Film Industry: Marvel Cinematic Universe
1)
There are 23 films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
2)
MCU films have made more than £13.7 billion at the time of publishing of the article.
3)
Marvel created the Avengers film while recovering from bankruptcy where they decided to make use of the characters they still owned to make the team that they are now.
4)
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will involve the release of Spider-Man: Far from Home, new films for other characters and possibly a solo sequel for Brie Larson's Captain Marvel.
5)
Doctor Strange will return for a sequel at 'some point in the future' with the main star being the actor Benedict Cumberbatch.
6)
Sony owns the rights to Spider-Man but the reason for the character now appearing in Marvel movies is because Marvel and Sony have agreed a partnership that allows Spider-Man to appear in MCU films despite Sony still having the rights to the character.
7)
20th Century Fox owns the rights to the Fantastic Four and X-Men.
8)
Disney has announced that they have several plans for new Marvel TV Series on their new streaming service Disney+.
Monday 11 May 2020
Sunday 19 April 2020
Music Video Assessment
"Music videos are still important for artists to promote themselves to audiences."
How far do you agree with this statement?
In your answer you must consider:
- Social, historical and cultural contexts of music videos
- One Direction - History and Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
- Technological change including the internet
[20 marks]
I disagree with this statement to a certain extent as although music videos are still important due to the growth of the internet there are many other ways that artists can promote themselves to audiences.
Music videos are able to easily communicate to us, the audience what exactly the artists themselves are trying to portray to the audience along with allowing the audience to get to know the artists. Music videos allow for a lot more interaction between the audiences and artists and can act as a way for the audience to really understand the type of people the artists are along with their music. This may not be able to be achieved through the mere listening of a song meaning that the pairing of both visuals and vocals can really allow the artists to sell themselves to potential fans thus promoting themselves more which is how groups such as One Direction were able to keep themselves as popular as they were when they were still together. Even with their final song, History they were able to get 368M views (as the time of writing) on YouTube emphasising just how effective music videos are.
Both the Arctic Monkeys and One Direction ended up making music videos despite having a reasonably high fanbase so in that sense it could be said that the main reason for music videos really isn't for promoting artists anymore as the purpose may have previously suggested. I believe that at this point the purpose for music videos is really to interact with their current audience and to ensure that they are satisfied with the musical content they are putting out. Ultimately with these music videos they still end up receiving lots of new fans and so from that you can still say that the promotion aspect of music videos is still there. However, the fact that music videos aren't normally shown on TV anymore as they once were is proof of this as now we're more likely to deliberately search for a specific music video rather than to get advertised a music video. Thus showing that music videos are for the current fans rather than the artists promoting themselves.
Despite how effective music videos have proven to be, it still remains a fact that they aren't actually necessary to promote a band as proven by the Arctic Monkeys. It wasn't even necessary for the Arctic Monkeys to go to the lengths of making a video as their fans had already used P2P file sharing to spread the word about them and in that sense it could be said that the need for music videos is not at all necessary and actually can be seen as a waste of funds. The Arctic Monkeys emphasise the fact that as long as you are able to make good music and have a good relationship with your audience you're able to become just as successful as artists who have made music videos. With the growth of the internet this is being enforced as now as an artist you can easily promote yourself using social media which almost everyone is on making it a perfect platform to reach your audience or people who may be interested in your music as well.
Additionally, with One Direction they do have quite popular music videos but it wasn't their music videos that gave them their fame it was actually the X Factor show itself. By going on an already popular show which ought to have been seen by millions in the country and maybe even elsewhere it was expected that they too were to become popular. Even though they weren't the actual winners, the fact that they were all young and could sing quite well made them a target of entertainment especially for teenage girls. By them going on the show they were able to promote themselves (even if how they acted was a false representation of themselves) to a great extent making them one of the most recognisable bands in (dare I say) the world when they were together.
Therefore, I think that although music videos are still important for artists to promote themselves to audiences there are a lot more ways to do this with the growth of the internet that can get you the same if not better results.
Therefore, I think that although music videos are still important for artists to promote themselves to audiences there are a lot more ways to do this with the growth of the internet that can get you the same if not better results.
Tuesday 17 March 2020
Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor: Case Study CSP
Impact of new/digital media on music industry
1)
At this point of time audiences typically watch music videos on platforms such as YouTube which is free to access for audiences.
2)
The growth of digital technology and YouTube has created greater opportunities for aspiring artists/artists that are starting out as they are able to easily grab the attention of audiences and companies/make a name for themselves by uploading themselves singing. However, with artists that are already in the industry it could be argued that the growth of these things has inadvertently led to a dramatic decrease in how much they get paid for their songs as for the most part the only people benefiting from this growth are the audiences.
3)
P2P can essentially be described as fans distributing artists music among themselves through predominantly illegal means. P2P caused such huge problems for the music industry as it meant that audiences were simply getting artists music free of charge meaning that they weren't getting paid and yet their work was there for anyone to listen to.
4)
I think that the internet has given audiences more power over who becomes successful in the music industry as now it seems that the key to gaining popularity is not only determined by whether or not you make good music but the relationship you have with your audience. An audience can make or break an artist and so by having a fanbase that supports you can become a hugely successful artist. However, having an audience with negative views on you will certainly hurt an artists career. In that sense audiences are a double edged sword.
5)
By hosting the concert in Fortnite it not only means that anyone can announce their own concert or make a music video it also means that there won't be any restrictions on the number of people that can attend because the venue doesn't have the capacity to seat everyone. This just means that artists have means to make more money that they deserve and aren't getting.
Industry
1)
The Arctic Monkeys first achieved success when their music was shared via P2P sites by their fans only allowing more people to listen to their music thus making their fanbase grow even larger.
At this point of time audiences typically watch music videos on platforms such as YouTube which is free to access for audiences.
2)
The growth of digital technology and YouTube has created greater opportunities for aspiring artists/artists that are starting out as they are able to easily grab the attention of audiences and companies/make a name for themselves by uploading themselves singing. However, with artists that are already in the industry it could be argued that the growth of these things has inadvertently led to a dramatic decrease in how much they get paid for their songs as for the most part the only people benefiting from this growth are the audiences.
3)
P2P can essentially be described as fans distributing artists music among themselves through predominantly illegal means. P2P caused such huge problems for the music industry as it meant that audiences were simply getting artists music free of charge meaning that they weren't getting paid and yet their work was there for anyone to listen to.
4)
I think that the internet has given audiences more power over who becomes successful in the music industry as now it seems that the key to gaining popularity is not only determined by whether or not you make good music but the relationship you have with your audience. An audience can make or break an artist and so by having a fanbase that supports you can become a hugely successful artist. However, having an audience with negative views on you will certainly hurt an artists career. In that sense audiences are a double edged sword.
5)
By hosting the concert in Fortnite it not only means that anyone can announce their own concert or make a music video it also means that there won't be any restrictions on the number of people that can attend because the venue doesn't have the capacity to seat everyone. This just means that artists have means to make more money that they deserve and aren't getting.
Industry
1)
The Arctic Monkeys first achieved success when their music was shared via P2P sites by their fans only allowing more people to listen to their music thus making their fanbase grow even larger.
2)
P2P file sharing was an unexpected aspect to the Arctic Monkeys' early success as it wasn't really their intention for their fans to simply upload their music for everyone to listen to and use at their disposal. Therefore, when they had just put their music on MySpace they most likely didn't expect to get the amount of recognition that they did.
3)
The rise of the Arctic Monkeys was undebatably more authentic than One Direction's formation and rise to fame. Arctic Monkeys decided to be a group without the input of anyone else because they were friends whereas One Direction was constructed simply for the purpose of Entertainment and Drama on X Factor and so even the way that we see them interact may also be false.
4)
Technological convergence has changed the music industry in the sense that audiences are able to access music all in one place conveniently and for free. Originally, music was listened to through both Radio and TV while the purchase of records was also quite common. In that regard it could be argued that technological convergence has negatively impacted the music industry as now it is more difficult for artists to make money for many reasons. Technological convergence has made it easier for people to download music illegally meaning that the artists don't make a profit whatsoever. Additionally, artists can make money from streaming platforms however the amount that they get is not much at all with the rate per stream being as low as it is.
5)
The internet has been both a positive and negative development for traditional record companies. It is easier for them to promote their artists and music along with any concerts they may have. At the same time if their audiences aren't really concerned with the profit of the artists or the company and are just interested in the music then it's likely that they won't actually buy anything to increase profit but rather find a way to get the same content but for free. This is a real issue for traditional record companies as without money it can be incredibly difficult to function. However, it has also acted as a positive development for traditional record as now they can save a lot of money advertising that can be used towards other purposes now. Along with this they are able to find new talent easier as well without having to personally go out and look for people to sign.
Audience
1)
The main Arctic Monkeys audience in terms of demographics is quite middle class, white and the location of the audience at the beginning would've been Sheffield which is where the band originates from but has started to change into a worldwide audience. The age of audiences is likely to be quite young around the early 20s to late 30s mark. As for psychographics they are more likely to be Mainstreamers although it is fair to say that they started out with an audience that had more Explorers and Reformers.
2)
In the music video there are quite a few audience pleasures one of which includes personal identity from the lyrics of the song which is essentially about going out to a club and getting drunk which their audience will be able to relate to. There is also a bit of personal relationship for their fans especially the ones who may have been involved in the P2P file sharing at the time which caused them to gain fame as they would then understand the line, "Don't believe the hype." Finally, there is diversion from the performance in the music video which has been made to look older but still acts as a form of entertainment.
3)
In the opening scene the main vocalist introduces the band and the song that they are about to sing which makes it resemble The Old Grey Whistle test and makes it seem like their first big song which their audience is likely to have watched. Additionally, the part where he says "don't believer the hype", will allow their fans to make the reference between the P2P file sharing via the Internet and MySpace. The video itself captures the experience of seeing the band live in a club in Sheffield which enhances the overall experience for the audience.
4)
Nostalgia is the act of reminiscing on positive old memories which is a key audience pleasure for the Arctic Monkeys music video as it is meant to imitate 1980s TV performance on programmes like 'Top of the Pops' or 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. This means that audiences who may have watched these shows would be able to get the intertextuality in the music video. This can act as a way to involve their audience more as they will feel nostalgia from the fact that they used to watch the shows.
5)
Fans are positioned to respond to the video by continuing to carry out P2P file sharing to increase their fanbase but also to stream and enjoy the video itself for the entertainment and nostalgia in the video.
P2P file sharing was an unexpected aspect to the Arctic Monkeys' early success as it wasn't really their intention for their fans to simply upload their music for everyone to listen to and use at their disposal. Therefore, when they had just put their music on MySpace they most likely didn't expect to get the amount of recognition that they did.
3)
The rise of the Arctic Monkeys was undebatably more authentic than One Direction's formation and rise to fame. Arctic Monkeys decided to be a group without the input of anyone else because they were friends whereas One Direction was constructed simply for the purpose of Entertainment and Drama on X Factor and so even the way that we see them interact may also be false.
4)
Technological convergence has changed the music industry in the sense that audiences are able to access music all in one place conveniently and for free. Originally, music was listened to through both Radio and TV while the purchase of records was also quite common. In that regard it could be argued that technological convergence has negatively impacted the music industry as now it is more difficult for artists to make money for many reasons. Technological convergence has made it easier for people to download music illegally meaning that the artists don't make a profit whatsoever. Additionally, artists can make money from streaming platforms however the amount that they get is not much at all with the rate per stream being as low as it is.
5)
The internet has been both a positive and negative development for traditional record companies. It is easier for them to promote their artists and music along with any concerts they may have. At the same time if their audiences aren't really concerned with the profit of the artists or the company and are just interested in the music then it's likely that they won't actually buy anything to increase profit but rather find a way to get the same content but for free. This is a real issue for traditional record companies as without money it can be incredibly difficult to function. However, it has also acted as a positive development for traditional record as now they can save a lot of money advertising that can be used towards other purposes now. Along with this they are able to find new talent easier as well without having to personally go out and look for people to sign.
Audience
1)
The main Arctic Monkeys audience in terms of demographics is quite middle class, white and the location of the audience at the beginning would've been Sheffield which is where the band originates from but has started to change into a worldwide audience. The age of audiences is likely to be quite young around the early 20s to late 30s mark. As for psychographics they are more likely to be Mainstreamers although it is fair to say that they started out with an audience that had more Explorers and Reformers.
2)
In the music video there are quite a few audience pleasures one of which includes personal identity from the lyrics of the song which is essentially about going out to a club and getting drunk which their audience will be able to relate to. There is also a bit of personal relationship for their fans especially the ones who may have been involved in the P2P file sharing at the time which caused them to gain fame as they would then understand the line, "Don't believe the hype." Finally, there is diversion from the performance in the music video which has been made to look older but still acts as a form of entertainment.
3)
In the opening scene the main vocalist introduces the band and the song that they are about to sing which makes it resemble The Old Grey Whistle test and makes it seem like their first big song which their audience is likely to have watched. Additionally, the part where he says "don't believer the hype", will allow their fans to make the reference between the P2P file sharing via the Internet and MySpace. The video itself captures the experience of seeing the band live in a club in Sheffield which enhances the overall experience for the audience.
4)
Nostalgia is the act of reminiscing on positive old memories which is a key audience pleasure for the Arctic Monkeys music video as it is meant to imitate 1980s TV performance on programmes like 'Top of the Pops' or 'The Old Grey Whistle Test'. This means that audiences who may have watched these shows would be able to get the intertextuality in the music video. This can act as a way to involve their audience more as they will feel nostalgia from the fact that they used to watch the shows.
5)
Fans are positioned to respond to the video by continuing to carry out P2P file sharing to increase their fanbase but also to stream and enjoy the video itself for the entertainment and nostalgia in the video.
Thursday 12 March 2020
One Direction - History: Case Study CSP
Industry
1)
One Direction were formed in a way that was constructed by X-Factor and it could be argued that the way they have presented themselves and their relationship with one another is rather fake. This is reflected in the music video for History as right in the opening scene they are seen on the show together hugging each other despite the fact that they didn't even know each other at this point.
2)
Vertical integration is when a company owns or controls each stage of production to reduce cost and improve efficiencies.
3)
Horizontal integration is the process of company increasing production of goods or services at the same part of supply chain.
4)
Technological convergence has completely changed the way that audiences consume music videos. In previous times music videos would have been accessed on televisions but with the introduction of technical convergence on mobile phones even the showing of music videos on TV at all has declined only making mobile phones more and more vital for entertainment purposes.
5)
As a manufactured band what they sing and wear can all be decided by their record company Syco Records which just emphasises the fact that they aren't really showing who they are. This is also indicated by the fact that even the music that they sing, when they release their music, the way they represent themselves and their relationships are all controlled by their record company.
Audience
1)
The main One Direction audience appears to mostly consist of teenage girls although as the band have grown their loyal fans have also grown up with them in a sense and so their audience can range from 11-20. Following demographics it is likely that socially their audience is more middle class and female.
2)
In the music video for History there are quite a few audience pleasures such as: Personal Identity since there are quite a few close up shots of crying fans from concert footage in which other fans will be able to relate to; Personal Relationship as in the old footage of One Direction they looked much younger than how they look in the actual music video and so fans will almost feel like they've watched them grow and are reminiscing on past memories; Diversion through the funny scenes in the music video also adding a bit of nostalgia.
3)
I believe that the very opening shot where One Direction are first put together on X Factor would appeal to fans, especially the ones that witnessed this live. This is down to the fact that it will really make them feel as they saw through the bands evolution if you will. Additionally, I think the close up of the fans crying at concerts would appeal to fans as they can see themselves in those people and strongly relate to the emotions felt by the fans in the footage. Finally, the shots from behind the scenes would also appeal to fans as they can feel a sense of nostalgia from maybe watching these scenes before and rejoicing at the relationship that the boys had (whether it was falsely constructed or not). This can also act as a diversion to whatever may be going on for fans in their day to day lives emphasising the relationship between the fans and the band itself.
4)
Nostalgia is looking back on positive memories from the past happily which is a key audience pleasure from the History music video as a majority of the video uses clips from their past. This is able to remind audiences of what they've been through and how far they've come.
5)
I think that the expected response of fans by producers is that they can be happy about the time they've experienced and enjoy with the band but now they're getting on with their lives, almost as if they're not as young as they used to be. Additionally, I think that they tried to represent that 1D are also grateful for the time that they've shared but now it's time for them and their fans to move on.
Audience
1)
The main One Direction audience appears to mostly consist of teenage girls although as the band have grown their loyal fans have also grown up with them in a sense and so their audience can range from 11-20. Following demographics it is likely that socially their audience is more middle class and female.
2)
In the music video for History there are quite a few audience pleasures such as: Personal Identity since there are quite a few close up shots of crying fans from concert footage in which other fans will be able to relate to; Personal Relationship as in the old footage of One Direction they looked much younger than how they look in the actual music video and so fans will almost feel like they've watched them grow and are reminiscing on past memories; Diversion through the funny scenes in the music video also adding a bit of nostalgia.
3)
I believe that the very opening shot where One Direction are first put together on X Factor would appeal to fans, especially the ones that witnessed this live. This is down to the fact that it will really make them feel as they saw through the bands evolution if you will. Additionally, I think the close up of the fans crying at concerts would appeal to fans as they can see themselves in those people and strongly relate to the emotions felt by the fans in the footage. Finally, the shots from behind the scenes would also appeal to fans as they can feel a sense of nostalgia from maybe watching these scenes before and rejoicing at the relationship that the boys had (whether it was falsely constructed or not). This can also act as a diversion to whatever may be going on for fans in their day to day lives emphasising the relationship between the fans and the band itself.
4)
Nostalgia is looking back on positive memories from the past happily which is a key audience pleasure from the History music video as a majority of the video uses clips from their past. This is able to remind audiences of what they've been through and how far they've come.
5)
I think that the expected response of fans by producers is that they can be happy about the time they've experienced and enjoy with the band but now they're getting on with their lives, almost as if they're not as young as they used to be. Additionally, I think that they tried to represent that 1D are also grateful for the time that they've shared but now it's time for them and their fans to move on.
Tuesday 10 March 2020
Music Video: Introduction
1)
The key conventions of a music video are: faced paced camerawork, editing and general movement from the actors; performance element or narrative; visual effects; intertextuality.
2)
Intertextuality is when one media text references another media text sometimes acting as soemthing to satisfy part of the audience that understands the reference. Intertextuality can be achieved through genre, conventions, mise-en-scene or specific cultural references.
3)
Music videos first became a major part of the music industry in 1980s which was around the time that MTV launched specifically as a platform for music video and thus became the first music channel on TV. Naturally, this attracted a lot of attention to music videos as a whole.
4)
In 1981 MTV was launched in the 1980s and 1990s the production of music videos was on a much higher level with more innovative and creative ideas requiring much bigger budgets. This development is depicted in Michael Jackson's Thriller.##
5)
In the digital age music videos are watched and distributed via YouTube and peer to peer.
Tuesday 28 January 2020
Newspapers: The Times CSP Case Study
Language
1)
The main story on the front cover of the Times CSP edition is about the MPs request for an investigation into the election test as Jeremy Corbyn fails. This would appeal to Times readers as the Times is very pro-Conservative and against Labour. Due to this seeing an article about Labour's failure Times readers may be quite thrilled with the outcome as they are Pro-Conservatives meaning they are expected to be against Labour.
2)
The main stories on the inside pages of the Times CSP edition (5 May 2018) are:
"Results show that voters want hard Brexit, ministers tell May"
"Comeback starts here says Cable after Lib Dem gains"
"Birmingham remains red despite scandals"
"Analysis"
"Corbyn blamed for loss of Jewish support"
"UKIP chef's positive spin: We're like the Black Death"
3)
On the Time's front page the balance between images, headlines and copy is highly concentrated with copy which heavily contrasts the majority of headlines and images that are in the Daily Mirror. This almost shows the difference in how the audiences have been educated as picture books are more associated with children which emphasises the fact that the Daily Mirror uses less advanced people who may not have been educated.
4)
Of Galtung and Ruge's News Values I believe that Elite nations and people, amplitude, immediacy and surprise can be applied to the front cover. The MPs, celebrities and England as a country are part of the Elite nations and people news value. The amplitude of Corbyn's failure for the election test is obviously quite a big thing for many people Labour supporter or not.
5)
A close analysis of the news stories in the Times CSP edition suggests that the Time's political beliefs are very Pro-Conservatives which is supported by more Upper Middle Class audience which is the target audience of the Times. In order to appropriately link the newspaper with the political beliefs even the extra content on the newspaper is aimed at a more older and Upper Middle Class audience which wouldn't really appeal to a working class audience.
Audience
1)
The main readership demographic for the Times newspaper is overwhelmingly ABC1 social class especially Middle Class and Upper Middle Class. Additionally. a majority of it is read by people over 65 with it being 37% of the readership. However, the Times is making an effort to aim at a younger audience and it is being relatively successful in doing so as 83% of the readership is made up of those whom are 35+. (Source: NRS)
2)
The Times front page stories appeal to the Times audience well as it seems as though they keep in mind their target audience and what they are interested in. The country house hotels is a perfect example of this as older people would find it to be something enjoyable that they can do even more so if they are Middle Class or Upper Middle Class. The story about Sir Paul McCartney would also appeal to their older audience as they must have known him from when the Beatles were at peak time which is part of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications Theory: Personal Relationships. As they are trying to aim at younger audiences the Kay Burley interview is a great choice as it shows a strong and confident woman which subverts a lot of female stereotypes which is what we expect from the media today.
3)
The election coverage might be enjoyable to Times readers because it emphasises Labour's defeat and to an audience that supports the Conservatives and is against Labour, that is a very positive thing for them. Additionally, the fact that they have very specifically selected the word 'inquest' almost makes it seem as though the Labour party or Jeremy Corbyn himself has committed a crime which isn't the case. However, to the Times readers they won't look very deeply into it and will simply rejoice in this negativity of the Labour party.
4)
Following Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory, a reader might enjoy the Times due to the Surveillance it provides through the Information they receive from news about many different topics, in this case that would be: politics; local elections; Father of daughters; Kay Burley; Features; Recipes; BBQ.
5)
The fact that Times readers are over 55 years old which is actually reflected in the CSP edition. The main image is about Sir Paul McCartney from the Beatles which would've really appealed to the current over 55 year olds as they probably listened to the Beatles during their peak time. This however may not appeal to younger audiences as many may not be able to recognise them considering the significant change in music over the years. Additionally, the country houses would greatly appeal to those over 55 who are retired/pensioners and have time to go to places such as that.
Representation:
1)
On the front page of the Times newspaper the Labour party has been represented as failures and almost criminal-like. This is shown by the fact that there was the use of the word 'inquest' which makes it seem as though they've committed a crime which isn't actually the case but even so it creates a sense of negativity around the Labour party. The fact that they failed the election poll was also clearly stated to present them as being unsuccessful in the things they do which would sit well with their Pro-Conservatives audience.
2)
In the Times newspaper the Conservative party has been represented as being successful and optimistic while also being a bit disapproving at the same time. This is shown by the election test article in which they mentioned that the Conservatives were 'the main beneficiaries from the almost total collapse of Ukip'. The fact that the word 'beneficiaries' has been used here makes it seem like the Conservatives are trustworthy and respectable. However, it is made apparent that although the Times do support the Conservatives they don't actually support Theresa May. This is shown by how often Boris Johnson is mentioned and the fact that they've used such a joke-like photo of her which is almost embarrassing,
3)
In the Times gender stereotypes are both reinforced and subverted, with Kay Burley gender stereotypes are subverted as we see a strong female woman rather than a damsel in distress/scantily clad woman. Stereotypes are also reinforced as it almost seems as though the Times does not support Theresa May as she is a woman and would prefer Boris Johnson, a man as the leader. This suggests that they want a man in a position of dominance indicating that they don't see women fit for a role in power.
4)
The Times reinforce British Social and Cultural stereotypes through the use of the pug, kicker and sidebar stories emphasising the increase in healthy eating and in overall lifestyle in Britain. This also links to middle class life choices as people with the disposable income have more control and more chance to change their diet.
5)
The page are constructed to encourage the audience to take a negative view of the Labour party by not only making it the main story but using language to make the party itself seem more corrupted. The word 'inquest' is the perfect suggestion of this and paired with the word 'fails' simply makes them seem kind of useless.
Industries:
1)
The Times is owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns The Sun and 24% of the market share in UK newspapers being worth $19 billion.
2)
In 2019 the Time's circulation was 376,000 which is actually a significant decrease compared to the amount they were selling back in the 1990s which was in fact about 800,000.
3)
The Times have reacted to the decline in print sales and the growth of the internet by not only creating a online version of their newspaper but also by creating a paywall so that their readers can subscribe and pay if they want to read the content.
4)
IPSO stands for the Independent Press Standards Organisation and was the replacement for the PCC (Press Complaints Commission). It is a voluntary regulator for British printed newspapers and magazines meaning that journalists can essentially publish whatever they want.
5)
Some people want stronger regulation of British newspapers as journalists can even say things that are false along with things with grammatical errors. Even when it comes to amending these mistakes it takes a few months and the correction usually comes in a small box not corresponding to the size of the original article. In order for these mistakes to not be made a stronger regulation will be needed.
2)
The main stories on the inside pages of the Times CSP edition (5 May 2018) are:
"Results show that voters want hard Brexit, ministers tell May"
"Comeback starts here says Cable after Lib Dem gains"
"Birmingham remains red despite scandals"
"Analysis"
"Corbyn blamed for loss of Jewish support"
"UKIP chef's positive spin: We're like the Black Death"
3)
On the Time's front page the balance between images, headlines and copy is highly concentrated with copy which heavily contrasts the majority of headlines and images that are in the Daily Mirror. This almost shows the difference in how the audiences have been educated as picture books are more associated with children which emphasises the fact that the Daily Mirror uses less advanced people who may not have been educated.
4)
Of Galtung and Ruge's News Values I believe that Elite nations and people, amplitude, immediacy and surprise can be applied to the front cover. The MPs, celebrities and England as a country are part of the Elite nations and people news value. The amplitude of Corbyn's failure for the election test is obviously quite a big thing for many people Labour supporter or not.
5)
A close analysis of the news stories in the Times CSP edition suggests that the Time's political beliefs are very Pro-Conservatives which is supported by more Upper Middle Class audience which is the target audience of the Times. In order to appropriately link the newspaper with the political beliefs even the extra content on the newspaper is aimed at a more older and Upper Middle Class audience which wouldn't really appeal to a working class audience.
Audience
1)
The main readership demographic for the Times newspaper is overwhelmingly ABC1 social class especially Middle Class and Upper Middle Class. Additionally. a majority of it is read by people over 65 with it being 37% of the readership. However, the Times is making an effort to aim at a younger audience and it is being relatively successful in doing so as 83% of the readership is made up of those whom are 35+. (Source: NRS)
2)
The Times front page stories appeal to the Times audience well as it seems as though they keep in mind their target audience and what they are interested in. The country house hotels is a perfect example of this as older people would find it to be something enjoyable that they can do even more so if they are Middle Class or Upper Middle Class. The story about Sir Paul McCartney would also appeal to their older audience as they must have known him from when the Beatles were at peak time which is part of Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications Theory: Personal Relationships. As they are trying to aim at younger audiences the Kay Burley interview is a great choice as it shows a strong and confident woman which subverts a lot of female stereotypes which is what we expect from the media today.
3)
The election coverage might be enjoyable to Times readers because it emphasises Labour's defeat and to an audience that supports the Conservatives and is against Labour, that is a very positive thing for them. Additionally, the fact that they have very specifically selected the word 'inquest' almost makes it seem as though the Labour party or Jeremy Corbyn himself has committed a crime which isn't the case. However, to the Times readers they won't look very deeply into it and will simply rejoice in this negativity of the Labour party.
4)
Following Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory, a reader might enjoy the Times due to the Surveillance it provides through the Information they receive from news about many different topics, in this case that would be: politics; local elections; Father of daughters; Kay Burley; Features; Recipes; BBQ.
5)
The fact that Times readers are over 55 years old which is actually reflected in the CSP edition. The main image is about Sir Paul McCartney from the Beatles which would've really appealed to the current over 55 year olds as they probably listened to the Beatles during their peak time. This however may not appeal to younger audiences as many may not be able to recognise them considering the significant change in music over the years. Additionally, the country houses would greatly appeal to those over 55 who are retired/pensioners and have time to go to places such as that.
Representation:
1)
On the front page of the Times newspaper the Labour party has been represented as failures and almost criminal-like. This is shown by the fact that there was the use of the word 'inquest' which makes it seem as though they've committed a crime which isn't actually the case but even so it creates a sense of negativity around the Labour party. The fact that they failed the election poll was also clearly stated to present them as being unsuccessful in the things they do which would sit well with their Pro-Conservatives audience.
2)
In the Times newspaper the Conservative party has been represented as being successful and optimistic while also being a bit disapproving at the same time. This is shown by the election test article in which they mentioned that the Conservatives were 'the main beneficiaries from the almost total collapse of Ukip'. The fact that the word 'beneficiaries' has been used here makes it seem like the Conservatives are trustworthy and respectable. However, it is made apparent that although the Times do support the Conservatives they don't actually support Theresa May. This is shown by how often Boris Johnson is mentioned and the fact that they've used such a joke-like photo of her which is almost embarrassing,
3)
In the Times gender stereotypes are both reinforced and subverted, with Kay Burley gender stereotypes are subverted as we see a strong female woman rather than a damsel in distress/scantily clad woman. Stereotypes are also reinforced as it almost seems as though the Times does not support Theresa May as she is a woman and would prefer Boris Johnson, a man as the leader. This suggests that they want a man in a position of dominance indicating that they don't see women fit for a role in power.
4)
The Times reinforce British Social and Cultural stereotypes through the use of the pug, kicker and sidebar stories emphasising the increase in healthy eating and in overall lifestyle in Britain. This also links to middle class life choices as people with the disposable income have more control and more chance to change their diet.
5)
The page are constructed to encourage the audience to take a negative view of the Labour party by not only making it the main story but using language to make the party itself seem more corrupted. The word 'inquest' is the perfect suggestion of this and paired with the word 'fails' simply makes them seem kind of useless.
Industries:
1)
The Times is owned by Rupert Murdoch who also owns The Sun and 24% of the market share in UK newspapers being worth $19 billion.
2)
In 2019 the Time's circulation was 376,000 which is actually a significant decrease compared to the amount they were selling back in the 1990s which was in fact about 800,000.
3)
The Times have reacted to the decline in print sales and the growth of the internet by not only creating a online version of their newspaper but also by creating a paywall so that their readers can subscribe and pay if they want to read the content.
4)
IPSO stands for the Independent Press Standards Organisation and was the replacement for the PCC (Press Complaints Commission). It is a voluntary regulator for British printed newspapers and magazines meaning that journalists can essentially publish whatever they want.
5)
Some people want stronger regulation of British newspapers as journalists can even say things that are false along with things with grammatical errors. Even when it comes to amending these mistakes it takes a few months and the correction usually comes in a small box not corresponding to the size of the original article. In order for these mistakes to not be made a stronger regulation will be needed.
Thursday 23 January 2020
December Paper 2 PPE: Learner Response
1)
Total = 67 = Grade 8
WWW:
Wow! This is phenomenal and shows we absolutely need to be aiming for those top levels. Your engagement with the questions and relevant media debates is just superb. Keep it up!
EBI:
The challenge now is to break into the top level (17-20) in the 20-mark questions through depth of analysis, range of examples and the synoptic element in Q5. Do the Grade 9 extension work as revision too!
2)
On a scale of 1-10 I would say that I am currently on a 6. I did some revision and preparation for the exam but I feel as though I could have done a lot more.
3)
In Question 2 I could've made the point that both April and Susan both live in single adult households and being seen to challenge parental authority. There is also the point of Susan being a lone teenager in an adult world not being able to make decisions for herself unlike April. Finally, I could have mentioned the fact that they are 50 years apart and yet they still show some similarities with them being highly intelligent and dominant characters.
4)
For the 20 mark essays I think that I will have to aim to time myself better with each question in order to write one more paragraph for the three 20 markers to make up for any points that could help me to attain a higher mark. I also think that especially for they synoptic questions I should aim to talk about a lot more CSPs and go into more depth when relating it to the question. Planning could also help me to know exactly what I'm writing rather than thinking while I'm writing.
5)
For Question 5 I also could have talked about the Kim Kardashian and Galaxy advert CSPs emphasising the fact that traditional media is definitely what helps to make a celebrity.
1)
Total = 67 = Grade 8
WWW:
Wow! This is phenomenal and shows we absolutely need to be aiming for those top levels. Your engagement with the questions and relevant media debates is just superb. Keep it up!
EBI:
The challenge now is to break into the top level (17-20) in the 20-mark questions through depth of analysis, range of examples and the synoptic element in Q5. Do the Grade 9 extension work as revision too!
2)
On a scale of 1-10 I would say that I am currently on a 6. I did some revision and preparation for the exam but I feel as though I could have done a lot more.
3)
In Question 2 I could've made the point that both April and Susan both live in single adult households and being seen to challenge parental authority. There is also the point of Susan being a lone teenager in an adult world not being able to make decisions for herself unlike April. Finally, I could have mentioned the fact that they are 50 years apart and yet they still show some similarities with them being highly intelligent and dominant characters.
4)
For the 20 mark essays I think that I will have to aim to time myself better with each question in order to write one more paragraph for the three 20 markers to make up for any points that could help me to attain a higher mark. I also think that especially for they synoptic questions I should aim to talk about a lot more CSPs and go into more depth when relating it to the question. Planning could also help me to know exactly what I'm writing rather than thinking while I'm writing.
5)
For Question 5 I also could have talked about the Kim Kardashian and Galaxy advert CSPs emphasising the fact that traditional media is definitely what helps to make a celebrity.
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