This week we will explore how visual rhetoric shapes contemporary media experiences. THERE IS NO CLASS SESSION TODAY!! Students will instead attend and analyze a public media event - either Dreamgirls or New York Divided. Come to class prepared to discuss your experience!
FOR NEXT WEEK...
READING: Chapter 9 "Prime-Time Television: White or Whiter"
PROJECT: Work on research paper and LAP interview.
MEDIA: Dreamgirls or New York Divided
- JOURNAL SEVEN - Analyze the visual argument presented in your selected media event (Dreamgirls or New York Divided). What methods of rhetoric are employed? How are soundbites, iconic visuals and stereo/prototypes used to tell the story? What is "left out" or altered to make the story more appealing to audiences (conflict, romance, etc.)? How does this framing alter the "truth" of the historical events depicted?
28 comments:
Rhetoric is the art of influencing the thoughts and conduct of the audience.
In DREAMGIRLS we are convinced that the girls are being oppressed by the industry due to color. They were. It takes Curtis’ money to get them to the top, where they rightfully belong. It takes money and influence no matter who you are.
In truth, people did not accept Blacks so readily in any industry, which is exactly what is portrayed in the movie.
Were people in the 50’s and 60’s influenced in either manner when this happened? I know personally people who didn’t care about color at all. They loved The Supremes, The Marvelettes, the Chilites, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Chubbie Checker. Little Richard, etc. It opened doors and minds of teens to something new that their parents never experienced. And simply, it was great music and still is! Nothing beats the old Motown tunes for a party and a romantic song.
The fact that DREAMGIRLS was made is also proof that the industry is moving ahead in many aspects. It was a feel good movie, upbeat and lively. I don’t feel there was any negative portrayal in the movie. Curtis’ wheeling and dealing is a practice to survive in the industry.
I totally love the movie. I totally love the songs. TL
The movie dreamgirls was very entertaining, it kept my complete attention. i felt that this gave us a look into the life of motown in the 50's and the 60's before my time. the industry then is sort of similar to the way the music industry is today. everyone in the business trying to achieve the greatest hitsand just want to be number one.thier wasn't any thing negative in the story.i really loved the movie.i can watch it over and overe again.
The movie dreamgirls was very entertaining . It took me back to the type of entertainment people really enjoyed years ago, even though blacks wasn't excepted well in the music industry, they were very talented and worked hard at achieving. I don't feel that anything was left out of the movie it was about entertainment and the did that well.
Michelle J
Dreamgirls is a film about romance hate and greed. Three young women Deena, Effie and Lorrell was offered a chance to be backup singers for legendary Jimmy Thunder. Curtis Taylor who is a local car dealer and a producer discover the Dreamettes.
Effie has a powerful voice when she sings "And I'm Telling You I'm not Going".
I don't think anything was left out of this movie. The ending Curtis realized that he was the father of Effie's daughter.
Linda
The movie Dreamgirls was a excellent movie/musical. It was entertaining and funny, and there was not anything that was left out of the movie. The movie itself was about old hit singers Diana Ross and the Suprems back in the 50's and 60's and what they sort of went through back then during that time.
The movie was good, well cast and entertaining. Newcomer Jennifer Hudson did a great job, playing Effie, she's a natural talent. Beyonce has truly proven herself as an actress. great acting from all the actors. It's a must have when it comes out on DVD.
Maria
DREAMGIRLS were African Americans
in the 50' and 60' Eddie Murphy,
one of the author, supporting role
in a motion. Three beautiful young
girls are being oppressed by the
music industry. It took money and
influece for them to succeed as
singer star. Stereotypes were
African Americans, none
soundbites, methods of rhetoric
very persuasive, iconic visuals
the music scene. I love the movie
the part I like was that no matter
what, they reached the goal to
become a singer. The fact is the
African Americans are moving ahead
in many aspects in the industry
for music such as Eddie Murphy an
author.
Martha
I was dissatisfied with the movie Dreamgirls. The actors and actresses were o.k. The best out of all of them was Jennifer Hudson. She definately played the part and she put a lot of her talent and hard work into her part. In my opinion something was definately missing. I expected it to be more. Yes, there was a lot of jealousy and controversy, but it did not hold my attention. The only interest i had was when Jennifer Hudson sang the last song, by Jennifer Holiday. (I am staying), towards the end of the movie. I did not see any black and white racial in the movie. The movie did not hold my interest at all. It was missing something.
The movie Dreamgirls was a very entertaining musical. I really did not know what to expect from listening to other people's opinion, but after seeing it for myself it was excellent I really enjoyed it. I don't know the history behind the real dreamgirls but I do not think they could have picked a better group of people to cast this movie. No I do not believe anything was left out or altered. Sharon
The movie Dreamgirls was absolutely amazing. It was truly entertaining. Jennifer Hudson's voice is outstanding. American Idol really "slept" on that contestant. I laughed, cheered and cried in the movies. Jamie Foxx who portrays Curtis Taylor a wheeling dealing manager trying to make it in the music industry, was execellent. Jennifer Hudson plays Effie. Beyonce' Knowles plays Deena. Eddie Murphy plays James "Thunder" Early. The cast was tremendous in protrying these characters. The three African-American women formed a singing group with dreams of fame. The problems started when Curtis and Effie's brother CC decide to rearrange the group. They decide that Deena would sing lead instead of Effie. I felt the movie remained with the life long stereotype of the light skinned African-American vs. the darker skinned African-American complexion and how it would play better with the "Whites." Effie, being a dark skinned African-American with a little "meat on her bones" this would not go over well with the "Whites" it was not said but it was insinuated. I felt Curtis knew this wouldn't appeal to the White audience so he new he had to change the groups image. What was left out was the fact that "Whites" would accept a "Negro" better if their complexion were closer to their skin tone. It didn't matter that Effie had the strongest and the better voice in the singing group but what matter was how the white people would see and accept the group.
J. Johnson
The movie Dreamgirl was not all that good; it is a story about Diana Ross and the Supremes, Ray Charles and others from the 60's and 70's; singers who wanted fame, but what happen to most of them their fame turned to greed, hatred and death.
Greed and cruelty were widely distributed throughout the movies. All in the name of struggling to survive. Sonja
I did enjoy the movie,HOWEVER, stereotyping was shown in the movie and not directly by the white man, but the blacks themselves. I mean when Curtis took Effie from the lead and placed her as a back up to the group. Although he told her it was because of her attitude and behavior, I believed it was because she was fat and darker than the other two girls. This is a stereotype that many fat black women find. (They are suppose to be loud and boisterous) The next stereotype is that he places Deena as lead and gets another singer to replace Effie (both slim & light skinned). This is his perception of what white America wants and he conforms to give it to them.
This movie wasn't really about success, but about profits $$. We also saw the usage of stereotyping when the white "preppy" group took Early Thunder's song "Cadillac" and remixed it to fit the white man's world. This song then rose to the top of the charts.
This type of stereotype is found in all aspects of life; whether it is in the music, advertisement or film industry. It's all about the benjamins and who can get it.
As you can see, money doesn't always make a person happy i.e, Early Thunder's death and Deena getting a divorce from Curtis.
This movie was about people's self-respect and dignity that both actors seemed to have lost along their climb to fame.
Finally, I would have like to known Curtis' reaction when he found out he fathered a child to this loud mouth black woman (Effie) and if the "original" Dreamettes stayed as friends.
If this movie was to reflect the Supremes, it did so by not telling us the total truth of their lifestyle-Just the happy times. Didn't one Supreme die of drugs and the other was penniless? Wasn't there controversy as to whether Diana fathered a child by Barry Gordy? These things were omitted from the film.
Bessie
I enjoyed the movie "Dreamgirls", it was very entertaining. The stereotype of complexion among the African Americans was definitely visual, light-skinned vs dark-skinned. Another one was the image of the weight or body shape of the lead singer. In order for the group to fit the white audience they had to change their image. History continues to repeat itself and it doesn't matter which industry. When do we stop altering ourselves to fit into White America.
Benita
Dreamgirls derived from the history of the Supremes, a girl group from Detroit which was Motown's most successful group during the 1960s.
The visual argument presented is blacks were not accepted by society because of the color of there skin and they had to worked harder when given the opportunity.
The rhetoric employed was the influence that "Money and Luxurous car" had and continue to have when blacks within the music industry. The stereo types used is Beyonce Knowles being slim and light skin, which was more appealing. On the other hand Jennifer Hudson being big bone, dark and not appealing. Jennifer (Effie) had a better voice than Beyonce (Deena) but that's what Hollywood was. This is to show how blacks have come a far way.
The prototypes were whites enjoying Early's (Eddie) great hits even them would gather and sing. It was showing segregation had limits.
I watched the movie because of school. I don't like musical but it was ok.
Dreamgirls was an excellent movie to show how racism is allocated. There was white against black, black against black and how green is the most important color; THE ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR. The movie also portrayed how appearance can be used to make major decesion into one's destiny, based upon color, weight and also height.
Curtis Taylor (Jamie Fox) usage of the english vocabulary along with his charm and grace was used unconditionally, to his fullest demand. He stayed focues on his goals so he could achieve his DREAMS in becoming a producer. SA
CONTINUED SA----While it seems as though "DREAMGIRLS" was the story depicting the accounts of the ultimate girl group Diana Ross and The Supreme, it was actually a story detailing the challenges faced by the female groups of the 60's and beyound.
In fact VH1 Soul did a documentay which dispelled the mist that Dreamgirls was a story specific about Diana Ross and the Supreme. SA
The movie dreamgirls was spectacular in every shape and form. i love it so much that I can watch it over and over. I believe the movie portrayed black people in a positive way. It also shows that there was a time where we had real music and not the garbage that gets played in today's world. Also that no matter what happens, dreams do come true. I believe ther was nothing left out of the movie, everything was well put. together
The method of rhetoric which is used to tell the story in Dreamgirls, is music. Physical, mental, and child abuse are altered to make the story more appealing to the audience. Curtis starts dating (Effie) one of the girls, and clearly you know that she is underage. This is made clear when Dina states that she had to wait for her mother to go to sleep before she could leave her home to go and sing at the club. Physical and mental abuse are also altered. Towards the end of the movie you know it has taken place. Dina sings the song "listen," (which states how she has never been able to think for herself or express herself). Curtis says to Dina (his wife) "I will deal with you when I get home."
The sixties, was a time when racism existed all over. There is a scene where the Watts Riots are taking place. African Americans not only had to deal with racism from Caucasians, but from racism within their own race. Effie, before Curtis becomes their manager, is the lead singer in their group. Curtis, knowing how the industry operates, makes changes. Dina, strikingly beautiful, and light skinned, becomes the lead singer of the group. Effie, heavy set, and having a darker complexion becomes one of the backup singers. I believe that this is an altered truth of the historical events. However, today this still exists. A women can have outstanding vocals, but she must have the looks, body, and appeal to the American Apple Pie Society. African Americans have come a long way in the music industry, but they still have a long fight ahead of them, not just a fight with Caucasians, but a fight within their own race.
The Movie Dreamgirls is based on the broadway musical.This movie is of a trio of black female singers that crossover to pop and desire to become sucessful girl group in the 1960"s. The movie dreamgirls had very competitive Characters. Their were several stereotypes that were in the movie. Drama really played major parts in this movie. Dreamgirls was also filled with Ego. Some of the drama connected to this movie was connected to the media. As always the media press played a major part in the lives of the characters of this movie because of the show business industry.
K.Knight
I went to see the movie dream girls. Which I really enjoyed watching it. This movie had showed so many forms of stereotype. I was not only white against blacks but black against each other. The see opens up with the three young girls performing and the crowd loved them. The next guys comes out and performs the crowed loves him to but you could tell that they loved the girls more but they pick the guy because he was guy. Men feel that woman can not be on top. There is another part with the lead singer is asked to be the back up singer why because she was dark skin and a big girl. Why do people feel that because your dark skin or big that you cannot have the spot light. If you can do your thing than do it!! People are going to love you for who you are you.
What put the icing on the cake was when the girls made a song and the whites recorded over as their song and passed along as theirs. When you watch this movie it is not all about a girl group trying to make it, it in tales how own culture ca stereotype on one other. Try to step on each other to reach to the top instead of helping each other. That what wrong with us today. Everyone wants to make a fast dollar but they are not thinking about the person they step on to get there.
melissa
In watching the movie "Dream girls"there were three young girls wanting to become famous,trying not compromise there self worth in the process. There was one argument I want to bring up In the movie Effy was a big women.without a dought with the most tallent. In this movie it is allways the same thing whether in the 50's 80's or 07 the big girl has to take the back seat to the less tallented girl in this case Dina Had to be put in the front. Even though its taken over a hundred years big girls are finally getting sone recognition. I dont know why this part was left out that Effy was pregnant by Curtis. Maybe he would have behaved a little better towards her.Over all it was a good movie TTribble
I though "Dream Girls" was an superb movie. It is true that some people did not want black artists, in the music idustry or the film idustry because maybe they might have felt threaten? Even though their color was an issue. The characters show positive role model. Elfie could sing her heart out, (Jennifer Hudson). And (Beyonces) always bring her best to the table, as Deena Jones. The movie show love, heart, sweat, trial, and tears. It was wonderful regardles of the tribulations. Wanda G.
Dreamgirls exposed the music industry by storm in the 50's,60's and 70's era. Innovators took on to promote records that were appealing to white audiences. The group was based on "The Supremes" and "Motown Hitsville, USA" mogul Barry Gordy.
The Segregation to appease white audiences had to be thin, beautiful complexion (fair skinned), and straight hair. "Race Records" was more for African-American independent labels as mention in "Dreamgirls." The song "Hound Dog" was the original recording by "Big Mama Thornton" unitl "Elvis Presley" remade it.
There were many white solo artist and white groups stealing songs from African-American artist and making it their own to profit.
The real singers were not appealing because of their weight, hair, or physical appearance. It had to be marketable to make it into the mainstream music industry. Through the sacrifices, prejudices, love, anger, pain, hurt, and death was all to familiar to be acceptable.
Althea
It doesn't always take money to succeed. Faith, believing in yourself and your abilities, and determination will get you just as far. People are afraid of what is different and mentally controlled by stereotypes, gossip, and feedback. Blacks, to me, had more fight in their spirits in the past years, but nothing can retify selling your soul for fame and fortune.
I don't know what the reason is but i can't look at dream girls. My friend let me hold the dvd and i would put it in my palyer it would start and then i would take it out. People have told and talked about movies that i have not seen around me before but for some strange reason DreamGrils is not working for me i have had the movie for about two weeks and i just can't look at it. This has neve happened to me before, I am shocked because i look at everything.
Octavia
Later Days :)
I saw the movie "Dream Girls", and in the movie the group was tourn apart becasue of image. The manager, played by Jamie Foxx, wanted Deena (played by Beyonce) to be the lead of the group because she fit the white image. Effie, (played by Jennifer Hudson) was the vocals behind the group but she was not "white enough". But over all the movie was good and i enjoyed it.
Karen T.
I got a glimpse into early 50's and 60's Motown through Dreamgirls and I realized that not only did white people take advantage of blacks but blacks did as well, taking advantage of a young person's dreams and talent to make themselves rich, but didn't want to share the money with them even though they did most of the hard work.
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