Queer Theory

Queer theory is a field of critical theory that emerged in the early 1990s out of the fields of gay and lesbian studies and feminist studies. It is a kind of interpretation devoted to queer readings of texts. Heavily influenced by the work of Michel Foucault, queer theory builds both upon feminist challenges to the idea that gender is part of the essential self and upon gay/lesbian studies' close examination of the socially constructed nature of sexual acts and identities. Whereas gay/lesbian studies focused its inquiries into "natural" and "unnatural" behavior with respect to homosexual behavior, queer theory expands its focus to encompass any kind of sexual activity or identity that falls into perverted, normative and deviant categories.

Although many people^[who?] believe that queer theory is only about homosexual representations in literature, it also explores categories of gender, as well as sexual orientation. In fact, it could be argued^{[by whom?]} that queer theory's main project is not the interrogation of homosexuality, but the subverting and challenging of heterosexuality as 'natural' and 'unmarked'. Some^[who?] argue that queer theory is a by-product of third-wave feminism, while others^[who?] claim that it is a result of the valuation of postmodern minoritizing, that is, the idea that the smallest constituent must have a voice and identity equivalent to all others.

Queer theory's main project is exploring the contesting of the categorization of gender and sexuality. Theorists^[who?] claim that identities are not fixed – they cannot be categorized and labeled – because identities consist of many varied components and that to categorize by one characteristic is wrong. For example, a woman can be a woman without being labeled a lesbian or feminist, and she may have a different race from the dominant culture. She should, queer theorists argue, be classed as possessing an individual identity and not put in the collective basket of feminists or of colour or the like.

Queer theory is derived largely from post-structuralist theory, and deconstruction in particular. Starting in the 1970s, a range of authors brought deconstructionist critical approaches to bear on issues of sexual identity, and especially on the construction of a normative "straight" ideology. Queer theorists challenged the validity and consistency of heteronormative discourse, and focused to a large degree on non-heteronormative sexualities and sexual practices.

The term "queer theory" was introduced in 1990, with Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Judith Butler, Adrienne Rich and Diana Fuss (all largely following the work of Michel Foucault) being among its foundational proponents. Queer theory should not be confused with queer activism, although there is overlap between the two.

"Queer" as used within queer theory is less an identity than an embodied critique of identity. Major aspects of this critique include: discussion of the role of performance in creating and maintaining identity; discussion of the basis of sexuality and gender, either as natural, essential, or socially constructed; discussion of the way that these identities change or resist change; and discussion of their power relations vis-a-vis heteronormativity.

Year 10 Press Releases

Some of you have been struggling with writing your Press Release; see below for some websites which may help you, and remember these key points:

• You are SELLING the band/artist, not just describing them - make them sound appealing!
• Communicate information about their IDEOLOGY - what are they all about? What makes them interesting and unique?
• Include conventions such as: image of the CD, record company logo, details of the release date, details of other upcoming releases, quotes from band members and/or fans and/or industry insiders, details of other things they've done recently, website

http://www.publicityinsider.com/release.asp

http://musicians.about.com/od/musicindustrybasics/a/onesheettemp.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/

Yr 12 Media Evaluation guidance

See below for the guidelines given by the exam board. We are asking you to do INDIVIDUAL evaluations but you may discuss your ideas. Note that I will have to mark you based on my perception of YOUR contribution though, so you may PREFER to write it without input from your group:

Candidates will evaluate their work electronically. This MUST contain an element of audience feedback and may be either integrated with the presentation of the research and planning material or may be presented separately. Where candidates have worked in a group, the evaluation may be presented individually or collectively but the teacher must allocate a mark according the contribution/level of understanding demonstrated by the individual candidate.

The questions that must be addressed in the evaluation are:

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Who would be the audience for your media product?

How did you attract/address your audience?

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Organisation of a Record Company

Here is the link to help you with today's research task into the organisation of a record company:
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/record-label1.htm

Remember, if you want to make your research page in Photoshop or Publisher you can access the image of the Record Company structure on the W: student resources drive. Remember to 'save as' into you own user area though.

W:\Media Resources\Assignment 2

Year 10 Assignment 1

As we near the end of this coursework project, you need to make sure you have completed the following to hand in next week:

1. Blog (write down the address .blogspot.com) to include:
-Dexter notes
-Spooks notes
-General Textual Analysis theory notes
-Details of the new school-based TV drama show that you devised, such as the name, settings, character profiles (you could include images here), example storylines/what happens in the first show and PREMISE (what's it all about?)

2. Coloured and completed storyboard of the opening sequence of your new show

3. Written analysis of the opening sequence of a TV drama show (to be completed in class tomorrow)

Year 11 Section B Pitching your idea

-5 mintues.
-5 powerpoint slides.
-Everyone in the group must speak.
-Describe the process you have gone through so far in researching and planning your production.
-Explain what you are going to make, how you plan to make it and what the finished article will look like (you may use images).
-Describe who your target audience is and how your production will appeal to them.

Year 12 Title Sequence Blogs: To Do

Don't be scared when you look through this list children, you should not have all of this done yet by any stretch, but this is what you are aiming for by the end of the coursework project so there's no excuse for anyone to be slacking off!

1. A completed 'Continuity sequence' preliminary task2. A completed titles and opening sequence to a new fiction film (no longer than two minutes)
3. A thorough BLOG evidencing all of your research and planning which highlights the detailed development of your film.

This MUST INCLUDE:
a. Critical analysis of the work of Kyle Cooper and/or Saul Bass
b. Evidence of research into similar media texts and analysis of their forms and conventions
c. A logline for your film idea/concept and or a mind-map exploring narrative/character development
d. Draft storyboards and plans
e. A comprehensive set of posts outlining the processes in the development of your film and the decisions and revisions made
f. YOUR CONTINUITY SEQUENCE

THIS SHOULD INCLUDE:
a. Location shots
b. Casting Shots
c. An animatic
d. Second/third draft storyboards
e. music choices discussion and analysis
f. the first cut with analysis
g. Detailed critique of the developmental process with reflective commentary on the decisions and revisions made.
h. Exploration of why opening title sequences are so important to the film industry?
i. Photographs of the shoot - you in action!
j. Shooting schedule
k. Mini-evaluative postings showing reflective thought processes throughout the project

THIS COULD INCLUDE:
a. Thorough audience research exploring the relationship between opening title sequences and spectator responses to film.
b. A detailed audience profile drawing upon sociographic and psychographic profiling techniques.
c. Audience responses to your finished film.
d. Evidence into 'Film Production' processes undertaking a case-study into a specific studio or film and tracking its production, distribution and marketing strategies.