Audience and Institution

Task 1.
Do you think the audiences for most media texts do come “from all walks of life” or do 

different kinds of people watch very different kinds of programme? Are there any examples of media texts that you can think of that do seem to have audiences of all kinds of people?

Generally I think different types of people all watch different types of programmes, and even if they do have the same media intrests what they watch on T.V may differ... There are only a few examples of media texts that do seem to have audiences of all kinds of people, such as soap operas (E.g. Coronation street, Emmerdale and Eastenders). Reality T.V shows including; Big Brother, Xfactor, I'm a celeb', and Britains got talent, Charity events like Red nose day, Comic relief, and Children in need. And finally sporting events like the World cup, and The olympics.

 

How much of your media experience occurs when you are on your own and how much 

when you are with others?

As a class we discussed this question, and we came to the conclusion that you comsume more media experience when on you are on your own. Around 70% via (Internet, Facebook, T.V, Mobile Phone) and only 30% when in company of other people via (Films, T.V, Etc...)

 

How do you experience/consume media (i.e. watch or listen to it)? 

T.V, Ipod, Cinema, Internet, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogs, Websites, Magazines, Radio, Newspapers, Last FM, Posters. 

Are there any ways in which you share your experiences of the media with other people 

who weren’t around when you experienced the text? List as many ways as you share 

experiences (e.g. msn etc)

Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, Text, Word of mouth, Chatting, Phone calls.

 

 

Task 2

McQuail and Katz didn't focus solely on film, but you have to. Try and identify a film for each of the FOUR areas identified by McQuail and Katz

 

a) the need for information about our geographical and social world news and drama

- Hotel Rwanda, Indian Jones, Remember me.

 

b) the need for identity, by using characters and personalities to define our sense of self 

and social behaviour film celeb

 - Desperately Seeking Susan

 

c) the need for social interaction through experiencing the relationships and interaction of 

others 

- My sisters keeper, Train spotting.

 

d) the need for diversion by using the media for purposes of play and entertainment.

- Pirates of the Caribbean, Snatch, Mean Girls.

 

 

 

 

The Male Gaze TubeChopped video Rihanna - Rude Boy



In this music video of Rihanna, bright colours are used in the back ground. But even though so much is happening; all your eyes will be focused on is Rihanna herself. She is wearing very little throughout the video. but has always got high heels on. this shows that one, she wants to look nice, and to come across as appealing. Two she wants to stand out infront of the background. And three she wants to look like a dominant woman. In the first 10seconds of the video Rihanna is in a 'Black and White' format. But her lips are still coloured Red. That is been done deliberately to exaggerate the lips to the audience. When she's singing the focus is again on the lips. The video has been slowed down. Her lips are being portrayed as being very sexy. Also a lot of red is used throughout the video to show; maybe passion, love and danger.The target audience for this type of music video is teenages/ young adults. 'Marjorie Fergusons' main looks have appeared several times in this video Rhianna has desplaided looks such as; Invitational, and Romantic or sexual. Also the video has very seductive ora to it. Slow motion is used effectivly in the music video when Rihanna is dancing the focus is on her bottom and legs. This is mainly for the male audience to make the most of what they are watching.

 

The Male Gaze Homework

  'Marjorie Ferguson' identified 4 different types of facial expressions, on the front covers of women magazines.
(Chocolate Box, Invitational, Super Smiler, Romantic or sexual)

Romantic/ sexual, This includes Male and Female 'Two-somes'. This type of look will be dreamy, heavy lidded, and overtly sensual/ sexual.

Super smiler, when using the a 'super smiler' facial expression the model will be showing a wide open or toothy smile, they will have a 'look at me attitude'. The shot will also show the full face of the model and the hair of the model is often wind blown.

This is a prime example of the 'Invitational look', There is always a lot of emphasis on the eyes of the model, the head will be tilted to one side and will be looking back at the camera. Mouth is shut with a hint of a smile. The invitational look Invitational is suggestive of mischief or mystery, hint of contact rather than sexual promise.

'Chocolate box' The females that are portrayed to have a chocolate box look will have, half/ a full smile. There lips will be together/ slightly parted, teeth are barely visible and full/ three- quarters of face to the camera. The Chocolate box- Is blandly pleasing, uniformity of beauty and devoid of uniqueness.

'Trevor Millum' (Seductive, Carefree, Practical, Comic, Catalogue)

'Catalouge', in the catalouge look the model will always look artificial and wax like. The features can be any position when using this look be more or less all the time the model will have eyes open wide and a smile. The looks remain vacant and empty with personality removed.

'Comic' The comic look is always deliberately ridiculous, the model will be pulling silly faces/ acting the fool. and the image is always exaggerated.

'Practical' the model will have a concentrating look on her face. Engaged in business, the majority of the time the mouth of the model will be closed. Eyes object directed, sometimes a slight frown is used. And hair often tied back or in a short style.

'Seductive' The seductive look is also similar to the cool/level look in many respects - the eyes are less wide, perhaps shaded, the expression is less reserved but still self-sufficient and confident; milder versions may include a slight smile.

'Carefree'  Is normally active, healthy, gay, vibrant, outdoorsy, often smiling or grinning.

The Male Gaze

These photograps show the model Eva Mendes, Modelling underwear for 'Calvin Klein'. I think both of the photographs show that Eva is in charge of her sexuality and also show she is a powerful woman eithier in genreal or when dressed in the underwear she is modelling. I get the impression that she is powerful from the photograph on the right where she has her hands on her hips. Again the photographs have been taken from a low angle to show how in control she is. In both images Eva has her legs open that shows a seductive/inviting side to the advert, also Eva has her head tilted back to show that she's enjoying people looking at her. In both images she has taken on an inviting pose to entice people to take a closer look/buy the magazine. Eva has a sheen over her body/ has been oiled up that makes us as the audience think that maybe it's sweat from sexual exertion, she may have just had sex or both the images maybe post orgasmic. That also links back to being seductive. In the advert Eva is wearing a bra, pants, stockings and a pair of high heels; This gives the audience the impression of (strip clubs, porn, or personal fantasy). There is a kind of mysterious look about Eva and the poses she is striking, she's not looking straight at the camera this shows that she's not intentionally out to intimadate the other women looking at this advert. These images are used in female oriented magazines to make the women envy the way she looks therefore going to buy/invest in the product that she is selling. 

 In this avertisment 'Freddie Ljungberg' has complete focus in the whole photograph. A mid-shot has been used to his advantage to show/ enhance his torso and arms. Unlike the other images of Eva he is looking straight in to the camera which creates a sence of being fierce and the facial expression is intence. His body language is very casual but the stance that he is in is strong and at the same time still inviting to the women that are looking at the advert.Or men that are longing to look like the model. The right hand is clenched in a fist, the fist symbolises strenght/ aggression and power. However the hand is slightly pulling his shorts down this shows to the audience a sexual image, and also shows us that he has been waxed. Therefore despite the manly exterior he has a feminine/ mertosexual side. The female links are also shown to the audience from the necklace he is wearing and the use of the pout. Freddie has a shaven head this shows that he has nothing to hide/ hide behind. The tattoo of the animal on his torso hasn't been Photoshoped away, this has been deliberately done to make the female viewers think that maybe he's wild also. His left arm is raised and he's holding on the a long black pole. The use of the pole has again been deliberately used as a phallic symbol. The pole shows how manly he is supposedly meant to be. And is directly linked to the penis. Finally the use of the red background is used to symbolise love/ danger/ and passion. It also draws attention to the 'Calvin Klein' logo across his chest area and also the sheen he has over his body. Again this give the audience the impression that, he's been working out/ he's post orgasmic. The background also makes the model seem a darker skin colour which is fashionably attractive to the female audience.

Representation-The Man

- Smoking (Not bothered about his health/dirty habbit)
- Grubby beard/hands
- Patch work trousers (Maybe cannot afford to buy new ones/ His wife may have repaired them)
- Lonely (sleeping rough)
- Maybe a begger
- homeless
- Had his shoes for a long time (worn out)
- People giving him a wide berth
- How does he get the money to pay for ciggerettes?
- Standing on his own. (looking for someone?)
- In a stance taking the sights in

But equally as important, after having a first glimpse at this Man, and our first impressions. We are then told this 'Man' is Doug Bihlmaier. And that he works for one of the biggest fashion houses in the world Ralph Laurens vintage department. He has very influential effect on some of the popular styles and trends we follow today. This Man just proves how we personally sterotype everyone we see. Doug isn't homeless/ or a begger. After having our first look. We then look at the closer details. He has just chosen to wear these types of clothes as part as his personal unique style.

How is Lester Burnham represented?

In the film 'American Beauty', Lester Burnham is represented as being shy, nervous, awkward, and being dominated by his wife.
The use of colour/costume is been cleverly choosen to show the audience how we should see Lester. The use of the colours, Green, Brown, Black and Blue are seen alot during the first minutes of the film, when Lester is first introduced to the audience.
Lester's costume is very buisness like, which shows the audience first off that he takes pride in how he looks. Mainly from the influence from his wife. Lester is always dressed in work wear, this shows the audience that he doesn't have a lot of time to relax/ doesn't feel relaxed within himself or in his own home.
Lester Burnhams home life is womanly domanated. He is domanted by his wife. You can see this from the way the house is designed; it has a major feminine influence.
The audience can also tell that Lester is dominated by his wife in the scene where the family are sat down to dinner. The table is set in a very womanly fashion.With flowers, candles, and fine china. Mrs Burnham is sat as the head of the table, which shows that she has a hold over Lester.
Lester doesn't get control of anything in the house and that is evident throughout the film; Another situation where the lack of control is evident, is in the first car scene. Lester is sat in the back seat, in a slouched postion and seems asthough he is falling asleep. While his wife is driving the family to work and school.
Lester is represented as being very socially awkward. This is shown to the audience, in the school scene. Where Lester trips over, he reverts to being a teenager in a teenage setting. When this scene is shown it makes the audience think that this is what Lester would have been like at school and when he was growing up. The scene gives us an overview of what his teenage life would have been like. 
Lester burnhams work life is a lot like his personal like there is no defined seperation between them- Lester has been working the same mundane job for the last 14 years. At work Lester is represented as being 'boxed in' that is a lot like his home life. At home Lester feels boxed in and unable to break out of his routine (box). We also get the sence of boredom. This links to the music we hear throughout the film.
The music is mainly piano/elevator music, This style of music is monotonus and suggests that his life is a lot like that.
Throughout American Beauty, Lester Burnham is the voice over/narrator. This creates sympathy from the audience towards Lester; And finally a high angle is used in the bedroom scene. This shows a sense of Lester again being over powered. As the angle of the camera is positioned to be looking down on him from a hight. To give the audience the sense that they are looking down on him like everyone else does.

A little about myself.

- I have chosen to study Media, because I would eventually like to go the Uni/College to study journalism. I also thought Media would fit in nicely with the other subjects that I have a high interest in. Such as.. Art, and English Language which I have chosen to study aswel as Media.
- I enjoy bands such as... The wombats, Two door cinema club, The courteeners, The joy formidable, Good charlotte, Alkaline trio, Arctic monkeys, The enemy, The maccabees and The jam.
Also artists including, Rihanna, Pete Doherty, Adele, Paul Weller, Lady Gaga, and Shakira.
- My favourite programmes are, Hollyoaks, One tree hill, and Shameless.
- My all time favourite film is Desperately seeking susan