Blog Entry 5

Kardashian, Kim. “The Kardashians”. E! True Hollywood Story. 2009. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary.

E! True Hollywood Story takes an in-depth look into Kim Kardashian’s life. The documentary directs control to Kim Kardashian in giving her a direct outlet to speak to the public.  The documentary focuses on all aspects of her life and career. The documentary re-visits Kim Kardashian’s past, directing attention towards the pits and peaks of her life and her acclaim to fame. In Kim Kardashian’s E! True Hollywood Story, she talks of her sex-tape, failed marriage and the death of her father---and how she was able to bounce back from the pits of her career and fame while at the expense of media-exploitation. Kim Kardashian reveals how in doing her reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, she is able to give “her side of the story” in contention to the exploitation of she and her family. 

Knowles, Beyonce. “Year of 4”. 2011. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary. 

Year of 4 is a documentary following international superstar, Beyonce Knowles. During the recording of her fourth solo album, 4, MTV cameras follow Beyonce on her day-to-day ventures; focusing on the many aspects of her career that go unnoticed. From executive board meetings, to the sampling of her album, Beyonce offers an intimate perspective to viewers in allowing them to see candid moments and glimpses of her personal life. In this medium, Beyonce is using the media as a way to interconnect with her fans through the sincerity of her artistry. Year of 4 gives viewers an in-depth look at the woman behind and very much in control of her production. Late nights and early mornings are just a glimpse of what the documentary offers, while highlighting the stature and drive possessed by the Grammy award winning female performer. Candidly, this documentary gives a first-hand account on Beyonce, coming from the source herself. 

Lady Gaga. “The Art of Fame”. 60 Minutes. By: Anderson Cooper. 2010. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary. 

60 Minutes correspondent, Anderson Cooper may have been in over his head before going in to interview renowned international superstar, Lady Gaga. Before the interview begins, commentary on Gaga seems to be that of an exploiting nature. Playing devil’s advocate, correspondent, Anderson Cooper familiarizes viewers with the popular opinion concerning and surrounding the superstar, in hopes that the conclusion of the interview will also be accompanied with empathy and a better understanding of Gaga and her artistry. 60 Minutes follows Lady Gaga around all over London and New York---giving viewers an inside look into her life. This interview is relevant for it goes beyond Gaga’s music and offers her shared insight on the mastering, ‘The Art of Fame’. This interview sets up my inquiry question in proposing the idea that it is possible for celebrities and public figures to exploit the media just as the media has exploited them.

Lin, Chyong-Ling. “Comparing Society’s Awareness of Women: Media-Portrayed Idealized Images and Physical Attractiveness. Journal of Business Ethics; Nov., 2009, Vol. 90 Issue 1, p61-79, 19p. Ebsco. Research-Article. Web. 26 February 2012. 

This article focuses on the role of femininity in relation to advertising. The article reveals how advertising depictions create diverse personal needs and changes attitudes on self-image and personal preferences. The cumulative effect in advertising greatly impacts the society and culture at large. Experts on feminist movements argue that advertising depictions and expressions of female roles are concrete symbols of objectification and representative of male desire; women in turn appear to be more restricted under societal expectation than men. This source is an account of media-exploitation in the form of advertising.

Lopez, Jennifer. Behind The Music. 2010. VH1. Web. 28 February 2012. Documentary. 

Jennifer Lopez’s Behind The Music gives viewers a look at the superstar “behind the music”. This documentary is intimate and self-narrated by Jennifer Lopez. The documentary focuses on all aspects of Jennifer Lopez’s personal life and career; creating a balance equally distributing attention upon her life. In this, Jennifer Lopez’s speaks of her mother and how although she and her sisters were raised differently from her brothers, her mother always instilled the notion that as a woman she could do and be anything she wanted to be. Jennifer Lopez also talks about how she deals with fame and exactly how much control she has over the media and her life. Jennifer Lopez speaks candidly in the interview about her life and career.