Music - Radio: Lesson 1

Lesson 1
Research Task
What decade did Radio begin?
Commercially, in the 1920's.
Name at least 3 different radio platforms
DAB, Online, On mobile phones via apps.
Name the company who regulates radio
OFCOM
How would you raise a complaint with this regulator?
If listeners experience harmful or offensive material, unfair treatment and loss of privacy.

Who are popular Radio presenters? Name 3
Chris Evans, Zoe Ball, Marvin Humes
Name 4 different Radio genres

News, Drama, Sport, Country 

Wise Buddah

Radio 538

From listening to it who is the target audience? Why?

The target audience are people who listen to general and modern pop music - teens, younger audiences. This is because of the jingle's main focus on pop.

What stands out about the jingle?

It is very loud and has a varied fast tempos; focuses solely on modern pop music. It also says the 'Radio 538' catchphrase in a bold way to stand out.

Newstalk

From listening to it who is the target audience? Why?

The target audience is people who like to listen to the news; more adults than younger.

What stands out about the jingle?

It has a lot of dialogue, stating each of the categories for its radio station (eg. weather, traffic, etc.) and what the radio station gives to the audience, rather than music like 'Radio 538'. The music doesn't really change (same tempo throughout) and mainly focuses on trying to give the audience an insight as to what the presenters talk about on this station.

Radio Schedules

Radio 1:

Early:

Includes comedies and extras (stories, etc).

Morning:

Includes radio 1 breakfast with Greg James and live lounge.
Afternoon:
Mainly news.
Evening:
Nick Grimshaw as DJ and different genres of music such as indie.
Late:
Remixes, workout anthems and top of the charts.

Radio 4:

Early:

Includes typical news, weather updates, prayers and nature topics.

Morning:

Various news and current affairs, some comedy.

Afternoon:

News, analysis, weather, quizzes also audible book stories.

Evening:

Lots more news and stories.

Late:

Typical news, weather updates, prayers and nature topics.

Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is the most relevant and enjoyable out of the radio stations. It focuses and mainly offers modern pop music and current popular songs (charts, hits, etc.) and still provides other genres at late hours.

Radio 1 and Radio 4

What are the similarities?

Both radio 1 and radio 4 provide news, weather, traffic updates, etc. This conforms to PSB requirements as they inform the public.

What are the differences? 

Radio 1 includes lots of music compared to radio 4 which has no audio and is discussion only. Radio 4 talked about more political and niche programming compared to radio 1 which provide a live lounge for different artists as well as different genres of music.

Introduction Notes to Radio

(My own notes!!!!)
Introduction to Radio

Radio has evolved dramatically since the first broadcasts in the 1920s.

As a media industry it was dominated by the BBC until the 1960s when pirate radio stations became popular with young people.

This popularity would pave the way for commercial radio to establish itself and allow the industry to develop.

Modern radio is available in various forms:

- BBC Radio: national stations include Radio 1,2,3,4, 5 live and 6 Music. Also have over 50 regional radio stations broadcasting throughout the UK. All these stations operate under the conditions of the Royal Charter and don't carry adverts because they are funded by the licence fee.

- Commercial and Independent Radio: stations include Classic FM and Absolute. Funded by advertising.

- Regional Stations: can be delivered by the BBC as well as commercial and independent radio broadcasters. For example BBC Radio London or Radio Essex, which is commercially owned by the Adventure Radio Group.

- DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting): Planet Rock and Magic are examples of this type of radio station.

- Community Radio

- Hospital and Student Radio.

Case Study - BBC Radio 1, DJ Nick Grimshaw

A radio programme's style and content will be influenced by the station identity and often by the personality of the presenter. Programmes can be broadcast live or be pre-recorded. 

For example, The Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw is a live presenter-led show which contains the expected conventions of music, chat, guest interviews, an audience phone-in and competitions. 

The show is zoo format; this means it includes all those elements mentioned and is delivered in a spontaneous, comic way.

Technological Innovation

New technology has helped the radio industry evolve and increase in popularity.

There's been a huge increase in the number of people downloading podcasts and streaming internet radio. Most radio stations archive past broadcasts on their official websites, for listeners to access on-demand. Studio webcams and social media have changed the audience relationship with radio by making listeners feel more connected to the presenters. This type of media convergence is also achieved through the use of blogs and forums on radio websites.

Radio is available on more platforms than ever before, including:

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

FM Radio

LW (Long Wave)

MW (Medium Radio)

Freeview TV, Sky TV and Virgin TV

Online

On mobile phones via mobile apps

On digital music players

Brand Identities

A radio station will have a specific brand identity which informs their house style. 

A radio station's target audience can be identified by the music it plays; a station like Gold, for example, focuses on playing classic pop songs for an older audience. 

Another feature of house style is the language presenters use on air. For example, Radio 4 uses clear diction and formal language whereas a station targeting a young audience will be more energetic and use informal, everyday language that may include some slang or abbreviations like ‘LOL’ or ‘YOLO’. 

The BBC is a good case study to show how a single broadcaster can have a range of brand identities that target different audiences.
Each station has a different remit:

BBC Radio 1: to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech.

BBC Radio 1Xtra: to play the best in contemporary black music with a strong emphasis on live music and supporting new UK artists.

BBC Radio 2: to be a distinctive mixed music and speech service, targeted at a broad audience, appealing to all age groups over 35.

BBC Radio 3: to offer a mix of music and cultural programming in order to engage and entertain its audience.

BBC Radio 4: to be a mixed speech service, offering in-depth news and current affairs and a wide range of other speech output including drama, readings, comedy, factual and magazine programmes.

BBC Radio 4 Extra: to provide speech-based entertainment. Its schedule includes comedy, drama, stories, features, readings and programmes that appeal to children.

BBC Radio 5 Live: to provide live news and sports coverage.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra: to bring a greater choice of live action to sports fans by offering a part-time extension of BBC Radio 5 live.

BBC Radio 6 Music: to entertain lovers of popular music with a service that celebrates the alternative spirit in popular music from the 1960s to the present day.

BBC Asian Network: to provide speech and music output appealing to British Asians, with a strong focus on news and current affairs. 

        The World Service is broadcast internationally and provides news, analysis and information. 

       Marketing

     Radio stations market themselves through advertising.

       They often use their own stations, official websites and social media channels as platforms to promote forthcoming shows, new presenters, or the general brand identity of the station itself.

Audience Table

Reception Theory

Reception Theory -  Stuart Hall
Preferred reading: Audiences accepts the intended messages from the producer.
- Audiences believe that Little Mix can perform magic and have to power to help people.
- Audiences believe that The Vamps are cool, happy and can get any girl they want to.

Negotiated reading: Audiences partly accept, partly reject the message intended by the producer.
- Audiences may not be interested in either celebrity so do not watch the video, but enjoy the music.

Oppositional reading: Audiences completely reject the messages intended by the producer.
- Audiences may not value Little Mix/The Vamps.
- Audiences completely disagree with the stereotypical characters.

Textual Analysis - Exam Question

Exam Questions
How conventional are the music videos to their genre? Discuss a pair of music videos you have studied.
Music videos are usually conventional to their genre. From viewing Little Mix's music video for 'Black Magic', it is evident to see many pop conventions. For example, the mise-en-scene displayed in the music video in which the main characters clothes (once they 'transform') is bright, and the way they act towards the boy; flirty, joyful. The effect of this demonstrates how the pop genre is portrayed, pop have happy, fast tempo's which is conformed through the characters' body language.
Additionally, within The Vamps 'Somebody to You' through the mise-en-scene you can see a beach setting, with a sunset on the horizon as well as sports and swimming pools with people enjoying themselves. The effect of this demonstrates a pop genre through the bright and 'vibing' atmosphere.

Explain one way that music videos use media language to differ from one another. Refer to one example of contrasting language in two media videos you have studied to support your answer.
One way is through mise-en-scene of the music video. Little Mix's 'Black Magic' is set in a high school and uses stereotypically nerdy costumes to emphasise its genre in an american high school and its stereotypical narrative of characters trying to gain popularity and attention. 
However, the mise-en-scene in 'Somebody to You' differs from 'Black Magic' as it is filmed on a beach and the characters are mainly represented as someone to admire. This differs from 'Black Magic' as it focuses on all characters (and both genders) having a good time throughout the whole music video, instead of having a turning point like 'Black Magic' when the characters try to displease the villain of the narrative to gain respect from the boy.

Music Video Study

Music Video Study

Little Mix

Formed in 2011 on the X Factor- the only group to ever win the X Factor

Signed to: Synco (Simon Cowell's own label) / Columbia

Style: Pop with R&B influences

4 albums: DNA (2012), Salute (2013), Get Weird (2015), Glory Days (2016)- All toured albums.

Band makeup: aged 24-26- ethnically diverse

Number 1s: Cannonball, Wings, Black Magic, Shout Out to my Ex.

Singles: 17 released in the UK

Limited success in the USA - only 3 of their songs have entered the top 100.

Black Magic, which got to chart position 67.

The Vamps

The vamps first formed in 2011 - James McVey, who already had management, decided he'd like to be part of a band, and subsequently found Brad Simpson through his YouTube channel. The pair wrote songs together in late 2011, and they met drummer Tristan Evans through Facebook in 2012.

Signed too: Virgin EMI records/Island Records/Mercury Records

Style: Pop rock

4 studio Albums: Meet the Vamps (2014), Wake up(2015), Night and Day-night edition(2017), Night and Day-day edition(2018).

Band Makeup: aged 23-25- ethnically the same

Number 1s:

Singles: 18 released in the UK

Demi Lovato 

Began her career in 2002- Rose to her artist fame from performing in various tv shows- Disney, Camp Rock etc.

Signed to: Hollywood Records/Walt Disney Records/Island Records/ Polydor Records/Safehouse Records.

Style: Pop Rock and RnB

Studio Albums: 6 studio albums

Demi is 27 years old.

33 singles.

Extremely successful.

Black Magic

Setting: School

Editing: Starts with straight cut editing then goes to shot reverse shot when the boy calls the girl over then when the girls transform the shot reverse shot continues.

Mise-en-scene: Starts with 'geeky' clothes which can be viewed as unfashionable when the girls are 'un-popular' then as they transform to popularity their clothes change with them as being fashionable and revealing.

Narrative: The girls are treated badly as 'geeks' then when opportunity rises to become popular they use it and spread love around the school where its due; also hate when its due.

Represents women as; Strong, independent and leaders- yet in a sense controlled by society.

Represent men as: Weak and smart- objectifying women and what they wear and how they act.

Intertextuality with: The craft 

Somebody to You

Setting: Beach/Beach house

Editing:Was edited in tune with the song 

Mise-en-scene: Girls wore revealing costumes like crop tops and bikinis whereas the boys wear beach clothing-shorts, tank tops. Use instruments and props and there's also use of a football and tennis court.

Narrative: Portrays the life of teenagers if you look and act a certain way however is more a performance.

Represents women as: Objects for men's pleasure- only slim white women are able to wear revealing outfits and hang around the boys.

Represents men as: Controlling and dominant.

Intertextuality with:

Textual Analysis - Music Videos

Representation

Record Labels
A record label is essentially a brand or trademark.
They are often responsible for the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion of albums.
They enforce copyright laws.
They conduct scouting and development of artists.
They maintain contracts with recording artists and their managers.

The Big 3: The Majors
Warner Bros
Universal
Sony

Who are Little Mix and The Vamps signed to?
Little Mix - Columbia Records
The Vamps - Virgin EMI Records

Independents
They operate without funding from the majors. Indie labels range from home based hobby labels to highly profitable, large businesses. Some large indie labels are actually distributed by the big three major labels.

Representation
The media are in the business of describing things to us. They represent people and types of people to us so that we end up feeling that we know what they are like.
Representation is a mixture of the thing itself the opinions of the people watching


A stars image becomes a readily recognised sign that is used in many different media forms. A pop star his a manufactured image and does not correlate to their personality behind the image.

In most of these cases it is unlikely that you know these people personally - the impression that you have of them must come from the media. They have given us descriptions that have affected our views of these people.

Any representation is a mixture of:
1. The thing itself
2. The opinions of the people constructing  the representation.
3. The reaction of the individual to the representation
4. The context of the society in which the representation is taking place.

Little Mix 

Little Mix as stereotypical popular girls are portrayed through their long hair down whereas when they where nerds, their hair was up. The also aren't wearing a lot of clothes by them doing this it is representing that in order for boys to like you, don't wear a lot of clothes. This is the wrong message being put across as it's making girls feel insecure with their bodies as some may not have the confidence to wear clothes that are revealing. They are females and they are 23 - 26 and they are all white which generally white girls are portrayed as popular. They are inclusive with different types of people however exclude the bully who was rude to the nerd boy. When the girls form to popular girls they challenge the stereotype as they are nice to the boy who gets bullied.

The popular blonde female is portrayed as a nasty girls who conforms to the popularity that Is stereotypically portrayed in teenage movies. She is a white female and she plays a nasty girl. Stereotypically the popular girls in teenage movie are usually white and have long blonde hair. The popular girl is very exclusive to people who she doesn't approve of being 'popular' based on how they look. The popular girl portrayed in 'Black Magic' is also wearing clothes that are revealing and this is a stereotype of 'popular girls'

The Vamps 

The vamps in 'somebody to you' are represented as 'cool boys' by the way they dress and the way they are represented. I can also see this as stereotypically 'cool popular boys' have girls 'chasing after them' and interested in them, this is shown in the vamps that girls are showing and interest in not necessarily what they do but how they look. the 'cool boys' come from what they are wearing for example the leather jackets, the unbuttoned shirts etc

The group of girls in 'somebody to you' are represented as girls who are interested in the boys, this shown through the camera and editing especially shot reverse shot.

In the beginning it was based on just the boys and you could slightly see the girls. When the girls where shown they were wearing clothes however further on the music video the girls are shown on camera an increasingly amount, however now are wearing revealing clothes as they believe in order to draw the boys attention. The need to wear clothes that are revealing (bikinis), which is the wrong message being portrayed. This attention draws to the girls being white, which is a complete unfair representation as there  are no black girls in the video intact no black people which is highly exclusive and projecting a message that is completely wrong. This implies that you can only have fun and seem desirable if you are white.

Keywords

Uses and Gratifications - The 4 ways that audiences consume media; Personal Identity, Social Interaction, Entertainment and Information.
Male Gaze - Media products are predominantly made for heterosexual males and women are usually sexualised or objectified for entertainment.
Patriarchy - One who is of higher power than another.
PSB - Public Service Broadcaster.
Intertextuality - when parts of a media text is presented as a reference from another media text from the past
Parody - when a part of a media text is presented to 'take the mickey' of another media text (intertextuality for the purpose of making fun)
Direct Address - When characters in a media text are purposely trying to communicate to the viewer
Connotation - Something that can be associated by other words - what something suggests

Dominant Representation - Representation through people who are in hierarchy or in higher power than others.
LARI - Language, Audience, Representation, Institution
Contexts - The social, historical and cultural backgrounds towards a media text and how it makes up the media text.
What three areas does camera language cover? - Camera shots, camera angles, 
Codes and conventions - Codes are signs that have different meaning depending on the media text, conventions are things that are normalised within the genre/setting.
Target Audience - Where a media text purposefully attracts certain audiences.
High Angle - When the camera looks down on the point of focus, making a character or object look vulnerable or innocent.
Low Angle - When the camera looks up at the point of focus, makes the character or object look powerful and strong.
Continuity Editing - The process of editing different components from a single shot into a sequence to present to the audience the consistency of a story line.
Ways to listen to music - Youtube, spotify, Apple Music, Soundcloud
Jingle - a short slogan, verse, or tune designed to be easily remembered, especially as used in advertising.
Regulator of Radio - OFCOM
Commercial Radio Stations - Stations that are funded by advertising.
Mode of address - how a media text speaks to the audience
Ways to access radio - Online, DAB, Radio, Mobile Phones and mobile devices, Smart speakers, TV, DVD
Audience collector for the radio - RAJAR
How the live lounge target different audiences - through providing artists of different genres, nationalities, level of fame, ethnicities, and include cover songs from the artists choice. 
How live lounge meet the PSB requirements - Live lounge entertains viewers, and also have no advertisements.

Audience collator of radio - RAJAR

Regulator - OFCOM

Identify a commercial radio station - Capital

Mode of address - How a media text speaks to the audience, whether its formal or informal.

4 ways to access the radio - Youtube, the radio, Spotify, dedicated website