The document discusses Richard Dyer's Star theory, which proposes that celebrities are commodities created by corporations to make money from specific target audiences. The theory also argues that celebrities can influence societal beliefs and values if they have a significant cultural impact. The document then provides examples of the cultural impact of artists like the Beatles, Madonna, and the Spice Girls through their music and fashion styles that challenged norms and empowered women. It also discusses how modern music videos are consumed via media convergence and how they reflect contemporary society.

1. Star theory
Objective: To understand Richard Dyer’s Star theory and apply the
theory to artists

2. Star Theory
How does an artist become
‘famous’?
Richard Dyer’s Star theory
Richard Dyer states that
celebrities are mere
commodities. Created by
larger corporations to target
a specific group of people to
make money.
The theory goes on to state that celebrities not only sell
a ‘brand’ or image to make money but that they can also
directly alter hegemonic beliefs and values. He argues
that true celebrities have a long lasting legacy if they
make a significant cultural or sociological impact.

3. Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s Star theory
How has music influenced
the ages?

4. Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s Star theory
Cultural impact:
The Beatles' story is inextricably linked with drugs. From their early pre-fame days on drugs
(Benzedrine and Preludin), to the flower-power era of cannabis and LSD, then onto harder drugs
such as heroin as the 1960s ended.
“I never felt any responsibility, being a so-called idol. It's wrong of people to expect it. What they
are doing is putting their responsibilities on us, as Paul said to the newspapers when he admitted
taking LSD. If they were worried about him being responsible, they should have been responsible
enough and not printed it, if they were genuinely worried about people copying.”
John Lennon, 1967

5. Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s
Star theory
Cultural impact:
Madonna has spent most of her career inspiring women (and men)
to push the boundaries of fashion and style. The most defining image
of her career arguably remains the wedding dress worn on the cover
of second album Like a Virgin, with its white bustier, long lace gloves,
crucifix jewellery and Boy Toy belt. Madonna’s long-time personal
stylist, Arianne Phillips, described the bright-white bridal
juxtaposition as “one of the most shocking, liberating and influential
moments in pop culture/fashion history”, adding that “fashion has
never been the same”.
Her famous hit: Material Girl was evocative of a time when women
were rivalling that of their male counterparts in the business world,
and having their own careers and disposable income.

6. Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s
Star theory
Cultural impact:
The term ‘Girl Power’ has become synonymous with the Spice Girls
and the 1990s. In fact, the US punk band Bikini Kill created the
phrase when they published a feminist zine called Girl Power in 1991.
The band's lead singer, Kathleen Hanna, said she was inspired by the
‘Black Power’ slogan. The term became popular in the early and mid
90s punk culture. "In their feminist fanzine Bikini Kill they articulated
an agenda for young women in and outside of music; the band put
those ideas to practice. Bikini Kill earned a reputation in the punk
underground for confronting certain standards of that genre; for
example, asking people to slam (‘mosh’) at the side of the stage, so
that women would not get pushed out of the front, and inviting
women to take the mic and talk about sexual abuse."

7. Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s
Star theory
Modern Day
Working in pairs or small groups create a music
timeline/mind map which includes modern day.
Discuss some of the bands or artists of today and
the cultural impact they have had on society.
Feedback?

8. Star Theory
Richard Dyer’s
Star theory
Modern Day
Do stars and their music videos today challenge
this theory?
Why or why not?
What contextual reasons have impacted on this?

9. Compare the following artists and their star
image appeal
What contextual factors might influence their ‘star image’?

11. Compare artists and their star image appeal
• Glamourous pop star vs urban survivor and transcendence of
difficult times/environment

12. Music video consumption,
technology and reflection on
society

13. Modern Day…
Discuss and make notes on modern day music videos…
• How are they consumed and interacted with?
• How do they reflect society?
• What are some of the concerns or issues with music videos?

14. Modern Day Music Videos
Henry Jenkins calls this,
‘technological convergence’. He
has lectured about our new
technological age where lots of
media platforms are condensing
into one. It makes the spread of
information incredibly fast and
prolific.

15. Over to you…
Create your own
presentation entitled:
TOP 10 MUSIC VIDEOS OF
ALL TIME!
For each selection you must
explain why it has made your
list and how the video has
impacted the industry.
Watch this
countdown video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQoPx7v74f0