Representation of Celebrity Homework

Using your new knowledge of representations, you are going to analyse the various representations of a celebrity of your choice.

Here is the task in some more detail followed by some ideas of different texts to look at...

This needs to be done in real detail. I would rather you only had 3 or 4 media texts that were analysed in depth than 6 or more that just told me some basic things.

Here is a sample answer to help you understad exactly what I am looking for...

Read all three pages of the sample answer very carefully so that you know exactly what is expected.

You can't use Katy Perry as your example - and it's better if you pick someone who has been represented in a number of different ways.

If you can't remember what the constructionist view of representation is then look at the slides below...

If you are struggling to remember, or don't have notes on Mediation, then click here.

Remember to label your post with both: 
Your Name and Representation of Celebrity

Johnny Depp text analysis

TEXT ONE:

This image is of a magazine cover for people magazine i have chosen this because it portrays Johnny Depp as attractive and handsome this is seen by the chosen words beside the main image the sub heading states " Johnny Depp sexiest man alive!" the use of the explanation point emphasizes what they are stating and makes it seem more powerful this also seen through the other celebrity images being much smaller than his this could be stating and pointing out his importance and maybe even his appearance and image in the media.

In the film industry he is seen as a genius and top notch actor the use of the well known actor Ryan Reynaldes (who stared in many resent films such as Deadpool and is staring in a new film called life) and Robert Pattinson (well known for the role of Edward in the twilight sagas and many more)also appearing on this magazine Core shows how Johnny Depp is much higher in stardom due to the massive difference in picture size and quality of the images.
In the case of this magazine cover they have represented Johnny Depp as a a smart but attractive man this is seen due to the photographer taking a picture with his to few buttons undone also the simple style and colour could indicate and emphasis his normal appearance even though he is a celebrity this could in turn make him seem more approachable and inviting to readers ,consumers.


TEXT TWO :



In this film trailer Johnny Depp plays the quirky and crazy character of the mad hatter. He usually goes for more crazy and unusual roles this is seen in the voice of victor in the corps bride and many more animated,real life movies made and directed by Tim Berton his chose of roles could also represent him as well such as if we see him movie roles evolving around comedy and craziness we may start to associate him with this character and character traits of his chosen roles.

The way he portrays and works on his created character persona this could indicate how he is presented as hard working. In this his overall representation is seen as crazy and unpredictable due to the nature of his character/role.

This media may viewed by people who know Johnny Depp by his many other film. He is somewhat meant to be in movies done by Tim Berton due to his frequent appearance in them and due to this people have represented him as being put in the role of odd and difficult characters.



TEXT THREE:

This magazine cover shows Johnny Depp in one of his many roles this specific character role is from a film called  lone ranger. In this magazine it is evident that the main image is the front layer this is seen by the mast head and sub heading are played slightly behind the front image this could determine that the image is the main point of focus this is also evident due to it being placed in the middle of the magazine if you go by the rule of thirds.

The importance is also evident through the use of the encoder adding his name (in bold and bigger than the other headings) this represents him as important. The use of him being in that costume would be to promote his new film also it could show how committed to his roles he is. The position he is can depict him as confident and maybe even outgoing this is also evident by his confident stare right into the camera. Another depiction of confident and strength is seen through his deliberate posture of his shoulders , the position of his shoulders makes him seem intimidating and strong due to the viability of his upper arm muscles.

This medium long shot shows all of his upper body to symbolize he is not some one to mess with. The way the camera man has taken this photo it allows us to feel as if we are being looked at by him due to his fixed eye contact to the camera this could also show you the persona of the character he is playing and dressing up as for this magazine.


TEXT FOUR:

 In this magazine cover it shows him standing next to his former wife . The sub heading nasty divorce is the main thing evident on this cover due to it being fully white on a mainly black/ dark blue background this makes it promptly stand out also this is directed at Johnny Depp so in this he is represented as nasty and maybe even bad due to the encoders chosen word

Choosing that certain picture makes this magazine seem controversial due to the image depicting him as happy this goes against what the sub heading is stating this also goes against it due to the  severity and importance of the bad news of the divorce.

In this image he is seen wearing a black and dark blue suit this is usually representative of a funeral or sadness/something to commemorate. The encoders has added in the left hand corner two other stories and one is stating that a couple will get married this makes Johnny Depp seem and bad and he is represented as evil due to him doing something wrong in the marriage.

JUSTIN BIEBER

These images are from Daily Mail from 27 July 2013. Here, he is shown allegedly spitting from a balcony, where his fans wait below. The encoders have represented him here as ill-mannered, arrogant, inconsiderate and disrespectful. They even label him as "Pop Brat". During this time period throughout 2013, Bieber embraced his obnoxious, egotistical, diva. This was just after his infamously short stay in London when he was 2 hours late to his own concert at the O2 and had to be restrained by security whilst attempting to attack a paparazzi. After, he arrived at Amsterdam and wrote about himself in Anne Frank's diary memorial. After that, he and his monkey got detained in a German airport, where his monkey was confiscated and referred to a German zoo. 

Not only is Bieber's reputation and image being criticised here, but so are his posse and entourage, who he chooses to surround himself with because essentially, they are guilty by association and those around you not only represent themselves but represent you too and their character is also a reflection of your character. The pictures here show Bieber spitting over the balcony followed by him and his friends, which includes his childhood best friend Chaz Somers and rapper Lil Za, laughing at his actions clearly showing no remorse. Here, the encoders have represented Bieber as a teenager surrounded by bad influences.

Daily Mail would expect their audience to take the preferred reading of this text and agree with the representation Daily Mail has given Bieber, one that is an ungrateful, arrogant and disrespectful pop star turned diva and accept the fact that he isn't the world's angel anymore, instead fame has corrupted his behaviour and morals. He is no role model and this is exactly what Daily Mail wish to convey in this article.

                                                          Katie Hopkins

This article is taken from the Daily Mail were they interviewed Katie Hopkins in which she made some very dehumanising and disgusting comments towards migrants. This shows a repeated representation that Hopkins has made for herself 'vile'.


The Encoders of the text are the journalists and editor of the Daily mail. They have represented Katie as an outspoken and flawed human showing that she, like the rest of us, has a sympathetic streak no matter how minute that streak may be. The article describes her as "the outspoken columnist" representing her as opinionated and independent. This column represents Katie as she would represent herself, controversial. This column shows that although Katie regrets some of the things she's said, she still sticks to her word.


The Daily Mail would expect the audience to take an oppositional reading as this headline is controversial and Katie doesn't exactly have a reputation of being liked. The audience would not show empathy to Katie's 'apology' but instead would show anger that she even made those comments in the first place, these comments are not something the majority would be able to relate to.

This one of Katie's infamous tweets taken from her own twitter account. This is just one of the many offensive and disgusting comments she has made on the social media app. Here Katie is representing herself, she is representing herself as being unsympathetic and inconsiderate among many other things. She is living up to the expectations of what people think of her, an overall disgrace of a human being.

The encoder of this tweet is Katie herself. The tweet speaks for itself and shows how much of a monster Katie can really be. However it appears, for some unknown reason, that some people seem to agree with her, they show support by retweeting and/or liking the tweet. 

I think that Katie herself would expect people to take an oppositional reading to this view as it is extremely controversial and rather sick. She knows that the tweet will not go down well and thats exactly what she wants, she wants to get people talking and its working.

Donald Trump

Text 1:

The image is taken from Esquire, the February edition for their magazine. The man in the image is, is President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. They show him representing himself as a menacing, scary, dominating man, and very clearly taking his job seriously, as he is dressed up in a business suit, showing off how important he is. Trump is the man who was in the running for president of America at the time the image was taken, and possibly is why he is looking away from the camera, almost like he is looking into the future of America, as he looking past the camera. He is looked at by many to be a leader, and can be represented in a positive light as he is constantly looking into the future of America, making it a better place for his people. It could be representing him in a negative light, however, as usually when people look into the camera, they are giving a personal connection between themselves and the audience. With Trump staring away, it could be said that Trump doesn't give any personal connection, as he is a man that no one wants to compare themselves too, as he is often considered in the mainstream media as a "racist, sex-maniac moron". The lack of personal connection possibly gives people the idea tat he isn't a good leader, and this possibly is what the encoders actually want to represent him as. The masthead "Hater in chief" means that the encoders are describing Trump as a "hater"due to his descriptions of Mexicans, women and more. He is constantly in the media for all the wrong things, and they know he is a hater of Muslims, as he recently banned them from entering US soil from 9 blacklisted countries, and ironically, not one person since 1975 has killed an American. It shows that Trump is a hater, and isn't a man for peace, as possibly the things he is doing now, will fuel Islamic State, as more and more people will want revenge on a man who has isolated them from his future. He is a hater who is in charge of the most dominating country in the world, and Esquire think that this isnt right. This front cover only adds to the millions of front covers that have portrayed Trump in a negative way, the encoders want their audience to know that the man who is the chief, is a man who hates unnecessarily on many types of people. As Esquire is a left wing/ centre-left magazine, they want their audience to take the positive reading of the magazine front cover, and to see Trump as a dangerous man who is just a hater and doesn't represent millions of Americans. They know that not many people can relate to him, and don't want people to look at the magazine and see it in a Pro-Trump way, as they want the audience to know how dangerous the chief of America is. The oppositional reading of the front cover is to believe that Trump is a good leader, constantly looking into the future of America, making it a better place, and a man who is a role model. 


Text 2:

This image represents Trump to be an idiotic clown who is in the presidential election, as the image was taken almost a year ago, 8 months before the presidential election took place. It is an obvious interpellation link to the popular zombie film, Dawn of the Dead, reinforcing the encoders idea that Trump is not a clever man, and his policies are something that a clown would suggest. It also suggests that Trump has no intelligence, and he shouldn't be anywhere near a presidential election. This could also be taking a dig at his supporters, suggesting that they are following an idiotic clown, and the encoders also describe the "clown's" supporters as mindless zombies, suggesting that they have no mind of their own and they are supporting a man who is as brain dead as them. The encoders reinforce this idea of theirs by doing a close up of Trump in a clown mask, so that the audience can clearly see that the man isn't clever, and tat supporters are following a man who has no intelligence, so how can they back him to do well as the President of the United States? The encoders very clearly want the audience to take a preferred reading of this front cover, as there possibly isn't even an oppositional reading to take from it. The encoders want people to know that the man is just purely in it for entertainment, and he has no political experience at all, and he doesn't have the intelligence to be a good President. The fact that it also labels his supporters as "mindless zombies" also reinforces the point that without the idiotic supporters supporting the man who is racist towards a specific ethnic group, then Trump wouldn't be in the situation of the Republican front runner, and the only ones supporting Trump, are the ones who don't have a clue about politics, and purely see Trump as an entertainer, not a politician, hence the use of the clown mask. Clowns were also scary at the time it was published, as many people spotted clowns at night with lethal weapons scaring people on the streets of several cities, New York (the publisher) being one of the,. Tis could reinforce tis idea that Trump can be dangerous if he has his hands on a lethal weapon. That lethal weapon, would be the nuclear weapons, if he gets into power, and the man should just stay away from the Whitehouse, due to how dangerous he actually is. The encoders also position Trump in a very clever way. The zombies are clearly shown just behind Trump, possibly signalling that they are the ones who are supporting him. Zombies are usually associated with being unintelligent, and they usually don't have a working brain, showing that the encoders are taking a dig at his supporters for being unintelligent, and idiotic. 


Text 3: 

This image was taken after the allegations spread that Trump said that he would "Grab them by the Pu*sy" if he met an attractive woman. Although the idea that Trump was a sex maniac prior to this story, the front cover started to make more people aware of how dangerous he can be to women. But the use of the main image is always important next to the masthead, as Trump looks happy to have been caught out by this scandal, he looks proud to have said what he said, it just makes him look more dangerous, and more scarier to women, as he completely objectifies them in every way. Lately, several people have complained about how he treats his wife, Melania, its often criticized that Trump sees his wife as an object, a se/love object possibly, as there is no love in the relationship at all all Trump sees is an object, and he takes advantage of that. To see that he would grab an attractive women by the "pus*y, completely shows how much of an animal he is, and how sickening he can be to women. This was said when hew wasn't in power, so what would he do to women, if he did get into power. Thats the scary though, and thats what te encoders what the audience to realise, they want to tell the audience that te man is a menace, and shouldn't be given any sort of power, because they are representing him in such a negative way. the creepy smily, the hand out gesture goes negatively well with the masthead, as it looks like he is reaching out, trying to grab the "pus*y" as suggested in the masthead. The encoders of the magazine are clearly representing trump to be a sex-maniac, with no intentions of treating women as human, but only as objects/robots, proving that he himself is not a man, but a horrible, animal that shouldn't get any where near power. We still live in a society which continually objectifies women, and although this isn't the dominant ideology in the world yet, if Trump does get into power the encoders want people to know that the dominant ideology will return back to when men did objectify women, going back in time to a period where this was still prevalent. The encoders seem to be shocked about something that is widely used in the media; objectifying women, but the big shock is that the man who said it was the Republican leader, a scary thought as the encoders know that the man is a menace, and should be stopped. They represent him poorly, and they are so concerned for the future of America if he got into power, and they want their audience to know this. 

Text 4:

Additional Text (German):

Miley Cyrus- Representations

Online article from 'The Guardian' newspaper- The images used in this article provide the audience with a representation of Miley as a vulgar, controversial young woman. This is represented through her lack of clothing and the manner in which she is seen to be dancing in the small screenshot of the video clip included. The lack of clothing may represent to the audience that this is the way that Miley now wants to represent herself. This suggests that Miley is growing and transforming as an artist by opposing to her past image. By appearing to be wearing a nude toned outfit, it provides us with the representation that she wants to show herself for who she really is, no extravagant outfits to distract from her music. However, it could also be argued that the her outfit choice is a way of gaining publicity for her music, due to the controversy it will cause.

The encoders of this text, in this case the editors and journalists at the Guardian, have aimed to represent Miley as a negative influence and an almost offensive public figure. The text uses words and phrases such as 'criticised', 'raunchy', 'manipulating' and 'sexually exploit'. Each of these phrases have severely negative consequences of an almost psychotic or criminal nature. This allows the article to push a representation of Miley using shock tactics to draw the attention of the audience.

The article also repeatedly refers to Miley's past involvement with the media and her past representations in order to make a comparison between them. This is shown when the article says 'former child star' and 'family- friendly Hannah Montana'. This is used briefly imply that like many other former child stars, Miley is heading down a route of ruining her career due to receiving the pressures of celebrity life at such a young age. Also, by reminding the audience that Miley gained her fame from being the star of an extremely popular disney tv show, the encoders are hoping that the audience will make a physical comparison between the two main images that Miley has sported through-out her fame.

The Guardian would expect their audience to take the preferred reading of the text. This would be to see Miley as a negative influence for her mainly young audience, as opposed to her past positive influence. The audience would understand that Miley is showing signs of a diminishing career through her controversial look and on stage performances, presenting Miley as a rebellious figure.

This representation would be easily absorbed as the mainstream consumers of this text have a need for social interaction. This need would be certainly met by this article as the controversial topic mixed with the celebrity status and levels of familiarity.




This article is successful in representing Miley in a more positive light. Firstly, the headline of the newspaper describes Miley as having a 'heart of gold'. This suggests that she is a very kind person, and one who has brought joy through her actions. This opposes the last representation of her, which displays her as being careless, she is now shown as being a very caring character shown through her voluntary visits to children's hospitals.
This positive representation is further shown in the article through the images shared. Miley is shown to be wearing a bright, multicoloured outfit. This could be suggested to be a method of entertainment and a way to cheer up the children who are in the hospital. Her fashion sense is being in a positive light rather than being bashed for being provocative and revealing.
This further opposes the statement made in the Guardians article about Miley being a bad influence for the younger audience.

The encoders of this article have aimed to present Miley as a model citizen and a figure of admiration and aspiration for all of us. This is suggested when the article uses the phrase 'heart of gold' in the title. The encoders are aware that the audience will be able to show respect towards somebody with pure intentions and by telling them that Miley has a heart of gold, it connotes purity and kindness. Furthermore, other encoders including the photographer, lay a significant roll in this article. The photographer and editor have specifically chosen shots in which both Miley and the patients of the hospital look to be very happy and enjoying themselves. This only provides the audience with suggestions that all of the patients were pleased to be visited by Miley, therefore suggests that she is significantly liked and respected by the young audience. In doing so, the encoders create an image of a respectful, kind and responsible idol for the young children she is visiting.

The audience of the daily mail would be expected to accept the representation of Miley as the sweetheart celebrity who enjoys visiting sick children in hospital and provides them with a positive role model.






This brief article represents Miley in a very unique way. Despite her overwhelming success and quite obvious fame, this article shows Miley in a different light, showing her to be like any other teenager. The article continues and tells its audience that (quoted from Miley herself), "I was made to look like someone I wasn't". This may provoke sympathy or even empathy from the audience as they may understand what it feels like to be told that you need to change  to please other people. It also brings to light another side of Miley that many people would not be aware of. Her fans would regard her as confident however this article suggests that due to her childhood roles, she is the opposite rendering to be insecure.

The encoders, the editors and journalists of BBC newsbeat, have attempted to show an alternate side of Miley. Rather that congratulating her over her success, they have instead opted to show the audience that like everybody, Miley has her insecurities, just like anyone else. They have tried to represent her as an approachable figure for young teens. This is also supported by the editorial choice for the use of photograph. The photo chosen is one in which Miley is showcasing a smile and eye contact. This could be used to establish a connection between Miley and the audience. However, with the encoders may be trying to reveal a juxtaposition which suggests that the smile is fake and that she actually wasn't happy during her role as Hannah Montana.

The audience of BBC newsbeat would be expected to accept the preferred reading in which suggests that Miley is an insecure woman due to the pressures placed on her during her childhood from her role as Hannah Montana.

This will be easily accepted by our society due to ideological beliefs that women should be encouraged to feel comfortable in their own bodies.









The final article about Miley is one published by 'MSTARS News'. This article presents the arguable more private element of Miley's life as it discusses her relationship with actor Liam Hemsworth. The first element to strike the audience is the photo used. This photo seems to provide evidence that the couple seem to be very content and happy. However, when coincided with the headline, it seems to tell a story of trouble in their relationship. The article picks upon their rocky past as a weakness to pick upon.

The encoders have attempted to show Miley as a possible controversial character when it comes to her relationships. This article suggests that she may have been unfaithful due to the sudden involvement of Nick Jonas in the relationship with her long term fiance. This has been enforced by the editors and journalists through using direct quotes from a past interview with Nick in which he admits that Miley was his first kiss. This is used to try and give justification to the allegations of Nick trying to 'steal' Miley away from her current relationship. The article then continues to suggest that Miley was Nicks first love therefore, he has a possible justification for trying to pursue her once again. This again reflects Miley in a negative light as it suggests that Nick is innocent and even romantic by trying to rekindle their relationship, which only leaves room for Miley to be represented as the bad guy.

The audience would be expected to have responded with the preferred reading of seeing Mileys love life as being unsteady and that presumably, she is the cause of the controversy around her relationship.

representations of celebrities

Text 1) Childhood TV show Hannah Montana (season 1)

Miley's breakthrough, Hannah Montana, kickstarted her career. Encoders shows Miley Cyrus as being youthful and having fun in the prime of her success. She is seen as an extroverted character. Her life seemed hectic from a young age. From the text Miley Cyrus seems to love what she is doing. She is represented as he friendly teen Disney star. Disney gives the audience the ideology that Miley must be that of the image of a Disney princess and therefore the target audience of young girls will learn to idolise her when consuming her TV comedy series. The encoders, in this case, the directors and editors, want to show Miley Cyrus as being an inspiration to achieve your goal but yet still not losing who you are connoted by the double life Miley lives in the TV show. The text supports the ideology that friendship is important to Miley Cyrus as the vast majority of the title sequence of the show consists of Miley having a laugh with her friends and being comforted by them.  The audience would respond to the preferred reading as seeing Cyrus as an all rounder. Not only can she perform but she can also entertain.

Text 2) Newspaper Article

 The media text is  from the VMAs when Miley performed with Robin Thicke in 2013. From her revealing choice of outfit in the picture she is seen as being confident, eccentric and slightly outrageous. Encoders show her as not taking herself too seriously. Cyrus is represented as being very provocative. Encoders of the magazine article want to show how Miley has grown up from how once she was seen as innocent to now being very controversial.  She is represented as being the typical 'good girl' to the 'bad'. The most likely reason for this is to illustrate the ideology that you should grow into the person you want to be. By the nude, latex choice of outfit, decoders will see Miley as being represented by the encoders as a sexually desired figure in the media. Encoders will want to show how Miley has completely discarded her Disney image. The preferred reading is showing how drastically Miley has changed .

Text 3) Album cover

In this media text, the once obsolete girl is becoming recognised for not only her acting career but now more focused upon her music. The album cover represents Miley as being stripped back connoted by the use of simplistic colours and nothing much going on in the image. Her facial expression of what seems to be connoted as dreamy, emphasises the idea that Miley is ready to represent her true self. The encoders use of Miley Cyrus holding a guitar shows her ability and shows a real genuinity to her character. The album name 'time of our lives' suggests she is at her peak of her singing career and wants decoders to see how she really is through her music and not just her acting abilities. Her long, soft, curly hair and style represents her country styled background. The preferred reading is to show a different side of Miley Cyrus away from all her other attributes.

Text 4) Paper magazine cover
In this media text, hugely popular, Paper  magazine, has chosen to represent Miley Cyrus as being happy connoted by her big genuine smile she displays. Her eye contact with the camera shows her direct message she wants to get across to the audience. Here we see Miley in a different light to other controversial media texts, however, she still reiterates her eccentricity by appearing naked, covered in mud and holding a pig. The fact she is the front cover model of Paper magazine shows how successful she is in the music and film industry. The strap line 'Miley Cyrus use your voice' shows she is a role model to young people to become who they want to be in order to make a difference.