A Cultural Text Breakdown: Modern Family

Modern Family, you've heard of it right? If you're on my blog, I'd hope so, but I accept your apology if not of course. However, I would give it watch, and if you have watched and don't like it, still stick around to see what I have to say, maybe we can debate or simply create discussion. 

    One might ask, how does this sitcom communicate our culture's dominant ideology about family?

As your lead into some posed reasoning, I would say through gender roles, relationships, and nationalities does this series portray a variety of scenarios for typical households and families seen today.

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For today's blog that will analyze a media text with understanding of communication theory, there will be discussion on textual exploration, political economy/ context of production, and audience reception/use, of course with some not so subtle hints mixed in between about why I love and recommend this comical and comforting show.  

          

Textual Analysis 

    I have chosen televised media for my desired text for analyzation. This cultural text is Modern Family, one of my favorite shows. It is one I would consider to be a classic in a sense of its everlasting impression on its audience; for some that can be in a good way or a not so hot way, but I can't see why in a bad way. But of course everyone has their opinions... and I have mine... strong ones at that... I'll continue. 

    For me, it is a go to show, a comfort series, one I don't need to follow strictly from season to season or give my full attention to at all times for it to be an enjoyable watch. In other words, I can click it on at any time amongst feelings of being down, off, or alone, and feel a sense of joy in its presentation and safety within its actors. This is similar to how I feel about the hit series F.R.I.E.N.D.S. I find amongst its die hard fans who know every line and actor's personality (myself to a degree), there is much backlash for its plot and sarcasm that doesn't read as a good storyline or comedy act for all. 

    HOWEVER, while I won't get into that right now, this specific media text, Modern Family has 11 seasons in which the characters in real life are growing up through the course of the show's running. This creates an interesting dynamic knowing, and getting to see that these actors experience aging through this false reality of acting. With that said, these TV families come to feel truthful from all the times shared, experiences gone through together, and memories made via a recording. Moreover, the sitcom highlights a variety of people and relationships that all come together as a loving and jokingly family that lightens the mood of viewers, makes people feel included, and allows for real life experiences to be acknowledged and understood.

    This text can be studied, as I am doing so, mostly through a variety of reviews that can be found online as my own opinions can only tell so much, and maybe someone different has other to say that can spark further pondering of my own thoughts. Therefore, desired information from research of formal formatted opinions is how people who resonate with the same nationalities or sexualities feel about words/phrases and personalities shown on screen. This information will help me determine how strong communication lines are from screen to person about overlying principles that are portrayed about the typical family today.

    Concepts I will use to analyze my text include socio-cultural tradition, critical tradition, and semiotic tradition. This will allow for discovery about the context, culture, and social practices of the show, what critics find ideology to be reagrding in this case, and the signs that provide meaning but could be misinterpreted. 

Political Economy/Context of Production 

    In knowing the who, where, when, and how of my text's production, I propose researching through watching episodes of the show formulating my own observations and opinions. Then, like mentioned before, mostly through reviews, articles, and general web searches that can lead me to an answer or assumed answer to any of my questions. 

Audience Reception/Use

    I find the audience, at the least the readers of my blog, to respond well to this text, and if not there will be my research which can be read through. Majority of this information will be other opinions that don't always agree with mine. There is always going to be some disagreement or eye squints, but with that promotes conversation and a sharing of thoughts, feelings and ideas. Different people will respond in their own way based on who they are, what they like and respect, and how they perceive a story told through a screen. I am able to identify these different audiences by knowing everyone is their own individual and I cannot speak for those who resonate more with a character than I do. 

   

LIVING... for the SUSPENSE

A show with die hard fans and ones who can't bear to watch, through 23 years and about to be 24 seasons, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" has accomplished a successful sociological design for the uses and gratifications of their viewers. While putting excessive energy into overtly discussing hot topics in the news, it can become nearly unwatchable due to the lack nuance (Dana Burke). In others words, while a heavily emotional program, it keeps a large audience engaged with the need for answers and clarity in a state of anxiety. While it could put a bad taste in your mouth, one might yearn to find out/know the conclusion to the complication that isn't solved until the end of the episode and with that, love the thrill through play out of the crisis. 

Oh, and if you never seen the show before or heard of its whats abouts, essentially there is a group of detectives and law enforcement authorities apart of the Special Victims Unit in the 16th Precinct of the New York City Police Department who are the characters and cast of the show with a journey/ storyline to follow throughout the series. However, the main plot line of each episode is different in terms of the crime that occurs and individuals involved. With that said, the SVU focuses on sexual based crimes and non-sexual cases that require specialist handling as with children, elderly, and/or the handicapped

 Of course it is argued that this continuous series is overwhelming, heart pacing, and to say it in simple, dark, certainly a challenge to be able to watch through. While it's true to some where they can't sit through an episode, others, like me love the scandals and the events on the rise, at the climax, during the downfall, and leading to the conclusion; with the uncertainty of these real-life scenarios, this progression is not always that straightforward. However, to put it short, typically every hour long episode starts with a crime committed, leading to a bunch of chaos, and in the middle there is fleeing, hiding, shock, tension, violence, aggression, interference, research, counseling, problem solving, and eventually the suspect is held responsible, found guilty, or in the most gruesome terms and cases dies from inability to face the truth of their actions or there was no other choice for the safety of others. In addition, the original victim or a victim of the suspect is then safe, or in worst cases didn't survive early on in the incident.       

"Law & Order: SVU" most importantly asserts people's media wants and needs through diversion, surveillance, and personal identity/relationship. Audience members, seen as active agents with control over their media consumption, are made culturally aware on the basis of the feelings that arise and information that is gained with each story told. In regards to diversion, these crime driven episodes allow an audience member to use these scripted gut wrenching narrations, experiences, and just plain horrible unfathomable instances, as an escape from the reality of problems and similar occurrences in our world/society today, in the past, and ones that are sure to continue in the future. People would rather sympathize with actors playing roles than those who have traumas as such amongst their lifetime currently and prior. 

Furthermore, with surveillance, a viewer like myself thrives off this: the information provided to us each episode. This show, similar to my feelings towards "Grey's Anatomy," I find I've learned more about mine and others health, mentality, and the world I live amongst watching these shows than in school or from the news. 

Lastly, with personal identity and relationships, viewers certainly have emotions elicited with these unbearable scenarios and one will feel for the victims praying for a happy ending and justice that relives the victim and penalizes the evil and inhumane being. People may also have trauma ties and triggers to the incidents that occur whether they experienced a case themselves or that it be a close friend or family member that shared their story and emotions with them.                                              

In all, the successes of this show come from how the audience is addressed sociologically. And so what, some may hate it, but clearly with over two decades of production, they seem to be doing just fine in attracting viewers. 

Nowhere Else but Here! Advertising at its BEST

This week I will be talking about advertising and the ads we see everyday whether that is through social media, on television or out in public on some billboard or poster. The ad I want to discuss with you is found on the social media platform Instagram. It comes from a dance studio's account in which I work at right here in New Jersey, Dance World Academy. This type advertisement is posted on every dance studio's page when the new dance season is about to start, you might see this with sports teams or clubs as well. Ads like this are created and presented in order to convince a parent to sign their child up for this activity that keeps their kid occupied and entertained after 7 grueling hours of sitting in a classroom. 

      Therefore, through this ads platform being electronically posted for followers or searchers to see, the information is brief and convincing. The words that are chosen on the ad in bold make claims for the viewer to say "oh, my child needs to go here because of their accolades!" The target audience is certainly parents with the desire to put their child in an after school activity that might lead into a full childhood to adulthood commitment and passion.

    In terms of psychoanalytics, a theory proposed by Freud arises that contains three phenomena of mental processing known as the id, ego, and superego. The id is one's initial reactions, impulses, and dependencies. The ego is the mediator, representing sense of self and comes to terms with reality. Then, there's the superego which is one's morals and subconsciously interjects. Therefore, with this ad and advertisements of such, I believe the id of our subconcious to kick in immediately, as it does, to make the  quick decision of signing up. However, I do see the ego also coming in and thinking about logistics of the commitment about to be made for the possible benefit of their child, or the fear they'll hate it; AND of course the financial burden that follows. 

    This text doesn't emit any sexual or aggressive drives being that is family oriented, directed at, and found by the parents of toddlers to adolescents; allowing them to make a decision for their child in search of something they'll love and enjoy.

    Furthermore, this text appeals to the elements our unconscious as one analyzes the words and graphics presented in front of them and immediately thoughts, memories, or feelings are elicited depending on the person and their personal life, past, present, or future. Maybe a viewer of this photo has a past experience with the dance community where it ended in drama and chaos, so seeing this immediately makes them roll their eyes and keep scrolling, it is different for everyone!

    Importantly, the value of this ad is to attract and draw in new customers for the purpose of keeping a thriving business. Often when analyzing advertisements, especially in high school as you might remember, English classes constantly stressed ethos, logos, and pathos and how at least one of these motives is embedded in all ads. So fun right! I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. At this point it's engraved in my mind! ANYWAYS, along with the value of this text having a focus of desired admiration from its viewers with a convincing attitude, ethos is prominent here. The reason I say that is because the words on the ad establish personal credentials of the dance studio while allowing the audience to formulate trust and marvel. 

So, enough of my blabbering on, you get the point. Advertising in any text, whether print or media, plays with our mind functionality, understanding, and reactions whether we are conscious of it or not. The viewing of an advertisement involves criticism and a process that is experienced and dealt with differently in every individuals head, plus reacted through one's way of mental processing. 

Tensions Arise in Competition and Jealousy..."Dance Moms"

For this week's post, my first post!... I am going to begin by analyzing an episode of a television show, a quite drama filled show might I add, at times even... a little... too dramatic. Some might hate my choice and claim that all that this show is, is scripted and a bunch of crap, sure you're pretty much right; however it highlights a lot about myself and my interests, the life I grew up in as a competitive dancer, and most importantly in this case, my enjoyment for reality television and it's functionality in communication! Thank you Lifetime.

 

With that being said I chose the show "Dance Moms" and the episode titled, "The Competition Begins" which is episode 1 from season 1 aired in July of 2011. 

    As the first episode of a new show, there's much introduction and overview of what's to come in the following weeks, as well as interviews of each mom and child explaining themselves and their dance background as member of this competition team. 

    The leader of the "pack," Abby Lee Miller, announced as the "artistic director" and "chief choreographer" of the Abby Lee Dance Company, is a sarcastic, straight to the point, and forceful presence that to put in simple, gets what she wants in any regard. Nobody's deep seated feelings, complaints, disagreements, or even points of view face her in the slightest, she is always right. 

    Moreover, there are four moms: Melissa with two daughters Maddie and Mackenzie; Holly with daughter Nia; Kelly also with two children, Brooke and Paige; and last but certainly not least Christi, with daughter Chloe. These moms might claim they are best friends and have each others back, but I think any viewer can argue that. While it's truthful their daughters might love one another, the mothers are only out for the best in their child, which truly just means who can receive the most praise and recognition.

    To get into, Maddie is the golden child to Abby, and everyone can see that from all the extra attention she gets, even from her own mother attending more to her than over her other child, crazy right? 

The biggest competitive force comes from Chloe and Maddie, but really it's between Christi and Melissa as their kids are equally as talented, just treated differently by the only voice that matters, their teacher. In short, Abby hates Christi and her smart mouth and punishes Chloe for her outlandish actions, and to stir the pot even more, Abby and golden child Maddie's mother... best friends. 

 Enough about the drama, you get it, everyone wants to be the best and its mostly the moms jealousy of the other kids that starts the bickering. Let's be real what do the 6-10 years olds know, they just wanna dance on stage with pretty make up, hair, and costume, while being surrounded by their friends. 

                                   What makes this show and this episode specifically so enticing, is the use of that camera! Shots are done outside the dance studio or competition scene, and there's one on one interviews with the producers. 

    Furthermore, the producers certainly are smart in their design of this show, they show us all that we need to see in order to create opinions and take sides, as well as see the "true life" of these people in this wild dance world. I would say this episode and show in general is edited like a collage that goes from scene to scene, in the dance studio, a shot of the moms gossiping in the over head viewing window, the interviews at their homes, or individual conversations in front of a green screened costume shop, I'm not joking. The best part of the show is when it gets to the actual competition where the scenes go from dressing room to on the stage and in audience, and backstage. And might I add the most comical part of it all, the bus rides from the studio to the competition venue, absolute chaos!

   Additionally, the codes in this text are comedy, high tensions, jealousy, competition, and the big word, DRAMA. 

    The central opposition is the text is the moms fighting for their children and fighting with Abby when the actual focus of the show is the dancers who can care less about who wins and who doesn't... Well not all the time might I say, they sure as hell want to win that stressed first place because as Abby said, "second is the first to lose."

      I'll leave you with something to think about in terms of reality television:

"We might consider not employing the iconic perspective if we are concerned that students are already too easily convinced that reality TV is reality (due to the edited, compressed, and even scripted nature of the genre, of course, this is rarely true, but less worldly students can confuse the two realities more easily)"- Rita L. Rahoi-Gilchrest