Historical Text Task...

Rebel Without A Cause (1955)

Rebel Without A Cause has similar aspects of what we see in society's films today about teenagers. The similar aspects that we see in this historical film is the rebelliousness of teenagers and the constant resort to violence and the aggression in male teens especially. We see these actions in teenagers in Adulthood too. The main protagonist in the film, played by James Dean, is similar to the main protagonist in Adulthood as he shuts out everyone and causes trouble were ever he goes, this is similar to Sam in Adulthood, played by Noel Clarke.

The main protagonist in Rebel Without a Cause, 1955, has the similar characteristics as Sam in Adulthood. In Rebel Without a Cause, we see James Dean try to find a new path and change his old ways and wants a fresh start. We see this in Adulthood as Sam comes out of prison hoping to leave the past behind him and begin and start fresh. However, both characters in both films get puled back into their old ways and are once again pulled back into the violent cycle that never seems to end. We see similar use of props in both films as both films to tend to use guns and knifes.

However, the differences we see in this film are of the roles of females characters in both films. In Rebel Without A Cause we see the females as "The Madonna" pure, innocent and clean. The main female protagonist is the character Judy , whom James Deans Character likes, comes across as your average girl sweet innocent and pure. However, in Adulthood, we see the female character Lexi who is represented as "The Whore". Lexi comes across as promiscuous, provocative and sinful as she sleeps around and uses drugs. We see how society has changed in female characters of teenage films, however their is no change in the role of male characters in teenage films. Therefore it shows that there are similar conventions of both films but they differ in other aspects of these conventions.

First Paragraph Task...

Have the representations of teenagers in the British Media changed for the better or have they become worse? With particular reference to the film, Adulthood.

The modern teenage culture emerged during the 1950's, however according to Maltby "Self-conscious Subculture" actually developed between the 1920's and 1930's. Teenage representation within the media has progressed and developed over the years. In particular the British Media represents teenagers in a negative manner. In fact you could say that the British Media portray teens in the most unconstructive and degrading way than any other media across the globe.

1950 films such as "Rebel without a Cause" (1955), "Teenage Crime Wave" (1955) and "The Wild One" (1954), just to name a few, were about juvenile delinquency, Juvenile wildness and Juvenile crime that went as far back as the 20's and 30's. These 1950 films represented teens as rebellious and conniving which then indicated, what they thought, the authenticity of teenagers.
Overall the above shows that the media's negative and unconstructive representation of teenagers stretched back as far as the 1920's. The Media and films, named above, showed the "so called social problem" that was wrong with the teenage generation. As Adulthood is the most relevant and recent film text on teenager representation and shows how teenagers are portrayed within the Media, in particular the fact that it is a British made film, it is the most relevant film text to focus upon in this essay.

Essay Plan...

Have the representations of teenagers in the British Media Changed for the better or have they become worse? With Particular Reference to the film Adulthood.

My Independent study is going to focus on the way teenagers are represented in the British Media, by looking at the history of teens and how they are presented in today's media. I decided to use the film text "Adulthood as my main focus as it is the most updated media text on how teens are being represented. This will help to determine whether these representations are getting better or becoming increasingly worse. Overall teenagers are increasingly being represented in an unconstructive and negative manner within the British Media.

Introduction: (All about the Media history and teenagers)
Introduce my question, talk briefly about the history of the Media E.G:How they portray teenagers and whether they exaggerate their stereotypes and representations (H, R)

Paragraph 1: (All about the characters)

• How they represent teenagers
• Compare the past and present stereotypes and representations of Adulthood and Kidulthood and older film texts such as "Rebel without a Cause" (1955) and "Teenage Crime wave" (1955)
• Whether they challenge them or reinforce these stereotypes and how they achieve this? E.G: Through the use of props, clothing, setting, language etc
• Whether these representations are realistic or are they simply exaggerated
• Argue both sides ( R,H, ML)

Paragraph 2:

• Social issues, discuss and include this (SHEP) E.G: The use of drugs, how they are presented and whether or not it's accurate and to what extent this representation of the use of drugs is accurate
• Teenagers relationships and what happens between teenagers in today's society
• Make a comparison between both texts, Adutlhood and Kidulthood, in terms of this and to show if they have changed or are still the same (S, R, ML, H)

Paragraph 3:

• Narrative Plot: Adulthood is set in the space of 24 hours, just like Kidulthood, does it convey a true and realistic representation of characters (Teenagers) in such as short time period?
• Does it have an impact on the audience
• Does it portray an accurate representation of teens in such a minimal amount of time (R,N)

Paragraph 4:

• Stereotypes: How each character is presented?
• Are female characters seen as objects of desire, sexual objects through the use of skimpy clothing? I would Link this to Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory
• I will discuss whether it's a fair and accurate representation of females and would go on to discuss how both genders, male and female, are stereotyped
• I would then expand by discussing if they are realistic stereotypes and if they are the stereotypes that are being brought to our attention in today's society
• I will then go on to discuss how this would affect the audience and whether it would put a strain on the audience into thinking these are how all inner urban teens act
• Then I would talk about whether these representations are accurate and fair or are they simply exaggerated by the media (I, N,R,A)

Conclusion:

• Summarise all ideas and points
• Summarise points on how it challenges stereotypes and representations on teenagers and points on how it reinforces them and why
• State both sides of the argument
• Conclude on a final decision (R,A,H,I,S,N)

List of references to include:

• The Cinema Book, 2ND Edition. Pam Cook & Mieke Bernink
• Advanced Media Studies. David Probert & Andrew Graham
• Introducing Media Studies. Ziauddin Sardar &Borin Van Loon
• Gangs and Bullies. Rosemary Stones
• A2 Media Studies: The Essential Introduction. Peter Bennett, Jerry Slater & Peter Wall

Three Examples of Contemporary Adverts...

Diet Coke Advert (Female Gaze)-
This advert is simply were genders cross paths and switch roles and the males become the gazed rather than being the ones who do gaze. This advert shows the female gaze as the females go on their break and sexually gaze at the male and his physical appearance. This then puts males in a female’s position and allows them t feel how women feel when they are objectified and gazed at by the males. This shows how the females are the more dominant gender within this advert by having the big careers, being in control etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uL-YMCJlRY

Parazone Cleaning Product Advert:
This advert clearly shows that the maternal and domestic roles have been swooped as the males are now becoming more concerned with the house duties such as cooking and cleaning. This then helps to back up Cumberbatch’s 1995 study where he states that Men are shown cooking more than women. This then shows how as time goes on the maternal roles of women are now being injected and incorporated into Men which make them more interested in the domesticity and maternal role of the female’s values and views. However, this advert till shows the masculinity side of a male when getting involved in the housework, which shows that they still try to show a dominant side to the domestic side.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGBcVyiH58A

Rimmel Advert-Make-up:
This advert shows the objectification that females get on a regular basis. This shows the female products that help to incorporate and help to hide the imperfections of a female. This was seen in a study conducted by Greer in 1999 were she simply states that females are simply exploited and manipulated and need to “Conform to certain images of beauty”. This then shows how females are pressured by magazines into thinking that they need certain bits of make-up to make them look beautiful.
However, Natasha Walters fought back in her study that was conducted in 1998, stated that she disagrees with Greer as women do enjoy fashion and beauty. This shows that Walters simply tries to convey that women do enjoy beauty and fashion as it helps to bring up their confidence and make them more comfortable with themselves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeZc6hjW22c&feature=related

Three Examples of Historical Adverts...

Ben Sherman 1970's Advert:
This advert has no particular connection with the semi-naked females featured within the advert. Tuchman’s shows in his study in 1978 that women are “symbolically annihilated”, and this advert shows how true and at times accurate it can be. This advert is a true example of Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze theory as the women are just placed in this Ben Sherman advert to just be gawked by the male audience. This is a technique to help gain the male audience’s attention to the product being advertised to them, which then shows that the company are using “sex” to sell their products.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcnUA7JKbfg


Flash 1960's Advert:
This advert shows the stereotyped and typical representation of the female as the perfect housewife. The advert shows all the conventions that females cared about, that were shown in Scheibe 1979 study were he simply stated that women were more concerned about or with Beauty, cleanliness, family and pleasing others. This advert helps to incorporate these labels of the Housewife stereotype.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTQ6zTVr3qA


Johnson's 1907's Baby Powder Advert:
This advertisement for Johnson’s baby powder incorporates and reinforces two ways in which women are only seen as, which are as “sex objects” and “Housewife’s”. The advert starts off with the female wearing nothing but a towel showing that she is semi naked and rubbing the baby powder on herself. This helps to back up Laura Mulvey’s Male gaze theory as she is being objectified and only being seen as a sexual object of the male audience’s desire. Then the advert goes on to show archive footage of the maternal role of the “Housewife”, which then shows women as only being capable of being and taking on the maternal role. This shows the typical stereotypes of women as only being concerned with wanting the latest kitchen and bathroom products, which are the typical conventions shown when it comes to the “Housewife” stereotype.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbYfoCbVt0M&feature=related

5 FEMALE DIRECTORS...

1. Catherine Hardwickes directed the 2008 hit film "Twilight". It is a hard action packed movie about a love between a vampire and a human. It is based on the number 1 selling series "30 weeks and Counting".
2. Phyllida Lloyd directed the summer hit "Mamma Mia". It is a film about a bride-to-be finding her real father so that he could walk her down the aisle.
3. Nancy Meyers directed the film "What Women Want" starring Mel Gibson. The film is about a man who has an accident and gains the ability to hear women's thoughts and what they are really thinking.
4. Mary Harron directed the hit film "American Psycho". It's a film about a wealthy man working at his fathers company on Wall Street who goes deeper into his fantasies and kills for no reason.
5. Sharon Maguire directed the film "Bridget Jones Diary". The film is simply about following a women and her personal diary on her journey to fin love in a year.

3 Way To Improve This Issue...

3 ways we can improve and encourage more females to become directors:

1. Give more talks about it and get females interested about being female directors
2. Another way is writing, as it gets women to give their perspective which would be a huge impact on the film quality we get
3. Lastly, creating more positive role models of women to help encourage, inspire and interest future generations

Why are female directors so rare...

5 reasons why they are so rare:

• The Film industry is a male dominated area
• The industry is constructed at a men only level, which makes it hard for women to enter this industry
• Female directors just don't make the effort to actually send in their projects, which makes people think whether they really want to enter this industry in the first place
• One particular reason is due to having children, as if they were producers it easier for them to go back to work and if your a director you have to give your all and that's hard to do if your a parent.
• There are many points of view and sensibility from females as well as males, however we don't really here enough of these pints from females
• Another reason for fewer female directors is the inequality balance between female and male film makers

3 STILL PRINT IMAGES...

I'M CAPABLE TO DO MORE

THAN THIS JUST GIVE ME

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

TO PROVE IT!

WHAT DOES THIS ADVERT HAVE TO DO WITH ME BEING NAKED? WHAT IS THE CONNECTION?

ARE YOU HAVING FUN

OBJECTIFYING MY BODY?

1990's...(Fatal Attraction)...

1990's...

This is a film clip from the 1987, "Fatal Attraction", were this only one of a few films that show that this era is were it was a backlash against women having careers, being independent and women liberation's. This was a study that was conducted by Susan Faludi, (1991). The two female character roles show the comparison between "The Madonna" were the male characters wife is seen and comes across as pure, innocent and housewifely and "The Whore" were this character comes across as sinful and sexual.

1980's...(Aliens)...

1980's...

This is a film clip from the 1986,(sequel to Alien), Aliens. During this era the roles of film have increased a lot, however, there are more male roles. In this film sequel to Alien in 1979, Ripley comes back stronger and more superior, to show the changing roles of women and how they are become presented in a more central manner. This era saw the rise in males and females crossing genders and this was the era of "The New Man", with films like, "Three men & a Baby (1987)", forming and showing the new 'Family Structure'.

1970's...(Alien)...

1970's...

This is a film clip from the 1979, Alien. This era was the era of the Second Wave of Feminism were women fought to work and become more independent. This film had changed and challenged the female roles from the 50's and 60's. The character of Ripley, who plays a main female character, helps to do this by presenting herself as a strong, superior, surviving female character. Dyer, 1987, said that, "T.V in the Mid 1980's, take women more seriously", this shows that programmes feature women in a more central way.

1960's...(Sound of Music)...

1960's...

This is a film clip from the 1965 film, The Sound of Music. In this era the male characters are still more intelligent, assertive and dominant and prevalent (More of Them). However, this film represents women as "The Madonna" as the main female character plays a maternal role. This is a theory/study that was brought forward by McNeil, (1975), were he said that Men are twice as likely to give orders and make decisions, were as women are more interested in Romance and Family problems, and are only seen as Housewives.

1950's... (High Noon)...

1950's...

This is a clip from the 1952 film, High Noon. The film simplys shows the male hero roles and shows that the males are the dominant gender who make all the decisions. As there aren't many female roles, women are forced to cross gender and identify themselves with a male character. The Men are seen as assertive, confident and dominant, were as women are seen as frightened and need protection. This shows the binary opposititons of he male and female roles. This is a typical representation and theory made by Tuchman, (1978), were he said, "Women have been 'Symbolically Anihilated' ". This shows that women don't count as much in the 1950's television, were women have been "Marginalised".

Bibliography: BOOKS...

Author Surname: Sardar & Van Loon
Author First Name: Ziauddin & Borin
Year of Publication: 2000
Title of Book: Introducing Media Studies
Publisher: Totem Books
Place of Publication: New York

This book is very useful to me as it states and makes various points of representation and how the media distribute and put across these representations. The book states that various media "Mediate" the text through the use of words, sound and pictures. There is a chapter in the book (Page 71) on representation that shows that this is a "Re-presentation of reality". The book goes on to state that by constructing these representations of reality, the media goes on to construct meanings about the world we inhabit.
"Re-present the world to the audience"
"Representations have dual meanings, to "show" or present, and to "describe" or declare" (Page 71.)
The book has a chapter about "Youth Culture" and "Moral Panic" both theories and studies brought forward by the theorist Stanley Cohen.
This is useful as they are both studies that speak about and go on about how teenagers are represented and stereotyped within the media.
"Youth Culture" states that without Moral Panics, Youth Culture would have never taken off, even though it isn't a positive representations of youths.
Moral Panic is when a group of people are reported in an exaggerated way within the media,which then creates panic in society.
This shows that media texts and reports exaggerate the actions of teenagers which creates a negative representation and a bad image of teenagers.
(Page 77 & 78)

Author Surname: O'Sullivan & Jewkes
Author First Name: Tim & Yvonne
Year of Publication: 1997
Title of Book: The Media Studies Reader
Place of Publication: New York
Publisher: A Hodder Arnold Publication

This book is useful as it has a chapter that talks about these "Stereotypical Fashions" that are easily "Identifiable" and are often "Negative" traits that are used to help define an entire group. The book also states that there are two media representations which are " Typical" and "Stereotypical".
"The Media have frequently been criticised for representing social groups in a "Stereotypical Fashion". (PAGE 73)

Author Surname: Probert & Graham
Author First Name: David & Andrew
Year of Publication: 2008
Title of Book: Advanced Media Studies
Publisher: Hodder Education

There is a section which shows an article clip on which teenagers stated, " they feel adults attached the "label" to them simply on the basis that they were young and met up in a group, assuming that crime was their main purpose for meeting."
This shows that the term "Gang" was "Attached" and "labelled" to teenagers by adults. This then shows that due to the media representing teenagers in such a negative manner, all adults will "assume" that all young people that meet as a group are presented and automatically seen as a "Gang" and their main "purpose" as a group is to commit crimes.
This goes on to show that the media "Mediate" their texts to create a negative image of teenagers, which creates "Moral Panic" in society" and then makes the public think that all inner teenagers act like this and meet together this way to commit criminal activities. (PAGE 270)
(This article was published on Wednesday 23rd May, 2007 by the Daily Mail, by Steve Doughty).

• "Teenagers as a social group were first defined in the early 1950's".
• "Media attention on teenager behaviour became an early Moral Panic."
• Rock & Roll music was seen as encouraging sexual promiscuity and therefore threatening mainstream society".
• "The Young are seen as illustrating the Moral decline of society as a whole". (PAGE 135)

Author Surname: Bennett, Slater & Wall

Author First Name: Peter, Jerry & Peter

Year of Publication: 2005

Title of Book: A2 Media Studies: The Essential Introduction

Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

The Book is useful and helpful to myself as it helps me to understand the wider contexts (SHEP) thoroughly and how I can apply these wider contexts to my independent study. It is a helpful and useful guide for how I can construct and structure my independent study and help me to form a focus on textual analysis. It also looks at how I can approach the methods and techniques that I could include my independent study such as Research Techniques and Structure & Presentation. (PAGE 14, 19, 31 & 35)

Author Surname: Stones

Author First Name: Rosemary

Year of Publication: 1998

Title of Book: Gangs & Bullies

Publisher: Evans Brothers

This book is useful as it shows and explains why teens ( even at a young age) form gangs and the social issues it talks about and brings attention to. This is then more useful as I am gaining research about social issues and I am then including SHEP into my independent study.

• "Boys tend to form groups with a hierarchical structure in which some members dominate others..." (PAGE 39)

This shows how the Hegemonic model has an influence and impact on even "Gangs", showing members of the "Gang" can be passive by believing and following others.

Author Surname: Branston & Stafford

Author First Name: Gill & Roy

Year of Publication: 1999

Title of Book: The Media Students Book (Second Edition)

Publisher: Routledge

This book is useful as it shows and has a detailed chapter on "Representation and Gender". It gives statistics of the difference between both genders and how these genders are represented in different media industries.

• "...13% of central characters in UK advertisements were women. while they made up 41% of UK employees..." (PAGE 125 & 127)

Author Surname: Davis & Dickinson

Author First Name: Glyn & Kay

Year of Publication: 2004

Title of Book: Teen TV: Genre, Consumption and Identity

Publisher: BFI (British Film Institute)

This book is useful as it shows the history behind "Teen Pics", such as when it was first brought forward and the history of teen programming. This then helps me to research on the history behind Teenagers, which shows that I would be including SHEP in my independent study, and would be referring to the wider contexts. (PAGE 72 & 73).

Media, Gender & Identity (David Gauntlett Handout)...

Representations of Today:
The previous chapter showed us that the past media was just stereotyped, although, the past 10-15 years, these representations are changing considerably, as men and women are working side by side equally. Movie Producers have seen that kick-ass heroines do better than the usual screaming victim.

Stats:

• During the 1990's, gender roles have have become increasingly equal and non-stereotyped on television.
• Prime-Time T.V shows in 1992-93 showed that men took 61% of the leading speaking roles, with women only taking 39% of the speaking roles.
• 1995-1996 study showed that men took 63% of the speaking roles, with women taking the other 37% of those speaking roles.
• A small number of 18% of women took major female character roles, with two-thirds of those stars in domestic comedies.
• A 1995-96 study showed that 43% of major characters were females.
• In 1992-93, a study showed that only 3% of women were represented as Housewives, a major decrease from the 70's, with an additional 8% of women presented as homemakers.
• In addition to this, Prime-Time T.V shows presented women as single, young, independent and free from family and work place pressures.
• The Friends programme shows that there has been an increase in equality between both genders.
• The programme series consisted of 3 males and 3 females, which shows an equal amount of characters and equality between the genders
• The three males are shown with masculine qualities, although with some characteristics of "sensitivity" and "Gentleness" and male bonding.
• The three females are shown as "intelligent" and "non-housewifely".
• This gives it a refreshing feel to it rather than the traditional T.V programmes the viewers were use to.
• Programmes such as "Ally McBeal" (1997) and "Sex and the City" (1998) put successful women at the forefront and focuses on their paths to and for sex, pleasure and romantic love. This then shows women in a different light, representing them as provocative and promiscuous, rather than the traditional House wife and Homemaker.
• A study by psychologists, Muncer, Campbell, Jervis and Lewis (2001), respond to the growing concern of the Media term "Ladettes", these are women who are assertive with an aggressive attitude which are usually associated with "Lads". The study talks about whether "girls power" leads to "girl violence".

Maggie Humm- Films either stereotype women as "Good Mothers" or "Bad Hysterical careerists".

Michael Thomson- "By all means be feisty, but never forget to be feminine".

Charlies Angels(2000)- Barrymore, Diaz and Lui represent redhead, blonde and brunet respectively or as David Poland pointed out and said, as "Tits", "Ass" and "Hair"?

Although, today's representation show that equally men and women have to be attractive with us recognising the conventions that show that they are attractive.

David Gauntlet Handout...

• Chapter is about the overview of representations of gender in the Media.
• Internet and World Wide Web brings more information and ideas into our lives.

WOMEN AND MEN ON T.V:

• 1950'S, 1960'S AND 1970'S only 20-30% of characters were female.
• Mid 1980's there were more women leading roles, but there were twice as many men on screen.
• Mid 1970's (Miles, 1975) found that nearly equal proportions of men and women in situation comedies, however, gender roles and humour could still be traditional and sexist.
• Only 15% of women wereleading characters in adventurous and action shows.
• In 1987, study found female roles to be most common in comedy programmes(43%).
• 1970's, marriage, parenthood and domesticity were shown to be more important to women than men.
• Study by McNeil (1975) concluded that women's movement was largely ignored by television, with married housewives being the main female role.
• Studies in the 1970's found men to be the more dominant characters
• Men were seen as assertive or aggressive, and women were seen as passive.
• Men were also seen as active and victorious and Women were also seen as weak and victimised or merely "Token Females". (Gunter, 1995).

Tuchman-Women don't count for much, underrepresented and "Symbolically annihilated". However, these are only the views from the American Society. Men were shown solving both emotional and practical problems, leaving women with little value.

Dyer-Game shows didn't bother to change their "Degrading and trivialising" views of women, News programmes are accused of "Tokenism" or "Window Dressing", by including some women in key positions whilst retaining a male dominated culture.

Sharon Smith- Roles of Women revolve around their physical attraction and mating games she plays with the male characters

E.Ann Kaplan-Women are refused a voice, in Hollywood films, their desire is subjected to male desire.

Kathi Maio-Hollywood's ideas about gender were "often reprehensible". She stated that "Women are not only given less screen time, being portrayed as "Powerless" and "Ineffectual".

Maio also stated that films such as "Dead Calm"1989), and "Heathers"(1989), present women as Strong and Victorious.

Hegemonic or Pluralistic...

I do believe in both theories as they do have evidence to justify both views, however I mostly believe more in the Pluralistic model. The Pluralistic Model sees the media as Diverse and Full of consumer choices. I believe more in the Pluralistic model as I am more of active than passive as I tend to interpret and take the media in a way that I want and not the way that that it has been presented and portrayed in and that everything has more meaning to it, which is also known as Polyvalent.
Although, I do in some ways believe in the Hegemonic model which is that the media indoctrinate , manipulate and brainwash people with their views and values of a false consciousness. As it is done through the ownership by the ruling class, such as Rupert Murdoch as he owns a large part of the Media, both print and broadcast, in the UK and US.

Points Made From Handout...

• Throughout the 90's there has been a decrease in censorship, which saw society change.

• There is a lot of controversy within society due to the images and articles published in magazines as they present women in a degrading/negative way and promote a sexist attitude.

• Women are supposedly rising in status throughout the media due to the use of naked, explicit and suggestive photo spread and images.

• The term modern "Lads" is constructed and nurtured, which refers to men aged 15-25 years. It defines them as modern and fashionable young men who are not afraid to show they enjoy porn.

• The institution, Playboy, depicts women and represents them as prototypical objects of sexual desire, thus adding to their stereotype of their purpose to only look attractive and appealing to the male population.

• Camera angles and shots hep to present women as the weaker gender such as higher angle shots and eye level shots, but some camera shots and angles such as low angle shots help women to look and be presented as the more dominant gender and more powerful.

• These institutions also present women as the weaker gender and were only made to make men's life more enjoyable and entertaining.

• Women are traditionally seen as beautiful, attractive and well groomed. This then puts stress and a burden on women to conform what males fin attractive.

Film Cilp...

Textual Analysis fo Film Clip(Coverwork)...

Media Language: The costumes that Moony and Jay both wear portrays the difference between them both. As Moony challenges the stereotypes given to teenage males by his smart appearance. Whereas Jay reinforces the stereotype as he wears the same clothing that he did when he was 16 which then connotes that he hasn’t grown up and matured into an Adulthood.

Institution: The type of promotion that the film producers used to help promote the film were trailers. They distribution that they used was mainstream as it is a sequel to the famous and hit film "Kidulthood".
Genre: The film Adulthood is an art house film but is also seen of a Drama genre. The conventions that show it is a Drama are that in this clip are the tension that is shown through Jay and Moony’s friendship. As Moony is trying to get out of violent cycle that Jay is still in and is trying to pull him back into this violent cycle.
Representation: In this clip it shows the stereotypes given to teenage males. However, Moony challenges this stereotype as he shows that he is getting on and further in life as he is studying Law at University. Although, Jay reinforces the stereotype of teenage males as he is still the same person as he was when he was younger but has progressed more into the stereotype as he is a drug dealer and has violent outbursts. This also shows that they both want to take revenge but in different ways as Moony goes the right way of doing it and Jay is going about it the wrong way. This shows overall that some stereotypes are being challenged through different characters such as Moony and Claire and being reinforced by other characters such as Jay and Lexi. This text is mediated in the way that the director(Noel Clarke) constructed it to be. He structured it to show the stereotypes that teenagers are being labelled by and through the media.
Audience: The primary audience of this film are teenagers between 15-20, with a secondary audience of adultsaged 21-30. The secondary audience could be concerned parents using this media text for surveillance purposes to see what their teenagers go through on a day today basis and the struggles they go through and come across.The primary audience of teenagers age between 15-20 would use this media text for their own personal use. For example, they would use it for personal identity to identify themselves within different characters and relate to the different struggles they go through on a day to day basis. The dramatic tension created throughout the entire film grips hold of the audiences attention and keeps them on edge to know what Sam's next move is. The tension is created mostly during the end of the film with the show down between Sam and Jay.
Ideology’s: Moony’s girlfriend challenges the dominant ideology of males being stronger. She does this in the clip by standing up for herself and fighting back against Jay’s patriotic views. She states to him as her relationship with Moony isn’t a dictatorship it’s a relationship.
Narrative: In this clip, an enigma is created of whether or not Moony will be pulled back into Jay’s violent cycle and whether he will listen to his girlfriend and not go back to his old ways. The narrative structure of this film is of Todorov's equilibrium theory:

Equilibrium:Sam gets out of prison after 6 years being locked up for Trevor's murder

Disruption:Sam gets confronted and attacked by a man who ends up stabbing him and then tells him someone is coming for him and his family.

Realisation of Disruption:Sam begins to reminisce of all of those people he knew before he was sent to prison.

Attempt to Repair:Sam starts his search of those he knew before he went inside to gain and get information of who it is that is seeking him and his family, he starts with Claire.

New Equilibrium:Sam just about gives up his search until those people seeking him and his family find him.

Book Research on the History of Teens...

HISTORY ON TEENS:
A teenager is a period in life between childhood and adulthood which has been recognised and marked by societies in a majority period of history. During the course of the 20th century, this period has tended to increase social policies, practices and institutions that treat them as both distinct and separate from adults.

There are two key terms to mark it:

• Adolescence, a term first coined by Psychologist G.Stanley Hall in 1904.
• Teenager, a term used by popular press in the 1920's and fully established in the Second World War.

Forms of the teenage culture first emerged in America in the 1950's, however according to Maltby "Self-conscious Subculture" of the young developed throughout the 1920's and 1930's. The teen pic itself emerged, like the modern teenage culture, during the 1950's.

Teenage films about the young weren't really targeted at them, nor did they focus on them or even feature young characters. Hollywood began to be aware of the importance of the teenage audience, this was due to the fact that they found age was a crucial personal factor by which movie audiences were characterized by. Due to the fact that ticket sales began to decline, this helped to then reinforce and portray the importance of the teenage market for films. Hollywood began to target them by drawing aspects of the teenage culture and meeting their needs such as their interests, tastes and concerns.

Films like, The Wild One (1954), The Blackboard Jungle (1955) and Rebel without a cause(1955), all about juvenile delinquency, Juvenile Wildness and juvenile crime that stretched back as far as the 1920's and 30's. Juvenile delinquent continued to colour films about teenagers in the 1950's and early 60's. Films such as, Teenage Crime Wave(1955), Girls in Prison(1956) and Juvenile Jungle(1958).

The above paragraph clearly shows and states how teenagers were portrayed and presented negatively and in an unconstructive manner in the film industry since the 1920's and 30's. These films showed the so called social-problem with the teenage generation. These films present the teens as rebellious and conniving, which then indicates the authenticity of teenagers. Despite their generic diversity, films and dramas like, A Nightmare on Elm Street(1984), Halloween(1978), and The Breakfast Club(1985), were teen concerned horror films and dramas which can be defined and seen as teen pics as they simply focus only on teenage characters.

Book used- The Cinema Book, 2nd Edition.

Authors- Pam Cook and Mieke Bernink.

Genre(Part 5)- Page 213.

Research on relevant historical texts...

Representations of Characters in Kidulthood:

I will be looking into the representations of the characters in Kidulthood and how they were presented in the past and compare to see whether these representations are being reinforced within the film or challenged in ADULTHOOD.

Moony:
Moony's character in Kidultood is a stereotypical representation of teenage boys as he is seen as violent, aggressive and sexually minded and active. This shows that in Kidulthood he is reinforcing this stereotype of teenage males and presenting them in a negative manner rather than positive. For example, we see this stereotype being reinforced as he picks a fight with two guys in a street and gets involved when beating up the main protagonist in the film ADULTHOOD, Sam in his own house.

However, his character does challenge this stereotype as he is more into his education and striving to do well for himself and get far in life. he challenges this stereotype further as he deals with revenge in a different and positive manner rather than the path that Jay has chosen to take.

Jay:
Jay's character in Kidulthood also reinforces the stereotypical view on teenage boys as being aggressive, sexually active and violently orientated. We see this in the film as he tries to have sexual intercourse with Claire in Sam's house and then beats him up straight afterwards.

However, his character in Adulthood reinforces the stereotype further as he is seen as a drug dealer and has more violent outbursts within the film than before and has vengeance in his mind and heart. For example, as he attempts to do a drug deal with the middle class man, he becomes very aggressive with him and forces his finance to flash him and ends up robbing them both. This shows that his character reinforces these representations in more depth and has progressed in a more negative manner.
Although this is due to the fact that he is not dealing well with the death/murder of Trevor.

Claire:
Claire's character in Kidulthood reinforces the stereotype of teenage girls being promiscuous and sexually active. We see her acting promiscuous as she is intimate with both Sam and Jay in Kidulthood, which shows she is unable to be committed. This shows that these stereotypes of teenage girls are being reinforced by the British media in a negative manner and adding more fuel to the fire and giving the media more ammo to reinforce these negative representations. By doing this, it creates a more unconstructive and negative image for teenage girls.

Although, in Adulthood her character does challenge this stereotype as she is seen holding a steady relationship and getting on with her life and doing well for herself. This shows that Noel Clarke is aiming to challenge these stereotypes and representations the British Media have given to teenagers, both males and females.


Although we don't see her character in the sequel, Adulthood, Becky reinforced the stereotype of teenage females as promiscuous, drug orientated and we even saw some scenes of her doing sexual actions to get some drugs. This then gives a negative image of teenage girls as she presents them in a unconstructive, off putting and degrading manner. This then portrays and puts a strain on the audience into thinking that all teenagers act this way, by doing so it portrays them in an unconstructive, demeaning and corrupting conduct.
Even though we don't see the main female protagonists taking part in this, there are scenes of bullying in Kidulthood. For example, the scene with Katy being beaten up in the class room by a group of girls. This shows that some females are aggressive and violent in some senses. This is also reinforced and seen in ADULTHOOD as we see Lexi being verbally and physically abused by girls in the hairdressers. This shows that not just teenage males are aggressive and violent orientated but also females.

This is being presented in the Media a lot more as we see more girl gangs being merged as well as male gangs. This also shows that Bullying is being put forward to media audiences and portraying that it is a serious issue and is progressing further and at times ends in serious consequences as we see in Kidulthood, when character Katie commits suicide due to this matter. This is brought to the attention to the media audience that it is a serious offence is getting worse each time.

This portrays that realism is used in the film, KIDULTHOOD, as serious topics such as bullying and the use of drugs are presented and brought forward to the media audience's attention, although you can say that the media do exaggerate these particular stereotypes and construct them to their liking and in a way to give a shock factor to gain people's attention and bring it to their attention of how teenagers act in an in describable way.

Research on Moral Panic Theory...

Moral Panic has four distinctive characteristics and features and the are the following:
Concern - There must be awareness that the behaviour of the group or category in question is likely to have a negative impact on society.

Hostility - An increase in hostility towards the group in question and they become "folk devils". A clear division forms between "them" and "us".

Consensus - Though concern does not have to be nationwide, there must be widespread acceptance that the group in question poses a very real threat to society. It is important at this stage that the "moral entrepreneurs" are vocal and the "folk devils" appear weak and disorganised.

Dis proportionality - The public is given statistics that are disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the accused group.

Volatility - Moral panics are highly volatile and tend to disappear as quickly as they appeared due to a wane in public interest or news reports changing to another topic.

This then shows that there are common and typical characteristics and features that make the Theory of Moral Panic recognisable when it is being used. Individuals or groups have been shown and presented as Moral Panics, for example various actions taken place in Western Countries such as 9/11 and 7/7 bombings created moral panic about Muslims and the exaggeration of the actions of Muslims, which then puts a strain on the audience into thinking that all Muslims are terrorists.

10 Relevant Keywords for my Text...

Equilibrium: The harmonious state that often exists at the start of a narrative before disruptive or transforming elements are introduced. This narrative theory is useful and helpful for my text as it applies and links to my texts narrative, as I have applied the theory to my text.

Hypodermic Theory: Hypodermic theory is an early attempt in the 1930s and 1940s to explain the effects media texts have on audiences. This audience theory is useful as the news media (both digital and print) inject the audience with the idea that the teenage group are seen as a threat to the public, which this then creates moral panic within the society.

Male Gaze: Is a theory found by Laura Mulvey in her essay "Visual Pleasures and Narrative Cinema", to describe what she saw as the male point of view adopted by the camera for the benefit of an assumed male audience. This theory is relevant and useful for my text as the females in Adulthood are seen as sexual objects for the male audiences pleasure through the use of provocative clothing such as Claire. This then shows that is helps to reinforce the male gaze theory that women are presented in a certain way for the male audience's visual pleasure.

Mediation: Is the means by which, through the use of representation, a media organisation and it's employees stand between an event and the public perception of that event. This keyword is useful and relevant for my media text as the British Media do tend to mediate teenagers in a negative manner, which then allows the audience to believe that all urban teenagers are like this, which then stereotypes the whole group image of teenagers in a negative way.

Moral Panic: Moral panic is a concept and theory developed by Stan Cohen , which is when a group of people are reported in an exaggerated way within the media, which creates panic in society. This key theory is relevant to my media text as Moral Panic is emphasised in Adulthood as it exaggerates the actions of teenagers, which puts a strain on the audience into thinking that all inner urban teenagers act like this.

Representation: Representation is the process whereby the media construct versions of people, places or events of how we see gender or social groups in a particular way through the transmission of media texts to an audience. This is a relevant keyword as my text is about the representation of teenagers and how they are being presented in the British Media.

Todorov: Todorov is a Bulgarian theorist who is the founder of the equilibrium narrative. This is a relevant and useful theory as I have used this theorist that I have related to my text and have applied his equilibrium theory to my text.

Uses and Gratifications Theory: This is an audience theory, developed by Jay Blumler that focuses on "what people do with the media" rather than "what the media does to people". This audience theory is useful and relevant to my text as people (specifically teenagers) could use Adulthood for their own personal use and identify themselves within certain characters.

Youth Culture: Any youth subcultures from the 1950s through to the present day, including aspects of dress, behaviour, music preferences and relationships. This is relevant to my text as I am looking at the youth culture of teenagers and how they are being presented in the Media.

Self Evaluation...

Attainment: 2
I think that my attainment is at a good standard as I am in lessons at all times and give my all in lessons, I also think that I can achieve more, I can do this by trying harder at all aspects of this subject such as SHEP.

Effort: 2
I think I am putting a lot of effort into my Med 5 topic and all work that has been set and I also think that I present my work, both home and classwork to the best of my ability.

Punctuality: 1
I am always be on time to lessons as I try my best to get to lessons either early or on time.

Submission and quality of homework: 2
I think that my homework is produced and done to the best of my ability and to a good standard that is expected, my homework is always on time, except for one time I didn't complete my homework that was set.

Ability to work Independently: 2
I think that I am able to work independently and do work well independently, however I do at times ask for some guidance at times from others.

Quality of Writing: 2
I think that my quality of writing is at an average standard, but do think that I can improve on this to a better and higher standard and my ability.

Organisation of Media Folder: 1
I am well organised with my media notes and sheets that are given to me and all these notes and sheets are in chronological order.

Oral Contributions in Class: 4
I do contribute to class discussions, but at times I do not say anything at all and just keep quiet.

Standard of Med 5 Blog: 2
I feel that my Med 5 blog is to a good standard as I do post up all work set and do some of my own work in terms of MIGRAIN Analysis of trailers but I do need to add more information and more research on my topic in terms of SHEP.

Standard of Med 6 Blog: 2
I do the work that is set by my Med 6 teacher and do post up all my work that is set and I take part i all the Med 6 quiz's, so I feel the work is to a average standard.

WWW:
-I am always on time to and attend all of my lessons
-Do good amounts of work on my Med 5 Blog
-I always submit my work on time and to an average standard.

EBI:
-I contributed a lot more in classes
-Make improvements on my Med 6 Blog
-Research more on historical topics

Action Plan....

My 10 Point Action Plan: Begins on the 24Th October:

-Watch my film text again(24th October). COMPLETED

-Complete all work set on Blog (24th October). COMPLETED

-Research more into my Theorist Stanley Cohen(26Th October). COMPLETED

-Highlight Key points of the reviews on Adulthood(26Th October).COMPLETED

-Gain a better understanding of SHEP and begin to relate it to my independent study text. (27th October) COMPLETED

-This point links to the above which is to, Research more into my relevant texts for example: Kidulthood. By doing so I will be using SHEP as I will be researching a historical media text that relates to my study and how the representations and stereotypes are shown in them and examine whether they are being reinforced or challenged in my text, Adulthood (28-29Th October).COMPLETED

-Re-phrase/ change my independent study title (28th October). COMPLETED

-Use more Book research(30Th October). COMPLETED

-Prepare to Plan out how I will begin to answer my question (2ND November). COMPLETED

-Think of and plan a brief conclusion for my Independent Study(3rd-4Th November). COMPLETED

Theorists/ Theories...

Stanley Cohen and Todorov:

One theorist that I will be looking into mainly is Stanley Cohen who was the founder of Moral Panic.Moral panic is when a group of people are reported in an exaggerated way within the media, which creates panic in society. Moral panic is emphasised in Adulthood as it exaggerates the actions of teenagers, which puts strain on the audience into thinking that all inner urban teenagers act like this. However the film does go against some stereotypes through characters such as Moony, Alisa and Claire and even Sam. Another theorist that I will be looking at is Todorov’s theory of the equilibrium. I have linked this theory to Adulthood:

¨Equilibrium:Sam gets out of prison after 6 years being locked up for Trevor's murder

Disruption:Sam gets confronted and attacked by a man who ends up stabbing him and then tells him someone is coming for him and his family.

Realisation of Disruption:Sam begins to reminisce of all of those people he knew before he was sent to prison.

Attempt to Repair:Sam starts his search of those he knew before he went inside to gain and get information of who it is that is seeking him and his family, he starts with Claire.

New Equilibrium:Sam just about gives up his search until those people seeking him and his family find him.

Self-Assessment of Blog Work

AO1:
I am familiar with this assessment as I studied Key Concepts (MIGRAIN) in the year before and am good at producing MIGRAIN analysis and linking all concepts together. I have used this assessment when analysing trailers and clips from my media text and have produce a full MIGRAIN analysis of my film on my blog and even in my power point presentation. at the beginning, I wasn't good at this assessment, but with more practice I have developed further and am getting better at it. To keep improving I will be practicing more of this concept to help me better myself and improve my down sides.

A02:
With this assessment, I will be using the acronym S.H.E.P, which stands for Social, Historical, Economical and Political. I will be applying this to my media text, but however haven't begun to do this as I am still getting familiar with this assessment objective and will be applying it to my media text. I will be using historical as I will be looking at older films and how different the representations and stereotypes of teenagers are presented in these historical texts to my media text.
A05:
So far in my research I have researched the representations of teenagers in films, but I have also considered their representations in other media formats such as newspapers, programmes, news and documentaries. I have also researched how they have been challenged in the media but also these representations are being reinforced. This shows that I have gained research for both sides of the argument showing whether they are being challenged or reinforced. I have completed my research with film reviews of ADULTHOOD from various media industries such as the media guardian and others. Some of these reviews do mention the way in which teenagers are being represented, which would be useful for my independent study as I could show both sides of the argument and show if these representations are being challenged more than being reinforced and vise verse.
So far I have analysed and produced a MIGRAIN analysis of two clips from my media text, to show two types of representations of both males and females, such as the portrayal of male teenagers being violent and the representations of teenage females being promiscuous. I haven't yet began to analyse historical texts linking to my media texts such as KIDULTHOOD, but am getting there by researching further on these texts.
Synoptic Ability:
When analysing film clips and trailers, my med 2,, which I studied last year, was really helpful as I already knew how to use and apply these key concepts to my media text and was able to draw up a detailed analysis of my film and film clips too. Narratives we studied last year such as Propps theory and Todorov's theory proved to be very useful as I have applied Todorov's theory to my film.
Critical Autonomy:
So far I am working independently but also asking some teachers opinions on what to do and how to better my work and improve it. However, I have studied and gained my research and have began to analyse it. I have looked at previous med 5 blogs to help gain some information and help from them and also used past topics I studied last year as they are related and linked to my media text and independent study and useful to answer my questions. I update my blog on a regular basis and visit the media guardian website on a regular basis.
Quality of Written Communication:
I am well organised with my blog and have structured it well. I began with posting up a brief summary of my independent study proposal and my hypothesis. I am organised as I have produce all work needed to be done on my bog in order and I have touched on my media terminology and will improve on this. I would need to start to highlight key points and quotes from my research that I have copied and pasted. Before posting up my work I also do a spell check and make sure everything is in order.

Assessment Objectives...

AO2: Wider Contexts (SHEP)I will read a wider range of newspapers and look on the media guardian website more often.

AO3.1: Issues, Debates, Theories Research more into my theorists and theories such as Stanley Cohen's Moral panic, which would also benefit myself as I would using a wide variety of research methods.

AO5: Research Techniques As well as researching via the Internet I will also start researching through books and newspapers (both tabloid and broadsheet)

AO1: Key Concepts Although we study it last year, I will keep practicing in my independent study as I am quite weak in this concept.

AO3.2: Comparing and Accounting Similarities and Differences & Why. I could set myself the target of comparing two texts to help build my skills up for this assessment objective and gain a better understanding of it.

Adulthood Film Clip...

MIGRAIN Analysis of Film Clip...

The hand held camera within the clip creates a shaky effect shot to make it authentic. This allows the film to engage with the audience to make them feel as if they were there. The light shining on Sam's brother shows that there is still hope for him to escape from the violent cycle that he has chosen to be in. However, when he passes the gun to Sam it foreshadows something bad is going to occur to Sam. This also links to the fact that him passing Sam the gun connotes that violent cycle continues and won't end as the violence will keep repeating itself.
Within this clip we see that Sam fears for his brother's safety as he clearly shows with his body language that he is scared that his brother would repeat the same mistakes that he made and end up like him.
However, in this clip Sam's brother shows and states that he isn't "stupid" to repeat his same mistakes. The props that are used within this clip such as guns, portrays that the stereotypes of male teenagers is being reinforced as the show that they are violently orientated.
The generic conventions to show the film is of a Drama genre is the tension between Sam and his brother, as Sam doesn't want his brother to repeat his same mistakes and wants him to do the best of bad situations but his brother wants to show him that he is better than him and won't repeat his mistakes. Also that Sam won't his brother to get out of the violent cycle but his brother just wants to pull himself back into it as he wants to go with Sam.
Representations of males within this clip are being reinforced as well as being challenged in some ways. These representations are being reinforced by the use of props such as guns as it shows that teenage males are violently orientated. However, Sam tries to challenge these views by his acting as he tries to show and tell his brother to make the best out of bad situations. Although, the representation of teenage males are being reinforced as it shows that by Sam's brother handing him the gun, the violent cycle will continue, but as he gives Sam the gun he is pursuing to get out the violent cycle that he is getting pulled into. By doing so, this shows the audience that the mediated representations are in fact true and help back the media views and stereotypes given to male teenagers, which then links to Stanley Cohen's Moral Panic theory which shows that these exaggerated teenage male views are in fact true. The audience of this film will be in the age range of 15-20 years of age. This is because it's issues and characters can be related to them and would attract them as they could use this film text for their own personal identity to relate to the characters and the issues and problems they deal within the film. Within this clip, it creates an enigma as what will Sam do when he gets to this place, why he won't let his brother come with him and what is so special about that place that makes him really want to go there and are the answers to his questions going to be there and would it really help him along his search.

Movie Reviews...

Channel 4 Review of Adulthood:
Noel Clarke stars in, writes and directs the sequel to 2006's Kidulthood. Clarke himself returns as Sam, fresh out of jail after serving six years for murder and now trying to stay out of trouble
When Kidulthood was released in 2006, it caused a minor stir for its dark depiction of teenagers in contemporary Britain. Beginning with the suicide of a girl bullied at school, it showed a society where violence, drug-taking and casual sex were rife amongst the young. As the title suggests, Adulthood has grown up a little bit. The violence, drug-taking and casual sex are still rife - but now the film comes with a conscience.It also comes with a new director, as Clarke - who starred and wrote the original, and does so again here - takes over from Menhaj Huda. At the end of Kidulthood, Clarke's character Sam Peel was being carted off after murdering local rival Trife. In Adulthood Sam graduates from being just one of an ensemble cast, to becoming the key figure. Fresh out of jail, after a six-year stint for his crime, Sam just wants to keep his head down - but those aware of his release have other ideas. Like Kidulthood, the action is set across one eventful day. Sam is now seeking to make amends for his actions. After visiting the grave of the boy he killed, he meets his old girlfriend Claire (Fairley), only to find out she's now seeing another guy (Dyer). He hooks up with Lexi (Johnson), cousin to Becky, who has gone AWOL since the events of the first film. Meanwhile Jay (Deacon) is desperate to avenge the death of his friend, Trife, while Moony (Oyeniran) just wants to get on with his life as a student and forget the events of the past.
http://www.channel4.com/film/reviews/film.jsp?id=167026

Times Review By Ed Potton:
The energetic but strident Adulthood picks up the story of its 2006 predecessor, Kidulthood, six years on, during which time its posse of West London larrikins have graduated from happy-slapping, shoplifting teenagers to drug-dealing, car-jacking twenty somethings.
Except for Sam (Noel Clarke), who was last seen bashing an adversary’s brains out with a baseball bat and has just come to the end of the resulting hellish prison stretch. With friends of the dead boy circling for blood, will he keep his head down or be sucked back into a spiral of villainy?
Clarke is very much the fulcrum of the piece, writing the screenplay, as he did for the first film, and directing. He should stick to the acting — as anyone who saw his turn in Doctor Who will know, he has a compelling stillness and a face capable of suggesting both menace and vulnerability, sometimes simultaneously.
The script and direction are more problematic. The main players spit fiery dialogue that flaunts its street cred. But when Clarke moves away from his testosterone-fuelled comfort zone he often misfires — the female, older and middle-class characters are often painfully flimsy. The constant blitzkrieg of threats, recriminations and beatings also becomes wearing, with moments of reflection very thin on the ground. Life may well be this grim for some young Londoners, but such unrelenting aggro soon becomes meaningless.
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article4165968.ece

Guardian Review By Philip French:
Menhaj Huda's 2006 film Kidulthood ended with the arrest of the troubled black Londoner Sam Peel for murder. An ambitious attempt to present all the pressures on black teenagers in a single film, it was a scattergun affair and only adequately performed. The sequel, Adulthood, is set six years later. Better acted, it focuses exclusively on the day of Sam's release from jail, and is written and directed by Noel Clarke, who plays Sam in both films. It's a hard-driving thriller, violent and foul-mouthed, about the stupidity of respect and the hollowness of vengeance. Except for one particularly phoney scene (a black dope dealer humiliating a middle-class white customer), it presents a pretty authentic account of life on the streets and in jail for young blacks. The excellent photography is by Brian Tufano.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jun/22/film.drama