module 5

Representation Plan

2009-05-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

1.How do media representations reflect social inequalitites? Refers to one or more social groups or place you have studied. (january '07a)

70s migration- 1-70 'coloured face' - representation of asians, blacks, etc.
'Coloured people' suggests britiain not ready for different minorities- racist
BBC producer- 'BBC is too white.'
BBC- independent- play what public want to watch- not a lot of representation of asians- can tell media, not providing for everyone and everyones needs.

2.Compare the media portrayal of two social groups or two social places. (June '02 b)

One social group- asians
Second social group- women
Asians- represented in a nuclear family/ tight knit family circle.
Traditional, follow family footsteps, in touch with ethics, etc.
Women- shown independent yet mostly promisious.
Inferior to men, looked upon by looks and judged by looks not ability.
Similar both social groups - women in asian representation also represented to be inferior to men, men breadwinners women housewives, etc.

3. Choose one group whom you believe to be inadequately represented in the media. Discuss some examples of how the group is represented. Why is the group represented in these ways? (specimen Question '00 b)

Asians
Examples of how asains represented- traditonal family orinated. Very strict. 'The ferriera's' in Eastenders- ran away from india, in for fraud. Not all asians like that. Programmes like 'My life tas a Poppet' childrens show- over eaxgerated asian families. Making them look like silly people. Wrong!
Group represented like this- not enough asians in media- to represent asians- Greg Daike- BBC- BBC is too White'- need more asian people- so they can represnt asians instead of inappropriate asian representations.
The masudes- son stole, got big plans never getting there- saying asians are good for dreaming not actually doing anything.

final draft

2009-05-12T02:58:00.001-07:00

How is beauty represented within the media? Making particular reference to ‘Ugly Betty’.
'Ugly Betty' is an American comedy-drama series, based in New York ‘fashion "bible"’ Mode magazine which was adapted by Academy Award-nominated actress Salma Hayek (Frida) with Ben Silverman, who acquired the rights and scripts from the Colombian ‘Telenovela ‘Yo Soy Betty, La Fea’ in 2001’[1]. This show became an instant hit in Colombia as well as the USA and definitely in the U.K. When it was first brought to the U.K on January 5, 2007 by Channel 4, it was publicized everywhere by Channel 4, as something of such was never brought to the U.K before. ‘Ugly Betty’ was different compared to other shows because it showed an ‘ugly’ representation of women also she was the main character; the show was about her and her lifestyle. As well as this ‘Ugly Betty’ covered issues such as obesity within women, appearance and beauty. It was known as ‘one of the season's best new shows.’ by Los Angeles Times.[2] ‘It won a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series earlier this year’.[3] The Colombian Telenovela 'Yo Soy Betty, La Fea' has a similar narrative to 'Ugly Betty'. It is also about the life of a Latino girl, who is an efficient assistant working for a fashion design company 'Ecomodo', in America; both the main characters within the dramas have the same name Betty. This show has not only been developed into an English show but there is also been ‘different versions in Indian, German and many more languages.’[4].‘Ugly Betty’ is about Betty Suarez (played by America Ferrera) who is an ‘insecure young woman with a mouthful of dental ironmongery and the fashion sense of a Morris dance troupe on acid’[5], she is appointed as Daniel Meade (played by Eric Mabius), the editor of chief of MODE’s secretary. ‘Ugly Betty’ shows the life of Betty and her struggles to 'fit in', within the world of fashion, but she is faced with many hurdles and objects along the way, may it be from her private life or her high maintenance job or even her love life. ‘[As the] producers [themselves describe the show to be set] in the superficial world of high fashion [where] image is everything [and where] the only constants are the super thin beauties.’[6] This informs the audience how ‘Ugly Betty’ purposely covers the issue of beauty, and asks its audience is beauty defined by appearance, as media highlights it to be or is what’s on the inside that counts the most. If looked at carefully the viewers would notice that the only difference between Betty and the other characters is the need for Betty to ‘take of [her] glasses, let down [her] hair and suddenly [she’ll be] beautiful.’[7] ‘[This] show [is] clever on how [it presents] a working-class girl from the Bronx bringing dignity to the hard-knocks world of fashion. Has been a huge success attracting 16 million viewers a night [in the US]’[8]. When it was first introduced to the U.K it attracted 4.5 million viewers, over 2 weeks the show became so popular it had a staggering 5.5 million viewers watching and since then the number has just been rising. In short ‘ugly betty’ is ‘the classic tale of an ugly duckling thrusted into the daunting surroundings of the beauty industry’.[9] Betty is the protagonist and gives her female audience someone they can relate to, may it be because of her looks, weight or even occupation. Even though the audience get to know Betty to be a sweet intelligent girl, yet ‘in the world of high fashion Betty is the oversized peg in a petite round hole.’[10] However 'Ugly Betty' is a sitcom, it has many different genres in term of the issues and debates that are carried out through the drama, many having relevance to the media; paparazzi and the fashion industry such as; size 0 models and the main genre- Beauty. It fights the conventions of a fashion related drama, example being the main character she is not the most ‘beautiful’ women within the sit-com; instead she’s the ‘ugly duckling of the show’. The comedy that is presented in 'Ugly Betty’ is not highlighted so much, due to the serious issues that are covered in the sitcom. This sitcom also has many themes and ideas that convey the idea of zeitgeist, such as fashion, beauty, capitalism, celebrities as so forth. Also ‘Ugly Betty’ covers the issue of status, the difference between the rich; the Meade family and the poor; the Suarez family. This sit-com also covers issues of a materialistic society, where luxurious items such as designer clothes and accessories, flash cars are a necessity. Representation of women has been changed immensely through 'Ugly Betty'. As women are shown to be acting and men are shown to be appearing, this can be related to Berger’s argument ‘men act and women appear’[11]; roles seem to have swapped compared to the old representation of women. This is done purposely as 'Ugly Betty' is a portrayal of the modern society where men and women are equal to each other. Another text which is related to my study is the 2006 film ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. There have been many critics arguing that ‘Ugly Betty’ is a re-make of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ as there are many similarities within the two texts. The opening sequence within the film and the TV series is very comparable, as both Betty and Andy (played by Anne Hathaway) are both appointed as assistants to editors in chief of big fashion magazines. On their first day to work they both are portrayed to be wearing costumes which are a ‘no no’ in the fashion industry; they’re shown in ‘ridiculously lumpy ponchos’[12] also both these media texts have similar scripts, an example of this being when the snotty receptionist Amanda (played by Becki Newton) meets Betty for the first time she says ‘‘you the ‘before?’… she means the before and after (for) the photo shoot?’[13]. I decided to look at this text in particular as it is very similar in comparison to ‘Ugly Betty’ in context to media language, as both the main characters (Andy and Betty) appear to be wearing similar costumes- ponchos. Also within this film Andy is the protagonist character for her audience, just like Betty. They are the ‘ugly ducklings’[14] compared to the other characters present within the film and the sitcom. These actors are portrayed in such ways because the primary audience of this film is women, who do not have a lot of self esteem. They find themselves inferior to other women, may it be at work, or from what the media generates to them; example being the models we are shown walking on the cat walk ramps within the film and the in ‘Ugly Betty’. As well as this the main audience of these two texts can relate to the main characters as they may find themselves appear ‘ugly’ compared to other women, giving them a self esteem boost, because they see that Betty and Andy get what they want, by working hard and not changing themselves, effectively informing them that beauty is not an important factor, as it’s who you are inside that counts. This movie is very relevant to the question I want to answer what is beauty. What do the media portray beauty to be? May it be through magazines, fashion shows or even the people presenting on the news. According to these media examples a women’s appearance seems to be the most important factor. Characters such as Betty and Andy are made to fight the stereotype of all women specially, working within the fashion industry have to be ‘beautiful’ and what we as the consumers have always been shown to be beauty through the media is appearance; beauty lays within your appearance, your looks, and not forgetting your clothes. Yet Andy and Betty fight this stereotype they are all the ‘no’s’ in the fashion industry yet they are able to succeed within the careers and personal life because of their natural, generosity of spirit and inner beauty, helps them outshine everyone around them. Yet, it is important to mention, that ‘Ugly Betty’ is presented to have ‘added eyebrows and braces; the producers would not dare to actually have a rough looking heroine’.[15] This tells how the producers, even though they want to change the media’s definition of ‘beauty’ they cannot take the chance ‘to go that extra step’.‘Desperate Housewives’ is also comparable to ‘Ugly Betty’ as this text is a prime example of what the media has been defining beauty to be since the past decades. ‘Desperate Housewives’ came to the UK in 2006. This drama is about the lives of 4women living on a particular street, the narrative is told through one of their dead friends. All the women, within ‘Desperate Housewives’ are shown to be ‘improbably groomed glamour pusses’[16] they are all fit and in shape, size 4-8, with perfect face’s and so on; everything the media denote to be ‘beautiful’. Until ‘Ugly Betty’ was introduced this was the image of the ‘ladies of Wisteria Lane.’[17] But the new series has changed! Gabrielle Solis (played by Eva Longoria) is shown ‘without makeup’ and ‘fat’, this can be a inspiration of ‘Ugly Betty’, Gabrielle who was a model in the previous series’ is shown to be the opposite to what was expected of her, being a model. This tells due to programmes such as ‘Ugly Betty’ the beauty definition media present to us has started to change. We are now shown real people. This change has not only appeared within sitcoms but also on cat walks now. Many fashion designers are choosing to have more ‘real size models.’ Upcoming artists such as Russell Marsh believe in ‘real size models’, he told The London Fashion Week Daily ‘[he] like reality, especially in times like these. [he said the world] needed a wake-up call [and] thinks its time people saw things for how they are.’[18] Just recently, fashion designers have started to ask for ‘real size’ models as a recent inquiry by Baroness Kingsmill, a former deputy chairman of the Competition Commission, who told the ‘fashion industry is told to 'grow up.'’[19] Another reason for such change’s to occur within the fashion industry is because the deaths of 2 Uruguayan model’s who died at a very young age. It appeared one of them ‘died of a heart failure caused by anorexia nervosa’[20], her sister died as well just within months of each other, ‘Eliana Ramos died of a heart failure aged just 18’[21]. Another death which caused concern also the death of a Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston who suffered from ‘kidney malfunction due to anorexia and bulimia nervosa, which included a diet consisting only of apples and tomatoes, [her condition became] more serious and deteriorated into generalized infection that led to her death at the age of 21.’[22] The very interesting issue is that ‘even the world's most famous model [Kate Moss's is not] happy with her waif-like body, why on earth does this continue to be a desirable ideal.’[23]In ‘Ugly Betty’, Betty fights the stereotype of being skinny, as she is represented as an ‘ordinary girl’ someone, all women can relate to. Yet this sit-com does cover the issue of size 0 models within the episode in series 1 which concentrates on Amanda’s dress, it shows how the dress does not fit her, hence causes her discomfort yet she wears it just because it’s designer. This just shows to what extent women would go to fit-in. Also the size of the dress looks so tiny, that it seems impossible that Amanda or anyone would be able to fit into it, yet she wears it and is not able to walk or move in it comfortably. This also informs the audience, what levels models especially would go just to have the latest fashion. This in addition brings to view the saying ‘no pain no gain’; as she wouldn’t be so popular at ‘The MODE’ if she wasn’t so fashionable. ‘Ugly Betty’ fights the stereotype that beauty is not by your size either, as she, may it be slowly is getting where she wants to be.An important episode which shows comparison between ‘Betty’ the girl from a working class family and Wilhelmina an upper class women living in the posh area of New-York, is when Betty goes for a ‘new look’ which will help her to fit in with the new job at ‘The MODE magazine’. The episode shows comparisons between their lives; the difference in their status, their definition of ‘beauty’, the different lifestyles they have and so forth. Betty’s lifestyle is shown to us first, we see her going into a ‘beauty salon’ which seems to be bright coloured and noisy, also it doesn’t seem so well presented as the colours clash and it isn’t very clean compared to Wilhelmina’s surroundings this may be a symbolic gesture towards Betty’s status; she’s not so fortunate as comparison to Wilhelmina. The lighting within the room seems to be very bright, furthermore the way the women, in the salon are dressed it doesn’t seem to be very professional. She is also shown to be very fat, this is opposite to what Wilhelmina’s stylists look like. Wilhelmina’s surrounding are presented to be very peaceful as it uses subtle earthy colours also the lighting used is dull which presents peacefulness, and the other colours set a calm atmosphere. The salon is also presented as being very professional, this can be seen from the costumes the staff working at the salon seem to be wearing also they seem to be well groomed and presented, with their matching colours and so forth. This shows how rich Wilhelmina is and how stylist she is.Through the costumes of Betty and Wilhelmina, there is a clear difference. Wilhelmina clothes are presented to be very dull, mostly browns this connotes sophistication and all her clothes are shown to be contrasting and matching, representing her to be smart, and simple. Compared to Betty’s costume which involves floral prints in addition they are very bright and colourful, the audience are given an image of her not being so smart, yet more casual also she has no colour contrast, showing that she does not care of what she looks like. Yet this can be criticized as she is in a salon, meaning she does care. Betty being presented in the salon can also gives the idea of her changing herself for others in order to ‘fit in’ MODE. The editing techniques used in this episode, whilst showing Wilhelmina and Betty is mostly jump cut from Wilhelmina to Betty and vice versa, this is done to signify the different types of lifestyles they both lead, also this indicate the difference between the ‘beautiful’; Wilhelmina and the ‘ugly’; Betty. There is a binary opposition here between the beautiful and the ugly.Through dialogue it is easy to recognise that it takes time for Betty to look ‘beautiful’ as the women in the salon says ‘we need the big tweezers’ emphasises there’s a lot of work to do in making Betty look pretty. When she looks ‘beautiful’ whilst walking down the road, the builder whistle’s at her, this emphasises how she looks beautiful now and people turn heads to look at her. This can be a relation to the ‘ugly duckling’ transforming into ‘Cinderella’. Yet Betty doesn’t believe she’s getting whistled at and says in shock ‘who me?’ things change when she enters ‘MODE’ instead of complimenting her people laugh behind her. Not only this but her clothes seem to be too bright and loud, compared to the other workers in MODE and MODE’s surroundings in overall. This may be done to show the difference between the rich and poor again as, most of the workers working in MODE are middle class, and Betty is working class, connoting that no matter how much she changes, she will never be able to be like them.Beauty doesn’t only affect the fashion industry; even within the work force appearance makes an effect. The ‘beautiful people are not just pleasing to the eye; it seems they are also wealthier, more successful and much easier to get on with’[24]. ‘[So for those who [had] consoled [to] themselves that there is more to life than being really good-looking [will defiantly be] in for a shock!’[25] This research was conducted by researcher from ‘University of California, who reported their research in the journal of Economic Psychology’[26]. Who found out that "Attractive people make more money than middle attractive people, who in turn make more money than unattractive people,"[27] from this information it can be clearly decided that not only is the fashion industry obsessed with looks but even within the outside world of fashion, even within our everyday lives we are judged by our appearance. As well as that it also indicates that Betty has done good as she has got herself a job which other people would die for.In conclusion, throughout my independent study, I have put forward what I have obtained from my research. Through my research, this was mainly acquired from the internet. I found out, that ‘Ugly Betty’ was originally a Telenovela production, and it was ‘so popular in Colombia that when the lead character; Betty was offered a bribe in one episode, newspapers ran headlines urging her not to be corrupted.’[28] ‘Ugly Betty’ was designed to have an impact on its audience; it was to view the fashion industry in a more humorous light yet covering the important issues raised within the fashion industry. Therefore ‘Ugly Betty’ was presented in such a ‘hideous’ appeal; compared to what other lead characters within TV series look like such as- Desperate Housewives, where there is no actual main character yet, all the character’s are presented to be average sized, if not skinny, with beautiful faces, where they don’t have and bushy eyebrows like Betty’s, or have braces like betty, they have white, straight teeth. Overall, Beauty is represented within ‘Ugly Betty’ through the props used example being Betty having braces, having no sense of fashion and generally being an individual. It is a clear thing to see, that Betty stands out within the fashion industry because of her appearance, this is done to show how she is different, she’s not within the fashion industry because she wants to meet fashion designers and be famous. It’s more because she wants to fulfil her life time dream to become a writer, and working within the ‘MODE’ magazine she can fulfil this dream, quicker then working anywhere else. Yet again, she is not presented to be selfish, like Amanda, or Wilhelmina is presented, she’s shown to the viewers as a more helpful, and kind person. The ideology behind this is to show beauty is not within the looks of a person, it’s within the beholders eye. Betty may be known as ‘Ugly Betty’ yet the person she is, is ‘Beautiful Betty’ as her personality is what shines out and over comes the fact that she may not be appealing as other workers within ‘MODE’ yet she is more helpful and more needed then the other workers within ‘MODE’. Betty gives beauty a new definition within the media, this series has made major changes within the fashion industry; with designers becoming anti-0 size models. There has been a difference within the way, women look at themselves; accepting themselves for who they are. I think personally, ‘Ugly Betty’ has given the world a more realistic view of the world and its people. It’s covered issues which we knew about yet never talked about be it within media or just the world itself. It’s made everyone except themselves for who they are and not change to become someone else who you see on TV, because it’s personality that matters not looks. Even America Ferrera who play’s betty herself believes when she’s playing the role of ‘Ugly Betty’ ‘[she] feels more beautiful’[29] just tells us that beauty is from within not from the outside.Bibliography:Works Cited:Books:· Benavides, O. Hugo. Drugs, Thugs, and Divas: Telenovelas and Narco-Dramas in Latin America. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.· Gauntlett, David. Media, Gender and Identity: An Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2008.· Harrison, Lawrence E. Developing Cultures: Essays on Cultural Change. London: CRC Press, 2006.· Simpson, Philip. Critical Dictionary of Film and Television Theory. Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis, 2007.Websites:[22]/ [23] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/after-the-beautiful-people-of-friends-channel-4-turns-to-betty-the-ugly-404228.html by Ciar Byrne (This website involved a article about how, after friends ‘Ugly Betty’ was the next series, which was going to boost up Channel 4’s audience).[18]/ [19]/[20]/[21] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html By Roger Dobson( this article was about how even within the office’s and other fields of work besides media, appearance made a difference).[4] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ugly-betty-star-backs-clinton-in-bid-to-attract-key-hispanic-vote-770546.html by Leonard Doyle (This articles was about, ‘Ugly Bettys’ lead character America who had joint with Clinton in the votes)[12] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/real-women-the-latest-fashion-936170.html by Susannah Frankel ( this wbsite involved a article which informed about the changes within the fashion industry, and how fashion designers wanted more ‘real women’ on the ramp).[5]/[9] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-hit-us-series-starring-brit-ashley-jensen-of-extras-mixes-satire-amp-shopping-423965.html by Andrew Gumbel ( this articles had references to ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ as well as ‘Ugly Betty’ it covered and talked about the similarities these two had).[1]/[3] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/inside-story-the-media--as-seen-on-tv-453539.html by Bill Hagerty (this article informed about ‘Ugly Betty’ and what the story line was about as well as who produce’s it).[2] http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/uglybetty( this website included reviews about ‘Ugly Betty’ from newspapers, and websites).[13] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/sizezero-debate-fashion-industry-is-told-to-grow-up-449862.html by Jeremy Laurance[17] http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/carola-long-why-fashion-loves-the-superthin-912205.html by Carola Long[14] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisel_Ramos[16] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Carolina_Reston[6]Critical Dictionary of film and television theory by Roberta E. Pearson, Philip Simpson[7] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.htm[8] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.html[10] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1[11] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1[15] http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-135006071.html [1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/inside-story-the-media--as-seen-on-tv-453539.html [2] http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/uglybetty [3] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/inside-story-the-media--as-seen-on-tv-453539.html [4] Media, Gender and Identity[5] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ugly-betty-star-backs-clinton-in-bid-to-attract-key-hispanic-vote-770546.html [6] Media Gender and identity[7] Developing Cultures[8] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-hit-us-series-starring-brit-ashley-jensen-of-extras-mixes-satire-amp-shopping-423965.html [9] Critical Dictionary of film and television theory[10] Media Gender and identity[11] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.htm[12] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.html[13] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-hit-us-series-starring-brit-ashley-jensen-of-extras-mixes-satire-amp-shopping-423965.html [14] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1 [15] Media Gender and identity[16] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1 [17] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/real-women-the-latest-fashion-936170.html [18] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/sizezero-debate-fashion-industry-is-told-to-grow-up-449862.html [19] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisel_Ramos [20] http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-135006071.html [21] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Carolina_Reston [22] http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/carola-long-why-fashion-loves-the-superthin-912205.html [23] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html [24] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html [25] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html [26] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html [27] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/after-the-beautiful-people-of-friends-channel-4-turns-to-betty-the-ugly-404228.html [28] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/after-the-beautiful-people-of-friends-channel-4-turns-to-betty-the-ugly-404228.html [29] Drugs, Thugs and Divas

Unit 4 Genre Plans

2009-04-21T02:29:00.000-07:00

Genre must adapt in order to survive. Discuss. (June 2004 b)

Agree
Why?
If don't people won't watch that specific genre.
Example: Horror genre grew with film such as 'Psycho'- 60's steven spillberg- introducd new sub-genre- psycho, split personality.
New conventions. Audience not allowed to enter if film started.
People (audience) want new things- some remakes aren't as famous/ popular with audience's as they were when first introduced/ vise versa.
Example- Texas Chainsaw mMassacre- 1973 very popular at that time, but not so much now, not the way made then, meaning techniques, camera shots, conventions used, etc.
Remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2003 more perfect for todays generation and audience- more gory, less running around screaming from final girl.
Roles changed- 2003 final girl (erin)- wires up care, runs bad guys over, commits euthanisia. 1973- final girl (sally)- running around screaming, crying, doesn't fight back.
If don't change people won't watch- some remakes not as good as old e.g- Friday 13th.

How important is audience expectations in relation to media genres? Give examples throughout your answer. (June 2002 a)

Very important
Films/ documents made for audience them being popular- upto audience.
What they want important/ expect of praticular genre- makes show/film popular or flop.
Example- remake of psyhcho- copied every scene, step by step.
Same camera positions/ shots used.
Made black and white as well also used same shower head.
Why?
Becuase thats what audience expect of specific genre.
Audience expect psycho to be way was, because people love it that way, classic don't want to see anything different.
From horror genre audience expect- blood thriller, suspense, zombies, monstors, killings, etc
If conventions not followed again audience won't watch film.
Audience make film or brake film.

Genre arouses the expectations of an audience. How and why does it do this? (June 2004 a)

How?
By following conventions of specific genre.
Example- love genre have boy meets girl, fall in love, get married, live happily ever after.
Another example- horror- having a final girl, blood, gory, set at night, haunted/slaughter house.
Audience expect this from a specific genre.
If isn't as that (audience) won't watch.
If directors introduce something new into genre, audience would expect that convention in following films of specific genre.
All to get audience attention always looking for something different and new.
Why?
If they didn't follow specific conventions of genre audience wouldn't be interested in watching
By introducing new conventions- within a specific genre audience keep and stay interested in that genre.
Example- if new Texas Chainsaw Massacre showed women just running around screaming- like old- wont be famous now- women will disagree so new shows women independent because thats what their audience want
Audience wider now.

'Friday 13th' horror franchise.

2009-04-02T13:17:00.000-07:00

Friday the 13th consists of twelve slasher films, a television show, novels, comic books, and tie-in merchandise.
The franchise mainly focuses on the fictional character of Jason Voorhees, who drowned at Camp Crystal Lake as a boy due to the negligence of the teenage counselors. Decades later, the lake is rumored to be "cursed" and is the setting for a series of mass murders. Jason is featured in all of the films, either as the killer or as the motivation for the killings.
The original film was written by Victor Miller, and was produced and directed by Sean S. Cunningham; neither of them returned to write or direct any of the sequels.
The original film was created to cash in on the success of John Carpernter's Halloween (1978)
The success of Friday 13th led Paramouny Pictures to purchase the full licensing rights to the Friday the 13th franchise.
Frank Mancuso, Jr, who produced the films, also developed the television show Friday the 13th: The series after Paramount released Jason Takes Manhattan.
The television series was not connected to the franchise by any character or setting, but was created based on the idea of "bad luck and curses", which the film series symbolized.
While the franchise was owned by Paramount, four films were adapted into novels, with Friday the 13th Party III adapted by two separate authors.
When the franchise was sold to New Line Cinema, Cunningham returned as a producer to oversee two additional films, as well as the crossover film with Freddy Krueger from the Nightmare on Elm Street film series.
Under New Line Cinema thirteen novels and various comic book series were published featuring Jason.
Although the films were not very popular with critics, Friday the 13th is considered one of the most successful media franchises in America—not only for the success of the films, but also because of the extensive merchandising and repeated references to the series in popular culture.
The franchise’s popularity has generated a fanbase who have created their own Friday the 13th films, replica Jason Voorhees costumes, and tattooed their bodies with Friday the 13th artwork.
Jason’s hockey mask has even become one of the most recognizable images in popular culture.

Halloween Franchise...

2009-04-02T13:09:00.001-07:00

Halloween also is an American horror franchise consistsing of nine slasher films, novels and comic books.
This film is focused on the fictional character Michael Myers who kills his sister as a child. Fifteen years later, he escapes to stalk and kill the people of Haddondiels, Illinois. Michael's killings occur on the holiday of Halloween, on which all of the films primarily take place.
The original film, Halloween, was released in 1978 and was wriiten and directed by John Carpenter.
Yet,the sequels have had various writers and directors attached to them. Michael Myers is the antagonist in all of the films except for Halloween III: Season of the Witch, which has no direct connection to any other Halloween film in the series.
Carpenter, who had a hand in writing the first sequel, has not had any direct involvement with the rest of the films. The film series is ranked fourth at the United States box office.
The first Halloween film is credited with beginning a long line of slasher films inspired by Hitchcock's Psycho.
The franchise began when the first novel appeared less than a year after the release of the film, and seven sequels have followed.
In 2007, a remake of Halloween, written and directed by Rob Zombie, was released.

The 'Scream' franchise....

2009-04-02T11:36:00.001-07:00

Scream was directed by Wes Craven.
Scream was the film which revertilsed the Slasher Film Genre in the mid 1990's
Scream refers to main films 'Nightmare on Elm Street' and 'Halloween'.
A signiture device that started in Scream and continued in their sequesl, were "the rules" of teh slasher sub genre of horror movies, these "rules" were decribed by the character Randy: You may not survive the movie if you have sex, You may not survive the movie if you drink or do drugs, You may not survive the movie if you say "I'll be right back", Hello", or "who's there?"
Scream (1996):
One year after the death of Sidney Prescott's (Campbell) mother, two students turn up gutted. When a serial killer appears, Sidney begins to suspect whether her mother's death and the two new deaths are related. No one is safe, as the killer begins to pick everyone off one by one. Every one's a suspect in this case, especially Sidney's boyfriend.
Scream 2 (1997):
It has been two years since the tragic events at Woodsboro. Sidney Prescott and Randy Meeks are trying to get on with their lives, and are currently both students at Windsor College. Cotton Weary is out of prison, and is trying to cash in on his unfortunate incarceration. Gale Weathers has written a bestseller, "The Woodsboro Murders," which has been turned into the film, "Stab," starring Tori Spelling as Sidney. As the film's play date approaches, the cycle of death begins anew. Dewey Riley immediately flies out of Woodsboro to try to protect Sidney, his "surrogate sister." But in this sequel to the 1996 horror film, the number of suspects only goes down as the body count slowly goes up!
Scream 3 (1999):
After the terrifying events that occurred around Windsor College, Sidney is now living alone in a secluded Northern California mountainside. Still haunted by her past, frightening images of her dead mother reappear time after time in her head as she tries to get on with her life. She now gives advice, under a fictional name for safety, to women in crisis via telephone. Soon enough though, her comfort turns to fear as she receives a threatening phone call from an anonymous source who informs her on the recent murders committed around the Hollywood set of "Stab 3: Return to Woodsboro, the third and final chapter to the 'Stab' series. Sidney decides to visit the set when she finds out that with every victim, the new killer leaves behind a different photo of Sidney's deceased mother, Maureen Prescott. Eventually the cast of "Stab 3" start dying one by one and more photos of Maureen appear.

'Elm Street' horror franchise...

2009-04-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

'A Nightmare on Elm Street' is an American Horror franchise consisting of 8 slasher films, a television show, novels and comic books.
This film is directed and writen by Wes Craven, who also directed and wrote 'Scream'.
Not all the sequences of the film were made by Wes Craven, other individuals took over each film sequel.
The franchise is based on the fictional character of Freddy Krueger, introduced in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).
Yet Craven did return to co-script the second sequel, A nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) and also directed and wrote New Nightmare (1994).
The original film was released in 1984, and following it a series of sequels was produced by the independent film company New Line Cinema.
New Line's growth of company is to an extent attributes of the success of Nightmare franchise.
The film series have been criticied omensily yet has blossomed in the box office.
In 1988, a television series was produced with Freddy as the host. The pilot episode focused on the night Freddy was burned alive by the angry parents of the children he had killed, though the rest of the series featured episodes with independent plots.
Twelve novels, separate from the adaptations of the films, and multiple comic book series were published featuring Freddy Krueger.
Micheal Bay and his production team are looking to reboot the Nightmare on Elm Street Franchise, the film is scheduled to be released on 16th April, 2010).

2nd Draft of Coursework

2009-04-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

How is beauty represented within the media? Making particular reference to ‘Ugly Betty’.

'Ugly Betty' is an American comedy-drama series, based in New York ‘fashion "bible"’ Mode magazine which was adapted by Academy Award-nominated actress Salma Hayek (Frida) with Ben Silverman, who acquired the rights and scripts from the Colombian ‘Telenovela ‘Yo Soy Betty, La Fea’ in 2001’[1]. This show became an instant hit in Colombia as well as the USA and definitely in the U.K. When it was first brought to the U.K on January 5, 2007 by Channel 4, it was publicized everywhere by Channel 4, as something of such was never brought to the U.K before. ‘Ugly Betty’ was different compared to other shows because it showed an ‘ugly’ representation of women also she was the main character; the show was about her and her lifestyle. As well as this ‘Ugly Betty’ covered issues such as obesity within women, appearance and beauty. It was known as ‘one of the season's best new shows.’ by Los Angeles Times.[2] ‘It won a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series earlier this year’.[3] The Colombian Telenovela 'Yo Soy Betty, La Fea' has a similar narrative to 'Ugly Betty'. It is also about the life of a Latino girl, who is an efficient assistant working for a fashion design company 'Ecomodo', in America; both the main characters within the dramas have the same name Betty. This show has not only been developed into an English show but there is also been ‘different versions in Indian, German and many more languages.’[4].

‘Ugly Betty’ is about Betty Suarez (played by America Ferrera) who is an ‘insecure young woman with a mouthful of dental ironmongery and the fashion sense of a Morris dance troupe on acid’[5], she is appointed as Daniel Meade (played by Eric Mabius), the editor of chief of MODE’s secretary. ‘Ugly Betty’ shows the life of Betty and her struggles to 'fit in', within the world of fashion, but she is faced with many hurdles and objects along the way, may it be from her private life or her high maintenance job or even her love life. ‘[As the] producers [themselves describe the show to be set] in the superficial world of high fashion [where] image is everything [and where] the only constants are the super thin beauties.’[6] This informs the audience how ‘Ugly Betty’ purposely covers the issue of beauty, and asks its audience is beauty defined by appearance, as media highlights it to be or is what’s on the inside that counts the most. If looked at carefully the viewers would notice that the only difference between Betty and the other characters is the need for Betty to ‘take of [her] glasses, let down [her] hair and suddenly [she’ll be] beautiful.’[7] ‘[This] show [is] clever on how [it presents] a working-class girl from the Bronx bringing dignity to the hard-knocks world of fashion. Has been a huge success attracting 16 million viewers a night [in the US]’[8]. When it was first introduced to the U.K it attracted 4.5 million viewers, over 2 weeks the show became so popular it had a staggering 5.5 million viewers watching and since then the number has just been rising. In short ‘ugly betty’ is ‘the classic tale of an ugly duckling thrusted into the daunting surroundings of the beauty industry’.[9] Betty is the protagonist and gives her female audience someone they can relate to, may it be because of her looks, weight or even occupation. Even though the audience get to know Betty to be a sweet intelligent girl, yet ‘in the world of high fashion Betty is the oversized peg in a petite round hole.’[10]

However 'Ugly Betty' is a sitcom, it has many different genres in term of the issues and debates that are carried out through the drama, many having relevance to the media; paparazzi and the fashion industry such as; size 0 models and the main genre- Beauty. It fights the conventions of a fashion related drama, example being the main character she is not the most ‘beautiful’ women within the sit-com; instead she’s the ‘ugly duckling of the show’. The comedy that is presented in 'Ugly Betty’ is not highlighted so much, due to the serious issues that are covered in the sitcom. This sitcom also has many themes and ideas that convey the idea of zeitgeist, such as fashion, beauty, capitalism, celebrities as so forth. Also ‘Ugly Betty’ covers the issue of status, the difference between the rich; the Meade family and the poor; the Suarez family. This sit-com also covers issues of a materialistic society, where luxurious items such as designer clothes and accessories, flash cars are a necessity. Representation of women has been changed immensely through 'Ugly Betty'. As women are shown to be acting and men are shown to be appearing, this can be related to Berger’s argument ‘men act and women appear’[11]; roles seem to have swapped compared to the old representation of women. This is done purposely as 'Ugly Betty' is a portrayal of the modern society where men and women are equal to each other.

Another text which is related to my study is the 2006 film ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. There have been many critics arguing that ‘Ugly Betty’ is a re-make of ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ as there are many similarities within the two texts. The opening sequence within the film and the TV series is very comparable, as both Betty and Andy (played by Anne Hathaway) are both appointed as assistants to editors in chief of big fashion magazines. On their first day to work they both are portrayed to be wearing costumes which are a ‘no no’ in the fashion industry; they’re shown in ‘ridiculously lumpy ponchos’[12] also both these media texts have similar scripts, an example of this being when the snotty receptionist Amanda (played by Becki Newton) meets Betty for the first time she says ‘‘you the ‘before?’… she means the before and after (for) the photo shoot?’[13]. I decided to look at this text in particular as it is very similar in comparison to ‘Ugly Betty’ in context to media language, as both the main characters (Andy and Betty) appear to be wearing similar costumes- ponchos. Also within this film Andy is the protagonist character for her audience, just like Betty. They are the ‘ugly ducklings’[14] compared to the other characters present within the film and the sitcom. These actors are portrayed in such ways because the primary audience of this film is women, who do not have a lot of self esteem. They find themselves inferior to other women, may it be at work, or from what the media generates to them; example being the models we are shown walking on the cat walk ramps within the film and the in ‘Ugly Betty’. As well as this the main audience of these two texts can relate to the main characters as they may find themselves appear ‘ugly’ compared to other women, giving them a self esteem boost, because they see that Betty and Andy get what they want, by working hard and not changing themselves, effectively informing them that beauty is not an important factor, as it’s who you are inside that counts. This movie is very relevant to the question I want to answer what is beauty. What do the media portray beauty to be? May it be through magazines, fashion shows or even the people presenting on the news. According to these media examples a women’s appearance seems to be the most important factor.

Characters such as Betty and Andy are made to fight the stereotype of all women specially, working within the fashion industry have to be ‘beautiful’ and what we as the consumers have always been shown to be beauty through the media is appearance; beauty lays within your appearance, your looks, and not forgetting your clothes. Yet Andy and Betty fight this stereotype they are all the ‘no’s’ in the fashion industry yet they are able to succeed within the careers and personal life because of their natural, generosity of spirit and inner beauty, helps them outshine everyone around them. Yet, it is important to mention, that ‘Ugly Betty’ is presented to have ‘added eyebrows and braces; the producers would not dare to actually have a rough looking heroine’.[15] This tells how the producers, even though they want to change the media’s definition of ‘beauty’ they cannot take the chance ‘to go that extra step’.

‘Desperate Housewives’ is also comparable to ‘Ugly Betty’ as this text is a prime example of what the media has been defining beauty to be since the past decades. ‘Desperate Housewives’ came to the UK in 2006. This drama is about the lives of 4women living on a particular street, the narrative is told through one of their dead friends. All the women, within ‘Desperate Housewives’ are shown to be ‘improbably groomed glamour pusses’[16] they are all fit and in shape, size 4-8, with perfect face’s and so on; everything the media denote to be ‘beautiful’. Until ‘Ugly Betty’ was introduced this was the image of the ‘ladies of Wisteria Lane.’[17] But the new series has changed! Gabrielle Solis (played by Eva Longoria) is shown ‘without makeup’ and ‘fat’, this can be a inspiration of ‘Ugly Betty’, Gabrielle who was a model in the previous series’ is shown to be the opposite to what was expected of her, being a model. This tells due to programmes such as ‘Ugly Betty’ the beauty definition media present to us has started to change. We are now shown real people.

This change has not only appeared within sitcoms but also on cat walks now. Many fashion designers are choosing to have more ‘real size models.’ Upcoming artists such as Russell Marsh believe in ‘real size models’, he told The London Fashion Week Daily ‘[he] like reality, especially in times like these. [he said the world] needed a wake-up call [and] thinks its time people saw things for how they are.’[18] Just recently, fashion designers have started to ask for ‘real size’ models as a recent inquiry by Baroness Kingsmill, a former deputy chairman of the Competition Commission, who told the ‘fashion industry is told to 'grow up.'’[19] Another reason for such change’s to occur within the fashion industry is because the deaths of 2 Uruguayan model’s who died at a very young age. It appeared one of them ‘died of a heart failure caused by anorexia nervosa’[20], her sister died as well just within months of each other, ‘Eliana Ramos died of a heart failure aged just 18’[21]. Another death which caused concern also the death of a Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston who suffered from ‘kidney malfunction due to anorexia and bulimia nervosa, which included a diet consisting only of apples and tomatoes, [her condition became] more serious and deteriorated into generalized infection that led to her death at the age of 21.’[22] The very interesting issue is that ‘even the world's most famous model [Kate Moss's is not] happy with her waif-like body, why on earth does this continue to be a desirable ideal.’[23]

In ‘Ugly Betty’, Betty fights the stereotype of being skinny, as she is represented as an ‘ordinary girl’ someone, all women can relate to. Yet this sit-com does cover the issue of size 0 models within the episode in series 1 which concentrates on Amanda’s dress, it shows how the dress does not fit her, hence causes her discomfort yet she wears it just because it’s designer. This just shows to what extent women would go to fit-in. Also the size of the dress looks so tiny, that it seems impossible that Amanda or anyone would be able to fit into it, yet she wears it and is not able to walk or move in it comfortably. This also informs the audience, what levels models especially would go just to have the latest fashion. This in addition brings to view the saying ‘no pain no gain’; as she wouldn’t be so popular at ‘The MODE’ if she wasn’t so fashionable. ‘Ugly Betty’ fights the stereotype that beauty is not by your size either, as she, may it be slowly is getting where she wants to be.

An important episode which shows comparison between ‘Betty’ the girl from a working class family and Wilhelmina an upper class women living in the posh area of New-York, is when Betty goes for a ‘new look’ which will help her to fit in with the new job at ‘The MODE magazine’. The episode shows comparisons between their lives; the difference in their status, their definition of ‘beauty’, the different lifestyles they have and so forth. Betty’s lifestyle is shown to us first, we see her going into a ‘beauty salon’ which seems to be bright coloured and noisy, also it doesn’t seem so well presented as the colours clash and it isn’t very clean compared to Wilhelmina’s surroundings this may be a symbolic gesture towards Betty’s status; she’s not so fortunate as comparison to Wilhelmina. The lighting within the room seems to be very bright, furthermore the way the women, in the salon are dressed it doesn’t seem to be very professional. She is also shown to be very fat, this is opposite to what Wilhelmina’s stylists look like. Wilhelmina’s surrounding are presented to be very peaceful as it uses subtle earthy colours also the lighting used is dull which presents peacefulness, and the other colours set a calm atmosphere. The salon is also presented as being very professional, this can be seen from the costumes the staff working at the salon seem to be wearing also they seem to be well groomed and presented, with their matching colours and so forth. This shows how rich Wilhelmina is and how stylist she is.

Through the costumes of Betty and Wilhelmina, there is a clear difference. Wilhelmina clothes are presented to be very dull, mostly browns this connotes sophistication and all her clothes are shown to be contrasting and matching, representing her to be smart, and simple. Compared to Betty’s costume which involves floral prints in addition they are very bright and colourful, the audience are given an image of her not being so smart, yet more casual also she has no colour contrast, showing that she does not care of what she looks like. Yet this can be criticized as she is in a salon, meaning she does care. Betty being presented in the salon can also gives the idea of her changing herself for others in order to ‘fit in’ MODE. The editing techniques used in this episode, whilst showing Wilhelmina and Betty is mostly jump cut from Wilhelmina to Betty and vice versa, this is done to signify the different types of lifestyles they both lead, also this indicate the difference between the ‘beautiful’; Wilhelmina and the ‘ugly’; Betty. There is a binary opposition here between the beautiful and the ugly.

Through dialogue it is easy to recognise that it takes time for Betty to look ‘beautiful’ as the women in the salon says ‘we need the big tweezers’ emphasises there’s a lot of work to do in making Betty look pretty. When she looks ‘beautiful’ whilst walking down the road, the builder whistle’s at her, this emphasises how she looks beautiful now and people turn heads to look at her. This can be a relation to the ‘ugly duckling’ transforming into ‘Cinderella’. Yet Betty doesn’t believe she’s getting whistled at and says in shock ‘who me?’ things change when she enters ‘MODE’ instead of complimenting her people laugh behind her. Not only this but her clothes seem to be too bright and loud, compared to the other workers in MODE and MODE’s surroundings in overall. This may be done to show the difference between the rich and poor again as, most of the workers working in MODE are middle class, and Betty is working class, connoting that no matter how much she changes, she will never be able to be like them.

Beauty doesn’t only affect the fashion industry; even within the work force appearance makes an effect. The ‘beautiful people are not just pleasing to the eye; it seems they are also wealthier, more successful and much easier to get on with’[24]. ‘[So for those who [had] consoled [to] themselves that there is more to life than being really good-looking [will defiantly be] in for a shock!’[25] This research was conducted by researcher from ‘University of California, who reported their research in the journal of Economic Psychology’[26]. Who found out that "Attractive people make more money than middle attractive people, who in turn make more money than unattractive people,"[27] from this information it can be clearly decided that not only is the fashion industry obsessed with looks but even within the outside world of fashion, even within our everyday lives we are judged by our appearance. As well as that it also indicates that Betty has done good as she has got herself a job which other people would die for.

In conclusion, throughout my independent study, I have put forward what I have obtained from my research. Through my research, this was mainly acquired from the internet. I found out, that ‘Ugly Betty’ was originally a Telenovela production, and it was ‘so popular in Colombia that when the lead character; Betty was offered a bribe in one episode, newspapers ran headlines urging her not to be corrupted.’[28] ‘Ugly Betty’ was designed to have an impact on its audience; it was to view the fashion industry in a more humorous light yet covering the important issues raised within the fashion industry. Therefore ‘Ugly Betty’ was presented in such a ‘hideous’ appeal; compared to what other lead characters within TV series look like such as- Desperate Housewives, where there is no actual main character yet, all the character’s are presented to be average sized, if not skinny, with beautiful faces, where they don’t have and bushy eyebrows like Betty’s, or have braces like betty, they have white, straight teeth. Overall, Beauty is represented within ‘Ugly Betty’ through the props used example being Betty having braces, having no sense of fashion and generally being an individual. It is a clear thing to see, that Betty stands out within the fashion industry because of her appearance, this is done to show how she is different, she’s not within the fashion industry because she wants to meet fashion designers and be famous. It’s more because she wants to fulfil her life time dream to become a writer, and working within the ‘MODE’ magazine she can fulfil this dream, quicker then working anywhere else. Yet again, she is not presented to be selfish, like Amanda, or Wilhelmina is presented, she’s shown to the viewers as a more helpful, and kind person. The ideology behind this is to show beauty is not within the looks of a person, it’s within the beholders eye. Betty may be known as ‘Ugly Betty’ yet the person she is, is ‘Beautiful Betty’ as her personality is what shines out and over comes the fact that she may not be appealing as other workers within ‘MODE’ yet she is more helpful and more needed then the other workers within ‘MODE’. Betty gives beauty a new definition within the media, this series has made major changes within the fashion industry; with designers becoming anti-0 size models. There has been a difference within the way, women look at themselves; accepting themselves for who they are. I think personally, ‘Ugly Betty’ has given the world a more realistic view of the world and its people. It’s covered issues which we knew about yet never talked about be it within media or just the world itself. It’s made everyone except themselves for who they are and not change to become someone else who you see on TV, because it’s personality that matters not looks. Even America Ferrera who play’s betty herself believes when she’s playing the role of ‘Ugly Betty’ ‘[she] feels more beautiful’[29] just tells us that beauty is from within not from the outside.

Bibliography:

Works Cited:
Books:
· Benavides, O. Hugo. Drugs, Thugs, and Divas: Telenovelas and Narco-Dramas in Latin America. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2008.
· Gauntlett, David. Media, Gender and Identity: An Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2008.
· Harrison, Lawrence E. Developing Cultures: Essays on Cultural Change. London: CRC Press, 2006.
· Simpson, Philip. Critical Dictionary of Film and Television Theory. Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis, 2007.

Websites:

[22]/ [23] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/after-the-beautiful-people-of-friends-channel-4-turns-to-betty-the-ugly-404228.html by Ciar Byrne (This website involved a article about how, after friends ‘Ugly Betty’ was the next series, which was going to boost up Channel 4’s audience).

[18]/ [19]/[20]/[21] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html By Roger Dobson( this article was about how even within the office’s and other fields of work besides media, appearance made a difference).

[4] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ugly-betty-star-backs-clinton-in-bid-to-attract-key-hispanic-vote-770546.html by Leonard Doyle (This articles was about, ‘Ugly Bettys’ lead character America who had joint with Clinton in the votes)

[12] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/real-women-the-latest-fashion-936170.html by Susannah Frankel ( this wbsite involved a article which informed about the changes within the fashion industry, and how fashion designers wanted more ‘real women’ on the ramp).

[5]/[9] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-hit-us-series-starring-brit-ashley-jensen-of-extras-mixes-satire-amp-shopping-423965.html by Andrew Gumbel ( this articles had references to ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ as well as ‘Ugly Betty’ it covered and talked about the similarities these two had).

[1]/[3] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/inside-story-the-media--as-seen-on-tv-453539.html by Bill Hagerty (this article informed about ‘Ugly Betty’ and what the story line was about as well as who produce’s it).

[2] http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/uglybetty( this website included reviews about ‘Ugly Betty’ from newspapers, and websites).

[13] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/sizezero-debate-fashion-industry-is-told-to-grow-up-449862.html by Jeremy Laurance

[17] http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/carola-long-why-fashion-loves-the-superthin-912205.html by Carola Long

[14] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisel_Ramos

[16] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Carolina_Reston

[6]Critical Dictionary of film and television theory by Roberta E. Pearson, Philip Simpson

[7] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.htm

[8] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.html

[10] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1

[11] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1

[15] http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-135006071.html

[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/inside-story-the-media--as-seen-on-tv-453539.html
[2] http://www.metacritic.com/tv/shows/uglybetty
[3] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/inside-story-the-media--as-seen-on-tv-453539.html
[4] Media, Gender and Identity
[5] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/ugly-betty-star-backs-clinton-in-bid-to-attract-key-hispanic-vote-770546.html

[6] Media Gender and identity
[7] Developing Cultures
[8] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-hit-us-series-starring-brit-ashley-jensen-of-extras-mixes-satire-amp-shopping-423965.html
[9] Critical Dictionary of film and television theory
[10] Media Gender and identity
[11] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.htm
[12] http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-09-25-devil-vs-betty_x.html
[13] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/a-hit-us-series-starring-brit-ashley-jensen-of-extras-mixes-satire-amp-shopping-423965.html
[14] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1
[15] Media Gender and identity
[16] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20081017/ai_n30923769?tag=content;col1
[17] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/real-women-the-latest-fashion-936170.html
[18] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/sizezero-debate-fashion-industry-is-told-to-grow-up-449862.html
[19] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisel_Ramos
[20] http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-135006071.html
[21] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Carolina_Reston
[22] http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/carola-long-why-fashion-loves-the-superthin-912205.html
[23] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html

[24] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html
[25] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html
[26] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/beautiful-people-earn-12-more-than-ugly-bettys-461261.html
[27] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/after-the-beautiful-people-of-friends-channel-4-turns-to-betty-the-ugly-404228.html
[28] http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/after-the-beautiful-people-of-friends-channel-4-turns-to-betty-the-ugly-404228.html
[29] Drugs, Thugs and Divas

1st draft of coursework

2009-04-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

How is Beauty represented within the media? Making particular reference to ‘Ugly Betty’.

‘I never feel more beautiful than when I am playing the role of Betty’- America Ferrera[1]
'Ugly Betty' is originally an American comedy-drama series, based in the New York ‘fashion "bible" Mode magazine which was adapted by Academy Award-nominated actress Salma Hayek (Frida) with Ben Silverman, who acquired the rights and scripts from the Colombian ‘Telenovela’ Yo Soy Betty, La Fea in 2001’[2]. This show became an instant hit in Colombia as well as the USA and defiantly in the U.K. When it was first brought to the U.K on January 5, 2007 by channel 4, it attracted a lot of media, as something of such was never brought to the U.K before. It was known as ‘one of the season's best new shows.’ By Los Angeles Times.[3] ‘It won a Golden Globe for Best Comedy Series earlier this year’.[4] The Colombian Telenovela 'Yo Soy Betty, La Fea' has a similar narrative to 'Ugly Betty' it is also about the life of a Latino girl, who is an efficient assistant working for a Fashion design company; 'Ecomodo', in America, both the main characters with the drama's have the same name Betty. This show has not only been developed into an English show but there has also been ‘different versions in Indian, German and many more.’[5]

On the other hand ‘ugly betty’ is about Betty Suarez (played by America Ferrera) who is an ‘insecure young woman with a mouthful of dental ironmongery and the fashion sense of a Morris dance troupe on acid’[6], she is appointed as Daniel Meade (played by Eric Mabius), the editor of chief of MODE’s secretary. ‘Ugly Betty’ shows the life of Betty and her struggles to 'fit in', within the world of fashion, but she is faced with many hurdles and objects along the way, may it be from her private life or her high maintenance job or even her love life. ‘[As the] producers [themselves describe the show to be set] in the superficial world of high fashion [where] image is everything [and where] the only constants are the super thin beauties.’[7] If looked at carefully the viewers would notice that the only difference between Betty and the other characters is the need for Betty to ‘take of [her] glasses, let down [her] hair and suddenly [she’ll be] beautiful.’[8] ‘[This] show [is] clever on how [it presents] a working-class girl from the Bronx brings dignity to the hard-knocks world of fashion has been a huge success attracting 16 million viewers a night [in the US]’[9]. When it was first introduced to the U.K it attracted 4.5 million viewers, over 2 weeks the show became so popular it had a staggering 5.5 million viewers watching and since then the number has just been rising. In short ‘ugly betty’ is ‘the classic tale of an ugly duckling thrusted into the daunting surroundings of the beauty industry’.[10] Betty is the protagonist it gives all female audience’s someone they can relate to, may it be because of her looks, weight or even occupation. Even though the audience get to know Betty to be a sweet intelligent girl, yet ‘in the world of high fashion Betty is the oversized peg in a petite round hole.’[11]

Even though 'Ugly Betty' is a sitcom, it has many different genres in term of the issues and debates that are carried out though the drama, many having relevance to the media; paparazzi and the fashion industry such as; size 0 models and the main genre- Beauty. The comedy that we are presented in 'Ugly Betty' with is not highlighted so much, due to the serious issues that are covered in the sitcom. This sitcom also has many themes and ideas that convey the idea of zeitgeist, such as Fashion, Beauty, Capitalism, Celebrities as so forth. Representation of women has been changed immensely through 'Ugly Betty'. As women are shown to be acting and men are shown to be appearing, this can be related to Berger’s argument ‘men act and women appear’[12]; roles seem to have swapped compared to the old representation of women. This is done purposely as 'Ugly Betty' is a portrayal of the modern society where men and women are equal to each other.

The two other text’s that I concentrated on was the 2006 film ‘the devil wear’s Prada, there has been many critic’s arguing ‘Ugly Betty’ is a re-make of ‘The devil wears Prada’ as there are many similarities within the two texts. The opening sequence within the film and the TV series is very comparable, as both Betty and Andy (played by Anne Hathaway) are both appointed as assistants to editors in chief of big fashion magazines. On their first day to work they both are portrayed to be wearing costumes which are a ‘no no’ in the fashion industry; they’re shown in ‘ridiculously lumpy ponchos’[13] also similar scripts example of this being when the snotty receptionist Amanda (played by Becki Newton) meets Betty for the first time she says ‘‘you the ‘before?’… she means the before and after (for) the photo shoot?’[14]. I decided to look at this text in particular as it is very similar in compared to ‘Ugly Betty’ in context to media language. Also with in this film Andy is the protagonist character as well, just like Betty. They are the ‘ugly duckling [‘s]’[15] compared to the other character’ present within the film and sitcom. These actors are portrayed in such ways because the primary audience of this film is women, who do not have a lot of self esteem. They find themselves inferior to other women, may it be at work, or from what the media generates to them; example being the models we are shown walking on the cat walk ramps. This movie is very relevant to the question I want to answer what is beauty. What do the media portray beauty to be? May it be through magazines, fashion shows or even the people presenting on the news.

Characters such as Betty and Andy are made to fight the stereotype of all women specially, working within the fashion industry have to be ‘beautiful’ and what we as the consumers have always been shown to be beauty through the media is appearance; beauty lays within your appearance, your looks, and not forgetting your clothes. Yet Andy and Betty fight this stereotype they are all the ‘no’s’ in the fashion industry yet they are able to succeed within the careers and personal life because of their natural, generosity of spirit and inner beauty, helps them outshine everyone around them. They stand out. Yet, it is important to mention, that ‘Ugly Betty’ is presented to have ‘added eyebrows and braces; the producers would not dare to actually have a rough looking heroine’.[16] This tells how the producers, even though they want to change the media’s definition of ‘beauty’ they cannot take the chance ‘to go that extra step’.

Desperate Housewives was another text that I viewed in comparison to ‘Ugly Betty’ this was because this fights all the stereotypes of what media has been defining beauty to be since the past. Desperate housewives came to the UK in 2006. This showed all the stereotypes. All the women were shown to be ‘improbably groomed glamour pusses’[17] they were all fit an in shape, size 4-8, with perfect face’s and so on. Until ‘Ugly Betty’ was introduced this was the image of the ‘ladies of Wisteria Lane.’[18] But the new series has changed! Gabrielle Solis (played by Eva Longoria) is shown ‘without makeup’ and ‘fat’, this can be a inspiration of ‘Ugly Betty’, Gabrielle who was a model in the previous series’ is shown to be the opposite to what was expected of her, being a model. This tells due to programmes such as ‘ugly Betty’ the beauty definition media present to us has started to change. We are now shown real people.

This can be a relation to size 0 models. Many fashion designers are choosing to have more ‘real size models.’ Many designers with in the fashion industry would not of heard of ‘Russell Marsh, [as he is an upcoming fashion designer who told] The London Fashion Week Daily ‘[he] like[s] reality, especially in times like these. [he said the world] need[ed] a wake-up call [and] think [‘s] its time people saw things for how they are.’[19] Just recently, fashion designers have started to ask for ‘real size’ models as a recent inquiry by Baroness Kingsmill, a former deputy chairman of the Competition Commission, who told the ‘fashion industry is told to 'grow up.'’[20] Another reason for such change’s to occur within the fashion industry is because the deaths of 2 Uruguayan model’s who died at a very young age. It appeared one of them ‘died of a heart failure caused by anorexia nervosa’[21], her sister died as well just within months of each other, ‘Eliana Ramos died of a heart failure aged just 18’[22]. Another death which caused concern also the death of a Brazilian model, Ana Carolina Reston who suffered from ‘kidney malfunction due to anorexia and bulimia nervosa, which included a diet consisting only of apples and tomatoes, [her condition became] more serious and deteriorated into generalized infection that led to her death at the age of 21.’[23] The very interesting issue is that ‘even the world's most famous model [Kate Moss's] [is not] happy with her waif-like body, why on earth does this continue to be a desirable ideal.’[24]

In ‘Ugly Betty’, Betty fights the stereotype of being skinny, as she is represented as an ‘ordinary girl’ someone, all women can relate to. Yet this sit-com does cover the issue of size 0 models within the episode in series 1 which concentrates on Amanda’s dress, it shows how the dress does not fit her, hence causes her discomfort yet she wears it just because it’s designer. Also the size of the dress looks so tiny, that it seems impossible that Amanda or anyone would be able to fit into it, yet she wears it and is not able to walk or move in it comfortably. This tells the viewers, to what levels people especially models would go just to have the latest fashion outfits. This also brings to view the saying ‘no pain no gain’; as she wouldn’t be so popular at ‘The MODE’ if she wasn’t so fashionable. ‘Ugly Betty’ fights the stereotype that beauty is not by your size either.

An important episode which shows comparison between ‘Betty’ the girl from a working class family and Wilhemina an upper class women leaving in the posh area of New-York, is where Betty goes for a ‘new look’ which will help her to fit in with the new job at ‘The MODE magazine’. The episode shows comparisons between their lives; the difference in their status, their definition of ‘beauty’, the different lifestyles they have and so forth. Betty’s lifestyle is shown to us first, we see her going into a ‘beauty salon’ which seems to be bright coloured and noisy, also it doesn’t seem so well presented as the colours clash and it isn’t very clean compared to Wilhelmina’s surroundings this may be a symbolic gesture towards Betty’s status; she’s not so fortunate as comparison to Wilhemina
. The lighting within the room seems to be very bright, also the way the women, in the salon is dressed doesn’t seem to be very professional. She is also shown to be very fat, this is opposite to what Wilhelmina’s stylists look like. Wilhelmina’s surrounding are presented to be very peaceful as it uses subtle earthy colours also the lighting used is dull which presents peacefulness. Also other colours set a calm atmosphere. the salon is also presented as being very professional, this can be seen from the costumes the staff working at the salon seem to be wearing also they seem to be well groomed and presented, with their matching colours and so forth. This shows rich Wilhemina is and how stylist she is as well.

Through the costumes of Betty and Wilhemina, there is a clear difference. Wilhemina clothes are presented to be very dull, mostly browns connotation sophistication also all her clothes are shown to be contrasting and matching, representing her to be smart, and simple. Compared to Betty’s costume which involves floral prints also are very bright and colourful, the audience are given an image of her not being so smart, yet more casual also she has no colour contrast, showing that she does not care of what she looks like. Yet this can be criticized as she is in a salon, meaning she does care. In my view, I think Betty is shown in the salon, because it is to give the idea that she is changing herself for others; to ‘fit in’ MODE. The editing techniques used in this episode, whilst showing Wilhemina and Betty is mostly jump cut for Wilhemina to Betty and vice versa, this is done to signify the different types of lifestyles they both lead, also the indicate the difference between the ‘beautiful’; being Wilhemina and the ‘ugly’; being Betty. There is a binary opposition here between the beautiful and the ugly.

Through dialogue it is easy to recognise that it takes time for Betty to look ‘beautiful’ as the women in the salon says ‘we need the big tweezers’ emphasises there’s a lot of work to do in making Betty look pretty. When she looks ‘beautiful’ whilst walking down the road, the builder whistle’s at her, this emphasises how, she looks beautiful now and people turn heads to look at her. This can be a relation to the ‘ugly duckling’ transforming into ‘Cinderella’. Yet Betty doesn’t believe she’s getting whistled at and says in shock ‘who me?’ Yet when she gets into ‘MODE’ people laugh behind her, also her clothes seem to be too bright and loud, compared to the other workers in MODE and MODE’s surroundings in overall. This shows the difference between her status and the other workers in ‘MODE’.

Beauty doesn’t only affect the fashion industry; even within the work force appearance makes an effect. The ‘beautiful people are not just pleasing to the eye; it seems they are also wealthier, more successful and much easier to get on with’[25]. ‘[So for those who [had] consoled [to] themselves that there is more to life than being really good-looking [will defiantly be] in for a shock!’[26] This research was conducted by researcher from ‘University of California, who reported their research in the journal of Economic Psychology’[27]. Who found out that "Attractive people make more money than middle attractive people, who in turn make more money than unattractive people,"[28] from this information it can be clearly decided that not only is the fashion industry obsessed with looks but even within the outside world of fashion, even within our everyday lives we are judged by our appearance.

In conclusion, throughout my independent study, I have put forward what I have obtained from my research. Through my research, this was mainly obtained from the internet. I found out, that ‘Ugly Betty’ was originally a telenova production, and it was ‘so popular in Colombia that when the lead character; Betty was offered a bribe in one episode, newspapers ran headlines urging her not to be corrupted.’[29] [23] ‘Ugly Betty’ was designed to have an impact on its audience; it was to view the fashion industry in a more humorous light yet covering the important issues raised within the fashion industry. Therefore ‘Ugly Betty’ was presented in such a ‘hideous’ appeal; compared to what other lead characters within TV series look like such as- Desperate Housewives, where there is no actual main character yet, all the character’s are presented to be average sized, if not skinny, with beautiful faces, where they don’t have and bushy eyebrows like Betty’s, or have braces like betty, they have white, straight teeth.

Overall, Beauty is represented within ‘Ugly Betty’ through the props used example being Betty having braces, having no sense of fashion and basically having an individual look. It is a clear thing to see, that Betty stands out within the fashion industry because of her appearance, this is done to show how she is different, she’s not within the fashion industry because she wants’ to meet fashion designers and be famous. It’s more because she wants’ to fulfil her life time dream to become a writer, and working within the ‘MODE’ magazine she can fulfil this dream, quicker then working anywhere else. Yet again, she is not presented to be selfish, like Amanda, or Wilhemina is presented she’s shown to the viewers as a more helpful, and kind person. The ideology behind this is to show beauty is not within the looks of a person, it’s within the beholders eye. Betty may be known as ‘Ugly Betty’ yet the person she is, is ‘Beautiful Betty’ as her personality is what shines out and over comes the fact that she may not be appealing as other workers within ‘MODE’ yet she is more helpful and more needed then the other workers within ‘MODE’. Betty gives beauty a new definition within the media, this series has made changed within the fashion industry; with designers becoming anti-0 size models. There been difference within the way, women look at themselves; accepting themselves for who they are. I think personally, ‘Ugly Betty’ has given the world a more realistic view of the world and its people. It’s covered issues which we knew about yet never talked about be it within media or just the world itself. It’s made everyone except it’s self for who they are and not change to become someone else who you see on TV, because it’s personality that matters not looks. Even America Ferrera who play’s betty herself believes when she’s playing the role of ‘Ugly Betty’ ‘[she] feels more beautiful’[30] just tells us that beauty is from within not from the outside.

Independent Study Target's

2009-03-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

Relate to other texts as well as text's mentioned.
Improve writing accuracy/ expressions
More direct reference to title
Expand on points more
Add more SHEP.

Difference between Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1974 and 2003.

2009-03-31T04:07:00.000-07:00

1973 Directed by Tobe Hooper

The final girl is Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns), who is shown as a survivor; whereas Erin is a heroine, in the new version. This Shows how women’s roles have changed.
We empathise with Sally because deep down we know we would probably behave like her.
In the original film the ‘family’ is shown to be closely knit and exclusively patriarchal, with the roudy, rude younger son (Edwin Neal), his older, monstrous child-like brother Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), the father figure (Jim Siedow), and the aged Southern patriarch Grandpa (John Dugan).
In the classic Hooper’s direction (extreme close-ups, frantic cuts, zoom shots, suffocating mise en scène, and grating sound effects) help give an harrowing effect example being when Pam falls into the horrible house living room.
We can sympathize with economic destruction as old, manual labor style slaughterhouse methods are over-shadowes by big industry, mechanised factory methods. In fact, some of the more memorable moments from the original derive from this satirical subtext. Example, how ‘breadwinning’ father figure expresses financial concerns amidst horrifying chaos: After knocking Sally unconscious, stuffing her into a potato sack and throwing her into his pickup truck, he goes back to shut off the gas station lights, “Had to lock up and get the lights. The cost of electricity is enough to drive a man out of business.” Or, in the subsequent scene, he returns home after Leatherface has chainsawed way through front door, and bellows to the younger brother, “Look what you’re brother’s done to the door!”
In the original film Hooper achieves a sense of claustrophobia mainly through his mise en scène (wide angle lenses, extreme close-ups, zoom shots, hand held camera movements, etc).
The original movie relied as much on spooky quiet and its extraordinary production design — a-clutter with bones, skulls and feathers — for its shocks.
The thing missing between the two films is the proverbial calm before the carnage — the silence just before the chain saw starts whirring.

2003- Directed by Marcus Nispel

A modernized remake of film is made to appeal to a broader audience.
The look is slicker, the pace is much quicker, gore is more direct and obvious, and the characterisations are modelled on Hollywood ‘realism’ rather than Reality.
This film opens with a ‘flashback’ whilst a cop is checking the crime scene, taking us back to 18th August 1973.
In this version of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, from the opening frame character Erin (played by Jessica Biel), is already given the role of the final girl.
Women’s roles changed in this version as Erin is shown as a heroine, and strong; she’s shown hot wiring a car, Erin is courageous enough to commit euthanasia using a foot long carving knife, when her friend asks her to take him out of his misery.
We identify with Erin because we would like to think we would behave like her.
In the remake, the crazy family is less defined, both locally and genetically. One constant is of course Leatherface. Remake adds a matronly grandmother (Marietta Marich)who looks like a matriarchal homesteader from a John Ford western, the waif-like child craving younger woman (Heather Kafka) and obese rocking chair 'tea lady’(Kathy Lamkin).
Remake includes women everywhere in scenario, while in original there’s not one female character seen anywhere outside of the two emanating from the van, Sally and Pam.
Remake creates a sense of claustrophobia mainly through physical placement of characters, like the scenes where Leatherface chases Erin into spaces, or she is trapped into them: the front seat of vehicles, closet in the abandoned farmhouse.
Another important difference is that the remake is entirely stripped of the original’s social satire on rampant consumerism (reflected in the act of cannibalism) and the economical effects of industrialisation and also has none of its original black humour and nuanced switches in tone.
The new "Massacre" works hard to scare the pants off the audience and mostly succeeds through slamming edits, loud noises and lots of realistic-looking blood.
Remake does maintain continuity with the original by featuring the same cinematographer (Daniel Pearl) and the same narrator (John Larroquette), not to mention keeping the story set in the same early 70’s time period.

The Similarities between the two.

They both have a final girl.
The cinematography help keep the audience in suspense on the the edge of their seats.
The story is set in the 70's time period.
Issues and debates such as, captialism, canniblaism, is emphasised.

The wider contextual factors that have influenced any changes.

womens role in society has changed this can be seen through the different era's of time in which TCM is made in. In the 1973 TCM the final girl is presented as a survivor and the 2003 final girl is represented as a heroine. Showing how women have come far since 1973, and are more independent and can think logically instead of just running around and screaming.
Also in the new version, women have been added into the crazy family this shows that women are capable to be and do whatever men do, may it be working in a office or killing someone. Also in the 1973 version the crazy family is shown to be patriachal, even though there is a grandma shown she is not shown to actually participate in the family, showing how women were shown to be inferior to men. Instead in the new version, the final girl commits euthanisia whilst helping her firend ben get out of his misery by killing. This shows how men have changed their role and need men in order to help them out.

Ideas and Theories about ways genres repeat themselves:

Audience theory is similar in the texts as the audience may watch the film in order to escape the world they live in, and maybe because they may be able to relate to a character. As most woman would like to think that they would behave in the similar way the final girls within the two versions of Texas Chainsaw Massacre have acted; heroine, and the survivor. Men on the other hand may criticise this and say they would of benn better at the final person.
Also the genre of horror means having a final girl this ideology is used within both the films, even though women and represented in a different way. In the 1973 TCM the final girl (Sally Hardersty) is represented as a bimbo, who is helpless in front of 'latherface' and his crazy family. Yet escapes as a coincidence. Whereas in the latest version in 2003, the final girl (Erin) is represneted as a more independent and braver girl. She is shown hotwiring a car, showing that she knows what she's doing and that she can look after herself and not just run around hoping leatherface would leave her alone.
The settings within the two films causes catastrophe which also causes the audience to be on the edge of their seats always wondering whats going to happen next.

Scary Movie Franchise..

2009-03-31T03:03:00.000-07:00

Scary Movie is directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans as part of Wayans Bros. Entertainment, in 2000.
Scary Movie is an American dark comedy which parodies the horror, slasher and mystery genres.
There are many mid and late 1990s movies, which are spoofed such as 'Scream trilogy', 'The Sixth Sense', 'I know What You Did Last Summer','The Usual Suspects', 'The Matrix' and 'The Blair Witch Project' as well as these is also spoofs a more classic horror film; 'Halloween'.
The tagline of the Scary Movie was: "No mercy. No shame. No sequel." The last reference referring to horror movie becoming long-running franchises. However, in 2001, Scary Movie 2 was released with the tagline 'We lied'.
The film was followed with a series of sequels Scary Movie 3 ('03) and Scary Movie 4 ('06).
The title is ironic as Scream was originally going to be titled 'Scary Movie' but was changed.

Word References.

Pastiche- Means a literary or other artistic genre. the word has two other competiting menaings as well; Hodge-podge- refering something which is cobbled together in an imitation of several original works. Example- Scary Movie. Or an imitation- which denotes a leterary technique of employing a general light- hearted toungue-in-cheek imitation of another style. Again an example of this can be seen in Scary movie.

Parody- Is also known as send-up or spoof. This means to create a work to mock, comment on, or poke fun at an original work,of it's subject or author by using humour or ironic imitations. Scary Movie can be known as a Parody as it mocks films such as 'Scream', 'Halloween and many more.

Spoof- Can mean Parody as well. It is a hoax, a light parody.

Irony- Is a literary device, in which there is an discordance between what one says or does and what one means or what is generally understood. Irony is a mode of expression that calls attention to the character's knowledge and that of the audience. Example being a knife held can be to kill someone also can be to cut something, but it depends on the way it held and what audience's intrepretation of it is.

Intertextuality- Is the shaping of texts' meanings by other texts. It can refer to a borrowing and transformation of a prior text or to a reader’s referencing of one text in reading another.

Asian Representation within the Media

2009-02-24T01:53:00.000-08:00

1)http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/19/prince-harry-racism-newspapers- This was an article about Prince Harry and him calling a 'friend' of his in the army a 'Paki'. Asians within the actual article are viewed in a sympathetic way.

2)http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/01/paul-stephenson-police-race-relations -This article talks about racial issues within the Metropolitan Police force. This article clearly informs about plans to stop black and asian's joining the force. Asians and blacks are discriminated against.

3)http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/davehillblog/2009/feb/18/blogpost - This article is about a racial issue concerning a police officer Tarique Ghaffur, and how it escalated to become a political issue. This informs asians to be discriminated against, and shows that the police force is not anti-rascism.

4)http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/jan/24/broadcasting.mondaymediasection - This is about the most powerful asians within the media. This shows the accomplishments of asians and what they have achieved.

5)http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/jan/18/bigbrother.raceintheuk - This is about the contriversial issue about Celebrity Big Brother. when Shilpa and Jane Goody, had a fight. Asians are represented to be a main subject of Rasicism.

Slumdog Millionaire Analysis.

2009-02-10T01:47:00.000-08:00

slumdog millionaire has been 2009 most hit film so far, it won over 7 awards on Sunday's award evening. this film is different from other english producer film's where the setting is of eastern countires and their people. Slumdog Millionaire i represented with a western theme and the problems that have rised within india for many years now.

In the beginning of the movie we are shown the reality of india, with the police men beating and torturing Jamal; the lead character. we're shown this through props and mise en scene of the movie. it shows the conditions and facilities that india had and still has i.e- poverty. within the trailer, indians are represented as middle and higher class people, as you get a shot of someone throwing money into the bath- this maybe don to show how money, is a very key theme to Jamal's life and how money overall can make such a difference.

all in all the movie represents India as being westernised and vey up to date. another key theme of Slumdog Millionaire is 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' which was a british television programme to start with and no is very famous in india , as it is portrayed where Jamal works everyone is crazy about it. if the title isn't enoguh to give away that this movie has connotations of 'Who wants to be a millionaire' the beginning trailer gices it away; when it begins we're asked the question about 'Jamal' and how he won the money, with options such as; A: he cheated, B: it was luck, C: it was destiny and D: he knew the answers, this gets the audience thinking about it, from the beginning of the film and also hooked to the ilm as they want to know what hte answer is. in the trailer the audience is presented with various of shots from differents areas of india, and the different conidtions of india, i think this may of been done to show the unity of the country that even though the country sems to have poor people, working class poeple, middle class people and so on it is still a unity and they stick together no matter what; they're a community. shots of him as a child are used in order ot represent india as a whole. in one shot we're presented with a very barbaric vies of indian's as they're shown killing eachother, there seems to be a division between indian's and muslims yet the film does not go into this issue. as this barbaric view of indian and its people is shown the camera seems to follow the children; jamal and salim through the slams, giving the audinence a ful lview and in sight into india and it's own side. this also shows how poverty and to what extent it exists to in india.

the shot where 'latika' is shown to be left behind on the train, shows how everyone thinks only about themselves; as salim lets her hand go. also it can be a representation of how people are left behind in india, and how they deal with situations and what a cruel world is outside. streotypes of indians and the indian community have been subversed, mainly at the end when the tow main charcters jamal and latika find each othe and fall in love yet can't be togehter for whatever reasons yet at the end they come together.

Danny Boyle in his clip mention india to be a great place to go and visit. he mention not only the indian communtiy being a wonderful attraction but the country itself as well. he also mentions that this movie was made for the indian community to give them aspiration. he said 'you can't stop the motion in india because it is constant motion and constant moving all of the time' and that describes india as being a very active country where alot of activity takes place, which is one of the reasons why india is such a great toursist attracion for everybody around the world also this can also be reference to them becoming very advance quickly. http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/jan/18/slumdog-millionaire-british-asian-reaction http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/24/oscars-india-slumdog-millionaire-ian-jack

Another Attempt at My 1st Paragraph

2009-01-27T02:08:00.000-08:00

'Ugly Betty' is orginally an american television comedy-drama series, which was adapted from the Colombian Telenovela Yo Soy Betty, La Fea ("I am Betty, the ugly"), written by Fernando Gaitan. This series comedy drama has a new-york setting and has won many awards including; golden globe for best comedy as well as many emmy awards. 'Ugly Betty' has been a huge success since it was first brought to the U.K on January 5, 2007 by channel 4. On the first day it attracted 4.5 million viewers, however 2 weeks later the show became so popular it had a stagering 5.5 million viewers watching and since then the number has just been rising. The Colombian Telenova 'Yo Soy Betty, La Fea' has a similiar narrative to 'Ugly Betty' it is also about the life of a latino girl, who is an efficent assistant working for a Fashion design company; 'Ecomodo', in America, both the main characters with the drama's have the same name Betty. 'Ugly Betty' is presented as a 'ordinary', 'your everyday girl' in a high class, fashion obsessed setting, where she definatly does not 'fit in'. She is shown to have braces, thick framed glasses with no sense of fashion, and she presented to be fat; all the 'no's' within the fashion industry. This is purposely done, as 'Ugly Betty is the protagainist it gives all female audience's someone they can relate to, may it be because of her looks, weight or even occupation. 'Ugly Betty' like 'Betty' (from the telenova adaption) becomes Daniel Meade ( The Editor in Chief of MODE) assistant at ofcourse 'Mode magazine'. Betty tries to 'fit in', within the world of fashion, but is faced with many hurdles and objects along the way, may it be from her private life or her high maintanace job. Even though 'Ugly Betty' is a sitcom, it has many different genres in term of the issues and debates that are carried out though the drama, many having relevance to the media; paparazzi and the fashion industry such as; size 0 models and the main genre- Beauty. The comedy that we are presented in 'Ugly Betty' with is not highlighted so much, due to the serious issues that are covered in the sitcom. This sitcom also has many themes and ideas that convey the idea of zeigeist, such as Fashion, Beauty, Capitalism, Celebrities as so forth. Representation of women has been changed immensly through 'Ugly Betty'. As the women are shown to be acting and men are shown to be appearing, roles seem to have swapped compared to the old representation of women. This is done purposely as 'Ugly Betty' is a portrayal of the modern society where men and women are equal to eachother.

my self evaluation

2009-01-26T03:33:00.000-08:00

Comment on each of the following, giving yourself a grade with an explanation outlining why:(Grading should be 1-5: 1 = excellent, 2 = v. good, 3 = good/average, 4 = poor, 5 = v. poor)
Attainment- For my attainment i would personally give myself 4 because recently i have not be doing so well. my work is not fully up to date. this is very bad and is something i will definatly be keeping an eye on, and am going to try my up most best to improve.
Effort- i would give myself 3 for my effort, as it has not been the best, yet i have been looking at the blog often in order to see what i have to do. but saying that it hasn't been 100% good as i haven't completed all my work, and missed my one to one tutorial with mr.bush, which has put me very behind.
Punctuality- for my punctuality i would give myself 3 as well, as i am always on time to my lessons yet, i have missed many lessons which is bad, so it is not to the best of my ability. i will be working on this, and am going to make sure if there is a lesson which i will not be able to come to i will find out before hand what work is to be done, and make sure all is complete for the following lesson.
Submission and quality of homework- i have been giving my work on time so i would give my submission 3, as it in on time mostly, but as i have missed many lessons i have not given some pieces of homework in as i don't know what's been set. the quality of my work has improved so fo that reason i would give myself 2, as i can write fluently and relate to many media contexts as well as wider contexts and adding theorists. yet there is space for improvement, and so for that reason i do not give myslef a 1.
work independently- i am usually capiable of working independently, but sometimes need a push into the right direstion, and for that reason i give myself a 3 or my independnt work, as i am not so good at working on my own, and don't always think i am doing the right thing, also i get lazy sometimes and don't do the work set.
Quality of writing- the qualoty of my writing is getting better and has definatly improved since my last self evaulation, i can talk about the ideologies more easily then before ,as i use to have difficulties in writing about this context. also i can add theorist and theories to my work and i can realte the text to its wider context's as well.
Organisation of Media folder- my media folder is not very upto date, so i would give it a 4. i need to find all my sheets and so on, so i can put them in my folder, also i need to organise it, so i have all the sheets given to us which will come very useful when i am revising for my exams
Oral contributions in class- i don't contribute in class that much so i would grade myself 2 as it's very poor. i get shy in class and for that reason don't tend to put my hand up or answer any questions also, i am not a very confident person and think i have the wrong answer so don't tend to answer questions. i need to build on my confident.
Standard of Module 5 blog- my mod 5 blog is 3, as it is good, yet there is so much to do in order to make it a good blog. my information on my independent study text is very breif, and i don not have a lot of information on my other texts as well as the books that i have looked at. i need to add more research and wider contxt also i need to analyse many more texts.
Standard of Module 6 blog- on my mod 6 blog i don't have a lot of work, as we don't tend to work a lot on that blog, so i would give my blog 3. it is upto date with the work we were last told to do on our blog. yet it does not include all the quizes we're given every week.

MY 3 Achievements WWW- the quality of my writing is improving, and i am adding more theories and looking more at the wider contexts as well as covering the ideology context more efficiently.
- the quality of my homework is always best to my ability, and is most of the time on time, yet there is space for improvement.
-i am trying put a lot of effort in, and will carry on doing so in order to make my attainment grade go high as well.

My 3 targets/areas for improvement (ebi)- i am going to work harder on my med 6 blog and make sure it is all upto date, and has all the information needed.
i will work more independently making sure that all my work is handed on time and is to the best of my ability.
i will achieve my target minimum grade as well as do better, and will definatly perticipate more in class and make sure my media folder is upto date, and has all the nesscary sheets in it.
this will all be achieved within the next term.

1st Paragragh

2009-01-09T04:31:00.000-08:00

'Ugly Betty' is orginally an American television comedy-drama series, which was orignally an adaption of the Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty, La Fea ("I am Betty, the ugly"), written by Fernando Gaitan. This new-ork set drama has won many awards; golden globe for best comedy as well as many emmy awards. 'Ugly Betty' has been a huge success since it was first brought to the U.K on January 5, 2007 by channel 4. On the first day it attracted 4.5 million viewers, however 2 weeks later the show became so popular it had a stagering 5.5 million viewers watching. The colombian Telenova 'Yo Soy Betty, La Fea' has a similiar narrative to 'Ugly Betty' it is also about the life of a latino girl, wo also is an efficent assistant working for a Fashion design company; Ecomodo, in America.
'Ugly Betty' is presented as a 'ordinary', 'your everyday girl' in a high class, fashion obsessed setting, where she definatly does not 'fit in'. She is shown to have braces, thick framed glasses with no sense of fashion, and she presented to be fat; all the no's within the fashion industry.
This is purposely done, as 'Ugly Betty is the protainist it gives all female audience's someone they can relate to. Obviously due to the different appearance's and so on.
'Ugly Betty' like 'Betty' becomes Daniel Meade ( The Editor in Chief of MODE) assistant at ofcourse 'Mode magazine'. Betty tries to 'fit in', within the world of fashion, but is faced with many hurdles and objects along the way, may it be from her private life or her high maintanace job.
Even though 'Ugly Betty' is a sitcom, it has many different genres in term of the issues and debates that are carried out though the drama, many having relevance to the media and the fashion industry such as; size 0 models and the main genre- Beauty. The comedy that we are presented in 'Ugly Betty' with is not highlighted so much, due to the seious issues that are covered in the sitcom. this sitcom also has many themes and ideas that convey the idea of zeiteist, such as Fashion, Beauty, Capitlaism, Celebrities as so forth.
Representation of women has been changed immensly through 'Ugly Betty'. As the women are shown to be acting and men are shown to be appearing, roles seem to have swapped compared to the old representation of women. This is done purposely as 'Ugly Betty' is a portrayal of the modern society where men ad women are equal to eachother.

essay plan

2009-01-09T03:42:00.000-08:00

coverwork for friday 12th Dec 2008

2008-12-16T02:28:00.000-08:00

Gender in Advertising.

Gunter-

After the 1950's images of women as 'housewives' declined but it was again common in the 1960's and 70's
women in magazines in the 1970's were not likely to be shown in paid work roles and if ever they were it would be in streotypical working roles for women, such as hairderessers and secretaires.
all advertisments featuring women in them, in early 1970s were streotypical; 3/4 of them were of kitchen and bathroom products. sexism was present in adverts aimed at children. so the men dominant society was introduced in society a a young age.

Scheibe-

women were shown to be more concerned and inulged with beauty, cleanliness, family and pleasing others.
where as men were shown related to achievements and having fun.

Cumberbatch-

Advertisers started to be a little realactant on shwing women being related to housework or even doing housework. (7% of adverts showed women in such roles.)

Macdonald-

Advertisers seemed to follow women's magazines in cultivation of new model, even when there was strong evdience suggesting that if they modernised their ways of advertising it would be an advantage for advertisers. .
feminists would leave messages on advertisments such as the Fiat car advert with quotes such as “When I’m not lying on car I’m a brain surgeon”.

Gender in Contemporary Advertising.

Both genders were shown to be equal in a study taken place in 1998, it studied over 750 prime tv ads and they all found that women were twice likely as men to be in commercials for domestic products; Bartsch et al.

Cortese -

“Ad deconstruction reveals a pattern of symbolic and institutionalised sexism”; Female prototype showed youth, good looks, sexual seductiveness, perfection.
Analysis of men in advertising showed that men were often showen as “perfect provocateur”
i n today's society men are shown with pumped pecs and shoulders and has perfects abs. many years ago, a slick refined look was defined as fashion ideal for men.
Now days the muscular guy dominates the runways and magazine pages.

Macdonald-

Macdonald looked at the changes fom late 1980's- 90's; at this time in history feminists had won both their fights, and their ideologies were harmless by far, accept for the fact o being out of date
Advertisers invented “post feminism” as a utopia where women were independent and could do whatever they wanted, just making sure they had the will power and enthusiasm.

Greer-

Selling Beauty; shows females are a failure if they are not beautiful
the UK beauty industry takes £8.9 billion a year out of women’s pockets.
They teach little girls that streotype that they need make-up and train them to use it.
Reminds us that situation is unchanged till today.
Since she wrote “The Female Eunch” (1960’s); “Women who were unselfconscious and unmade up thirty years ago” are now “infected” with the need to conform to certain images of beauty.
30 years ago it was enough to look beautiful; now a woman has to have a tight toned body, including her buttocks and thighs, so that she is good to touch, all over

Walter-

1998; today’s women more or less happy with how they look, where as men felt unsatisfied with their own appearance “If only 4% of men think they are attractive, we should not be too quick to argue that only women feel cast down by pressures of beautiful ideals”
A feminist but refuses to see fashion and beauty advertising as a conspiracy to keep women down.

The representation of women in commercials

“Hi we’d like a large thin crust pizza”
“That’s Ok I’ll clean up”
Cleaners,Housewife,Repair shop Women can’t take on men’s roles.
Exploitation of women in ads Jean Kilbourne; “We are exposed to over 2,000 ads a day, constituting perhaps the most powerful educational force in society”
“Turning a human being into a thing is almost always the first step in justifying violence against that person” Bodies onlyBugle Boy
“In an extremely competitive environment, you kind of go back to T&A Sex objects Dehumanization Lazier
Smith, Furham & Bitar;“We often find no representational connections in contemporary advertising.
One of the common registers of print advertising is of the naked or sexually
posed woman selling a product”
Stereotypical to stop explotation of women in advertisments.

10 Quotes and Book Reference

2008-12-09T01:55:00.000-08:00

1. Feminism, Femininity and popular culture - joanne hallow (2002) "women must no longer be 'enslaved by ludicrous "beauty" standards' (Morgan 1970,586) "

2. The movement for gender equality the world over has been one of the defining movements of our times”. Boutros-Ghali, B. (1996)

3.Bennett,Peter ,Slater,Jerry ,Wall, Peter (2006): A2 Media Studies: The Essential Introduction, Routledge- uiseful becuase talks about explotation of the working class and 'Ugly Betty' is representing the working class within the sit-com.

4.Price,John,Nicholas,Joe (2003):AS Media Studies,Cheltenham, Nelson Thornes Ltd- useful to my text because talks about fashion as well as giving some narrative theorists and over the top talks about gender representation.

5.Moore,Stephen,Aiken,Dave,Chapman,Steve (2005): SociologyAS , collins- womens role in society and around, also just general information on their roles and theorists that may be relevant.

6.Ross, Mandy (2002): The Changing Role of Women. Great Britain: Heinemann Library- book useful because all about women and how in history till today they've got better and better, and how fashion made women more liberal.

7.Kate Winslet said: "I feel very strongly that curves are natural, womanly and real." in The Independent on Sunday size-zero debate: fashion industry is told to 'grow up' By Jeremy Laurance, Health EditorPublished: 22 May 2007

8.Lady Kingsmill ( part of the British Fashion Council, which runs London Fashion Week) "It is time, in a way, for the fashion industry to grow up," she said. "It is a real and a very important industry and the people working within it have to be taken seriously and have to be treated well." again 22 may 2007, independent on sunday newspaper.

9."[It's] not about being ugly at all. More than anything it's just about looking past what you see. Achieving that image is not all that we're on this planet to do." america Ferrera. http://www.pluggedinonline.com/thisweekonly/a0002958.cfm

10.“The American feminist Naomi Wolf ‘the era of the “genderquake”, in which the meaning of being a woman is changed for ever” tlaking about hte 1990's

11.No Turning Back: Gender and Genderquake By Helen Wilkinson (1994)- this book cover's Naomi Wolfe's talk about 'Genderquake', giving a more closer insight into it.

12. Culture and Power: A Media, Culture & Society Reader By Paddy Scannell, Philip Schlesinger, Colin Sparks (1992) - gives an intkae on how media, covers issues that are important in the socirty. it related culture and society issues.

Representation of Gender in the Past

2008-12-02T02:08:00.000-08:00

In the mid-1970s, Miles (1975) found out that there was nearly equal amount of men and women in the comedy field of media.
Gunter study in 1970s, that frequently marraige, parenthood, and demestic lifestyle was shown to be more important for women then men according to the television. Example of this being the 'minute maid orange juice' advertisment, where a happy traditonal family is shown and the mother is known to be making minute maid in the club house. domestic advertisments as such were made only for women.
In 1970's there was only 155 of leading roles given to women, where as in 1987 a study found out that female charcters were the most common in commedy programmes rising the percentages to 43%.
As for comedy women were starting to have equal roles as men and most of the time were running them, yet in drama's this was not the case, there were two to one. But again women kept up their apperance in action-adventure shows to 29%, even though it was low it had been doubled (Davis,1990).
In 1970s men ruled and dominated what to present to us on televison, they were also the most dominanat people shown to us. Telling us that even though women had been making it big for themselves in the media industry yet there was still a big gap for them to get the big leading roles. Showing it ot be a patriachal society.
Tuchman suggests and argues, that women who were shown in the 1970's they were known as 'incompetents and inferiors' and maybe even treated as victims or having emotional and practical problems also that women in the tv industry had little value.
in the past women were known to be inferio to men, making it an patriachal society, and in my opinion i think in that time women who were on tv were known not to have a lot of respect.

Representation of Gender Today

2008-12-02T01:48:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of evidence to back up the point that gender over time has become more advanced. Also equality amongst men and women is a very important in society.
Along with the changes there are some things that have not changed, there is also suggestions and evidence saying that roles of genders have not changed at all.
An example backing the suggestion that gender roles have changed and patriachal society has almost been demolished is the texts referred to within the booklet such as the american hit sitcom Friends. Male characters have been known to be in touch with their feminine side where as the women are shown to be the dominant characters. Not only that but the roles and jobs they have within the sitcom shows equality in society.
On the other hand, to back the suggestion that the roles of men and women in society has not changed at all is the media 100 (08), majority of them are men, in the top 10 there is only one woman; Jane Tranter. This tels there is a bit of a change in the society but even till today it is mainly a patriachal society.
With these two examples, the second one stands out more, and judging by that i make my opinion that there is a change in society you are seeing more women poppin up in the world, yet there is still a long way to go, example being only one woman being in the top 10 of the media 100.

Detailed Migrain Analysis.

2008-11-18T02:32:00.000-08:00

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QjY2KwK-roE

Media Language: Non-diegetic sounds, a beat which is verycatching get audience attention. theres a medium shot of the magazine as well as the model used all through out the 30 second clip. at the end there is a verbal code used which inform the audience when and on what channel is this programme coming on as well as who it's original institution is from. Also at hte end it says 'fashion has a new face' this is there to connote that the streotype of beauty is going to be demolished or at least altered because 'Ugly Betty' is the new face this is very postitive fo its audience. the shots are first of a magazine this is used to indicate to its viewers that the programme will be about fashion as magazines are a big impact to the fashion interested audiences. When you watch the programme as well you can tell that the title used on the magazine in this clip 'Mode' is a very important source in the actual comdey soap series as the whole show is based around that specific fashion magazine and its employers and owners.
the lighting used with in the clip is bright mostly a filler light; high key. This is to highlight the models face and the picture used of that same model on the magazine and how it is altered thorughtput the clip. we are shown different stages of fashion throught the altering of the model. continuity editing is used as well as fade out's at the beggining of the clip and dissolve shots as well as fade outs thorughtout the clip. Mise-en-scene, firstly the model is shown on the magazine all glamoured up with makeup then ithout this is a prop to show make up makes model look beautiful and glamourous and that under it all they are just normal people just like us. also through this we can tell that new technology can change people and their appereance. also this tells us that media over exgurates people questioing our minds; does the media show thing the way they are? can be related to marxism theory as well of injected information.

Institution: this comedy drama series is produced by ABC studios. it is promoted in gritatin by channel 4 also distributed by channel 4. also it is promoted by trailers as well as posters and through radio and interent. the scheduling time for this show is friday nights, 9.30pm meanin it;s a 'watershed' programme. channel 4 is a commericial television which shows many commericaials on its channels and that is how they've publicised this programme of theres as well.

Genre: thorugh this clip a reconstruction of 'beautiful' is shown becuase we're shown a bwautiful model been turned into 'ugly betty' also this is related to the end where the slogan is 'fashion has a new face'. also this covers social issues such as 'what is beautiful'? and so on. 'Ugly Betty' is a comedy drama which covers serious social issues amd debates also it is shown in series. The title sequence has a monogule of shots and they comes together to make ugly betty.

Bibliograpghy..

2008-11-04T02:27:00.000-08:00

http://tviv.org/Newhart/The_Stratford_Wives- this is one of the other texts im going to look at and i got most of my information about the straford wives programme from here.

http://www.channel4.com/- i got a lot of my infomration about ugly betty from the channel 4 website as well.

http://tvdramas.about.com/od/desperatehousewives/Desperate_Housewives_All_About_ABCs_Desperate_Housewives.htm i got information about my other text, depearte housewives from this webiste

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugly_Betty- here i got the infomation that i used for my SHEP analysis.

http://tvdramas.about.com/od/desperatehousewives/p/dhshowinfo.htm my information on desperate came from here as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/weekinreview/07rohter.html- this wa a very relevant website i sued some quotes from here as well as got my information on the social and politcal factors affecting ugly betty.

S.H.E.P

2008-11-04T01:15:00.000-08:00

Social Aspect of Ugly Betty:
Ugly Betty covers an important social issue; looks, appearance. Ugly betty is the 'ugly duckling' in Ugly Betty. Normally in soap opera's the main narrative focuses on family or sexual conflicts and betrayals, usually there is a subtext dealing with a social or political problem, but Ugly Betty is different as the main narrative focuses on the Social/ Political problem. This is one of the main soical factors covered in Ugly Betty but another important issue status; this is a very obvious issue shown through the different life styles of Betty Suarez and Wilhemina. You can see how Betty suarez and the her family live and the difference between the way daniell meade and Wilhemina live.

Historical Aspect of Ugly Betty:

Ugly betty is originally an adaptation of the Colombian Telenovela Betty la fae ('Betty the ugly') written by Fernando Gaitan. It is adapted into a New York City setting by creator/developer Silvio Horta and co-producers Salma Hayek and Ben Silverman whose production companies Silent H, Ventanarosa and Reveille respectively partnered with ABC Studios to create the hour-long program for U.S. audience. It was first shown on tv as Ugly Betty on September 28, 2006, on ABC in the United States and on Citytv in Canada. The first intial idea to bring Ugly Betty to american Tv started in 2001. NBC was the first media company to get their hands on Ugly betty, they were planning to adapt it to a half- hour comedy, which would of been produced by Sony Pictures Television, but these were just ideas and they never came to action. it was not till ABC and Hayek's company came on board in 2004 and decided to make it an hour long comedy-drama.

After working on it for two years, on May 16, 2006, ABC announced that Ugly Betty was going to be part of their 06-07 North American season lineup as a weekly hour-long series; the initial order was for 13 episodes, but eventually with it's popularity there has been many other series and episodes. Ugly Betty was first broadcasted in Britain on channel 4 was summer 2006, and since then has been going on strongly. They did have a bit of hiccups when there was a writers strike in hollywood, besides that it is going well.

Political Aspect of Ugly Betty:
Ugly betty covers a main concern in the political aspect of a soap opera; Claudia Milian, a professor of Latin American literature and culture at Duke says-“You can’t simply say this is an entertainment, because inevitably there is a message and a political reality, too.” The main narrative focuses on the political issue being covered in Ugly Betty. There is more then one political issue, another important issue is; immigration there were several episodes in season 2 where Ugly Betty's father Ignacio suarez (played by tony plana) was sent back to mexico because he did not have a valid passport. This is a political issue which is relevant to many countries in the world, through Ugly Betty a different view was shown the, family of the culprit was in the lime light, where ususally the country and it's goverment or other high authorities point of views are highlighted.

Evaluation

2008-10-24T04:40:00.000-07:00

SELF EVALUATION

so far this term in media, i have been on top of my work. My attainment in media has been 3; good, i have been doing well, but ofcourse there is still space for improvement, next term i am going to do even better and bring my attainment level to excellent by inputting more in all aspects of my work.

The effort i have put in my work so far has been 2/3- at some points i have done very good and other points of my work it has been good but not very good, this obviously needs to be improved by next term. The effort i have put in my coursework has been 3 average because i have done most of the work, yet i have not looked at the more important points such as therorist and SHEP analysis and so on, this needs to be covered in my coursework in order for my to be putting excellent effort. Effort to my homework, has be 2 good aswell, i have completed overally 7/10 pieces of work this is good, yet i need to buckle up and improve on it completing 100% of my homework, in order to be getting my predicted and needed grades.

My punctuality would be 2 to mr. bush's lessons i am always there on time, and if i recall i have not missed many lessons except for onr double lesson. my punctuality in miss.jones class is 4, it's poor because i have been frequently late, due to her lessons being the first ones in the morning this is very bad, i definatly need to sort this out and in assuring to do this i am going to wake up early in the mornings so i can be at school early and therefore will be to her lessons early.

As i have said above my homework has been on time most of the time, but sometimes i do go lazy so i would give my homework a 3 good but it needs improvement so i complete 100% of my homework. the quality of my homework has been 2 i make sure i understand the task in hand carefully before doing my homework and not rushing through it on the last minute.

My independant study is coming along well, yet i have not covered many important points such as SHEP analysis and theories and theorists that may be related to my independent study, therefore i give myself a 3; theres need for improvement. in class i can work independently well, and for that i give myself a 2.

In my poinion i think my qulaity of writing is 4, i need a lot of improvment on it, because i have a weakness when it comes to wiriting i become nervous and forget everything resulting in my writing tasks not being to the best of my ability. i need to improve this and in order to that i am going to write a couple of essays in my half term holidays which i will kindly ask mr. bush and miss. jones to pelase mark and tell me where i need to improve and how to go about doing so.

my media folder is 3; i have all the important notes in there and i do try to put all my loose papers and other sheets in there straight away when i get home, but sometimes i do fail to so it does not have all my up to date notes. this is bad, to make my folder more organised i will make sure i bring it to all my media lessons and therefore it will be up to date becuase i will put all the loose papers and important sheets staright into it.

i have started to contribute in class more then i use to before, so i would rate my contribution as 3, it's good. but i think i need to contribute may be a little bit more, becuase sometimes i do tend to sit there quietly and not answer a question asked even if i know the answer, i think this is due to my lack of self confidence.

my Module 5 blog is 3; average it is lacking a lot of important information, his will be covered in the half term holidays hopefully. i need to get rid of some information on there becuase it is more as a fan blog then an independant study blog. i will cover all relevant information and do some of my own research as well.

there is not a lot on my Module 6 blog so i would give it 4.

3 Achievements WWW:

i have started to contribute more in class

I understand the work more which is an improvement from last year, also i can work well independently as well.

I have more confidence in my work and i do it to the best of my ability, my homework has improved as well.

EBI:

next term i need to start to do more work on my blog; my independant study.

i need to do ALL of my homework and not be lazy.

i need to improve my writing skills and be able to write a fluent and good grade essay.

COURSE EVALUATION
the course is organised well, there for i would give it a 2, we get enough time to cover all modules and we don't need to rush through anything.

sometimes the content convered in class can get hard to understand, but the teachers are always there to help so it is not so difficult so i would give it 3.

the handouts given out to us are very useful, they are very relevant and can be related to not just one part of the course but many and come in use when you are analysising and comparing. and so i would give them 2.

the lessons are well paced for that i would give them 2. in lesson we understand all our work given, we never have to rush through something meanind we don't understand it, everything is explained clearly and teachers repeat it as many times as it tkaes for you to understand it which is very helpful.

the knowledge of the teachers is 1, they know it all, and explain it well to us in a way we would defiantly understand it. the preseantation the teachers make are excellents as well, because they are explained well and evrything is easily understood.

the course has met m expectations well, giving it a 2. becuase it is hard obviuosly from last year yet the teachers help me through it as they explain whatever you don't understand very well. so thank you to them.

The extra-cirricular events such as the Awards Evening have been very successful and useful as they have built our confidence to do even better. The recognition of our hard work has helped a lot becuase it has made us work even more harder for next time.

the macguffin blog has been excellent in assisting me if im doing the right thing, and where i should be with my work and progress of my work. so therefore i give it a 1.

WWW:
the relevant topics to help us with our independant studies and so on have been covered

the handouts are relevant and come in use in more then one way

the teachers are very helpful and are always there to help and assist us.

EBI:
i would like to learn more about the different types of theories and theorists

i need more help on the writing tasks and therefore would like to cover that more in class

a lesson to repeat things in class would be a good way of remebering things and going over things i've forgotten.

10 Point Action Timetable

2008-10-21T01:51:00.000-07:00

1) 23/10/08- Start looking at the SHEP factos affecting my text, research it on the computer, and write down notes which i will later abreviate and put on to my blog. A02.

2) 24/10/08-go to WHSmiths and buy the Ugly Betty book, which will help with my research. This will be covering Ao5.

3) 25/10/08- Find more research on the SHEP factors and analyse them in detail. Do more migrain analysis, concentrating on other series except for series 1. if cannot put the actual scene on the blog put the hyperlink. Ao5.

4)26/10/08- Write down where i've got my information from, start creating my bibliography, go back to the information i already have and write down the address.

5)27/10/08- i need to do the migrain analysis of the hit comedy overall, using key concepts. i need to start looking at the other text that are relevant to my text concentrating on other television series.

6)29/10/08- research the theorists which may be relevant to my text, write a bit about them and why they're relevant to my text.

7)29/10/08- Talk about the main concepts that affect my independant study, talk more about how the other text mix together and why i chose them, also look at other ke concepts i can talk about.

8) 30/10/08-research more into the 4 factors, concentrating mostly at the economical factor; how much does it cost to make 'Ugly Betty'. Go to the libarary to get more books that may be relevant to your text or may just give an insight on a relevant point.

9)31/10/08-look in the books i've brought and abreviate some important points, see if they are relevant to my text and if i can connect them to my independant study in some way and if so put on the blog.

10)2/11/08- Look at my blog, see what i've done so far, and write another timetable to see what i still have to see. also write a self assesment again so i know where i can and need to improve and tick off what i have done.

Self Assesment..

2008-10-17T04:39:00.000-07:00

I need to do more SHEP analysis, to look at the historical factors, social factors, economic factors and the politcal factors affecting my independant study. I need to look at more relevant text which i can compare my study with, i have 'Mean Girls' at the moment but this is not so relevant so i am hoping to look at more soap dramas like Despearte Housewives and so fort.
I need to concentrate more on issues effecting my study, such as the representation of 'beautiful' other issues covered in 'Ugly Betty' example; plus size models, etc.
I need to look at theories that may be relevant to my independant study, such as binary oposition, mulvey and so on.
My blog needs to include more analysis of scenes within 'ugly betty' paying more attention to migrain analysis.

Self-Assessment Of My Blog

2008-10-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

AO1-I have not analyised my text to all key concepts, some did not seem relevant with my text as they were already covered within other parts of my research (such as; institution). In my opinion i think i covered media language in more detail and had a well analysed analysis of it as i had many points to cover and my text was relevant to the criteria of this key concept. I need to work harder on the key concept; Ideology as this is my weak key concept. To cover key concepts to the best of my ability i need to analyse my text and other relevant texts in more detail, and i need to cover as many key concepts as possible to unable myself to understand the concepts easily.

AO2- i have researched the history of ugly betty, i have found where ugly betty comes from, and how it came about to be such a popular show around the world. zeitgeist is a big impact on my text, as it is fighting the stereotypes of this stone an age, it's asking the question as well as answering the question what is 'beautiful'. i have not covered many aspects of SHEP, i have covered the social aspect of SHEP, i need to cover the historical aspect, i have touched upon this but haven't looked into it in more emphasis. the economic and poitical aspects i jave not looked at all, this is my targets for my research next. to cover the social aspect i have looked at the other characters in 'Ugly Betty' and i've seen how they are represented differently compared to Ugly Betty, and what they're attitudes are towards her. to look at it in molre emphahsis i may comapre Ugly Betty to other series drama's to seehow women are represented in them.

AO5- i have been looking closely at the reviews given to m y text in hand, i have not researched on any book that is available on my text, becuase there was none but i have looked it up and found there is a new book out, which i have ordered this will help me look at my text in more detail, also this will help me with AO2- SHEP, a it will have more information init. i will research some articles online about my text, this may be another useful source of information. in my opinion i think my question is quite good and is very precise and direct to the point, as it covers what my aim through all of this is; to find out what is 'beautiful' and how we as the audience and media define it; is it the inside that matters or the looks? my hypothesis was written when i first started my independat study, i was not so aware of what i was planning of finding out through my research so it was not written in a lot of detail but now i have started my independant and have researched more on it. i need to add more information on to my hypothesis to let my audience know what i am precisely trying to gain from my independant study. i have not paid a lot attention towards the issues and debates that may be related to my study, this is my target for my study now. i have got a extract of my text and have done a close anaylsis of it, looking closely ast hte key concepts that are relevant to my study. i have analyed a couple but i have only put one up on my blog, i am planning of putting the rest up as soon as possible, i find it easier to analysis the scenes/ sequences on paper before putting them on the computer. i have not looked at the theories and theoretial perspectives that may effect my text, this is another objective i have set for myself which i will look at. my main text comes on tv every friday's, i watch it every friday and try to analysis it as much as i can whilst watching it, the main scene and sequences are available on youtube, so i tend to watch them frequently. i have looked at some texts that i think have similarities to my text but i have not analysed them, this is something i need to do. i am keeping a record of the quotes which may be relevant to my study, i need to start recording the webistes that i visit for my information and research.

SYNOPTIC ABILTY

i have looked upon my last years notes med1 and med2 in order to get information and to remind myself the skills that i had learnt in as, such as key concepts, i have used them through my study, i need to link my study to the other modules we're looking at in A2, as some information maybe relevant. i have looked and the representation and genre (med 4). i do frequnetly look at MediaGuardian but i have not yet used any stories or inormation on there to connect to my study. i have had a looked into the domnant values and ideologies and principles that may be useful and an inffuential source to my text.

CRITICAL AUTONOMY
i always think about my study a d what infroamtion and research may be relevant to my text, whilst wathcuing tv i look out for other programmes that my be similair to my study. so far my blog has my information, my ideas, i have not used information from other blogs who may be doing the same thing as me or have relevant information for me, buh this is definatly what i need to look at. i need to start looking at other's blogs and get ideas in order to enhance my study and research. i have been doing well working independantly, i sometimes get lazy but so far i have been doing well i ahve been self motivated.

QUALITY OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

i have titled my work neatly, it is all arranged i make sure my titles are specific to what i have included in the post, i use colours that go with my blog so it does not look untidy. all work in my blog is tidy and clear, i make sure i duble check on my vocabulary. i need to start using key media technology, this is something i need to pay more attention towards. i do tend to spell check. i tend not to copy and paste i prefer to read thorugh it and pick up main points.

2008-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3Aw0Z1y9aAQ

Media Language: Wilhemina's surrondings are peaceful this can be conotated through the dull lighting and subtle colours used such as browns. The colours set a calming mood. the salon that she is at is very professional, there is just Wilhemina and stylist and therefore it's very quiet.
Betty's surrondings are bright and loud they don't seem soo relaxing as there are too many people, the lighting in the room is very bright, the way they're dressed they don't look as a professional salon, to busy and colour scheme very bright and does not match from anywhere.
Betty's clothes are bright and colourful, they have floral prints, they clothes are not so smart they seem more casual, there is no colour contrast.
Wilhemina's clothes are subtle dull colours, mostly browns conotating sophistication, the colours all match and her clothes are very simple, she looks smart.
Editing techniques used: jump cut from wilhemina to betty this is done to signify the different types of lifestyles they both lead also difference between 'beautiful' and 'ugly'.
the begging of Ugly Betty she looks dull this is to symbolise the change that occurs by her makeover.
The salon Betty goes to shows how colours clash doesn't look so clean, property maintained symbolic to Betty's status; shes not so fortunate as comparison to wilhemina.

Genre: Ugly Betty is a series drama.

Representation: Ugly Betty's beginning starts with her in her house looking like a tramp this is to emphasis how she feels, after she comes out of the salon you see her all dressed up this is to represent how she feels and how if she put a bit of effort it is possible for her to look 'beautiful'. the women in ugly betty's salon says 'we need the big tweezers' this is to represent how it takes time for her to look pretty.

Audience: Ugly betty is targeted to mainly women as it contains many issues and debates that occur in day to day women's lives. i would recommend the average age to be 15-40. this episode may be more effective and appealing to women who feel less confident in themselves and who look at ugly betty as a role model.

Ideology: ugly betty at home is portrayed as working class citizens where as looking at wilhemina she seems to be from a higher class this can be symbolic from the sort of clothes thy wear and the salon's they go to.

My Objective Targets

2008-09-23T04:41:00.000-07:00

AO1: Focus on all the key concepts.
to do this i am going to the get some key clips from youtube of Ugly Betty and do a maigrain analysis of them. i will do minimum 2 and try to cover all key concepts through all them.

AO5: i have only researched the important things to do with my topic.
i order to do better and succeed in completing this assesment objective i am going to research in more detail about my topic. i will find out more information on it, such as, where the intital idea came from, how much does it cost to make each show and so on. i need to look at the social and historical issues araised by my topic as well or any other relevant information.

AO2: i have not done SHEP analysis on my topic, neither have i connected any theorists to my work.
this is needed to be done in order to complete this assessment objective to the best of my ability. i will need to look at theories in context to my research and topic.

A Brief Summary

2008-09-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Ugly Betty is orginally an American television comedy-drama series which stars famous celebrities as America Ferrera in the title role, along with Eric Mabius, Vanessa Williams, Ashley Jensen, Becki Newton, Rebecca Romjin and Micheal Urie. The series was first shown on septmeber 28, 2006 on ABC in the USA and on Citytv in Canada.
It follows the life of the unglamorous and good-natured Betty Suarez (Ferrera), and her incongruous job at the ultra-chic New York City fashion magazine Mode.
The series is an adaptation of the Colombian telenovela Yo Soy Betty, La Fea ("I am Betty, the ugly"), written by Fernando Gaitan (who is also author of Cafe, con aroma muer).
It is adapted into a New York City setting by creator/developer Silvio Horta and co-producers Salma Hayek and Ben Silverman, whose production companies Silent H, Ventanarosa and Reveille respectively partnered with ABC Studios to create the hour-long program for U.S. audience.
Hayek has appeared on the show as Sofia Reyes, in addition to playing a cameo role as an actress on a fictional telenovela watched by the main character's family in the pilot episode.
On February 16, 2008 ABC picked up Ugly Betty for the 2008-09 television season.

Marc. St. James (Michael Urie)

2008-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Real name: Michael Lorenzo Urie, aged 28 years old. His occupation; an actor, producer and director. In 1998, won Dramatic Interpretation Award for Confessions of a Nightingale by Charlotte Chander. While he was still a student he performed in a world premiere of Love and Happiness, 2001. He also played the central character in stage play 'WTC view' and in the film adaption. He's currently finishing a short documentary film. He's on board of plum productions and is the casting director.

He and the cast were nominated for Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by Esemble in Comedy Series 2007 and 2008. During 2007 and 2008 Urie hosted TLC's Reality-based Series 'Miss America Reality Check'. He is still in touch with his theatre roots.

Justin Suarez (Mark Indelicato)

2008-09-18T07:52:00.007-07:00

The youngest star of ugly betty is aged 14. he is an american actor and singer. he trained at the actors center; Philadelphia, takes vocal lessons at Dupree School of music; New Jersey and hope to continue his proffesional career in acting and singing.

He started his career on main stage at Philadelphias Walnut Street theater at the age of 8. he was featured in a episode of the Disney channel original series 'The Suite Life of Zack and Cody'.

Film Career:

2003- Disposal

2003- Hack

2004- Chappelle's show

2006-Ugly Betty

2007- The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

2008- Illegal Superman

Amanda Tanen (Becki Newton)

2008-09-18T07:52:00.006-07:00

Fullname: Rebecca Sara 'Becki' Newton, aged 30. She began performing musicals and plays at local theatres and studied at uni of pennsylvania then she graduated with BA in european history. She then moved to NY and landed several roles in television commericals. She also featured as writer and host for a celebrity interview show called 'Movie Junky'.

She currently plays role of Amanda Tanen in comedy drama series Ugly Betty.

Her film Career:

2001- Burly

2003- Cold Case

2003 to 2004- The Guiding Light

2004- The Men's Room

2004- P.S

2004- American Dreams

2004- Law and Order: Special Victims Unit

2005- Charmed

2006 to present- Ugly Betty

2007- August Rush

Christina Mc Kinney (Ashley Jensen)

2008-09-18T07:52:00.005-07:00

Real name; Ashley Samantha Jensen, aged 39. Her first big television role was as an eccentric secretary Rosie McConnicly in final series of BBC comedy 'May to December', in 1996. She played a daughter of glasgow criminal in BBC drama 'Down Among the Big Boys'. Ashley then appeared as Fiona Morris in a BBC1 soap opera 'Eastenders' she starred in BBC2/ HBO tv programme 'Extras'. For her work in the first series of Ugly Betty, she received Best Televison Comedy Actress and New Comers Awards at 2005 British Comedy Awards.

In 2006, she recieved two British Comedy Awards and a BAFTA nomination for her role in 'Extras.' Her role in 2007 earned her an Emmy Award nomination.

In september 2006, she appeared in Ugly Betty. Jensen us also the narrator of Channel 4's 'Embarrasing Illnesses and Embarassing Bodies. She appeared in number of films. in 2007, she narrated the UK film 'Taking Liberties'. She also appeared in 'Tristram Shandy: A cock and bull story' in 2006.

Hilda Suarez (Ana Ortiz)

2008-09-18T07:52:00.004-07:00

Ana is aged 37; she is an American actress and singer. The daughter of Angel L. Ortiz, first Puerto Rican city councilman in Philadelphia City Council. As a child she originally dreamed of becoming a 'Ballerina'. She studied ballet for 8 years, until the pain of ' en pointes' forced her to pursue a different style forcing her to persue a career outside the world of ballet. She switched to singing, and attended a 'High School of Music' and art and performing arts in new york city and then uni of arts in Philladelphia before making her professional stage debut in regional theater production of 'Dungerous liasons.' She joined the LAByrinth Theatre Company on television- she appeared in NYPD Blue, Dr.Quinn: Medicine woman, Commander in Chief, Boston Legal, ER, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Over There and her first full-time series role Kristin and Everybody Loves Raymond. In addition to appearing in Ugly Betty she's also an active face in films including star roles in king of L.A and tortilla heamus.

Originally ortiz had auditioned for 'Betty Suarez' role but obvoiously didn't get it.

Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius)

2008-09-18T07:52:00.003-07:00

His full name; Eric Harry Timothy Mabius aged 37. In school he was voted 'Most Dramatic Boy', after school he persued studles in film. He married his girlfriend Ivy Sherman in January 2006, they had a son born in june 06. Mabius's career beganin 1995 with 'Welcome to the Doll Houses'; an art housed movie, followed by 'Shot Andy Warhol', 1996. His biggest film role was in 'Resident Evil'. As for television he appeared on Chicago Hope, Millenium Popular, The O.C, and short lived series Eyes. He was a guest star in CSI: Miami.

As of 2006, he appears in Ugly Betty; as Daniel Meade. After the success of Ugly Betty he was named one of the sexiest men alive by People magazine. Mabius made an apperance in Pro Barack Obama music video by Will.I.Am; 'We are the ones'.

Betty Suarez (America Ferrera)

2008-09-18T07:52:00.002-07:00

America Ferrera- play's Betty Suarez.

She is 24 years old. America is the youngest sibling of six, she was born in Los Angeles, Calafornia; at the moment she is working towards earning a degree as well as acting.

She first started acting at the age of 8 in school plays and community theater. Since she was 7 years old, she landed herself a role in school production of Hamlet, she knew she wanted to be a performer. Her mother did not help much in her acting career in her youth age; she wanted her to persue other interests. Her long time boyfriend; since college is a film director; Ryan Piers Williams.

She entered the movie industry in July 2002 with a TV movie caled 'Gotta Kick It Up' for Disney Channel. The same year she ade her film debut in the indi sleeper hit 'Real Women Have Curves'. She kept up her appearances in the media industry by doing both televison 'touched by an Angel' and film 'The Sisterhood of the travelling Pants' and 'Lords of Dogtown'.

In 2006, she landed the lead role of 'Ugly Betty' Ferrera herself coined the term 'Bettification' to describe the process of creating her onscreen persona.

For her wonderful role in 'Ugly Betty' in 2007 Ferrera won Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in Television Series- Comedy/ Musical. On 28 Jan 07, America Ferrera won the Prestigous Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Female Actor in a comedy series.

In 2007, Time magazine chose Ferrera as one of the top artists and entertainers in 'Time 100: the most influential people in the world' issue. She won Imagen Foundations Creative Achivement Award; Sept 07. She also won the Pimetime Emmy Award for outstanding lead actress- comedy series for Betty Suaraz in Ugly Betty. She wrapped filming on- the sisterhood of the travelling pants 2.

Her film career:

2002- Real Women Have Curves,
2002- Gotta Kick It Up ,
2004- $ 5.15/ hr
2004- Darkness Plus Twelve
2004- Plainsong
2005- How the Gracia Girls Spent Their Summer
2005- The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
2005- Lords of Dogtown
2006- Steel City
2006- Planet H2o. 'Waterworld'.
2007- Muertas
2007- Hacia La Oscuridad
2007- Towards Darkness
2007- La Misma Luna
2008- The sisterhood of The Travelling Pants 2
2008-Tinkerbell
2010- How To Train Your Dragon.

Television:

2002- Touched by an Angel
2004- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2006 till present- Ugly Betty

My Proposal

2008-07-16T01:54:00.000-07:00

Title: How is ‘beauty’ represented within the media? Making particular reference to ‘Ugly Betty.'

Hypothesis:

I think 'Beauty' is represented through looks and other feautres.
Example being 'Desperate housewives', 'Wags', 'America's Next Top Model, Fashion shows and many more. These all show women's bieng judged by appearance.
Most of the media around us today is based upon looks, and face features as well as body. On the fashion shows you see size 0 models.
'Ugly Betty' is different to this it's main protaginist is 'Betty' the main character, she is all the opposite's to what the media represent and difne to be 'beautiful' in meida today.
Other text which i can realate to 'Ugly Betty', how it connotates similar representations of beauty.

M: Throughout the sit-com we are mostly presented with Betty's face close-up's and her face impressions.

ID: Women are mean to be feminine and attractive also independant. looks are given a big attention, yet Betty being the protaginist we're told, you should be comfortable in what ever you wear and however you look. Also that looks doesn't get you everywhere.

G: Comedy and romance.

Other Texts

2008-07-02T02:08:00.002-07:00

Meangirls (2004)- However, when she moves out of Africa, she's to learn the rules of high school . She makes friends with two teenagers, Damian and Janis, who, in the terms of high school are"out crowd." Soon she meets the Plastics, the three crude, beautiful, popular girls, consisting of Regina, Gretchen, and Karen.
Mean Girls is based on the non-fiction book Queen bees and wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman, which describes how female high school social cliques operate, and the effect they can have on girls. Similar to its inspirations Clueless and Heathers.

Desperate Housewives (2004)- This is also braodcasted on channel 4. This cas created by Marc cherry, and was produced by ABC Studios and Cherry productions. In April 2007 it was reported to be the most popular show in its demographic worldwide, with an audience of approximately 115 to 119 million viewers. what is it about; After the death of a close friend, four strong-minded women take on life and all its offerings -- in sometimes very funny and darkly humorous ways.

Why it is relevant to Ugly Betty; the women in it are shown as glamourous icons, they are always looking lavish. This brings the question up about Beauty, appearance. do u always have to be dolled up with designer clothes and make up? or can you just be yourself? i want to use this to see if just because they are dolled up does this affect the population of the show? what comedy- drama is more popular?

Hypothesis

2008-07-02T02:03:00.000-07:00

I think 'Beauty' is represented through looks and other outside features.
Example being 'Desperate Housewives', 'WAGS', America's next top model, Fashion shows and many more. These all show women's being judged by apperance.
Most of the media around us today is based upon looks, and face features as well as body. On the fashion shows you see size 0 models.
'Ugly Betty is different to this as i's main protaginist is 'Betty' the main character, she is all the opposite's to what the media represent and define to be 'beautiful' in the media today.
Other text which i can realte to 'Ugly Betty', how it connotates similar representations of beauty.