Jean Baudrillard - Post Modernism theory + application of usefulness

Baudrillard's theory:

- The idea that in postmodern culture, the boundaries between the 'real' world and the world of the media have collapsed and that it is no longer possible to distinguish between reality and simulation.
- The idea that in a postmodern age of simulacra, we are immersed in a world of images which no longer refer to anything 'real'.
- The idea that media images have come to seem more 'real' than the reality they supposedly represent (hyper reality).

This theory relates to the fact that in the media, they influence an idea of historical context which they try to apply to modern day society. For example, the portrayal of women in the media may be that they are supposed to be in the kitchen and/or stay at home to look after the kids.

Applications to:

News:


TV Drama:

Stranger Things:
Intertextuality is used when referring to the board game that is shown in the first episode - Dungeons and Dragons. Due to this, it aids in referencing the time period that the drama is set in (the 80's). The use of significant effects in the series aids in creating a supernatural/mysterious outlook which emphasises the hyperreality.

Deutschland '83:
-

Usefulness in...

News:
Baudrillard's theory is not as useful when applying it to newspapers as there is not much to talk about in relation to hyperreality. Newspapers tend to give more informative text/factual and objective information (as well as some subjective). therefore, it is a lot harder to link any news stories/topics with the audience finding it hard to determine what is real and what is fantasy.

TV Drama:
Baudrillard's theory is more useful when talking about tv drama's. However, it is not applicable to D83 due to the fact that D83 is very factual and links to the real occurrences in the 1980's in Germany (East and West). On the other hand, the theory can be applied to ST because ST has a more supernatural (and therefore, fantasy/sci-fi) genre. This allows the audience to be able to see things that are real against the things that aren't. For example, Eleven is a normal, young girl in 'care' until you see her powers. Amongst the setting of the 1980's Hawkins (Indiana), it seems like her powers are real.

Paul Gilroy - Post Colonialist theory + application of usefulness

Paul Gilroy's theory:

- The idea that colonial discourses continue to inform contemporary attitudes to race and ethnicity in the postcolonial era.
- The idea that civilisationism constructs racial hierarchies and sets up binary oppositions based on notions of otherness.

This theory relates to the fact that society creates racial hierarchies (e.g. white privilege) and sets up oppositions, which becomes the norm. For example, some people believe that white people are better than those of an African or Asian descent.

Paul Gilroy's theory will be relevant to any representation of race and/or ethnicity (and also of Western culture).


Applications to...

News:


As seen above, the Daily Mail tends to give a stereotypical, negative view of migrants/refugees. They use words like 'swarm' to make the non-British people feel like they don't belong because they haven't originated from Britain. The images used on these front covers reflect the Daily Mail's attitudes towards those who are less fortunate.
This completely contrasts to the below images of The Guardian front covers. The upsetting images on the front covers reflect what The Guardian wants society to see. They show refugees/migrants in a positive way as people who are just trying to protect their families and seek refuge in a safe country - Britain.



Even though each of these newspapers are British newspapers, they do not share a similar view on the same sensitive topic. A racial hierarchy is clearly evident in the mid-market tabloid (Daily Mail), whereas, equality is a theme that is more shown through the broadsheet newspaper (The Guardian).

TV Drama:

Stranger Things:
Lucas is the only black person shown in Stranger Things (one of the main, teenage characters in the group of friends). This clearly shows a lack of ethnic diversity in the tv drama, especially as Lucas' backstory is only begun to be shown in the third season of the tv series.

Deutschland '83:
General Jackson (the American general) is of African-American descent. Even though he is an important character in the series, he is the only black person to be shown in the first episode in West Germany. In showing this lack of ethnic diversity, the tv drama is clearly showing the attitudes towards black people at that time in Germany (the 1980's).

Usefulness in...

News:
Gilroy's theory is very useful when comparing the representations of ethnic minorities in the media. It is clear to see the differences of peoples attitudes in both The Guardian and the Daily Mail. It explains how society has been able to shape each others opinions based on their contemporary views of the continuous topic.

TV Drama:
Gilroy's theory is, again, very useful as it links to the lack of ethnic diversity during the 1980's in America and also in Germany. It explains how there is a clear racial hierarchy between white and black people. this is influenced by the fact that there are many more authoritative white people in charge throughout both ST and D83.

George Gerbner

George Gerbner argues that exposure to repeated patterns of representation over long periods of time can shape and influence the way in which people perceive the world around them.

Stuart Hall

He was looking into mass media and also the power of how media can represent DRCAGES. DRCAGES stands for:

D - disability

R - regional identity

C - class

A - age

G - gender

E - ethnicity

S - sexuality

Oppositional, negotiated and preferred readings.

Examples of these influences in media:

Statement: "This drink is the best drink in the world, you'll love it!"

Oppositional: "No, I definitely won't love this drink at all!"

Negotiated: "This drink might be one of the best drinks in the world!"

Preferred reading: "This drink is definitely the best drink in the world!"

Preferred reading is what producers want you to believe.

Genre

Definition of genre - a type or category

How do we identify genre?
DISTINCT is useful (acronym)
Describe In detail
Setting - location, historical time period
Themes - love, guilt, revenge, good vs evil
Icons - significant props such as a weapon or a wallet
Narrative - how a story is told, plot
Characters - boy/girl, background
Textual analysis - style of camera, editing, mise en scene and sound


Genre types:

> Sci-fi
> Horror
> Action
> Adventure
> Comedy
> Romance
> Drama
> Historical
> Documentary

Here are some photographs based on the HORROR and COMEDY genres:

This photograph has been chosen to represent COMEDY. 

By showing Sam hiding behind a tree with pom poms, it adds an element of comedic value to the mundane photograph. 

By using the setting of a school, it makes the comedic aspect of the photograph to stand out as there is an abnormality in a normal scene.

By using a theme of laughter to represent comedy, we took a photograph of Sam smiling.

By using red and white pom poms, not only do they stand out from the surroundings, but they add that sense of humour as stereotypically a cheerleader would be a girl.

This photograph has been chosen to represent HORROR.

By using the prop of a large kitchen knife, it creates a feeling of mystery and anticipation as knives are typically associated with horror/thriller genres.

By having the image look slightly misty, it allows the knife to have a slight glint/shimmer on one side of the knife's blade. This allows the knife to stand out a little bit through the window of the car.

Steve Neale - Genre theory

The idea that genres may be dominated by repetition but are also marked by variation, difference and change.

The idea that genre changes, develops, varies and borrows and overlaps with one another.

Hybrid genre - combination of genres (e.g. Scary Movie etc.)