Controversial Women

Many women are portrayed as sex objects in most 'RnB' videos. Some women artist also potray themselves amongst this specific stereotype. Artist are portrayed seductively in most videos, revealing most of their body. As a group we do not intend to portray our girl following the negative stereotype but we intend to portray her in a simplistic manner, this is one of the 'RnB' conventions we are challenging.

Below are examples of women artist portrayed in a negative way:

Christina Aguilera - Dirty

Britney Spears - Womanizer

Cassie - Thirsty
Cassie - Me and You

Beyonce - Crazy in Love

Wold Map - Research

'RnB' On The World Map

The highlighted sections of the world map are origins we believe the genre 'RnB' originates from. Many of the 'RnB' singers today originally come from the African American continent - Afro-Carribean backgrounds. Today, most 'RnB' artist are based in the U.K and America. The term 'RnB' itself is most often used to define a style of African American music, originating after the demise of disco in the 1980's.

The Audience as People

Audience

The audience in today's society play a great role within the media as they are the key targets. Everyone encounters a form of media in their everyday life, be it hearing the sound of the radio or passing a billboard and therefore, are all part of the media. It is through propaganda and easily maipulated masses, people are engaged into the media. Researcher's show contents of media produts, are evidently the cause of audiences behaving in differet ways, some may become more violent. Critics have argued however, the media has less influence on today's audience as it works in more subtle ways.

Historical Background

Many people refer to today's media as "The Media", however we fail to realise these specific media's are in actual fact recent conventions. Photography, film, television, radio's and computers one hundred and forty years ago all seemed like a dream. This clear cliche about pre-media times prove people came up with their own form of entertainment. When comparing today's leisure options to those in the pre-media times it is clearly obvious people during the pre-media times chose independant things to do, such as reading or they would attend a play. As the media arrived in society, pre-media times changed. People began to watch films in theatre sized audiences. It has been argued ever since media, many people have become unsociable, children rarely go out due to video games and potable television. However, the media does convey a positive attitude as some people argue it allows us to become closer as a society, for example looking at a picture of Mark Tyson in the newspaper. The evident chances are thosands of people across the U.K will share the same experience of the same media event. Therefore, one can argue as we are all experiencing the same things and don't know which is good or bad from the media, the media has an unprecendented power to affect us in negative ways.



Uses and Gratification Theory

According to the Uses and Gratification theory, we all have different specific uses over the media as we all choose what we want to watch. Therefore, when people engage with today's media they expect to gain something out of it, otherwise known as "gratification". In order for people's needs to be satisfied they have the power to select specifically what they would like to see from the media which will best suit their needs. Psychological basis for this specific model is named "Heirachy of Needs" by Maslow. There are four main gratifications found by researchers, they are the following:

1. Information- People are eager to find out about the world and society. Therefore they want to satisfy their curosity by turning to the media for specific information, such as the news, people or documentaries.
2. Personal Identity- Many people identify themselves with specific famous characters. People argue these characters help them to make decisions in life, what they feel about themselves. If these characters succeed with their actions it allows the person to feel better about themselved. These characters reflect your behaviour.
3. Intergration and Social Interaction- In order to find out more about people's circumstaces we turn to the media. A show allows us to emphathise and sympathise with people across the world, sometimes we may even replace the characters as friends, relating situations portrayed on TV to your life.
4. Entertainment- Media is used by people for pure enjoyment and relaxtion.

Many people will be able to recognise themselves under these descriptions. This theory argues, with any media product you enjoy, you are gaining a type of gratification from it. However, there have been criticisms made on this theory, critics have argued people do not have a choice as to what they receive from the media. People are having to choose from media which is available to them, for example we may not all like a specific poster on a billboard however, we have no choice in choosing another. Therefore, this undermines the idea of "uses and gratification".

Mary J.Blige

Mary J.Blige

Her full name Mary Jane Blige, but commonly referred to as Mary J.Blige is a repute American recording artist, record producer and actress, said to be one of the greatest's singers of our time. Born on January 11th 1971 in The Bronx, New York. Second of four children by the parents Cora and Thomas Blige. Her father a jazz musician taught Mary to sing. However due to her father's abusive behaviour towards her mother, Thomas Blige deserted the family leaving Mary to spread her early years in Savannah, Geogia. There she sang in a Pentecostal church. Later on, she moved to Scholbohm Houses in Yonkers, New York where she stayed with her mother, older sister, five cousins and two aunts. It was at the age of five Mary experienced a sexual abuse from one of her own family members. By 11th grade, Mary dropped out of school. At the age of 17, Mary recorded a unrehearsed cover of Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapture" at a recording booth in White Plains, New York. Recording artists and A&R runner for Uptown Records, Jeff Redd' s casette was played by Mary's mothers boyfriend at the time, he sent it to the President and CEO of the label Andre Harrell. Andre Harrell in 1989 met with Mary and signed her to a label where she became the company's youngest and first female artist.

The record label focused their attention on more established acts which meant Mary's early years upon signing to Uptown were very inactive. From time to time she did some 'session' work as a background singer for her label friends. In 1990, Mary was introduced as a background singer for Jeff Reff, at the Apollo Theatre. Mary appeared in a concert-themed music video, the very same year she sang "I'll Do 4 U" by rapper and label mate Father MC. She also appeared on he sydicated show "Showtime at the Apollo". Mary was guest with Grand Puba with his single "Check It Out" in 1992. Mary's first appearence was in the summer of 1992, where she appeared on MTV.

On July 28th 1991, Uptown Records released "You Remind Me" which was the albums lead off single from "Whats The 411?". It successfully came number one on the 'R&B' singles chart that summer. A second single was released, "Real Love". Another successful single which also reached the top of the 'R&B' singles chart. This single also became Mary's top ten hot 100 single at number seven. Both of these single's were certified Gold.

Many more single's were released from "Whats the 411?" one of which included 'Sweet Thing' and 'Love No Limit', by the end of 1993 they sold a staggering amount of three million copies. "You Don't Have to Worry" was successfully released by Mary J.Blige. Sean 'Puffy' Combs quotes "the queen of hip-hop soul", a title Mary has since retained. Later on Mary admitted to this title being nothing more than a 'marketing tool'. "What the 411" album (Remix) was a success used to extend the life of the Whats The 411 single's on radio, whilst Mary J.Blige recorded her follow up album in the year 1994.



Mary j.Blige - 'You Don't Have to Worry'

'My Life', Mary J.Blige's second album was released by Uptown Records on November 29th 1994. This album described as "darker, moodier and slightly less uptempo" was overseen by Sean 'Puffy' Combs who co-produced all but one of the album tracks, this then resulted to him being Mary's manager. The album's single "Be Happy" came to number twenty-nine and number six on the Hot 100 and 'R&B' single's chart. Mary's first top 20 hit in the UK was 'Im Goin' Down' a 1976 big hit which was a cover of Rose Royce's. 'You Bring Me Joy', 'I Love You' and 'My Life' were other single's included in her album. They recieved a heavy radio play eventhough they were never really released as single's apart from in the UK, where Mary J.Blige successfully became part of the top 20 hit. This album allowed Mary to grow her fame and talent, as it recieved certified triple platinum. However, Mary came forward during this period of time and admitted she was dealing with a drug addiction, a drink problem- alcoholism and depression. Ontop of all these issue's, Mary was also going through an abusive relationship with then boyfriend K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci.

Following this, Mary J.Blige got herself involved with several different projects. She recorded a cover of Aretha Franklin's "You make me feel like a natural woman" for the soundtrack to the FOX series 'New York Undercover'. Mary also recorded a cover of Faith Evan's "Everyday It Rain's" for the soundtrack to the hip-hop biopic show. Mary J.Blige won a Gammy award after she deuted with rapper Method Man on his song, "I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By". In the early 1996, Mary's recording of 'Babyface', "Not Goin' Cry" soundtrack was a platinum selling single. On the Billboard Hot 100 and on the hot 'R&B'/Hip-Hop songs came number two making it her biggest ever commercial hit. It was with Method Man Blige won her first ever Grammy Award- "Best Rap Perfomance by a Duo or Group".

Mary's third album was released on 22nd April 1997. "Share My World" released by MCA Records. Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Chucky Thompson, Babyface, R.Kelly and Rodney Jenkins were all Mary's new working partners, rather than Combs. Mary was trying to get her life together during these years, after the ending of her relationship with Hailey. "Love Is All We Need" and "Share My World" were happier and more upbeat songs produced by Mary at this time of her life as she tried to live a more jolly lifestyle rather than depressing.





"Love Is All We Need" featuring Nas, "I Can Love You" featuring Lil Kim "Everything", "Missing You" and "Seven Days" were single's debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. "Share My World" was one of Mary's successfull albums. selling three million copies in the U.S. Mary won an American Music Award for "Favourite Soul/R&B Album" in 1998. During the summer of 1998, Mary J.Blige went on the 'Share My World Tour' which resulted to her achieving a Gold-certified live album.


Fourth album named "Mary" was released on August 17th 1999. On the 28th August 2001, Mary's fifth album "No More Drama" was also released. In 2003, August 26th Blige's sixth album "Love and Life" was released on Geffon Records. "The Breakthrough" Mary's seventh album came out on December 20th 2005. "Growing Pains", Mary J.Blige's eighth album released on December 18th 2007. During these several different releases Mary received 9 Grammy awards and 8 multi-platinum records. Mary J.Blige still continues her outstanding work, releasing single's today. Not only does she release single's but also plays different roles in several films. These film's include:

• The Jamie Foxx Show (1998)


• Angel: One More Road to Cross (1998)


• Prison Song (2001)


• Strong Medicine (2001)


• Ghost Whisperer (2007)


• I Can Do Bad All By Myself (film) (2007)


• Untitled Nina Simone Project (2009)


• 30 Rock (2009)

Robert Wilson - "Bobby Valentino"

Bobby Valentino Robert Wilson, othwerwise known as "Bobby Valentino" on stage or "Bobby V" is a reknown American 'R&B' singer. Born on Febuary 27th 1980 in Jackson, Missisippi. Robert Wilson attended the North Atlanta High School in Atlanta. He entered the music world in 1966 as a member of the 'R&B' youth quarlet Mista, using the name "Bobby Wilson". The group Mista was formed by him and a group of friends. Under the production of organised Noize the group made their first appearance album, successfully having a hit in 1966 with the single "Blackberry Molasses". Sadly, the album did not follow in the exact same success, eventhough a second album was in the process of being produced by Tim and Bob, it was never released. The group later then split up in 1997 due to management issues. Bobby then enrolled at Clark Atlanta University majoring in Mass Communication. Even during education Bobby still had a passion for music and therefore still found the time to record in his free time, hoping to be a great success one day.

Bobby Valentino auditioned for American Idol in 2002, however he did not make it through. Despite this event Bobby did not give up on music. After graduating in 2003, Bobby turned to music once more. Having three albums of demos so far in his love for music, Bobby's demos reached Puff Daddy and then was later forwarded to Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace president Chaka Zula and as Bobby says "the rest is history". After being signed as the first 'R&B' artist on Disturbing Tha Peace records, Bobby Valentino was featured on the hit single "Pimpin All Over The World" off of Ludacris multi-platinum selling album The Red Light District in 2004.

As Bobby Valentino joined the production team Tim and Bob on his first appearance solo album, "Disturbing Tha Peace Presents... Bobby Valentino" which includes the number one hits 'Slow Down', 'Tell Me' and 'Give me a chance' featuring Ludacris. "Special Occasion". 'Slow Down' received a lot of radio and TV airplay due to getting into the top 10 hit on the U.S billboards and hot 100 charts and 'R&B' singles. In 2005, Bobby joined Bow wow, Omarion, Marques Houston, B5 and Pretty Ricky on the screamer Tour IV. After Bobby's acknowledged success of 'Slow Down' he released a second single 'Tell Me Remix" featurin LiL Wayne. The third and final single 'My Angel' was released in the fall of 2005, however it gained little popularity.

Bobby Valentino - 'Slow Down'

Bobby Valentino - 'Tell Me'

Bobby Valentino release of 2007 was a sophomore effort, the album was named "Special Occasion" (May 8th 2007). The albums first single titled 'Turn the Page' including Rodney Jenkins, where Bobby recieved several different opinions, mainly positive feedback. Timbaland featured in Bobby's smash hit 'Anonymous' which was let out on April 9th 2007. "Special Occassion" came No.3 on the U.S billboard 200, but eventually went up to No.1 on the billboard for top 'R&B' and also Hip-Hip albums chart.

In 2008, Bobby Valentino made it clear he was no longer with 'Def Jam' or 'Disturbing Tha Peace'. "The decision to leave was totally mine. I sat down with Ludacris and Chaka Zulu, and I explained to them that it was time for me to venture out on my own. They had no problem with it; they are cool with it, no beef at all". Quoted from an interview with DJ Booth, Bobby states clearly he is no longer part of the labels. However this has not caused any problems amongst them, Bobby still mantains a positive relationship with Chaka Zulu, Ludacris and Def Jam. Bobby Valentino signed up with a new record label dal, "EMI". This record label allowed Bobby Valentino to house his important Blu Kolla Dreams. Febuary 10th 2009, Bobby's new album "The Re-birth" is out. "The Re-birth" includes single 'Beep' featuring Yung Joc was released officially via iTunes on October 7th 2008.

April 29th 2008, Bobby Valentino's digital only album entitled 'Come with me' was released, which included the tracks 'Another Life' and 'Whats going on', the remake of Marvin Gayes. Bobby Valentino carry's on producing music today.

Awards and Nominations achieved By Bobby Valentino

• Vibe Awards- "Pimpin' All Over The World" (2005) Nominated
• NAACP Image Awards -Outstanding New Artisit (2006)
• Soul Train Awards - Best 'R&B'/Soul Single Male "Slow Down" (2006) Nominated
• Soul Train Awards- Best 'R&B'/Soul Single or Rap New Artisit (2006)
• Urban Music Awards- Best Music Video- 'Ms Officer' Won
• Urban Music Awards- Best 'R&B' Won
• Urban Music Awards- Best Male Won

'RnB' Mood Board

There are many stereotypes given today on the genre 'RnB'. many people associate this genre with specific iconography's, such as big houses, long dog chains, big cars and for having the latest gadgets. Below is a mood board I have made representing the typical icons which are evident in 'RnB' music video's today.

Here are a few examples of these icons in reknown 'RnB' artists videos:

50 Cents - P.I.M.P Video - Evidently portrays a grand house, representing their wealth and status.

50 Cents - Candy Shop Video - A Typical icon used in many 'RnB' videos are cars. It represents once again their high status.

50 Cents - Just A LiL Bit Video - Evidently portrays women in a provocative way, this is seen in most 'RnB' videos today.

Research - Questionnaire

In order to gain a wider view on people's opinions on the genre 'RnB', as a group we came up with a questionnaire which has abled us to have a clear understanding on exactly what they like to hear and see. This questionnaire has also given us an idea on what we should maybe include in our video or not include. Here is the questionnaire as follows:

Monday 19th October - Lesson Evaluation

During this lesson, our main focus was to begin storyboarding our music video. We began by agreeing on our storyline and then exchanged our ideas together for our filming. For example, suggesting different camera shots we could use for different emphasis.

Our music video will consist of a girl who has a boyfriend. However, things do not work out for the two of them as another boy gets involved in the relationship. This results to the boy going out with the girl. The girl however loves her previous boyfriend, except she cannot seem to express her feelings totally to him, making their relationship breakdown. Her boyfriend does not seem to trust her, and clearly does not take in consideration her feelings.

We have decided to film typical teenage social life, therefore we plan to film one of our characters using Facebook, socialising on the girls Facebook page. A typical "girly" bedroom scence, where she gets ready tomeet her "boyfriend" to shop in the local town.

We have drawn our storyboard up, adding in specific camera shots we intend to use. We aim to follow this storyboarding throughout our filming as it will help us flow better. During this lesson we also started working on our lyrics for our song. "If I Had My Way" is the title we have given to our song. The lyrics we have come up with so far is:

If I Had My Way

I'll never know how you feel

unless you say

I'll be in the dark

until that very day

You're the one I want

and my feelings for you are so strong

I can't get you out of my head

Eventhough it so wrong

chorus

If I had my way

It would be me and you

just, just us two

baby me, me and you-uuu

Everyday just the same

baby Im sick and tired of you playing games

you don't understand how I feel

this is so unreal

When Im with him I think of you

It's just so hard to leave

I feel so trapped

Im so torn between you two

chorus

If I had my way

It would be me and you

Just, just us two

baby me, me and you-uuu

(Extra Verse - Working on)

I never knew what I was missing

until we started kissing

Im so glad that were together now

Eventhough I don't know how

chorus

If I had my way

It would be me and you

Just, just us two

baby me, me and you-uuu

Once we have officially finished our lyrics, we plan to record the song and upload it on to the iMacs ready to put with our background music.

The Two Step Flow- Theory

The Two Step Flow

Paul Lazarsfeld, Bernard Barelson and Hazel Gaudet were the three people from "The People's Choice" . This was a 1944 study focusing on the process of decision making during a presidential election campaign. Lazarsfeld, Barelson, Gaudet expected to find pragmatical support for the direct influence of media messages on voting intentions. However, their findings was a suprise to them, they discovered information is filtered through "opinion leaders". These "opinion leaders" then acquaint their information to the less active associates. Following this, the audience then take the information and try and come to terms with it all. These information are recieved directly from the media with the ideas and thoughts expressed by the "opinion leaders", influenced by a two step flow. The power of the media was abused in the eyes of researchers. Therefore they concluded that social factors were just as important. This is then seen as a more sophisticated explanation.

The Hypodermic Model - Hypodermic-Syringe Model

The Hypodermic Model

The Hypordermic Model is a very popular theory from years ago, it mainly refers to people who fear the effects of the media. The Hypodermic Model derived from what is called "The Frankfur School", a school in Germany. A group of German Marxists witnessed how Hitler used advertising and propaganda to influence a nation behind the Nazi Party, this was during the 1930s.

This theory argues media is alike to a syringe. It suggest when a specific audience are targeted with ideas, attitudes and beliefs they are immediately knocked down with these influences. For example, you watch something violent and go and do something violent. Researcher's emphasized the dangers of the power of capitalism. Capitalism controlled many new forms of media. Researchers began to feel concerned on the representation of violence. Films in the past have been banned due to people believing they may influence people in becoming more violent, for example imitate the crime that is evidently shown in the films. "The Exorcist" and "A Clockwork Orange" are two films which were banned due to this reason.

Many people have interpreted this theory in a completely different way to other people. As no-body has claimed that everyone will be affected by these texts in that specific way. Therefore, the theory has been seen as a simple as it does not take into consideration people's individuality.

Serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer puts this theory in action. Before every murder he undertook, he watched a clip involving crime which helped him to get excited. This clearly proves the Hypodermic Syringe theory. However, intrestingly the film Jeffrey Dahmer watched before his crime was "Star Wars". This film was never banned, however helped Jeffrey to get excited before his murders. One may argure, the film meant something different to Jeffrey Dahmer than to someone else.

Research on chosen genre- "R&B"

As a group we have decided to base our music video on the genre, "R&B". "R&B" (Rhythm and Blues) is the name given to a popular genre of music today. This genre was formed in the late 1940's and early 1050's. "R&B" was the term used by record companies to refer to recordings marketed predominantly to Urban African Americans, this was at a time when "R&B" was becoming more popular.

Information on "R&B"

• Stylistic Origins: Jazz, Blues, Jump Blues, Gospel, Traditional Pop, Electric Blues.
• Cultural Origins: 1940's United States
• Typical Instruments: Drum Kit, Double Bass, Saxophone, Horns, Piano - Organ, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocalists.
• Mainstream Popularity: Been significant from the 1940's to 1960's, after this it has been iconic.
• Derivative forms: Soul, Funk, Doo-woop, Hip-hop, Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Rock and Roll, Electro, Post-disco, Urban and Hard bob.
• Subgenres: Contemporary R&B, Smooth R&B, Slow Jam, Neo soul and Hip Hop Soul.

We have decided to make our song a "slow jam". A "slow jam" is a typical song with an R&B influnced melody. They are usually slow, downtempo songs. Slow jams are based around romantic or emotional lyrical contexts. The term "slowjam" originates back to 1983 when "Solar Records" a group named "Midnight Star" recorded the a song named "slowjam" on their album "No Parking On The Dance Floor".

Friday 25th September - A2 Media Coursework

A2 MEDIA STUDIES COURSEWORK

G324 ADVANCED PORTFOLIO IN MEDIA

Media Portfolio: produce a promotion package for the release of an album

• 
  
  Main task: produce a music promo video


• 
  
  Ancillary task one: produce a website homepage for the band


• 
  
  Ancillary task two: produce a CD/DVD cover for the release of album as part of a digipak

Research, planning and evaluation

Evaluate and reflect on the creative process and your experiences through a presentation of research, planning and evaluation in blog format.

A2 G324 EVALUATION QUESTIONS

• 
  
  In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?


• 
  
  How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary tasks?


• 
  
  What have you learned from your audience feedback?


• 
  
  How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

G324 allocation of marks out 0f 100

Presentation of the research and planning 20 Marks

Construction 60 Marks

Evaluation 20 Marks

This lesson we have been given a full description of our A2 media coursework.

Monday 21st September - 50 Cent's P.I.M.P Video

Above is 50 Cent’s P.I.M.P video. The female representation in this video is a typical representation of women today. Women are represented, once again as sex objects in the video. This is evident as they wear hardly any clothes. They are all dressed in bikinis, making them look like “easy targets” as they are scantily clad. This is contrast to the men in the video as they are fully dressed, allowing them to have more of a modest look. The women follow 50 cent around in his “mansion”, making him look superior while the women gain a lower status. There is a scene in the video where women are represented as animals, they are on dog collars. This portrayal of women degrades them as they are being portrayed with a low status. The women serve drinks to him, giving them the role of slaves. They are also seen as slaves as they dress him up. It can be argued, 50 cent uses women in his videos as an accessory, to make the video more appealing to a larger audience. As you carry on watching the video, you see the women touching 50 cent seductively, they massage him but he shows no interest towards them. He ignores the women, making them insignificant towards him.

The camera focuses on the women; there are full body shots of them. This is contrast to the men as they have eye level shots. This shows how the representation of women is portrayed differently as you are able to see their whole body. The camera looks up at the men, once again making them look inferior infront of the audience.

Overall it is evident women are are represented in a negative way, as they are dressed provocatively and promiscuously, it is as though the media is saying it is "ok" to dress like this. Women are rarely ever shown in a decent and good-natured manner in todays music videos.

Monday 14th September 09 - Lesson Evaluation

This lesson I have learnt how women are used as mainly sex objects to promote anything to do with the media, e.g. album covers. Half naked women help to promote whatever is being sold. Men are usually dominant in pictures; they are dressed more modestly than the women, usually in a sophisticated business looking suit. It is evident that the portrayal of women has changed over the years. In today’s society women are free to pose sexually, whereas they would not have been able to do this a few years ago. Many album covers today use poses of provocative women to sell their products. Men are usually superimposed over titles, this shows how they are made to have a dominant role, rather than women who have titles over their bodies.
Gender representation in the media today is typically portrayed in a stereotype. It is common to see young, skinny, blonde/brunette girls in hardly any clothes advertising on a magazine front cover or an album cover. Women are no longer seen as modest but easy targets due to the way they are posing. It is contrast to men, where they have a more self-effacing portrayal than women.
The camera usually focuses on a women’s body as a whole, where you can clearly see her figure from head to toe, whereas you have extreme close-ups for men. The camera only allows you, most of the time to see half of the male figure, this is evident in “P-diddys” video.