Written by Richard Dyer
From: Jump Cut, no. 18, August 1978, pp. 15-16 

• ''Since the gay movement began we have insisted on the centrality of the media as a carrier, reinforcer or shaper of our oppression''

• ''A very common stance of straight critics, and alas of many within the gay movement, is that films should show that gay people are just ordinary human beings''

• ''There is no real difference between being gay and being straight''

• ''We are right to be angry about the succession of pathetic, ridiculous and grotesque figures that are supposed to be up there on the screen''

Gay and Lesbian Critisism

• "stereotypes of gays and lesbians such as the queen and the dyke reproduce norms and gendered heterosexuality"
• "the homosexual man or woman falls short of the heterosexual norm: that they can never be a 'real' man or woman"
• "the stereotypes of the queen as the effeminate man and the dyke as the mannish woman"
• "early gay and lesbian criticism was mostly directed at stereotyping"
• "dominant stereotypes of homosexuals- such as the sissy, the sad young man, the gay psychopath, the seductive androgyne, the unnatural woman, or the lesbian vampire"
• "for straight spectators, such stereotypes could confirm prejudice, while for gay an lesbian spectators they might encourage self-hatred"
• "Dyer argues that stereotypes have the function of ordering the world around us"
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A history of gay cinema- Steven Paul Davies

• "every homosexual was an expert decoder"
• "the notion of depicting a normal homosexual man or woman... was still thought as dangerously radical"
• "the drama of being gay is central to many gay peoples identities"
• "viewpoint that sees the world differently, with no homosexual eyes" - Male gaze theory
• "gay character in films: not sensitive, not intuitive, kind and somehow deeply sad, nor hilarious, bitchy and outrageous."
• "that gay people had emotions like normal people"
• "just part of life"
• "sexual roles are less fixed"
• "not a single gay character in the film was played by a gay actor"
• "without homosexuals there would be no Hollywood, no theatre, no arts"
• "gay cinema is attracting a huge amount of mainstream attention"
• "always something to laugh at, or pity, or even fear"
• "usually cast as the leading mans effeminate buddy or as the sissy"
• "portrayed as emotional wrecks, many of them suicidal"

Uses stereotypes such as;

• "I'm wearing a wedding dress... which you picked" - this insinuates that all homosexuals are good with clothes and fashion advice as she has only just realised that he helped pick her dress, so this makes him obviously gay.
• 
  

Twenty Gay Stereotypes Confirmed

The Celluloid Closet

Research

Stereotypical gay characters

• Clueless-  When Cher Horowitz realises that her crush, Christian, is “a disco-dancing, Oscar Wilde-reading, Streisand ticket-holding friend of Dorothy,” his station in life immediately changes from sex object to the old, reliable gay best friend.
• I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry- Heterosexual actors relying on stereotypes to play gay characters. The characters they play are also straight pretending to be gay (comedic stereotyping).
• In and Out- Speaking of stereotypes, this little comedy relied on the notion that one’s level of femininity presupposed one’s sexuality, and, of course, it incorporated the long, unsettling kiss between Kevin Kline and Tom Selleck for awkward laughs. 

The effects of gay stereotypes

https://kiracurtis.wordpress.com/the-effects-of-the-gay-stereotype-in-current-american-film/

"In the 1920’s, when film was just a budding media, homosexuality was surprisingly common in movies but only in a comic form."

"comedic portrayal by such famous actors as Charlie Chapman was accepted and even encouraged. In films such as Wanderer of the West (1927) and The Soilers (1923), audiences laughed at the juxtaposition of an effeminate male character to the classic, tough cowboys of the West"

Representations of Events: Whitney Houston's death

Star (American gossip magazine)

'Don't let me die' all in capitals was the headline for the gossip magazine in America. The imagery used on the front cover is a image of Whitney Houston on the last night she went out and sadly the night she died. This image was chosen from a selection for a particular reason and it was to highlight her substance abuse. She had many good times to choose out of but the magazine chose this one to show her in a bad light for gossip and entertainment reasons. They also have images of the scene where she died to grab attention. 'Her drug dealer' is used to depict her in a negative way showing her drug abuse side, they're only deciding to focus on the bad point within her life, not remember the good points. the selection of words is very specific when it come to this magazine front cover! they only use words which are associated with negative aspects, like the words 'cops' is associated with arrest and and prison, therefore putting Whitney into that category. They also make her seem vulnerable by using 'cry for help' and also using 'plus her violent nights with Ray J' making her again seem weak and not a strong woman. This gives of the ideologies that she isn't to been seen as an iconic role model but instead just another celebrity who had too much money and decided to waste it on drugs.

Entertainment pays tribute to Whitney Houston on the cover of their magazine. There is only one image used on the whole page and it is a picture of Whitney standing there looking tall and proud in an elegant gown, this shows her in a positive light and shows the situation should be a time of remembrance for all the good and not the bad The colours used are very toned down and subtle, there is also a bright light in the background highlighting Whitney helping up to focus on her as she is centred in the middle, this emphasises her positive side and still making her seem like a good role model. There is  very few words selected to go on this front cover but the main attraction is the word 'WHITNEY' placed in the middle of the cover, the next to it '1963- 2012', this is a tribute to her because she was an icon. This magazine is dedicating its issue to her and not focussing on what went on the night she died. Mediation is again used through the use of the amount of words selected to be put on the cover, there is only three small phrases and they are 'unforgettable moments, your ultimate playlists, her final days' all these small phrases are there to back up the ideology that even though she had a problem with drugs and that is how she died, she is still some to look up to and respect as a role model.

second part of evaluation

I believe that the target audience for my music video would be the explorer/mainstreamer. I feel like the specific text would be appealing the aspirer because this video lacks the conventions of a normal video, it decides to tackle the darker side of a teenager’s life. Teenagers are represented as fun and life living young people, while our music video decides to show the more sombre side and how life can have an effect. This would appeal to the aspirers because it is able to challenge their needs as an audience and enable them to explore new aspects to life, it also provides new sensations and instant effects, enabling them to respond to this media text. However, this music video would appeal to the mainstreamers as it allows them to be entertained through the form of emotion. It challenges their needs for protection, as they're able to connect and empathise with the character in the narrative, it also goes them the chance to escape from their daily routine and reinforce their need for security. 

This music video has many uses and gratifications, for example it is used for escapism/entertainment. This is done through the dramatic elements used within the video. The extensive use of POVs and extreme close ups exaggerate the music video, making it become tenser and more realistic to watch. We get to empathise with the character, enabling us to understand her feelings and in some sense helping us understand what she is going through. The pain and despair she is going through challenges our need for protection, entertaining us in an emotional way. This can also be used for escapism as it drags us away from reality for a while, helping us into the life of the girl in the music video. This video can also be used for personal identification as it is a common occurrence sadly in todays society, this means that audience members watching the music video will be able to personally identify with the character and what she is going through, this once again enables the audience to empathise with the character, helping them identify. This media text portrayed its ideologies through the encoders. The encoders of this music video wanted the audience to decode in a certain way were the audience would be able to see through the characters eyes, they wanted to get their views and opinions across through the help of the character and this is commonly done throughout all media texts. The target audience is supposed to take a 'preferred' reading to this text however it isn't just about liking the text, the purpose is to understand the text and agree with the beliefs and ideologies of the text. This music video has the ideologies that not all people are happy, despite what they show and also that a teenager's life can be very challenging. The target audience is teens/young adults and they will take this text as a preferred reading as they're able to understand the situation and agree with the ideologies put forward. There are many narrative devices used in this media text to convey a message, for example in the scene were the friends are getting a group picture together, the encoders have reversed the shot later on in the music video, this was done to another shot of the girl while she is getting hugged by her boyfriend then she is pushed away. This was done to the shots to show that even the happy times throughout the girls life are snatched away and she is regressing, being left with nothing except the suicidal thoughts in her mind. Another technical code would be the use of slow motion in the video, this was done to show that her life is coming to a close, the slow pace of her juxtaposes the fast pace of the song and the shots making it become more apparent to the audience that she is becoming more and more unhappy, having a lesser grip of reality. The audiences response to this should be empathy as it challenges their need for protection and in some cases it also challenges their need for nurture. 


When doing my music video research I was inspired by a lot of them and they helped me when decided what narrative codes and techniques to use and also what conventions to use. One of the videos that is similar to mine is Chandelier by Sia, this is similar to mine as it uses the unconventional technique of a child star, which helps the audience empathise and challenge their needs for protection. Another video that mine is similar to would be Biblical by Biffy Clyro as it uses the same narrative techniques and codes. They both use slow motion and reverse techniques to show a different path of life, whether they go down a good one or a bad one.

Britain is represented in a variety of ways within the media. One of these ways is through the form on magazines and brochures. Magazines and brochures are used to show off Britain’s best aspects, emphasise them and to even exaggerate them. One way in which they do this is the images that are shown. The images shown are usually shot in long shot and this is done to show the surroundings as they’re usually emphasised in colour to make Britain seem more desirable. The use of historical buildings is also done to show depth and culture within the country attracting people and making them more inclined to visit. A magazine/brochure would also use bold colourful writing which is normally centred in the middle to stand out to the audience, making them take notice of what they’re saying, words like ‘depth’, ‘beauty’ and ‘culture’ would be typical of this. This gives of the ideology that Britain is clean and fresh and connotes the mythology that Britain is full of heritage and culture.

Another way in which Britain is represented is through film. One of the most iconic British characters from a film I can think of is James Bond. In some peoples eyes James Bond connotes everything that is British starting with the car and ending with “British charm”. He reinforces the ideologies that all British men are good looking, posh accented heartthrobs, which isn’t necessarily true. A film that portrays Britain in an accurate way would be ‘This is England’. This film shows the truth behind Britain and portrays it perfectly in some aspects as it shows authenticity towards the social realism of Britain and that we’re not all the perfect heartthrob. It shows the true nature to some of the more derelict areas and tackles the theme of racism, which isn’t shown, is any other types of media that show Britain positively.

Another person in film to represent British men would be Hugh Grant as he’s seen as the typical English male. He usually plays the character type of the awkward handsome male who is confused about hi emotions. His typical slick long hair and open necked shirt gives him that educated and sophisticated look about him.

Newspapers show Britain in a very specific way and normally the represent Britain in a very sporty way

Representations

Here we see an image of Miley in the advertisement for her film "Hannah Montana The Movie". In these images she's represented as an innocent country girl living her dream, in reality and the film. Having grown up in the eye of the media she basically got branded like her character she plays, everyone thought that Miley Stuart was the real Miley. She has always been a popular figure and role model from a young age and the fact that her character is so average when she isn't being Hannah appeals to an audience as she represents the 'normal' girls who aren't that popular and have a big dream of their own
The fact that Miley is able to sing and act makes her even more popular as she is able to get her feeling across through her music as she doesn't act out her real life. The decoders are able to connect with this image and her music as she is just a simple country girl getting her dream across for others to hear. The way she is represented in the film isn't an accurate portrayal of her real life and I think that i why so many people have now turned against the current Miley as she isn't being her character anymore. We live in a society were role models are very influential on children and in this media she is representing a fun and loving character for the children, with her colourful outfits and talented singing voice, obviously children love her.



This image came from a website and in it we se Miley being charitable and helping out. 'Miley Cyrus seems to have wasted no time in her rise to fame, riches and charitable causes. Her youthful enthusiasm for contributing to the well-being of others has found a variety of outlets.' The encoders of this article have used this image to show the charitable and caring side of Miley what the media don't tend to show anymore. They want to represent her as a kind and loving person who doesn't waste her money an puts it to good causes. This article would target a younger fan base as they're more inclined to read about her. From this image and article we can see her reveal herself naturally without any twisting from the media, however the encoders might be trying to make her seem more compassionate than she really is and make her seem more charitable. The fact the decoders see her natural and stripped back without all the glam help us connect with her more and she is more relatable as a person. Her smile connotes happiness and warmth as she isn't looking t the camera, saying that the expression on her face isn't staged, but a very real one.

Here we see Miley on the cover of Marie Claire, a magazine targeted at many kinds of women. She is framed in a mid shot to show off her amazing figure and clothes, the fact that it says on the front in all capitals 'the  big fashion issue' only backs up this point. She acts like a style icon, someone for the younger generation to look up to. When we look at this image we see 

Genre Analysis Essay

Star Wars: Episode 3



I'm going to analyse Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. The Star wars' are commonly known as a Sci-fi genre but in my opinion I'd say that it is actually a hybrid gengre. It has so many genres inside it such as action, fantasy, western, romance and obviously Sci-fi. Star Wars conveys themes such as good vs bad, technology vs nature, Jedi vs Sith and love vs loss.

All this is obvious through the generic codes, like the mise-en-scene. The setting helps us identify what genre it is by where and when it's set. Obviously everyone has seen Star Wars so we know that it is set in the future, but to show that it is Sci-fi we see different planets and space travel. The fact it is set in the future shows us as an audience that they'll have more/better technology and futuristic weaponry. Star Wars uses props like lightsabers, ray guns and a whole load of futuristic tech and weaponry. These types of props are typical in a Sci-fi because they're very exagerrated and futuristic, making them seem 'alien' to us as an audience (and as humans). The plot links in to western and fantasy. These two plots use the same basic template, evil try and take over, and band of good guys fight the bad guys, heroine/princess is kinapped, good guys go on quest/mission to save the world/universe from bad guys and get the girl, main hero saves the day and girl and they all live in peace. This is a typical plot of western and fantasy and that is how we can tell what genre it is. The binary oppositions used are also common for these genres as we see good vs evil, hero vs villian and love vs loss (in many hybrid genres we'll either see them lose they lover or save her). The music in this film is grand, overwhelming and overpowering. This type of music is used to show how epic and big the film will be, making it more dramatic and making it a key aspect to the hybrid genre.
 The characters help to identify the genre as they are typical characters what you'd expect to find in the hybrid genre. The fact that the Sith lords wear black robes and cover their faces show they are evil and connote death and destruction, and then the Jedi masters, the fact that they have lighter colours show that they are the good guys, on the lighter side trying to save the universe. Also they haave the lighter lightssaber colours while the dark side has red, and the colour red connotes danger.

The narrative codes include captions, 'A long time ago in a glaxy far far away..' this showws the audience that the setting is somewhere distant in space, proving to the audience it's a Sci-fi. The dialogue also is used to indicate what genre is being portrayed in the film, the words used are understandable but technical, people know what is being used but the words are futuristic and fantaciesed. The shots are cut by fades and wipes in the film, this is done to show a pass of time and place, it is also a mysterious way to cut to a different shot helping to define a genre.

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media diary week 4

A media text that changed my view was the film Titanic.

Titanic is one of my favourite films of all time and every time I watch it I'm drawn in by the amazing love story that is presented by Jack and Rose. The first time I watched this film I never actually knew what the titanic was, well I knew that it was a boat but I never knew its story. it effected me emotionally, made me laugh and helped me understand the true pain of the passengers on board as it was an excellent portrayal of the event and helped me get an insight to what it would've been like on the boat.

I can watch this film over and over again and it'll never get old to me. the film helps you connect with the characters making it harder to watch their lives fall apart and this film does this to make you become emotionally attached, it also uses humour in parts to make you laugh and forget about the bad times in life for a while. this film has had a big impact on my life making me appreciate everyday of life.

Media Diary Week 2

Glue

A new show started last week on E4 called 'Glue'. Glue is aired every Monday and is a drama about a group of friends who live in a small town. Howevr, this isn't a quiet town, a 14 year old boy was murdered and the whole series revolves around the group of friends and what actually happened to the 14 year old.

 

This type of media text is murder mystery and appeals to the younger generation I'd say. A good murder mystery grabs my attention but this one was different. Normally it involves a group of adults solving the murder case but this is more focused on the younger generation. I like how in the show younger actors are used and this helps younger people relate tot ehm as they're typical teenagers. This show is full of young fresh faces instead of your stereotypical olod detectives in an office and this is good because it brings a whole new side into murder mysteries.

 

My reaction to the text was very good, I thought the acting from the younger generation was amazing and it portayed a teenagers life very well. this appeals to younger people, however the older generation can also enjoy it as it still has the classic 'who done it?' feeling. People would probably consume this text because it's new, theres not much you can say about the series so far as it's only onto its second episode but I can definately say that it will appeal to thrill seekers, drma lovers and definately th younger generation!

 

Here is the trailer!

 

 

 

 

 



Media Diary Week 1

Review: Doctor Who series 8

I'm going to review the new series of Doctor Who. As a child I've always enjoyed watching Doctor Who since is re-started in 2005 with Christopher Eccleston and from that moment I've become hooked on the show. With series 8 not so long ago we are now on the 5th episode for this Saturday. When Peter Capaldi was announced as the new Doctor I didn't know what to expect from him, my Doctors have always been young and ennergetic while this new seemed like he'd be old and frale. With the new series came a lot of new things to the show.

Lets start with the Doctor himself. In my opinion I love Peter Capaldi (however Tenannt will always be my favourite). Capaldi brings a whole new aspect towards Doctor Who and shows the Doctor's darker, more eerie side. we can see with his age he has become more mature and responsible, not like Matt Smith. I like how in the new series it's more diolog based and the camera shots are more steady, like they're focussing on the Doctor more and not the episodes. Also the way they have also encorperaed Capaldi's Scottish accent is amazing. I'm still glad to see that Jenna Coleman is still his companion, hopefully he speculation of her leaving isn't true.

  The Tardis. The Tardis' new interior is a great way to reflect the Doctor's new personailty because the colour of it is now red, and this shows a more mature Doctor, darker Doctor. When the Doctor is flying the Tardis is doesn't shake around anymore or rattle and this shows the Doctor's maturity because he is flying the Tardis properly. The lighting has become more bleak and dark in the new series. This is done to create a more tense, dark path for the Doctor to follow and the shadows reflect on the Doctor's emotions.

Overall I am enjoying the new series, even if I'm not the biggest fan of thee new opening titles, but it is very different to the older episodes, however it is still classic Who with the Doctor being in the centre of 19th century London with a dinosour. I'm going to give Doctor Who a five star rating aand I encourage people to watch Doctor Who.

Here is a trailer of the new series for those who might want to start watching it!



Photography

Rule Of Thirds
This rule states that the main points of a picture will occur on or near the intersection of image. This photo is a great example of the rule of thirds because by the intersections you can see how the picture focus' on the sun, also in other intersections it focus' on the sunset. On the bottom intersections you can se how it focus' on the lens flair helping enhance them making them more effective and noticeable.

Light and Shadows
This picture captured me because the way the shadows were used to have a good effect on the image. The way the image has been taken makes the picture look dark and gloomy, also in my opinion it looks like the shadows are coming for you. In day time the tree would look like normal peaceful trees, but the shadows give them a dark scary persona making them seem evil, like the picture is trying to give them human features.

Line and Shapes
In this picture we have and man walking along a bridge. I really like this picture because the lines and shapes in the background capture peoples eyes and make them wonder where it is. When you look in the foreground of the picture we see a man looking gloomy and depressed and next to him we can see bin knocked over, this puts a story behind the picture making us wonder what has happened to this man to man him look so upset. From his face we can see the pain he has be cause for whatever reason it may be.

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