Bad girls representation.

1. STUART HALL’S
CONSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH:
BAD GIRLS CLUB
VICTORIA ELUNGU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zVtLuWGKDQ

2. WHAT IS BAD GIRLS CLUB & WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
• Bad girls club is an American reality television series. Currently on their 16th season with 251 episodes,
Bad Girls Club presents the behaviour of 7 women who have never met each other, who unite and live a
luxurious lifestyle in a fine mansion for three months, during which they must obey specified rules.
However the ‘girls’ are not there just for fun. They are aware that they have personal issues so they use
the ‘bad girls club’ as a test, to push to them to limit and to have a new experience, as well as therapy
with Laura Baron.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf48b_QzLvA

3. RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCER AND NETWORK
• Bad Girls Club is produced by ‘Bunim/Murray Productions’, the company is seen as one of the first to
produce and develop in the reality television genre. They are well known for their reality shows ‘The
Real World’, ‘Road Rules’ and Bad Girls Club. The company is based in California hence why 9 out of 16
BGC seasons have been located in California.
• Executive producers are Jonathon Murray, Gil Goldschein, Maria Pepin and Troy Vanderheyden.
Jonathan Murray is a well educated individual.
He was raised in New York and educated there,
he attended State University of New York at
Geneseo for two years before receiving his
bachelor's degree in journalism. Currently aged
62 with wife, Harvey Reese and adopted son,
Dyllan. Murray is a wealthy man with the net
worth of $30 million (£24,137,584). Jonathan
lifestyle is completely different to the “girls”
on his show. Whereas he is wealthy, members
of the bad girls club tend to come from a more
deprived lifestyle.
Bad Girls Club is networked by
Oxygen. When last recdorded in
February 2015, Oxygen was
received by approximately 77.5
million American households,
just under 70%. In early 2014, it
was announced that Oxygen
would rebrand on October 7,
2014 alongside a new logo in an
effort to target young female
viewers
“very real” – The
network reality
shows – deliberate
pun

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZLq2wozAQE
http://tune.pk/video/6585958/bad-girls-club-15-opening-fight
http://tune.pk/video/6589880/bad-girls-club-15-episode-4
38:14
http://tune.pk/video/6589883/bad-girls-club-15-episode-7
33:51
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kR5E-wAs_s
BGC is well adored for the thrilling fights and bitchiness within the show.
Season 15 of Bad Girls Club was highlighted as one of the most brutal seasons of the series as it had many fights.
One of the most rated feuds of the season was with sisters Angela and Kristina against sisters Hanan and Susu.
Case Study: Hannan & Susu vs
Angela & Kristina

5. HOW ARE THE TECHNICAL CODES BEING USED?
(Camera, Mise en Scene, Editing, Sound)
This point of view shot allows the audience to
see Angela being victimized by two women.
Two Latino women to be precise. It is a well
known stereotype that Latino females are loud
and aggressive. This angle already gives the
audience a negative view of the two sisters.
This low angle shot creates an
atmosphere of dominance for
Kristina whilst giving an a feel of
less dominance for Hanan. This
shot is all a debate on power.
Medium shot are normally
used to allow the audience to
see the character and their
surroundings. However in this
shot there is no main focus
and the center is just
surrounded by fighting. This
highlights how the anger and
violence is a “norm” in the
household.
The single shots higlight the fact the bad girls house is about “survival” and
remaining in power.

6. HOW ARE THE TECHNICAL CODES BEING USED?
(CAMERA, MISE EN SCENE, EDITING, SOUND)
Season 16 was located in Los Angeles. Los Angeles is well known for its well loved neighborhood Hollywood
and its luxurious living. The approximate percentage of white/caucasian people in Los Angeles is 30%, so just
less than a third of the population. However the percentage of black people is just under 10%. Less than a
tenth of the population. Yet 8 out of 14 of the women in the series were black. Four were Latino, and only two
were white.
The Bad Girl Club house is a setup for the altercations and fights between the girl. From shared bedrooms,
pole dancing bars, to alcohol filled cupboards. The mansion is is set to fuel the argument between the women.
Majority of fights take place in the home. Stereotypically a
woman's place is in her home where she is safe and out of sight,
this does not support that. The fact that the majority of the
fights are fought by the Latino and Black females gives the
impression that director is suggesting that they are not “ideal
women” , because they are being aggressive and loud,
characteristics that are seen as unattractive. Majority of fueds
and arguments made in the Bad Girls Club are over minor
issues. This enforces the idea that women are sensitive and
emotional.

7. HOW ARE THE TECHNICAL CODES BEING USED?
(CAMERA, MISE EN SCENE, EDITING, SOUND)
• The attire the females have in the series is slightly exaggerated. From the women sleeping in direct underwear
or going out in over sexualised attire. These revealing clothing resort to private body parts being revealed on
camera. Even though it is blurred on screen the nudity is still blatant. This again shines a negative light on the
females who are apparently “experiencing counselling to positively effect there lifestyle choices”, yet they are
displayed running around, fighting, naked. “The reality show” does not display the reality of women that
suffer from anger, low self esteem or other personal issues. It displays women being disvalued and negatively
broadcasted over social media.

8. HOW ARE THE TECHNICAL CODES BEING USED?
(CAMERA, MISE EN SCENE, EDITING, SOUND)
The sound used in the majority of the fights and arguments builds up tension. As the argument heats up,
the pace quickens. This type of sound affect is seen in animal shows and documentaries. For example
when a tiger catches its prey. For the director used this type of sound between the bicker of the women,
again supports the idea of the women being presented as animalistic, aggressive and unpredictable. All of
which are not stereotypical characteristics of a woman.