Thursday, 22 May 2014
Friday, 9 May 2014
ILL MANORS (SONG) ANALYSIS
The music video to Plan B's iconic song, 'Ill Manors', may be seen as controversial as it supports the stereotype given by the Media and the Government to the youth of today. These images, shown on the left, are screen-grabs taken from the music video, these images fuel the negative representations of youth and their collective identity youths find in gang culture. These images also support Dick Hebdige's theory because it is clear that the youths shown in the pictures are all associated through their clothing; track suits and hoodies, this again fuels the negative representation that the media 'give' to youths. The media create deviance amplification around the negative stereotypes of youths, supporting the theory of Stan Cohen. With creating a deviance amplification, the media areunknowingly creating a moral panic, again supporting Cohen's theory, which is reflected throughout print and broadcast news, striking fear into the public against modern day youths.
The lyrics do not challenge the negative stereotypes 'given' by the media, if anything the lyrics support their stereotype, for example, "He's got a hoodie on give him a hug, on second thoughts dont you dont wanna get mugged". I believe that Plan B's intentions of this song are to be sarcastic and have a dig at the government, in particular David Cameron. The message behind this song is meant for the government, by saying that if they keep getting stereotyped in such negative ways then they will act like there 'given' stereotype, rather than negotiate it, showing the government that it is in fact their fault that youths act this way, supported through the lyrics "Fuel the fire, let it burn". Plan B's other intention through this song is to, in the long run, make the government see what they are doing, to make them stop demoralising youths and create equality in the hegemonic control ladder.
This music video was created to challenge authority and hegemonic control. This is shown in the music video through the footage of the London riots used, this tells authoritative figures that if youths have overtaken their power once, they can do it again. This shows a possible future representation of youths in society if the government dont lay of the stereotypes. This song may be classed as a warning.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
ILL MANORS (FILM) ANALYSIS
The film 'Ill Manors' (2012) directed by Ben Drew, better known to us as Plan B, a famous and successful British rapper, is a film which follows the lives of four drug dealers, one user and two prostitutes in London. This film was made by Ben Drew to show society what life is like surviving on the streets of London, reflecting gang culture and clashes with the law. This film focuses on collective identity in youths and how it is portrayed through the likes of clothing and music, supporting the theory of Dick Hebdige.
Hebdige's theory of sub cultures, originating from the conflict between the Mods & Rockers (also reflected in Quadrophenia). This is shown in Ill Manors when Jake joins Marcell's gang and it is shown through a video recording on a phone, an example of social media, that they take Jake out shopping to 'fit in'. The clothes they come away with consists of black jogging bottoms and a black hoodie, this now shows Jake's identity reveals that he is a part of Marcell's gang. This proves that an element of style is important to youth sub culture. The more expensive clothing you wear, the higher your position is in the gang.
The theory of Antonio Gramsci relating to hegemonic control also appears in Ill Manors. This theory is shown clearly in Ill Manors because they lack status in a legitimate way so they are trying to find their own identity in another way to gain their own status and power, creating their own hegemonic control on the streets. In Ill Manors, Marcell's gang are on the top of the hegemonic ladder on the streets of London, having control over children etc. An example in the film of this is when a young boy called Jake approaches Marcell's to buy some drugs for him and his friend, in which Marcell forces Jake to beat up his friend if he wanted to be apart of the gang, this shows how much control gangs have on the streets.
Leading on from my previous paragraph regarding position and status, can also be shown in the film through the character, Chris. His position is low in society, he is portrayed to be a lonely child caught up in the drugs market with an addicted mother, he had no real upbringing. He was abused as a child and used by Kirby in his childhood years. This may scare audiences as this also reflects reality and some issues that people face everyday, issues that need to be tackled by the government, which i this is the main aim of this film, to make people more aware of everyday problems. As Chris grew up, on the gang riddled streets of London, built up on drugs and crime, Chris turned to this to make himself a leader of his own gang, to claim back that power and status he failed to gain in his youth.
Ill Manors is used to show the audience what life is like for the gang sub culture from their own perspective, rather from the perspective of the police. This film acts almost like a 'fly on the wall' point of view, as if the audience are actually there living this hell alongside the characters. There are many scenes which show victimisation by the police, showing that sometime the police are not what they are portrayed to be across the media, a bit like what this film is doing for gang subcultures, showing from another perspective. The scene which shows the most victimisation is the scene where the police stop Aaron without reasonable suspicion, for the simple fact he is a black youth dressed in a track suit and a cap. It is proven later in the scene that the police are judgmental, when the social worker tells Aaron to take is cap off so they might not stop him next time.
Another social aspect that builds up identity within the subculture is the language they use. Terms such as 'bruv' creates solidarity within youth culture, however it also creates the divide between the subculture and the rest of society. This links well with the theory by David Buckingham that "Identity is not given, but is constructed and negotiated". This is shown through the youths part of the gang subculture have constructed their identity around drugs and crime, which unfortunately support the identity "given" to them through the media. However, the character Aaron, almost attempts to subvert his stereotype at several points in the film, for example when the baby is left on the train, he attempts to track down the woman to return her child, but in the meantime looks after the baby, which is not a feature of young people often shown in the media.
The highlighted issue reflected in the film comes back to the representation of 'Broken Britain' which is the idea of youths in society becoming more lawless and uncontrollable by the hegemonic monarchy; Media, Government and Law. This film may strike the fear of realism into an audience however it may also make the government see from the perspective of the gang subculture, possibly making us one step further to making a 'Better Britain'.
Hebdige's theory of sub cultures, originating from the conflict between the Mods & Rockers (also reflected in Quadrophenia). This is shown in Ill Manors when Jake joins Marcell's gang and it is shown through a video recording on a phone, an example of social media, that they take Jake out shopping to 'fit in'. The clothes they come away with consists of black jogging bottoms and a black hoodie, this now shows Jake's identity reveals that he is a part of Marcell's gang. This proves that an element of style is important to youth sub culture. The more expensive clothing you wear, the higher your position is in the gang.
The theory of Antonio Gramsci relating to hegemonic control also appears in Ill Manors. This theory is shown clearly in Ill Manors because they lack status in a legitimate way so they are trying to find their own identity in another way to gain their own status and power, creating their own hegemonic control on the streets. In Ill Manors, Marcell's gang are on the top of the hegemonic ladder on the streets of London, having control over children etc. An example in the film of this is when a young boy called Jake approaches Marcell's to buy some drugs for him and his friend, in which Marcell forces Jake to beat up his friend if he wanted to be apart of the gang, this shows how much control gangs have on the streets.
Leading on from my previous paragraph regarding position and status, can also be shown in the film through the character, Chris. His position is low in society, he is portrayed to be a lonely child caught up in the drugs market with an addicted mother, he had no real upbringing. He was abused as a child and used by Kirby in his childhood years. This may scare audiences as this also reflects reality and some issues that people face everyday, issues that need to be tackled by the government, which i this is the main aim of this film, to make people more aware of everyday problems. As Chris grew up, on the gang riddled streets of London, built up on drugs and crime, Chris turned to this to make himself a leader of his own gang, to claim back that power and status he failed to gain in his youth.
Ill Manors is used to show the audience what life is like for the gang sub culture from their own perspective, rather from the perspective of the police. This film acts almost like a 'fly on the wall' point of view, as if the audience are actually there living this hell alongside the characters. There are many scenes which show victimisation by the police, showing that sometime the police are not what they are portrayed to be across the media, a bit like what this film is doing for gang subcultures, showing from another perspective. The scene which shows the most victimisation is the scene where the police stop Aaron without reasonable suspicion, for the simple fact he is a black youth dressed in a track suit and a cap. It is proven later in the scene that the police are judgmental, when the social worker tells Aaron to take is cap off so they might not stop him next time.
Another social aspect that builds up identity within the subculture is the language they use. Terms such as 'bruv' creates solidarity within youth culture, however it also creates the divide between the subculture and the rest of society. This links well with the theory by David Buckingham that "Identity is not given, but is constructed and negotiated". This is shown through the youths part of the gang subculture have constructed their identity around drugs and crime, which unfortunately support the identity "given" to them through the media. However, the character Aaron, almost attempts to subvert his stereotype at several points in the film, for example when the baby is left on the train, he attempts to track down the woman to return her child, but in the meantime looks after the baby, which is not a feature of young people often shown in the media.
The highlighted issue reflected in the film comes back to the representation of 'Broken Britain' which is the idea of youths in society becoming more lawless and uncontrollable by the hegemonic monarchy; Media, Government and Law. This film may strike the fear of realism into an audience however it may also make the government see from the perspective of the gang subculture, possibly making us one step further to making a 'Better Britain'.
Monday, 28 April 2014
LONDON RIOTS HEADLINE ANALYSIS
The first thing that readers will see on this headline is the emotive image of a stereotypical youth casually strolling past a burning car. This sets a stereotype of youths to the readers, showing bias from the perspective of the government, who are part of the hegemonic monarchy alongside Media and the Law.
This image is titled 'YOB RULE', automatically labelling the youth who can be seen in the image and basically any other youths of a similar stereotype as a 'Yob' which is defined as an aggressive youth. There is nowhere in this headline that provides a fair voice for youths who are targeted and effected by this headline. By not giving the accused a fair voice it allows a moral panic to spread as the readers are only hearing this from one point of view, this point of view being the media.
Shown at the bottom of this headline is a minor heading reading "Cops in running battle with thugs". Yet again the headline is demonising youths by labelling them as thugs. Catagorising them, according to the theory of Stan Cohen, as Folk Devils.
LONDON RIOTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
How far were the responses of the rioters themselves given space in the media?
Given the general framing of young people as the key participants in the events, how much space was given to young peoples’ voices – and what sorts of young people were given space to respond in the media debates?
To what extent did social media challenge or confirm representations of youth identity in the mass media during the time of the London riots?
Discuss the positive and negative.
Given the general framing of young people as the key participants in the events, how much space was given to young peoples’ voices – and what sorts of young people were given space to respond in the media debates?
To what extent did social media challenge or confirm representations of youth identity in the mass media during the time of the London riots?
Discuss the positive and negative.
Thursday, 24 April 2014
LONDON RIOTS PRINT NEWS ANALYSIS
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8630533/Riots-the-underclass-lashes-out.html
Similarly to Broadcast News, Print News demonises modern-day youths by portraying them in a bad light. For example, in the article from The Telegraph linked above refer to youths as "Hooded Teenagers" and "Feral Kids", using several negative words to amplify the stereotyped deviant youths, reveal bias as there is no counterbalance coming the from a fair voice of the youths. From reading the first paragraph it is evidently clear that the article is biased on the behalf of the Hegemonic Monarchy; the government, the media and the law. Youths are not given a fair voice in this situation in the Print media as it does not involve interviews, on what can be seen without getting an insight as to the reasons why the riots are occurring.
Another demonising reference used in this article is the Headline itself, "London Riots: the underclass lashes out". This headline immediately labels youths with a class, showing classism, and that the media are much higher, not only in the class scale but also on the Hegemonic ladder. Not only does this headline warn readers off of youths but also warns reader off the underclass, creating a 'moral panic', as they are all being categorized together under the same "underclass" umbrella.
Even the related articles are constantly degrading the youth as today by yet again causing a moral panic to the readers of this article because instead of using negative words to describe youths, the article is putting into the public's mind that youths are overtaking social order and that it is out of the government's hands.
An element of racism is also blended in this article along with many other demonising features. "The second alleged culprit is ethnicity", basically the print news is attempting to blame the culture of youths as another reason as to what may have caused the riots. In the following paragraph, looking at more reasons of why the riots started, "So blame unemployment and the cuts", this statement could possibly sway the perspective of the audience and shift the causation to the government.
Similarly to Broadcast News, Print News demonises modern-day youths by portraying them in a bad light. For example, in the article from The Telegraph linked above refer to youths as "Hooded Teenagers" and "Feral Kids", using several negative words to amplify the stereotyped deviant youths, reveal bias as there is no counterbalance coming the from a fair voice of the youths. From reading the first paragraph it is evidently clear that the article is biased on the behalf of the Hegemonic Monarchy; the government, the media and the law. Youths are not given a fair voice in this situation in the Print media as it does not involve interviews, on what can be seen without getting an insight as to the reasons why the riots are occurring.
Another demonising reference used in this article is the Headline itself, "London Riots: the underclass lashes out". This headline immediately labels youths with a class, showing classism, and that the media are much higher, not only in the class scale but also on the Hegemonic ladder. Not only does this headline warn readers off of youths but also warns reader off the underclass, creating a 'moral panic', as they are all being categorized together under the same "underclass" umbrella.
An element of racism is also blended in this article along with many other demonising features. "The second alleged culprit is ethnicity", basically the print news is attempting to blame the culture of youths as another reason as to what may have caused the riots. In the following paragraph, looking at more reasons of why the riots started, "So blame unemployment and the cuts", this statement could possibly sway the perspective of the audience and shift the causation to the government.
LONDON RIOTS BROADCAST NEWS ANALYSIS
CNN reporters catch controversy between a black youth reflecting upon his own perspectives on the London Riots to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. The youth who subverts the publics' ideologies of a stereotypical black youth as he is smartly dressed with a shirt and tie and doesn't speak using slang, reinforcing the headline, "Sweeping Change". Boris Johnson, who is dramatically higher in the hegemonic control pyramid that this black youth who is voicing the thoughts of the citizens of Britain, surprisingly listens to what the youth has to say in terms of other reasons other than criminal opportunism as to why the riots occurred. The media are quick to demonise young people to maintain social control in the hegemonic ladder, however the media in this situation were reluctant to show youths especially in the time of the riots in such a good light.
In conclusion, even though this news story did not make the main headlines, it still showed modern-day youths who are often portrayed in a poor light, to be challenging the hegemonic monarchy in a more positive light than rioting.
Thursday, 3 April 2014
HISTORICAL CASE STUDY WRITE UP
Dick Hebdige
Dick Hebdige is a British sociologist and media theorist. His most known theory was the meaning behind subcultures. He is best known for his influential book in subcultural studies, The Meaning of Style, published in 1979. Hebdige believed that it is clothing, music and drugs that determined the identity of youth. The subculture you belong to is a key way of determining who you are and who you are not.
Quadrophenia write-up
Dick Hebdige is a British sociologist and media theorist. His most known theory was the meaning behind subcultures. He is best known for his influential book in subcultural studies, The Meaning of Style, published in 1979. Hebdige believed that it is clothing, music and drugs that determined the identity of youth. The subculture you belong to is a key way of determining who you are and who you are not.
Stan Cohen
Stanley Cohen is credited with coining the term moral panic in his 1972 study, Folk Devils and Moral Panics, of the popular UK media and social reaction to the Mods and Rockers phenomenon of the 1960s. This book is widely regarded by British criminologists as the most influential work in the field in the last forty years. The work applied the concepts of labelling, societal reaction and Deviancy Amplification and helped in widening the scope of Criminology to include the sociology of crime and Social Control. Cohen suggests the media overreact to an aspect of behaviour which may be seen as a challenge to existing social norms. However, the media response and representation of that behaviour actually helps to define it, communicate it and portrays it as a model for outsiders to observe and adopt. So the moral panic by society represented in the media arguably fuels further socially unacceptable behaviour. A moral panic is an intense feeling expressed in a population about an issue that appears to threaten the social order. A deviancy amplification is a media hype phenomenon defined by media critics as a cycle of increasing numbers of reports on a category of antisocial behaviour or some other 'undesirable' event, leading to a moral panic.
Quadrophenia write-up
Quadrophonia is a 1979 British film directed by Franc Roddam, which follows the lives of a group of people who follow the subculture of being a 'Mod' and their infamous rivalry with another famous subculture, the 'Rockers'. The main character in the film, Jimmy, is represented as a stereotypical 'Mod' which is defined through two main features; his clothes and music taste. It is revealed at the start of the film that group identity is important to Jimmy as he wants to be part of a gang, part of a collective group. He reveals to Kevin, a rocker, that he enjoys to feel a part of something and to have similar people around him. However Jimmy is questioned by his friend Kevin, "Do you not have a mind of your own?"
To support the theory of Dick Hebdige, both the Mods & Rockers are stereotyped through clothing and music. In the Brighton beach scene which is the setting for the famous battle between the Mods & Rockers, each side are dressed all the same; the Mods dressed in green parkas and the Rockers dressed in leather. This shows their collective identity as two separate subcultures clashing.
In the scene at the start of the film in which Jimmy is seen having a bath in the room next to Kevin who, unknown to Jimmy, is one of his old friends. Kevin begins to sing an American rock song, in which Jimmy begins to retaliate by singing the The Kinks' 'You really got me', acting almost as a song battle. When Jimmy and Kevin both stand up to realise each other, they are both naked, taking away their collective identity, revealing them as friends. It is not until the next scene where they meet up in a cafe and realise that they are both part of a completely different subculture, shown by their clothes.
Kevin, a rocker, speaks about his time in the army. Kevin exclaims his feelings towards collective identity, it is discovered that he does not like wearing the same as everyone else, he likes to be his own free person. However, this contrasts with what we see because to the audience, Kevin is a stereotypical rocker. It is evident to the audience however, that Kevin is not participating the the battle between the Mods & Rockers, he just wants everybody to be friends.
Another main character, Steph, is stereotyped as a Mod. Her key features appear to be sexual freedom, an example of this is that she didn't really think about Jimmy's feelings after having a fling with him and then getting with his best friend straight away. In this film, Steph's loyalty is questioned as she is represented to be promiscuous throughout the film. This gives an unfortunate stereotype to teenage girls. Quadrophenia is shown to follow the theory of David Gauntlette, "Identity is not given, but constructed and negotiated", traces of this can be found throughout the film, portraying the mods and rockers in a way to build their own reputation, rather that create a moral panic, their stereotype is negotiated through seeing their point of view.
To support the theory of Dick Hebdige, both the Mods & Rockers are stereotyped through clothing and music. In the Brighton beach scene which is the setting for the famous battle between the Mods & Rockers, each side are dressed all the same; the Mods dressed in green parkas and the Rockers dressed in leather. This shows their collective identity as two separate subcultures clashing.
In the scene at the start of the film in which Jimmy is seen having a bath in the room next to Kevin who, unknown to Jimmy, is one of his old friends. Kevin begins to sing an American rock song, in which Jimmy begins to retaliate by singing the The Kinks' 'You really got me', acting almost as a song battle. When Jimmy and Kevin both stand up to realise each other, they are both naked, taking away their collective identity, revealing them as friends. It is not until the next scene where they meet up in a cafe and realise that they are both part of a completely different subculture, shown by their clothes.
Kevin, a rocker, speaks about his time in the army. Kevin exclaims his feelings towards collective identity, it is discovered that he does not like wearing the same as everyone else, he likes to be his own free person. However, this contrasts with what we see because to the audience, Kevin is a stereotypical rocker. It is evident to the audience however, that Kevin is not participating the the battle between the Mods & Rockers, he just wants everybody to be friends.
Another main character, Steph, is stereotyped as a Mod. Her key features appear to be sexual freedom, an example of this is that she didn't really think about Jimmy's feelings after having a fling with him and then getting with his best friend straight away. In this film, Steph's loyalty is questioned as she is represented to be promiscuous throughout the film. This gives an unfortunate stereotype to teenage girls. Quadrophenia is shown to follow the theory of David Gauntlette, "Identity is not given, but constructed and negotiated", traces of this can be found throughout the film, portraying the mods and rockers in a way to build their own reputation, rather that create a moral panic, their stereotype is negotiated through seeing their point of view.
HISTORICAL CASE STUDY QUESTIONS
Key Theory summary
1. Offer a brief summary of Dick Hebdige and his idea of 'subculture'.
2. Discuss Stan Cohens ideas. Define what is meant by a moral panic & deviance amplification.
Focus text analysis
Quadrophenia (1979) dir. Franc Roddam
1.Discuss the representation and ideological values of Jimmy, Steph and Kevin. Use textual examples to back up your point made.
2.What examples of mise en scene reinforce the idea of youth culture?
3.What ideologies are present within the film?
4.How can Dick Hebdige and Stan Cohen’s theory be related to this film?
1. Offer a brief summary of Dick Hebdige and his idea of 'subculture'.
2. Discuss Stan Cohens ideas. Define what is meant by a moral panic & deviance amplification.
Focus text analysis
Quadrophenia (1979) dir. Franc Roddam
1.Discuss the representation and ideological values of Jimmy, Steph and Kevin. Use textual examples to back up your point made.
2.What examples of mise en scene reinforce the idea of youth culture?
3.What ideologies are present within the film?
4.How can Dick Hebdige and Stan Cohen’s theory be related to this film?
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