Representation of celebrity

Representation of celebrity

Text 1: Iron Man Trailer

The Iron Man trailer presents Robert Downey as someone who is an eccentric character, this is evident from how he is shot in a war zone casually having an alcoholic drink and having witty banter with the soldiers. This presents him as someone who can make the best out of every situation and have a good laugh. The character of Tony Stark is someone who has done plenty of wrong in his life but after a traumatic experience he starts to try and redeem himself and do the right thing, this is a perfect reflection of Robert's life as he was able to come back from prison and redeem himself in the eyes of the public. He is also presented as a person who is comfortable with his appearance and is also unafraid, this is very clear from how he is able to wear a smart suit while in a war torn part of the world and parade around like he is a god. This is shown with him raising his arms in an almost angelic way, this comes across as someone who is powerful and is also of a higher status that the people around him. Robert is presented as someone who while having fortune, fame and luxury it isn't the most important thing to him and he puts greater emphasis on other aspects of his life such as serving as a hero to the people. The Iron Man character represents Robert Downey Jr as someone who is eccentric and sarcastic but still having a big heart and caring to those around him, he is the presented as a role model that should be respected.

Text 2: Rolling Stones magazine cover 

Robert is represented as someone who has been through tough times and has managed to overcome them which can be seen from the title of the article 'To Hell and Back With Robert Downey Jr' , this is an intertextual reference to his downfall involving drugs and prison and his eventual triumphant return to fame. The orange hood he wears on the cover is also a visual reference to the generic orange jumpsuit worn by prisoner, further reinforcing the intertextual reference to his time in prison. His hood is up which can have many connotations such as having guilt for his criminal behaviour or attempting to hide, it can also visually show him still being involved in criminal activity which the target audience of the article could find appealing. The usual Rolling Stone colour scheme is replaced by a stone grey colour scheme, this as well as the white background are used to reinforce a prison motif. Robert's stubble and his dead-like eyes present him as someone who is tired and wants rest, this can be a visual reference to the effects of his hardships in his life. Robert has an apparent lack of a shirt, this is a potential visual reference to the stereotype of substance abuser not wearing shirts. The target audience of this article will be predominately male and between the ages of thirty and forty, I believe this as they will be people who will have be aware of what happened to Robert in his life and be able to sympathise with his struggle. Overall Robert is presented as someone who has done his time and now seeks forgiveness for what he has done and wants to earn the respect of the public, the encoders of this magazine cover have purposely represented him in this manner from how he is dressed to the changing of the colour scheme of the Rolling Stone logo.

Text 3: The Guardian Robert Downey Jr charity work

This article and the video represent Robert as someone who is charitable and is willing to do the right thing for a noble cause. Robert is also represented as having a very close connection to the character of Iron Man, using that persona in order to carry out a deed that sends a positive message and reinforces an Iron Man and himself as iconic figures. It also reinforces what is written in the article with the writer stating that he is "better known as the beloved superhero Iron Man", the use of the word beloved connotes a sense of being cherished by many people which makes Roberts actions more compassionate due to him helping a single person. This representation is created by Robert himself, I believe this because of his status as Iron Man he is able to use it for good causes and reinforce the ideology of his super hero being a good person and a protector and carer of the innocent. 

Text 4:Robert walks out of Channel 4 interview

This interview with Channel 4 presents Robert as a man who is very focused about his work but does not enjoy speaking about the worst moments in his life, this can be seen when the topic of discussion changes and Roberts actions become less comfortable and more awkward. Showing Robert walk off during the interview presents him as someone who wants to avoid personal conversations as much as possible, but also comes across as someone who is easily offended when sensitive subjects are discussed. This is clear from how he reacts to the more personal questions with more stuttering and awkward laughing, the unnatural behaviour in contrast to the calm behaviour when discussing the film shows his desire to avoid personal questions. This representation of Robert was created by both the encoder and himself, this can be seen from not only the fact that Robert takes it into his own hands to leave the room but also due to the encoder presenting us with a shot of Robert leaving the room.