Introduction to Media Theory

 Tuesday 18th October 2022                        Media Theory: Race 

LO: To investigate the principles behind theories of representation of race 
        To discuss various theories 
        To critically apply theory to texts

4. 

Levi Strauss-

the structure of meaning making was dependant on binary oppositions. (good/bad , east/west black/white) could relate to characters in film, signs in adverts etc. 

this is the study of hidden rules that shape a structure to communicate ideology or myths. 

the world and our place within it is based on binary oppositions.  

applying to film scene- Bad Boys :

Hall-
entertainer - comical character very chatty and unserious. 
depend on each other - loyalty 
slapstick comedy 

Strauss-
black vs white 
rich vs poor 
dialogue- references opposites 
order and law vs reckless 

negative element 

Black Panther-

strauss-

colonialism vs uncovers the colonial rule and acknowledges the downfall 

negative 

uneducated 

villain vs need for money 

gangster vs king 

proud of culture, identity and roots 

gangster- critique of popular culture and representation closes down - negative representation. 

HW:

How does Black Panther depict different racial representations?

we can use Strauss' theory to depict the different racial representations in Black Panther. Binary opposition was seen through black vs white - the white woman was shown to be uneducated on the artifacts shown in the display while the black man was knowledgeable on the subject and undermined her. This creates meaning because the woman presented herself well and spoke very confidently, meaning that the audience are likely believe her at first sight.

Tuesday 1st November 2022                        Masculinity

LO: - To investigate how representation of masculinity differ.
        -To discuss various theories on masculinity.
        -To critically apply theory to texts and explore the impact of the representations. 

Milk is typically associated with babies or children however, by saying 'milk for real men' it encourages men to drink this product or else they might not be considered a 'real man'. The product says it is supposed to build lean muscles, which creates a representation that men are supposed to be strong and muscley, this idea is reinforced by the shirtless man holding onto the edge of the cliff with one hand. The audience can look at the picture of the strong man drinking the product and be influenced to do the same so that they can look like him. But this can create an unhealthy body expectation for men because if they drink it and don't end up looking like the guy in the photo then they may feel disappointed and mislead, it can also make them feel as if they have to look like that to be considered a real man which can make them feel ashamed of their bodies.  

Although the ad was not directed at women, it can create an idea that women don't play sports or go to the gym making them feel inferior to men and as if they cannot drink this product as a woman or they will be considered manly.

The crisis of masculinity:

in the 1960s men could not live up to the role the media created for them.

the superiority of men became under attack with the rise of feminism and gay rights and, what masculinity should be was questioned.

men would have troubles fitting into a new world where they were not automatically the 'ruling class'

Barthes - Semiology

• Denotations can signify connotations, associated meaning for the same sign.
• Denotations and connotations are organised into myths.
• Myths create an ideological meaning and help ideology feel natural, real and acceptable.

Hall, reception theory:

encoding/decoding model 

media producers encode with a preferred meaning.

Each audience can decode in one of three ways:

• Dominant reading - accepts the preferred meaning and the ideological meaning.
• Negotiated meaning-some of the decoded message is accepted but the audience disagrees with parts of it and so changes it to fit their experience and values.
• Oppositional meaning-both the preferred meaning and any ideological assumptions encoded in the product are rejected. 

Gauntlett identity theory:

• media representations portray a wide range of different and contradictory messages about identity, which can be used by audiences to think through their own identities.
• identities including gender and sexuality are now seen as less fixed than they were in the past.

 

 Tuesday 8th November 2022

social context- societal issues 

stranger things:

'Representations can vary within long form television dramas.' Discuss how and why audiences might respond to and interpret these representations differently. 

what are the representations 

note representations for characters 

note camera angles, mise en scene and shot types 

note the audience impact 

note theory that applies 

representation 

media language 

industry

audience 

editing between faces to show their excitement 

low angle shot of mum to show her authority 

suburban house, bikes, haircuts, close knit family and friends replicates 1980s

contrasting representations of the happy suburban life through use of sound

middle class life vs rundown house 

beer cans mess cigarettes disarray 

pan to guy sleeping on the sofa 

cultural context the culture to smoke in the 80s 

cultural and societal expectation 

boy cooking as opposed to the mum anti stereotype 

shot reverse shot editing to show suspense and tension in family 

contrasting representations of families - levi strauss

stereotypical teenage girl focused on boys contrasted by her clothing which is conservative and carrying books - sensible 

stereotypical policeman eating donuts and coffee

police have been inept and incapable not taking their job seriously  making sex jokes 

different expectations accepting of different sexualities 

joyce standing up to hopper for her son - stereotypical of a worried mother 

use of intense fast paced sound shows tension and emotion in the hospital 

people in hazmat suits in dark place with flickering lights- distant sounds of animal like creature growling 

Tuesday 15th November 2022                            Ideologies

LO: to investigate how representations can produce ideologies. 

        to discuss various theories.

        to critically apply theory to texts 

bravery- army 

confidence, safety, reassured- smile 

absence of injury 

colour palette- light and yellow, makes scene look positive 

Dissent - The holding of expression of opinions that oppose that are commonly held.

Todorov - narratology 

it is possible to identify key elements to a narrative:

• equilibrium
• disruption to equilibrium
• recognition of disruption 
• resolution
• a new equilibrium is established in the end 

important is what the narrative suggests about ideologies by identifying the equilibrium. 

dissent- what is is the opposing idea 

consent - what is the idea 

equilibrium - what does that tell us 

equilibrium:

• state of mind is broken 
• he is a soldier 
• he has fought in Vietnam 
• war- PTSD reinforced from monologue, hallucinations 
• dependant on alcohol and drugs 

dissent:

• critical of Vietnam war- explosion and burning trees
• critical of government and army role - lack of support of soldiers 

Editing of his eyes closed fading to his dreaming of Vietnam war suggests his PTSD. 

Hall, Reception theory 

Media producers encode with a preferred meaning. Each audience can decode in one of three ways:

• dominant reading- accepts the preferred meaning.
• negotiated meaning - some readings are accepted other parts are disagreed with.
• oppositional reading - preferred reading is totally rejected.

preferred meaning in the film is that war is bad. 

Fish Tank:

equilibrium-

• teenagers are problematic 
• family life is difficult-they criticise her 
• poor societal issues are linked to poor backgrounds. - preferred reading 

Bell Hooks:

Race, sexuality and class also contribute to oppression alongside gender. 

white supremacist capitalist patriarchy dominates media 

Dahmer series 

Glenda Cleveland:

older- edges towards weaker age - props- hair net, dressing gown 

black- police officers are white - sound - dialogue reinforces oppression - ignore her 

female- dramatic- male officers- respectability in appearance is ignored

poorer socio-economic- ignore the problems - building setting

creates intersectional approach 

creates oppression 

 The ideologies in the Dahmer text are that police are discriminatory towards minorities in 90s America. This is seen when Glenda Cleveland, a black female, is trying to talk to the police officers about their constant dismissal of her emergency calls - they end up ignoring her and continuing with the investigation, this makes her hysterical and her emotions continue to be overlooked, as they view her as the stereotypical, dramatic female. This supports Bell Hooks' theory of intersectional approach ...

Monday 22nd November 2022                            Media Theory:DIRT

LO:  -to reflect on areas to improve 
        -to improve application of media theory.
        -to improve critical exploration of a text using theoretical framework.

Exam question :

'Representations can vary within long form television dramas.' Discuss how and why audiences might respond to and interpret these representations differently. 

what i needed to explore more:

• application of theory 
• context 

-the representations vary.

-Levi Strauss - binary oppositions.

-Gauntlett - identity varies in the media so audience have lots of identities to choose to identify with. 

-Butler - performance of gender roles.

structuring an answer:

• address the question.
• make a clear point using examples from the text. Media Language.
• explore the media theoretical framework:, representations, industries, audiences.
• back up using theories that support your point.
• repeat for a further point. 

Stranger Things: 

family life:

-mise en scene- safe area, suburban area, American dream house VS Will in the woods in a shack, trailer style. 

Gender Roles:

-mise en scene- mike- light warm setting VS will- dark cold atmosphere 

-sound- dialogue- reinforces the differences in gender roles and authority- calm and firm VS hysterical and lack of authority 

Police Roles:

Camera shots and editing- close up on empty drink cans, ash trays, take away items, mess and unorganised. Reveal the hidden elements of the police chief, incapable. Long shots of him later in uniform coordinating the search for Will - authoritative and caring. 

Teenage roles:

Nancy- studying hard, focused on success, secondary interest of Steve VS the boys interested in their friendships and adventure/having fun. 

The representations in the text are that family life varies for the children, we can see this through mise en scene when mikes house is shown in a safe, suburban area and what we call the american dream house/ life, this reflects his middle class lifestyle and close-knit family relationship. Compared to Wills house which is shown in the woods in a shack, where his mum works all the time and his older brother is made to take care of will. This supports Levi Strauss' binary oppositions theory of good vs bad, where having money and a close family was seen as 'good' and 'traditional' whereas not having those things was seen as 'bad' or 'unconventional'. The representations in this section establish that the socioeconomic status of a family determines the type of relationship they will have with each other, and that the expectations of family life in the 1980s and what was seen as 'traditional' is unrealistic and unachievable for the majority of families.

address the question 

clear point from the text using media language 

back up using a theory to support your point 

conclusion

Target- create another point.