Constructed Media

Constructed Media

Constructed Media-  The process by which a media text is shaped and given meaning through a process that is subject to a variety of decisions and is designed to keep the audience interested in the text.

Anchorage - Anchorage is when a piece of media uses another piece of media to reduce the amount of connotations in the first, therefore allowing the audience to interpret it much more easily. For instance, in a newspaper, pictures are accompanied by a caption that allows us to understand what the picture is showing us.

Caricature - A picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

Stereotype - A stereotype is an over-generalized belief about a particular category of people. Stereotypes are generalized because one assumes that the stereotype is true for each individual person in the category. While such generalizations may be useful when making quick decisions, they may be erroneous when applied to particular individuals. Stereotypes encourage prejudice and may arise for a number of reasons.

"Media are not windows on reality or mirrors of society."

The media is not reflective of what the truth is. it is a filtered or altered version of the truth to create a certain image or story.

"...even the most realistic images represent someone's interpretation of reality."

Everything is a crafted in a certain way so that it makes people have the same interpretation as what the media wants you to have.

"Moreover a truly media literate person can produce media as well, thereby offering their own construction of reality."

The Media can even make a educated person think what they want you to think. They give a bias perception of the truth.

"The messages and values embedded in this particular piece of media are those of the people who created it."

The Media give a certain standpoint or bias view on a certain topic of discussion and create a falsified version of something.

"In photographs, the photographer's own vision of what she wants to show within the frame demonstrates her own values and beliefs."

The Media show us what they want us to see. They twist it to create a story that they think will be most interesting or appeasing to the reader.

Trump Speech    https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/06/16/trump_mexico_not_sending_us_their_best_criminals_drug_dealers_and_rapists_are_crossing_border.html

In an Campaign speech, Trump created a constructed idea on how Mexico is and how the people act. He stated that Mexicans are "...bringing drugs...bringing crime...bringing rapists." he went as far as to say that "they are not our friends" and that they are "bringing their problems" to the USA. He did not only just criticise the Mexicans, he also stated that "It's coming from all over South and Latin America."

Obama Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qKgS2O1QUQ

Obama stated in his speech that our "attitudes are trapped in stereotypes" from both Mexico and America. he stated that Mexicans believed all Americans wanted to "wall them off" and Americans believe that Mexicans strongly dislike them. He stated that everyone now needed to "move forward together... and recognise new realities." He said a "New Mexico is emerging", there is a "deepening of Mexican democracy". He said Mexico is changing because they know that "violence is not acceptable" and that they are going to "transpire power peacefully" in democracy.

Serena Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvXJOnoFgqc

Chanel 4 made a report on the events at the US open for Tennis and the incident with Serena Williams losing out as a result of her actions in the game. Serena Williams was told by the game official that she had been cheating after taking advice from her Coach during the game in the form of hand signals, and as a result she would have a point taken away from her. Serena had a heated argument with the Umpire in which she accused him of being a thief. Because of her aggressive behaviour and name calling she was told she was given a game penalty, meaning that Naomi Osaka had won the game. Serena was issued a penalty of $17,000 for her actions towards the Umpire. It was later said that it was unfair that she was given a game penalty as she wasn't given the same treatment as men when they act in such a way. an example made was Novak Djokovic calling someone a "bum" during a game, which he was only given a penalty for. In my opinion I believe that Serena Williams did not act in a professional way, which history shows she does when she loses games. Serena Williams is meant to be leading an example to younger people how a professional Tennis player should act and she did not portray that on this occasion, and instead turned to childish insults and blame games. It was also a very bias report on the event, as it was only women who were reporting the story, and giving their personal opinions, which i believe was sexist.

Serena Williams caricature

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3xkt5Nquyg

These images were created by Mark Knight for the Herald Sun. People took to Twitter to express their outrage at the illustration of Serena Williams, with many celebrities such as J.K Rowling stating that he had made a mockery of a feminist icon. Many had referred the illustrations to the likes of Jim Crow which were known for their racist depictions, and offensive nature. When the creator was approached on his depiction of Serena Williams he stated that he did not intend it to be racist and could not see the racist elements of the image, and could not understand how it could be referred to the likes of Jim Crown. He also stated that he believed people were making the racist analogy up, and that he created it as an illustration of Serena having a tantrum. In my opinion i believe that it was a satirical cartoon made to show the aggressive nature of Serena's actions during the game, and the un-sportsman-like conduct. I cannot see the racist or sexist problems highlighted in the image.

(Jim Crow illustrations)

Lynx Advert

This advert is considered to be offensive towards women in how it depicts women to be doing the housework while dressed in sexy undergarments and with her hair and makeup perfect. It has been created to try and create a certain image of possible the "perfect women" which men are attracted to, and consequently are attracted to the brand. This advertisement is for deodorant and uses this woman's beauty which men may be attracted to as a way to sell this product as they might find her "hot", and they will consequently need deodorant protection to protect them. Personally, I do not see the offensive nature of the advert towards women, but towards men, as it depicts men as constantly thinking of sex and women, when they may not be thinking of this at all. Also is also lazy in assuming men have to be attracted to this sort of type of women, which is entirely untrue. As well as this is may make women feel that they have to look like this to be viewed as attractive to men, which is et again untrue. This image was not meant to be taken seriously and was meant to be taken lightly, and with humour. It recognises that women do not do this, and this is why it is funny. 

The only way is Essex

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ufglX_Duc

Mise en scene

The setup of the scene was a busy club, with dark lighting, loud music (but muffled so we could hear the discussions), and a table with six people sitting in full view of the camera in front of them, but the camera only focuses on the two couples. Set almost like a stage production; the audience can see everyone. Although the club is busy, the characters are not crowded and have a lot of space, but the two couples choose to be close to each other. The women are dressed in short, revealing, and overdramatic clothing, and the men are dressed in smart attire. The women's hair is immaculate and full of volume and the makeup is excessive. The men and women are both similar in looks to that of Barbie and Ken dolls.  There are lots of empty glasses on the table, and each person has a drink in their hands, clearly trying to state that all of them are heavily under the influence of alcohol.

Camera work

The camera does a lot of head and shoulder shots of the men, and close up shots of the women so you can see all of the heavy makeup, hair, and bright white teeth. There are wide shots of the whole group of people panning across so that you can see all of the people in the scene. Because the two couples are the main focus points in the scene, there are many medium close up shots of each couple to show their reaction to what the other couple is saying about them. There is a  fast zooming shot from close up to extreme close up to show the angry expression that appears on the mans face as a response to the actions of his brother. The two men that are not part of the main scene but are present in it if shown are seen in mid shots. When people are seen walking out of the discussion, the shot used every time was the panning across wide shot that is used throughout to show the whole group and all of their reactions as people leave. There is then a over-the-shoulder shot to show one woman's almost perspective in a discussion with her friend. 

Editing

It is edited so that it looks like a very dramatic scene. With both couples insulting and chatting about the other couple, you hear and see the responses from both sides and their views. It is edited so that the audience can hear the perspectives from both sides, and so they know more than the other couple on certain opinions that are thrown out there.  The shots are constantly changing and have been edited to show one persons reaction to another persons comments so it is very dramatic. The drama gets heated very quickly so it has been edited so that all the unnecessary dialogue is cut so the situation escalates very quick. The panning across shots make the situation look a bit more casual and is an attempt to make it look more realistic than the situation is.

Sound

The beginning of the clip has a montage of videos with fast paced club music. When the conversation starts, the club music in the background becomes muffled and the conversation audio becomes much louder and clearer. This is consistent throughout the whole clip.

In my opinion a structured reality show is a show that is a falsified version of the truth, which stereotypes certain types of groups in society to intrigue the audience and to entertain people in trying to make it appear real. A reality show is not real life, it is scripted and rehearsed, and crafted for drama to entertain.

The broadcaster has exaggerated the appearance and the way young Essex people act, and have created a false way of talking and language. In the only way is Essex they talk with slag rather than proper words and are lazy in their speech. They depict people from Essex as unintelligent as they cannot hold a proper discussion without sounding stupid and uneducated. Essex people are made to look like they talk about petty problems all the time and do not look at real world issues. The only way is Essex is known for its heavy fake tan and makeup; making the people who are from Essex appear to be very fake in the way they talk and appear. All of it is a completely false stereotype, that led to a small group of people from Essex feeling like they had to live up to this stereotype by dressing, talking, and appearing the same as these 'stars' from The only way is Essex. The majority of people, like myself, are offended by this fake idea of people form Essex being completely fake, uneducated, petty, and just all round stupid. It is an extremely lazy stereotype that was created for entertainment purposes.