Read the text ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ by Laura Mulvey which is here. Write a critical analysis including your own experience of the male gaze and whether Mulvey is still relevant today. 200 words + images and links.

Article - https://www.filminquiry.com/film-theory-basics-laura-mulvey-male-gaze-theory/?amp=1

Make sure you do the recordings in relatively quiet spaces. If in places with high noise levels place recorder close to mouth.

Process

1. Select film.

2. Scratch and colour techniques over workshop sessions.

3. Send finished film for digital transfer to media file.

4. Record personal soundtracks.

5. Assemble digital sound and media clip in postproduction.

6. Public screening of film.

Reading: Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm

Watch: https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/the-society-of-the-spectacle/

Original watch: https://vimeo.com/139772287

All theory is embedded in practice as a form of praxis - learning through doing. Each week you will be assigned a task which could be practical or written. You will get feedback on this the following week. This builds up, and is the content, to your first assessment. Your second assessment is the film.

Wednesday, 7 February, 2024

10am - 4pm

Location

Business Design Centre

London

N1 0QH

United Kingdom

Meet outside venue at 10:00

As I was reading this article I was thinking of all the exact same movies the article eventually mentioned as well. The Wolf of Wall Street, Transformers, Disney Princess movies, and Spring Breakers are great examples of films that degrade the female actresses in them. Growing up, I watched Disney Princess movies. I wanted to be the princesses, with a great strong prince who saved the day. Looking back on who I was as a 7 year old, compared to who I am as a 23 year old is completely different. I can save myself, I can find happiness and peace alone, I do not need a man to accomplish either. While I do believe that Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory is still applicable to today, I do feel as though there have been steps in the right direction. For example, two television shows that come to my head that are led by strong female main characters, who are not sexualized and on screen for the purpose of pleasing men are Criminal Minds and Law and Order SVU. Both television shows have incredible women at the forefront who are represented as independent and  intelligent women.

Sources:

Geczy, A., & Karaminas, V. (2019). ‘Daddy’s Lil Monster’: Suicide Squad, third-wave feminism and the pornification and queering of Harley Quinn. Film, Fashion & Consumption, 8(2), 171-188.

Recent filmic works have shown a more feminist and progressive approach, considering the Barbie film, which was promoted with the slogan “She’s everything. He’s just Ken”. The Barbie film ironically contradicts the stereotype that women are dependent on men, as Ken is nothing without Barbie by his side. Moreover, the film addresses the pressure women are facing with regard to their appearance, as outlined in the article, as women are typically portrayed as a mere representation of their physical appearance and physical appeal by the film industry. Greta Gerwig consequently alters the perception of the Barbie doll in her film, incorporating more realistic features such as her dealing with cellulite and mood swings, as well as Barbie's transition to flat shoes instead of high heels. Hence, she addresses attributes that are natural, but usually not featured in films since they do not appeal to the “male-driven society” (Sampson, 2015). Nevertheless, the only actor who is nominated for an Oscar, is Ryan Gosling, who played Ken in the Barbie film. Neither the female director nor the female leading part, are nominated for an award, which shows that the message of the film did not appeal to “the Oscar membership [which] is mainly old, white men.” (Nast, 2016). This demonstrates that despite the fact that a complete film is founded on feminist principles and features prominent female characters, the only individual who is eligible for an award is a male, corroborating the notion of the male gaze.

Sources:

Nast, C. (2016). Read Emma Thompson’s Clever, No-Nonsense Take on #OscarsSoWhite. [online] Vanity Fair. Available at: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/02/emma-thompson-oscars-so-white [Accessed 4 Feb. 2024].

Sampson, R. (2015). Film Theory 101 - Laura Mulvey: The Male Gaze Theory. [online] Film Inquiry. Available at: https://www.filminquiry.com/film-theory-basics-laura-mulvey-male-gaze-theory/?amp=1.

Sources:

Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen, 16(3), pp.6–18. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/16.3.6.

Sampson, R. (2015). Film Theory 101 - Laura Mulvey: The Male Gaze Theory. [online] Film Inquiry. Available at: https://www.filminquiry.com/film-theory-basics-laura-mulvey-male-gaze-theory/?amp=1

Nicolaou, E. (2020). Why the New ‘Little Women’ Movie Totally Changed the Book’s Ending. [online] Oprah Daily. Available at: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a30186941/little-women-ending/.

In her influential essay, Laura Mulvey introduced the concept of the “male gaze” - the idea that Hollywood films frame women as passive objects for men’s pleasure. While gender attitudes have evolved, Mulvey’s insights into how movies reflect assumptions about power and sexuality hold relevance.

Growing up female in a male-dominated society, I faced real-life consequences of the male gaze. Constant public catcalling, men staring at my body, and sexual comments exemplify how objectifying women creates entitlement to harass. I have seen women getting verbal harassment and knew women who suffered worse, like groping. This stems from unequal gender dynamics and beliefs that women lack bodily autonomy.

While cinematic representations have progressed, the real-life denial of women’s personhood through oppression persists globally. Outdated theory still reveals foundations enabling the domination and assault of women today. Mulvey sparked an ongoing discussion about visual pleasure, consent and women’s safety that parallels many women’s daily reality under patriarchy. Her once-revolutionary concept reveals how cultures routinely deny women agency over their bodies interpersonally and institutionally.

This is notably apparent in today's contemporary films, such as the James Bond series, where women often assume subordinate roles to the protagonist, functioning as objects of desire. "Bond Girls" epitomize this notion, reinforcing the male audience's ego by connecting with strong male protagonists completing near death top secret missions, while having the time to entice beautiful women known for their sex appeal. For over 50 years in the series, Bond girl characters have primarily served as an additive role for romantic appeal. Woolley (2019) observed that the James Bond franchise frequently portrayed women as eroticized objects, aligning with Mulvey's concept of the "erotic impact" (p. 2). Building on Mulvey's ideas, the male gaze, especially evident in films like James Bond, implies that a woman's physical appearance must conform to masculine expectations of attractiveness. The male gaze in contemporary films today not only functions within the film's narrative but also shapes the lens through which the male-dominated audience perceives these cinematic works and view women, like Mulvey explained.

Article:

https://www.arttouchesart.com/fifty-years-of-bond-girls-and-the-male-gaze

Sources: http://lucytownsendasmedia.weebly.com/mulveys-feminist-theory-in-transformers.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=megan+fox+transformers&oq=megan+fox+tr&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqEggAEAAYFBiHAhjjAhixAxiABDISCAAQABgUGIcCGOMCGLEDGIAEMg8IARAuGBQYhwIYsQMYgAQyBwgCEAAYgAQyBggDEEUYOTIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQLhiABDIHCAYQABiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQLhiABNIBCDM1NDlqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:19141fc5,vid:bd4mpOIsh2c,st:0

She uses the term ‘Scopophilia’ which is gaining pleasure from looking at a naked person as a prime example of how the film industry works. Women are often placed in scenes, not as a part of the story or to help the story flow, but only as some sort of eye candy for the male audience. She also mentions another structure that formed the film industry back in 1975, and that was narcissism. She uses Jacques Lacans ‘mirror effect theory' to explain how men gain some sort of ego and narcissistic attitude from identifying an image and misrecognizing it as a superior feat.

Although we say that the film industry has evolved and changed, I do believe that some parts of Mulvey's writings apply to the industry we see today. Sampson talks about how movies like Frozen (2013) and Suffragette (2015), do Mulvey's work justice by creating independent characters that break away from the Male Gaze. (Sampson, 2015). But there are still dozens of movies that cater to the Male Gaze in the most subtle way possible. For example, in the Pixar franchise The Incredibles, Helen Parr, who is the mother, is seen as a sexual image for many teenage boys and grown men. Of course, children would not understand this but the adults did! Other franchise films like ‘Austin Powers, ‘James Bond’, ‘Johnny English’ and even ‘Charlie's Angels’, fit in exactly with Mulvey's words.

In the shot attached from the film Priscilla, we see main character, Priscilla, with her back against a wall in an eye level close up shot with Elvis leaning over her; however we only see his hand in frame near her head. This shot is important in distinguishing the male gaze from the female gaze as, in the 2015 article “Film Theory 101”, Sampson states that often the male gaze includes “medium close-up shots of women from over a man’s shoulder, shots that pan and fixate on a woman’s body, and scenes that frequently occur which show a man actively observing a passive woman.” This shot differs from that norm and places the audience at eye level with Priscilla in this moment instead of having us look down at her from Elvis’ point of view. This partnered with it being a close up shot makes the audience sympathize with Priscilla while also conveying the power imbalance between the two characters. 

Ultimately, while the film industry has made improvements since Mulvey’s essay was originally published, there is still plenty of room for improvement. I think it just comes down to letting women continue to tell women's stories and not worrying if a male audience will find them relatable or entertaining.

Fletcher, H. (2024). Priscilla: a bold feminist retelling of Elvis’ dark fairytale marriage. [online] The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/priscilla-a-bold-feminist-retelling-of-elvis-dark-fairytale-marriage-220597#:~:text=Priscilla%20is%20the%20latest%20in 

Sampson, R. (2015). Film Theory 101 - Laura Mulvey: The Male Gaze Theory. [online] Film Inquiry. Available at: https://www.filminquiry.com/film-theory-basics-laura-mulvey-male-gaze-theory/?amp=1. 

In the movie Moulin Rouge, the whole theme goes around the idea of how the protagonist, Satine, has to become the object of desire of a duke to get financial support for the theatre. The presentation of Satine is with the musical number “Sparkling Diamonds” which is the perfect example of how a female character could be used for the entertainment and desire of the men but also how in film the “hero” has to save the girl by giving her redemption.

In real life, we can compare this in a more subtle use of women, as the “wives” of businessmen are invited to dinners or work events and they know they have to give the right impression.

Video Sparkling Diamonds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1REfTIc5po

References:

Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen, 16(3), pp.6–18. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/16.3.6.

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www.123helpme.com. (n.d.). Moulin Rouge: Gender Inequality - 1214 Words | 123 Help Me. [online] Available at: https://www.123helpme.com/essay/Moulin-Rouge-Gender-Inequality-244993#:~:text=This%20scene%20is%20an%20adequate [Accessed 5 Feb. 2024].

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https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm

Write 200 words by next week of your understanding of his theory and how it applies to the field of Media & Communications today. Ues images and give sources please.

Please title this post Week 2 Society of the Spectacle

For inspiration watch: https://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/the-society-of-the-spectacle/

Original watch: https://vimeo.com/139772287

Sources:

Sampson, R. (2020) Film theory 101 - Laura Mulvey: The Male Gaze Theory, Film Inquiry. Available at: https://www.filminquiry.com/film-theory-basics-laura-mulvey-male-gaze-theory/?amp=1 (Accessed: 06 February 2024).

Felicity Beaumont (2019) Defining and removing the (Fe)male gaze, Felicity Beaumont. Available at: https://www.felicitybeaumont.com/blog/2019/2/7/defining-and-removing-the-female-gaze (Accessed: 06 February 2024).

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/14/guy-debord-society-spectacle-will-self

https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA581623393&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=20523521&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Ecf0dc3bf&aty=open-web-entry

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/02/us/dating-apps-changed-relationships-wellness-cec/index.html

https://hyperallergic.com/313435/an-illustrated-guide-to-guy-debords-the-society-of-the-spectacle/#:~:text=The%20Spectacle%20is%20not%20a,manufactures%20new%20desires%20and%20aspirations.

https://www.ft.com/content/371d53f2-a862-4b7a-a806-b209ecb384a9

Sources:

Bendoni, W. (2018) Social media for fashion marketing : storytelling in a digital world. Bloomsbury. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=dd3c732d-4629-3cb0- afa2-160fb2f0f933 (Accessed: 11 February 2024).

Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm.

Humphreys, A. (2016) Social media : enduring principles. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=aa8f2f2f-39a4-3b8b-84e8-839706d6be65 (Accessed: 11 February 2024).

Lindgren, S. (2022) Digital media and society. SAGE. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=8266a8c1-01d2-325b-8ebb-7fb3586a1789 (Accessed: 11 February 2024).

eastant.it. (n.d.). Oui! ‘Emily in Paris’ Can Teach Us Valuable Marketing Tips - Eastant. [online] Available at: https://eastant.it/index.php?m=&c=Index&a=show&catid=4&id=245 (Accessed 11 Feb. 2024).

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). All of Emily’s posts in Emily in Paris | Lily Collins | Lucas Bravo | Ashley Park | Netflix. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5OVw-77ABc. (Accessed 11 Feb. 2024).

In the field of media and communication today, Debord's theory remains highly relevant. With the proliferation of social media, 24-hour news cycles, and digital advertising, we are constantly bombarded with messages and images that shape our perception of reality. The rise of fake news, curated social media feeds, and targeted advertising contributes to a spectacle that fundamentally distorts our understanding of the world. Moreover, the prioritization of entertainment and commodification of information perpetuates this spectacle by diminishing critical thinking and active engagement with reality as audiences become passive consumers. The spectacle created by modern media serves to maintain existing power structures, status quos, and consumerist cultures.

To resist this spectacle, Debord highlights the need for media literacy, critical thinking skills, and engagement with alternative narratives that challenge dominant discourses. By understanding the mechanisms behind the construction of the spectacle, individuals can move beyond passive consumption towards a more authentic understanding of society. Overall, Debord provides a critical theoretical lens to analyze the role of contemporary media and communication, underscoring the necessity of vigilance against manipulation as we seek genuine connections and experiences in spite of the illusions and distractions.

https://www.123helpme.com/essay/Is-Social-Media-Taking-Place-of-the-461445

https://www.marketingweek.com/the-fake-news-effect/

it would be interesting to discuss. I would be the one to want to go out with

Pete from Finance?

In “Society of the Spectacle” Guy Debord argues that contemporary society is characterized by the dominance of the spectacle, which he defines as the "autonomous movement of the non-living" (Debord, 1967). The spectacle refers to a social relationship between people that is mediated by images, particularly those shown within mass media, advertising, and other forms of communication. The "Society of the Spectacle" continues to be relevant in modern discussions about the nature of society, media, and culture as it pertains to consumerism and advertising. Debord critiqued this consumer culture and the commodification of desires. In today's world, this overconsumption way of consumerism can be seen rampant within everyday life as the constant promotion of products and lifestyles through advertising and marketing contributes to a culture of materialism (Cikaj, 2023). This was only expanded upon by the popularization of social media as most things we interact with on the platforms are advertisements in one way or another. For example, the recently viral Stanley Cup which is a reusable insulated cup that people are purchasing in many different colours as to collect them all, despite the main purpose of an insulated cup being sustainability. While the Stanley was never overtly advertised on social media platforms, because of content creators usage within videos, their audience is subliminally influenced by their usage of the Stanley Cup and the image they are presenting of the item on social media (Orphan, 2019). This, in turn, created a spectacle of Stanley cups as they began releasing limited supply drops of product. The most recent example is their Valentine's day collection. In a video from WAFF news, shoppers are seen in a Target department store quickly swarming around a display of Stanley Cups with many shoppers even grabbing two or three of the product before running off (WAFF News, 2024). This just shows how the spectacle can lead to unnecessary overconsumption of products we do not need but feel like we may need due to the way they are presented to us.  

48 News, W. (2024). Target shoppers rush to grab Valentine’s Day Stanley Cups. [online] www.youtube.com. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XvbOeRjAIo 

Cikaj, K. (2023). Guy Debord’s Society of the Spectacle: Are We Defined by How We Appear? [online] TheCollector. Available at: https://www.thecollector.com/guy-debord-society-of-the-spectacle/.

Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm

Orphan, K. (2019). Social Media and the Society of the Spectacle. [online] CounterPunch.org. Available at: https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/05/01/social-media-and-the-society-of-the-spectacle/.

In addition to influencers, the point can be extended to those who have their own social media accounts, often we post images and videos that reflect the narrative we want to express, avoiding posts about a bad day or situation. Rather we are more likely to post positivity and enjoyment. In an article by the Guardian (2012), celebrity culture can be compared in its “portrayal of lives whose freedom and dazzle suggest almost the opposite of life as most of use actually live it”. Thus it can be concluded that society often idealizes versions of ourselves and others to fit into a narrative we crave, rather than embrace the interactions we have in real-time.

Sources:

Image: https://imgflip.com/i/3ymwuj

Kim article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8872418/

The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/mar/30/guy-debord-society-spectacle

References:

Balaban, D., & Szambolics, J. (2022). A Proposed Model of Self-Perceived Authenticity of Social Media Influencers. Media and Communication, 10(1), 235-246. doi:https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v10i1.4765

Odén, J. G., & Nensén, A. Can someone who does not exist be authentic? A study on perceived authenticity in. Journal of vacation marketing, 29(1), 103-118.

Hammer, K. (2016). Motives for Engaging with the Kardashians’ Reality Television Family. Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications, 7(1), 88-96.

Sources:

Trier, J. (2011) Guy Debord’s the Society of the Spectacle - Trier - 2007 - Journal of ... Available at: https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1598/JAAL.51.1.7 (Accessed: 13 February 2024).

Taylor, A. (2021) The Matrix’s real-world legacy - from Red Pill incels to conspiracies and deepfakes, BBC News. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-57572152 (Accessed: 13 February 2024).

Society of the spectacle. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm (Accessed: 13 February 2024).

My take on it: "Grow old but don't prove it"

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8T2uMxu/

Sources:

Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm.

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Graham, A. (2023). How Modern Celebrity Culture Is Promoting Consumerism More than Ever. [online] fyzzymag.com. Available at: https://fizzymag.com/articles/how-modern-celebrity-culture-is-promoting-consumerism-more-than-ever.

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www.stylist.co.uk. (n.d.). Do you feel bad for resting or taking a day to do nothing? How to deal with the guilt of rest. [online] Available at: https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/mental-health/guilt-of-rest/863137 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2024].

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BCcampus Open Publishing (2014). Consumer Cultures. [online] Opentextbc.ca. Available at: https://opentextbc.ca/mediastudies101/chapter/consumer-cultures/.

Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm.

Sources:

Debord, Guy (1967), Society of the Spectacle; https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm

Herman.E, Chomsky.N (1988), Manufacturing Consent; https://chomsky.info/consent01/

Cromwell, David. The Propaganda Model : An Overview, 2005. https://msuweb.montclair.edu/~furrg/hj/cromwelloverview.pdf

“Guy Debord’s (1931–1994) best-known work, La société du spectacle (The Society of the Spectacle) (1967), is a polemical and prescient indictment of our image-saturated consumer culture. The book examines the “Spectacle,” Debord’s term for the everyday manifestation of capitalist-driven phenomena; advertising, television, film, and celebrity” (Morgan & Purje, 2016). French Marxist theorist, philosopher and filmmaker, Debord introduces the concept of the "spectacle," which refers to the dominance of images and commodities in shaping social relations. He argues that the spectacle alienates individuals from their authentic desires and experiences. This creates a society of illusion where reality is replaced by hyperreality constructed by media. Debord’s theory is still relevant in present day media. The ideas and messages presented through media whether directly or indirectly has a huge influence on people, their decisions and how they view things. “When we are presented with the average car advertisement, for example, the actual product is not what is being sold; rather it is the representation of the product that is being sold, and how this product will then make us appear. An advertisement for an Audi tells us that “Adventure Awaits” and displays the regular car as something that will take you on adventurous journeys across a desert, through a forest, and so on” (Diaz, 2021).

References

Diaz, N. (2021). The Society of the Spectacle Today. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@nicholasadiaz7/the-society-of-the-spectacle-today-21c33daf5381

Debord, G. (n.d.). Society of the Spectacle. Retrieved from https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm

Morgan, T., & Purje, L. (2016). An illustrated guide to guy debord’s “the society of the spectacle.” Retrieved from https://hyperallergic.com/313435/an-illustrated-guide-to-guy-debords-the-society-of-the-spectacle/

References:

Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm.

‌Silva, D.D. (2022). Why Are People Faking Their Lives on Social Media? [online] ILLUMINATION. Available at: https://medium.com/illumination/why-are-people-faking-their-lives-on-social-media-f7b9439bd83d.

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I do feel it is important to note that women need a seat at the table and the opportunities to do so, but this needs to also come with the understanding that men should not be booted out. Equality is not just gender and race, it is the opportunities presented to all on an equal playing field. 

Picture: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/magazines/2021/december/and-women-rule-over-them

The media's extensive reach and impact on cultural norms underscore the potential for significant change with women. Empowered women in leadership positions could catalyze a cultural renaissance, fostering greater gender equality, inclusivity, and empowerment. This shift holds promise for challenging traditional gender roles and promoting a more equitable representation of diverse voices and experiences. Nevertheless, it's essential to consider nuanced perspectives on this hypothetical scenario. While some, like my friend Emma, express concerns about potential downsides, such as heightened competition and exclusivity exacerbated by a predominantly female-dominated media industry. Others, like my mother in the first audio, highlight the positive prospects of increased inclusivity and representation. Indeed, the influx of women in media leadership could foster a more inclusive environment, amplifying marginalized voices and dismantling systemic barriers. However, it's crucial to acknowledge and address any challenges that may arise, such as navigating power dynamics and fostering collaboration amidst increased competition among women. In my opinion, I think the hypothetical scenario of women ruling the media world presents both opportunities and challenges. While it holds the promise of a more diverse, inclusive, and empowering media landscape, it also necessitates thoughtful consideration of its potential ramifications and proactive measures to ensure positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

For my recordings I spoke to my mother, a woman in her early fifties working in a male dominated field, who thinks the media world would be “not necessarily perfect, but better.” I also spoke with my two friends aged 22 and 23. “I think I wouldn’t have to worry as much” said my friend, age 22, who stated her concerns with the current state of the internet. A main concern she brought up was that these platforms are not doing enough to protect people from being used to generate AI pornographic images of them, which are then being posted on platforms like Reddit without their knowledge. “I’ve seen a couple different stories about it in the past few months. It's scary and if no one changes any rules or makes any laws against it, I fear it could only get worse. I can't help but feel that if women were the ones in charge of these platforms instead of men, this wouldn’t be as much of a problem and would be handled a lot better than it is currently.” 

This point was very interesting to me as this topic has been something I have seen increasingly warned about within the past few months. I have seen multiple accounts from women speaking out about this happening to them. My friend recently sent me one the other day by TikTok user, @Jewelspringer, where she spoke about this happening to her to spread awareness to others (Jewelspringer, 2024). I don't know a lot about the platform of Reddit but I have heard horrifying things about it and what the admins of the platform allow to go on there with no censorship. I also agree with my friend as I am not sure if this would be as much of a problem if women were to be the ones in control of the media world. 

Jewelspringer (2024). TikTok - @jewelspringer. [online] www.tiktok.com. Available at: https://www.tiktok.com/@jewelspringer/video/7334246313602714922?embed_source=71929435%2C121374463%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_card

From my sister’s response (Audio 1), I agree with her viewpoint about there being less violence in fictional shows/movies and how the violence shown in those medias today is often to please the male audiences. 

With my friend’s response (Audio 2), I really liked how she brought up the differences between major men’s sports versus major women’s sports and how women don't get nearly enough attention as the men’s. I also agree with her idea of mansplaining today in the media, and how if women ruled the media world this would change. Of course I also love how she mentioned how the media hates Taylor Swift today, and if women were in charge maybe this hate would dwindle. But I also think a lot of the hate on Taylor Swift actually comes from women themselves, so I’m not sure if women controlling the media would necessarily alter this drastically.

Finally, my dad’s response (Audio 3) was well thought out. I wanted to get a man’s opinion on this question, and I chose my dad because he is surrounded by women on a daily basis (my sister, myself, and my mother). He asks me a question, “how do we know women aren’t already running the media world?” Coming from a man’s point of view, I wasn’t surprised that he asked this because I feel like it’s typical for men to contradict anything a woman says/asks. To answer this question, I don’t think women already own the media world. This is because the media world is owned by a handful of major corporations, and these companies are dominated by men. 

Overall, I think that in today’s modern society the media is making a shift to please more female audiences. For example, in the linked video ad, we see how the presence of Taylor Swift at Travis Kelce’s NFL games has brought together fathers and daughters. This connection of the male and female audiences in the media world is important because without it there would be no equality and the arguments would never end. 

Video Source:

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). #GameTimeGlow 💚 A New Sports Tradition for Dads & Daughters. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhybTrAJqK8.

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Hannah: 

Hannah emphasized the promotion of female voices, diversity, and she said that gender stereotypes would be challenged. She spoke on the open-mindedness of women in general and how this would help to bring a platform to many issues and lend a new perspective to the way that not only their stories are being told, but how all stories are told. “Maybe I’m biased, but I think that women tend to have a very open mind and are receptive to learning about what’s going on in the world rather than what’s happening around them … there would be more coverage for thing that affect women like gender equality, women’s health, reproductive rights”

Alaina: 

Alaina talked about how harsh narratives might be minimized in the media if women were in charge, “I think that there would be a lot more inclusive and diverse narratives in the stories that are told, and there would also be a lot less of the harsh narratives, I guess you would say, like the gossip magazines and the type of media that is just there to tear celebrities and people down, I think there would be a lot less of that.” I really enjoyed her take on gossip and celebrity magazines because they have been so unforgiving to women in a number of ways throughout their existence, as is exemplified in the picture above.

Will:

Will spoke about bias in the media and a general, more positive undertone to news stories if women were in charge. He also imagined more women’s stories being told, “There would be more coverage of women’s sports, certainly”, and spoke about how advertising could take a turn towards promoting more commodities for women and women-owned businesses. 

In all of these responses, I saw that they all envisioned more empathy in the media when women are placed at the forefront of the industry. None of the respondents are in the media field, and this could correspond to the lack of pushback that there is no existing gender equality in the media. Overall, they highlighted women’s stories, narratives, and issues that they saw less coverage of in their lives, and applied the empathy and rationale that feels inherently feminine when considering what would change in their opinions. I agree with many of their points, and I feel that we are moving forward when it comes to equality in the industry as I’ve seen more coverage of positive women’s stories, and the general public is no longer allowing media and messages that put women down like Alaina was speaking of, which can be shown in the picture above. This is a 2006 cover page of the New York Times that shows a picture of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton leaving a party in L.A. with the shockingly derogatory headline "Bimbo Summit". There is an article I will link below that talks about how damaging this era of media was for women, and I believe that if women were to run the media world during this time, stories like this would have never been printed. I feel that as a society, we have moved to a collective where we know that this is not okay and there is a lot of remorse that follows the treatment of women celebrities by the tabloids in the 2000's. I agree that we have already seen great change, but there is always work to do as these interviews showed. More women's voices in the media can only help us move forward towards empowering women and girls everywhere.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/2000s-female-celebrities-britney-jade-goody-b1814995.html

So generally, I agree with my friends that there is a lack of female representation in the media industry and with regard to the way women are portrayed considering what Taylor Swift said in her interview as well as equal pay.

Sources:

Women in the Creative Media Industries. (2010). Available at: https://www.screenskills.com/media/1507/women_in_the_creative_media_industries_report_-_sept_2010.pdf.

Rattan, A., et al. (2019). Tackling the Underrepresentation of Women in Media. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2019/06/tackling-the-underrepresentation-of-women-in-media.

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Preview: Taylor Swift on sexist labels in the music industry. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQq6kJ6pOdI.

Fortune. (n.d.). Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she wasn’t paid as much as her male costars until 20 years into her career. [online] Available at: https://fortune.com/2023/04/21/priyanka-chopra-jonas-equal-pay-citadel/# [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].

Anon, (2023). Barbie Movie and Its Relation to Feminism - Genderscope. [online] Available at: https://genderscope.co.uk/barbie-movie-and-its-relation-to-feminism/#:~:text=Barbie%20movie%20released%20in%202023.

www.youtube.com. (n.d.). Priyanka Chopra Jonas on body shaming, pay parity, and influence - BBC World Service, 100 Women. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1SwiYODscg [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024].

Sources:

Cox, D. and Orrell, B. (2023) Perspective: Women are more likely to make friends at work than men., American Enterprise Institute. Available at: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/perspective-women-are-more-likely-to-make-friends-at-work-than-men-heres-why-that-matters/ (Accessed: 20 February 2024).

Nielsen, R. and Fletcher, R. (2023) The importance of public service media for individuals and for society, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Available at: https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2023/importance-public-service-media-individuals-society (Accessed: 20 February 2024).

She thinks a media ruled by women would give us a diversity of content.

A media world ruled by women would lead to more inclusive voices and would change the perspective of how audiences persive the content.

I was surprised to listen to my mom's perspective because talking to her she said somehting different. She believe that although at the beggins we mighr have different contetn at the end we will getting something similar because content, in her way of seeing things, its ruled by the audience and what they want to consume. Women in power will have to give what they want and they might want more of what we already have.

From the way I see it, I think we might have some changes, perhaps we would be more open to women's stories or we would support a lot more women in higher roles, but I also believe that is already happening thanks to feminism. In some countries, such as Mexico, they give more points for some film contests if the director submitting the project is female. From my point of view, We shouldn't have only one perspective in anything. I think we live in a complex mixed world and blocking some group out from an industries will give us just half of the reality. It's like trying to understand a Black and White film withour the black color. Just some grays and white but no dark parts. we will still be missing some information.

Sources:

https://www.shoutoutuk.org/2023/09/07/barbie-a-celebration-of-hyper-femininity/

Women are more organized and efficient. There might be better reporting on news and less controversy. Women could be more empathetic with the stories. There would be more representation and diversity.

"You can't be what you can't see." If more women held key roles across print, television, film, and digital media platforms, female perspectives and experiences would likely become more prominently and authentically portrayed. Actress Natalie Portman suggests that putting "women into positions of power" can reshape misogynistic cultural narratives. With women green-lighting projects, hiring creatives, and controlling funding, we'd see more diverse female characters as heroes, antiheroes and villains, resisting stereotypes about women's capabilities and interests.

We may also see an increased spotlight on equal pay issues. If more women in media highlight the gender pay gap, public discourse could pressure legislators towards policy reform. As journalist Jessica Valenti argues, "When we make invisible struggle visible - whether by writing about sexual harassment or publishing salaries - we not only build awareness but chip away at stigma." Glaring pay disparities exposed in the media could mobilize women to demand fair compensation and catalyze culture change towards valuing women’s contributions, in and beyond media roles.

As Gloria Steinem writes, "It's essential to change not only the content of the stories, but the diversity of the storytellers." Overall, women need authority and resources to elevate female voices, shape perceptions of womanhood and drive social progress on equal pay through media narratives.

References

Guardian News and Media. (2017, July 5). What if women ruled the world?. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/jul/05/what-if-women-ruled-the-world

Contact Info: maya.orr@lidl.co.uk morr@lidlcareers.co.uk 

https://www.themediamoment.com/analysis/uk-top-5-leading-women-social-media

https://www.prolificnorth.co.uk/news/ladbible-marketing-director-named-md-influencer-agency/

https://www.angoramedia.com/blog/lidlsurprises-marketing-strategy

Image: https://www.si.edu/about/bios/julissa-marenco

Nadia's journey to establishing Burlington was preceded by a distinguished 20-year career dedicated to spearheading communications and marketing campaigns for notable entities such as Index Ventures and Sandpark PR. Drawing upon her wealth of experience and expertise, Nadia has positioned Burlington as a powerhouse in the industry, offering an array of services including Media Relations, Crisis Communications, Media Training, and Brand Messaging & Positioning.

Burlington's impressive portfolio speaks volumes about Nadia's vision and leadership. The agency has collaborated with over 100 of the world's most prominent tech companies and investors, including industry giants like ASOS, Balderton Capital, Checkout.com, Deliveroo, Farfetch, General Catalyst, Highland Europe, and LocalGlobe. Through her tireless dedication and innovative approach, Nadia Kelly has not only reshaped the PR landscape but has also become a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals in the media industry.

Sources:

https://burlington.cc/

In my previous position as a marketing coordinator, I regularly worked with partners to organize events and marketing content. I aspire to follow a similar career path as Hannah. She works in a creative industry, and clearly loves her job. Hannah started as a strategic partnership manager at Pinterest, which I believe I will one day be capable of (hopefully within the next few years). 

Contact Details:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hannahngakane

Sources:

Forbes. (n.d.). Hannah Ngakane. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/profile/hannah-ngakane/?sh=4ece9c674cdd [Accessed 26 Feb. 2024].

‌LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hannahngakane

Retail Trust. (n.d.). Hannah Ngakane. [online] Available at: https://www.retailtrust.org.uk/ambassadors/hannah-ngakane/756.article [Accessed 26 Feb. 2024].

Thank you for being my best friend. Thank you for loving me and never judging me for the choices I make. Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to be my honest self. You’re my true blue, my invisible string, the Harry to my Niall. I truly don’t know who I’d be without you!

Everytime we talk, I’m reminded of how lucky I was to play One Direction at a pre-game party in 2019, because if I hadn’t, we would have never connected. Maybe we would have been friends, but most likely nowhere near as close as we are now. Those 5 boys brought us together. 

So many of my favorite memories are with you – Harry Styles in Austin, Coachella, traveling to Dublin together, hearing “Right Where You Left Me” live at a Taylor Swift concert. You’ve been there for so many of the most important and happiest moments of my life. You’ve never stopped supporting me, even when I make dumb decisions. 

I love our matching tattoos, our invisible string bracelets, the stupid shit we buy each other because we know it’ll make the other laugh. 

Even though we are thousands of miles apart, you’ll always be my best friend. I might have hated where we went to undergrad, but if I was given the option to go back in time and redo, I would say no. Because I know it means that I would have never met you.

Thank you for being my best friend – I love you to the Moon and to Saturn.

Love Always,

Megan <3

After graduating from San Diego State University, Kennedy began working for KCST, producing a local talk show entitled You're On for the station for four years before moving to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, Kennedy secured her first film production job working as an assistant to John Milius, who at the time was executive producer of Spielberg's 1941. Spielberg eventually asked Kennedy to become his secretary for her organization abilities. She would start to take on larger roles in the filmmaking process while working under Spielberg, eventually being credited as an associate producer to Spielberg on Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981 and fully credited as a producer for E.T. in 1982. In 1982, she also co-founded the Amblin Entertainment company with Steven Spielberg. 

The Eight-time Academy Award nominated producer also became the President of Lucasfilm in 2012, taking over for George Lucas. In this role, she has overseen the production of new Star Wars films, including The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Her leadership has been instrumental in steering the Star Wars franchise into a new era.

Kathleen Kennedy's contributions to the film industry have earned her numerous accolades, and she continues to be a prominent figure in shaping the landscape of modern cinema.

Sources:

IMDb. (n.d.). Kathleen Kennedy - Biography. [online] Available at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005086/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm.

Fink, R. and Minchin, A. (2023). Who Is Kathleen Kennedy and Why Is She in Charge of Star Wars? [online] MovieWeb. Available at: https://movieweb.com/who-is-kathleen-kennedy-ceo-star-wars/.

Picture:

Limited, A. (2020). Kathleen Kennedy with her BAFTA Fellowship award at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, London.. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/EMPICS Stock Photo - Alamy. www.alamy.com. Available at: https://www.alamy.com/kathleen-kennedy-with-her-bafta-fellowship-award-at-the-73rd-british-academy-film-awards-held-at-the-royal-albert-hall-london-photo-credit-should-read-doug-petersempics-image389070298.html

Dear best friend,

Thank you for being the Serena to my Blair,

The Carrie to my Charlotte.

And the Rachel to my Monica.

You are my best friend,

My therapist, my stylist, 

My sister from another mister.

You are my lobster and I am 

beyond thankful to have you in my life.

I was enchanted to meet you and 

I am grateful that you are my roommate.

I love cooking pasta with you every single night,

Unlike Blair and Serena we never fight,

I will always eat grapes with you under the table,

And walk down Bond Street like Carrie and Charlotte looking at every label.

Unlike Joey who does not share food,

We love to share sushi and ice cream,

With you, I’m always in a good mood,

You and I we are the best team.

No matter where you are in the world,

In Paris or Rome,

Travelling from Hamburg to Cologne,

When I’m with you, I’m never alone.

No matter if we have champagne problems.

I would watch Friends with you every night,

And your presence makes everything right.

With you, I can laugh and cry and,

I’ll be there for you,

‘Cause you’re there for me too!

Contact details:

Instagram: sophielouisesdiary

YouTube: sophielouiseknight3344

TikTok: sophielouiseknight

Sources:

Bendoni, W. (2018) Social media for fashion marketing : storytelling in a digital world. Bloomsbury. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=dd3c732d-4629-3cb0- afa2-160fb2f0f933 (Accessed: 26 February 2024).

Humphreys, A. (2016) Social media : enduring principles. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=aa8f2f2f-39a4-3b8b-84e8-839706d6be65 (Accessed: 26 February 2024).

Holiday, S. et al. (2023) ‘A Multimodal Emotion Perspective on Social Media Influencer Marketing: The Effectiveness of Influencer Emotions, Network Size, and Branding on Consumer Brand Engagement Using Facial Expression and Linguistic Analysis’, Journal of Interactive Marketing, 58(4), pp. 414–439. doi:10.1177/10949968231171104. (Accessed: 26 February 2024).

Leaver, T. (2020) Instagram : visual social media cultures / Tama Leaver, Tim Highfield and Crystal Abidin. Polity Press. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=e89df922-013c-3f0c-b51f-195644bbbe77 (Accessed: 26 February 2024).

Lindgren, S. (2022) Digital media and society. SAGE. Available at: https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=8266a8c1-01d2-325b-8ebb-7fb3586a1789 (Accessed: 26 February 2024).

In my search for a woman in Media and Communications whom I admire, I've faced a challenge of finding people popular enough to have full articles or background on them. While I've found inspiring women in graphic design and social media marketing at dream companies of mine, details about them are mainly confined to LinkedIn. One person I really look up to is Katie Campling, a graphic and video designer at Jaded London. Her profile explains her work to be, skillfully showcasing the brand's design processes and aesthetics in digital marketing. She uses social media as the medium for the video and graphic design Katie has also worked at other popular brands like House of Sunny.

However, detailed information about these inspiring women in my specific field is limited to LinkedIn profiles, so there is struggle and obstacles when it comes to reaching out to them and seeing some of their professional work . I'm eager for a more comprehensive understanding of their career paths, but in the meantime will link an article I found about female designers on the rise.

Her passion and work takes her on various travels across the world and her byline is familiar to discerning readers of newspapers and magazines. She also takes her own pictures and her expertise is in food styling & lifestyle photography (especiallly food & travel ).

A trained hospitality professional, from the Institute of Hotel Management, Ahmedabad, Dean started her career with the Leela Kempinski and moved on to the Taj group of Hotels. She had a brief stint with the Choice Hotels as Assistant Manager Training in 1995. Motherhood meant break from a job regimen so she moved on to Freelance writing on Travel, food, wine and lifestyle which has been her biggest forte.

Apart from this she also take classes on various food subjects like trends across the world, cuisines of the world and so on. She has also appeared and won the IFB chef contest aired in “STAR PLUS” some years back and has travelled to various countries for cuisine enhancement. She studied at The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, an academic college of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. The namesake of the college, Chef John Folse is known as "Louisiana’s Culinary Ambassador to the World".

I have always loved home and garden magazines, as magazines like Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living were always being dogeared and clipped around me as a child. I would love to work in digital communications or editing and any connection to lifestyle content writing is definitely in my field of interest. The work that Emma-Louise Pritchard has done throughout her career, especially as an Executive Digital Editor, is very impressive and a goal of mine that I hope I can get to down the road in my career.

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/

https://www.countryliving.com/uk/author/14889/emma-pritchard/

I know we have had some hard times trying to find time for each other. Sometimes life gets in the way but i wanted to take this few minutes to express how I feel about you. Since the first time they told me I was going to have a little sister I got excited. I thought of all the posible things we would be similar and all the things that we could share. Then I met you, and as soon as you started growing I realize that the similarities we have are not the thing that I love of you the most. The things we do different and the way you think and see the life amaze me everyday. You remind me that life is not about being all the same but that we can enjoy our differences and share them with others. You are the reason I want to be better and I hope I can be there to see you achieve every goal you put to yourself. I love you today, tomorrow and always.

From the day I met you and until the day I leave I will allways be proud of you.

With all my love,

Panda.

Shonda Rhimes is a Producer and writer from the USA who has created some of my favorite stories. Some of her Filmography includes Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton, and The Princess Diaries 2. She has a great vision of the shows and a good creativity as a writer.  She has been in the industry for quite a long time and has learnt how to deal with the technological changes the industry has gone through in those years. The challenges she has in the shows she produces like the period costumes and the research it involves in Grey’s Anatomy lead me to believe she has a great structured way of working which I would love to learn.

Kenya Hunt epitomizes groundbreaking leadership in media and communications, particularly in the fashion industry. As the pioneering Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK, she shattered barriers as the first Black woman to hold such a prestigious title, inspiring inclusivity and representation. From her roots as an Assistant Editor at Jane magazine to pivotal roles at Grazia UK and ELLE UK, she's been a steadfast advocate for diversity.

Kenya Hunt's transformative journey not only inspires every woman but also sets a profound example of breaking barriers and reshaping industries. Her unwavering commitment to diversity and representation resonates deeply with aspiring professionals, like myself, in media and communications.

As I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the field, Kenya's leadership at ELLE UK serves as a beacon of possibility and purpose. Her trailblazing path and dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices ignite a passion within me to be part of initiatives that drive inclusivity and authenticity in media narratives.

Joining ELLE UK would not only be a professional milestone but also a personal commitment to championing diversity and empowering women through storytelling and representation. Kenya's leadership exemplifies the transformative impact of inclusive media platforms, and I am inspired to contribute to ELLE UK's mission of shaping culture and fostering meaningful dialogue.

Sources - http://www.kenyahunt.com/bio

https://www.elle.com/uk/author/3850/kenya-hunt/

I am writing this letter to you to express my love for you. You were always there for me during my hard times and during times of celebration. The prophet Mohammed PBUH told people to love and care for their mothers three times before anyone else. Through my life I understood the reasons why. A mother’s love, care and devotion are on another level. I can’t help but express my endless love for you and I am very grateful for having you in my life in every step of the way. I remember as a child when I would get sick or scared you would always make me sleep with you in bed and kept an eye on me all night, I felt very safe and cared for. As I grew older, I still feel the same love and care coming from you and if you could do the same you would. You are the only person I know that would sacrifice a great deal for me just to see me happy. I love you and care for you the same way you do for me, and I too will sacrifice a great deal to make you happy.

I think my main obstacle is getting my foot in the door. London is not my native country, and deciding to live in any foreign country comes with uncomfortable obstacles. It will take time to adjust, but these obstacles aren’t anything I can’t overcome with a little hard work! Additionally, the pay is something to take into account. I would take a huge pay cut by staying to live in London. Just trying to make sure it is the right choice for myself!

I think the realm of media and communications is changing exponentially as the digital age we live in continues to develop in such a fast way. I think marketing and digital communications will continue to maintain its importance, because that is how we receive a lot of our information.

Since arriving at the Smithsonian, I have had the opportunity to be a part of the changing world in which digital technology has been increasingly introduced in museums and their interaction of visitors. From our data, we have found that this has only improved our visitors experiences. My role has been internal communication, but also overseeing our communications team’s plans for technology in the museum exhibits. I look forward to the continued efforts our teams are making and see what the future holds. 

Image: https://naturalhistory.si.edu/

2.     Why did you choose to pursue this field for your profession?

3.     What advice do you have for us (young aspiring women in this field) for pursuing a career in the Media and Communications field?

4.     Do you think there has been any obstacles you have had to face as a successful woman in this field?

5.     How do you integrate storytelling in your work, since storytelling is a significant part of anything related to Media and Communications today?

I think AI is affecting the media and communications industry immensely. According to IBM “by 2030, artificial intelligence (AI) will generate more than USD 15 trillion for the global economy and boost local economies by as much as 26%.“ (Flinders, 2023). AI is used for translations, generating texts etc. with regard to the communication industry, but also has a significant impact on marketing since it is used to generate content to promote new products. Davenport also argues that the marketing industry heavily profits from the use of AI: “Marketing’s core activities are understanding customer needs, matching them to products and services, and persuading people to buy—capabilities that AI can dramatically enhance.“ (Davenport, 2021).

Sources:

Chazen, D. (2020). AI in Media Industry: Artificial Intelligence & Latest Technology. [online] Verbit. Available at: https://verbit.ai/ai-in-media-industry-latest-technology/.

Davenport, T.H., Guha, A. and Grewal, D. (2021). How to Design an AI Marketing Strategy. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2021/07/how-to-design-an-ai-marketing-strategy.

Flinders, M. (2023). AI in marketing: How to leverage this powerful new technology for your next campaign. [online] IBM Blog. Available at: https://www.ibm.com/blog/ai-in-marketing/#.

Habash, F. (2023). Artificial Intelligence Changing the Translation Services Industry. [online] Localization Services by BLEND. Available at: https://www.getblend.com/blog/artificial-intelligence-changing-the-translation-services-industry/.

MotionPoint. (2023). The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Translation. [online] Available at: https://www.motionpoint.com/blog/the-role-of-ai-and-machine-learning-in-translation/#:~:text=The%20most%20obvious%20benefit%20of.

My dream is to work as a writer and producer for film and television. Through this I will be able to tell stories that matter to people and bring characters to life that people relate to, just like other films and television shows have for me.

One of the hardest parts of my industry is getting your foot in the door. You need industry connections to get jobs, which will help you network with more people, which in turn will help you to get more jobs. Which is also why I chose to get a masters degree in media and communications so I could also work in public relations or as a social media manager for a production company, not just solely in production, as this could be another avenue of working my way up the ladder in my career.

A big discussion in the world of entertainment is obviously the threat of AI being used to replace creatives and other professionals within the creation and production process. In the United States last year actors and writers were on strike for 148 days due to unfair wages and threats of AI taking their jobs (Nast, 2023). This was settled for the time being, but will no doubt continue to be a threat. Another changing element within the industry is the fight between straight to streaming platform releases vs traditional theatrical releases. As theatres have seen a significant uptick in revenue in the past year, while companies continue to break off into so many separate streaming platforms that it is hard for consumers to pay for all of them (Carro, 2023).

Sources:

Carro, L. (2023). Film | Extras: TOP 7 TRENDS EXPECTED TO RESHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE FILM INDUSTRY. [online] Stage and Cinema. Available at: https://stageandcinema.com/2023/07/12/7-trends-reshape-the-future-film-industry/

Nast, C. (2023). Hollywood Actors Strike Ends With a Deal That Will Impact AI and Streaming for Decades. [online] Wired UK. Available at: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/hollywood-actors-strike-ends-ai-streaming#:~:text=After%20118%20days%20on%20the

Picture:

kaellish (2023). Film Crew on Set. Pinterest. Available at: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/27/bd/52/27bd52334861758fc26c96132806ce17.jpg

The world of media and communications is always changing as new technologies come out. One of the biggest changes I have noticed is the change in consumer habits due to influencers on social media. “Popular social media platforms have integrated a wide variety of options for consumers to conjugate with brands and companies alike, even offering the ability to make purchases of goods or services directly on an app” (Kowalewicz, 2022). In regards to my future career, the technology industry and the ever growing digital world go hand in hand. Social media and digital communications would be nothing without the technological advancements that have fueled them, so working in that industry gives one good insight into the background of all the functions of various tech products and applications. 

References:

Kowalewicz, R. (n.d.). Council Post: How Social Media Impacts Consumer Buying. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2022/04/28/how-social-media-impacts-consumer-buying/?sh=5a7c01d337d5 [Accessed 4 Mar. 2024].

Whitler, K.A. (n.d.). The 4 Types Of Marketing Roles In Tech. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimberlywhitler/2017/09/24/the-4-different-types-of-tech-marketing-jobs/?sh=6d1e2ff5230b [Accessed 4 Mar. 2024].

‌

I think that some obstacles that I would have to get through would be a general lack of experience and connections, however this isn’t anything that time can't help. I will likely need a few years of work experience, as I’ve heard from personal accounts that you need at least a few years in corporate communications before you have a chance at these selective publishing jobs. However, as I will link below, there are assistant roles that might fit the bill for gaining this experience. 

One way that the Media and Communications world is changing, at least in the publishing world, is the continued shift into the digital. Digital publishing is expected to continue rising greatly in the next 10 years. Roles are being created to reflect this, as Emma-Louise Pritchard from my week 5 assignment holds the role of Executive Digital Editor for Country Living Magazine. As books, magazines, and even news continues to shift online, the importance of social media and digital print/communications could possibly open up more opportunities in this field.

Sources:

https://www.publishers.org.uk/about-publishing/careers/publicity-assistant/

https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Discover/IndustrySectors/details/4/media-and-publishing

https://www.publishers.org.uk/publishing-industry-shows-resilience-with-record-breaking-growth/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/digital-publishing-market-size-2023-growth-opportunities/

https://blog.reedsy.com/publishers/gb/london/

Media and communications are changing every day due to technological advancements. The digitalization that has been created from the rise of digital platforms and other technologies has completely changed the way we live our daily lives. It has changed, for almost all of us, how/where we get our news, work, school, shopping, entertainment, communicate with one another and much more. I think in the future, we will see more ways that media and communications will change other aspects of our lives.

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-nonfiction/5-ways-journalism-has-changed-in-the-digital-age#:~:text=Technology%20has%20permanently%20changed%20the,different%20news%20sources%20and%20platforms.

Can you tell us a little about how you started in your role?

What does the future look like for women who work in media and communications?

Have you run into any difficulties in which you have had to overcome with being a woman in this field?

Do you have any advice for young professionals that would like a career in this area of work?

Sources:

Bauder, D. (2023) Trust in media is so low that half of Americans now believe that news organizations deliberately mislead them, Fortune. Available at: https://fortune.com/2023/02/15/trust-in-media-low-misinform-mislead-biased-republicans-democrats-poll-gallup/ (Accessed: 05 March 2024).

Brenan, M. (2024) Americans’ Trust in media remains near record low, Gallup.com. Available at: https://news.gallup.com/poll/403166/americans-trust-media-remains-near-record-low.aspx#:~:text=Partisans%27%20Trust%20in%20Mass%20Media,-In%20general%2C%20how&text=70%25%20of%20Democrats%20have%20a,has%20been%20true%20since%202020. (Accessed: 05 March 2024).

Liedke, J. (2022) U.S. adults under 30 now trust information from social media almost as much as from national news outlets, Pew Research Center. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/10/27/u-s-adults-under-30-now-trust-information-from-social-media-almost-as-much-as-from-national-news-outlets/ (Accessed: 05 March 2024).

Something that’s been on my bucket list for the past 5 years is to produce a documentary on my home country, India, to show the world the ‘real’ India. One of the biggest reasons as to why I want to do this is because, I feel like the media has always shown India through one lens i.e. the poverty, the street, etc. but they’ve never really shown the other side of the narrative, which I wish to one day put out there.

It’s no doubt that it’s going to be a really hard journey to achieve these goals. The industry is growing at a rapid pace with thousands of new faces and breaking into it will be a real challenge. Thousands of individuals compete for the same parts, whether acting, singing, or dancing. This implies that even if you are talented, it can be quite difficult to stand out from the throng. Furthermore, many people are eager to labour for free or at a low wage, making it even more difficult to make a livelihood in the business. Another issue is coping with rejection. In the entertainment industry, rejection is widespread. You may apply for dozens of roles and not get any of them, or you may be eliminated from a production at the last moment. This may be quite depressing and make it tough to continue. However, persistence and tenacity are essential characteristics for anybody looking to excel in the profession (Manfredi, 2018). It’s going to be quite a rollercoaster ride, but I know if I work hard and set my mind to it, I might just succeed.

Refrences:

Menfredi. E (2018), 'Why is it so difficult to emerge in the entertainment industry?', Available at: https://medium.com/@Emanuela.Manfredi/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-emerge-in-the-entertainment-industry-4cd86af41e36

2.⁠ ⁠Can you discuss your experience with the industry you work in and share a project or story that you worked on?

3.⁠ ⁠How do you stay informed about current trends and changes in the media industry? Can you provide an example of how you've applied this knowledge in your work?

4.⁠ ⁠In the rapidly evolving media landscape, how do you approach staying innovative and keeping your content or projects fresh and engaging?

5.⁠ ⁠Can you talk of a project that didn't go as planned? What challenges did you face, and how did you adapt to overcome them?

6.⁠ ⁠In the age of social media, how do you approach creating content that resonates with different audiences across various platforms?

7.⁠ ⁠Do you feel your experience in life as a woman has had some influence in your vision or your work in the industry?

8. Why and how do you choose the projects you work on?

Media Interview Questions:

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in media, and how has your career evolved since then?

2. In an ever-changing media landscape, what do you see as the most significant challenges and opportunities for women working within media?

3. Can you share a particularly memorable experience or project you've worked on in your career and how it impacted your perspective on the media industry?

4. How do you navigate gender dynamics and biases in your workplace, and what advice would you offer to other women aspiring to thrive in the media industry?

5. With the rise of digital platforms and social media, how do you believe storytelling and journalism are evolving, and what role do women play in shaping these changes?

2.⁠ ⁠Can you discuss your experience with the industry you work in and share a project or story that you worked on?

3.⁠ ⁠How do you stay informed about current trends and changes in the media industry? Can you provide an example of how you've applied this knowledge in your work?

4.⁠ ⁠In the rapidly evolving media landscape, how do you approach staying innovative and keeping your content or projects fresh and engaging?

5.⁠ ⁠Can you talk of a project that didn't go as planned? What challenges did you face, and how did you adapt to overcome them?

6.⁠ ⁠In the age of social media, how do you approach creating content that resonates with different audiences across various platforms?

7.⁠ ⁠Do you feel your experience in life as a woman has had some influence in your vision or your work in the industry?

8. Why and how do you choose the projects you work on?

2. ⁠why did you choose to pursue this field for your profession?

3. ⁠what advice do you have for us for pursuing a career in the media and communication field?

4. ⁠do you think there has been any obstacles you have had to face as a successful woman in this field?

The current changes in both industries are that the audience has become active, bringing a challenge in both of them. The audience is now able to decide what they want to consume and they make their own content forcing these industries to create better and produce bigger and more interesting content for them to be caught and watch what we produce.  It’s a fast-changing environment so it means that whatever I pick I will have to keep updating my knowledge to move according to these changes.

• Rosen , J. (2012). The People Formerly Known as the Audience. [online] The Social Media Reader , pp.13–16. Available at: http://klangable.com/uploads/books/Mandiberg-theSocialMediaReader-cc-by-sa-nc.pdf [Accessed Feb. 2024].

However, the path to realizing these ambitions is filled with obstacles. Breaking into the competitive entertainment industry as a creative director and filmmaker is extremely challenging. Building the experience, reputation, network and resources to launch your own successful production company requires tremendous perseverance. Funding creative projects, from short films to feature-length productions, is one of the biggest hurdles, often requiring investors, grants, or self-funding initially.

To overcome these obstacles, I will work tirelessly to hone my creative skills through taking on diverse directing projects, small and large. I'll network relentlessly and nurture relationships with writers, actors, crew members and executives who can open doors. Constantly creating fresh concepts and pitches is key, as is finding ways to cut through the clutter and get people excited about my authentic, imaginative ideas that can drive cultural conversations. Financial and business savvy will also be critical to fund projects independently at first and ultimately build a sustainable production house.

Streaming and On-Demand Traditional TV viewing is declining as audiences shift towards streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ that offer on-demand, ad-free content. Parks Associates research indicates that by 2024, more than 86% of U.S. households will subscribe to at least one OTT video service.

https://www.parksassociates.com/products/entertainment-content-video-audio-gaming/podcasting-an-exploding-market

Additionally, I saw a quote hanging on the wall as we were leaving that I feel is important to add, "Burdened with carrying the weight of the honor of the patriarchal society and injured in the name of protecting that honor" - Anonymous. This quote resinates with me in the overwhelming responsibility that women are given of constantly being the backbone for the societies we live in, yet always given the short end of the stick and "injured".

Sources:

https://artsandculture.google.com/story/womanopoly-black-cultural-archives/OAUxXI933cCqFw?hl=en

https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/women-in-revolt?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w41bATO6dbWJqQ6IjooWVo7EHP-U6r2lZV-_GEeAigXYwh9cF2frVxoCFxwQAvD_BwE

They might lead men onto the rocks (the Sirens), frame them for murder (Gone Girl), or suck out their breath in a poem (*La Belle Dame sans Merci"); It's when they enter real life and start slaying real people that our imaginations balk. We can't imagine that they did it, you know, on purpose. Typically, women are seen as solely capable of reactive homicide - murder done in self-defense, a burst of passion, an imbalance of hormones, a wave of hysteria - and not instrumental homicide, which can be plotted, calculated, and performed in cold blood.

What happens when people are confronted with a female serial killer? When ideas of the "weaker sex" break down and we're staring into the unnerving eyes of a woman with dried blood under her fingernails? First, we'll probably check to see if she's hot or not.

This helps their crimes go down easier - a spoonful of sugat, etc. In general, people take pains to link female serial killers to lust at every possible turn, even if their crimes have nothing to do with it. A clickbaity 1890 essay titled

"Truth About Female Criminals" lays it out well, caps lock and all.

"Native or foreign, young or old, handsome or hideous, she plants herself confidently upon the vantage-ground of SEX’

Bedtime gossips conversation with my friends about jealousy and how they experience it.

sources:

News, A.B.C. (n.d.). Oscars get audience bump from ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ but ratings aren’t quite a blockbuster. [online] ABC News. Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/oscars-audience-lift-barbie-oppenheimer-ratings-lofty-108030142 [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

Barbie, Oppenheimer & a wardrobe mishap? The Oscars in 60 seconds. (n.d.). BBC News. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-68531112 [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

Lee, B. (2023). Barbenheimer bonanza: how two films saved the summer box office. The Guardian. [online] 24 Jul. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jul/24/barbie-oppenheimer-movie-release-box-office-ticket-sales.

Cillian Murphy: Barbenheimer was a ‘wonderful moment for cinema’. (2024). BBC News. [online] 7 Feb. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68203602 [Accessed 12 Mar. 2024].

The monologue delves into the complexities of the female experience, touching on both the beauty and the burdens inherent in being a woman. It articulates the struggle of navigating personal identity amidst societal expectations, which is exhausting!

Moreover, it addresses the pressures placed on women to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior. The monologue highlights the double-edged sword of striving for perfection while facing scrutiny for any deviation from the norm. It's a nuanced portrayal of the expectations placed on women in a predominantly male-dominated world.

--------------------------------------------

"It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful, and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong.

You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. You have to be a career woman but also always be looking out for other people. You have to answer for men's bad behavior, which is insane, but if you point that out, you're accused of complaining. You're supposed to stay pretty for men, but not so pretty that you tempt them too much or that you threaten other women because you're supposed to be a part of the sisterhood.

But always stand out and always be grateful. But never forget that the system is rigged. So find a way to acknowledge that but also always be grateful. You have to never get old, never be rude, never show off, never be selfish, never fall down, never fail, never show fear, never get out of line. It's too hard! It's too contradictory and nobody gives you a medal or says thank you! And it turns out in fact that not only are you doing everything wrong, but also everything is your fault.

I'm just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us. And if all of that is also true for a doll just representing women, then I don't even know."

I believe people nowadays is more likely to date and look for casual relationships because people got use to things that are disposable and we are now getting that in our social interactions.

Kaul, V. (2020, January 7). The Changing World of Media and Communication. Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism. https://www.hilarispublisher.com/abstract/the-changing-world-of-media-communication-26982.html

Sources:

Miller, A. (2023). The Positive Impact of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Film in Theaters. [online] DiscussingFilm. Available at: https://discussingfilm.net/2023/10/13/the-positive-impact-of-taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-film-in-theaters/.

Jackson, L.M. (2023). The Invention of ‘the Male Gaze’. [online] The New Yorker. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/books/second-read/the-invention-of-the-male-gaze.

Media Studies (2021). Laura Mulvey’s ‘Male Gaze’ Theory | Definition and Examples. [online] Media Studies. Available at: https://media-studies.com/male-gaze/.

Sources:

Mulvey, L. (1975) VISUAL PLEASURE IN NARRATIVE CINEMA, Luxonline. Available at: http://www.luxonline.org.uk/articles/visual_pleasure_and_narrative_cinema%28printversion%29.html (Accessed: 16 April 2024).

Mohamed, A. (2023) Reclaiming the word: Slut, The Queen’s Journal. Available at: https://www.queensjournal.ca/reclaiming-the-word-slut/ (Accessed: 16 April 2024).

 Our Immersive Media Practice course has been incredibly interesting and insightful. I do not have a background in film, nor do I possess the skills to work with film, however, this course has given me a glimpse into the world of film and media, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate. Our class project is very out-of-the-ordinary in that we are scratching and coloring a 1970’s porn film. While the idea of working with a porn film might sound concerning, the narrative of what we are doing makes that less so. The idea of taking away the graphic and ‘unclean’ parts of this film and replacing them with bright colors and scratches almost gives the power back to the women who were filmed in a derogatory manner. My classmates and I also had the opportunity to add sound over the film in which we individual decided to read a poem, lyrics, movie script, book, quotes, etc. about women. Another aspect to this course that I found to be fascinating is the material we conducted each week. This consisted of readings and concepts from Laura Mulvey all the way to Debord, as well as, films, drafting poems to a woman, creating sound effects, writing about our future selves and find a woman in the career field we wish to go into and cultivate a potential relationship. Overall, this course was something I appreciate and will remember.

When something gets broken what’s your first thought?

Do you try to find some ways to fix it? Or just trash it and replace it.

Let’s say you have a great pair of jeans. They were great you have had them for some years and they are still looking good. But one day you accidentally make a hole in them. Do you at least try to fix them?

In a world where we can buy everything and we can replace it so easy we are creating a mindset where everything is disposable. That mindset permeates deeply and without realizing it, we bring it to our human relationships.

We fight, we get angry, we lose interest, we leave some words unspoken, and then we just discard that person out of our lives as easy as we trash our jeans. It all starts with the way we treat our things but it ends in how we treat people around us.

So, When something gets broken what’s your first thought?

Reflection:

I wrote this because I started thinking of how the world is creating the idea of disposable and now the fight is to make everything biodegradable. Instead of trying to find a way for things to last longer so we can use them longer, we are getting into a world where we need to keep consuming everything to keep an economically controlled world.

I feel this can be translated into our way of behaving with others and with the dating apps there's always a "store" where we can find a new person.

Sources:

Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen, 16(3), pp.6–18. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/16.3.6.

Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm.

Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen, 16(3), pp.6–18.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/screen/16.3.6.

I think that throughout our time transforming the Super 8 footage, along with adding female only sound, there is a new theme of strong feminism for the film. Before our edits and scratches, it was simply just a piece of work for men to enjoy. But now, it is something that all of us females can look back on and admire each of our individual accomplishments. We all added a feminist touch to the film, showing that one cannot simply erase or try to dismantle the power of women. There is a feeling of empowerment that is present in our remade film.

References:

‌ Debord, G. (1967). Society of the Spectacle. [online] Marxists.org. Available at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/debord/society.htm.

Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. In: Film: Psychology, Society, and Ideology. pp.803–816.

Toronto Public Library. (1970). Demonstrations: Programs, Classes & Exhibits. [online] Available at: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/ve/demonstrations/civil-rights.jsp.

Our project emerged as a creative response to combat the objectification of women in the sex industry and advocate for feminist ideals. We infused personal elements like conversations, poems, and experiences as women in today's society, adding a personal touch.

Upon analyzing the film, a noticeable shift in perspective emerges. Initially, the film was predominantly influenced by the male gaze, reflecting norms from decades ago. However, it now revolves around the female gaze. Our purposeful incorporation of audio materials from our own lives strengthens this transition, enhancing the project's authenticity and intimacy.

I found the scratching of the film to be a particularly creative aspect, symbolizing a sense of anger. Deliberately scratching the material served as a means to evoke frustration with the status quo. It made me question why such videos persist to this day.

Overall, I appreciated the concept of this class and the opportunity to apply these ideas in practice.

In conclusion, I found this project to be both clever and innovative. It provided a practical application of our newfound theories and served as a powerful reminder of the importance of womanhood and feminism.

You will be sent a link to able to access the finished group film to submit later this week.

You can then also upload it online to create your own link.

The screening will take place on Tuesday 30th at 1:30.

Tuke Cinema has been booked and we will be having drinks afterwards.

Details in the flyer (Thanks to Camilla!)

The discussions in class and Maulvey’s concept of the male gaze showed me that we have all experienced it in some way. We have seen it in media, including advertisements and society has held us up to it. Sharing these experiences and how we have felt about them, has helped me in my personal development.

Later on in the module, when we talked about Debord’s spectacle concept, I could understand better the male gaze as it is something that can’t be seen directly. If you give yourself the task of looking at it and analysing the world with better eyes, or wearing mental eyeglasses, we can see clearly how women still have a role in a selling point of view. But with feminism movements media is changing and the future looks better every day. I do trust that having more females in media will change the way society behaves about women.  

After seeing the final cut of the film, I am happy to see that it has all come together nicely. I think seeing all the different audios blended together is a great representation of womanhood and its complexities from all different perspectives. This film showcases a variety of feminist themes from navigating relationships with men, to the importance of friendships with women, to the insane standards women are held to. The detournement of the original pornographic film with these audios playing overtop the images creates an immersive experience for the audience that reclaims the content in a feminist light.