blog task 26: doctor who CSP

 Language and Contexts

   

1) How can we apply narrative theories to this episode of  Doctor Who? 

Todorov's Equilibrium

Equilibrium - Starts of in a school, and everything is normal

Disequilibrium - when chaos insures in the TARDIS when the doctor starts time travelling 

New Equilibrium - when the chaos ends and everybody is asleep

Propp's character theory

Barthes's enigma and action codes

Action codes - when the TARDIS begins to power and travel

Enigma codes - The shadow figure at the end of the episode. what is it?

Levi Strauss's binary opposition

human vs inhuman

young vs old 

supernatural vs natural

2) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?

The most important scene in my opinion is the scene where they first see the TARDIS as it looks normal but it actually isn't.  

3) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.

An Unearthly Child is a Science fiction, this is because it uses high tech scientific mechanics as the main transport and the concept of the supernatural and time traveling is fiction.

4) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?

Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 

Older people are represented as firm, strict and unentertaining 

Younger people are represented as free, open, and wild  

4) 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?

5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child? Think about how education and knowledge is presented in the episode.

Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Do you think it has changed since 1963?

The target audience is people who enjoy science or enjoy action series.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by Doctor Who - 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: They may relate with Susan 

Diversion (Escapism): They may watch the show to get away from reality and have a sense of entertainment

3) What additional Uses and Gratifications would this episode provide to a modern 2020s audience?

4) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to An Unearthly Child?

5) What kind of online fan culture does Doctor Who have? Give examples.

Doctor who fans are called 'Whovians', and they have a community called 'Whoniverse', they have fanfics, fan made trailers podcasts.

Industries

1) What was the television industry like in 1963? How many channels were there?

There was two Tv channels and they were BBC and ITV

2) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the level of technology in the TV industry in 1963?

The level of technology wasn't very advanced because of the lack of colour

3) Why is Doctor Who such an important franchise for the BBC? 

It generates huge income and is shown internationality through BBC worldwide

4) What other programmes/spin-offs are part of the wider Doctor Who franchise?

k-9, a kid show based on a doctor who robot dog, and other shows including Sarah Jane adventures, Torchwood , class, documentaries, behind the scenes and sneak peaks 

5) Why does the Doctor Who franchise have so much merchandise available? Give examples. 

The BBC creates merchandise for fans to purchase.

Blog Task 25: Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

 Audience

1) What do we know about the Arctic Monkeys audience? Think demographics, psychographics and how they got into the band.

The audience is predominantly white, middle class and young  some psychographics may include reformers and explorers 

2) What audience pleasures are offered by the music video for I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor?

Diversion the song is fast and upbeat

personal relationships, this is because the members are in casual attire and you can see the lighting, cameras and wires that you may not see in a popular artists video.

personal identity, going out to the club and drinking for younger audiences and the sense of nostalgia for older audiences due to the 1980s style of the video

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

4) How did fans take a leading role in making Arctic Monkeys famous back in 2005?

Fans used social media mainly MySpace to share and spread the bands music to a wider audience 

5) How are fans positioned to respond to the band? What does Arctic Monkeys want fans to think about their video?

Arctic Monkeys video is authentic and 100% performance, this could allow the fans to respond in a way to believe they are talented

Industries

1) How did the Arctic Monkeys first achieve success and build up their fanbase?

Their debut album 'Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not' hit number one, the use to social media also helped boost up their fanbase due to fans spreading their music and albums on chatrooms

2) Why was P2P file sharing and MySpace an unexpected aspect to Arctic Monkeys' early success?

P2P file sharing and MySpace were the first ever communication platforms and because of this people who enjoyed Arctic Monkeys music shared the music to people across the world, influencing them to listen to it.

3) How does the rise of Arctic Monkeys differ from how BLACKPINK were formed and became famous?

Arctic Monkeys were formed from a group of high school friends, they shared their music by performing at gigs and in clubs, all their music was created and wrote by the group, whereas BLACKPINK was created by a well known music manufacture and trained to become a band, their music is wrote and composed by people inside or outside the company, they perform at music shows and events such as well known festivals like Coachella.    

4) Who is Arctic Monkeys record label and how many copies did they sell of their debut album? Why did they choose an independent record label?

Arctic Monkeys label is Domino records, and they sold around 350,000 copies in the first week, they chose this independent label because they wanted musical and creative freedom and not be controlled like if they joined a major company.

5) Looking at the wider music industry, has the internet been a positive or negative development for record companies and artists? Why?

Grade 8/9 extension tasks

Read this excellent Guardian feature on the Arctic Monkeys on the 10th anniversary of I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor. What key statistics can you take from the article concerning developments in the industry and the Arctic Monkeys' role in these changes?

Read this BBC News report from the time - documenting the records Arctic Monkeys broke.

Finally, read this short Guardian feature asking if Arctic Monkeys changed the music industry. What does the article suggest?

Blog 24: Introduction to Music Video and BLACKPINK HYLT

 Introduction Q's:

1) What are the key conventions of music video?

Performance narrative and concept

2) What is intertextuality?

one text references another text

3) When did music videos first become a major part of the music industry?

In the early 1980s 

4) What launched in 1981 and why were music videos an important part of the music industry in the 1980s and 1990s?

MTV, music tv launched and it allowed the audience to have 24 hour access to a variety of music videos

5) How are music videos distributed and watched in the digital age?

digital service providers (DSPs), video-sharing platforms, and social media

BLACKPINK: How You Like That Q's:

Audience

1) What are BLACKPINK fans known as - and what would the demographics / psychographics be for the BLACKPINK audience?

They are known as BLINKS 

2) What audience pleasures are offered by the music video for How You Like That?

fashion-forward visuals, and themes of empowerment

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

4) How was the How You Like That music video marketed and promoted to the audience?

It was promoted by music video teasers on social media, global television appearances, and concept videos

5) Why is K-pop a global phenomenon and what has helped it to become so popular?

it grew popular because of the high-production-value music, synchronized choreography, and strategic use of social media for intense fan engagement

Industry

1) How were BLACKPINK formed and what records have they broken?

They was formed by YG entertainment through a training program, the members from multiple international backgrounds

They was the first 100 million subscribers, they have the most viewed music video in the first 24 hours, first K-pop group to reach 1 billion views, Most viewed band on YouTube

2) What other successful artists have YG Entertainment created? You may need to Google this.

YG Entertainment has created group such as BIGBANG, 2NE1, TREASURE, and their newest group as of 2023, Baby Monster.

3) How has technology and the internet (known as technological convergence) changed the way audiences consume music videos?

the use of internet, mobile, and digital media technologies

4) How do BLACKPINK and K-pop show that the media and music industries are now global?

They now blending Western-influenced pop with multinational talent

5) How are UK-based music videos regulated and what types of content require warnings? 

 British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). some types of this are bad language, dangerous behaviour, drug misuse, sexual behaviour and nudity, and threatening behaviour and violence.

Extension

Read this Guardian feature asking whether YouTube is good or bad for the music industry. What is your opinion on this crucial question?



Read this Guardian feature on how videogames are now more important than music videos for breaking new artists. Do you agree videogames are now more influential than music videos?

index: magazines

tatler magazine 

heat magazine

Blog 23: Heat magazine

 

1) Look at the Heat Media Pack. Go to page 2: the Heat mission. Write three things that Heat offers its readers under 'print'.

firstly, Heat offers a unique quality experience and access to shoots no other magazine could pull off 

secondly, it is lead by a team of experts which helps the reader navigate through life 

lastly, they offer life hacks, fashion and beauty tips, 

2) Now go to page 3 of the Media Pack - celebrity focus. What does the page say that Heat offers readers?

The page says heat offers big news about celebrities lives allowing the reader to always "know" and have conversation starters 

3) Now look at page 4 of the Heat Media Pack. What other content does Heat magazine offer its readers aside from celebrity news?

Heat also offers fashion and lifestyle tips 

4) Look at page 5. What is Heat magazine's audience profile? Write all the key details of their audience here

Female/male: 90% / 10%

avg age: 37

age profile: 52% AGED 15/34

(14% 15-24, 37% 25-34)

segment: 50% ABC1

Marital status: 57% married

Media Language

1) How are the cover lines written to make the audience want to buy the magazine? Consider the interest/intrigue they create.

The covers lines are written to make the audience want to buy the magazine by creating a sense of curiosity and intrigue this is done by the magazine giving the audience a small but of information, not telling the whole story to hook you in and buy the magazine.

2) What are the connotations of the Heat colour scheme on this particular front cover?

Pink: often connotes feministity, can be aimed at female audiences 

yellow: often connotes excitement and happiness, or a sense of warning

red: this can connote urgency and danger

3) How are images used to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. paparazzi images or aspects of mise-en-scene such props, costume, make-up, body position, facial expression etc.)

Imagines are used to create interest this is because if a celebrity looks ready and well presented with make up done and appearance neat, the audience would expect that the celebrity was ready for these pictures, whereas if a celebrity looks messy and unpresentable, barefaced and in casual clothing, the audience would expect that they was taken by paparazzi and the celebrity wasn't ready for it.

4) What differences can you find between the use of design and typography between Tatler and Heat? List at least three differences and explain the effect on audiences.

Tatler often relates to the royal family, using one focus point and promotes high end fashion, whereas Heat relates to celebrities, often using more than one focus picture to show different stories, heat also promotes casual fashion.

Media Representations

1) What type of celebrities appear on the front cover of Heat? List them here. 

Royalty

music artists

actors

tv stars 

2) How are celebrities represented in Heat? (Positively? Negatively? Reinforcing or challenging stereotypes?)

Celebrities are represented as negative as heat often uses scandals as their headlines and top stories.

3) How are women represented on the cover of Heat? Think about both images and cover lines here.

4) How do Heat and Tatler represent social class? What different social classes can you find in the features and celebrities on the cover? (E.g. middle/upper class / working class)

Tatler are often for the middle and upper class who like knowing about high end fashion and knowing about the royal family. whereas heat is often for the working class who like to know about shopping deals or exclusive news about celebrities. Tatler as one focus picture often someone with high influence, whereas Heat often uses multiple focus pictures with people of different influences, Tatler often uses Sans serif whereas heat uses serif. 

Grade 8/9 Extension Tasks

1) How does the front cover engage audiences with possible narratives? Look for stories, cliffhangers, dramatic cover lines etc.

The front covers has multiple different stories and dramatic cover lines to hook the audience in, even if one story doesn't intrigue them another might and they will end up buying it.

2) What are paparazzi images and why are they crucial to the front cover of Heat? 

Paparazzi images are images that are taken while a celebrity is off the job or not at a schedule or taken without the celebrities notice, these are crucial to the front cover as they often give a glimpse into the celebrities real life and give the audience a sense of knowing. 

3) How does the front cover juxtapose text and images to create contrast and narrative on the front cover of Heat?

4) What do these two magazines suggest about representations of social class in the British media?

Blog 22: Magazines Tatler CSP

 

1) Look at the Tatler Media Pack. Go to page 2: How does the editor introduce the magazine?

The editor introduces the magazines as fabulous and for rich readers.  

2) Now go to page 4 of the Media Pack. Focus on the print magazine (NOT tatler.com - the website). List the key demographic details: age, gender %, ABC1 % (social class), HHI (Household Income), % of those living in London and the South East. What do these demographic details suggest about the average Tatler reader?

age - 41

gender - Female 73%

social class - Abc1 83%

household income - £261,572
London/SE - 70%

3) Look at page 6. What do Tatler readers think about fashion? How much do they spend?

£843 million is spent on fashion in the past year

4) Go to page 10. What are the special editions of Tatler that run throughout the year? What does this suggest about the Tatler audience? What about the psychographic audience group that best fits Tatler?

this suggests that the audience has a high income and a high social status, I believe the succeeder or the aspired. 

1) What different examples of typography can you find on the cover of Tatler? What are the connotations of the serif and sans serif fonts?

A mix of sans serif and serif typography is used, this creates the “high status” effect with the balance of modern editing style.

2) How do the cover lines appeal to the Tatler target audience?

It shows high fashion and luxury, and is usually exclusive to those of high status 

3) What are the connotations of the Tatler colour scheme on this particular front cover?

green shows nature

4) How is the central image designed to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. the model, the mise-en-scene such as props, costume and make-up, body position, facial expression etc.)

The dress is very luxurious and elaborate, the model is placed in the middle of the frame with direct eye contact creating a sense of confidence and self-worth.

1) What celebrities or famous people are mentioned on the cover? Why do you think Tatler put them on the cover?

Tatler put the Royal Family this is because some people like to know what’s going on in others life as a result they would purchase the magazine.

2) What do the cover lines suggest about the lifestyle of rich people in the UK?

This suggests that rich people like to know what’s is happening with people in power and a famous status.

3) Looking at the image and cover lines together, what different groups of people are represented on the cover and how are they represented? (E.g. men/women/rich people/race & ethnicity etc.) 

4) Are there any stereotypes being reinforced or subverted? How? Why?

1) What types of people are NOT featured in Tatler? (Watch the clip above again if you need help with this - the clue is in the title 'Posh People')

People of Low class and status aren’t featured as they are typically less likely to “gossip” as Posh people like knowing what’s happening with everyone.

2) Tatler runs special issues on holidays, spa breaks, cosmetic surgery, watches and jewellery and private schools. What does this suggest about the magazine's representation of life in Britain? 



3) What audience groups might be offended or insulted by the front cover of Tatler? 



4) Find three other front covers for Tatler from different months. What issues, subjects or people are regularly featured in Tatler?

 

   

Blog 21: Represent NHS Blood & Transplant campaign CSP

1) What is an advertising campaign?

A series of advertisements that share a similar theme message or idea.

2) What is the objective of the NHS Represent campaign? 

The objective is to get more Black and Asian communities to donate their blood.

3) What does this advert want people to do once they've seen it (the 'call to action')? 

This adverts wants people to go and donate their blood after they've seen it.

4) Why is the advert called 'Represent'? 

The advert is called ‘Represent’ to encourage Black and Asian communities to become blood donors.

5) Why have the producers chosen celebrities to feature in the advert? Give an example of three well-known people who appear in the advert and why they are famous - make sure you write their names and spell them accurately.

Nicola Adams - Female boxer

Ade Adepitan - wheelchair Olympian 

Kanya King - Female CEO

6) What are the connotations of the slow-paced long shot of empty chairs at the end of the advert?

It can show the shortage of Black and Asian donors 

7) How does the advert match the key conventions of a typical urban music video?

There isn’t any outgoing outfits, they are all casual and authentic. There are roof top performances and fast paced editing

8) How does the advert subvert stereotypes? Give three examples (e.g. ethnicity, masculinity, femininity, age, class, disability/ability etc.) 

There is a woman in STEM

A Female boxer

Wheelchair Olympian 

9) How does the advert reinforce certain stereotypes? Could there be an oppositional reading where some audiences would find this advert offensive or reinforcing negative stereotypes?

There is a man playing football, which is typically seen as a male sport, some audience may find it offensive as it could show that woman can’t play sports but men can.

10) Choose one key moment from the advert and write an analysis of the connotations of camera shots and mise-en-

scene (CLAMPS).

The slow zoom in on the chairs at the end can show that there is a shortage of Black and Asian blood donors, and that there isn’t enough compatible blood, and people are using their life because of it.