Research: Dyer's Star Theory

Research: Dyer's Star Theory

The term 'star' refers to a artist or actor who has been socially constructed in order to sell to a mainstream audience.

Richard Dyer stated that

"Star image is incoherent, that it is incomplete and 'open'..."

"Star must be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer"

"The star must be simultaneously present and absent for the consumer"

Performer/Pop star

A performer can be a person which only performs music or dances which they may or may not be famous in doing so. However, a pop star is seen to be famous and have qualities which will attract the mainstream audience. The pop star is socially constructed into what the audience wants to see which could mean dressing or looking a certain way in order to gain publicity for their music.

Dyer's four elements in recognizing a star:

- Star's as constructs

Star's are seen as artificial images in order to gain attraction. The reason in doing this is to gain popularity and maintain a loyal mainstream audience. For example, shows such as "X-Factor" expose the process in making a star. The show also portrays the cycle in which an ordinary person with a pop star voice transforms their image to fit the mainstream culture. This enables the artist to become more appealing to the audience. For example, One Direction, a band created on the "X-Factor" show the transformation in their image in order to appeal to the younger female audience.

- Industry and audience

Dyer states that stars are manufactured to make money. He argues that the artist's are a product of their own record label due to the rules the artist has to follow whilst being signed. For example, to attract the mainstream audience they may have to dress a certain way in order to ensure they are going to sell their albums and singles. The artist's rely on their image of looking 'sexy'  in order to make profit and stay in the public eye.

- Ideology and Culture

Dyer believes that stars represent cultural values and attitudes and promote a certain ideology. This is done in order to create a relationship between the audience and the artist. The artist is able to share their own beliefs and in co operate this into their music. For example, Kanye West is seen as a huge influence on the public due to his ideology and culture. His

social media profiles such as Twitter give him the opportunity to share his beliefs. Also, his song "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" gives an insight into his beliefs in the child exploitation whilst working in the mines. This shows the audience his views in political issues which may make the audience feel more 'close' to the star. 

- Character and Personality

Dyer believes that the artist is a social construct, but one with the foundation of realism. This means that the star will have very similar qualities as other idols and stars in the industry however they have their own personal interests and beliefs in which they use their fame to shed light on these problems that they feel need to be addressed and solved. This encourages people to sort these problems due to the fact that they idolize these people and because of fact they look up to and idolize the star they have a certain  level of respect to listen to what they are telling them. It can also make people like the artist if they don't, or even more so because they share mutual opinions on a problem/situation.  

Conclusion

To conclude i believe that Dyer's Star Theory has been closely watched and researched and due to the evidence there isn't much reason to disagree with this theory, for my music video I believe that star image will be used however it wont be used in terms of public messages to encourage the audience to consider a social, religious or environmental issue.