Super Curricular #1 (16.5.24)

Articles:

MediaMag - 'BBFC: From Censorship to Classification'

The article is inspired by a 2021 movie called 'Censor' which is set in the 80's and follows an employee at a film classification board based on the BBFC. The film explores ideas about dangerous influences within the media and the pressures on censorship that the article delves into. 

- In the 80s, although films in cinemas were regulated, there was not a sufficient way to regulate home releases. So, in 1984, the Video Recordings Act (VRA) legislated the BBFC to classify films before they were released to avoid this problem. 

-In 2000, the BBFC published their guidelines be more transparent and they continue to review them every 4/5 years. It was also decided that adults should be free to make their own viewing decisions. This can be linked to Livingstone and Lunt's regulation theory and consumer based models.

MediaMag - 'The Rise of #LiterallyMe'

Explores the recent cultural phenomenon of male audiences identifying with ‘anti-heroes’, unreliable narrators and radicalised problematic characters (Patrick Bateman from American Psycho, Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, Tyler Darden from Fight Club etc). 

Concludes that aspiring to identify with a ‘perfect’ hero is unrealistic and it is easier to find solace and comfort in flawed protagonists who also struggle with societal expectations.

MediaMag- 'Murder on the Dance Floor'

This article explores the popularity of Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn’ and the attention it has attracted from its ‘perverse’ and ‘visceral’ scenes rather than moral messages about obsession and class. 

The article approaches the idea that ‘Saltburn’ is a film that curates ‘perverse allegiance’ with the viewer as audiences feel sympathetic towards the flawed protagonist, Oliver. 

It also investigates the notion of the ‘female gaze’, a term derived from media theorist Laura Mulvey’s ‘Male Gaze’, as the writer challenges this concept when discussing nudity included within the movie.

The Guardian - 'History of the Guardian'

When researching about CP Scott's 'Hundred Years' essay, I also read up on the history of the Guardians and an overview on how the institution was established and shaped over the years.

Video Essays/ Films:

'The Life and Death of the Fashion Magazine' - Mina Le

Interesting analysis on the history behind and the rise of fashion magazines- touches on the cultural longevity of fashion magazines and their relevance nowadays in a digital world of immediacy.

'Has Hollywood Gone Too Far with these Biopics?" - Mina Le

Evaluates the ethics of biopics in Hollywood and makes interesting comment on format-driven products which can be linked to Neale's Genre Theory.

'Why 4:3 Looks So Good' - Karsten Runquist

Illuminating analysis of contemporary examples of 4:3 aspect ratio in films. Evaluates the significance of different texts that utilise this and what meaning it can add to a media product. Very interesting watch when considering maybe incorporating 4:3 in my music video NEA.

'The Making of Priscilla' - A24 (watched on MUBI)

Behind the scenes footage of Sofia Coppola's 'Priscilla' taken from the perspective of a film student who worked on set. 

Books:

Roland Barthes 'Mythologies'

A collection of Barthes' essays that explore the myths of mass culture. I haven't finished the essay collection yet as I am still currently reading it (16/05/24). So far from what I've read, a prominent idea that I found interesting was the implication that stating two opposites and finding balance in rejecting them both is in itself a mythological entity- Barthes refers to this concept as 'Neither-Norism'.

Own Works:

Oracy Project - '100 Years Essay'

When given the opportunity to investigate and share our evaluations on a text of our choice, I decided to read and research into CP Scott's 'A Hundred Years' essay. Scott's essay has been regarded as 'the blueprint for investigative journalism' and explores ideas such as although a newspaper is a business, it is also an institution that has a moral as well as a material existence. Furthermore, Scott argues that to be worthy of power and duty, a newspaper must rely on ability and character as it is a democratic pillar that wields significant social influence.

MediaMag Article - Write up of the student conference

After attending The MediaMag Student Conference in January held at the BFI in Southbank, I wrote an article summarising the day and detailing the interesting ideas explored by each speaker. My article ended up getting published in the MediaMagazine which I am extremely grateful for.

Other-

- I also run BBC Young Reporters club alongside media captains Evie and Anoushka every Wednesday. This is a space for those interested in pop-culture, news, journalism and contemporary humanities to come together and discuss current affairs as well as seize the opportunity to either make written or video reports. We recently created a video 'winter report' where we got to grips with some of the media equipment and accounted on different events around the school.