Super Curricular

Random Fandom article analysis

Random Fandom is an article articulating the sudden rise of fandom culture that has plagued the world. This story doesn't just cover the positive mainstream side of fandoms but also the darker side which highlights how some people take becoming a fan to another level. The popular TV show Rick and Morty is a cartoon which a global fanbase, however some of the fans take the narrative too far as a small reference from a character in the show regarding to Szechuan sauce created a massive rampage in local Mcdonalds stores when they released the sauce. This led to police dispatches, riots, and even a stabbing all due to a sachet of sauce. This article also covers the increasing toxicity of the seemingly harmless show 'My little Pony' as it quickly fostered a wide fanbase of not just their target audience of young girls but of a community of middle aged men who call themselves 'Bronys'. This community have began to associate the show with violence and pornographic material. This article has wholly highlighted the issues surrounding fandoms as a collective and acknowledge how harmful they can be. 

This article can be related to Henry Jenkins fandom theory who believes that fans are responsible for a lot of things surrounding a media product, particularly constructing their own meanings. This theory has been ever more increasing due to the uprise in technology and artificial technology. 

Grace and Bianca's Story- Shelter charity

This is a Shelter Campaign from winter this year telling the story of Grace and Bianca who were struggling financially and as a result, needed go move into temporary accommodation. Bianca was studying for her upcoming exams and was faced with more anxiety and disruption when they were forced to quickly leave their home and were overwhelmed with uncertainty. I chose to talk about this campaign as I could feel empathy for Bianca as I know how stressful exams are so I can understand how this added pressure may have affected her mental health. Uncertainty is very scary especially when her immediate and far future are in the balance. Grace narrated how her temporary accommodation "felt scary and hostile" with "police in regular attendance," this made a huge impact on their mental health and personal wellbeing when they were living in constant fear. She also stated how her housing officer had little care when it came to her expressing worries and concerns, making her feel even more isolated. The charity Shelter then reached out to Grace and Bianca and offered help and support, moving them out of their unsuitable housing and giving them the home they deserve. Shelter finally ended this short film and provided a fact regarding homelessness. It stated that a "record of 159,000 children are homeless." This statement provides shock value and alarms the audience, providing them with fear that it could easily happen to them or their kids, thus encouraging altruism and empathy in the audience making them want to donate to the charity.  

Mark Dixon Book on Media Theory

At the start of year 12, I made a Power point on any of the media theorist in the OCR a-level specification. I chose to conduct my study on Paul Gilroy's media representation theory. However I have recently decided to read Mark Dixon's book on media theory to reaffirm my understanding on this theorist. Gilroy is most commonly known in this industry for his critical race theory and postcolonial studies conducted in the early 2000s. He stated that black communities were demonised through representations in the media that associated them with acts of criminality such as knife crime and muggings. Representations of the black community (especially black youths) to be naturally lawless and incompatible with British white values. His work also aligns with civilisationism as he argues that the 2001 9/11 terrorist attack  altered the tone and nature of media-orientated representations regarding race and difference. George W Bush made a speech which Gilroy feels consolidates a deeply troubling and imperialist view which positioned Western societies to be superior to other nations. in civilisationism he argues:

• it constructs a binary world view
• it has a racist subtext
• it nurtures cultural incompatibility
• nurtures fear  

Those who may challenge Gilroy's theory:

David Gauntlett

Henry Jenkins