MIGRAIN Index Update

MIGRAIN Intro To Media

Index

1) 15/09/15> Media Consumption >Media consumption audit

2) 15/09/15> Language >Language and Genre: Reading an image - advert analyses

3) 28/09/15> Language >Institution: major media institution research and presentation

4) 07/10/15> Institution >Institution: brand values

5) 18/10/15> Institution >Institution: CoolBrands research

6) 14/10/15> Narrative >Narrative: narrative theory YouTube clip analysis

7) 27/10/15> Audience >Audience: psychographics presentation

8) 09/11/15> Audience Theory >Audience: audience theory blog tasks/questions

9) 10/11/15> Audience >Audience: audience theory - dependency theory

10) 14/11/15> Representation >Representation: clip analysis - dominant and alternative representations

11) 23/11/15> Representation >Representation theory: 500 word analysis on blog

12) 03/12/15> Representation >Representation: Media Magazine articles and questions

13) 13/12/15> Ideology >Ideology: BBQ QT analysis and binary opposition

14) 14/12/15> Ideology >Ideology: Media Magazine reading 

Ideology Further Reading Task

MM52 Page 34
(Hunger Games)

The view of capitalists ideology presented in the Hunger Games films: 

1)

The view of capitalism is seen to be unfriendly to society. There have been many rebellions in the past due to the change in the 'Capitols' ruling system and this lead to stricter rules being put in place in order for society to be kept in line. This is apparent in the line, "The Games serve to keep the districts under control, as punishment for previous rebellions, and to warn them to stay in line". This quotation accentuates the fact that the Capitol has created new punishment systems in order to keep each district in line of obeying the law. The use of a powerful phrase 'under control' suggests that only the powerful can make the decisions of how the districts should be run. Furthermore, it suggests that previous actions were near to success and that the current government are frightened that one day rebellion will occur and may become successful. 

Another view of capitalism seen in the Hunger Games is the fear of the people. The article suggests that the people have rebelled many times and this form of activity shows that the capitol are using the districts as objects and ways of gaining more resources for themselves rather than sharing across the community. This is apparent in the line, "Every district is poor; people struggle to survive on small amounts of food and minimum wages, while they work to provide coal, technology, food, power and other services to the Capitol". This quotation illustrates the fact that society are treated as slaves as they have to work many hours and put all efforts into ensuring that the capitol got the power and resources they needed and they would receive low pay in exchange for the great hours of work they did. 

The power of the media and the shaping of ideological beliefs:

2)

The Hunger Games show how the power of propaganda can change societies mind as the actions and events that have taken place all act like a way to show who is in power and to spread awareness of the Capitols power and influence, which is what propaganda clearly does. This apparent in the line, "Each year two children between the ages of 11-18 are sent from each district to partake in The Hunger Games, an annual event that involves forcing each child to kill one another until only one is remaining". This quotation conveys the fact that the Capitol government that the districts are under control have placed these cruel and evil punishments in order to restore their power amongst the districts. This form of action can act as propaganda as the people are forced to believe that the Capitol is the strongest and are powerful. The use of a powerful word 'forcing' suggests that they hold the most power in the hierarchy and that they can d whatever they want to do whether that is arresting citizens or even killing them as they hold the most power in society.

MM52 Page 48

(They Live)

Accepted ideological beliefs in western society:

1)

• Realise your true potential
• Be yourself
• Lead a satisfying life
• People should put their families first

Gramci's Theory

2) Gramci's theory suggests that the use of power is not used with force but is used through consent. This means that people allow some sort of power to be placed amongst them rather than just being forced on them. This is one way in which those in power maintain their control through consent, otherwise placing force on someone allows them to lost their control. He argued that the power of ideology comes primarily from ideas and strictures which support an elite social group. 

3) Louis Althusser delivers an understanding of how we, the consumers, are controlled through ideology. His view point was he believed that ideology was 'the greatest material of power' and dominates our day-to-day lives. This occurs through two key forms of control: 

Repressive State Control: This is primarily about those who have the most power such as, Government, Army, Police and Courts etc.- which are dominated by the ruling elite. These 'state agencies' deliver their masses through violence and fear. 

Idealogical State Apparatuses: Church, the media, educational institutions etc.- these institutions control and dominate implicitly through common sense rather than through fear. This links in with Gramci's theory, that power can be used though consent rather than through force. 

Binary Oppositions and Ideology

Binary Oppositions and Ideology In The Media

Russell and Nigel Clash

Binary Oppositions present during this clip:

• Good vs Evil
• Society vs Government
• The right vs the wrong
• People vs Corruption
• Upper class vs Lower class
• Wealthy vs immigrants
• Rich vs poor
• Hero vs villain 

Ideologies displayed in this clip:

The most common sense of ideology that is repeated constantly in this clip is that the government is doing the right thing. Through-out this clip, most of the audience were essentially agreeing with Nigel's points as they seem to not agree with the point in which Russell is taking on this subject. Moreover, they seem to believe that the government is doing the right thing, however some (only now days) do people truly rebel against certain beliefs that the government believe is the 'right' thing for the people/society. 

Another common ideology that a majority of people in this audience agree on and believe is true is that immigrants are causing issues for the country. This has been repeated by many people who spoke directly to Russell as they share their own personal experiences with the issue. Furthermore, the working class (which was majority of the people present during this talk) has been severely hit by the issue that has struck the country. Therefore, as majority of the audience is from a working class background, they are more likely to believe that immigrants are the one to blame for the current situation.

Finally, another common ideology that has been present during this clip has been that the countries system needs to be changed. This is because majority of the audience are confused on where the money (from the economy) has gone and where it is. Both Russell and Nigel want a tremendous change to society, however their values and opinions is what makes their ideas differ from one another. In addition, this ideology of 'change' is the key and main thing that all members of the public share in common /based on this current situation). Therefore, one of the most common ideologies present during this talk was the need for change in society and in the government.

Straight Outta Compton Police Check

Binary oppositions present during this clip:

• Black ethnic group vs police
• Appearance vs belief 
• People vs law
• White vs Black
• Corruption vs Equality
• Society vs individuals 

Ideologies displayed within this clip:

One significant ideology that is shown in this clip is that black people are seen as gang members or criminals. During today's society this stereotype as well as ideology of society still remains very active. The media such as news papers portray black people as criminals and this creates the ideology and representation of them to be like this. In this clip, the police stop five group members and force them to get on to the ground due to their appearance. This quote clearly shows how even during the date where this film is meant to take place, there is still the same level of racial inequality amongst black people.

Another ideology that is shown in this clip is that american police are racist towards black people. It has been seen in the news that many black american citizens have been abused or arrested due to their ethnicity. This ideology may not be seen by the police themselves but is clearly seen by society who see this news from another country other than America itself. In this clip it in evident that these police-men had stopped these five group members because of their appearance and this indicates that even in today's society these events still take place.

Finally, another ideology shown in this clip is that the skill of being and musician or music artist is seen as not an 'Art'. This ideology is believed by many people in both today's society and in the society in which this film is based on. People didn't value to importance of music and considered it as annoying and not needed. However, it is the importance of music that helps children to elevate in literature or gain a creative mind as words can inspire them to achieve something greater. This ideology is what most people didn't agree with and so the dominant ideology was that music was not considered an art. Furthermore, in today's society this type of ideology does remain fairly dominant, however it is changing.

Ideology In The Media

MM52- P34

• Ideology:

The power of ideology is often those in power control ideas, as well as resources. This means that those who are higher up in the hierarchy have a greater influence on those below them and in this case it is the public and those who live in the districts. In the film 'Hunger Games' the power of ideology comes from the most powerful, in this case it is President Snow. He applies his own creativity into the game and this is mostly going to be from his point of view of what changes he would want to the game and not what others think of it. This ideological thinking is from some persons perspective and the way he sees things to be run may not always be the best way for other people as it is from his point of view. He is concerned that other who are below his in the hierarchy are more likely to rebel against his authority and so he tries to gain his power by spreading fear amongst those below him such as the districts. The way he comes across with his ideological thinking and information is through the propaganda he produces. Propaganda can influence many consumers who come across it as the propaganda is used to influence a certain way of thinking and this can lead to people changing their perception towards a specific thing.

• Dystopia and Propaganda:

The article states that those in power (those at the top of the hierarchy is slowly crumbling. This is because although they hold most of the power, those below them are joining together to rise up against the corrupt government. The one who has the most power in the districts is Katnis and she uses propaganda to influence the need for rebellion as she hacks into Capitol system and publishes a video of a hospital being bombed by the Capitols. This move was sued to encourage people to turn against the support of the Capitol and to rebel against them due to their cruel system. Katnis uses the power of the T.V to help deliver he message across to the world stating that the Capitol is cruel and is not the right system for them.

MM52- P48

• Ideology

In this article, the ideology in Britain changes as new ideas emerges however there three dominant ideologies that society accepts or agree on even though everyone doesn't entirely agree. The three dominant ideologies are the following:

• People should put their families first.

• People should work hard for their money.

• Women should behave in feminine ways, and look after their appearance.

These ideologies often are accepted without any question or argument as society has consumed this ideology and will agree to it. Although there can be people who counter this ideology, this doesn't make a significant impact on societies point of view. 

Media Magazines Task

Key Concepts of Representation

MM50

1. The article is about female audiences who view the media often are 'dominated' by heterosexual Caucasian of 0-2 models. People complain stating that women in advertising are 'too white' and under size 6. Yet there is still advertising both men and women are suffering issues with body image due to media imagery. The introduction of the plus size model helps advertisers in projecting an image of what people actually look like. 
2. The name of the film that has sparked fused this debate is known as 'A Perfect 14'. 
3. The female gaze is somewhat different from the male gave judging from this article as both versions of the female gaze have a similar view point however this article focuses not from a women being 'looked at' but rather how women feel by the narrow use of different sized women. This article is showing how advitisors want to project the image of women too look a certain way whereas Mulvery's theory is that women are often there to be looks at by men.
4. I think that the media shouldn't keep portraying women like this as this can really have a major impact on many women's lives. The media is trying to project women in a certain way and therefore,some women would feel uncomfortable knowing that they do not fit in with that category and can rally have an effect on many women's lives and the way they see themselves. 
5. The film is about a divide in females representation in the media. Women in the trailer believe that 95% of the women portrayed in the media are skinny and beautiful and they believe that consumers aren't buying the product but instead they are buying the portrayal of the Caucasian women. Women feel depressed about the way they look because of other peoples portrayal of 'normal' women are different to other woman who don't fit that category. 

MM51

1. The introduction to this article is about how the media is re-presented after the media object has been captured. The article states that the producer behind the media object will in some shape or form 'mediate' the image in a way that it will perceive more value and thought than the original object did for example, a famous celebrity has a photo taken, and the media will discuss the clothing or the setting of where the photo is being taken place. This isn't what the image previously was to state but the image has been mediated. 

The representation of the mass media in the article is portrayed to show how the 'mediator' behind the media object is presented. In this case, the location in a film is determined by the Film Director of how this location is going to be portrayed and this is often from both the institutions and directors point of view. Another example, is the new paper. The company running the news paper will decide what type of story to cover and how to portray it whether its positive or negative. 

The how, who and why representations in this article is to show how each media text or object is used to portray a certain way of thinking and the steps taken by the mediator to get this representation as effective as possible. The mediator will need to go through various requirements and steps before publishing a media object to the consumers. This is because the producer of that media text/object wants it to be presented and seen in the same way he/she wants it to be. For example, a new war film has been released and the poster of that film is designed to promote it. The producer would place explosion images as well as planes or even weaponry within that media object in order to convey the genre and the visuals of that film.

Stuart Hall's approach to ideology in this article was to show how the mediators/producers way of making the consumer think or even react to a certain media text will not always have the same impact that the producer intended. This was known as ‘Encoding/Decoding' which basically told how consumers would add their own thoughts and beliefs on the media text and this would change the entire message that the media text is trying to convey.

The new media and representations statement is about how consumers now days often create their own media and this is often through social media. Moreover, consumers and people now days are more into user generated content and distribute their thoughts and opinions on to their friends or even followers (depending on the type of platform). The use of social media allow us to construct our own media and identity and for our consumers to take that media text or object in. Furthermore, the article states that due to the many generated content being produced by various users around the world, they are not only created new and original content but also they are constructing their personalities and characteristics to the world. 

3) Overall, I do become aware of the things that I do post online as the content that is published through the world wide web can be seen by millions of people using the internet and this can be very vital with the type of content wanting to be produced. However, I am to a large extent aware of how I present my self online. This is because the way you construct yourself online can or cannot (up to the user) be an exact representation of your life and can be altered. This can be dangerous as people want to see themselves as being different to who they actually are and this can give off the wrong impression to people of they type of person you actually are due to the way you construct yourself. People now days often portray themselves (through social media) as being completely different to who they are in real life and their friends can notice that. This can be very damaging as people confidence may be more lenient into the side of your virtual self rather than you actual self and this confusion can affect peoples day-to-day activities and social interactions as they have lost their personality. Overall, I am very aware of the way I present myself online as I don't just see the  information that I post from my point of view but from others point of view and this is a clear indication of being aware of the data and information that is posted via the internet.