a lot of money). Abercrombie also says that genres permit the creation and maintenance of a loyal audience which becomes used to seeing programmes within a genre.
Lack of theory for Q1 + Q3 - revise narrative and genre. You also need to revise and practice applying reception theory - there are so many points that could be made for Vibe's oppositional reading but you don't make any of them.
2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Identify at least one potential point that you missed out on for each question in the assessment.
One potential point that I have clearly missed for question 1 and throughout the exam is consistent use of high media terminology. I also need to work on doing detailed analysis on question 1 along with mentioning different theorists in my answer.
For question 2, one way I could've massively improved my answer is by expanding my answer and showing that I understand the question rather than waffling. I need to use media terminology in my answers so I am able to gain full marks.
3) Read this exemplar response from a previous Year 12 (a strong B grade). Identify at least one potential point that you missed out on for each question in the assessment.
One potential point I missed out for each question is that I didn't name the theorist. Naming the theorist and applying it to the question is crucial and that is something I missed out on each question.
4) Did you get any media terminology or theory wrong in the assessment? Make a note of it here for future revision, including theories/terminology that you could have used but didn't.
Some of the theories that I didn't use during the exam but I should've uses is Propp's character types and Barthes enigma codes.
5) Identify your strongest question. Why did you do better on this question? My strongest question in this exam was question 1.
This is because I mentions a theorist and clearly analysed the question whereas, the other questions I analysed weren't detailed enough and wasn't written sophisticated enough to achieve high marks.
6) Identify your weakest question. Why did you score lower on this particular task?
My weakest question in this exam was question 4. The reason I scored lower on this particular question is because I didn't stick to the timings and I ended up running out of time. To prevent this from happening I will need to practise doing exam papers in timed conditions.
7) Re-write your weakest answer in full. Use the mark scheme to identify anticipated content you can add to your response and make sure your typed re-draft is a top-level answer.
Genre is important for producers because otherwise the producers will not have a solid narrative or a target audience. Genre is extremely important so producers will also know what typical things to include e.g. for horror movies producers will use the typical dark lighting whereas, for comedy movies they'll use high-key lighting.
Genre is also extremely important for the audience otherwise the audience will not know what they are watching and they will not know what to expect e.g. for action films the audience would expect a fight whereas, for a comedy film they'd expect something to make them laugh.
REDRAFT:
Genre is important for audiences because it gives the audiences the expectation of the narrative, character plot and the content that is expected. The genre also can give audience pleasures e.g. when watching the trailer of a film, there are enigma and action codes. If there was no genre then the audience would not know what to expect which could potentially lead the film to fail.
Genre is important for producers because otherwise the producers will not have a solid narrative or a target audience. Genre is extremely important so producers will also know what typical things to include e.g. for horror movies producers will se the typical dark lighting whereas, for comedy movies they'll use high-key lighting. Genre allows the producers to evolve genre but maintain their audience.
Abercrombie suggests that television set out to exploit genre conventions as it makes economic sense (Makes a lot of money). Abercrombie also says that genres permit the creation and maintenance of a loyal audience which becomes used to seeing programmes within a genre.
Monday, 10 December 2018
Industries: Brand Values
1) Sum up the brand values in 100 words, making reference to Dyer’s lines of appeal.
The British Airways brand comes across rich and luxurious, prestigious and unique compared to other airlines. The brand values for British Airways are to always ensure high quality and lifestyle. British Airways fits into 3 of Dyer's lines of appeal: Successful careers, pilots earn a large salary and are able to travel worldwide because of their jobs. Rich, luxurious lifestyles. British Airways always provides high quality for their customers and is one of the world’s leading airlines. Glamorous places - British Airways travels to 75 countries with 200 destinations. British Airways is for people who have a high disposable income.
2) Distil the brand values into one sentence of no more than 10 words.
British Airways aims to provide high quality for their customers.
3) Sum up the brand in ONE word.
Perfection
1) Sum up the brand values in 100 words, making reference to Dyer’s lines of appeal.
Nike comes across as trendy and extremely comfortable. Nikes main priority is to ensure the their trainers as well as other clothing comes across as aesthetically pleasing. Nike fits into elite/expert: Nike makes their customers feel extremely special and prestigious by wearing their products. Nike often features products for athletes and athletes are presented as successful. This will make the customers feel special.
3) Sum up the brand in ONE word.
The British Airways brand comes across rich and luxurious, prestigious and unique compared to other airlines. The brand values for British Airways are to always ensure high quality and lifestyle. British Airways fits into 3 of Dyer's lines of appeal: Successful careers, pilots earn a large salary and are able to travel worldwide because of their jobs. Rich, luxurious lifestyles. British Airways always provides high quality for their customers and is one of the world’s leading airlines. Glamorous places - British Airways travels to 75 countries with 200 destinations. British Airways is for people who have a high disposable income.
2) Distil the brand values into one sentence of no more than 10 words.
British Airways aims to provide high quality for their customers.
3) Sum up the brand in ONE word.
Perfection
1) Sum up the brand values in 100 words, making reference to Dyer’s lines of appeal.
Nike comes across as trendy and extremely comfortable. Nikes main priority is to ensure the their trainers as well as other clothing comes across as aesthetically pleasing. Nike fits into elite/expert: Nike makes their customers feel extremely special and prestigious by wearing their products. Nike often features products for athletes and athletes are presented as successful. This will make the customers feel special.
2) Distil the brand values into one sentence of no more than 10 words.
Aiming to make customers feel special at all times.
3) Sum up the brand in ONE word.
Quality.
1) Sum up the brand values in 100 words, making reference to Dyer’s lines of appeal.
Apple is a brand that is innovative and creating new things and having the latest technology. Apple uses modern unique designs on their phone along with cool touches that shock their customers e.g. Touch ID, Face ID. Apple produces amazing quality iPhones and they make sure it is consistent as well as making sure they improve the iPhone with a brand new unique touch to it every year. Apple would fit into a numerous amount of Dyer's appeal such as Rich, Luxurious lifestyle and elite people.
2) Distil the brand values into one sentence of no more than 10 words.
Apple products will always be one step ahead of you.
3) Sum up the brand in ONE word.
Supremacy
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