Screaming Kat's Mews and Information...

2004-06-03T15:58:00.000+10:00

OOOOOKkkkkaaaayyyy.....well this is my last blog ever I think, unfortunately, I can't be bothered to write much, have been taking notes and studying all day and looking at the computer screen is hurting my eyes! Basically, have done research on my assignment, via the library and books and also the internet and databases. From my research I have been able to formulate an argument I am happy with. I think the only problem in writing the essay will be confining it to the word limit and therefore making sure that only the most important points are included! Am going to start writing a draft tonight, so is a nice fitting end to this task and my time as a blogger! Bye!

2004-06-02T21:18:00.000+10:00

Well.....have been taking MORE notes and went and picked up a reserved book about American Popular Music, which according to its description is meant to have quite a bit on MTV and Madonna - which is good - except I don't really want to know anymore about either topic - as they are coming out my ears!!!! Basically, everything I am reading is just building upon what I've previously read, which is a good thing. I am going to slightly alter my perspective though, in that it wasn't just "sex" that made female popstars so successful, which I was going to focus on, but it was their image in general. And, for example, Madonna was apparently well aware of what she was doing in creating her whole virgin/whore dichotomy image and selling herself as a sex object - but the thing is, it didn't really matter, because this was lost on her male viewers - they just perceived her as a piece of meat anyways - here is a really good quote I found by a male fan of hers, he said he liked "Madonna's shapely and oh so tasty figure" and also "the way her breasts shake" - blah - I shudder reading that, it sounds so gross...her oh so tasty figure - vomit. Ok, off to write more notes....by the way, hope all of you busting to get to the red room made it there :)

2004-06-01T23:24:00.000+10:00

Finally feel like my topic is a bit more on track after taking notes from about 4 more books today - but I as a result I think my vision is going - everything is very blurry! It's amazing how much a bit of reading can really fill you in though, I can't believe there were never really film clips prior to 1981. Before this, concerts were used as a primary method of promotion. It's also weird to think of film clips as a promotional vehicle but it is true. The record company's use the strength of just one film clip to sell an entire albumn, but I guess it is very true. Anyways, don't have the energy to write much tonight - it is 11:25 and I want to go to bed! Also, I will not be continuing my blog...unfortunately I just find it too much of an effort, being a computer bimbo and all, but I will continue it until June 4th, as I'm not sure I've really written enough over the weeks....we shall see!

2004-05-31T17:51:00.000+10:00

Phew! Have just taken pages and pages of notes from this really good book for my subject about feminine discourse in music videos, especially with the emergence of MTV - I think I got a bit sidetracked with some of the academic jargon of the book, but got the main point and it was very relevant to what I'm doing and also had a case study on Madonna - so that was a bonus! Is the only book I have taken notes from though...so I've got to get a bit of a move on I think! Ok...that's it from me today!

2004-05-30T16:35:00.000+10:00

Have just been reading a really good book for my topic, very relevant, anyways, is about Madonna and how MTV had a "make my video" contest for her. As I am kind of doing the new media topic, because I am looking at MTV at a time when it had just come out and was considered new media, this is very relevants, as one of the charactertistics of new media is the fact that it is interactive. Hence, this activity is clearly giving fans, who are the viewers of the program, to interact with their favourite star and to be part of the medium, or to take part in it. So yeah, but I probably won't go on about the whole new media thing too much....it's not really the focus of my essay. The competitions also talks about the whole wanna-be phenomenon, and this is very true of female fans, as I will be talking about in my essay, this is why females have wider appeal than males, because girls want to be them and guys think they are hot, or whatever. With guys, mostly girls love them as well, but most 'normal' guys often don't have that much respect for famous guys, or actors/singers that are good-looking etc. In my opinion anyways...let me know if I am wrong! Anyways, have just been on the web, and this is an article about how teenage girls are losing their innocence because of their desire to be like their idols, which is fuelled by commerical companies in their desire to make a profit...pretty interesting.

2004-05-29T19:02:00.000+10:00

Oh dear, have once again neglected my blog. Have been at work from thurs to sat grrr.....was pretty cool though, some of the rides got closed down especially so Paris Hilton could go on them (I work at Movieworld), so didn't get to see her, but it was still pretty exciting. And...watch this, can relate this to my essay kind of, because there are tons of rich heiresses, but because Paris is so pretty, she is famous and everyone knows about her, due mostlty to tv etc. and she even had her own tv show (MTV ???? I think??). Anyways, what I said may be a big pile of rubbish, but I thought there was a bit of link. Did anyone watch American Idol last night? Fantasia so nailed it I thought, her first song was absolute crap, but even though I don't really like her, I have to admit her other two were awesome. I feel sorry for Diana though, I know she is cutesy and fake etc, but she's still only 16 and she's a pretty damn good singer..so yeah....anyways! Have better things to do on a Saturday night than this, so am off!

2004-05-25T17:28:00.000+10:00

Went to the library today and got a few good books - but heaps are already gone! How do you people have time to have started this assignment already??? Anyways, I have requested them so hopefully they will turn up soon, the books I got seem really good though, quite a bit of info on music videos and there is a really good one called rocking around the clock and has quite a bit of info on Madonna in her earlier days, which is what I was looking for earlier....so that is good! Another good thing is that I am going to the justin timberlake concert! I know this thought will make a fair few of you sick (indeed as I've already told Mat, my housemates are having trouble looking at me) but I think it will be an awesome concert and something to look forward to in the middle of exams! Plus he is hot.

2004-05-24T19:31:00.000+10:00

Grrrrrrr.....someone has taken all the books I need to research my assignment!!!! NOT FAIR!!! I'm even started early I thought, oh well....have requested them and hopefully they will turn up before this is due! They are all books on MTV and music videos and stuff, so if anyone knows of any books about this sort of thing that aren't checked out from the UQ library, could you please let me know? Thank ya muchly. I must admit I haven't really thought too much else about this assignment. I think I am at the stage where I know as much as I can from my general knowledge and really just need to do some reading now, so I can fully develop my hypothesis. Shall start researching tomorrow! Also, does anyone know...the due date for this is meant to be the 14th, but that is a Monday which is a public holiday....???? I just made spaghetti bol for my house tonight - it was good!

2004-05-21T19:47:00.000+10:00

Hello Hello.....have done naught on this assignment so far I'm afraid, but I did a huge entry last time, so I'm thinking that's ok. Was at work today, I work at Movieworld...was hell...I hate Batman. Am watching American Idol at the moment, it is crap, but fun to watch. My housemate downloaded this new show from American that is like Idol in reverse - it takes all the bad singers and tells them how good they are etc. very mean, but very very funny. Sort of like that new show Miriam where the chick is really a guy..erh! Anyways, thought I'd just put a quick link here to madonna's website, might get an insight from her bio....but guess what....can find lots of current info on her, but nothing from 10 years ago!

2004-05-19T18:06:00.000+10:00

Whoops! Just published a blog twice....silly me!

2004-05-19T17:47:00.001+10:00

Okay! Went and saw Jean today and now have refocused assignment question, and am really happy with it, should be really interesting. Basically my hypothesis is that the introduction of MTV into the music industry created huge changes for female popstars in the way they were perceived as visual concerns became key, rather than an accompanying feature. Started to be perceived as sexual pin-up objects. Basically then going to go back and talk about how prior the explosion of MTV, the music industry placed little emphasis on the visual, or not little - but it was not the be all and end all. Mainly you saw popstars, singers etc in live performances on tv, on shows such as countdown etc. Video clips did exist, but were not a regular permeating part of society. The explosion of MTV produced an inundation of film clips, which began to change perceptions of female performers. Lots of emphasis placed on performance (dancing, costumes etc). However, this change did come at a time when other changes in society were happening, but it probably helped to accelerate the immense sexualisation of females. The effects of this were huge - am probably going to use Madonna as a case study. Females such as she had widespread appeal for both males and females - females wanted to be like her and males wanted to be with her. Also a rolemodel of somekind. The same thing didn't happen for males. For eg - boybands, girls loved them, guys loathed them. Other guy bands - heavy rock etc. loved by guys, but only by few girls. Anyway, important change because has produced continued effects to this day, egs such as Britney Spears. Her ability to be a shit singer but still sell heaps of records and be successful is due to this shift. Still need to fill in some gaps here, but that is basically my argument. Will be talking about it as new media, as it was new media at the time that I will be looking at. Going to look at the theory/history of music videos, MTV, history of music prior to this change, females and the media (will go back and look at the books I've listed previously) and also female popstars (maybe try to get some stats on madonna at the time). Anyways, this has been a huge entry so I'm leaving now because my fingers are sore, but first, thought I'd just to a quick link to the current MTV website - thought it might have some history but it didn't.... :(

2004-05-19T17:47:00.000+10:00

2004-05-18T18:21:00.000+10:00

I have nothing to report today, haven't thought any more about what I am doing for my assignment as I've got one for another subject that is due on friday, about media and the pr tactics used by the government....fascinating, actually it is pretty interesting. Am seeing Jean tomorrow to discuss what I'm going to do this thing on, so hopefully by tomorrow I will start linking sights again and looking for some more info....can't be bothered at the moment, bye!

2004-05-17T16:50:00.000+10:00

Just tried to go onto course weblog to see what other people are saying etc. and it is not working, says that it cannot be found.....anybody else having problems getting into it????

2004-05-17T16:46:00.000+10:00

I FORGOT AGAIN!!!! DAMMIT!!!! I can't help it, am so not a person who goes on a computer everyday, or even every second day, so can't remember to do this. Will have to write "Write in blog" on my forehead so I don't forget. Even though I have been absent from blog for 5 days, nothing has happened...have been busy handing in two huge assignments for other subjects, have been at work, and that is about it. Saw the movie TROY, thought it was really good and that eric bana's acting was the best. Not going to bother finding any links or doing any research today as currently am not sure that my topic is acceptable.....will have to wait and talk to Jean on Wednesday!

2004-05-12T11:43:00.000+10:00

I keep forgetting to write in my damn blog!!!! I tell myself in the morning that today I will remember, but it never happens! Anyway, nevermind, today I am writing in my blog. Have just been on the Infotrac database to look for articles and have found a few good ones, such as
Britney Brigade: The racy pop icon is now a style setter. Is it bad that millions of young girls, from post-toddlers to teens, want to look just like her?
can't create a hyperlink to this or similar ones, because they don't work because of all the password and security stuff, nevermind.
I hope my idea is still ok, not so sure now...if not might focus on Aus Idol phenomenon,and how we use technology to decide/vote the fate of popstars, not possible to do without tv etc, technology a major part of music, in a variety of ways, and this is one example.

2004-05-10T14:23:00.000+10:00

Was just going through other blogs trying to find something to comment on, but everyone seems to be talking about filesharing etc., which I really don't understand/don't have a hugh interest in....used to have kaaza on computer, so sad that got taken away, but apart from that, I know nothing! Anyways, just did a google search and found an article about how the media effects young girls, all about the eroticisation (not sure that this is a word - but will find out later) of young girls, trying to be older than they are because of their role models etc. Quite a good article, and has links to other articles as well. Really need to do a search on the UQ databases soon, as there is sure to be heaps of articles and information there. Should be good. Okay, off to write an assignment for another subject...by the way, did anyone watch American Idol last night, there is a girl, Fantasia or something like that? She is sooooo annoying!

2004-05-10T00:32:00.000+10:00

Whoops! I have not been on my blogger for absolutely ages, very naughty of me, but I am trying to write 3 assignments that are due on the same day plus working, plus everything else....it is very difficult and uni really sucks at the moment. Also just found out that my exam block is yuck, I have exam on the first and third days and then nothing until the second last day.....which I will probably then do really badly in as I will have given up study by then, so yeah, just thought I would have a little whinge. At least there is no exam for this subject! Jean just put comments on my page today and I am excited, so someone comment, even though I haven't said anything very interesting...

2004-05-04T17:41:00.000+10:00

I just thought of something else that is relevant to my topic, I think - the fact that we now have interactive shows on television where you choose who you want to be a popstar, this is obviously somewhat image-based, as they never had a similar sort of thing on the radio, anyways this is the australian idol webpage, which is an example of this type of show.

2004-05-03T12:19:00.000+10:00

I have just been on the cybary website, looking on the catalogue for books that i think would be good for my topic. Am going to write the titles, call no.s etc down here, because I can't get them out now because I have three more assignments due before this one!!!! So this way, I won't forget and can come back to them later....

*"Feminine Endings: Music, gender and sexuality", Susan McClary ML82.M381991

*"Women and the media: Content, careers and criticism", Cynthia M. Lont P94.5.W65L661995

*"Disruptive divas: feminism, identity and popular music" Lori Burns and Melisse Larfrance (Arch Music) MT146.B872002

*"The Diva's Mouth: body, voice, prima donna politics" Susan J. Leonardi & Rebecca A. Pope ML400.L461996

*"Working Girls: gender and sexuality in popular cinema" Yvonne Tasker PN1995.9.W6T361998

*"Subculture to clubcultures: an introduction to popular cultural studies" Steve Redhead (Arch Music) HN385.5R431997

So these are just a few books that stood out of me as being relevant to my topic. I am yet to look on the databases, but I'm sure there will be heaps of material there. Before I go ahead with all of this, I'd better check that it's an ok topic to do....whoops. By the way, if anyone is reading this, do you agree that popstars eg Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, event to an extent, Delta Goodrem, are able to sell music because of the fact they are on tv. Without their image, they would not be as successful, because SEX SELLS!!!! Let me know what you think...

2004-05-01T15:08:00.000+10:00

I just got this article of the CNN website about whether or not sex stills sells with regard to popstars.

2004-05-01T15:04:00.000+10:00

This is an article I found from a CNN website about whether sex still sells in regard to popstars.

2004-05-01T14:58:00.000+10:00

I haven't posted a new entry for a while - whoops! I don't have the internet at home at the moment so it is kind of hard to come on here everyday. I watched a bit of the Britney Spears concert on tv last night, and it was a great example of what I'm arguing for my assignment (so far). The whole concert was about how she looked: costumes, hair, make-up, her dancing etc. hardly any of it was about the music - I don't think she even sang the whole thing live. I'm not even going to say that it's a bad thing, just that Britney and similar female pop stars are focused on image, and they can be due to tv. Tv has made them a whole lot more successful than they would have been without it, because they can sell sex, and therefore their music.

2004-04-28T14:19:00.001+10:00

Yay! I did it!

2004-04-28T14:19:00.000+10:00

I am going to try again with the linking process for the article I just found about pop stars

2004-04-28T14:15:00.000+10:00

I just did a google search on the idea I talked about in the last post, and found a good article about http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3106271.stm children being too sexy because of pop stars. As you can see, I tried to do the whole connecting the site so you can click on it, but I don't really know what I'm doing....if someone could remind me how to do it, that would be great!

2004-04-28T14:09:00.000+10:00

This is my first entry since setting up my blog. It took me about 3 mins to actually get into this, because I forgot everything we were supposed to do. We had the first lecture with Clay today about media etc. I am thinking I might do my essay with regard to pop stars, and how, because of TV they need to be pretty and it is more about image than the music, but TV is not really a new media (though it is being used in new ways and with new intentions), so I am not sure what to do - I was even thinking about focusing particularly on Britney Spears, as Clay was discussing Elvis in the lecture, and I thought it was kind of on the same track, as Britney Spears also caused quite a bit of moral outrage with her sexy dancing and tummy-baring antics, and this was so because of television. That is an idea that I might try and develop...

2004-04-21T11:17:00.000+10:00

I just did a google search and found a New Zealand Herald article on the upcoming second series of Australian Idol.

2004-04-21T09:58:00.000+10:00

This is my first post on my MSTU2000 blog entitled Music and the Media. I don't really understand what I am supposed to write in these entries or what they should be about, so hopefully I will figure it out soon and my entries will be more interesting. This blog will mostly be in regard to the second assignment, which asks you to develop an originial research question.