Research: Censorship

Censorship

What is music censorship:

Censorship of music video is an act of power and practice which restricts the access to musical works. Also censorship can block out some content or lyrics in the music video or provide a clean music video vrsin than the other music video. 

Censorship does protect he audience from seeing something they should not especially the young however it does conflict controversy as the adults are having their right to freedom and watch whatever they want breached.

Explicit content and Explicit Lyrics:

Explicit Content is where there is the use of sex, nudity, religious symbols or graphic images are shown at any point in a music video

Explicit Lyrics is where there are use of foul language, sexual innuendo, racist or homophobic terms are mentioned at any point in the song

What gets censored in music videos:

• Violence

• Graphic representation and realism 
• Corrupt the young

• Controversy and the press

• Sex and nudity 

• Sexual Violence

• Interpretation or use of religion
• Interpretation or use of class

• Bad or foul language

• Shocking content 

• Drug abuse/solvent abuse

• Use of culture

• Race

• Use of true events

Examples:

To protect the minds of those impressionable young kids, broadcasters cut the line "ménage à trois" from the song. Because it's okay to talk about waking up in bed with a stranger, but a threesome is too far for MTV. - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2014/04/music-videos-censored#5

To protect the minds of those impressionable young kids, broadcasters cut the line "ménage à trois" from the song. Because it's okay to talk about waking up in bed with a stranger, but a threesome is too far for MTV. - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2014/04/music-videos-censored#5

To protect the minds of those impressionable young kids, broadcasters cut the line "ménage à trois" from the song. Because it's okay to talk about waking up in bed with a stranger, but a threesome is too far for MTV. - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2014/04/music-videos-censored#5

To protect the minds of those impressionable young kids, broadcasters cut the line "ménage à trois" from the song. Because it's okay to talk about waking up in bed with a stranger, but a threesome is too far for MTV. - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2014/04/music-videos-censored#5

To protect the minds of those impressionable young kids, broadcasters cut the line "ménage à trois" from the song. Because it's okay to talk about waking up in bed with a stranger, but a threesome is too far for MTV. - See more at: http://www.fuse.tv/2014/04/music-videos-censored#5

Last Friday night by Katy perry is an example of lyrics being censored as in her music video she used the word "menage e trios" which meant threesome which was not deemed suitable for the music video which would be shown on MTV where many young audiences would be watching and listening to.

"ménage à trois"

My Chemical Romance's by The Black Parade highlight Teenagers was released not long after the Virginia Tech shootings in America. This music video content were censored for example there are teenagers running out of locked doors and on the top it said the words "sh-t," "murder" and "gun." this had tro be censored as the music video used a real event and was using words which would cause offensive and controversy. The video also ended with a card that read, "Violence is never the answer. If you feel like acting out, reach out."

Banned and cut:

Banned: When a music video or lyric is taken away from the viewing completely due to indecent, harmful and offensive material.

Cut: When music video is edited or lyrics beeped cut to make it appropriate for viewing and listening.

Advantages of censorship:

• It prevents the public of disrespect to any particular individuals or the community 

• It promotes political correctiveness 

• Children are prevented fro seeing or listening to anything that could harm them and others

• Ity sheilds the moral of society 

• It restrains the vulgarity and obscenity

• The abundance of violence to music videos is restricted by it 

Disadvantages of censorship:

• Freedom of speech is compramised

• It prevent ideas from flowing freely

• Censorship in music and music videos may compromise their entertainment value

• Creativity is restricted

• If you hide something from people it makes them more curious to find out more about it 

• It has no place in a democratic nation 
• It is used to control people

• There can be different standards of moral amount different societies quite different from the imposed ones by the censorship

• It may be used to block legitimate criticism

• Government should not control people it should be the other way round

• Individuals have different tastes

• It stiffes the opposition broadcasting a particular viewpoint

• People have the right to hear

Conclusion:

I need to consider censorship in my music video as this gives me a good indication of will my music video offend anyone and would it be controversial. my genre which is pop does not have censorship material and for my audience safety i will ensure there is nothing upsetting or explicit for my audience.

Research:Audience Identifiaction

Audience Identification

What is audience identification:

Audience identification is when the target audience is identified and then with the target audience is identified the product is tailor made and suited to the audience which makes it very appealing and satisfying to the target audience. 

How are audiences categorised:

Audience are identified by their age, gender and their occupation. This is how the audience are categorised and with the information the audience are given a category which everyone can recognise and target certain audience categories.

This is the table which the audience are catogorised into due to their occupation which is used to recognise the different audience categories

Advantages of catagorising audiences:

•  With the different audience catogories you have a good idea of what the audience are interested in

• You can make your content suit what the audience are interested in which would led to more success

• Also you would know what sort of products they would buy based on how much money they would have to spend

• You can use the information to get companies to advertise your product and market and promote it

Disadvantage of catagorising audiences:

• The categories do not consider people are different despite having similar jobs

• It does not consider peoples interests just their income and their status

Different genres have different audiences:

One direction is an example of audience identification. The genre which One direction are a part of is pop and they already have an audience where the audience are quite young from the age of 10-25. The audience category that One Direction appeal to or target is the category C2 and below and their income would only be around £25,000 and below.They mostly appeal to girls as they are a young boy band and they appeal mostly to students as they are a similar age to most students in the country and worldwide.

The classical genre would appeal to the audience category A where the people who are top in society and who have the top jobs would listen to as they are very intellectual and like classical music.

The Genre hip hop and R&B would appeal to the target audience category of D and below as this genre of music appeals to the less skilled workers and to students.

Audience reaction:



The Audience reactions in relation Goodwin, Dyer and Hebdige:

Hebdige -He says that social and moral backgrounds can make different people interpret music videos in a different way making them active as they can chose what they listen to and how they interpret a music video rather than being told what to listen to and what to think of the music video.

Dyer -He says that that the companies make money out of making an artificial image for the star and using them as a product to make money and manipulate the audience

Goodwin – He says that stars are made to follow a certain way to appeal to the auidnece

 

Conclusion:

This has helped me understand the different audience categories and i understand now that different category people do not always like what is presented to their category. The audience category which i will be targeting is the audience category from C2 and below because that is the most successful categories who will spend and listen to different musics and not just stick to one type of music.

Research: Subcultures and music videos

Subcultures and music videos



What are subcultures?

Subculture is when a group of people came together and formed an identity because of they share similar views, values and beliefs. People live and die by their culture an their cultural belief.  For example Goths they have their own beliefs and values which is easily identified and associated with Goths.

Subcultures:

• Hippies 

Hippies is a subculture where they travel in groups and they live a very simple lifestyle

• Skinheads

This is a culture which is fast deteriorating as people now don't want to seen as a skinheads as it shows their racial hatred towards other races

• Nerds

 Nerds is another subculture

• Bikers

Bikers are another subculture where it is made up of an older generation o people in their 50's and 60's where it is all about the leather jackets and their bikes

• Queers

• Goths

Goths are another subculture where they are very easy to identify and they are very loyal to their groups

• Emos 

Emos are another subculture

How are subcultures evident in music music: 

Subculture are evident in music videos however the subcultures in music videos are not mainstream as the audience are very loyal and small as it is a small culture and only he loyals follow the subculture music videos.

These are examples of the subcultures that exist and are available in the music video. As long as there are subculture in the world there will always be music videos made for them however some subcultures don't have music videos as the subcultures are no longer existing in  the music world or in society and some subcultures can be controversial to society.

McCracken:

The post modern world is full of diversity. If we look at the array of values and ideologies therefore we cant say all subcultures come from one culture. Subculture is a religion of mainstream.

Hebdige:

Although some people say that subculture appear to be different deep down they are the same. Subcultural are little cultures as they are doing the same thing as resistance.
Hebdige also states that the audiences are more active than passive and it id not true in the way in which the audience is made out too be passive. Many groups are involved in protests and resistance against the mainstream. People can resit the mainstream culture and from this resistance they become subcultures.


How does the industry now target audiences?

• 1950- Rock and rollers, Beatniks and Teady boys

• 1960 rude boys, mods, hippies and bikers

• 1970 Skinheads, soul boys glam rockers 

How does industry now target audiences:

Industries such as the X factor have created a change in the music industry where before everyone was the same and there was not much choice for the audience but now there is so much choice for the audience in the music industry. Also there has come the time where artist are told to be different and unique and industries look for different artist who they can market successfully and they will be a hit as they are different. 

James Arther is an example of the diversity of artist that are in the music industry as James Arthur was unique and different from other artist this is why he could be a success in the industry.

 

Current day music in relation to Hebdige:

• Different people have different choices in the music industry as some people like the music and some may not the audience have different opinions and taste in music videos

•  Cultural and social backgrounds can influence people in how they interpret music videos

• Big industries are now trying to make products which will appeal to the subculture where Hebdige says that the audience are more active than passive

Current day music in relation to Dyer's star theory:

• Today stars have their own cultural beliefs and ideologies

• Stars and artist will distribute their ideology to the world and their fans where the fans will believe in it and follow like their star

• Stars are a big influence on the people as people copy their lifestyle, fashion, hair styles and their beliefs and many more

Conclusion:

In my music video i would not use any subcultures in my music videos as my music video will be mainstream and in mainstream music videos there are not any subcultures shown in the music video only if it is a niche audience music video.

Research:Popular Culture

Popular Culture

Introduction:

It is important to understand the theories as the theories give you a good understanding of where the music industry is an how it has developed.

What is popular culture:

Popular culture is the entirety of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images, and other phenomena that are within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the late 20th and early 21st century.Heavily influenced by mass media, this collection of ideas permeates the everyday lives of the society. Popular culture is often viewed as being trivial and it is a less intellectual or dumb down in order to find consensual acceptance throughout the mainstream. As a result, it comes under heavy criticism from various source.

Antonio Gramsci and Hegemony:

What is Hegemony- is an indirect form of government and of imperial dominance in which the hegemony rules subordinate states by means of its implied power - by the threat of force, rather than by direct military force.

Antonio Gramsci is an Italian theorist he was a Marxist theorist and politician.

This theory is challenged in modern day music videos as it is not for the dumb or the dumb down culture as there are a variety of different levels of intelligent who listen to and watch music videos. Also many music video top intelligent would not understand where as a less intellectual person would understand.





Theodore Adorno:

Due to control of capitalist production music has become merely standardized, formulaic and repetitive. It has no value whatsoever and leads to a very specific type of consumption that is passive, obedient and easily manipulated for the purpose of propaganda and advertising.







Frankfurt school: 

The Frankfurt school was a school in Germany and they are a group of the older theorist who believed that the audience was passive in the music industry as they did not have a choice in what music video they listened to rather music video where just given to the audience.




Birmingham school:

The Birmingham school is a group of theorists from Birmingham England who are more of a modern group of theorist who challenged the Frankfurt school of theory as they had said that the audience is more active than passive. It says the Frankfurt school is making the audience seem more passive than it really is the audience are more active as they choose the type of music they want to listen to and their demand leads to the production of music videos and without the audience the music industry would not exist and the artist would not be who they are today if it was not for the audience as the audience are active in buying the music albums and creating a demand for new music video and songs which the artist and record companies respond to.

Dick Hebdige: 

Hebdige challenges Adorno where ardono says that the audience is passive and easily manipulated but Hebdige clearly differs as he says that the audience are more active than they are made out to be. Hebdige believes and says that the audience have more control and choice in what they want o listen to and which artist to follow.

He also says and believes that audience have the power and the control to reject and resist the dominance of large companies by not consuming their products but consuming other products. With this resistance it takes the audience away from mainstream culture and make it into a subculture.

Hebdige says that with the subculture being created the big companies will look to the subculture and make products that they will consume which shows that ultimately the audience are in control and they are active.

Conclusion:

I have learnt from this post that popular culture is more challenged today and the audience are very active and they are more intellectually involved in the music industry today and not how they are made made out to be that they are passive which is not true and i have a good understanding in this to show that the audience is active and they are the most important market for music to be successful.

Research: Dyer's Star Theory

Dyer's Star Theory

What is Star Theory:

Dyers star is image a theory which states that the star is not a real person but it is an image that is created which the star follows which is used for promotion, in magazines, red carpet events, in music video or even in film and in many other situations.

Richard Dyer:

Richard Dyer is an English academic who is a specialist in film studies. Also what Dyer said was the following:

• "Star image is coherent, that it is incomplete and open"
• "The star must be simultaneously be ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer"
• "The star must be simultaneously be present and absent for the consumer"

Performer and Pop star:

The distinction be made between these who are simply known for performing pop music and those who are known for being pop stars.

Performer- Pop performers is a star which only preforms in the music video purely for the entertainment of the audience where they are known for their performance rather than their star image or singing.

Pop star- A pop star has the lasting significance and has bran awareness amongst a wider market over a period of time.

Four elements recognising a star:

• Stars and construction

A star needs to have a unique selling point if the artist does not have one one is made for them which is called an artificial image.

Examples of this artificial image creation is shows such as X Factor. Where the show looks for stars and they look for people they can make into stars and brand them.

 These singing competition shows are an example of constructing a star image for people where they are now concentrating on how they can use someone as a selling point rather than their voice it is becoming less important if the person can sing it is about if they can atleast sing and give them a image where they can make money out of them by construction an image for them.

One direction are an example of star construction as they auditioned at X Factor and they were not strong singers individually and their potential as a group was seen and they were put into a group and their image of a group boy band was created and now they are very successful and this has allowed Simon Cowell to make a lot of money out of one direction through his vision in giving them an star image.

Now look at one direction as their star image has been constructed they are appealing to their chosen target audience and their image of teenagers/ young men is clearly shown as they have grown into their artificial start image.

Leona Lewis is another example of star image construction as she came into X factor with a great voice and potential and they saw this. She was shy at first and they had to construct her an image as she had so much potential to be a star.








The change in image is clear now as she is more confident and now a star in the music industry with her artificial star image which she was given.

• Industry and audience 

Stars are manufactured to making money and pop stars are quite clearly the product of their record company and they must be sold.

Beyonce is an example of the impact that she has on her record company as she is a the top of the industry she is the queen of pop. Her albums sell quickly and she is her own product as her name is so big people just buy her albums due to the fact that its beyonces

• Ideology and Culture

Artist need to have their own moral values and cultural values and promote their own views. Also the artist needs to be popular on social media sites and establish their own music.

Rihanna is an example of an artist who promotes her own view to the audience which can be controversial at time and she is very popular on social media sites where she gives messages of her latest albums and concerts.

• Character and personality

The stars provide audiences with the focus for the ideas of what people are supposed to like.

Control artists brand and star image:

Artists brands have a massive impact on their star image as they are known for their branding when they have reached the top in their industry it is the brand name that they are known for.

Conclusion:

I will use star theory in my music video to further enhance my star image in my music video as to have a star image in the music video is most important. Also i will use my star image in a magazine and poster to promote the music videos and to grab the attention of the releasing of the music video.

Research: Star Image in music videos

Star Image in music videos

What is star image:

Star image is the way the artist appears in the industry and represents themselves in the industry's and to the audience. The most important way to do this is through music videos as this can reach a mainstream and international audience. Lastly the star image depends on and is affected by the artists chosen genre, age and attitudes.

How can music videos help boast an artists career?:

Music videos can help and effect an artist career massively and these are some of the ways that a music video helps an artists career:

A music video increases the artists popularity as the artist shows the fans their new look which causes a hype and buzz around the release of the album which leads to increase in the fan base.

Also a music video helps the artist financially as the music video allows and helps the artist to make more of an income through sales and promotions.

Most importantly a music video brings in more deals for the artist as the artist can show their talent and ability and credentials to recoding studies and directors and big record label companies which would want to sign the artist. Increasing their reputation and status as an artist.

Music video help the artist not only change their image but it helps the artist spread and deliver their personal beliefs to the fans where the fans can connect with the artist and have more respect for the artist.

Case study of an artist image change:

I have done the case study of Micheal Jackson and how his image has changed of the years in his career and in the music industry.

Micheal Jackson in the 1970s:

Micheal Jackson in the 1970 aged 8 was a refreshing addition to the music industry as people had fallen in love with a sweet 8 year old boy where people saw that he had so much potential.

This show Micheal Jackson in the music video when he was a young boy he kept his image very simple and innocent as that is what his appeal to the audience was for people to feel love for him as he was a child and people to have a soft spot for him and he did this well with music videos such as ABC which is pretty childish to enhance his image.

 Micheal Jackson in the 1984-87:

These images are of Micheal Jackson from 1984-87 where Micheal Jackson was at the peak of his career and he became a notional and international icon as he had broken out of the Jackson five and showed his versatility by breaking away from the Jackson 5 and going on his own path.

 These Micheal Jackson's music videos are a few examples of the music videos in which he made when he was at the peak of his career. In the music video the change of Micheal's image is clear as he no longer is the sweet innocent boy in Jackson 5 as now he was showing his independence and his unique talent as he was showing this change in image by doing his own unique dancing moves and his fashion had changed as now he was a young man promoting his own beliefs and values Micheal was bringing his own unique ideas to his music video which no one had seen or thought about doing this is what made Micheal so original form everyone and his music videos stood out leaving a long lasting effect on the audience the public loved this making Micheal into a national and international icon.













 Micheal Jackson in 1996:

Micheal Jackson's image was known changing again in 1996 as his career was taking a turn in bad side which was not expected by the people.

Micheal Jackson in 2001:

 Micheal career was now taking a turn for the worst and in this his image had changed and now he was seen as really fragile and tired throughout this period and the change in image did not hide this.

Micheal Jackson in 2008 his final years:

Micheal Jackson's final years he was in a really bad way as he could no longer deal with the problems in his life there were one problem after the other.

This shows how tired Micheal Jackson was in a desperate attempt to gain control of his life and career.

Examples:

Beyonces image on the audience is hugh as everyone looks up to her and her story to the top is inspirational and motivational and she is a hugh part of the music world as she is the queen of pop. Many people try and be like beyonce as well she is a global star.

 Rihanna is a very controversial image in the music industry but this is why she is liked because of her independent thinking and uniqueness.

Tinnie Tempa is another image in the music industry who is well respected for their work in the industry.












Star Image Sexual:

Where some people use music videos as exploit sexuality by using it in their music videos.

Example:

This Music video by Mariah Carey is an example of epressing sexuality in music videos as an attractive artist Mariah Carey uses her looks and appeal to be sexually explicit in the music video.

Star Image Political:

Where some people can use music videos to express their political values in their music videos.

Examples:

This music video By M.I.A is an example of music video using star image political as in the music video racism and discrimination is shown in the music video and it shows how nothing is being done. Also with the music video being called Born free is a very bold statement with the very political music video.


Star Image Moral:

Where some people can use music videos to express their personal opinions on an issues that they believe are important in their  music videos.


Star Image Social:

Where some people can use music videos to represent a type of lifestyle or ideologies in their music video.

This music video by Micheal Jackson he expresses his beliefs and ideology in the music video.

George Micheal's music video shows his ideology and lifestyle as he in this music video shows the audience and tells the story of him being lured and seduced by a police officer and then being arrested, where the audience found out about George Micheal's sexual orientation. 

Conclusion:

Star image is very important in a music video as without star image the music video and the artist will not be appealing to the audience. In my music video I plan to use star image in my music video as i will use an artist who is appealing to the audience.

Research: Mulvey's Male Gaze

Mulvey's Male Gaze

What is the Male Gaze:

The Male gaze is shown in a music video through the prospective of a heterosexual man and how they look at women. Through the male gaze women are represented as sexual objects and objectifies women in the video. Furthermore women are down graded in some music videos through the male gaze which has become more apparent in music videos.

Mulvey's Male Gaze 1975:

This theory originated from Lura Mulvey and she is a feminist who said that it can be seen in three different ways which are the following: 

• How men look at women 
• How women look at themselves
• How women look at other women

Lura mulvey believes that the camera is a man and it is shown how men look at women for visual pleasure and men are active and women are passive.

Examples of Mulvey's Male Gaze:

This video Tip Drill by Nelly is an example of the Male Gaze in n this video women are objectified, shown as sexual objects and degraded to much of the pleasure to the men and it is shown as acceptable for men to act in this way in society and it shows how men see women's position and use in society.

 In the video this shows women on women however this still provides pleasure for men and the camera only focuses on the female assets as the camera shot is showing in the picture from the video.

 In this image the camera focuses on the female assts again and it shows the man in control as he has both women sitting on his lap dancing to his pleasure this also used to create other men to wish they were in his position.

This image is very explicit as it shows a close up of the female assets and it is degrading women as it shows what the men want from women as they do not give women the respect that they deserves showing the mens only motive.

This image shows that the man is bragging about him doing what he pleases with the women and he is showing it as an achievement as he has he can do what he wants with the women showing his dominance.

Wrecking ball by Miley Cyrus-This music video shows the male gaze on the female even though it is a female artist she is showing what the males look at therefore it is why she is portraying herself in this way in the music video as the women feel that the men look at certain things to make their music video appealing.

 From this image the male gaze is evident as the artist shows what the men look at as she is in the pose where it is appealing to the male audience and the camera shows and gives the prospective of the male.This is an example of voyeurism where man get the sexual pleasure from viewing these shots.

 The close up of the face and the red lips which is very arousing for males that is why in a music video with the male gaze theory there is always a shot of the artist and their red lips to sexually engage and grap the attention of the heterosexual target audience.

 This mid shot shows how women are seen as sexual objects and that men only seek them for their assets.

Long shot of the artist is shown as she is naked which also arouses the heterosexual target audience as they are looking to see these image or shot in the music video and the audience plays with their emotion as the audience gives the target audience what they want to see to her benefit where she is in control but the target audience don't think about that they are only interested in their benefits.

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga- Lady Gaga's music video portrays the male gaze as she the artist has chosen for her video to show the male gaze to bring in new audiences and to please her loyal fan base with this video. Also it is the only that this type of music video would get attention and it also shows a different side to her as an artist.

 In this image which is in the music video it shows the male gaze as she is dancing in the middle of all those men surrounding her showing how men perceive women as they are seen as objects which please men. Also the image shows a mid shot of only the women assets this clearly shows what the men are looking at whilst she is dancing in the middle.

This image also shows the male gaze as she is being very seductive as she lays on the bed which arouses men in the ways that she is laying on the bed with only her lingerie.

 This image shows a mid shot of the artist and the artist is wearing little clothing which the audience want to see and that is what pleases the artist. Also it shows and pays key attention to the female assets.

The first image which shows the artist crawling on the floor which is very seductive towards heterosexual males and it shows a shot of her chest pleasing the audience. The image where artist is wearing red the colour red is seen as sexy and arousing.


Criticism of the theory:

The theory only shows that women are looked at and objectified however men also liked to be looked at and men are sometimes objectified but this is not shown.
Also the theory is only in the perspective of male and not in the prospective of females. In addition the theory does not include the prospective of bisexual and homosexual men and women view it is only in the view of the heterosexual men.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion my music video will not have the male gaze as my genre pop has very little or very moderate male gaze in music videos as the target audience are much younger and this theory cannot be used in my music video.