.. Mini Essays...

Carry out in depth research into the main theory/theorist you plan to use for your Critical Investigation and summarise the info. On a word doc. How can this be applied to your text/topic you’re researching? Write a 300 word (minimum) mini-essay.

For my research I will be focusing on both Marxism and Liberalism theorists. Firstly Marxism is an ideology derived from the writings of the sociologists Karl Marx (1818-83), which sees society as dominated by capitalist structures which maintain the hegemony of the ruling class and lead to the exploitation of workers. In addition modern Marxists concentrate on the ways in which social institutions such as the media sustain dominant ideology and false consciousness in the interest of the ruling elite, this therefore will link to my study as I am focusing on the representations of young black boys and the media obviously may concentrate on this topic more than other topics in the media. Secondly Liberalism this refers to the belief in the importance of individual freedom. I can link this with my critical investigation, due to black people wanting a change, so they can be looked as positive role models. It is a fact that 85% of major media news people fall into the liberal category, which is far from representative of the general population; this can be seen as biased in many ways.

Carry out in depth research into the main issue/debate you plan to use for your Critical Investigation and summarise the info. On a word doc. How can this be applied to your text’ topic you’re researching?

"To what extent does the advertising media undermine the black youth within society coinciding with the stereotypical behaviour and clothing of those teenagers".

> Nearly a third of children in the UK have been affected by gun and knife crime

> One in five 16 year-old boys admits to having attacked someone and intended to hurt them seriously with a knife

> 63% of young people surveyed believe image is directly linked to gun and knife crime; 61% think gun and knife crime is about revenge and reprisals; and 63% believe peer pressure is a main reason for gun and knife crime.

> The most commonly given reason for carrying a knife is ‘for protection'. Other reasons include ‘in case there's a fight' and ‘for use in crimes': Source: Offending, Crime and Justice Survey 2005.

The Net has launched two new radio adverts to discourage young people from carrying knives.
Building on the success of Operation Blunt's 'Knife City', the radio adverts target young people aged from 11-19.

Horrific photos of real stab wounds are being used in a new campaign against knife crime.
The graphic images feature in "viral" internet and mobile phone adverts.
One shows a man with a Swiss army knife and a screwdriver sticking out of his chest.
Others show exposed intestines which have emerged from a knife wound, a leg which has become gangrenous after a knife attack, the hand of a victim whose thumb has been severed and deep wounds to the bone.
The campaign hopes to drive home the message that people who carry knives are more likely to become stab victims.

http://www.itv.com/?vodcrid=crid://itv.com/20285&DF=1

The mother of a knife attack victim has rubbished a Home Office shock advert campaign to tackle the crime. Ann Rock's son, Christopher, was the target of an attack in 2006. The 21 year old was stabbedsix times in an unprovoked attack outside his home in South Wales.
He nearly died after receiving wounds in the arm, back, lung and diaphragm - one narrowly missed his heart.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/20080641317443

.. Half Term Work ..

Critial Investigation... To what extent does the advertising media undermine the black youth within society coinciding with the stereotypical behaviour and clothing of those teenagers.

Linked Production ... A cinema advert lasting 1 minute reflecting a different approach on black young teenagers within society, acting in a way in which the media wouldn't associate them with.

Media Language: Media Language will help me when I am focusing on my study; this is because when I will be working on my critical investigation many references to media language will be made. When doing my linked production I will be using media terminology such as high key lighting, and which type of shots I will be using, this therefore will help me achieve top marks and also improve my understanding of key media terminology and concepts during the study. Moreover I will be showing the use of AO1: to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of media concepts, contexts and critical debates.

Institution: After watching many adverts on young teenage boys and knife crime adverts, I have analyzed that many young teenagers that have acted in these adverts have had the stereotypical behaviour and clothing of those teenagers. For example: Tower Hamlets knife crime advert shows the audiences that the stereotypes of young teenage boys have remained the same. Nevertheless Tower Hamlets give a positive message at the end of the advert stating: “working together for a safer London” which also is acted upon by the metropolitan police as there logo is shown when the statement is stated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSSrlbiME3Q

Genre: there is no real genre, as I will be looking at still and moving image adverts, however if there was a genre when doing a moving image advert it may come under crime.

Representation: the representations of young black teenagers are very negative. Due to the increase of knife crime in today’s society this has made the stereotypes stronger. Nevertheless in my linked production I will be showing the other side to the argument showing a positive view on young black teenagers in today’s society.

Audience: the audience will be mainly to a youth culture, due to them understanding what goes on in today’s society as it may affect them, moreover an older culture for the audience can be taken in to consideration as well, due to them learning the real positive outcomes of young teenage boys and not jus listening to the negative stereotypes that the media has portrayed young black teenagers to be.

Ideologies: The ideology of ethnic minorities when looking at advertising media showing that they undermine the black youth within society coinciding with the stereotypical behaviour and clothing of those teenagers is not equal. Youth culture has been largely defined and exploited by advertising and marketing agencies as means of identifying audiences and markets of young people with a high level of spending power.

Narrative: there is no real narrative, as we are looking at representations.

S H E P

Social: The social issues with this are obviously the issues that the young black teenagers are bringing in today’s society: such as high statistics in rape, knife crime and gun crime. This therefore shows that some teenagers may act in the same way, however some teenagers may not but due to the moral panics being made in today’s society all young black teenagers are being seen as negative individuals too.

Historical: The historical issues with this are Colonialism still exists to a certain extent and that the youth culture is still portrayed in a negative way. Especially more with young black teenagers the stereotypes over previous years were always negative: for example: slave trade days when young black boys were made to work for rich white upper class families, in addition in today’s society young black boys are often criminals of knife and gun crime showing that historically the stereotypes and lives of young black boys are becoming worse. Nevertheless this can be argued against as in today’s society there are many black males who are very successful and should be looked up to as role models. For example: Obama and Usain Bolt.

Economical: certain areas in Britain are represented in negative ways, such as South London, South London is a deprived area, which therefore lacks money which results in less people wanting to purchase land and houses which as well can be due to the fact of the high knife and gun crime in this area.

Political: the political issues may be that; Britain may not look like an attractive place due to all the crimes in today’s society. South London has the highest statistics when looking at gun and knife crimes. This may show Britain has not a diverse country. Another example may be the Steven Lawrence Case, this caused Britain a lot of chaos as this was known as a “black on black crime, showing a innocent boys life to be taken, which again shows Britain as a anxious place.

This study fits into the contemporary media landscape because it shows how black teenagers are represented in a negative way within society and how the rise of gun and knife crime within the UK (mainly South London) today have caused a moral panic in that all black teenagers are represented in the same negative way.

Issues, Debates and Media Theories

Liberalism: is the belief in the importance of individual freedom. I can link this with my critical investigation, due to black people wanting a change, so they can be looked as postive role models.

... Marxism and Hegemony ...

Marxism and Hegemony

Marxism refers to the ideology derived from the writings of the sociologist Karl Marx. He sees society as dominated by capitalist structures which maintain the hegemony of the ruling class and lead to the exploitation of workers. From what I have learnt when studying about Marxism and hegemony, I have learnt that hegemony refers to the total cultural, economic and political dominance achieved by the ruling elite in society, so this therefore shows a link with Marxism as they both exploit the working class. Moreover hegemony was first developed by Antonio Gramsci. After studying Gramsci’s study I have learnt that once a particular group has achieved hegemony, their viewpoint becomes accepted by public opinion as common sense, making it difficult for opposition groups to make an effective challenge.

Moral Panics and Post 9/11 --> The media

Moral Panics and the media

Moral Panics and the media:

Moral panic is the intensity of feeling expressed in a population about an issue which appears to be a threat to the social order.

Stanley Cohen: moral panic occurs when a condition, episode, person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests. Those who start the panic when they fear a threat to prevailing social or cultural values are known by researchers as "moral entrepreneurs", while people who supposedly threaten the social order have been described as "folk devils."

An issue that can be characterised as a moral panic in historical times was the fear of witches and the trials and executions that erupted from that fear.

One person cannot create a moral panic on his or her own, there needs to be a consensus. A group may then have the power to influence the opinions of others.

The current moral panic, while widespread, does not appear to affect everyone and as people perceive what is threatening and what is not, or what may be threatening but should not be feared in different ways, it would be very unlikely for a whole society to share the panic.

Post 9/11 and the media

Post-9/11 is a term used to describe the current state of living in the United States or other parts of the world after the September 11 attacks, in reference to the many changes that have occurred due to the attacks.

The 9/11 attacks were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks led by Al-Qaeda that occured in the United States of America in the spring of 2001. In total 2,933 people, including the attackers died in the attacks whilst many buildings were destroyed.

Controversy

Following the attacks television evangelist Jerry Falwell called the event a punishment from God and laid the blame on "paganists", "abortionists", "feminists" and "gays and lesbians", claiming that they "helped this happen". He subsequently apologized.

The United States responded to the attacks by launching a "War on Terrorism", invading Afghanistan to depose the Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaeda terrorists, and enacting the USA PATRIOT Act.

Suggestion for Critical Investigation/ Linked Production...

Practical Production --> A Rap music video

This will be interesting to focus on how women are portrayed in these videos, and how the rappers want everyone else to see them.

Critical Investigation --> Representations of women in a rap video

This will link to the practical production as it will show the audience how women really are being reprsented in women rap videos, and how negative or positive the outcome of the stereotype is.

Words from my A-Z Dictionary that will help me for this production:

Disequilibrium: the disruption of narrative by persons or events presenting a challenge to the harmonious equilibrium often found at the beginning of a film or other media text

In-camera-editing: a technique of filming shots in the sequence required for the final prodution so avoiding the need for postproduction editing

Iconography: the distinguishing elements, in terms of props and visual details, which characterise a genre

Razor Edit: a style of moving image editing which involves a sharp cut from one scene to another

Ideology: a set of attitudes, beliefs and values held in common by a group of people and culturally reproduced within that community to sustain its particular way of life

... Self Evaluation ...

Class feedback on presentation

W.W.W

> Simplicity: I wasn’t just reading off the board, spoke to my audience.
> Significance: I spoke about all the key concepts, didn’t miss anything out.
> Structure: My PowerPoint was very well organised.
> Rehearsal: I knew what I was speaking about, rehearsed very well.

More W.W.W

> In-depth details about representations
> Very memorable presentation
> I referred back to society, shoeing I showed a wider context of my presentation.
> I used key media terminology.
> I used a strong opening, e.g. showing my audience a trailer, and telling them why I chose Desperate Housewives as my summer research task.
> I did well designed slides with appropriate images.


E.B.I

> Timing: I went over 5minutes; therefore I should rehearse more so I can hit the 5mins that was set.
> Conclusion: I should have used a conclusion to sum everything up to my audience.
> When I showed my audience the trailer, I should have elaborated on the clip.
> When talking about each character, I could have compared each character with another, showing the different representations with each character.
> Elaborated much more when speaking about the genre of the TV drama.

Mr Bush’s Feedback on my presentation

W.W.W:

> Good Strong opening
> Used a variety of good media keywords, such as: representations, connotes etc.
> Good range of sources, such as the reviews and clip.
> Good slides, used a range of images and good use of limited text
> Blog work: good use of images, embedded video, and I covered all areas that were asked.


E.B.I

> When showing clip to class, I discussed and had an analysis of the clip.
> When introducing the main characters to the class explain the main competition of representations for each character and explain why they differ.
> Elaborated more on the genre of the text
> Link to wider contexts, e.g. the female role.
> I had a conclusion, summarising everything I covered.

Significance -> 2/5

Structure -> 2/5

Simplicity -> 2/5

Rehersal -> 2/5

Total -> 8/20

Bbc Review On Desperate Housewives ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4151243.stm



US comedy series Desperate Housewives has become a ratings hit in the UK, attracting an average of 4.4 million viewers on Wednesday.
It drew 23.1% of the available TV audience to Channel 4, the second highest rating show in that timeslot behind BBC One's 10pm news bulletin.
Seen as appealing to the Sex and the City audience, Desperate Housewives has received five Golden Globe nominations.
The Sex and the City finale attracted 4.1 million UK viewers last March.

The Guardian Review

Desperate Housewives killed off the wrong character
Bring back Edie Britt – and give Teri Hatcher's character the chop instead

Nicollette Sheridan as the shy, retiring Edie in Desperate Housewives. Photograph: ABC
So, farewell then, Edie Britt, platinum-haired siren of Wisteria Lane. Bumped off this week in a car crash scene so laughably lame it could have been in EastEnders, Edie checked out of Desperate Housewives for ever, leaving behind a large collection of hotpants and a fruitcake husband with an alarming revenge fixation.

But, oh, what a tactical error for the show. They've only gone and bumped off the wrong housewife. Serial divorcee Edie was always the most underwritten character, and all the more interesting for it, balancing an air of mystery with endearing vulnerability and a neat line in snappy comebacks (Susan Mayer to Edie: "How do you sleep?" Edie: "Soon … with your ex-boyfriend on top of me").Now the place just won't be the same without Ms Britt, with her penchant for beer, half-hearted suicide attempts and stealing other women's blokes. But here's a question: why wasn't it Susan? It would have been much more cliffhanger-worthy, and a more spectacular loss. Plus, who wouldn't want to see Teri Hatcher meet a grisly end on national television? Winsome, self-absorbed, jaw-achingly quirky, Susan Mayer has been cranking up the cringe factor for four years, one carefully rehearsed pratfall at a time.Then there's Bree. It may not be a fashionable view, I'm aware, but she was so much more fun as an alcoholic. Those halcyon days of hiding chardonnay in the dishwasher and passing out at the mall are sadly gone, and she has morphed into a corporate cookbook queen – nice to her kids, dismissive of her husband (the sublimely mad Orson) and boring around her friends. Would anyone really have noticed if she'd been collateral damage in a tragic baking incident?
Even feisty Gabrielle and everyone's favourite housewife, Lynette, would have made my hitlist before Edie. Mired in ludicrous plotlines about her obese kids, her blind spouse and something about baseball memorabilia (I may have dozed off), lovely Gabby lost her mojo this season. So did Lynette, a character so badly in need of a decent story-arc that crashing into the business end of a live power cable (à la poor Edie) would probably count as a career high point. It's not a good sign when your husband's midlife crisis is the most exciting thing that's happened to you all year.
Talking of husbands, in Edie's last hours, she discovered that hers – creepy Dave – is not what he seems. Strangely, it wasn't the glassy stare, wiggy hair or briefcase full of anti-psychotic medication that gave him away, but a simple fax, and it's a shame the writers didn't let her live long enough to deliver his comeuppance. I sense a Bobby-in-the-shower opportunity: OK, so it says something grim when Dallas is held up as a shining example of excellence, but reality has never been Desperate Housewives' strong point, so why start now? The campaign to Bring Back Edie starts here. So does the Kill Susan one, while we're at it.<>