Zoella Flashcards
Characteristics of web 1.0
Definition:
The second stage of internet, characterised by more user-generated content.
- Podcasting
* Read-only
* One directional
* Millions of users
* Forums
* Owning content
characteristics of web 2.0
curran = Guantlett
- Global access
- Content created by others
- Blogs/wiki
- Interactive advertisements
- Billions of users
- Mobile access
- Guantlellt:
- The web has made it possible for everyday people to share their creativity
- Web 2.0 invited users to play
- A move away from ‘sit back and be told’ culture, towards more of a ‘making and doing’ culture
- Every year more and more people are writing blogs, participating in online discussions, sharing information, music, and photos, and uploading videos
more About Zoella
- Real name Zoe Sugg, is a British social media influencer, youtuber, where she creates content related to beauty, fashion and lifestyles.
- her first vlog to YouTube on February 2009, haul on Primark.
- Zoella’s first vlog was primarily about her daily life, similar to a diary entry, where she talked about her plans for the day and what she was currently doing. Fashion and beauty
- original target audience:
- Age: Primarily teenagers and young adults.
- Gender: Predominantly female.
- Ethnicity: Her content appealed to a diverse audience, but primarily targeted English-speaking viewers.
- Socio-economic class: Middle to upper-middle class.
- Psychographic profiles: Individuals interested in beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and relatable content.
Which social media platforms does Zoella utilise?
- YouTube: Zoella’s main platform, As of last update, she had over 11 million subscribers. -
- Instagram: Zoella shares photos and updates with her audience. = quicker access, get her revunue from has 9 million followers. she has GC for her fans to share her relatable content KNOWN AS CONVERGENCE
- Facebook: Zoella likely has a presence on Facebook, where she may share content and updates with her audience, but specific subscriber numbers may vary.
- Homogeneity of content to showcase continuity between converging media forms
How did Zoella rebrand her image and diversify her brand appeal?
- Expanding beyond beauty and fashion content to include lifestyle topics such as home decor, travel, and personal development.
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High end-luxury brands= consumeristic culture, commodities
- Launching her own product lines, including beauty products, stationery, and homeware, which appealed to a broader audience beyond her YouTube channel.
- Collaborating with other influencers and celebrities in various industries to reach new demographics and expand her brand’s reach.
- Sharing more personal and relatable content, including her struggles with anxiety and mental health, which resonated with a wider audience and humanized her brand.
How did she cater and appeal to them through her earlier vlogs
- Sharing personal experiences and stories that her audience could relate to.
- Offering beauty and fashion tips that were accessible and budget-friendly.
-
Incorporating humour and authenticity to connect with her viewers emotionally.
CONTENT: - Highly feminised
- Feminine body language
- In binary opposition to Alfie and Joe
- Soft pastel colours
- Life quotes in peach metallic
- Make-up and hair
VLOGS/BLOGS
Production, Distribution, Exchange
definition:
Production: the process of creating a media text
Distribution: how the product is delivered to audiences, including the marketing campaign.
Exchange: the means by which the audience can experience the product
- Audiences no longer passive consumers but active participants in media products
- Media products therefore require more active features.= Sharing, comments, likes, personalisation.
- New forms of media emerge – the blog and vlog – the podcast, etc.
- Proliferation (growth) of hardware means anyone can create media products
- More variety and diversity in media products – more specialised and niche content.
How can we use these texts (zoella/attitudes) as examples of the internet’s democratising force?
- The rise of Web 2.0 and the proliferation of interactivity on the World Wide Web in the late 90’s / early 2000’s.
- Not only can anyone access the internet – but anyone can publish on it.
- The rise of social media are significant moments in the history of the internet.
- The democratisation of media – the end of audience – the rise of the prosumer.
Product context
- Zoe Elizabeth Sugg, 30
- Partner: Alfie Deyes (creator of PointlessBlog)
- Job before Vlog: apprentice interior designer
- Products: launched range of beauty products with brand name ‘Zoella Beauty’ in 2014
- Main YouTube channel: Zoella (mostly fashion, beauty hauls, favourites videos, with second channel MoreZoella (now called Zoe Sugg) with everyday style vlogs.
- Official website: used her platform to publish written blogs, references to YouTube vlogs.
- Awards – despite falling subscribers, Zoella has won multiple awards” Teen Choice Award, etc
- Author: four novels aimed at Young Adult demographic detailing the life of a fictitious female blogger – works with an editorial team and a ghostwriter through her publisher, Penguin Books.
her videos
- Most viewed Zoella YouTube vlogs:- guest appearance with Miranda Sings- life story vlogs- vlogs with boyfriend Alfie and brother Joe- make-up and fashion vlog- challenge vlogs- seasonal vlogs
- ‘my everday makeup routine’
- ‘halloween and house prep’
- ‘The Zoella Apartment’ - her brand represents domesticity, traditional values suggest housewives, hyperreal of products smelling baked cupcakes e.g. diffusers, socks, cozy fluffy and warm, pillow nate ‘naps fix everything’
Textual Analysis
Zoella apartment
- Direct mode of address – majority of shots are close-ups, opening sequence (diary vlog conventions - set at home at the start of the day), selfie stick filming, handheld POV shots, conversational presenting, informal banter with boyfriend Alfie (PointlessBlog)
- Lifestyle – Ideal home design with a tableau of Zoella products (relates to her interior design career past)
- Commodity fetishism – slogans (naps fix everything)
- ‘Z’ branded Christmas tree, shower gel, notes books.
- Informal style – laughing with friends in a bath full of soft play balls, Alfie and Zoella cuddling up on the show home bed (intimate perspective of vlog).
- Synergy – products available in Boots, Superdrug (Zoella gives a special shout-out to Boots as an endorsement).
textual analysis - my everyday makeup routie,
- Direct mode of address – candid style (sneezes on camera/early morning/just woken up look), static close-up shot, high-key lighting, jump cut editing (elliptical edits).
- Setting - sat on the end of her bed, fairy lights in the background (shallow focus).
- Fashion – braided hair, triangular heart-style earrings, stripy blue/white shirt, necklace.
- Make-up routine products – foundation (Rimmel lasting finish), concealer (Urban Decay naked skin concealer/Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer).
- Non-diegetic S/T – soothing, melodic instrumental tones.
vlogging conventions
- Conventional camera technique – single camera set up, medium close ups, direct address, filmed by the vlogger
- Hand-held camera – amateur feel
- POV shots
- Lighting set up - soft box or ring lights, high key lighting, looks more professional
- Audience interaction – leave a comment, share this, subscribe button (active audience theory)
- Direct mode of address – personal pronouns
-
Unscripted
* Effortless aesthetic
* Codes of realism - Collaboration with other vloggers or bloggers
Parasocial interactions
Conversational give and take between a media user and a media persona
* Informal
* Colloquialisms
* Slang
* Direct address e.g. “you guys”
* Immature and silly behaviour
* Best friend character
Key terms
- Sanitised story content: Content that avoids controversy, taboo language or material that may cause offence
- Single camera edit: filmed with just one camera – usually very quickly
- Everyday mise-en-scène: Using costume, make-up and sets that appear natural
- Narrative currency: Stories that are updated – that discuss items that are up to date
- Amateur aesthetic: A deliberately non-professional filming style
- Breaking the fourth wall: Where the presenter addresses the audience directly
- Candid imagery: Photographs that aren’t posed
- Confessional narrative: Giving the audience access to inner thoughts – also allowing the audience to experience inner doubts and worries
BRAND IDENTITY
- Authentic insight into the personal worlds of Alfie and Zoella
- Best friend character
- Human connections with the youth audiences
- Narratives that deal in honesty
- Innocent presenter style
- Cheery high-key lighting
- Wholesome values