New and digital media developments - Twitter

Regulation - music videos and the BBFC

Easter homework - DUE TUESDAY 14TH OF APRIL

I hope you have a fantastic Easter holiday and a good rest. This is the final case study for the 'identity' question in the exam. It is time you took ownership of your revision now that you have completed a few case studies under guidance. Use the powerpoint below to help you select a topic and to help you narrow down resources as a starting point for your case study. 3 or 4 interesting media texts from a variety of sources should suffice. Feel free to use TV shows or recent films if applicable, but don't talk about them if you haven't seen them (believe me, I will be able to tell!)

HOMEWORK DUE TUESDAY, 14TH OF APRIL

Teens using new media technology to create identity

I have just seen an advert for a new channel 4 documentary series starting on Tuesday. It follows a group of teenagers and their use of new media.

Find out more about it here:

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-announces-new-documentary-teens

Technological convergence

As we move onto the final category for the exam - new and digital media, this perfectly illustrates the term digital convergence. You could draw connections and find examples of how this impacts on identity. How do YOU think technological convergence has impacted on modern identities? 

Computer games

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/its-vital-to-have-video-games-that-arent-fun-159?utm_source=vicefbuk

Celebrities manufacturing their identity

Do you watch Gogglebox? If you are not familiar with it, it is a fly on the wall documentary series observing families watching and commenting on the TV (it sounds utterly ridiculous when described). It has proven to be a phenomenal success for channel 4.

One thing I noticed this week on social media was one of the stars - Scarlett Moffat. She has a facebook page and uses this to share images of herself and opinions. Here she is, supporting and cultivating her own brand of celebrity. She is controlling her own identity by choosing how she represents herself and sharing this with potential fans and audiences via social media.

This is a difficult line for 'celebrities' (I use the term 'celebrity' loosely in Scarlett's case...). There are many benefits to using new and digital media to cultivate your identity outside of Gogglebox - try thinking of a few. But what are the potential negatives? 

Have a look at Shia Laboeuf's Twitter feed to explore possible negative examples.

Death of the sub culture?

We discussed in class the different sub cultures of youth and how they were often defined and influenced by music. This article perfectly illustrates how this is changing. Whilst new and digital media makes it easier for youth audiences to create their own, individual identity; is the ease of access afforded to us by this technology eradicating social tribes?

http://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/article/are-music-subcultures-losing-their-definition?utm_source=vicefbuk

Identity and the communications act

Two young people identified in the article here were imprisoned under section 127 of the communications act for sending vile, abusive tweets to a public figure. An example of the negative impact of new and digital media on youth identity? An example of the dangers of the anonymity afforded by social media?

An interesting case that could be referred to in section A or B old the exam in questions relating to identity, new and digital media, regulations etc

http://www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/isabella-sorley-john-nimmo-interview

Minority/marginalised identity

As part of your second case study for identity, you will choose your own topic. Your identity needs to look at smaller/marginalised groups, how they form their identity and how the media constructs their identity. One option for this is looking at the identity of the LGBT community.

In a pioneering move, channel 4 have created three series centred around strong gay protagonists and the LGBT community in their shows 'Tofu', 'Cucumber' and 'Banana'. You may have seen these advertised over the last couple of months.

What is interesting about them is that, although separate shows, the characters and narratives occasionally intertwine (how postmodern!). Each is broadcast on a different channel as part of the channel 4 institution and is targeted at a different demographic.

Here is an article exploring the audience and established media response to the flagship show 'Cucumbers' dramatic and poignant finale: 

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/gay-tv-shows-too-much-pressure-to-succeed?utm_source=vicefbuk

some useful theories and media texts

This presentation lacks some detail and explanation but does highlight and summarise some key theories, resources, books etc.


Definitely worth a look as this will be an excellent revision tool.


Notice the interesting quotes from Plato about the representation of youth?! Not much has changed!

Media theory toolkit from Julian McDougall