1. British teen moves to America and is forced to adapt to the American Roman Catholic strict in discipline style of life when her Aunt is granted custody in the will of her parents when they die in a tragic car accident.
2. Opposite way round of first idea where a diciplined American teen moves to England.
3. Father looses his son in a tragica accident
4. A friends looses her best friend in a tragica accident, and her spirit returns to haunt/continue the friendship with her
5. Drama with sub sci-fi/fantasy theme of a man who gets stuck in the future - like the opposite if 'Life on Mars'
6. Lake District murders, perhaps involving a southern rural family who go on a family holiday in the Lake District.
7. TV adaptation of 'Artemis Fowl'
8. TV adaptation of 'His Dark Materials'
I'm aware pretty much every idea involves death, but it's a drama and it's all I know! Still brainstorming ideas.
I'm deterred to picking an idea involving death, as I think a lot of people entering the competition will have deaths in their scripts too :S
Tuesday 3 November 2009
BBC Scriptwriting Talent Competition
I have a serious challenge on my hands. I have learnt to read my uni emails for frequently, as I have only just found out a few days ago that there is a BBC Talent competition to write a drama or comedy script 30-90 mins long to submit to the BBC with a chance to to given oppertunities and mentioning within the BBC, also the top 5 students get given full professional report on their work.
So, coming up with an idea, treatment, research and this 30-90 minute drama (not comedy cuz I'm really not that funny) script and have it sent to the BBC Writers room for the 9th Nov, which is Friday, and now is the early hours of Wednesday morning. I start a new job on Thursday from 12am, and I'm filiming a forensic scene for my single camera project in my uni group at half 12 this afternoon. Can I pull it off? We'll just have to see!
At the moment I've been researching what the BBC have done so far in drama series and serials, I thought about doing a film but I think it will be harder to come up with an idea, plus they don't accept detailed treatments, which is probs what I'll get carried away with.
Wish me luck, a job in the BBC is really what I am aiming for afterall once I graduate!
Zoe out until this project is complete
So, coming up with an idea, treatment, research and this 30-90 minute drama (not comedy cuz I'm really not that funny) script and have it sent to the BBC Writers room for the 9th Nov, which is Friday, and now is the early hours of Wednesday morning. I start a new job on Thursday from 12am, and I'm filiming a forensic scene for my single camera project in my uni group at half 12 this afternoon. Can I pull it off? We'll just have to see!
At the moment I've been researching what the BBC have done so far in drama series and serials, I thought about doing a film but I think it will be harder to come up with an idea, plus they don't accept detailed treatments, which is probs what I'll get carried away with.
Wish me luck, a job in the BBC is really what I am aiming for afterall once I graduate!
Zoe out until this project is complete
Friday 8 May 2009
The Worst Essay Ever! (That I've had to write)
Critically analyse the differences between the ‘personality’ and the ‘celebrity’ produced by television, using specific case studies to illustrate your argument.
Written by Zoe Kendell-Taylor
The dictionary defines ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ quite similarly, with celebrity defined as ‘a famous or well known person’ and ‘personality’ in the context of media to mean ‘a person of considerable prominence’ – someone widely known and who stands out. So, the fundamental difference is that a personality is someone who has achieved something worthy of notation and establishment. Looking at ‘celebrity’ in more detail, celebrities are the ‘real people’ of the performers in which fans follow the lifestyle of through celebrity magazines, reality shows and interviews, where as ‘personality’ is more defined as the performer him/herself rather than the lifestyle itself, meaning that a personality is more then likely to be a celebrity as well as a ‘personality’.
In addition, the term ‘personality’ could be argued to be more of a specific term to ‘celebrity’. There are many forms of personality that are widely known throughout the media when presented with ‘…personality of the year’ award, the broader titles such as TV personality, sports personality, comedy personality, newspaper personality, music personality etc. The list also goes on into further sub categories. Famous people who are recognised by the media according to tmcentertainment.co.uk, these titles or similar include people who have earned personality status such as; ‘Sir Alan Sugar – business personality, Gordon Ramsey for food and cooking personality, Sir Terry Wogan for being a TV and Radio’ personality and many more. Sir Alan Sugar widely known for his appearances on television with presenting his reality show ‘The Apprentice’, Gordon Ramsey with a couple of reality shows related to cooking, such as ‘Hells Kitchen’ and Sir Terry Wogan for his performances on ‘BBC Radio 2’ as well as being on television too.
There are many arguments and conflicts to consider when defining the differences between ‘celebrities’ and ‘personalities’. Reality TV is a prime example. Reality TV shows such as ‘Big Brother’, ‘The Hills’ and ‘Shipwrecked’ are either reality shows about everyday life of a particular class, e.g. ‘The Hills’ following the lives of upper class families living in Beverley Hills, or reality shows involving competition, such as ‘X-Factor’ to seek the next best singer, or ‘Big Brother’ whom create the next pointless celebrity just by paying random people to stay in a house to do humiliating tasks, monitored twenty-four seven in order to avoid being ‘evicted’ by the public voting them out of the ‘Big Brother’ house.
‘Big Brother’ is probably the most prominent example to use. Excluding Big Brother specials ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, as already well established celebrities enter ‘the house’, as briefly mentioned before, the show sends in a selection of ‘normal’ unknown people who have to spend weeks in a house, during which they cannot leave the house unless evicted from the audience, or because the contestants have broken serious rules.
Once ‘Big Brother’ finishes a series, the housemates then become known as celebrities because they are highly recognised by the public, and it is because of this, magazines make a fortune out of their fandom as people like to find out what the housemates are doing now they are out of the house, and just as magazines or TV interviews make money out of doing covers on ex-housemates from the Big Brother house, the ‘celebrity’ status is received, and the ex-housemates will then be asked to do more media related things, including much involved charity work. Jade Goody is a prime example of someone who has achieved celebrity status since her time in the Big Brother house. She became famous for not really doing anything, and only really starting to do anything worthwhile in the public eye (such as charity work and so-forth) after she had become well established from winning Big Brother in the third series of the reality show, even then Goody not doing anything in particular extraordinary as many non-celebrity people carry out similar charity work, even above the achievement of Goody herself. Jade Goody is a prime example of the ‘manufactured celebrity’, and because her celebrity status became manufactured through the media, her personality then defined her stereotype in the media.
It was shortly after Jade Goody’s celebrity status that Goody became known as a TV Personality, which some could argue that Goody couldn’t really be classed as a ‘personality’ as at the time Goody had not done anything worth recognising with ‘considerable prominence’. Then with the entire scandal of Goody becoming labelled a racist after her second appearance on another Big Brother series, Goody quickly became infamous, and it was only because of her sickness of getting cervical cancer that Goody won over the public’s empathy when she became a more favoured celebrity, and well established TV personality, in which still could be argued that she cannot really be labelled as a ‘personality’ as she hasn’t really done anything notable, despite the occasional charity work and scandals on Celebrity Big Brother in which she would not have even achieved if she had not become a contestant on the original Big Brother in the first place.
Despite this argument, in contradiction, Goody has followed the general traits of a television personality. Her fame has been coherent and consistent, she is known and only known as herself through television, her personality has remained familiar in her traits and accessible, and has led her on to other opportunities in television such as other reality shows such as ‘Celebrity Driving School’ and ‘Hells Kitchen’.
From this example, reality TV seems to lead unknown people into fame, finishing unknowns as celebrities, becoming well established people for no real apparent or important reason. These types of performers who become celebrities when they get involved in reality TV shows and are in the limelight, but don’t really do anything spectacular or worthwhile for the public eye compared to other celebrities who have adopted TV personalities such as the trio in ‘Top Gear’ who are known for their motor vehicle skills and knowledge in which the public gain something worthwhile, such as people with a genuine interest in motors can find out what are the better motors out there, or debate what the motor trio put forward to the public with their interactive live audience.
Some forms of ‘personality’ can be described as someone famous who when on screen is always ‘acting’ compared to a celebrity, who is famous for what they do, compared to personalities who are ‘in character’ as their personality until they are out of character and in their celebrity status. Looking at the article ‘The television personality system: televisual stardom revisited after film theory’, Lury observes ‘personality and the actor are...entangled, and individuals may oscillate from one position to another. The actor may perform as a celebrity when they guest on a game show, whereas the celebrity may act in a dramatic fiction. On top of this...the personality is always in some sense ‘acting’’ This means, as mentioned earlier that personalities who are renowned for certain characteristics are always acting, compared to celebrities who are constantly being studied for who they are as real people as opposed to the characters they play in their performances in which they become famous for. An example of this would be TV presenters Ant and Dec, whom always act as cheeky, childish Jordy boys, this act only changing when performing as actors in films when they are playing alternative characters to themselves (such as ‘Byker Grove’ and ‘Alien Autopsy’).
Other forms of personality contradict the above point, for example, Gordon Ramsey post his football days has always been known to the public as a unnecessary swearing, but amazing chef, having been awarded cooking personality in the past, his persona has always remained the same, not needing to put on an ‘act’ every time he appears on screen.
It could also be argued that the meanings of the terms ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ are too similar to draw up a distinct difference between both words in the concept of television, and that there are only subtle differences in the definitions of the two concepts, therefore any clear and distinct difference in meaning are not strong enough to create these distinctive differences and that both media terms are merely synonyms of each other.
It has been suggested, according to the ‘television personality system’ article that there are differences in personalities themselves, which looking at these three differences can aid in comparing to the concept of celebrity. By looking at lifestyles and publications amongst other factors, these differences can be identified in more detail.
A difference that could be noted between celebrity and personality is that the celebrity status looks at the lifestyle of the particular celebrity outside of celebrity’s performance that has made them famous in which magazines and newspapers that follow the style on gossip of the celebrity’s lives, such as ‘Heat’ magazine or ‘Closer’. Personality style publications such as DIY or cookery would more likely be published in instructive books to do with the personality’s particular talent – such as DIY or cookery as mentioned above, whereas there is an equal mix and similarities in publications of autobiographies and biographies.
With the manufacturing of celebrities becoming more common among the reality TV shows, personalities in the media can be seen more of a profession, compared to celebrities which is more lifestyle based, and there is more pressure on personalities to keep on top of their persona of who they are known for where celebrities can phase in and out of different professions between acting, modelling, singing etc. The public make the celebrity, whereas personalities are made by the persona of the particular personality, which makes the job more of a profession in comparison to that of the celebrity. Personality examples of this form of personality would include show hosts such as Jonathon Ross or Paul O’Grady etc.
Some forms of personalities remain with the same personality off-screen as they do on-screen, compared to celebrities that are generally diversely different on-screen compared to off-screen. In example of an actor, this is obvious, as a celebrity on-screen would be in character for whatever show they are acting on, and off-screen would be their normal selves.
The ‘Television personality system’ article also suggests to split personality into further sub categories of meaning. ‘Vocational personality’ and ‘televisual personality’. The differences between these two concepts are that a ‘vocational personality’ is a performer who does not just use television as their continual fixed position in their career. The mention article uses Cilla Black and Graham Norton as examples. They are well known for their performances as presenters now on television, however, they are also known for singing and comedy meaning that they have both been vocational performers at different points in their career. Televisual personality is defined by a performer’s lack of skill other then presenting on television. An example of a televisual personality would be Jeremy Kyle, who has ever only presented his television show ‘The Jeremy Kyle show’ where he simply talks through the problems of the guests that appear on the show. The reason for these sub categories is to distinguish between personality types in other ways other than the titles that are available for personality status, as well as distinguishing subtle differences between televisual personality and these other personality statuses and the difference between celebrity, however, Cilla Black, Graham Norton and Jeremy Kyle would all be considered celebrities themselves.
Taking into consideration these sub categories explored in ‘personality’, there isn’t really that much distinguishable differences in ‘celebrity’, so long as someone is famous enough in the public eye for people to follow the celebrity’s lifestyle or work, there is no denying that they are a celebrity. No sub-category is needed, but an open debate parallel with ‘personality’ and ‘celebrity’ would also include ‘stardom’, and the differences between ‘stardom’ and ‘celebrity’. ‘Stardom’ being more related to film, whereas ‘celebrity’ often stems its fame from television, similar to personality which is more directly affiliated with television, with some exceptions such as sport etc, personality often isn’t as distinctly recognised in the film industry compared to ‘stars’ or ‘celebrity’.
However, to draw up a conclusion upon the distinctive differences is difficult, as there are little resources available to explain in-depth the differences between the terms ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’, hence how the question has lead to many contradictions when researching well established people and whether they have ‘celebrity’ or ‘personality’ status, and any information that is available does not give any indication of a concrete distinction.
As mentioned before, little resources on the subject of distinguishing between ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ begs to question whether it is actually that significant to even argue the differences when both words are too similar in meaning to each other, and debating the differences often end up contradicting individual points. It can be agreed that ‘personality’ itself can be differed from celebrity with its many sub-categories and meanings compared to celebrity which seems apparent through futile research to find any remotely significant differences to provide sub-categories, personality is a much broader term when compared to celebrities because of these sub-categories. The public also create a subtle difference between ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’, as the lifestyle of the celebrity is often seeked out to follow by fans, compared to a television personality which doesn’t look at the performer’s life style because they are in character of themselves as how they want to be perceived, whereas a celebrity is exposed for everything about them, often qualities about them being published to the public that they would rather not be exposed to the public eye. In addition, the modern celebrity is often a manufacture by the media system, compared to personality which has not needed to rely on the media to make the performers successful, the media rely on the personality to create their success.
Bibliography
James Bennett, 2008, ‘The Television Personality System: televisual stardom revisited after film theory’, Oxford University Press
http://www.tmcentertainment.co.uk/speaker-index.html?speakertypeid=13, 27/04/2009, ‘TV Personalities’ (used to reference current celebrity personalities)
Written by Zoe Kendell-Taylor
The dictionary defines ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ quite similarly, with celebrity defined as ‘a famous or well known person’ and ‘personality’ in the context of media to mean ‘a person of considerable prominence’ – someone widely known and who stands out. So, the fundamental difference is that a personality is someone who has achieved something worthy of notation and establishment. Looking at ‘celebrity’ in more detail, celebrities are the ‘real people’ of the performers in which fans follow the lifestyle of through celebrity magazines, reality shows and interviews, where as ‘personality’ is more defined as the performer him/herself rather than the lifestyle itself, meaning that a personality is more then likely to be a celebrity as well as a ‘personality’.
In addition, the term ‘personality’ could be argued to be more of a specific term to ‘celebrity’. There are many forms of personality that are widely known throughout the media when presented with ‘…personality of the year’ award, the broader titles such as TV personality, sports personality, comedy personality, newspaper personality, music personality etc. The list also goes on into further sub categories. Famous people who are recognised by the media according to tmcentertainment.co.uk, these titles or similar include people who have earned personality status such as; ‘Sir Alan Sugar – business personality, Gordon Ramsey for food and cooking personality, Sir Terry Wogan for being a TV and Radio’ personality and many more. Sir Alan Sugar widely known for his appearances on television with presenting his reality show ‘The Apprentice’, Gordon Ramsey with a couple of reality shows related to cooking, such as ‘Hells Kitchen’ and Sir Terry Wogan for his performances on ‘BBC Radio 2’ as well as being on television too.
There are many arguments and conflicts to consider when defining the differences between ‘celebrities’ and ‘personalities’. Reality TV is a prime example. Reality TV shows such as ‘Big Brother’, ‘The Hills’ and ‘Shipwrecked’ are either reality shows about everyday life of a particular class, e.g. ‘The Hills’ following the lives of upper class families living in Beverley Hills, or reality shows involving competition, such as ‘X-Factor’ to seek the next best singer, or ‘Big Brother’ whom create the next pointless celebrity just by paying random people to stay in a house to do humiliating tasks, monitored twenty-four seven in order to avoid being ‘evicted’ by the public voting them out of the ‘Big Brother’ house.
‘Big Brother’ is probably the most prominent example to use. Excluding Big Brother specials ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, as already well established celebrities enter ‘the house’, as briefly mentioned before, the show sends in a selection of ‘normal’ unknown people who have to spend weeks in a house, during which they cannot leave the house unless evicted from the audience, or because the contestants have broken serious rules.
Once ‘Big Brother’ finishes a series, the housemates then become known as celebrities because they are highly recognised by the public, and it is because of this, magazines make a fortune out of their fandom as people like to find out what the housemates are doing now they are out of the house, and just as magazines or TV interviews make money out of doing covers on ex-housemates from the Big Brother house, the ‘celebrity’ status is received, and the ex-housemates will then be asked to do more media related things, including much involved charity work. Jade Goody is a prime example of someone who has achieved celebrity status since her time in the Big Brother house. She became famous for not really doing anything, and only really starting to do anything worthwhile in the public eye (such as charity work and so-forth) after she had become well established from winning Big Brother in the third series of the reality show, even then Goody not doing anything in particular extraordinary as many non-celebrity people carry out similar charity work, even above the achievement of Goody herself. Jade Goody is a prime example of the ‘manufactured celebrity’, and because her celebrity status became manufactured through the media, her personality then defined her stereotype in the media.
It was shortly after Jade Goody’s celebrity status that Goody became known as a TV Personality, which some could argue that Goody couldn’t really be classed as a ‘personality’ as at the time Goody had not done anything worth recognising with ‘considerable prominence’. Then with the entire scandal of Goody becoming labelled a racist after her second appearance on another Big Brother series, Goody quickly became infamous, and it was only because of her sickness of getting cervical cancer that Goody won over the public’s empathy when she became a more favoured celebrity, and well established TV personality, in which still could be argued that she cannot really be labelled as a ‘personality’ as she hasn’t really done anything notable, despite the occasional charity work and scandals on Celebrity Big Brother in which she would not have even achieved if she had not become a contestant on the original Big Brother in the first place.
Despite this argument, in contradiction, Goody has followed the general traits of a television personality. Her fame has been coherent and consistent, she is known and only known as herself through television, her personality has remained familiar in her traits and accessible, and has led her on to other opportunities in television such as other reality shows such as ‘Celebrity Driving School’ and ‘Hells Kitchen’.
From this example, reality TV seems to lead unknown people into fame, finishing unknowns as celebrities, becoming well established people for no real apparent or important reason. These types of performers who become celebrities when they get involved in reality TV shows and are in the limelight, but don’t really do anything spectacular or worthwhile for the public eye compared to other celebrities who have adopted TV personalities such as the trio in ‘Top Gear’ who are known for their motor vehicle skills and knowledge in which the public gain something worthwhile, such as people with a genuine interest in motors can find out what are the better motors out there, or debate what the motor trio put forward to the public with their interactive live audience.
Some forms of ‘personality’ can be described as someone famous who when on screen is always ‘acting’ compared to a celebrity, who is famous for what they do, compared to personalities who are ‘in character’ as their personality until they are out of character and in their celebrity status. Looking at the article ‘The television personality system: televisual stardom revisited after film theory’, Lury observes ‘personality and the actor are...entangled, and individuals may oscillate from one position to another. The actor may perform as a celebrity when they guest on a game show, whereas the celebrity may act in a dramatic fiction. On top of this...the personality is always in some sense ‘acting’’ This means, as mentioned earlier that personalities who are renowned for certain characteristics are always acting, compared to celebrities who are constantly being studied for who they are as real people as opposed to the characters they play in their performances in which they become famous for. An example of this would be TV presenters Ant and Dec, whom always act as cheeky, childish Jordy boys, this act only changing when performing as actors in films when they are playing alternative characters to themselves (such as ‘Byker Grove’ and ‘Alien Autopsy’).
Other forms of personality contradict the above point, for example, Gordon Ramsey post his football days has always been known to the public as a unnecessary swearing, but amazing chef, having been awarded cooking personality in the past, his persona has always remained the same, not needing to put on an ‘act’ every time he appears on screen.
It could also be argued that the meanings of the terms ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ are too similar to draw up a distinct difference between both words in the concept of television, and that there are only subtle differences in the definitions of the two concepts, therefore any clear and distinct difference in meaning are not strong enough to create these distinctive differences and that both media terms are merely synonyms of each other.
It has been suggested, according to the ‘television personality system’ article that there are differences in personalities themselves, which looking at these three differences can aid in comparing to the concept of celebrity. By looking at lifestyles and publications amongst other factors, these differences can be identified in more detail.
A difference that could be noted between celebrity and personality is that the celebrity status looks at the lifestyle of the particular celebrity outside of celebrity’s performance that has made them famous in which magazines and newspapers that follow the style on gossip of the celebrity’s lives, such as ‘Heat’ magazine or ‘Closer’. Personality style publications such as DIY or cookery would more likely be published in instructive books to do with the personality’s particular talent – such as DIY or cookery as mentioned above, whereas there is an equal mix and similarities in publications of autobiographies and biographies.
With the manufacturing of celebrities becoming more common among the reality TV shows, personalities in the media can be seen more of a profession, compared to celebrities which is more lifestyle based, and there is more pressure on personalities to keep on top of their persona of who they are known for where celebrities can phase in and out of different professions between acting, modelling, singing etc. The public make the celebrity, whereas personalities are made by the persona of the particular personality, which makes the job more of a profession in comparison to that of the celebrity. Personality examples of this form of personality would include show hosts such as Jonathon Ross or Paul O’Grady etc.
Some forms of personalities remain with the same personality off-screen as they do on-screen, compared to celebrities that are generally diversely different on-screen compared to off-screen. In example of an actor, this is obvious, as a celebrity on-screen would be in character for whatever show they are acting on, and off-screen would be their normal selves.
The ‘Television personality system’ article also suggests to split personality into further sub categories of meaning. ‘Vocational personality’ and ‘televisual personality’. The differences between these two concepts are that a ‘vocational personality’ is a performer who does not just use television as their continual fixed position in their career. The mention article uses Cilla Black and Graham Norton as examples. They are well known for their performances as presenters now on television, however, they are also known for singing and comedy meaning that they have both been vocational performers at different points in their career. Televisual personality is defined by a performer’s lack of skill other then presenting on television. An example of a televisual personality would be Jeremy Kyle, who has ever only presented his television show ‘The Jeremy Kyle show’ where he simply talks through the problems of the guests that appear on the show. The reason for these sub categories is to distinguish between personality types in other ways other than the titles that are available for personality status, as well as distinguishing subtle differences between televisual personality and these other personality statuses and the difference between celebrity, however, Cilla Black, Graham Norton and Jeremy Kyle would all be considered celebrities themselves.
Taking into consideration these sub categories explored in ‘personality’, there isn’t really that much distinguishable differences in ‘celebrity’, so long as someone is famous enough in the public eye for people to follow the celebrity’s lifestyle or work, there is no denying that they are a celebrity. No sub-category is needed, but an open debate parallel with ‘personality’ and ‘celebrity’ would also include ‘stardom’, and the differences between ‘stardom’ and ‘celebrity’. ‘Stardom’ being more related to film, whereas ‘celebrity’ often stems its fame from television, similar to personality which is more directly affiliated with television, with some exceptions such as sport etc, personality often isn’t as distinctly recognised in the film industry compared to ‘stars’ or ‘celebrity’.
However, to draw up a conclusion upon the distinctive differences is difficult, as there are little resources available to explain in-depth the differences between the terms ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’, hence how the question has lead to many contradictions when researching well established people and whether they have ‘celebrity’ or ‘personality’ status, and any information that is available does not give any indication of a concrete distinction.
As mentioned before, little resources on the subject of distinguishing between ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’ begs to question whether it is actually that significant to even argue the differences when both words are too similar in meaning to each other, and debating the differences often end up contradicting individual points. It can be agreed that ‘personality’ itself can be differed from celebrity with its many sub-categories and meanings compared to celebrity which seems apparent through futile research to find any remotely significant differences to provide sub-categories, personality is a much broader term when compared to celebrities because of these sub-categories. The public also create a subtle difference between ‘celebrity’ and ‘personality’, as the lifestyle of the celebrity is often seeked out to follow by fans, compared to a television personality which doesn’t look at the performer’s life style because they are in character of themselves as how they want to be perceived, whereas a celebrity is exposed for everything about them, often qualities about them being published to the public that they would rather not be exposed to the public eye. In addition, the modern celebrity is often a manufacture by the media system, compared to personality which has not needed to rely on the media to make the performers successful, the media rely on the personality to create their success.
Bibliography
James Bennett, 2008, ‘The Television Personality System: televisual stardom revisited after film theory’, Oxford University Press
http://www.tmcentertainment.co.uk/speaker-index.html?speakertypeid=13, 27/04/2009, ‘TV Personalities’ (used to reference current celebrity personalities)
Independent Study Proposal of my Dissertation for next year...
Dissertation Question: Studying the popular American TV series ‘LOST’ and investigating its’ references and how fandom incorporates and influences these references in fans’ everyday lives.
The details of this project that is to be recognised is that ‘LOST’ is a popular sci-fi drama series that has been on air since 2004 till present, claiming to finish its final sixth season in 2010. ‘LOST’ has a hugely recognised fan base, amongst many references that has been deeply analysed by the fans in relation to religion, science, philosophy, numeracy, mythology and literacy. With this fandom obsession with the show, it will be interesting to discover how deep the obsession with ‘LOST’ runs in the everyday lives of the fans.
My main aims and objectives in the research include gaining primary data by interviewing direct associates with the TV show ‘LOST’ such as one of the main actors, Michael Emerson as well as creating a questionnaire to submit on ‘LOST’ forums and websites for ‘LOST’ fans to complete, including attending the ‘LOST’ convention and handing out questionnaires to dedicated fans there too. This will provide research data from various sources including primary and secondary, meaning the research is more thorough rather than using information from just one type of source. I will also email the same questionnaire to students through the university email to obtain local results as well as global.
In addition, I will also research literacy references used in ‘LOST’ such as novels that have been referenced to in the past series such as ‘Tale of Two Cities’, ‘Of Mice of Men’ and ‘Watership Down’ to see if this has influenced fans to read these books if they had not already, or re-read if they already have as well as analysing them to see how they relate to ‘LOST’, and why they were chosen as references to ‘LOST’.
Finally, I also plan to research the following well established references in the TV series which include; religion, science, philosophy, mythology, literacy and numeracy and how ‘LOST’ fans use these references in everyday life.
The methods I plan to use have already been mentioned, but to go into further detail about these methods would include one of the biggest factors towards my research is that in the beginning of August, there is a J.J Abrams weekend convention in which ‘LOST’ is included in the convention, and guests include actors from the show, a confirmed guest being Michael Emerson, one of the lead and most important actors on the show in terms of his character in the plot of the series. Having obtained the ‘gold pass’ which allows me extra access at the convention, including meeting the guests of the convention (including Michael Emerson) in which
I will have the opportunity to ask him questions, of course, taking into consideration that I will have to get permission to use what is said in answer to my questions can be used in this project, making sure I keep every word of what is said accurate and exact to what my interviewees answer. By interviewing people directly associated with the TV show, I will obtain primary data which will be valuable in contributing towards my research as well as considering would be valuable information.
Using the online questionnaire and submitting the questionnaire on various ‘LOST’ forums and websites for dedicated fans to fill out will also be a hugely beneficial method of research to use as mainly hard core fans will complete the questionnaire and will provide useful information to answer my question of how ‘LOST’ has become influential in their lives. The questionnaire will be available globally on these fan website, so a wide range of varied responses will be provided.
Relating to the questionnaire to submit on the internet, I will also copy the questionnaire and print to give out to fans who will be attending the ‘LOST’ convention as well as staff of the convention to gain extra input, as obviously, real hard-core fans will be dedicated enough to spend a lot of money to attend the event, so the answers to the questionnaire will be very interesting to study in relevance to ‘LOST’ references and influences.
I will also be submitting the questionnaire to students through the university email to gain local input as well as gaining the global responses as mentioned above in previous paragraphs.
After searching the library, I found there were no current dissertations already written in relevance to ‘LOST’, however, in the keyword search of two hundred and seventy five results, I found that only six of the results were relevant to the contemporary TV show, the majority of them in which would be useful to reference to in my project. These books include: ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’, ‘The Myth of Lost: Solving the Mysteries and Understanding of Lost’, ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’. ‘What can be Found in Lost’, ‘Unlocking the Meaning of Lost’ and ‘Getting Lost: Survival, baggage and starting over in J.J Abrams’ ‘Lost’’. Looking at the titles alone, I can tell straight away that ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ and ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’ will be the most useful literacy texts to study.
‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ contains ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and reveal in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. These and many more issues involving ‘Lost’s’ production, distribution, narrative, and the audiences are addressed by this essential book’. The author of the book, Roberta Pearson, is a ‘professor of Film and Television Studies, and director of the Institute of Film and Television Studies at the University of Nottingham, as well as having authored and co-edited numerous books and articles including co-edited ‘Cult Television’ (2004), several essays on ‘Star Trek’ and is currently editing ‘Companion to Television Genres’. This information obtained from www.amazon.co.uk has helped to identify that this text would be useful in aiding my research to my project, as well as offering other titles that would be worth researching.
‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of fandom like no other’ contains the following information according to again, www.amazin.co.uk: ‘Split into two halves, this digest of the show demonstrates, firstly, how it was the first show to combine the artists and patrons of the programme by sponsoring the largest independent discussion forum in history. Secondly, interwoven with the story of the fandom, is the examination of the plot itself. Begging the question, ‘what is it in the formula of Lost that so captures the imagination?’, this is a tour de force look into a truly tour de force show.’ The book is also reviewed as a ‘Well documented and researched, almost lovingly so’ by ‘Sacramento Book Review’, therefore looking like a positive source of a literature reference. All the books I managed to research that are related ‘LOST’ and to my dissertation question I will use in my investigation. I also researched in the library using the keyword ‘fandom’ to see what search results would come about, and the following couple of titles were available that I do plan on purchasing as well as the above mentioned ones related to ‘LOST’ to help aid my dissertation project. The following texts are; ‘Fandom: identities and communities in a mediated world’, ‘Television Fandom and its effect on ‘spin off culture’’ and ‘Tune in, Log on: soaps, fandom and community’.
I also plan to research fan fiction, fan videos, fan reviews and other related media texts that would contribute towards the project in reviewing ‘LOST’ and how the concept of ‘fandom’ effects the lives of either obsesses or dedicated fans as well as fan merchandising.
Looking at the issue of time management, I find that a pretty simple time management plan can be devised to carry out a successful investigation into my project to be thoroughly researched and studied to answer the question of the dissertation to be fully completed before the deadline. By creating a weekly timetable to check off my targets to complete each week.
May 2009
Week 1 – 11th-17th
Research significant and relevant references to ‘LOST’, including key aspects such as religion and science.
Week 2 – 18th-24th
Obtain relevant literature books that I intend to aid me in my research, begin to read and make key notes.
Week 3 – 25th - 31st
Research ‘fandom’ and compile a list of questions to use in a questionnaire to submit on the internet.
June 2009
Week 4 – 1st – 7th
Submit questionnaire on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites whilst continuing research on references to ‘LOST’.
Week 5 – 8th – 14th
Start reading books referenced to in LOST, note taking relevance in ‘LOST’.
Week 6 – 15th – 21st
Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’, including note taking as well as continuing research to other ‘LOST’ references in the aspect of mythology, numeracy and philosophy.
Week 7 – 22nd – 28th
Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’, including note taking as well as beginning to retrieve data on questionnaires submitted on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.
June 2009/July 2009
Week 8 – 29th – 5th
Research more on ‘fandom’ of ‘LOST’, including ‘Fan Fiction’, ‘Fan Role Play’ and ‘Fan Videos’ as well as looking at fan created merchandise and other fan related obsessions and how they relate to the project in terms of references.
Week 9 – 6th – 12th
Apply research obtained from previous week to relate to project.
Week 10 – 13th – 19th
Research audience address, narrative, production of ‘LOST’ and distribution and incorporating its relevance in the project.
Week 11 – 20th- 26th
Compile a list of questions for interviews at the ‘J.J Abrams Convention’ that would be useful in my investigation for my project. Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’ as well as studying data retrieved from questionnaires submitted on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.
July 2009/August 2009
Week 12 – 27th – 2nd
Continue various research into references in ‘LOST’, continue reading and note taking of books referenced to in ‘LOST’ as well as continuing to analyse results provided by focus groups on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.
Week 13 – 3rd – 9th
Attend ‘J.J Abrams Convention’ to interview Michael Emerson and hand out questionnaires to other fans and convention staff related to the TV series ‘LOST’.
Week 14 – 10th – 16th
Use data collected from convention to combine into my research and reference to in my study.
Week 15 – 17th – 23rd
Continue any extra research that may be valuable and/or useful in my investigation.
Week 16 – 24th – 30th
Have all research completed bar submitted questionnaire to students through university email, as likelihood of students checking emails during summer term is unlikely.
August 2009/September 2009
Week 17 – 31st – 6th
Entwine all relevant research together so they relate together and are ordered in a smooth fashion as well as double checking the bibliography in which I should have been listing throughout the investigation and research periods. Use the information gathered to apply in detail to the key aspects of the dissertation question.
Week 18 – 7th – 13th
Continue to use information gathered to apply in detail to the key aspects of the dissertation question. Check bibliography is fully up-to-date and correctly formatted.
Week 19 – 14th – 20th
Continue as written above.
Week 20 – 21st – 27th
Notate any problems accord throughout research, investigation and analysis.
September2009/October 2009
Week 21 – 28th – 4th
Any problems encountered from research, references or anything related to the project, seek advice and help from relevant tutor, and apply in my own words to dissertation.
Week 22 – 5th – 11th
Write up detailed evaluation.
Week 23 – 12th – 18th
Write up detailed conclusion.
Week 24 – 19th – 25th
Proof read investigation written up, as well as research carried out correctly referenced and in order with the production file of the presentation.
October 2009/ November 2009
Week 25 – 26th – 1st
Have bibliography completed and properly formatted.
Week 26 – 2nd – 8th
Have dissertation completed, proof read and hand in to tutor to be checked over completely for any necessary changes that may need to be carried out.
Week 27 – 9th – 15th
Go over very carefully entire dissertation, including research gathered and bibliography as well as any other sources of information that may be included such as DVD discs etc, compiling all work into correct order for the project file.
Week 28 – 16th – 22nd
Hand in dissertation project to be ring bound. Once ring bound, check over project that it is still in order.
Week 29 – 23rd – 29th
Hand in final draft (ring bound) dissertation.
There are many ethical aspects that need to be taken into consideration during the production of this project which include the first major point which is obviously not to plagiarise anyone’s work to claim as my own, and to make sure if I do use anyone’s work, then it is properly referenced and listed in the bibliography so that I do not take credit for that work.
Also, in any interviews that I plan on conducted, I will make sure that I have written consent from each interviewee that I may use what they say in my project, as well as in the contractual agreement that I will not modify anything they may say, or quote interviewees on things that they themselves have not said. I will remain professional in all interviews that I conduct, including my work with focus groups, in which every individual person whom I gain research information from in form or interviewee, I will make it plain and clear the content of which I am using, and what the content is being used for, as well as verifying all facts obtained, making sure they remain authentic and are exact to the sources in which they were provided. In addition, I will validate that all references are written properly and as accurate as possible.
Toconclude, I aim to investigate the contemporary TV series ‘LOST’, its’ references and how ‘fandom’ incorporates and influences these references in fans’ everyday lives. After some research, I’ve discovered that no other dissertation or journals are available or has been written in relation to the aspect of ‘fandom’ along with my chosen popular TV series, meaning that this investigation is unique, despite books being available with information with fandom in relation to ‘LOST’, these only touch the surface of fandom by looking at other sources fans turn to to gain extra information on the show that may not have been revealed in individual episodes of the TV series. An example of this is from the book referenced to earlier ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a Hit TV Show’ in which the book provides information on ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and revel in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. Where there is clearly similarity concerning the concept of fandom, I plan to go into in-depth detail of ‘fandom’ and the lengths fans go to fulfil their obsession with ‘LOST’, being more specific in my investigation and providing various research aspects of references, questionnaires and literature reviews.
The details of this project that is to be recognised is that ‘LOST’ is a popular sci-fi drama series that has been on air since 2004 till present, claiming to finish its final sixth season in 2010. ‘LOST’ has a hugely recognised fan base, amongst many references that has been deeply analysed by the fans in relation to religion, science, philosophy, numeracy, mythology and literacy. With this fandom obsession with the show, it will be interesting to discover how deep the obsession with ‘LOST’ runs in the everyday lives of the fans.
My main aims and objectives in the research include gaining primary data by interviewing direct associates with the TV show ‘LOST’ such as one of the main actors, Michael Emerson as well as creating a questionnaire to submit on ‘LOST’ forums and websites for ‘LOST’ fans to complete, including attending the ‘LOST’ convention and handing out questionnaires to dedicated fans there too. This will provide research data from various sources including primary and secondary, meaning the research is more thorough rather than using information from just one type of source. I will also email the same questionnaire to students through the university email to obtain local results as well as global.
In addition, I will also research literacy references used in ‘LOST’ such as novels that have been referenced to in the past series such as ‘Tale of Two Cities’, ‘Of Mice of Men’ and ‘Watership Down’ to see if this has influenced fans to read these books if they had not already, or re-read if they already have as well as analysing them to see how they relate to ‘LOST’, and why they were chosen as references to ‘LOST’.
Finally, I also plan to research the following well established references in the TV series which include; religion, science, philosophy, mythology, literacy and numeracy and how ‘LOST’ fans use these references in everyday life.
The methods I plan to use have already been mentioned, but to go into further detail about these methods would include one of the biggest factors towards my research is that in the beginning of August, there is a J.J Abrams weekend convention in which ‘LOST’ is included in the convention, and guests include actors from the show, a confirmed guest being Michael Emerson, one of the lead and most important actors on the show in terms of his character in the plot of the series. Having obtained the ‘gold pass’ which allows me extra access at the convention, including meeting the guests of the convention (including Michael Emerson) in which
I will have the opportunity to ask him questions, of course, taking into consideration that I will have to get permission to use what is said in answer to my questions can be used in this project, making sure I keep every word of what is said accurate and exact to what my interviewees answer. By interviewing people directly associated with the TV show, I will obtain primary data which will be valuable in contributing towards my research as well as considering would be valuable information.
Using the online questionnaire and submitting the questionnaire on various ‘LOST’ forums and websites for dedicated fans to fill out will also be a hugely beneficial method of research to use as mainly hard core fans will complete the questionnaire and will provide useful information to answer my question of how ‘LOST’ has become influential in their lives. The questionnaire will be available globally on these fan website, so a wide range of varied responses will be provided.
Relating to the questionnaire to submit on the internet, I will also copy the questionnaire and print to give out to fans who will be attending the ‘LOST’ convention as well as staff of the convention to gain extra input, as obviously, real hard-core fans will be dedicated enough to spend a lot of money to attend the event, so the answers to the questionnaire will be very interesting to study in relevance to ‘LOST’ references and influences.
I will also be submitting the questionnaire to students through the university email to gain local input as well as gaining the global responses as mentioned above in previous paragraphs.
After searching the library, I found there were no current dissertations already written in relevance to ‘LOST’, however, in the keyword search of two hundred and seventy five results, I found that only six of the results were relevant to the contemporary TV show, the majority of them in which would be useful to reference to in my project. These books include: ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’, ‘The Myth of Lost: Solving the Mysteries and Understanding of Lost’, ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’. ‘What can be Found in Lost’, ‘Unlocking the Meaning of Lost’ and ‘Getting Lost: Survival, baggage and starting over in J.J Abrams’ ‘Lost’’. Looking at the titles alone, I can tell straight away that ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ and ‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of a fandom like no other’ will be the most useful literacy texts to study.
‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a hit TV Show’ contains ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and reveal in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. These and many more issues involving ‘Lost’s’ production, distribution, narrative, and the audiences are addressed by this essential book’. The author of the book, Roberta Pearson, is a ‘professor of Film and Television Studies, and director of the Institute of Film and Television Studies at the University of Nottingham, as well as having authored and co-edited numerous books and articles including co-edited ‘Cult Television’ (2004), several essays on ‘Star Trek’ and is currently editing ‘Companion to Television Genres’. This information obtained from www.amazon.co.uk has helped to identify that this text would be useful in aiding my research to my project, as well as offering other titles that would be worth researching.
‘Lost Ate My Life: the inside story of fandom like no other’ contains the following information according to again, www.amazin.co.uk: ‘Split into two halves, this digest of the show demonstrates, firstly, how it was the first show to combine the artists and patrons of the programme by sponsoring the largest independent discussion forum in history. Secondly, interwoven with the story of the fandom, is the examination of the plot itself. Begging the question, ‘what is it in the formula of Lost that so captures the imagination?’, this is a tour de force look into a truly tour de force show.’ The book is also reviewed as a ‘Well documented and researched, almost lovingly so’ by ‘Sacramento Book Review’, therefore looking like a positive source of a literature reference. All the books I managed to research that are related ‘LOST’ and to my dissertation question I will use in my investigation. I also researched in the library using the keyword ‘fandom’ to see what search results would come about, and the following couple of titles were available that I do plan on purchasing as well as the above mentioned ones related to ‘LOST’ to help aid my dissertation project. The following texts are; ‘Fandom: identities and communities in a mediated world’, ‘Television Fandom and its effect on ‘spin off culture’’ and ‘Tune in, Log on: soaps, fandom and community’.
I also plan to research fan fiction, fan videos, fan reviews and other related media texts that would contribute towards the project in reviewing ‘LOST’ and how the concept of ‘fandom’ effects the lives of either obsesses or dedicated fans as well as fan merchandising.
Looking at the issue of time management, I find that a pretty simple time management plan can be devised to carry out a successful investigation into my project to be thoroughly researched and studied to answer the question of the dissertation to be fully completed before the deadline. By creating a weekly timetable to check off my targets to complete each week.
May 2009
Week 1 – 11th-17th
Research significant and relevant references to ‘LOST’, including key aspects such as religion and science.
Week 2 – 18th-24th
Obtain relevant literature books that I intend to aid me in my research, begin to read and make key notes.
Week 3 – 25th - 31st
Research ‘fandom’ and compile a list of questions to use in a questionnaire to submit on the internet.
June 2009
Week 4 – 1st – 7th
Submit questionnaire on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites whilst continuing research on references to ‘LOST’.
Week 5 – 8th – 14th
Start reading books referenced to in LOST, note taking relevance in ‘LOST’.
Week 6 – 15th – 21st
Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’, including note taking as well as continuing research to other ‘LOST’ references in the aspect of mythology, numeracy and philosophy.
Week 7 – 22nd – 28th
Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’, including note taking as well as beginning to retrieve data on questionnaires submitted on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.
June 2009/July 2009
Week 8 – 29th – 5th
Research more on ‘fandom’ of ‘LOST’, including ‘Fan Fiction’, ‘Fan Role Play’ and ‘Fan Videos’ as well as looking at fan created merchandise and other fan related obsessions and how they relate to the project in terms of references.
Week 9 – 6th – 12th
Apply research obtained from previous week to relate to project.
Week 10 – 13th – 19th
Research audience address, narrative, production of ‘LOST’ and distribution and incorporating its relevance in the project.
Week 11 – 20th- 26th
Compile a list of questions for interviews at the ‘J.J Abrams Convention’ that would be useful in my investigation for my project. Continue reading books referenced to in ‘LOST’ as well as studying data retrieved from questionnaires submitted on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.
July 2009/August 2009
Week 12 – 27th – 2nd
Continue various research into references in ‘LOST’, continue reading and note taking of books referenced to in ‘LOST’ as well as continuing to analyse results provided by focus groups on ‘LOST’ fan forums and websites.
Week 13 – 3rd – 9th
Attend ‘J.J Abrams Convention’ to interview Michael Emerson and hand out questionnaires to other fans and convention staff related to the TV series ‘LOST’.
Week 14 – 10th – 16th
Use data collected from convention to combine into my research and reference to in my study.
Week 15 – 17th – 23rd
Continue any extra research that may be valuable and/or useful in my investigation.
Week 16 – 24th – 30th
Have all research completed bar submitted questionnaire to students through university email, as likelihood of students checking emails during summer term is unlikely.
August 2009/September 2009
Week 17 – 31st – 6th
Entwine all relevant research together so they relate together and are ordered in a smooth fashion as well as double checking the bibliography in which I should have been listing throughout the investigation and research periods. Use the information gathered to apply in detail to the key aspects of the dissertation question.
Week 18 – 7th – 13th
Continue to use information gathered to apply in detail to the key aspects of the dissertation question. Check bibliography is fully up-to-date and correctly formatted.
Week 19 – 14th – 20th
Continue as written above.
Week 20 – 21st – 27th
Notate any problems accord throughout research, investigation and analysis.
September2009/October 2009
Week 21 – 28th – 4th
Any problems encountered from research, references or anything related to the project, seek advice and help from relevant tutor, and apply in my own words to dissertation.
Week 22 – 5th – 11th
Write up detailed evaluation.
Week 23 – 12th – 18th
Write up detailed conclusion.
Week 24 – 19th – 25th
Proof read investigation written up, as well as research carried out correctly referenced and in order with the production file of the presentation.
October 2009/ November 2009
Week 25 – 26th – 1st
Have bibliography completed and properly formatted.
Week 26 – 2nd – 8th
Have dissertation completed, proof read and hand in to tutor to be checked over completely for any necessary changes that may need to be carried out.
Week 27 – 9th – 15th
Go over very carefully entire dissertation, including research gathered and bibliography as well as any other sources of information that may be included such as DVD discs etc, compiling all work into correct order for the project file.
Week 28 – 16th – 22nd
Hand in dissertation project to be ring bound. Once ring bound, check over project that it is still in order.
Week 29 – 23rd – 29th
Hand in final draft (ring bound) dissertation.
There are many ethical aspects that need to be taken into consideration during the production of this project which include the first major point which is obviously not to plagiarise anyone’s work to claim as my own, and to make sure if I do use anyone’s work, then it is properly referenced and listed in the bibliography so that I do not take credit for that work.
Also, in any interviews that I plan on conducted, I will make sure that I have written consent from each interviewee that I may use what they say in my project, as well as in the contractual agreement that I will not modify anything they may say, or quote interviewees on things that they themselves have not said. I will remain professional in all interviews that I conduct, including my work with focus groups, in which every individual person whom I gain research information from in form or interviewee, I will make it plain and clear the content of which I am using, and what the content is being used for, as well as verifying all facts obtained, making sure they remain authentic and are exact to the sources in which they were provided. In addition, I will validate that all references are written properly and as accurate as possible.
Toconclude, I aim to investigate the contemporary TV series ‘LOST’, its’ references and how ‘fandom’ incorporates and influences these references in fans’ everyday lives. After some research, I’ve discovered that no other dissertation or journals are available or has been written in relation to the aspect of ‘fandom’ along with my chosen popular TV series, meaning that this investigation is unique, despite books being available with information with fandom in relation to ‘LOST’, these only touch the surface of fandom by looking at other sources fans turn to to gain extra information on the show that may not have been revealed in individual episodes of the TV series. An example of this is from the book referenced to earlier ‘Reading Lost: Perspective on a Hit TV Show’ in which the book provides information on ‘Today’s technologically savvy ‘forensic fandom’ whose members mobilise i-Pods and cell phones to watch episodes and revel in the complexities of ‘The Lost Experience’. Where there is clearly similarity concerning the concept of fandom, I plan to go into in-depth detail of ‘fandom’ and the lengths fans go to fulfil their obsession with ‘LOST’, being more specific in my investigation and providing various research aspects of references, questionnaires and literature reviews.
Sunday 5 April 2009
About Fal Media
OMG A NEW BLOG PAGE!
But yeah, just quickly explaining that I am going to use this blog to post up all my media work, especially if I think I have done particuarly well in assignments/projects.
But yeah, just quickly explaining that I am going to use this blog to post up all my media work, especially if I think I have done particuarly well in assignments/projects.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
