radio life hacks

Analysis

Read the notes and listen to the extracts from Life Hacks above before answering the following questions:

1) Go to the Life Hacks iPlayer page and analyse the content. What does this suggest regarding the Life Hacks audience and what the BBC is hoping to achieve with the programme?

2) Go to the Life Hacks podcast episodes page. Listen to a few episodes of the podcast and explain how the topics may a) appeal to a youth audience and b) help fulfil the BBC's responsibilities as a public service broadcaster. 

BBC Radio 1 - Life Hacks: Blog tasks

Analysis

Read the notes and listen to the extracts from Life Hacks above before answering the following questions:

1) Go to the Life Hacks iPlayer page and analyse the content. What does this suggest regarding the Life Hacks audience and what the BBC is hoping to achieve with the programme?

The website promotes helplines for teenagers and advice to guide them through life which means that it is aimed at a younger audience and aims to guide confused teenagers on the right pathway for their careers s that they can become successful.

2) Go to the Life Hacks podcast episodes page. Listen to a few episodes of the podcast and explain how the topics may a) appeal to a youth audience and b) help fulfil the BBC's responsibilities as a public service broadcaster. 

Whats it like coming out in a coronavirus pandemic , are antidepressants right for me. This helps BBc fulfilling their responsibilities in guiding and raising awareness and help  on sensitive issues such as mental health which are usually brushed under the rug.

Media Factsheet

Read Media Factsheet #196 Close Study Product: Radio - Life Hacks. You'll need your Greenford google login to download it. Answer the following questions:

1) Read the first page of the factsheet. What content does Life Hacks offer to listeners?

Offers advice for common adolescent problems inviting other young people to share their problems, experiences or advice.

2) Which of the five central purposes in the BBC's remit does Life Hacks cover?

 To provide impartial news and information to help
people understand and engage with the world around
them.

3) Read the history of Radio 1 on page 2. Why was the launch of Radio 1 both significant and controversial?

They believed that that the BBCs promotion of pop music is vulgar and instead of promoting popular music broadcasting they should look for commercial alternatives.
4) Do you consider Life Hacks to be a 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC to fulfil its public service broadcasting remit? Why?

No because it is not diverse and does not apply to all age groups and genres and therefore only fulfil their permit for a certain age group.
5) Look at the figures on page 3 of the factsheet. How much does the BBC spend on Radio 1?

1.6% of the licence fee spend.
6) How has new technology impacted on radio?

It has resulted in the audience having more flexibility and control over listening and demanding.
7) What has Radio 1 done in response to the changes new technology have had on radio?

They have created an app named BBC sounds where they can adjust and promote this new technology.
8) What are the audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra? What is their actual audience?

Their target audience is 15-29 and their actual audience is mid 30s.
9) Applying Gerbner's Cultivation theory, how might Life Hacks influence its listeners (or 'cultivate' certain views)?
The cultivation theory states that the more time people spend 'living' in the television world, the more likely they are to believe social reality aligns with reality portrayed on television" so life hacks could result in the audience believe that they can make a positive change in their lifestyle which they then act upon.

10) Applying Hall's Reception theory, how might different audiences 'read' Life Hacks? What pleasures or reactions might different audiences have to the programme?
Stuart Halls theory states that messages are encoded into television and the audience may have a personal relationship because they may relate to this life hack that is already instilled in their lifestyle.

Audience contexts: additional reading

1) Read this short Guardian review of Life Hacks. What points does the reviewer make about Life Hacks and the particular podcast episode they listened to?
My self-mentoring began with Radio 1’s Life Hacks, a long-established programme and, now, podcast. One of its most recent episodes features Stormzy, which is why I had a listen. He was on with author Jude Yawson, who co-authored Rise Up, the first book published by Stormzy’s new imprint, #Merky Books. The chat was interesting: Stormzy explained his decision to set up a scholarship for BME candidates for Cambridge University and the ideas behind what he wants to do with #Merky in general

2) Read this NME feature on Radio 1 listener figures. What are the key statistics to take from this article regarding the decline in Radio 1 audience ratings?

The 9.2 million listeners that Radio 1 now pulls in each week is officially the second-lowest ever recorded ratings for the BBC station, and is close to equalling the lowest weekly rating of 9.1 million, which was posted in May 2017.

Industry contexts: final tasks

1) How does Life Hacks meet the BBC mission statement to Educate, Inform and Entertain? 
It educates and informs young teenagers about life hacks that could help them better their original lifestyle and provide them with information that teenagers aren't usually taught at home or school. It entertains by featuring many celebs who they feel as if they can relate to them and get an inside on their lives which they look up to.

2) Read the first five pages of this Ofcom document laying out its regulation of the BBC. Pick out three key points in the summary section.

The BBC is the UK’s most widely-used media organisation, providing programming on television and radio and content online. The public has exceptionally high expectations of the BBC, shaped by its role as a publicly-funded broadcaster with a remit to inform, educate and entertain the public, and to support the creative economy across the UK.

To meet these expectations, the BBC must deliver the mission and public purposes set out in its new Royal Charter (the Charter). For the first time, the BBC will be robustly held to account for doing so by an independent, external regulator.

The Licence will:Increase requirements around programmes for children. CBBC must show at least 400 hours – and CBeebies at least 100 hours – of brand new, UK commissioned programmes each year. CBeebies has to provide a range of programming that supports pre-school children’s learning;
3) Now read what the license framework will seek to do (letters a-h). Which of these points relate to BBC Radio 1 and Life Hacks?
Support social action campaigns on BBC radio.
Secure a more distinctive BBC.
Require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK population.

4) What do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why?

2. Support a wide range of valued genres
   
   2. Increase requirements around programmes for children
      
      2. Safeguard vulnerable genres such as arts, music and religious programmes.
      5) Read point 1.9: What do Ofcom plan to review in terms of diversity and audience? 
      They plan to do an an in-depth review of how different audiences are represented and portrayed on the BBC. They plan to examine the on-screen diversity of the BBC’s programming, including in its popular peak time shows.

Read this Guardian interview with BBC 1 Controller Ben Cooper.

6) What is Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?
He is trying to bring new audiences and new ways to the BBC.

7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
Using figures based on those aged 10 and up, he reckons the most common age of a Radio 1 listener is 18. And for its YouTube channel it is 12- to 17-year-old females. 

8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?

He states that it is more entertaining and commercial radio presents less entertainment.
9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?

Social media platforms have a larger audience size and they can attract more audiences increasing their popularity.

10) In your opinion, should the BBC’s remit include targeting young audiences via Radio 1 or should this content be left to commercial broadcasters? Explain your answer.

I think that BBC's remit should include raging young audiences via radio 1 because it offers more entertainment  and informs and educates a younger audience on life hacks which they are not taught induction at home which may be useful to bettering their lifestyle.

10) In your opinion, should the BBC’s remit include targeting young audiences via Radio 1 or should this content be left to commercial broadcasters? Explain your answer.

7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?

8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?

9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?

10) In your opinion, should the BBC’s remit include targeting young audiences via Radio 1 or should this content be left to commercial broadcasters? Explain your answer.

introduction to radio

1) Why does the article suggest that ‘on the face of it, BBC Radio is in rude health’?
BBC was designed towards a comprehensive offering: a shared listening so there is a schedule however there is no longer need to listen to a playlist or a schedule that does not perfectly suit their needs.
2) What percentage of under-35s use the BBC iPlayer catch-up radio app?
3%
3) What is BBC Sounds?
A new app and website that will bring radio livestreams, catchup services, music mixes and podcasts together under one roof.
4) How do audiences listen to radio content in the digital age?
Spotify has started to include a large number of podcasts and  a growing number of people listen to the radio via voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa.
5) What does Jason Phipps suggest is important for radio and podcast content aimed at younger audiences?
It has to be a warmer, more story-led journey. You need to report the very personal experience of it.
6) Why does the BBC need to stay relevant?
The BBC is really important and valued by licence fee [payers]
Now read this review of the BBC Sounds app.

7) What content does the BBC Sounds app offer?
 Music, news, drama, documentaries, true crime, comedy
8) How does it link to BBC Radio?
The app lets you click through to any live BBC radio station

9) What are the criticisms of the BBC Sounds app?
Sounds is easy to use, though I found the programme information a little tricky to access, and the search – as ever with the BBC – isn’t sensitive enough.
10) Two new podcasts were launched alongside the BBC Sounds app. What are they and why might they appeal to younger audiences?

5 live Waco series end of days and Beyond Today a 20-minute podcast that delves deeper into the big stories of the Today programme.

ShoutOut Network

Read this Huffington Post feature on the Shout Out Network and answer the following questions:

1) What is the ShoutOut Network?

a London-based network of diverse podcasts

2) What podcasts are offered by the ShoutOut Network?

Mostly Lit, carefree comedy duo Two Fools Talking, theatre and music aficionados Artistic State of Mind and brand new football show Top 4mation.

3) What audience do they reach?

20,000 listeners per month, of which 92% are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities

4) What are the 2015 statistics on podcast listening in the UK?

3.7 million adults listen to podcasts which equate to around 6.5% of the adult population.

5) The article suggests podcasts are ‘picking up more steam’. Do you think podcasts the future of radio?

I think podcast are since they are more raw and create a connection with the younger audience where they feel safe to speak about certain topics which get coverage in the media thus why they succeed more.

The specials ghost town.

1) Why does the writer link the song to cinematic soundtracks and music hall tradition?
Written in E♭, more attuned to “mood music”, with nods to cinematic soundtracks and music hall tradition, it reflects and engenders anxiety.
2) What subcultures did 2 Tone emerge from in the late 1970s?
2 Tone had emerged stylistically from the Mod and Punk subcultures and its musical roots and the people in it, audiences and bands, were both black and white.
3) What social contexts are discussed regarding the UK in 1981?
Riots were breaking out across its urban areas. Deprived, forgotten, run down and angry, these were places where young people, black and white, erupted. In these neglected parts of London, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool the young, the unemployed, and the disaffected fought pitch battles with the police.
4) Cultural critic Mark Fisher describes the video as ‘eerie’. What do you think is 'eerie' about the Ghost Town video?
Mark Fisher states that weird and eerie is when there is something where there I supposed to be nothing which related to ghost town since the music video should not have a horror category to it since that category is only for movies.

5) Look at the final section (‘Not a dance track’). What does the writer suggest might be the meanings created in the video? Do you agree?
It's just a cry out against injustice, against closed off opportunities by those who have pulled the ladder up and robbed the young, the poor, the white and black of their songs and their dancing, their futures.

Now read this BBC website feature on the 30th anniversary of Ghost Town’s release. 

1) How does the article describe the song?
It is an odd, eerie song nodding to pop convention and sitting wilfully outside of it.
2) What does the article say about the social context of the time – what was happening in Britain in 1981?
Britain faced recession and riots broke out in the urban areas.
3) How did The Specials reflect an increasingly multicultural Britain?
It consisted of a group of black and white men from a depressed Midlands
4) How can we link Paul Gilroy’s theories to The Specials and Ghost Town?
The ghost town is  cultural black music however it is derived from white cultural music and consists of white members.
5) The article discusses how the song sounds like a John Barry composition. Why was John Barry a famous composer and what films did he work on?
There's something frenzied and mad about that record," he says. "It has such a kaleidoscope of influences - jazz, (film score composer) John Barry, Middle Eastern music, a solid reggae undertone and stuff that sounds like nothing else.
"It has such a kaleidoscope of influences - jazz, (film score composer) John Barry, Middle Eastern music, a solid reggae undertone and stuff that sounds like nothing else.
Close-textual analysis of Ghost Town

Watch the video several times and make bullet-point notes of your close-textual semiotic analysis using the following headings:

1) Mise-en-scene: Setting, Lighting, Colour, Actor/performer placement and movement, Costume and props. How are some of these aspects used to create meanings?
The setting was an abandoned road and was quite isolated which could be referring to how the ethnic minority working class are isolated from the rest of the world and the upper class who are successful. The actors are a mix of black and white which disregards division and rather promotes diversity. The lighting was quite dim throughout the music video to Gove an ominous and eery effect, the lighting also got darker as the video progressed which may be referring to how the social problems in UK were getting more worse than better.

2) Cinematography: Camera shots and camera movement.
There were a lot of closeups in the beginning to raise the audiences suspicions and not show the full landscape to intrigue the audience.

3) Editing: Pace, juxtaposition, timing. 
The pace and timing is really slow and drags on for a while to drag the suspense on for a while and build up tension.

Now apply media theory to the video - perhaps by considering whether Ghost Town reinforces or challenges some of the media theories we have studied. Make bullet-point notes on the following:

1) Goodwin’s theory of music video.
Godwin  believed that a music video can promote a song by though the way it analysis the lyrics and ghost town reinforces this theory because it uses the social context of their lyrics to promote the song because of the rioting that was at its peak in the Uk.

2) Neale’s genre theory.
Neale states that a film must match the genre's conventions to be identified as part of that genre and ghost town challenges this by using the conventions of a horror genre in the music video although the song is not of a horror genre.
3) Gilroy’s diasporic identity/postcolonial theory.
Gilroy believes in a genre which consists of a mix of all races an ghost town reinforces this because it is actually very multicultural consisting of white and black actors.4) Bricolage and pastiche.
Pastiche is a genre that consists of many different media texts brought together which is evident in ghost town since it brings horror and social matters together.
5) Strinati’s definition of postmodernism.
Strinati theory states that art in music represented what was going on in life at the the time and ghost town reinforces this because it use its art to represents the social realism.

music video common letter to the free

1) What other projects has Common been involved in over recent years?
Common performs at Tribeca Talks: Common with Nelson George during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios on April 23, 2017 in New York City. 
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
To abolish slavery and involuntary servitude except if it is an punishment for a crime.
3) What were the Black Codes?
They were laws governing the conduct of Americans (free blacks).
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
The effects of slavery are still present until this day which is why its a crucial aspect.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
I was always disturbed and fascinated by and furious with what we were not talking about the fact that, you know multi-billion dollar companies were profiting off of black bodies and people from my community, in prison.”
6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?

In the late '80s and '90s that was truly reflective of a movement.
7) Common talks about other current artists that have a political or protest element to their music. Who are they? Are there any other hip hop artists that you are aware of that have a strong political element to their work?
Big Daddy kane, Kendrick Lamar,Chance the rapper, Mo.D, NWA. Other hip hop artists who I think have a strong element is J Cole because he reflects his battle against police brutality in his songs and has been doing it for years.

8) What album is Letter to the Free taken from? What was the critical reception for this album? 

Black America again album. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 88, based on 13 reviews.


Close-textual analysis and representation

Re-watch the music video several times to complete the following tasks in specific detail:

1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
There are a lot of closeup shots which may indicate that the music video is giving an audience an insight on the wider societal issues such as racism which gains media coverage. The camera seems to move closer in and zoom In which may indicate they audience are getting closer to understanding the truth of how common racism is.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
It follows action and by reveals information about the setting as the audience takes it in.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
To represent the unequal division between the black and white race.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
All the actors seem to be wearing basic and casual outfits to portray the message that equality between races should be a basic human right. The lighting is quite dim and dull which shows that oppression to a race or racism in general  brings darkness and trouble instead of happiness and causes more harm than good. The actors seem to be in a large room where there are only one or two of them which could show how black people stand out in a crowd of white people and are treated dfferently.


5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
He openly states in the song "black lives matter" which is the true meaning of the song because he is trying to preach that black lives are just as important as white lives.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif? Discuss your own interpretations alongside Common's explanation of it in the Billboard feature linked above.
The square motif may represent the emerging of an objectified and oppressed black race to a non-objective race.
7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.
There are lots of cells which could be referring to how black people were kept captivated ,enslaved and were held against their own free will by white people. The one man held in the cell may indicate the siaoltion back people faces which prevented them from interactions with each other.8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
Gilroy believed that black identity was created by the scattering of black people who found traditions over the world and combined it thus not having an original indentity which is what message common is trying to convey.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
Stuart hall states that the media has an intentional approach to construct news solely based on how they want the audience to view a world controlling their mindset which relates to commons music video which states that the media provides coverage of the oppression black people face because they don't want an audience to view white people as oppressors and black people as the oppressed.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?

Police brutality for once consists of a majority of black people being attached to a label or stereotype which makes police officers believe that they are a threat due to the message that has been conveyed through the media. Thus resulting in the police officers murdering innocent black males and females because of their internalised or institutional  racism.

music video theory

1) How does the This Is America video meet the key conventions of a music video? Look back at last week's introduction to music video if you're not sure.
This is America has a clear narrative where the lyrics based on the gun violence in America which has oppressed a black minority are illustrated by the use of police cars and shooting of black actors in the music video. The movement in this music video is a hip hop dance style particularly related to black culture.
2) What comment is the video making on American culture, racism and gun violence?
The video shows the corruption of America where gun violence is the main factor used against a black minority group. Donald shows throughout the video how after each shooting of the black minority, the police proceed to handle the gun with more care than the people showing how little black lives matter in America and how consistent racism is. Donalds pose in the beginning represents the old representations of black men who were considered to look like clowns and jokers. The many crimes being committed in the back with flashing cars whilst the kids proceed to dance shows how America does not face their crimes but rather ignores it and does not address it to the media.
3) Write an analysis of the video applying the theories we have learned: Gilroy, Hall, Rose and Dyson. Write a short paragraph for each theory.
Gilroy- States that Black people music culture consists of diasporic experiences which is evident in This is America because Donald shows a resistance to the white capitalists who oppress the black minority with gun violence and are served no justice for these crimes committed against them. Donald brings lights to the situation and informs an audience which is a form of resistance.
Hall- States that media blur race and class which is evident in this since all the black actors seem to be wearing clothes of small value indicating that the white capitalist believe that all black people are instantly of the working class.
Now read this Guardian feature on This Is America - including the comments below.

4) What are the three interpretations suggested in the article?
He is acting as Jim Crow who was a black minstrel meaning the black people are still seen as minstrels, he is taking on the police by stating that "tool" such as phones document their gun violence putting them in a vulnerable position since their crimes will be openly viewed on media, he is duping us with a dance to distract us from the rioting in the background showing how America masks their crimes.
5) What alternative interpretations of the video are offered in the comments 'below the line'? Choose two and explain what the comments are suggesting.
It is a way to show America has come to an acceptance of violence and murder which is why no justice has been served and why these crimes have not been solved. Another comment states that the message America is evil and racist is quite obvious and believes there is another hidden message which may be of its link to other countries and its reviled around the world.

Media Magazine - This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest

Read This Is America: Music, Politics and Protest in MM65 (p14). You can find this in our Media Magazine archive. Answer the following questions:

1) The article offers an excellent textual analysis of the opening of the video. What are some of the suggested meanings and references the writer discusses? Can you link this analysis to any of the theorists we have studied?

2) What does the writer suggest are the main political themes in the video - and why is the message unclear?

3) What meanings and suggestions does the writer highlight in Beyonce's video for Formation?

4) What is notable about Glover's comedy drama TV show Atlanta? 

5) What examples does the writer provide of hip hop as a political genre? What theorist can we link this to?

music video: introduction

1) What is the purpose of a music video?
The purpose of music videos is to sell the product.
2) How has the digital age changed the production and distribution of music videos?
Media technologies have developed in middle age making music videos to be more widely spread and distributed because they were able to be uploaded to hosting sites which were viewed using portable devices such as iPhones so that they could access it at any time.
3) Which three major record labels are behind VEVO? What is VEVO and why was it created?
Sony music entertainment,universal music group and Abu Dhabi media. It is a video hosting site specifically for music videos.
4) What are the key conventions of a music video?
Movement, narrative and band/artist.

5) How can narrative be used in music video? Give an example of a music video that uses a narrative.
The narrative may relate to the songs lyrics and illustrate what is being said giving an audience a visual picture to help them understand the music better. An example is I was a teenage anarchist by against me who used a loose narrative which fitted with the lyrics of the song.

6) What examples are provided in the factsheet for intertextuality in music videos?
All the small things music video made references to Christina Aguilera genie in a bottle. Cheerleaders in teenagers music video makes references to smells like teen spirits by Nirvana.

7) Why do audiences enjoy intertextual references in media products?
It allows them to feel pressure when they recognise the reference.


8) Read the music video example analysis on page 3 of the factsheet. Select a music video of your own choice and write your own analysis using the following headings:

• Conventions (movement/narrative/artist)- Hip Hop dancing, the artist is trying to give herself motivation to gain her self worth, Normani.
• Intertextuality-The dancing style was similar to the old hip hop dancing style which is present in Bruno Mars music video finesse.
• Representation-Normani is represented as  independent and in a way an alpha female since she seems to be leading everyone else . Her hip hop dance style also mirrors hardcore dancing making her seem quite fierce and confident.
• Audience-The target audience would be teenage females because they are at the prime age of struggling with their self confidence and this video would motivate them tp change their mindset.
• Institution- She is signed to the RCA records and Syco music however the video was produced by Vevo.

9) Watch the video for Ice Cube's It Was A Good Day (1993). How did this video set the conventions for later hip-hop music videos?
The clothing style and the typical 1900s conventional car is now used and mirrored in hip hop music videos. The narrative is based on crimes committed by a small minority and gang culture which is now featured in hip hop music videos.


10) How important do you think music videos are in the marketing and promotion of music artists in 2018? Are music videos essential to a band or artist's success?
Music videos are essential to a band and artists success because they receive more likes than just a lyric or audio video because it helps illustrate the songs lyrics giving an audience a deeper understanding. The movement in music videos usually capture an audiences attention especially if they use a provocative dancing method resulting in the male gaze.