Sunday, 26 May 2019

Class: Co-owner of a Lonely Heart blog tasks




2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.
The equilibrium is April sharing a heart with Corakinus because this is a normalized plot point by episode 4. The disruption is when April comes into contact with her father after he has been released from prison because he enrages her. It could also be Charlie introducing Matteusz to the cabinet of souls. It could also be when April's dad returns and she threatens him with swords. The recognition is when April doesn't hurt him. The new equilibrium is not shown but it will be in the second half of the two-parter.3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in Class fit into? 
Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.
Ms. Ames is the father figure character because she gives Miss Quill important information and offers to help her get the animal out of her head4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Action codes are created using a variety of diegetic and non-diegetic sound. An example of an action code created by diegetic sound is when April says 'he knows where I am' an example of Action codes with non-diegetic sound would be the dramatic music that is used to increase the suspense and to build up to the next episode. Enigma codes are created by the episode's unanswered questions like whether or not April will get her heart back or if the petals will take over the earth.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience?
There is binary opposition -humans v aliens- this is shown between the cross-cutting between April and Corakinus to show that although they share a heart, they are actually very different. Another example of binary opposition would be between adults v teenagers, this is shown when April and her mum are arguing about her relationship with Ram.


Representations

1) How is gender represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted?
The main character is a female so stereotypes are reinforced.
2) How is age (e.g. teenagers; older people like teachers or parents) represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people?
The typical teenager is represented as there is generic teenage relationships in school.
3) How is race and ethnicity represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Are  stereotypes reinforced or subverted?
Subverted because a polish man is seen as homosexual.
4) How is sexuality represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? How does this reflect the BBC's remit to represent modern Britain?
Matteusz and Charlie are in a homosexual relationship which is regarded as completely ordinary by the other characters, this reflects the diverse nature of modern-day Britain. Also because Matteusz is gay and his family are overly Christian and do not accept him.5) How is disability represented in Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Why are disabled people generally under-represented in the media and how does Class try to address this?
April's mum is paralyzed from the waist down and uses a wheelchair but she is portrayed as a stereotypical parent when she is scolding April. 
Audience

1) What were the viewing figures for Class and why do you think it did so badly?
Less than 5% of the TV audience watched Class when it aired. It did badly because it was created for an audience that doesn't exist. It is a Dr. Who spin-off, Dr. Who is aimed at a family audience so adults over 30 and children under 13. Class has explicit, violent and sexual content that Dr. Who's family audience could not watch. It aired at 11.30 pm on weekdays on BBCOne when their teenage audience would be asleep to prepare for school.2) What audience psychographic groups might particularly enjoy Class?

3) What audience pleasures are offered by Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity:

Personal Relationships:

Diversion (Escapism):

Surveillance (Information / Facts):

4) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart?

5) How did fans in the 'Whoniverse' (also known as 'Whovians') react to Class? Watch the fan reaction video (and read the YouTube comments) on the Class notes blogpost or check the comments in the extension articles below to help with this.


Industries

1) What was the objective of BBC3 when it was launched?

2) Why did BBC3 go online-only in February 2013? 

3) How does Class - Co-owner of a Lonely Heart meet the BBC's mission statement to 'inform, educate and entertain'?

4) How did the distribution of Class contribute to the failure of the show with audiences?

5) What advertising and marketing was used to try and promote Class to an audience? Why do you think this wasn't very successful?

Tuesday, 30 April 2019

1) What are the key conventions of music video?
A performance element (lip syncing/dancing to beat)
A narrative element(story being told)
Mise-en scene

2) What is intertextuality?
When a refrence to another media product is made in a different media product.3) When did music videos first become a major part of the music industry?
1980s4) What launched in 1981 and why were music videos an important part of the music industry in the 1980s and 1990s?
MTV was launched in 1981 as a platform for music videos and the first music channel on television. Programs such as BBC show Top of The Pops also showcased music videos from the charts alongside ‘live’ stage performances. 
5) How are music videos distributed and watched in the digital age?
They are distributed via social media and mainly watched on youtube.
One Direction: Industry

1) How were One Direction formed and how is this reflected in the music video for History?
1 direction were formed on x factor and each of there solo performances were shown in the history video.2) What is vertical integration? You may need to check your book for this (or remind yourself from this Year 1 blogpost.)

3) What is horizontal integration? (See link above for help again!)

4) How has technological convergence changed the way audiences consume music videos?

5) As a manufactured band, what influence do Simon Cowell and the record company Syco (part of Sony) have over the content and release strategy of One Direction music videos?


Audience

1) What is the main One Direction audience - demographics and psychographics?

2) What audience pleasures are offered by the music video for History?

3) Pick out three particular shots, scenes or moments in the video that would particularly appeal to One Direction fans. Why did you choose those moments? 

4) What is nostalgia and why is it a key audience pleasure for the History music video?

5) How are fans positioned to respond to the video? What do the producers want One Direction fans to take from the video?

CSP list

Create a new blogpost called 'CSP case studies: FINAL index' and link to YOUR blogpost for each of the following:

1)Magazines: Tatler 
2) Magazine: Reveal
3) Advertising and Marketing: OMO advert
4) Advertising and Marketing: Represent NHS advert
5) Advertising and Marketing: Galaxy Audrey Hepburn advert
6) Online, Social, Participatory and Videogames: Lara Croft Go
7) Online, Social, Participatory and Videogames: Kim Kardashian Hollywood
8) Online, Social, Participatory and Videogames: Zoella
9) Television: Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child
10) Television: Class
11) Film Industry: Doctor Strange
12) Film Industry: I, Daniel Blake
13) Newspapers: The Daily Mirror
14) Newspapers: The Times
15) Music Video: One Direction - History
16) Music Video: I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
17) Radio: BBC Radio 1 Launch - Tony Blackburn
18) Radio: Apple Beats 1 - Julie Adenuga

Thursday, 25 April 2019

1) Did you succeed in meeting or exceeding your target grade for GCSE Media? If not, how many additional marks do you need to achieve your target grade in this paper?
7 no need to improve by 4 grades

2) Write a question-by-question analysis of your performance. For each question, write how many marks you got from the number available and identify any points that you missed by carefully studying the AQA indicative content in the mark scheme:
1)2
2)5- Add more points from extract
3)4- Add more points from extract
4)4-Link q to sci fi
5)1
6)1
7)5- Refrence csp case studies
8)4- Refrence Times and Daily mirror

Tuesday, 23 April 2019

1) Did you succeed in meeting or exceeding your target grade for GCSE Media? If not, how many additional marks do you need to achieve your target grade in this paper?
No, i want to increase my grade by 4 grades.


2) Write a question-by-question analysis of your performance. For each question, write how many marks you got from the number available and identify any points that you missed by carefully studying the AQA indicative content in the mark scheme:
01) 0
02)3 - Media language
03)


Monday, 22 April 2019

Zoella

1) Who is Zoella and why is she famous? How many subscribers does Zoella's YouTube channel have currently?
Zoella is a beauty Youtuber with around 12m subscribers.
2) What is convergence?
Media convergence is the merging of mass communication outlets-print, television, radio, the Internet along with portable and interactive technologies through various digital media platforms.
3) What are Zoella's videos about? Find five video titles and write them here:
They are mainly about beauty and vlogs.
Testing Weird Beauty Products With Mark | Zoella
    Best Friend Does My ASOS Shop | Zoella
    The Biggest Primark Haul I've Ever Done | Zoella
    My Everyday Makeup Routine | Zoella
    How To: 4 Quick & Easy Hairstyles | Zoella ad
4) What are the codes and conventions of vlogging videos?
CLAMPS5) How does Zoella use media language choices to create her online identity? Write about Zoella's use of mise-en-scene (CLAMPS) - particularly costume and make-up.
Her makeup and dress sense appeals to younger audiences.

Industries

1) How does Zoella make money?
she makes money through ads and through her merchandise such as beauty products 
2) What is a digital influencer? Why is Zoella considered a digital influencer?
Social Media Influencer is a user on social media who have established credibility in a specific industry. A social media influencer has access to a large audience and can persuade others by virtue of their authenticity and reach. This applies to Zoella as she has a hefty follower count on as forms of social media.

3) Why do companies want to place their products in Zoella's videos?
They want to put their products in her videos to appeal to their target audience (mainly female teens)4) Why are YouTube collaborations so important for helping digital influencers like Zoella to grow?
Because they help her reach out to new fans.5) How has Zoella moved into a more traditional media landscape in recent years?
 over the past few years she has appeared on TV shows and magazine covers and written a book.                         

Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Zoella's channel?
Teenagers, mainly girls.
2) How are audiences encouraged to participate in or feel part of Zoella's brand? 
She often uses direct language when filming often creating an involved experience for the audience.                      


3) What audience pleasures are provided by Zoella's videos and associated products?
Information
    Diversion
    relationships.     
    Identity
4) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would a preferred and oppositional reading of Zoella?
Preferred (people who love Zoella): Beauty guru
Oppositional (people who hate Zoella): Uses ghostwriters

5) Why has Zoella been criticised by some people?
Because there was an accusation that she used a ghost writer for her book.


Tuesday, 26 March 2019


1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?
BBC Radio Home
BBC Radio Light
BBC Third
2) How was BBC reorganised in September 1967?

BBC Radio Home (1939-1967) broadcasting education programmes and news. Mainly speech-based. Replaced by Radio 4.

BBC Radio Light (1945-1967) broadcasting mainly light entertainment (comedy / drama) and music. Replaced by Radio 2.

BBC Third (1946-1970) broadcasting intellectual arts-based talk and music. Replaced by Radio 3.

3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?
Pirate radio were stations that wernt approved on uk land so had to go out to sea to broadcast

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?
However, the 1967 the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act officially outlawed pirate radio stations. The Government had closed the legal loophole that allowed these stations to broadcast and these had a British audience of 10 to 15 million. This meant the audience had to go to Radio 1 if they wanted to listen to popular music.

5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?
Youth did not respond positively to this because they prefered pirate radio over radio 1 however they had no choice to listen
6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?
They could only play five hours of music per day.
7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?

8) Who was the first presenter for BBC Radio 1 and why did these new Radio 1 DJs cause upset initially at the traditional BBC?

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?

10) What conventions did Tony Blackburn's radio show borrow from pirate radio - which made it very different to previous BBC radio content?


Audience and industry

1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?
Younger audiences from 15-29 year olds.2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners?

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).

4) How is the BBC funded?

5) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would the preferred and oppositional reading have been of BBC Radio 1 in 1967? 

Thursday, 31 January 2019

Blog tasks: Daily Mirror case study

Language

1) Write the definition of the following key language for newspaper front pages:

Masthead: The title of the newspaper.
Incentive:A thing that motivates someone to do something.
Pug:Something to catch the readers eye
Splash Head:Main cover line lead story
Dateline:When the article was released.
Slogan:Sums up the ethos of the newspaper 
Kicker:Hint of whats inside
Byline:Who wrote the article
Standfirst: Summary


2) How much does a copy of the Daily Mirror cost?
70p
3) What is the main story on the CSP edition of the Daily Mirror?
Fraud cops grill tory mp.
4) What promotion takes up a large amount of the front page and why might it appeal to Mirror readers?
A betting company.
5) What is the balance on the Daily Mirror front page between images, headlines and text?
The promotion takes up most of the page. Then the headline takes up the rest of the newspaper. 
Audience

1) What is the target audience for the Daily Mirror?
Working class.
2) Why does the Mirror front page story appeal to the Daily Mirror audience?
Because it is talking about a scandal involving parking tickets which is something that affects a lot of people mainly working class/middle class people.
3) Why might the 'Prey and Display' parking story on the double page spread be interesting for Daily Mirror readers?  
The 'Prey and Display' story may garner interest as it speaks specifically about those who are susceptible to these tickets being older. Since most Mirror readers are 65+ it will directly affect and concern them

Why are print newspapers generally read by older audiences?
Print newspapers tend to be read by older audiences due to tradition and routine. Print news was far more popular when the current elderly were younger, and the typical routine would be men to buy newspapers and read them at home or on the way to work, this tradition has carried over to their later life. Alternately, it may be due to the increase in free time once elderly people retire. Sunday papers tend to sell better on the whole as people have more time to read them and the same applies for the retired elderly: they have more time to read papers so they purchase them.
Representation

1) How does the Daily Mirror represent the Conservative Party and its MPs? Look at the main front page story.
The Mirror negatively represents Tory MPs, suggesting that they're guilty by using the word 'grill', which is often used to describe intense questioning of those on trial.
2)How does the daily mirror represent the golf club that is now admitting female members? Read the story 'At last, Muirfield men let women join golf club'.
The daily mirror presents the allowance of females in the golf club as a overdue change. They show this by stating 'at last'.
3) How does the Daily Mirror represent ordinary people? Look at the Prey and Display article to answer this question.
The daily mirror represents ordinary people as people who aretaken advantage of.
4) How does the Daily Mirror represent older people? Look at the Prey and Display article to answer this question.
The mirror represents elderly people as vunerable and easily manipulated
5) How does the Daily Mirror represent businesses and people who make a lot of money? Look at the stories on the double page spread to answer this question.
They show businesses as corrupt and show that they will do anything for money.

Thursday, 6 December 2018

Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child blog tasks


1) Write an NCIS analysis for the episode - using notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

An Unearthly Child

Narrative:
Doctor who;the unearthly child is about a timelord(alien) who has a grandaughter(susan) who goes to a school on  earth and the teachers suspect something. They then see her go into a junkyard and believe that the doctor has kidnapped their student Susan. When they all enter the TARDIS ( Time And Relative Dimensions In Space)there is a use of dialogue to create a division between the Doctor and Susan. 

Character:
There are only 4 named characters in this episode: Doctor Who, an alien scientist who looks like a human, Susan the alien scientist's granddaughter who also looks like a human, Ian a human scientist teacher and Barbara a human history teacher. In this episode Doctor Who seems to be the anti-hero as he is shown to deliberately harm the teacher and is thought by the teachers to have kidnapped Susan.Iconography:

Setting:
The beginning of the episode is set in a normal school but then moves into a junkyard as this is possibly a reference to the horror genre. Most of the scenes in the school were set in the science lab which is a feature of sci-fi.


2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to An Unearthly Child? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theory: Equilibrium - Disruption - Recognition - Reparation - New equilibrium.
 Equilibrium- In school normality is evident with normal teachers and a brilliant student
Disruption- When the teachers the Doctor and it seems as though Susan has been kidnapped
Recognition-When the teachers realize that Susan is in the TARDIS in the junkyard
Reparation-When the teachers enter the TARDIS and realize it is not a kidnapping

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do each of the main characters in An Unearthly Child fit into? Alternatively, you may wish to discuss how characters do not fit Propp's character types.
 In this episode, the Doctor is an anti-hero character because he is made unlikable by not co-operating with other characters.Futhermore susan is the princess as the teachers believe she is being kidnapped. The teachers are both the heroes.
4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in An Unearthly Child? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)
 Susan has a shiny silver vest and trousers, this shows that she is from the future.When the doctor is introduced, there are low angled shots to make him seem more powerful.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in An Unearthly Child? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience?
Young and old is an example of binary opposition in Doctor Who. Another example of this is gender. Male and female are shown by Barbara and Ian.

Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
The typical stereotype of men being the heroes in a narrative is reinforced in this episode because the ian is shown to be the saviour of susan.

2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
The characters of Barbara and Susan are treated as though they were inferior. The Doctor only refers to Ian, using the term 'young man' to show that he didn't even consider Barbara as being a threat
3) What are common media stereotypes of young people and old people? Do any of the characters or scenarios reinforce or subvert these conventional stereotypes (consider this was 1963)? Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?
The stereotype of younger people listening to music and dressing a certain way is shown in this as the typical younger person in the 1950s/60s4) What representations of race/ethnicity can be found in Doctor Who: An Earthly Child? Is this surprising or not? Give reasons for your answer and consider historical / cultural context (the 1960s). Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?
Gender roles are very binary as Ian is the main hero and Barbara just helps him and is sidelined.
5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child? Think about how education and knowledge is presented in the episode.
Education is an important middle-class value, the fact that Susan dreams of an education when her grandfather tries to stop her from going.
Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Has it changed since 1963?
The target audience is mainly families and younger children as it is very family friendly.2) What audience psychographic groups might particularly enjoy Doctor Who?
 Mainstreamers, as it can be watched by the entire family and explorers because in the 60s Science Fiction was a relatively new genre.3) What audience pleasures are offered by An Unearthly Child? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity:
A normal school setting is used because everyone is either experiencing or has experienced school life.Personal Relationships:
Relationship with susan as she is like a typical schoolgirl.Diversion (Escapism):
The TARDIS and travelling to another dimension.Surveillance (Information / Facts):
The decimal system is mentioned.4) What additional Uses and Gratifications would this episode provide to a modern 2018 audience?
Nostalgia as older people could remember the music and how school was like.5) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to An Unearthly Child?
 Vicarious pleasures can be applied to Doctor Who because the audience can imagine that they are travelling through space in time through the characters of the Doctor and Susan.
Industries

1) What was the television industry like in 1963? How many channels were there?
There were only 2 channels. BBC and ITV.2) Why is Doctor Who such an important franchise for the BBC? 
Because it is one of the biggest attractions for the BBC and is known worldwide.3) How does Doctor Who meet the BBC's mission statement to 'inform, educate and entertain'?
It mainly entertains however sometimes, for example the current season, has links to things that coccured in history.4) How is the BBC funded?
By the government.5) Who regulates the BBC and what is the watershed?
The BBC was self-regulated until 2017 when OffCom started regulating it.


Class: Co-owner of a Lonely Heart blog tasks

2) How does Todorov's theory of equilibrium apply to Co-owner of a Lonely Heart? Try and use the expanded version of Todorov's theo...