Thursday, 27 November 2014

Critical Investigation Task 1- Textual analysis



MIGRAIN

Media Language-

Miley's language used in her 'We can't stop' video (released in June 2013) is rebellious and was the first video that she released to shock audiences and her fans. The video shows her having a house party with her friends and having fun with recreational drugs. She repeats the lyrics 'we can't stop and we won't stop.' This reinforces her rebellious attitude along with her actions in the video. There are also denotations of her lyrics sounding like an addiction as they talk of drug use.

Institution-

The video was written and produced by Mike Will made it, P Nasty and Rock City. Miley has worked with these institutions in other videos as well as her own. Her single 23 with Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J also have Mike Will made it produce their video. Mike Will made it has also worked with artists such as Lil Wayne, Jeremih and Future. 

Genre-

The genre of the song is a mix and incorporates Pop, Dance and R&B. This is made obvious through the beat, sound and lyrics of the song. The fact that it is a mixed genre makes the song more versatile and is more likely to attract more people/fans to listen to it.

Representation-

In this video, Miley is being represented as quite rebellious. The video starts with her cutting off an ankle monitor which is used by the police. This immediately shows her as breaking the rules and shows the audience that the video/song is likely to be rebellious. The videos concept is of a house party with several of Miley's friends. All of the characters look quite unusual, along with their actions. For example, at 00:26 a man is shown taking a bite out of a dollar filled sandwich. At 00:37 a man is shown again with two tongues in a dim lighting, looking quite scary. Another example is at 1:00 where a female is shown cutting a fake hand with baby pink paint pouring out. The concept of the video is quite unusual, however represents Miley's character and she seems to be having a good time in the video.

Audience-

Miley has a much older audience compared to her Hannah Montana career now that her videos and lyrics are a lot more different and explicit. I believe the song could relate to teenagers as it is quite rebellious and the video goes against the 'rules'. The video also includes a mix of both males and females therefore I believe this particular video would be aimed at males and females aged 16 and above.

Ideology and values-

In my opinion, the video and lyrics represent Miley's new values. As this was her first controversial video released I believe that she is trying to show audiences that she has grown up and will do what she wants. Her lyrics state '' Dancing with Molly doing whatever we want this is our house this is our rules and we can't stop and we won't stop.''
Narrative-

It looks as though the video follows a linear narrative as Miley is shown enjoying the party then going to sleep at the end, making it seem as though the video has been going in chronological order. This helps tell the story to the audience and makes it clear for the viewers of what is happening in the video.

SHEP

Social-
  • Miley is sociable with her fans/audience. She has a range of social networking sites e.g. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram etc
  • Miley currently has 18,634,987 followers on Twitter and gains an average of 3,647 new followers a day. This shows her vast majority of fans
  • The video effected parents as well as young girls as parents wanted to close down her Bangerz tour
Historic-

Other Disney stars that have changed, not for the better include:


  • Vanessa Ann Hudgens from Disney channel's 'High School Musical' experienced nude images of herself being leaked in 2007. Again in 2009, a new set of mobile phone nudes were leaked, however the star managed to continue with her career.
  • Demi Lovato, also a former Disney star featured a main part in the show 'Sonny with a chance' and later in the Disney channel film 'Camp Rock.' After this, she experienced drug addictions and spent some time in rehab. She had allegedly been cutting herself, as well as facing eating disorders and issues with alcohol.
  • Lindsay Lohan's role in Disney's remake of 'Parent Trap' began her career as her first feature film. She also starred in 'Freaky Friday' later. Since then, she has faced eating disorders, allegations of cutting herself, she went to rehab and has been involved with several legal troubles. 
  • Zac Efron who also landed a main role in the Disney channel hit film 'High School Musical' alongside Vanessa Ann Hudgens faced drug and alcohol addictions and eventually ended up in rehab. 
  • Shia LeBeouf began his career on Disney channel's 'Even Stevens.' After this, he faced rehab due to his heroin drug addiction. 
Economic-

Political-
  • Though her Christianity and country roots seem to place her squarely in the conservative category, her interest in environmentalism, gay rights, and Occupy Wall Street all point to a sleeping liberalism
  • Miley considers herself to be a Feminist
  • Miley quotes: "I feel like I'm one of the biggest feminists in the world because I tell women to not be scared of anything.'' ''For me, it's not even that in a feminist. I'm for anybody. I'm for everybody, for everything. I don't care what you wanna do in your life, or who you wanna be with, who you wanna love, who you wanna look like."




MIGRAIN

Media Language-

Miley Cyrus featured in a song called '23' with Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J. The hip hop song has lyrics that make references to Air Jordan sneakers and recreational drug use. I believe the song reinforces Miley's rebellious behaviour as she uses lyrics such as ''I got no respect, cos I don't give a f**k.'' The song was released in September 2013, 3 months after her first rebellious solo 'We can't stop'. The fact that she decided to make a song with other artists who are known for rap music with videos which encourage drug use, shows she has truly grown up from her Hannah Montana character who she is constantly compared to by young fans and parents.
Institution-

Interscope Records and Mike Will made it produced 23. Interscope Records have worked with artists such as Lady Gaga, Fergie, Kendrick Lamar and Maroon 5 in the past, who produce music of similar genres to this song. Mike Will made it was also the producer of 'We can't stop', therefore could have inspired the repeated recreational drug use in both videos.
Genre-

The genre of the song is hip hop. It includes a mixture of Miley Cyrus' singing along with the other artists rapping. The versatility of the genre allows fans of the different artists to listen and enjoy the song and video. 

Representation-

The video begins with a headteacher of a school who leaves his office, which is then taking over by two boys who begin playing music in the school microphone. We first see Miley at 00:36 where she is lighting a cigarette wearing small shorts and a cropped vest. There is then a close up shot of her face at 00:40 where the cigarette is placed in between her lips and she blows the smoke out while writing #23 and Miley on the girls bathroom mirror with her red lipstick. The red lipstick emphasises Miley being rebellious as the colour connotes danger and she uses this lipstick to write on the school mirrors, which is obviously not allowed. The video also incorporates drinking and alcohol, creating a negative representation of Miley. 

Audience-

Miley has a much older audience compared to her Hannah Montana career now that her videos and lyrics are a lot more different and explicit. I believe the song could relate to teenagers and young adults as it is quite rebellious and the video goes against the 'rules'. The video also includes a mix of both males and females therefore I believe this particular video would be aimed at males and females aged 16 and above. The audience would also be fans of the other artists involved, Juicy J and Wiz Khalifa.

Ideology and values-

I believe the ideology behind the song and video is to show that the artists are 'breaking the rules' as the setting is within a school. The lyrics are highly concentrated about the shoes that the people in the video are wearing, therefore the video could be implying their wealth/status. Moreover, the alcohol and drug use could show that they are having a good time. 

Narrative-

The video follows a linear narrative as it goes in chronological order. The video begins with the headteacher leaving his office, where two boys take over and a party in the school begins with music playing throughout the classrooms etc. The people in the video are then showed dancing, smoking, drinking and having a 'good time'. 

SHEP

Social-
  • Miley is sociable with her fans/audience. She has a range of social networking sites e.g. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram etc
  • Miley currently has 18,634,987 followers on Twitter and gains an average of 3,647 new followers a day. This shows her vast majority of fans
  • The video effected parents as well as young girls as parents wanted to close down her Bangerz tour
Historic-

Other artists that Miley Cyrus has collaborated with in the past include:

  • Nelly
  • Jonas Brothers
  • Billy Ray Cyrus
  • Snoop Lion
  • Borgore
  • Pharrell Williams
  • French Montana
  • Will.i.am
  • Ludacris
  • John Travolta
  • Big Sean
  • Timbaland
  • Future
  • Britney Spears
Economic-
Political-
  • Though her Christianity and country roots seem to place her squarely in the conservative category, her interest in environmentalism, gay rights, and Occupy Wall Street all point to a sleeping liberalism
  • Miley considers herself to be a Feminist
  • Miley quotes: "I feel like I'm one of the biggest feminists in the world because I tell women to not be scared of anything.'' ''For me, it's not even that in a feminist. I'm for anybody. I'm for everybody, for everything. I don't care what you wanna do in your life, or who you wanna be with, who you wanna love, who you wanna look like.
Theories

Gender and Ethnicity

Miley appeals to a females particularly on a larger scale than males, as some females still see her as a role model and are fans of her music, TV show and films. The ethnicity group Miley appealed to when she first began her career on Hannah Montana was white-middle class. However, due to her different personality and character she is today, Miley appeals to working class white and black females and males too.

Hegemony

It could be argues that Miley portrays herself in the media in the shocking way that she does because that it what sells in the media industry. Due to other pop stars and singers causing controversy in the media, Miley could be doing what she does because if she didn't, she may not sell as many hits or be as successful as she is today. For example, if someone disagrees with Miley's actions then they are likely to tell someone else about it or even post a comment/opinion on social networking sites. This then creates a 'hype' as people who agree and disagree comment back and therefore Miley Cyrus is talked about. It also encourages views towards her music videos, whether the audience agree with it or not. Therefore, by production companies telling Miley what to do because it sells, they are having control and power over her. However, by Miley causing controversy, she is essentially encouraging audiences to view her material in the media.

Liberal Pluralism

Liberal Pluralists believe that the media are free to express themselves in whichever way they want. Additionally, the most powerful can be scrutinised and bought down. I believe that Miley is free to express herself in the way she wants as she shows her character to be quite care free of other peoples opinions. However, it could also be argued that the media make her act in this way in order for her to sell and be popular with audiences. Miley is powerful in the music industry as her successful career continues to build. Although she has people against her and try to bring her down e.g. parents who want to shut down her Bangerz tour, she does not let this stop her and continues to produce music and  release images/videos causing controversy in the media.
Moral Panic

The definition for moral panic is an instance of public anxiety or alarm in response to a problem regarded as threatening the moral standards of society. Moral panic can have negative influences on young audiences. Below are some examples from The Daily Mail and the effects that the internet can have on young audiences. There is also an example from the London Riots.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2586019/Middle-class-parents-stop-panicking-internet-let-children-explore-says-leading-psychologist.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2629866/Heavy-web-use-harms-childs-mental-health-Every-hour-raises-risk-warns-watchdog.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2027459/UK-riots-Moral-panic-making-judges-impose-overly-harsh-sentences.html

Miley shocked the media when her new haircut came with a new personality. After being in the media for 8 years, Miley recently became well known for her 'twerking' which was a dance to portray a message to audiences that she is now grown up. Parents were angry were her new image, however the attention encouraged her to shock the media even more.

Post-feminism

Post-feminism connotes the belief that feminism has succeeded in it's goal to ameliorate sexism and therefore make males and females more equal. Post-feminism occurred after the period of the feminist movement in the 1970's and embodied the belief that 'a post-feminist household in which both partners share all tasks equally.' Moreover, it is stated that post-feminists are passionate about motherhood and their careers, showing they still embody their maternal instincts whilst building success for themselves at the same time. Miley Cyrus could be interpreted as a post-feminist as she is extremely focused on her career while balancing family time as she has also worked in the acting/music industry with her famous father in the past. Miley is 21 years old and does not have any children yet which allows her to be more focused on her career.

Issues and debates

Representation and stereotyping

Miley Cyrus is stereotyped more so due to her Disney channel career in which she started at the age of 13. She is constantly compared to her appearance then to the way she is now, however she is now 21 years old, therefore an individual clearly would change and grow in this period of time. The representation of the star is also disagreed with by some audiences due to her religious background. People have wondered what happened to the ''good little Christian girl she used to be.'' 

Media effects

Audiences, in particular young girls used to see Miley Cyrus as a role model. However due to her behaviour, image she portrays and controversial character, young girls no longer aspire to be like her. In fact they preferred her character on Hannah Montana when she was 13 years old. 

Reality TV

Miley has featured on Seriously Cyrus, which is her and her family's YouTube channel. She has also been on the channel 'E', which released a documentary on her career and success a few years ago. Moreover, Miley: The Movement was released in 2013, which was a documentary television film and her return to music and the lead up to her fourth studio album, Bangerz.

Regulation and censorship

Often, parents of young girl have spoken out and have had their opinions and views of Miley Cyrus heard. An example of this is where The Guardian published an article which included various parents who saw Miley as a bad role model for their young girls and also wanted to shut down her Bangerz tour. 

No comments:

Post a Comment