Star Image

Star image is something which comes across as something that is a recognised sign which is used in many different media forms.

Richard Dyer is a British media theorist, who came up with his own Star Image Theory.

He has suggested that a star’s meta-narrative impacts on the consumption by the audience. He has also argued that the star image is manufactured and artificial and that individual stars should have their own unique selling point (brand values) in order to grab and hold our attention.

An example of this is Justin Bieber’s hair and JLS’ colour codes. Dyer’s main idea was that the star image could be discussed using two key paradoxes.  A paradox is a statement that contradicts itself. Dyer suggested that

a star image simultaneously has two conflicting representations. He said...‘a star is both ordinary & extraordinary.’ He had also suggested that a star must be represented simultaneously, just like us (the audience/regular people), however at the same time possess. Which is something we do not have and something that makes it special, different. Confident, passionate, artistic, sensitive, or carefree but also they are allowed to be rebellious, anti-social, or angry maybe.

‘...a star is both present & absent.’

Dyer had an idea that the audience struggles with another paradox. This is an idea that the star is simultaneously present in our lives, be this in our social groups chat and our style. They are also absent, something that we observe as out of reach, on a base, and not actually there.

Dyer had also argued that as an audience we struggle to complete the star image through consuming their products, shows, merchandise etc. We strive to complete

the image by engaging with the star’s story and background. The problem is that the

meta-narrative change and we are constantly determined to complete the image.

My Star image:

For my star image I am going to be focusing on Lana Del Rey. I like the styles of her Indie magazine covers and her vintage side to her in the way she dresses. Also her hair and makeup is simple but bold. Her eyes and lips always stand out because she uses dark lipstick and her eye makeup always stands out. However her hair is always big and curly and is never to simple. If it is she has it down and straight but still fits in with the theme.

Double page spread annotation

This Double page spread isn't to overcrowded and contains information only to do with what the interview was about and throughout titsicks to the colur scheme.

Double page spread annotation

This double page spread has an interview on it and also to the far right has a column about what everyones talking about this week so and this column is displayed in a different colour to show it isn't apart of the interview.

Double Page annotation

This is an example of a double page spread. This example contains and clear Masthead and Main image with the interview place clearly in the left hand corner opposite the main image.

Contents page annotation

This contents page is very packed and has a lot of information in the features about what each page has to offer. Also they have a main image which isn't to big and doesn't over crowd the page therefore it doesn't look intimidating.

Contents page annotation

This is a good example of a contents page as it is clearly laid out and the Masthead shows its the contents page. As well the magazine have stuck to a clear colour theme of red, white and black and also they have used different fonts.

Contents page annotation

This example of a contents is good and bad. The positivities is that in the bottom left hand corner it shows what this issue of the magazine offers and what is on each page, therefore if the reader wants to find something they can just find the page it;s on. Although the contents doesn't actually say that it is the contents which could confuse some readers.

Front cover annotation

This is a Billboard magazine and the main image is the well known singer Katy Perry. The Masthead on this issue is covered by the image. This isn't good because the reader may not be able to identify which magazine it is. However the editor has used many colours and has used more than 3 fonts on the cover page which is good.

Front cover annotation

This magazine is a basic front cover. The cover isn't too over crowded but they could add a puff so it doesn't look as empty. The Main image however shouldn't cover the Masthead, because the Masthead is now harder for the reader to see and identify because part of it has been covered. Also the magazine uses 2 different fonts when it should use 3-5 different ones. A negative towards this magazine is that it doesn't have any barcode on it or price or issue date. These are key things when it comes to a reader buying the magazine. The reason being is they wont to know how much they are going to pay for this magazine, the date so they they know that they're going to by an out of date issue. Also a barcode so that they are able to purchase it. 

Front cover annotation

This is example of a music magazine cover has it positives and negatives. The negatives i that part of the title is covered by art of the bands head. However the front cover includes 3 different colours and fonts, which is a positive because a magazine should have include 3-5 different colours and fonts on there front cover.