OCR Exam Revision: Question 2 -

Question 2 - 

Media and Collective Identity:

Gender
Age
Ethnicity

OCR Exam Revision: Question 1B -

Question 1B - 

Genre:

Indie
Rock
Alternative

Narrative:

Todorov
Freytag
Propp
Barthe

Representation:

Gender
Ethnicity / Race
Age
Sexuality

Gender - 

Butler : Gender Socially Constructed by the Media
Mulvey : The Male Gaze
Hansen : The Female Gaze

Ethnicity / Race - 

Tokenism : Token Minority
Tuchman : Symbolic Annihilation (Subverted)
Gauntlett : Media Needs to be Conscious of Diversity

Age - 

Hebdige : Youth as Fun or Trouble
Anne Gould: Nihilistic, Self Destructive, Sexual, Rebellious, Artificial Tribe, Aggressive

Sexuality - 

Queer Theory : Include Sexual Diversity to Counter Heteronormativity
Neale : The Gay Gaze

Audience:

Gender: All
Ethnicity: All
Age: 15 - 25
Race: All
Socio-econmoic Status: All

Media Language:

Editing
Camera
Page Layout
Font

Exemplar - 

In question 1(B) you must write about one of your media productions.

(B) Apply the concept of representation to one of your coursework productions [25]
The issue of representation refers to the portrayal of people, actions and events through the medium’ of the media’. The issue often surrounds itself with topics involving; Race, Age and gender.
The main task set out to us through the A2 period of my course was the production of a music video, to accompany a song of our choice. The song I chose was ‘Evening/Morning’ by ‘Bomay Cycle Club’, with the chosen genre being Indie. Following the conventions of my genre, I chose to portray a narrative based music video with the narrative basing itself around the story of a boy and a girl going on a date. The narrative centres itself on how the pair prepare themselves, and the issue of gender representation is clear throughout.
One theorist that can be applied to my music video is Laura Mulvey and her theory of the Male Gaze. This theory surrounds itself with the voyeuristic nature of the media, with regards to the objectification of females, and the pleasure that a male viewer may get when watching the video.
This theory can be applied to my video in a number of different ways. Firstly, the inclusion of the female character
in itself immediately applies that the Male Gaze may be relevant. The very presence of a female character is likely
to lead some males into watching the video purely to see the female presence. Furthermore, the idea that the
camera has been placed by the director in her house suggests that the society is quite intimate. The camera trails
the female around her house, which impedes on her personal space are suggests the idea of voyeurism, to watch for pleasure, within the video. Furthermore, the practice of cutting back and forth between her as she changes clothes
is very invasive of her privacy. This stage is considered quite a personal aspect of a girls life, and the fact that the
male audience is able to see this firmly suggests that the female character is being represented as a visual object. Comparatively, the male temari in the sake outfit as the temari still. The camera remains stationary and as a result personal space is not really intruded on with regards to the male. The constant presentation of long shots onto the male, compared to close ups on the female highlights this further, suggesting a much more provocative and involving view of the female, representing her clearly as a sexual object.
A second theory that can be applied to my music video was suggested by Antonio Gramsci. His theory is centred around the lack of dominant ideololgies within society, and the presence of hegemonic norms.
This theory is relevent to my video in a number of ways. Firstly with regards to the male character, he is represented as an uncaring and as a result, quite macho manly figure. He remains stationary and playing video games, making little effort to prepare for the date. Comparatively, the female character spends the majority of the video rushing around preparing for the date, clearly with a look of stress and excitement. This represents a dominant ideology heartfelt, loving caring figures, whereas male characters are often much less romantically involved and are much more focused on other things. As mentioned, the representation of women as voyeuristic sex objects is also considered a dominant ideology within society, a trait often played on by the media.

In conclusion, as suggested, my video included a number of features which can be discussed in terms of representational issues, perhaps note more so then the representation of women as an object of men’s sexual pleasure.

Exemplar Marking - 

1B (25 Marks) 13 / 25 (Low C) Basic understanding of relevant theories. Basic written work undermines the ideas. Over simplified. Insufficient detail in analysis.

EAA (Example, Analysis, Argument) : ? / 10

EG (Example Given) : ? / 10

T (Terminology) : ? / 5

Practice Question - 

1 (b) Apply the concept of genre to one of your coursework productions. [25]

OCR Exam Revision: Question 1A -

Question 1A - 

Creativity:

Costume
Make Up
FX Make Up
Prop
Prop Production
Location
Design Elements
Video Effects
Editing Techniques
Lighting
Camera

Research and Planning:

Focus Group
Target Audience (GEARS, Young and Rubican 4C Model)
Questionnaire
Storyboard
Textual Analysis
Timed Analysis
Forms
Location Practice Shoot

Real Media Conventions (Youth / Indie):

Alcohol
Drugs
Smoking
Nihilism
Sexual
Up Beat Music
Close Up Shot
Fast Paced Cuts

Digital Technology:

In Design
Photoshop
Premier Pro
Social Media
Youtube
Slideshare
Camera
Lighting

Post-Production:

Premier Pro
Colour Treatment
Stabilisation
Photoshop
Brightness
Contrast
Text
In Design
Digipak Layout

Exemplar - 


Over the two year media course we had to produce both a foundation portfolio of a
school magazine and music magazine as well as an advance portfolio of a horror
teaser trailer, film magazine – developing foundation skills further and a poster to
advertise our trailer.
In the first year we researched existing music magazines and analysed each one so
that we could gain knowledge of particular layouts, fonts and key elements that need
to be contained in our production to make it successful. Research and planning
allowed us to recognise ‘mastheads’ on magazines as being the most important and
therefore the need to focus on a font more detailed to keep continuity with the
contents page and double page spread which we also had to create. Personally I
researched ‘Rock’ magazines such as Kerrang, NME and others because I had chosen
after carrying out a questionnaire to use Rock music as my theme. The real life media
texts allowed me to visualise my favourite parts from each magazine – wripped
sticker graphics and broken font on my own work which I then attempted to recreate
within Photoshop CS4. In year one we were limited to what we could research
because magazines were the only theme however, in the second year I was able to
develop my ability to research real life media texts much further because we had a
range of products we needed to create all under the ‘horror’ genre this time. I was able
to research teaser trailers analysing my favourite and least favourite parts allowing me
to plan with a mood board which I produced from a range of stills from previous
horror films my ideas for my own trailer which helped me to develop my production
of my products in relation to real life media texts and techniques such as restricted
narration and handheld camera found in the ‘Blair Witch Project’ trailer which
inspired my trailer ‘Laquem’ which is also set in the woods. Research into film documentaries like the ‘American Nightmare’ inspired me to create a product which
reinforced fear and went against usual horror conventions to make it more interesting.
Over the second year research became so important to achieving a product which was
realistic and is now like my own distributed on on youtube as a real life media text of
its own.
 Real life media texts like advertising film posters were able to help me develop my
 Photoshop skills further because I was able to push myself with the ‘colour burn’
filters and want to create the scary atmosphere of my trailer from just an image and
text which I found really fun.
Research into film magazines allowed me to develop my work from AS level so much
further because I was able to produce a high standard piece of work in two weeks this
year when the magazines took over 3 months last year which shows how much my
skills have improves just by being able to constantly refer back to real life media texts
for inspiration and even colour schemes that work well together such as black and red
which in the first year I just found experimenting with. Research into horror trailers
allowed me to recognise different styles of film and how we like Alfred Hitchcock
could be an auteur creating new angles and ideas using generic conventions as well as
unconventional representations that I have picked upon when watching films and
 analysing certain techniques which I have then attempted to do in Final Cut Pro when
editing certain shots together to create collision cutting and changes in pace which my
trailer does extremely well. I was inspired initially by the hand held camera in the
trailer REC and the fact I want as an auteur to change the stereotyped representations 
to be able use a female psycho killer.
Research also allowed me to produce text and intertitles that shook in order to capture
my audience but narrating the story slightly so the shots when together made sense.
Research into types of camera movements needed were really helpful and allowed me
to completely change the pace with tracking shots and handheld camera which I
noticed was used in Silent Hill and American Werewolf in London which I analysed
and placed on my blog for reference as some pieces of footage I wanted to recreate
including the final girl representations.
 EAA 8 
EG 8
 T 4
(20)

Exemplar Marking - 

1A (20 Marks) The candidate starts well with an introduction which sets out exactly which projects have been undertaken. He moves on to talk about a program used, immediately explaining particular techniques which the program enabled (desaturation) with a reason for using them (creating a particular atmosphere typical to the genre). Technical terms are used accurately and confidently (temporal editing, cross fades, etc). Throughout, the candidate refers explicitly to examples from his work, to a range of programs and to techniques used. Several different programs are discussed in a succinct and clear way. Most of the essay is confined to programs on the computer and creativity is not explicitly addressed, nor are online technologies. However, overall this is not worthy of level 4.

EAA (Example, Analysis, Argument) : 8 / 10

EG (Example Given) : 8 / 10

T (Terminology) : 4 / 5

Practice Question - 

1 (a) Describe the ways in which your production work was informed by research into real media texts and how your ability to use such research for production developed over time. [25]

Analysis Critical Perspectives: Essay Analysis: Gender -

Extract from Candidate  - 

Examples

Terminology

Theory

Analysis

Grammar

I have been researching teenagers and their identity. I’ve been looking into how the media shown teenagers.

I will relate this to Misfits and Fishtank, and explain their collective identity.

Misfits is a british tv series based on a group of teens who are all facing community service.

We learn all there individual identity’s and are made to believe they have no hope. We meet 5 teenagers who are all stereotypically shown with anti-social behavior. In the group there is a party girl, sports runner, cocky one etc.

Tajfel and turner quote that ‘people tend to categorise themselves into groups which they then build their identity’s’. I disagree with this as these have been emerged together as they have all been in crime. These include drugs, drink driving, fighting etc.

Historically this can relate to Skins and grange hill, these are all school based although skins covered more controversial issues. We see petty crimes which aren’t as serious as the ones in misfits. Tajfel and turner quite is related to skins as they are all a group of friends and they build there identity together.

Fishtank a 2009 film, teenagers are portrayed differently. We get to see Mia a 15 year old girl who has no hope. She has a dream of dancing but with young single mothered mum who shouts and swears at children she has a poor family structure to help her. David Buckingham quotes that the media don’t just offer a transparent window of the world but a mediated one.

Mia smokes, binge drink and has underage sex. The audience are made to believe that all teenagers are like this. He young mother who gets a boyfriend, he wants to help Mia and find her identity. He often asks her to dance to his favourite song although when she does we see them having sex. David Buckingham quote can be related to misfits, we are made to believe that all teenagers have convicted crimes. In Bullett Boy we see a gang of boys who are all involved in drugs and crime. The media show teen culture in a very bad way. Misfits is released on TV past the water shed times as they all swear etc. It is shown on both E4 and channel 4, their website contains games, podcasts, blogs etc. On the blogs you can communicate with other fans. They have a facebook and twitter page with all individual accounts. David Gauntlett explains that identity’s are complicated however everyone thinks they have one.

In Fishtank her mothers boyfriends finds a dance event she can attend Mia then believes she made have found her identity when she gets there she is called up on stage for which she didn’t know it was pole/lap dancing.

The media then show how teenagers have no hope or luck.

Historically this could be related to Dawson’s creek as we are made to look down on the anti-social behaviour teens. It could also relate to Waterloo road which is a tv series on a school who the youngens follow the action of the olders.

We then get to see the mother having a party in her council estate flats with family and friends. Her two children aren’t invited an stay upstairs. This shows the lack of family structure at home. We meet Mia’s little sister tyler with a friend both who are swearing and smoking.


The audience are left to believe all young mums live in broken britain and teenagers have no hope at all.

Mia was kicked out of school and they receive In both misfits and fishtank the media have stereotypically shown teenagers and portrayed them very negatively. We are made to believe that all teenagers are into anti-social behaviour, drinking, drugs, smoking etc. The media will only shown the negative sides of teen culture so everyone will believe teens do this in everyday life not the positives that they do. 

Mark - 

Terminology: 2 / 10

Analysis: 5 / 20

Examples: 5 / 20

(Grammar: - 5)

End Mark Prediction: 7 / 50

End Mark Actual: 27 / 50

End Grade Prediction: E

End Grade Actual: E >

Theories used with limited convictions.

Assumes straightforward connection of meaning.

General and simplistic showing basic understanding of basic critical perspectives and terminology.

Analysis Critical Perspectives: Media Essay: Gender -

Critical Perspectives Essay: Gender - 

• “Media simply represent collective identity, they don’t create it.” How far do you agree with this statement?

Collective identity is a group with shared norms and values which could include any subculture within society such as gender. The media as an influential institution within society is often responsible for representing and mediating groups to mass audiences and it has often been a concern of theorists as to whether collective identity is self-constructed or ruled over by ideas of the ruling class in a hegemonic way.

Firstly, magazines well known in Western culture aimed at both males and females help to exemplify the collective identity of gender in media. For instance, Men's Health magazine and Women's Health magazine are both formed by the same company but aimed at the subculture of two genders. It could be argued that the collective identity of the most widely accepted female or feminine construction within society is formed within the mass media whilst the less accepted variations are those created by group refusing to conform to the hegemonic values as coined by Gramsci. For example, the below examples of Women's Health and Men's Health are both old media texts from 2010 and appear as though they would focus on the same ideals due to the head noun of the headline "Health" but structuration ideas in society mean that media representation is more so than just that and is also responsible for constructing the ideal feminine female and masculine male. Women are encouraged to consider their weight and appearance through the use of lexis such as "Shrink" and "Bikini Body". To further this, the use of the word "Body" as opposed to focusing on the whole person places women in a position of sexual objectification as is discussed by Mulvey and her theory of "The Male Gaze". Additionally to this, the females magazine focuses on sex often from the perspective as how to please your male counterpart whilst all other stories on the front page relate again to appearance and how to fit societal ideals of feminine constructions of the female collective identity subculture. This could be due to the owners of the media being predominantly male, 22.6% of reporters were female to 77.4% male, meaning that the media conveys gender collective identity in cohesion with the constructed patriarchal ideas of a male dominated society made for the mass males. Similarly, the males magazine also delves into representations and constructions of the stereotypical male through reference of appearance and sex. This specific magazine constructs the male collective identity as masculine only when muscular, concerned about sex and training. Despite this, the magazine also conforms to Hansen's "The Female Gaze". Buckingham states that "to understand identities, one is required to investigate the ways in which media and technologies are used in everyday life and their effects" as is exemplified by the below magazines in reference to the everyday construction of identities reinforcing the structuration of the period.

The representation in the characters of Westley and Princess Buttercup in "The Princess Bride" both construct ideas on gender within the media and is an example of an old media text from 1987. Princess Buttercup is constructed by William Goldman as an archetypal character representing the stereotypical female gender collective identity. Buttercup is beautiful by definition of the media within the structuration of the period; she is a pale skinned, blonde and slim Princess who serves as the object of desire to be won by the both attractive and intelligent male exemplar Westley. The fairytale structure of the film places the genders in roles in accordance with Propp's narrative theory. Princess Buttercup is under the character type of "Princess" whilst Westley is the "Hero". Buttercup as the "Princess" is the prize to be won by the "Hero" after battling against perils. Also, once the relationship is established they exemplify the collective identity together in that they fit the 'straight white blonde couple' stereotype. Furthermore, the female lead would be expected to be independent and strong willed but instead Goldman employs a stereotypical novel fairytale character in film to exaggerate the cliche and thus challenge the societal structuration and ideologies at the time revolving around feminism as the film was released in second wave feminism. This links to Butler's (1990) idea of gender being exaggerated and "tongue in cheek". Moreover, Westley, as a male lead is the pinnacle of masculinity; he is, as voice by Earp and Katz (1999), the image of "manhood" in his dominance and battle prowess. This construction is a reinforcement of the ideas of the time although the stereotypical ideas are actually used to challenge society and encourage a new structuration which soon introduced the meterosexual male which could be seen in the magazine as outline above. 

In comparison, the protagonists of Ragnar and Lagertha in the modern media text "Vikings" from 2013 - present also convey varied perspectives of gender. Structuration over time changes, as voiced by Giddens, and thus the modern media representations of characters change too. As a result, despite the programme being set in the viking era, the characters are varied to the earlier 1987 text. Lagertha is a sheild-maiden and a farmer in a position of high power after marrying a power hungry, sexually driven and violent male Ragnar Lothbrok. Additionally, there is a scene when the vikings make a deal with King Ecbert in which a christian woman sattes her husband abused her after falsely accusing her of infidelity; the viking state that the female word is taken over males on realms of domesticity to whig the christian King asks "So the pagans are more advanced than us there?". Ragnar is known for his infidelity but is forgiven his cheating due to his position of power first as Earl and then King of the Danish vikings. The power hungry relationship established between Ragnar and his brother Rollo is one of violence and manipulation as they conform to the stereotypical male in their appearance and actions as according to Earp and Katz (1999) idea that within media "a widespread and disturbing equation of masculinity and pathological control and violence"; to elaborate, the male vikings are given right to any female in their service. Although, women are able to rule in positions of power and not concern themselves solely with their male counterparts. The reasons for some gender inequality may be as a result of the setting in the viking era whilst the representations and structuration of modern society can be seen in the dramatisation of some events and representation of the female gender which was not constructed by the media but instead influenced by now ancient history relating to earlier human ancestors. 

To conclude, it can be said as is voiced by Buckingham that "Media does not just offer a transparent window on the world but a mediated version of the world. They don't just present reality, they re-present it -" although it can also be created within the media. The outline media texts above conveying gender exemplify the possibility of construction of the ideal collective identity but collective identity as a concept itself cannot be created within the media.

Analysis Critical Perspectives: Media Notes: Gender -

Critical Perspectives: Gender - 

Definitions:

• Sex: Refers to biological and physiological characteristic that define men and women. 
• Gender: Refers to socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. 
• Transgender: Denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity does not conform unambiguously to conventional notions of male or female gender.
• Misogyny: The dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
• Patriarchy: Male dominated society. 
• Metrosexual (1990s): Young single man with high disposable income, living in the city near to best shops. Is not gay but is often confused with being homosexual. He is objectified and sexualised as a sex object (against stereotypical ideas). 
• The Norm of Gender: White middle class heterosexual male. 
• Feminism: Campaign for equality of the sexes. 
• Post-Feminism: Feminism is a dead concept as it has been fazed out. 
• Dual Burden: Women balancing housework and paid work.
• Triple Shift: Women balancing housework, paid word and children/home life. 
• Invisible Work: Work not seen as a large role and completed quietly. For instance planning for birthdays etc. 
• Genderfuck: A term used to describe a person's gender identity (as in male, female, no gender, queer) or the act of consciously and conspicuously challenging traditional ideas of the gender binary through androgyny, hyperbole, and cross-dressing.

Masculinity:

• Strength (physical and mental)
• Power, sexual attractiveness (also based on power)
• Physique
• Independent (thought, action, finances)
• Isolated

Femininity:

• Beauty (narrow conventions)
• Size and physique (narrow convention)
• Sexuality (linked to prior qualities)
• Emotional (opposed to intellectual)
• Relationships (opposed to independence/ freedom) 

Other:

• Representation: The description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way by the mass media. 
• Collective Identity: A social group who shares a set of norms and values. 
• Structuration: The process in which human agency, people, and social structure, society, are in a constant relationship. The social structure is reproduced by the repetition of acts by individuals which means that society is flexible and can change over time.
• Stereotypes: A biased and prejudiced understanding of a social group.

Textual Media Examples - 

The Lego company has created magazines for genders to accompany their toy ranges; the "girls" magazine is explicitly stated to be so as it is deviant from the male norm whilst "boys" magazine is not.

The "boys" magazine focus around action, superheroes and battles. Dark strong colours like reds, blues etc. 

The "girls" magazine focuses on fashion, relationships animals etc. Bright bold colours like pinks and lilacs etc. 

Strauss: Binary Opposites

"Female" magazine focuses on subordinate relationships with their male counterparts "how to mend a broken heart", how important appearance is "body confidence" and gossip society "celeb hair". 

"Male" magazine focuses on females as a sexual object for male desire "(AND ONE HOT WOMAN)", obsession with domination and power "MEN OF THE YEAR" etc. 

Mulvey: Females as an Accessory/ Sexual Object for Male Desire

Theorists for Males - 

Earp and Kats (1999):

Studies male representations in the media and found "a widespread and disturbing equation of masculinity and pathological control and violence".

Claim it is media responsible for the steady stream of images that define "manhood" connected with dominance, violence and control.

Metrosexual (1990s): 

Young single man with high disposable income, living in the city near to best shops. Is not gay but is often confused with being homosexual. He is objectified and sexualised as a sex object (against stereotypical ideas).

The Fool/ Buffoon: 

Well intentioned and light hearted, range from slightly inept to completely hopeless in work, parenting and domestic situation.

Theories for Females - 

Propp:

Females in media are the passive HELPER or OBJECT ( Often passivity extends to victimhood).

Women and Domesticity:

Women as housewives or mothers.

Women as sex objects represented to entertain and titilate the male.

Females in Magazines: 

Young, slim, overwhelmingly white and conforming to image of ideal beauty (perfect skin, hair and alluring gaze).

Theories in General - 

Vern and Bonnie Bullough (1993): 

Gender roles are equated with masculinity and femininity or male as provider and female as nurturer.

Gender Identity: Self conceived.

Gender Role: As it is perceived by others.

Judith Butler (1990): 

Gender is not the result of nature but is socially constructed.

Gender is often exaggerated "tongue in cheek" representation of masculinity and femininity. This causes 'gender trouble'.

Queer Theory: 

Challenges the traditional idea that there is a binary divide between gay and heterosexual and instead suggests that sexual identity if more fluid.

Heterosexual is constructed as the normal.

Steve Neal: Gay Gaze (1992):

Images which show men in passive, submissive, sexualised poses can be described as homoerotic. Usually the male will have their hands behind their heads in a pose which could suggest
submissiveness.

David Buckingham: Re-Present:

"Media does not just offer a transparent window on the world but a mediated version of the world. They don't just present reality, they re-present it -"

The Bechdel Test:

Questions - 

• How does society treat people who do not conform to gender norms?

Society believes that gender is based solely upon biological sex at birth despite the fact that gender is a social construct. Groups who do not conform are often made to seem invisible. However, in relation to structuration, societies ideologies are changing and improving over time. For instance the introduction of the gender neutral pronoun on university applications of "Mx". 

• What is our society's dominant ideology abut gender? 

The dominant ideology is that females are submissive, males are dominant and other gender groups are invisible. 

(Boy George) 

Boy George made an appearance on 'Top of the Pops' as part of a band and the audience were unsure of his gender for some time after that. The use of makeup stunned audiences. 

(David Bowie)

(Ruby Rose)

Further Notes - 

Women in Media:

"The average percentage of female reporters was 22.6% - compared to 77.4% of males - " Guardian (2011)

Women are a rarely in the role of owners of the media thus meaning that the construction of women in media is less likely to reflect collective identity.

Wonder Woman:
Feminist icon or sexual objectification?

The United Nations wanted to promote Wonder Woman to be an ambassador for women. This caused an uproar as:

• She is a fictional character without her own ideas, opinions and the ability to unite the people.
• Her ensemble is overtly sexually objectified.

Old Media:

New Media: