BFI study day

1) Type up your notes from the day.

• Constructing and performing gender: "gender becomes a set of connotations that have become naturalized." Gender roles are constructed, men and women are victimised from a patriarchal society. 
• bell hooks believes that traditionally masculine attitudes and behaviours aren't natural but rather constructed by a patriarchal society. 
• Van Zoonen believes that in a patriarchal society women bodies are sexualised and vulnerable whilst men's bodies are sexualised through power and strength. 
• Butler believes that gender is a performance: a repeated system of behaviours and costumes that are used so many times they may become seen as 'natural' 
• Barthes believes that signs we assume and denotations are actually 'dominant connotations' that hide ideologies. 
• Authors 'encode' their work with meaning. Audiences often do not decode meanings the way a texts creator intended, same from negotiated or even oppositional meanings. 
• Meta-narrative- A totalising cultural narrative, that organises thought and experiences into a a grand 'story' that makes sense of our lives. 
• Simulacra- Imitation that seems more real than the things it's imitating. 

*I lost my notes, those are taken form Aranvir's blog*

2) Write a one-sentence summary of the ideas of the theorists Matthew Daintrey-Hall covered (you can use your notes from task 1 here if relevant): 

bell hooks: "Gender becomes a set of connotations that have become naturalized."  She suggests that the gender stereotypes aren't normal and are constructed by society.

Liesbet van Zoonen: she believes that women are treated the same way as they were before and nothing had really changed. (women are still sexualised)

Judith Butler: 'gender as a performance' male and female behaviour is socially constructed and not natural

Saussure: -

Barthes-denotations are 'dominant connotations'

Lyotard: he believes in cultural narrative, that we need a narrative that audience can relate to

Baudrillard- the idea of hyperreality- the reality is replaced and what's not real is though of as real


 3) Choose one of the films we saw extracts from and watch the whole movie: Captain Fantastic (2016), Pulp Fiction (1994) or Inception (2010). Write a 300 word analysis of your chosen film using theories from the study day (use the exam paragraph structure we were shown on the day - theory introduction, examples from text, why this 'proves' or 'disproves' the theory).

I talked about the film 'inception'. I chose this one because it's one of my favourite film, creating almost a 'frame within a frame' with the illusion of the plot being an actual making of a film. The creative narrative is about a dream that you can actually control. The theory of Stuart Hall can be applied to this film because the director's preferred reading is that it is not a normal spy genre film, as it does not involve robberies, etc. The oppositional reading is exactly what is the deaper meaning explain by the director. It's a concept of Lyotard's theory, where we talk about things being reliatable to the audience, and as weird as it might seem, the idea of controling your dream is very real and possible. The movie keeps you on the adge of your seat and is beautifly constructed with the maze-like plots and twists. You can also see some enigma codes to what was the whole point of protagonists story and actions. His wife, his children all led up to him finally comming back home. The is a great satisfaction for an audience when we can finally see the faces of his children at the end.

Radio: Introduction to radio

BBC Sounds

Read this Guardian feature on the launch of BBC Sounds and answer the following questions:

1) Why does the article suggest that ‘on the face of it, BBC Radio is in rude health’?

 It's because of large following and audinece for BBC Radio stations. They are the most popular radio station.

2) What percentage of under-35s use the BBC iPlayer catch-up radio app?

3%

3) What is BBC Sounds?

BBC Sounds is a new app and website that formally launches on Tuesday with a glitzy event at Tate Modern. It will bring radio livestreams, catchup services, music mixes and podcasts together under one roof.

4) How do audiences listen to radio content in the digital age?

People listen to the radio via voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa or just podcasts on Spotify.

5) What does Jason Phipps suggest is important for radio and podcast content aimed at younger audiences?

He says there is a need to reconsider the entire tone of how the BBC tells stories, shifting away from rigid formality if it wants to attract the precious under-35 audience: “It has to be a warmer, more story-led journey. You need to report the very personal experience of it.

 BBC Sounds listeners will get personalised recommendations. Photograph: BBC

“The very best stories are fundamentally anchored around the personal experience. You’re trying to find the human in the machine. Journalists have a process but younger audiences can find that very cold and want to access the actual response of human beings. They really want to understand the heart of the story.”

“We need more brash, funny, intelligent podcasts,”

6) Why does the BBC need to stay relevant?

So that it maintains its audience and following that it has accumulated over the years and also secure their chances of success in the future for the next generation.

Now read this review of the BBC Sounds app.

7) What content does the BBC Sounds app offer?

“responding to your tastes, your moods”, “playing with form and content” and “public service running through its veins”.

8) How does it link to BBC Radio?

The app allows the user to click through and listen to any of the BBC radio stations that are live, podcasts, playlists and radio shows.

9) What are the criticisms of the BBC Sounds app?

the programme information a little tricky to access, and the search – as ever with the BBC – isn’t sensitive enough. Also there isn’t enough content. “Spooky Sounds” only offered me 11 shows; “Be Curious” just 10.

10) Two new podcasts were launched alongside the BBC Sounds app. What are they and why might they appeal to younger audiences?

End of Days and Beyond Today. The podcasts discuss socio-political topics that younger audiences may be interested in. 

ShoutOut Network

Read this Huffington Post feature on the Shout Out Network and answer the following questions:

1) What is the ShoutOut Network?

A London-based network of podcasts which cover a diverse range of content.

2) What podcasts are offered by the ShoutOut Network?

Two Fools Talking (comedy, Mostly Lit (pop-culture literature), Artistic State of Mind (theatre + music)

3) What audience do they reach?

Over 20,000 listeners per month and 92% BAME communities

4) What are the 2015 statistics on podcast listening in the UK?

• 3.7 million adults listen to podcasts - this is equal to 6.5% of the adult population
• 57% listen to podcasts on their phones
• 47% listen while commuting
• 34% listen while relaxing

5) The article suggests podcasts are ‘picking up more steam’. Do you think podcasts the future of radio?

I feel like they surly will be more popular then radio and when radio station will be gone completely, podcast could be a new representation of radio. Audience like to be in control, and now they actually have a choice to choose shows that they want to watch and podcasts that they want to listen to. 

Music Video: end of unit index

1) Music Video - introduction and factsheet questions
2) Music Video theory and This Is America analysis
3) Common - Letter to the Free context and analysis
4) Michael Jackson - Billie Jean context, analysis and MM article 

Music Video: Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

 



Media Magazine reading: Billie Jean, birth of an icon

Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the case study on Billie Jean - birth of an icon (MM62 - page 20). Answer the following questions:

1) What was the budget for Billie Jean? How did this compare with later Michael Jackson videos?

The budget was $50,000.

2) Why was the video rejected by MTV?

It was rejected because MTV argued that it didn’t suit their ‘middle America’ audience.

3) Applying Goodwin's theory of music video, how does Billie Jean reflect the genre characteristics of pop music video?

I think that Billie Jean perfectly reflects almost all of the elements of pop music video established by Goodwin. It had a direct connection with the lyrics, have a lot of the iconic dancing in it, and is, overall, the music video that initiated the importance of music videos.

4) How do the visuals reflect the lyrics in Billie Jean?

The song is about the scandal of Michael being falsely accused of being a father of a baby that wasn't his. In the music video Michael deliberately indicates how fame can cause you trouble and you need to 'always think twice'. At the end he disappear under the sheets of the bed, with a woman sleeping next to him 

5) Why does the video feature fewer close-up shots than in most pop videos?

Because of the iconic dance moves, the direction was to simply show them as much as they could.

6) What intertextual references can be found in the video?

The detective/ idea of being followed which

7) How does the video use the notion of looking as a recurring motif?

The video uses the frame-within-a-frame, also the use of the detective and the idea of him being followed.
8) What representations can be found in the video?

You could say that the most important and key representation is celebrieties like him being repressed by media and him as a black man being a huge, successfu pop star.

Close-textual analysis of the music video

1) How is mise-en-scene used to create intertextuality - reference to other media products or genres? E.g. colour/black and white; light/lighting.

costume- the costume that the detective wears again relates to the genre of film noir, but also represents the genre of Hollywood.
lighting - At the beginning of the video, lighting generates the first feeling of intertextuality, as the film noir genre could be referred to the video. As the video progresses, the lighting changes, the lighting shifts to a lighter one because the lighting becomes clearer as quickly as Michael Jackson enters the scene.

2) How does the video use narrative theory of equilibrium?

Disequalibrium is the detective following Michael and the gossip spreading, and the equalibrium could be Michael not being accused of anything.

3) How are characters used to create narrative through binary opposition?

There's a lot of binary oppositions with rich and poor or truth and lie. The rich and poor is shown throughout the whole video, and is kind of a big concept. The idea is that whatever Michael tauches or is around, becomes richer/ The truth and lie is very simple and refers to the lyrics.

4) What is the significance of the freeze-frames and split-screen visual effects?

It creates a sense of mystery and if a characteristic of a spy genre. Also it highlights the important moments in narrative and the performance (the iconic dancing of Michael). 

5) What meanings could the recurring motif of 'pictures-within-pictures' create for the audience?#

The idea of Michael always being in the spotlight and the lyrics refer to the fame and how it is essential to be careful because everyone is always watching  

6) Does the video reinforce or subvert theories of race and ethnicity - such as Gilroy's diaspora or Hall's black characterisations in American media?

It's not just the video, but the overall image of Michael Jackson as one of the most popular people on the planet as a black man and appearing as a nessesery artist in stations like MTV. It tries to fight the black diasporic identity – the feeling of never quite belonging or being accepted.

7) Does this video reflect Steve Neale's genre theory of 'repetition and difference'? Does it reflect other music videos or does it innovate?

This video can be seen as a ' repetition ' of the typical lip-syncing music video as well as a music video narrative. There is proof that ' distinction ' is Michael Jackson's dance, however, this video changed the way dancing was viewed

8) Analyse the video using postmodern theory (e.g. Baudrillard's hyper-reality; Strinati's five definitions of postmodernism). How does the 'picture-in-picture' recurring motif create a postmodern reading?

We can use the idea of media-saturated world – immersed in media products 24/7. The idea of people believing what they see in media. 
There's also a lot of intertextuality and the idea of hyperreality which in this video seems to be the actual reality as Michael talks about his actual problems (although the floor doesn't shine when he walkes)

Common - Letter to the Free

1) What other projects has Common been involved in over recent years?

He wrote the soundtrack for Gloryalongside John Legend, and also starred in this film. Common has taken on a role as a musician that has enabled him to contribute to the diverse political issues in America.

2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?

The 13th Ammendment acted as a loophole that allows to still enslave Black Americans. It states that slavery is outlawed, unless it is a form of punishment for prisoners.

3) What were the Black Codes?

They were used in order to prosecute Black Americans for petty crimes. This law only applied to newly emancipated slaves, so it was a way of taking their freedom and a method for White America to remain powerful..

4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?#

It's clear that slavery still exist, even after 150 years. The difference is that now they simply use different ways to enslave black people, creating new laws, like Jim Crow laws were introduced which led to the segregation of blacks and whites in America.

5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?

She wanted to address the issue of a slavery, and how it still exists, imprisoning black people for minor crimes. 

6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?

The late 80's and 90's was the time when hip-hop and black culture started to appear next to other genres. It was the time to embrace the black culture, with black empowerment and love and overall awareness. 1980s was the time of diversification of hip hop creating more complex styles, for example the political issues.

7) Common talks about other current artists that have a political or protest element to their music. Who are they? Are there any other hip hop artists that you are aware of that have a strong political element to their work?

Common thinks that artists like Kendrick Lamar and Chance [the Rapper] are aware of the issues and speak about issues important to their culture. 'Kendrick Lamar. I also think that Chance [the Rapper], though he may not speak in black consciousness, he has a consciousness about him, self-awareness and a spirituality.'

8) What album is Letter to the Free taken from? What was the critical reception for this album? You'll need to research this - the Wikipedia entry for the album is a good place to start.

Black America Again is the eleventh studio album by American rapper Common. It was released on November 4, 2016, by ARTium Recordings and Def Jam Recordings.^[1][2]

Black America Again was supported by two singles: "Love Star" and "Black America Again". The album received widespread acclaim from critics, debuting at number 25 on the US Billboard 200.

Close-textual analysis and representation

Re-watch the music video several times to complete the following tasks in specific detail:

1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).

There're a lot of long shots, which is very unique for a hip-hop music video, here there're a lot of close-ups. The long shots capture the artists as a small part of the frame, showing the unnecessary background and leaving the frame almost empty. That can refer to the slavery and racism, and how black people felt and feel, separated and out of place. 

2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?

In the first part of the music video, the camera moves towards the artists, but in the second part the camera moves away, creating a symmetrical feel to the music video. The movements wants to engage us into the music video. 

3) Why is the video in black and white?

It can represent the differences between the black and white people. It can also make us concentrate on the lyrics more, signifying that we have to listen closely. 

4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?

The setting (prison) refers straight to the issue of enslaving black people in prisons in America. the artist wear very casual/ a little formal clothes, not really seen in hip-hop music videos. That also adds to the seriousness of the music video. There're not a lot of props used in this video, mostly the instruments that the artists use. There're drums used by one of them, representing the American culture. The lighting changes depending on the room that is shown, but it doesn't really effect the meaning of the song. The artists don't look at the camera once, which represents how slaves must of felt.

5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?

It says that slavery still exits and that there's hope that the freedom and justice for blac people will come eventually.

6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif? Discuss your own interpretations alongside Common's explanation of it in the Billboard feature linked above.

I feel that it represents the slavery of black people and how it looks exactly the same as it did before.

7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.

The black square is a great example, appearing in shots in prison and then, at the end, in the final shot, on the field, in the same form as in prison, suggesting that nothing had changed, except for the place that the black people are being enslaved. 

8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?

The Letter to the Free is a great example, asGilroy suggests that black music articulates diasporic experiences of resistance to white capitalist culture. It can be applied to the idea that because of slavery, black people often don't feel like they belong in America.

9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.

It's a good example of Dyson's thinking, saying that hip-hop is a an art form used to show a point and make a statement. This music video can be applied perfectly to this music video.

10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?

• Mass incarceration of blacks/non-white in America
• Racism within the government and police system
• Underlying tones of racism within contemporary America

Music video: theory

1) How does the This Is America video meet the key conventions of a music video?

There are a lot of key conventions in this video. Childish Gambino is giving a performence with not only singing, but also dancing throughtout the music video. There's also a great narrative that has a lot of intertextuality indide, from the lasy shot of the video, to hit pose when he shoots a man within the first minute if the video. The video is trying to arouse controvercy about things happening in US and how ignorant people are about it. The movements in the video reflect the constant pressure of people watching news on social media all the time, and distracting themselves with silly jokes and dance moves.

2) What comment is the video making on American culture, racism and gun violence?

The This Is America video is very sarcastic and in some way scary, having a lot of surpricing, violent actions and the over-elaborated truth about the internet. He's potraing the American culture as toxic and extreamly ignorant to the inside issues of their nation. The rasism and gun violence have a huge part in American of what's wrong in American community.The #blacklifemetter was created because of Innocent black people being shot by policemen. In the video there's a reference to a mass shooting in the church and the gun being placed on a fancy, red pillow shows the attitude towards guns in US.
 

3) Write an analysis of the video applying the theories we have learned: Gilroy, Hall, Rose and Dyson. 

Gilroy- with his theory, the music video touches on the aspect of black community, especially American, being treated below other ethnicities and being targeted by the police. The black music and the reasons behind creating it is shown in the music video. At the end Childish Gambino runs away from white doctors.
Hall- the theory fits with the music video, because throughout the video we can see some stereotypes about black and white people. There are a lot of parts that include the police issue. There's also a representation of white people, actually the only one in this video, at the end, chasing the Singer. 
Rose- Childish Gambino tries to give the audience an insight into how it is like living in America if your black one, and through that he tries to raise awareness, and as Rose said, ' give them a voice, ' as watching this video Gambino tries to show you what's wrong with American culture. 

Read this Guardian feature on This Is America - including the comments below.

4) What are the three interpretations suggested in the article?

1. He’s playing Jim Crow
2. He’s duping us with dance
3. He’s taking on the police
   

5) What alternative interpretations of the video are offered in the comments 'below the line'? 

"It's just music"

"I'm surprised that this movie isn't 30 seconds long, with him walking on set and then some police shooting him. That would be a more accurate description of the US."

"Great video and music. I think it's quite obvious what the song means. Not much 'satirical' about it. Pretty literal to me. Being black in America is deadly."

"Music is the perfect medium to highlight the wrongs in society."