Some useful resources for youth and gender identity...

we will be watching and discussing Channel 4's 'Cyberbully' in Wednesday's 'biscuit lesson.


http://www.channel4.com/programmes/cyberbully


To get an idea of the role of the established media in constructing female identity and the role of the individual in manipulating that identity, watch 'Josie, the most hated woman in Britain'.
This could tie into gender and age identity, single mothers, those on benefits etc

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/josie-the-most-hated-woman-in-britain

Intro to identitites and the media

What is the difference between 'representation' and 'identity'?

This year, we see a change in the exam topic from representation to 'identity'.

Surely this is just another word meaning the same thing? Have a read through AQA's thoughts on the topic.Do have a read through, it has some excellent examples that you could explore as part of a case study:

Whatever I say I am: constructing identity in contemporary media

The new topic area for A2 Media Studies is 'Identities and the Media'; a subject choice which reflects the importance of cultural identities as a concept in both the form and content of new and traditional media. The study of identity intersects with theories of representation, audience and ideology; not surprisingly as identity is a transdisciplinary concept found in cultural studies, the humanities and social sciences. The move to theories of identity, away from representation, is also indicative of developments in the academic discipline of media studies itself.

The study of identity signifies a move from analysing representations of groups, whether by gender, ethnicity, sexuality etc. in terms of difference and opposition, focusing instead on the concept of fluidity and performance. The limitations of representation theory in explaining the contemporary media landscape are apparent in its central method of research: the model of positive and negative images of a specific, definable group, constructed by a distanced producer and decoded by an audience. Today the line between producers and audiences is much more fluid; the range of identities available at different times during different media experiences much more extensive. The focus in representation theory on the interpretation by an audience of a product with a fixed meaning makes it inadequate in explaining the complex relationship between new media and diverse audiences. Theories of identity consider representation as one aspect of the intersection between media products, audience and identity – rather than a total theory of media. 

The concept of identity can be studied in a variety of ways across a range of media forms. A useful starting point would be queer theory, which emerged out of the frustration with more traditional approaches where identity is fixed and essentialist – such as in feminist theory. The exploration of identities which used to be – in representational terms – characterized as marginalized or absent are now apparent in more mainstream contexts. Two recent examples illustrate the shift in defining identities and the way in which definitive and circumscribed categories are challenged. In February 2014 the British Film Institute announced that their festival, previously known as the 'London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival' would have a new title, 'Flare', in order to address the outmoded concept of fixed and single identities. In a similar development, Facebook announced that it was widening its definitions of gender in users' settings from two to fifty six (although several of these categories are actually synonyms it's an impressively comprehensive list!). These examples are also relevant to the question of power and influence in the relationship between media producers and audiences. Are these cases of media organizations reflecting or shaping identities? Or perhaps they're just forms of advertising and brand development.

The idea that identities are multiple and that individuals may select different identities at different times has led to the concept of identity as a performance – a persona which can be selected or discarded at different times. This concept is particularly well suited to exploration in social media, with its use of avatars and anonymity, and to games with the role-playing of gangsters, wizards, soldiers and suburban family members, moving between ethnicity, age and gender, which exist in a virtual world which may be based on actual historical or social events.  It isn't just new media though which asks questions about how individuals experience and construct identities. In film, directors such as Sofia Coppola repeatedly examine the search for identity; The Bling Ring (Sofia Coppola, 2013) explores the identity crisis effected by celebrity culture, social media and self-representation. The recent film Only Lovers Left Alive (Jim Jarmusch, 2014) continues the vampire genre's interest in identity and otherness.

The concept of putting on an identity can also be placed in the context of audience theory. Beyond the opposition of active and passive audiences, the theory of prosthetic memory is an accessible way into discussing the relationship between audience and identities. Prosthetic memory characterises the experience of identifying with characters in films as a political one. In this context 12 Years a Slave (Steve McQueen, 2013) is not just a representation of the evils of slavery but provides the opportunity for the audience to share collective memories and to take on an identity based on an experience they did not have. As this example demonstrates, once the concept of identity as fluid and changeable is accepted, the possibilities provided by the range of self-identifications become an essential area for an understanding of the meaning and effects of media products.

Memes and terrorism - constructing identities

Does new and digital technology empower the audience? Comparisons can be drawn between the memes constructed here to the cartoonists response to Charlie Hebdo.

An example of how audience members can construct a terrorists identity? 

see the examples here

Father uses new media to defend daughter

An interesting example for both identity and new and digital media here. The Father is using social media and new and digital media technology to defend his Daughter against bullies (and their parents).
Is this a way for the Father to use technology to defend his daughters identity?
Read the article:here

The future of the Internet?

The future of the Internet? An interesting discussion with Eric Schmidt (Google) here.

Eric Schmidt is the man that suggested that your generation will have to change their identity in their lifetime - a really interesting argument for both the identity and new media section of the exam.


read the original article relating to identity here.

Youth identity - Norway's 'Child Bride'

 

A few months ago, we explored the viral marketing campaign created by a charity in Norway highlighting the issue of child brides.


Now that we are starting to look at youth identity, it may be worth revisiting the Huffington Post article here

 

More links:
http://www.plan-norge.no/English

 

Some things to consider for the exam -

 

• How has new and digital media been utilised to promote the charity?
• Would you consider this a moral panic?
• Is viral marketing an effective technique in this instance? Or is their any dangers involved in creating a 'false' campaign in this fashion?

Gaming and moral panic

After our discussion in class yesterday about the impact of violent computer games on people's behaviour, I saw this in the metro this morning. Interesting that they chose to describe him as a tomb raider fan without explaining the connection or relevance of this piece of information. Is this trying to capitalise on the existing moral panic surrounding computer games after famous cases such as JamesBulger? What effect will this have on an audience?

Advertising

Advertising is dead.

Or is it?

 In an increasingly digital age, advertisers have a difficult job. We are moving away from print media and we are so familiar with traditional advertising methods that they have less impact. Advertisers are having to find new formats, locations and techniques to make us sit up and pay attention.

Whilst waiting for a train last year, I noticed this:

Do you think this is an effective form of marketing for a film? What does this tell us about who the film is targeted at?

Female representation

A couple of interesting media texts I found over the weekend that could be used in response to questions relating to representation:

Cosmopolitan UK's Suffocating Magazine Cover Is Terrifying and Beautiful

What happens when you report inaccurate information on the news?

Fox News are having a bit of a run of bad luck at the moment. It seems this 'terrorism expert' gaffe is not the first time Fox has reported inaccurate and offensive information as fact.

Have a look at a list of the 'worst things Fox News has ever done'. worst thing Fox News has done

With regards to using this in the exam, have you thought about the following -  What does this tell us about media ethics? What impact does this have on an audience? Does it empower them and encourage them to use social media to respond? How does it represent the institution? Does it make us value the BBC's values all the more?

HW. Coursework - the next stage

The second draft of your coursework essay is due: Thursday 22nd January


Your first batch of photographs/articles/footage is due: Tuesday 27th January

Cartoonists worldwide respond to the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack

In light of recent terrorist attacks on the Paris based satirical cartoon publication, Charlie Hebdo. Cartoonists worldwide have been exercising their right to freedom of speech by designing cartoons showing their support. Some of the images are incredibly poignant. Do have a look at the list of 23 cartoons here .


Many of these were shared on Twitter, by members of the public and by people in positions of power (two step flow).

This image, amongst others was shared by Banksy on Instagram. Quite appropriate for the controversial and outspoken graffiti artist don't you think?

Can we trust the established media?

Have you seen the Fox News 'terrorist expert' discussing the recent terrorist attacks in Paris? He states that some British cities (Birmingham) are 'muslim only'. As laughable and offensive as his comments are, should we be concerned? Is this creating a negative representation of the Muslim community? Is it also creating a negative representation of the UK and more specifically, Birmingham? Whilst we, as a British audience can use our own social and cultural knowledge to identify the inaccuracies in what he is saying, an American audience are less likely to be able to do this. Can you apply the dependency theory and two step flow in your analysis of this clip?

 Try searching #foxnewsfacts on Twitter and see the public's humerous response to this mistake. Citizen journalism? Two step flow? Does this show the growing power of social media and citizen journalism?

Moral panic and ebola

Postmodernism

the male gaze theory

female representation resources

Some resources that we used whilst exploring female representation:

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Marxism and hegemony

Female representation case study

Hyperrealism

Case study ISIS

Was ISIS inspired by the opening titles to Homeland (an american political drama based on recent terrorist events) see the article and video here: Homeland/ISIS

Audience theory

Dependency theory

How the internet effects public services

Mark scheme for section A

Top exam tips from AQA

ISIS and social media

Two articles exploring how ISIS are using social media to spread their message and create moral panic.
 

Citizen Journalism

An interesting talk looking at the pros and cons of citizen journalism with reference to specific examples.