Richard Dyer Star

theory
By Jessica Peaty

Content:

Who is Richard Dyer?

What is the Star Theory?
The star as a construction and examples
The star as a commodity and examples
The star as an ideology and examples
Paradox of a star
The star must be both ordinary and
extraordinary
The star must be both present and absent

Who is Richard Dyer?

Born 1945, Richard W. Dyer is an English
academic specialising in cinema. At Kings
College, London, he is a Professor of Film
Studies since 2006.
Dyers first full-length book was Stars (1979),
where he developed the idea that the
audiences perspective of a film is heavily
influenced by the perspective of the stars,
and that it determines the way the
audiences experience the film.
Above is Richard
With this theory in mind, Dyer then went on
W. Dyer
to anaylse cristics writing, magazines,
advertising and films to explore the
significance of stardom.

What is the Richard Dyer Star

Theory?
Richard Dyers star theory is the idea that icons
and celebrities are manufactured by
institutions for financial gains.
The theory can be split into three section:
1. The star as an construction
2. The star as a commodity
3. The star as an ideology
Richard Dyer also gives the idea of the,
paradox of the star

1. The star as a construction

Richard Dyer believes the star is constructed
and not a real person, the stars are made for
money purposes alone. The construction of the
star is used to increase their brand identity,
through various media platforms such as, music
videos, magazines, advertising etc.
A star is an image not a real person that is
constructed (as any other aspect of fiction is)
out of a range of materials (e.g. advertising,
magazines etc as well as films [music] Dyer,
1979

Examples of constructed
stars
1. Taylor Swift:
Taylor is a constructed star,
through her persona of having
short-lived relationships with
many boys to boost her publicity.
2. X Factor:
TV programmes such as, The X
Factor show the audience the
supposed construction process,
from an ordinary person,
groomed, style and coaching into
a, star.

2. The star as a
commodity
Richard also believes that stars are
produced to create a profit off of
related merchandise. Record labels will
create very similar stars as they know
the certain patterns and trends that
will work to generate them money.

Examples of commodity
stars
1. The wanted and One Direction:
Popular boy bands like, The Wanted
and, One Direction are very similar due
to their Record Labels constructing
them to conform and appeal to their
target audience, where they are able to
sell more merchandise and boost profits.
2. Justin Bieber:
Justin Bieber is another example of this
from his bad boy representation,
attracting a larger target audience,
allowing him to market more and a
variety of merchandise.

3. The star as an
ideology
The third section to Richard Dyers
theory Is the idea that the audience
relates to the star because they have a
feature they share or admire within the
star. Some fans may attempt to
replicate the star in their behaviour,
what they say and what they do.

Examples of ideology
stars
1. Miley Cyrus:
Miley took to Instagram (social media
site) after being angered and upset at
the ideology of animal cruelty, by
Miley sending this message across to
her mass audience, her fans will follow
her views and pathway down an
animal cruelty free life.
2. Jessie J:
Jessie J is an ideology star after
shaving her head for charity (comic
relief) this will encourage her fans to
donate in order to help the charity
which the star is promoting.

Paradox of the Star

Paradox: is a statement that is self
contradictory.
The paradox is as follows:
The star must be both ordinary and
extraordinary
The star must be both present and
absent

The star must be both ordinary

and extraordinary
The first part of the theory means that
the star needs to be ordinary to allow
the demographic and their target
audience to relate to the artist,
however at the same time be
extraordinary with their talent or a
quality which will make their audiences
looks up at them.

Examples where the star must be

both ordinary and extraordinary
1.Adele:
Adele is known as an ordinary mother with
her stereotypical London accent and
humour, where the demographic are able
to relate to her. However Adele Is also
extraordinary in her ability to sing, making
her idolised by the general public.
2. Selena Gomez:
Selena Gomez is portrayed as a ordinary
young women who talks about eating
endless amounts of junk food, however
her ability to sing and life style and
beauty makes her extraordinary.

The star must be both present

and absent
The second half of the theory suggests
that the star must be present in the
audiences lives, however also absent.
Present through the ideology of their
merchandise or social media, but
absent In the sense that their not
actually there and are, out of reach.

Examples where the star must

be both present and absent
1. Beyonc:
Beyonc's fans/target audience are able to
buy her merchandise and feel as if Beyonc
is present, however she is also absent
through the ideology that she isnt really
there.
2. Lady Gaga:
Lady Gaga is another example of when a
star is present and absent, she is present
through the audience buying her album and
are able to hear her sing without going to an
performance, however unlike a performance
she isnt there therefore she is also absent.