Richard Dyer 'Star Theory'

If you are undertaking a Star Study for your FM3 research project you will need to familiarise yourself with Richard Dyer's Star Theory.

Below is a simple breakdown of Dyer's theory applied to pop stars. 

Can you apply the theory to your own film star? If not then you must re-think your project and pick another star.

A summary of Richard Dyer's Star Theory

The difference between a "Pop Performer" and a "Pop Star"POP PERFORMER: May/may not be famous. Just performs music
POP STAR: Image constructed to audience


1) STARS AS CONSTRUCTIONS

• Constructed, artificial images - advertising, magazines, films and music. Good if they have a Unique Selling Point which makes them different
• Record companies groom starts (artificial constructions) - we have more respect for them if they groom themselves
• We want to believe that stars convey their real emotions to us

2) INDUSTRY AND AUDIENCES

• Stars - manufactured to make money from audience for record labels.
• "X Factor" - 'photocopied stars' who repeatedly churn out what they think we want
• Whole markets of audience who want something different - record labels have to cater to these different audiences - Mirror branding - e.g. Rage Against The Machine & Joe McElderry - both part of the same record company (Sony Music).

3) IDEOLOGY AND CULTURE

•  Stars - cultural values and attitudes - audiences may share these beliefs - e.g. The Jonas Brothers - wearing of purity rings
• A star may initiate a fashion trend/hairstyle/clothing/copied by audience - e.g. Jennifer Aniston - "The Rachel" in the 1990s
• Forms of media dedicated to celebrity gossip where fans can catch up with the lives of favourite stars.

4) CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY

• Presented as 'real' human beings
• Stars support hegemony/dominant ideology of their time/ generation - glorified versions of 'us'
• Stars are representations of the contradictions/reinforced ideas of the music industry.
• When we see a star's life in magazines - we feel closer to them - e.g. Britney Spears' troubled few years - breakdowns

Pop stars can be seen as actors - images are constantly changed to match ideologies of the time - getting publicity (whether negative or positive) enables them to remain in the spotlight  - e.g. it could be said that Madonna has stayed in the public eye for so long due to her changing image, publicised divorce with Guy Ritchie, and adoptions as well as her following of the religion "Kaballah."