DECEMBER 2010: THE CHANGE ISSUE M M MediaMagazine edia agazine Menglish and media centre issue 34 | decemberM 2010 The Concept of Change in Media Studies english english and media centre Evolving Technologies Music Industry: from Labels to Laptops The Rise of American Quality Television | issue | 34 issue | december 2010 Context and the City: New York The Cinematic Scare in Transition MM Twitter and the Changing Face of Stardom MM MM MediaMagazine is published by Welcome to MediaMagazine. the English and Media Centre, a You might wonder why we have chosen the theme of ‘change’ for this edition non-profit making organisation. of MediaMag. After all, it’s not one of those essential key concepts which pops up The Centre publishes a wide range throughout your AS or A2 spec, neither is it a set topic, research of classroom materials and runs courses for teachers. If you’re option or critical perspective in its own right. And yet, whatever studying English at A Level, look out aspect of Media Studies you’re investigating, ideas about change for emagazine, also published by are never far from the surface. Theories and case studies which the Centre. explain or illustrate changes in the media landscape; changes in The English and Media Centre the media texts we consume and in the ways we consume them; 18 Compton Terrace changes in technology and in production processes; changes in London N1 2UN the ways events, issues and social groups are represented; changes Telephone: 020 7359 8080 in media institutions, ownership, and influence … Looking back over the changes in Fax: 020 7354 0133 the way you yourself have used, accessed, and created media in your own lifetime, Email for subscription enquiries: you might recognise that this is perhaps a theme worth investigating. [email protected] So in this issue we’re looking at change from a number of different perspectives. Managing Editor: Michael Simons Roy Stafford kicks off with a view of Media Studies itself as a potential force for change, explores whether it has lost its original revolutionary edge, and suggests Editor: Jenny Grahame some approaches and challenging questions which might reverse the process. Sub-editor: Priscilla McClay Meanwhile, there’s lots here to guide you through your own particular specification. If you’re studying Media Regulation, whatever your specification, Editorial assistant/admin: Rebecca Scambler our in-depth study of changing values at the BBFC will provide you with useful case studies. For OCR AS students preparing for G323, Carly Sandy’s account of the Design: Sam Sullivan & Jack Freeman way American quality drama is transforming British TV drama is an essential read Artwork production: Sparkloop Genre-wise, read Rob McInnes’s article on the way the film industry exploits change Print: S&G Group by continual re-tellings of the same stories, and Rebecca Ellis’s view of the role Cover: Mad Men, courtesy of image. of gender in changes in the Romantic Comedy movie. And horror fans should be net intrigued by Matt Freeman’s interview with the great John Carpenter on the genre ISSN: 1478-8616 changes he has seen in his long career. If you’re focusing on Representation for AQA A2, there are articles on evolving How to subscribe representations of the monarchy, of New York, and gender. To support your study of new media technologies, you’ll find a variety of accounts of technological change Four issues a year, published and the online world, ranging from the effects of online comment on the news September, December, late February media and the digitisation of the magazine industry to the impact of Facebook and and late April. Twitter on social interaction and celebrity. If you’re studying the music industry for Centre print-only subscription: OCR’s AS G323, or WJEC’s MS4, see Chris Budd’s survey of the democratising effects £29.95 of technological change, and Mike Hobbs’ industry interviews with the producers Centre website package: £89.95 and artists in the front line of change. And there’s much more in our online ‘Change’ includes print magazine, full website supplement for web subscribers. access and an online PDF version of We’re still interested in your views and proposals for our April issue, on the theme the current issue of Collaboration. As always, mail your proposals to [email protected] Additional subscriptions for The deadline for final articles is 10th January 2011. students, teachers or the library can be added to either the print-only subscription or the website package for £10 a year. This magazine is not to be photocopied. Why Online this issue not subscribe to our 30 more pages of change, including James Rose on changes in the Body Horror genre; the web package which impact of downloading on the music industry; Sean Richardson on Kick-Ass; articles on the includes a downloadable political impact of the newest genre of ‘real-person’ fanfiction; representations of school over time; women in music video; the changing personas of Lady Gaga; the evolution of the Boy Band; and printable PDF of and the change likely to follow the demise of the UK Film Council. the current issue or Coming soon to MediaMag Online encourage your students New MediaMagClips from the MediaMag student conference, featuring three creative to take out their own £10 media producers discussing their work: Lindy Heyman, video and feature film director; Ed Stern, subscription? videogame developer and writer; and sports photographer Paul Harding. 2 MediaMagazine | December 2010 | english and media centre MM contents Front Page News From ‘The Unforgettable Hollywood Techniques Recent news, views, reviews and Fire’ to Arcade Fire: 25 04 previews. 26 Revealed Cartoon by Goom Years Of Change in the 48 Do We Have to Live Music Business 1985- 06 Like This? The Concept 2010 An overview of changes in of Change in Media the music industry over the last 25 years – from the perspective Roy Stafford ponders Studies of the artists and producers who the importance of ‘change’ in the lived through them. revolutionary history – and future – of the Media Studies curriculum. Agent of Change: 11 The Documentaries Context and the of Michael Moore Pete 49 City: Changing Turner evaluates radical US Representations of New documentary-maker Michael Moore’s controversial career, York Steph Hendry explores larger-than-life persona, and changing versions of the often-criticised techniques. iconographic city in the media, Have Your Say: How is and of social and political events Barbarity and the Beast: 30 Internet Comment(ing) that have shaped its history. 14 The BBFC in Modern Changing the News Chick Flick or Guy Com? Michael Ewins Britain Media? Priscilla McClay raises Romantic Comedy Rebecca interviews the BBFC’s Education some tricky questions about the 52 Ellis considers the evolution of the Officer on changing public democratic and political potential genre over time, and its changing attitudes to screen sex, violence, of online news forums. representations of gender. taste and decency, and the suitability of controversial material It’s TV, But Not as We The Magazine Industry for children. 32 Know it: The Rise and 55 in the Digital Age Emma Change Ain’t What it Rise of American Quality Webb on the perfect way into Used to be – Mysteries Television Carly Sandy study of text, industry and 18 audience for WJEC’s Med4 exam suggests HBO and other US Rob McInnes of the Reboot! channels are changing the quality paper. explores the ways media products of British TV drama programmes are continually reinvented, for the better. Glee: a Postmodern recycled, and re-purposed – and Approach Has Glee why producers use so many terms 58 The Monarchy, Television transformed the conventions of beginning with ‘re’. and British Identity: A the high school musical genre in 36 a postmodern way? Alan Payne Reign of Change Nicholas explores. Hobbs explores the changing representations of the monarchy. The Skillset Solution Nick Sheridan outlines some of the Primal Fear: The 60 ways you could benefit from 39 Cinematic Scare in Skillset’s initiatives. Transition Matt Freeman discusses horror’s new nightmare Media Investigation with fright legend John 62 and Production: Getting Evolving Technologies: Carpenter. Started with WJEC A2 22 Changes in Audiences Fac(ebook)ing the Coursework WJEC examiner How Jonathan Nunns takes you and Consumption Changes Tina Dixon offers a have advances in technology 43 through the essential steps to cautiously optimistic overview of brought about changes in success. the impact of Facebook and the audience trends? Holly Taylor critical debates surrounding it. investigates. Engendering Change: Celebrity Tweets: 65 What’s Happened to Changes in the Music Representations of Industry: From Labels 46 Twitter and Stardom John 24 Branney investigates the Twitter Women? How far have media to Laptops Christopher Budd effect on the nature of celebrity representations of women surveys the democratising effects culture. changed over the last 40 years? of technological change on the Nick Lacey finds that feminism still music industry, and concludes has a fight on its hands. that it’s a great time to launch a career as an unsigned artist. english and media centre | December 2010 | MediaMagazine 3 Front Page News Phone-hacking scandal investigated but last year the Guardian revealed new evidence ‘actively encouraged’ him to engage in phone that the practice was widespread at the paper. hacking. Victims included celebrities such as Sienna Miller, A Channel 4 Dispatches programme went even Heather Mills, Steve Coogan and Chris Tarrant, as further, speaking to an anonymous journalist well as politicians such as John Prescott, and MPs who claimed that the editor was personally George Galloway and Chris Byrant. involved and listened to the intercepted This has led to calls for the resignation of Andy messages himself.