Report on research progress:

Analysis of Reality TV introduction sequences:(The Only Way Is Essex, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Made in Chelsea, Geordie Shore)

• Themes

Appearance and physical features are clear themes which are presented, as each shot of a female is shown as sexualising their features, looking at the camera provocatively, or playing with their hair. This depicts the stereotypes of women caring about sex appeal and looks, connoting beauty over brains. Significantly, male characters are very often presented in suave clothing, and clearly not acting provocatively. This displays how representations of men are that they are high status playboys after the promiscuous women. In layman's terms, the opening scene of reality tv alone presents men to be sex focused creatures who thrive on intimacy with females.

• Codes and Conventions

Augmented reality is a massive convention, especially star construction. Richard Dyer said that star construction is based on the commercialisation of a star and how a star is recognised through their culture, ideologies, personality and behaviour. Star construction is key for this, as shows like The Only Way Is Essex and Made In Chelsea, both use this theory in the same way. The construction of stars like Spencer Matthews and Joey Essex have been centred around them being massive playboys, who regularly get what they want. This creates the stereotype of all men being untrustworthy partners. 

Analysis of Reality TV scenes: 

• Themes

Cast members very often include very attractive men and very attractive women, rarely ever the 'average' man or woman. Each character known for being promiscuous. This form of entertainment is growing throughout society. Relationships are often depicted in sexualised manners but always to a certain extent. Reality tv has become a very soft version of pornography for the masses, and the portrayal is deemed appropriate. The role of the man is still as the dominant sex partner, doing as he pleases. An extreme but however linked view can be the idea of how porn is a theory, and rape is a practicle. This in the sense that men are represented as having sexual empowerment over women, and are stereotyped as physically dominant. 

• Ideology

The male gaze has a strong role in reality tv, as so much of it is the male perspective of how life is and should be. Scenes in The Only Way Is Essex, often display men to be very focused on lavish objects like cars and money, whilst women usually are displayed to be focused on beauty through being seen in salons or doing make-up. This can connote to the post colonialist idea of men being in control of both making and sustaining wealth, whilst women are just there for their partner.