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STRIPPERS: AUDIENCEThe audience of Strippers are both males and females.

Males: 18 and upward – sexualised representation of women – attractive.

Females: 18-30 – curiosity – information gratification.

Entertainment gratification applies to both genders.

Preferred reading: male gender – entertainment – would watch for the women who are presented in the programme.

Oppositional reading: under 14’s, over 60’s – inappropriate for under 14’s – wouldn’t interest the older generation. Another oppositional reading would be someone with extreme religious views – they’d find the show (as well as stripping) unethical.

Negotiated reading: female gender – watch out of curiosity, therefore meeting the need for information. Also meeting the need for personal identity because they’re females themselves and empathise with the strippers situation.

Socio-economic group: would appeal to group B, however appeals to a wider audience due to the curiosity element of the documentary, meaning a wider audience would watch the show for an insight into the strippers lives.

STRIPPERS: REPRESENTATION

Gender:

Females are being represented in a sexualised way – although programme aims to give the audience an insight into the life of a stripper, when they’re being interviewed, they’re still in minimal clothing – shows that the audience are still being reminded that they’re strippers and it’s come to define a part of who they are.

Males are represented as feeding into the stereotype of women – “slappers, prostitutes, sluts” – shows that they see women as objects to be bought. The sexualisation of the women adds to this. Described by the strippers themselves as “simple minded”. Negative representation.

STRIPPERS: USES AND GRATIFICATIONS

Meets several uses and gratifications:

Social integration:

Personal identification: females – would identify with their situation.

Information: documentary – providing insight into stripper’s lives and this aspect of the sex industry. Voiceover acts as an anchor to this.

Entertainment: males especially would watch the show to be entertained.

STRIPPERS: VISUAL & TECHNICAL CODES

Shots:

Close up/extreme close up of eyes, bums and boobs – sexualising – eyes are alluring, shows the girls are connecting with the audience

Establishing shot: sets the location

Pan up and down strippers bodies – sexualising again – stereotype – aspect of post-feminism as owner of the strip club says she sees men as the weaker species. “Simple-minded”.

Quick cuts from one scene to another – pole-dancing and lap-dancing scenes cut quickly – reminder of the shower and a reminder of the stereotype of women.

Although documentary aims to provide an insight into the stripper’s lives, when they’re being interviewed – still in minimal clothing – reinforces the stereotype. However, also shows strippers in a positive light, especially the strippers in the show as it shows they have an education behind them – juxtaposes stereotype.