Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Representation of women today
Between 1992-93 men took over speaking roles in television as the statistics show that 61% of speaking roles were dominated by men where as women only had 37% of speaking roles. Instead of reversing, in 1995-1996 the statistics increase for the men as they had 63% of speaking roles.
In the 1970s, women's main occupation was seen to be housewives however, in 1992-1993 only 3 percent of women were represented as housewives which shows the difference in society and how it changed over the years. This could also link to the fact that womens priorities have changed from the past as they are more into their careers andeducation.
Maggie humm talk about films and how they either have women represented as 'good mothers' or 'bad hystorical careerists' which links to the fact that women can either be 'moddonas' or 'whores', they can't be both. These stereotypes degrade women as they cannot be modest yet sexual but men can which shows inequalities in gender.
In the 1970s, women's main occupation was seen to be housewives however, in 1992-1993 only 3 percent of women were represented as housewives which shows the difference in society and how it changed over the years. This could also link to the fact that womens priorities have changed from the past as they are more into their careers andeducation.
Maggie humm talk about films and how they either have women represented as 'good mothers' or 'bad hystorical careerists' which links to the fact that women can either be 'moddonas' or 'whores', they can't be both. These stereotypes degrade women as they cannot be modest yet sexual but men can which shows inequalities in gender.
Monday, 1 December 2008
Summary of the representation of gender in the past!
Gunter and Elasmer et al both talk about the prevelance of women and men in significant speaking roles in tv shows. In the 1950s, 60s and 70s only 20 to 53 per cent of characters were females wich highlights the segregation in the media and how patriarchal society use to be. However, by the 1080s, much more women were in tv but the majority were still men which underlines the glass ceiling wich indicates the fact that no matter how much women achieve, they will never be equal to men even if they can see what they can achieve.
Miles found that even though in the 1970s men and womens roles were nearly the equal in comedies, the potrayal of the women were very traditionaly sexist. Nonetheless in 1987, women were found to be the most common sex in comedies however men took over dramas as the statistics show women being outnumbered two to one. Gunter emphasises that in the 1970s shows about parenthood, marriage and domesticity are more important to women more than men.
Women and mens roles in movies were very similar to the roles they had in tv shows where men make most of the descisions, this is shown in the 1950s in the 'high noon' where men were asertive, confident and dominant. Women were most likely to be shown as frightened in films and the male charachters are the ones protecting them, offering love and support.
Miles found that even though in the 1970s men and womens roles were nearly the equal in comedies, the potrayal of the women were very traditionaly sexist. Nonetheless in 1987, women were found to be the most common sex in comedies however men took over dramas as the statistics show women being outnumbered two to one. Gunter emphasises that in the 1970s shows about parenthood, marriage and domesticity are more important to women more than men.
Women and mens roles in movies were very similar to the roles they had in tv shows where men make most of the descisions, this is shown in the 1950s in the 'high noon' where men were asertive, confident and dominant. Women were most likely to be shown as frightened in films and the male charachters are the ones protecting them, offering love and support.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
The hegermonic model or the pluralistic model?
Even though i believe in the false conscienceness theory and the fact that some audiences believe exactly what the media wants them to believe but that is only to some extent. In the 21st century, audiences are more active than and what makes it even harder for the media is that society is more diverse which means that they will have to appeal to different target audiences at the same time. Because of the consumer choice and the diverse in the media, the media will have to produce texts that will appeal to their paticular target audience or else they will not sell. I believe in the pluralistic theory as i do not believe that the hyperdermic needle theory is still in place as audiences today are more active and are not oppressed to believe what ever the media inforces.
5 key points i got from A grade essay
- " How are women represented in men's lifestyle magazines such as Loaded, FHM and Maxim? To what extent do these borrow from the conventions of Playboy and other pornographic titles?"
I really like the title as it forces the student to keep comparing men's magazines and pornographic companies such as Play which will make it easier for him because he can talk about the similarities and differences.
- " Nixon's comment refers to the growth in men's grooming products on the market due to manufacturers targeting a successful modern male audience who have a large disposable income."
This sentence shows SHEP as political issues are shown which proves why this is an A grade essay as it is very hard to talk abou the economical and political factors of SHEP.
- " Loaded and FHM both feature women on the front cover scantily dressed or even naked as their sales lure, a common convention followed by most pornographic publications."
I think this qoute from this essay is important as i think it is intresting. According to this essay, men magazine's sell purely because of the women in it which links with the male gaze as the men would by the magazine for their own pleasure from the women in the magazine.
- " It enhances the stereotype to men that women are only objects of their sexual desire, and should therefore conform to what they view as attractive. This relates to the 'hyperdermic needle' theory that audiences are 'passive' and are easily influenced by what they see and hear in the media, suggesting the media has a strong link with power."
These two sentences are prime examples of concept flow and how this essay includes more than one key concept and we can see this through out the essay which could be another reason why this essay got an A.
- " An identical ideology is also developed through the construction of Playboy's front cover that follows an identical set of codes that have been examined in Loaded."
In this essay the topic is constantly being referred to and this is one example of it. This is important as it makes sure that the essay does not lose focus on the topic which is a mistake I constantly do as I go too far off the subject and the title of the essay question.
I really like the title as it forces the student to keep comparing men's magazines and pornographic companies such as Play which will make it easier for him because he can talk about the similarities and differences.
- " Nixon's comment refers to the growth in men's grooming products on the market due to manufacturers targeting a successful modern male audience who have a large disposable income."
This sentence shows SHEP as political issues are shown which proves why this is an A grade essay as it is very hard to talk abou the economical and political factors of SHEP.
- " Loaded and FHM both feature women on the front cover scantily dressed or even naked as their sales lure, a common convention followed by most pornographic publications."
I think this qoute from this essay is important as i think it is intresting. According to this essay, men magazine's sell purely because of the women in it which links with the male gaze as the men would by the magazine for their own pleasure from the women in the magazine.
- " It enhances the stereotype to men that women are only objects of their sexual desire, and should therefore conform to what they view as attractive. This relates to the 'hyperdermic needle' theory that audiences are 'passive' and are easily influenced by what they see and hear in the media, suggesting the media has a strong link with power."
These two sentences are prime examples of concept flow and how this essay includes more than one key concept and we can see this through out the essay which could be another reason why this essay got an A.
- " An identical ideology is also developed through the construction of Playboy's front cover that follows an identical set of codes that have been examined in Loaded."
In this essay the topic is constantly being referred to and this is one example of it. This is important as it makes sure that the essay does not lose focus on the topic which is a mistake I constantly do as I go too far off the subject and the title of the essay question.
Monday, 17 November 2008
Analysing Domino Scene
This video of Keira Knightley and Lucy liu shows us exactly how media language can be used in certain ways to potray characters in completly different ways. The low angle shots used make the protagonist, Keira Knightley seem more powerful and God-like. Her masculity is also shown in this video as she has cuts all over her face with short blonde hair and smoking a cigerrette. Her masculity is also highlighted in this video as the close up shots emphasise her darkness as her characterstics are underlined because she is not smiling at all.
The close ups also give the target audience an insight of the amount of pain Keira Knightley has been through as the darkness around her eyes connote the suffering she has over seen. We can also see from the media language the fact that her hair is covering her face which could imply that she is hiding a different person behind her manifest self or maybe it can suggest that she is not very confident however, she is proven to be the oppositte as she is very confident in her script and is very calm.
We can see from this short video that the genre is action and thriller from all the blood and cuts in Keira Knightley's face.As the genre of this film is action we can imply that the target audience will be young males as they would be intrested in violence and blood. However this film could also appeal to females as it is based on a female protagonist which means that the young women can identify with Keira Knightley according to the uses and gratification theory bexause they might have had the same disturbing lifestyle. They can also watch this film as they would aspire to be powerful and independent just like Keira Knightley.
When talking about SHEP i can mention social issues such as smoking raised in this video. Also violence is raised in this video as we can the amount of violence Keira has witnessed in this film. Also, historical factors could be raised such as the fact that women's priorities have changed over the years as if this film was released in the 20th century, a female character will not be seen bruised up smoking a cigerrette and wearing revealing clothing, instead, Keira Knightley would be a housewife in the kitchen taking care of her children and her husband. However, this film shows how the male dominant society of the 20th century has faded away and now women have been more powerfull than they ever been before.
The close ups also give the target audience an insight of the amount of pain Keira Knightley has been through as the darkness around her eyes connote the suffering she has over seen. We can also see from the media language the fact that her hair is covering her face which could imply that she is hiding a different person behind her manifest self or maybe it can suggest that she is not very confident however, she is proven to be the oppositte as she is very confident in her script and is very calm.
We can see from this short video that the genre is action and thriller from all the blood and cuts in Keira Knightley's face.As the genre of this film is action we can imply that the target audience will be young males as they would be intrested in violence and blood. However this film could also appeal to females as it is based on a female protagonist which means that the young women can identify with Keira Knightley according to the uses and gratification theory bexause they might have had the same disturbing lifestyle. They can also watch this film as they would aspire to be powerful and independent just like Keira Knightley.
When talking about SHEP i can mention social issues such as smoking raised in this video. Also violence is raised in this video as we can the amount of violence Keira has witnessed in this film. Also, historical factors could be raised such as the fact that women's priorities have changed over the years as if this film was released in the 20th century, a female character will not be seen bruised up smoking a cigerrette and wearing revealing clothing, instead, Keira Knightley would be a housewife in the kitchen taking care of her children and her husband. However, this film shows how the male dominant society of the 20th century has faded away and now women have been more powerfull than they ever been before.
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