I have never used a blog before this class, so I was a little skeptical on the assignments when the semester started. However, after using the blog throughout the semester, I found it increasingly easier to do and began to enjoy the assignment over having to write a paper.
My only major problems with the blog that I had was finding some source of media to use in my posts. But luckily, there's so much stuff on the internet that I was capable of finding something to use in my posts.
I mainly enjoyed blog prompts that dealt with film and not terms like hegemony or prompts that had us compare things, such as the sitcom prompt. I really enjoyed the prompt concerning the film angles that Ramirez-Berg spoke about.
I would suggest the blog in future classes, because it was more enjoyable than writing papers.
I would also suggest the prompts be posted a day or so earlier, because i sometimes got mine on saturdays and it was due the next day.
Yes, you can use my blog in a paper or a report.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Globalization
Globalization is when nations around the world come together based off of increases in technological developments, business improvements, and diversifying cultures. This allows the world to seem connected from technology such as the internet and television. With the internet, we can communicate with others from around the world and therefore the world is connected.
However, problems can occur in globalization, such as cultural imperialism. This is where the balance of the global media flow is weighing heavily on one side, and not much on the other. So we can get more of an influence from countries such as The United States or Japan, but not much of an influence from places such as Argentina. And so because of this, one countries influence is seen being distributed around the world and not really receiving any influences from other countries.
We can see globalization in television such as in the show The Office. The show was an original in the UK and after being such a huge hit there, The US decided to make its own. When it first came out, Americans were unaware that the show originated in the UK, but after awhile were aware of it. However, most Americans don't care for the original UK version, because the humor is much different in the UK than what humor is in The United States. This does however show a blending of cultures which is the main purpose of globalization, as seen in this clip of the actors from the American version of The Office promoting the UK version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6ow4rUNiVw
We can see globalization in television such as in the show The Office. The show was an original in the UK and after being such a huge hit there, The US decided to make its own. When it first came out, Americans were unaware that the show originated in the UK, but after awhile were aware of it. However, most Americans don't care for the original UK version, because the humor is much different in the UK than what humor is in The United States. This does however show a blending of cultures which is the main purpose of globalization, as seen in this clip of the actors from the American version of The Office promoting the UK version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6ow4rUNiVw
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Jameson Whiskey Commercial
An advertisement that seems to be on every commercial break is an ad for the whiskey, Jameson. The commercial is only 30 seconds long, but it is able to tell a comic story with a heroic ending, all about how a man risked his life for a barrel of his "beloved" whiskey. In the commercial, a ship is caught in a storm and a barrel falls off the ship. Although there are dozens of other barrels, the main character, John Jameson, dives in after the barrel and fights a giant octopus. Everyone thinks he is dead, but he comes back alive with his barrel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOydQFJdx1k
The commercial uses comedy to draw the viewers attention. The comedy is way over the top and has such an unrealistic story that the viewers can't help but watch the commercial and laugh at it. This is why comedy is used so often in commercials, because the viewers will want to watch the commercial and perhaps they will be further persuaded to purchase that product.
And the point of the the comedy in the commercial is that the whiskey is so good that the character, John Jameson, would do anything to get his barrel back. This shows that this brand of whiskey is better than any other brand and the ad hopes to persuade the viewers to go out and buy that brand.
In my opinion, I felt like the commercial did a fantastic job of telling a heroic story in a comedic way. And the commercial successfully held my attention to where I get excited when I see the commercial on television. But the only problem is, is that I am not old enough to purchase the product, but for someone old enough, I'm sure that the commercial was able to persuade the viewer to buy that brand of whiskey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOydQFJdx1k
The commercial uses comedy to draw the viewers attention. The comedy is way over the top and has such an unrealistic story that the viewers can't help but watch the commercial and laugh at it. This is why comedy is used so often in commercials, because the viewers will want to watch the commercial and perhaps they will be further persuaded to purchase that product.
And the point of the the comedy in the commercial is that the whiskey is so good that the character, John Jameson, would do anything to get his barrel back. This shows that this brand of whiskey is better than any other brand and the ad hopes to persuade the viewers to go out and buy that brand.
In my opinion, I felt like the commercial did a fantastic job of telling a heroic story in a comedic way. And the commercial successfully held my attention to where I get excited when I see the commercial on television. But the only problem is, is that I am not old enough to purchase the product, but for someone old enough, I'm sure that the commercial was able to persuade the viewer to buy that brand of whiskey.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Three Act Structure : Wayne's World
One of my all time favorite movies is Wayne's World, which is a movie based off of an SNL skit. In the movie, Wayne and his friend Garth are hosts on a public access show which gets picked up by some corporate men. Wayne and Garth think they are going to be rich, but the company is really just exploiting them. Along with this, Wayne must battle the corporate head, Benjamin, for the love of his life, Cassandra. In the end, Wayne gets the girl and all live happily ever after.
In the First Act, we meet Wayne and his best friend Garth on the set of their TV show "Wayne's World". During the course of the first act, we are introduced to all of the characters and what their roles are. Also, Benjamin is in a meeting with an arcade owner, Noah Vanderhoff, and sells the idea of buying Wayne's World and sponsoring it with the arcade. Benjamin then meets with Wayne and Garth and has them sign a contract and then gives Wayne and Garth two cashiers checks. Wayne and Garth are overly joyed and we then see this as a mini climax and we proceed on to act two.
Through the course of act two, Wayne and Garth began to grow suspicious of Benjamin, but are too interested in other things to care. Wayne furthers his relationship with Cassandra and enjoys all the money he is getting from the show now. This is really all part of Benjamin's plot to take over Wayne's World. He even sends Wayne and Garth to Alice Cooper's concert with backstage passes to even further butter up Wayne and Garth. However, come time for the show to be recorded, Wayne and Garth realize what has happened and Wayne flips out and publicly humiliates the sponsor and is fired from the show. After this, Wayne suspects Cassandra of sleeping with Benjamin to get her music career going and she is so angry that she dumps him. Also, Wayne and Garth get into a fight and are no longer on speaking terms. This is a rather large mini climax since so much has happened in the last fifteen minutes of act two. This does however set up a great third act of the movie.
(Here is the clip of Wayne and Garth splitting up from each other after a fight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-hc79-tAiU
In act three, the resolution takes place, where Wayne and Garth make up with each other and plot how to win Cassandra back, get Benjamin out of the picture, and get Cassandra a music record deal. The plot they come up with is nearly impossible, but that's the humor of it. Basically, Wayne and his gang break into a TV station and steal all of the equipment they need to broadcast Cassandra doing a live performance for a record producer. Wayne goes to Cassandra and steals her from Benjamin and brings her to the set to play a song.
And in the end, the record producer goes to the set where Cassandra is playing and gives her a record deal. Benjamin also loses everything and everyone lives happily ever after.
Through the course of act two, Wayne and Garth began to grow suspicious of Benjamin, but are too interested in other things to care. Wayne furthers his relationship with Cassandra and enjoys all the money he is getting from the show now. This is really all part of Benjamin's plot to take over Wayne's World. He even sends Wayne and Garth to Alice Cooper's concert with backstage passes to even further butter up Wayne and Garth. However, come time for the show to be recorded, Wayne and Garth realize what has happened and Wayne flips out and publicly humiliates the sponsor and is fired from the show. After this, Wayne suspects Cassandra of sleeping with Benjamin to get her music career going and she is so angry that she dumps him. Also, Wayne and Garth get into a fight and are no longer on speaking terms. This is a rather large mini climax since so much has happened in the last fifteen minutes of act two. This does however set up a great third act of the movie.
(Here is the clip of Wayne and Garth splitting up from each other after a fight)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-hc79-tAiU
In act three, the resolution takes place, where Wayne and Garth make up with each other and plot how to win Cassandra back, get Benjamin out of the picture, and get Cassandra a music record deal. The plot they come up with is nearly impossible, but that's the humor of it. Basically, Wayne and his gang break into a TV station and steal all of the equipment they need to broadcast Cassandra doing a live performance for a record producer. Wayne goes to Cassandra and steals her from Benjamin and brings her to the set to play a song.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Characteristics of Sitcoms - That 70s Show
Most TV sitcoms are shot in front of a live audience on a set. The set has three walls and a fourth wall that is non existent where the cameras are set up and the live studio audience watches the show get made. In the studio, the show usually takes place in someones home or apartment. The shows usually take place in the living room where everyone gathers around the TV (which is sometimes not shown and is merely implied that it is there) and discusses their lives and problems.
The setting is also where the characters interact with each other. Such as in the show 'That 70s Show', the basement is where the teenagers will either watch TV or sit in a circle and smoke marijuana and discuss their problems with each other. The teenagers also go to a local burger joint called The Hub where they usually sit at the same table and discuss how to solve an issue.
Sitcoms also have a three part structure to them in which a problem occurs in the beginning and during the second part, it is being thought out on how to solve the problem, and finally in the third part the problem is resolved and everyone feels better and learns a lesson. This structure is usually set up in order to make room for commercials. Most sitcoms have an episodic structure in which the problem and solution occur in the same place and everything is back to normal in the next episode.
This is the case in That 70s Show, where the problem usually occurs in the basement and is solved in the basement.
As seen in the episode 'The First Date' from season one, Hyde tries to steal Donna from Eric and they get into an argument, but in the end, Eric and Hyde resolve their issue in the basement smoking, eating, and talking about life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSZTBHr0OU4
Sitcoms also have a three part structure to them in which a problem occurs in the beginning and during the second part, it is being thought out on how to solve the problem, and finally in the third part the problem is resolved and everyone feels better and learns a lesson. This structure is usually set up in order to make room for commercials. Most sitcoms have an episodic structure in which the problem and solution occur in the same place and everything is back to normal in the next episode.
This is the case in That 70s Show, where the problem usually occurs in the basement and is solved in the basement.
As seen in the episode 'The First Date' from season one, Hyde tries to steal Donna from Eric and they get into an argument, but in the end, Eric and Hyde resolve their issue in the basement smoking, eating, and talking about life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSZTBHr0OU4
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Reservoir Dogs scene
In the movie Reservoir Dogs, there is a very famous torture scene in which Mr. Blonde tortures a tied up cop. In the scene, the camera angles are used to portray the power stance of both characters and what their emotions are.
The camera angle on Mr. Blonde is a low angle shot indicating that he holds the power in the room, since he is the one torturing the helpless cop. However, this power is taken away from Mr. Blonde when he is shot by Mr. Orange who is thought to be dead at the time. When Mr. Blonde is shown about to die, the camera angle is a long shot indicating that he is alone and isolated from everyone else when he loses his power stance and dies.
The camera angle on the cop during the torture scene is a high angle shot showing how he is inferior to Mr. Blonde and is helpless. The camera angle also has close ups of the cop showing that he is frightened and disoriented and is also in pain (since his ear was cut off and he has been beaten). The close ups of Mr. Blonde show that he is enjoying himself watching the cop be in pain showing that Mr. Blonde is not entirely sane. Tarantino chose these camera angles to portray how each character is feeling and what is going through their minds. This allowed the audience to react more to the scene than if the camera angles were just omitted and shot with ony one camera angle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADI5EpIqZSc
The camera angle on Mr. Blonde is a low angle shot indicating that he holds the power in the room, since he is the one torturing the helpless cop. However, this power is taken away from Mr. Blonde when he is shot by Mr. Orange who is thought to be dead at the time. When Mr. Blonde is shown about to die, the camera angle is a long shot indicating that he is alone and isolated from everyone else when he loses his power stance and dies.
The camera angle on the cop during the torture scene is a high angle shot showing how he is inferior to Mr. Blonde and is helpless. The camera angle also has close ups of the cop showing that he is frightened and disoriented and is also in pain (since his ear was cut off and he has been beaten). The close ups of Mr. Blonde show that he is enjoying himself watching the cop be in pain showing that Mr. Blonde is not entirely sane. Tarantino chose these camera angles to portray how each character is feeling and what is going through their minds. This allowed the audience to react more to the scene than if the camera angles were just omitted and shot with ony one camera angle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADI5EpIqZSc
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Studio System - Star System
In the studio system, I find the star system to be one of the most important aspects. Studios hired actors and actresses under contract and always had them star in the same genres as usually the same type of character. Because of this, the stars began to grow a following of fans and soon became the face of major studios. "...film studios discovered that certain actors and actresses could attract viewers no matter what the movie was about." (Media Now, page 192) The actors became "such attractions that their names appeared above the title of the film on theater marquees. The importance of the star actor or actress was linked to the rise of the studio system." (Media Now, page 192) And because of the rise of the actors fame, studios would "rent out" the actors to other studios, so that other studios could produce films with big name actors/actresses. Also, the big name actors were used to promote other movies so that viewers would go to those movies.
+Charlot+Charlie+Chaplin+0128.jpg)
Actor Charlie Chaplin provides a perfect example of how actors/actresses performed in set genres. Every time a Charlie Chaplin film was made, you automatically assumed it was a comedy, since he always played in slapstick comedy movies.
From todays standpoint, we might consider Jack Black as this type of actor. Every time we see or hear about a new movie starring Jack Black, it is safe to assume that his character is going to be an idiot who never seems to get anything right and is always making us laugh.
During the early beginnings of film, the star system proved to be very successful in making studios profitable. And because of its power, studios still use it today, since we see so many actors/actresses starring in similar roles, such as Jack Black, or even Johnny Depp in Tim Burton films. For me, I believe the star system will never die out.
+Charlot+Charlie+Chaplin+0128.jpg)
Actor Charlie Chaplin provides a perfect example of how actors/actresses performed in set genres. Every time a Charlie Chaplin film was made, you automatically assumed it was a comedy, since he always played in slapstick comedy movies.
During the early beginnings of film, the star system proved to be very successful in making studios profitable. And because of its power, studios still use it today, since we see so many actors/actresses starring in similar roles, such as Jack Black, or even Johnny Depp in Tim Burton films. For me, I believe the star system will never die out.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
All In The Family vs. According To Jim
Within the show According To Jim, we find the main character, Jim, who has almost the same morals as the character Archie in All In The Family. The Character Jim believes that since he is the man, he has the authority of the house and that no one can overrule him. He also believes that men will always be superior to women and that no woman can ever beat him at anything. However, we soon find out that he is completely wrong and that he is really just a lovable idiot who is trying to live his life without getting into trouble with his wife, Cheryl.
The shows According To Jim and All In The Family follow the same plot in where the man thinks he's all knowing and the ruler of the house. However, According To Jim does not dive into the issues of sexism or racism as All In The Family did.
But as seen in some episodes, such as the one where Jim has to prove he can beat his wife Cheryl at sports, Jim will go to great lengths just to prove his dominant status.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkCDShs644
We will find that even though Jim is beyond tired after the game of racquetball, he is ecstatic to know that he can beat his wife at sports, therefore influencing his thoughts to believing he is the dominant person. However, he is really just a lovable idiot trying to keep his wife happy, much like Archie Bunker is in All In The Family.
Both shows address the fact that men are not the dominant gender and that both genders are equal. But According To Jim does not address sexism and racism and only sticks with a idiot husband trying to please his wife.
The shows According To Jim and All In The Family follow the same plot in where the man thinks he's all knowing and the ruler of the house. However, According To Jim does not dive into the issues of sexism or racism as All In The Family did.
But as seen in some episodes, such as the one where Jim has to prove he can beat his wife Cheryl at sports, Jim will go to great lengths just to prove his dominant status.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRkCDShs644
We will find that even though Jim is beyond tired after the game of racquetball, he is ecstatic to know that he can beat his wife at sports, therefore influencing his thoughts to believing he is the dominant person. However, he is really just a lovable idiot trying to keep his wife happy, much like Archie Bunker is in All In The Family.
Both shows address the fact that men are not the dominant gender and that both genders are equal. But According To Jim does not address sexism and racism and only sticks with a idiot husband trying to please his wife.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Audience demand for radio
Over the decades, radio has been shaped based on what the audience wants to hear.
Like in any form of media, the audience has the overall effect on what is put out in the world. If the audience is not happy with what is broadcasted, the rating of a particular media will drop drastically and the media will lose money. Therefore, the media must listen to the audiences demands and use that feedback to put out what people will tune into everyday. And in this way, the media is shaped over time to meet the growing demands of consumers.
In radio, the audiences demands of the 1920's drastically changed what the radio would broadcast. Standardized program formats were made and had daily/weekly schedules to attract the audience. This was the birth of radio shows which would eventually lead to television. Also, because of audience demands, the radio shows brought about radio stars that people would idolize and want to be. And because of these programs on the radio, advertising was able to come around to fund the radio. As quoted in the book, "In the 1920s, regulators and the radio industry worried that audiences would reject radio if it carried too much advertising. However, people were so enthusiastic about the new medium that they accepted the ads without much objection."(Media Now, Pg. 162) So, because of audience demand, the radio was able to form in the 1920's and come to prosper through the decades to come.
Like in any form of media, the audience has the overall effect on what is put out in the world. If the audience is not happy with what is broadcasted, the rating of a particular media will drop drastically and the media will lose money. Therefore, the media must listen to the audiences demands and use that feedback to put out what people will tune into everyday. And in this way, the media is shaped over time to meet the growing demands of consumers.
In radio, the audiences demands of the 1920's drastically changed what the radio would broadcast. Standardized program formats were made and had daily/weekly schedules to attract the audience. This was the birth of radio shows which would eventually lead to television. Also, because of audience demands, the radio shows brought about radio stars that people would idolize and want to be. And because of these programs on the radio, advertising was able to come around to fund the radio. As quoted in the book, "In the 1920s, regulators and the radio industry worried that audiences would reject radio if it carried too much advertising. However, people were so enthusiastic about the new medium that they accepted the ads without much objection."(Media Now, Pg. 162) So, because of audience demand, the radio was able to form in the 1920's and come to prosper through the decades to come.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Social Learning
The theory of social learning has helped me better understand the ways in which the TV show "16 and Pregnant" leads teenagers to believe that being pregnant at a young age isn't a horrible thing.
Social Learning Theory states that people who view something in the media will imitate the actions that they see through a process known as observational learning. Increasingly, people are concerned with the violence, sex, and drugs that are being put out in the media as though it was nothing at all. In a lot of the media, the bad guys aren't punished and they get away with their crimes. And because of this, people are becoming concerned that younger viewers will begin to imitate those things and follow the same paths that they see on TV or in movies. But on the same note, in some media, the bad guy is caught and punished, which can lead viewers to believe that all crimes are found out about and therefore people will not commit crimes.
In the show "16 and Pregnant", teen pregnancy seems to be glamorized. Yes, the girls do go through some hardships, but in the end, they have their baby and are comforted by the people around them and everything seems to be just fine. Younger viewers can see this and think that if they have sex early in their lives and get pregnant, that they will be just fine as well.
The show does show some problems that teen moms can encounter, but overall, it shows all of the good things about having a baby. And because of this, the show 'Teen Mom" was created which also glamorizes teen pregnancy, and the movie Juno(a comedy) was made about a pregnant teen. This has caused teen pregnancy to not be frowned upon in our society much like it was a couple of decades ago.
Hopefully, parents will inform their children to wait or to be safe, because teen pregnancy is not all that it is lived up to be as shown in the media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLiXS02Mj7U
Social Learning Theory states that people who view something in the media will imitate the actions that they see through a process known as observational learning. Increasingly, people are concerned with the violence, sex, and drugs that are being put out in the media as though it was nothing at all. In a lot of the media, the bad guys aren't punished and they get away with their crimes. And because of this, people are becoming concerned that younger viewers will begin to imitate those things and follow the same paths that they see on TV or in movies. But on the same note, in some media, the bad guy is caught and punished, which can lead viewers to believe that all crimes are found out about and therefore people will not commit crimes.
In the show "16 and Pregnant", teen pregnancy seems to be glamorized. Yes, the girls do go through some hardships, but in the end, they have their baby and are comforted by the people around them and everything seems to be just fine. Younger viewers can see this and think that if they have sex early in their lives and get pregnant, that they will be just fine as well.
The show does show some problems that teen moms can encounter, but overall, it shows all of the good things about having a baby. And because of this, the show 'Teen Mom" was created which also glamorizes teen pregnancy, and the movie Juno(a comedy) was made about a pregnant teen. This has caused teen pregnancy to not be frowned upon in our society much like it was a couple of decades ago.
Hopefully, parents will inform their children to wait or to be safe, because teen pregnancy is not all that it is lived up to be as shown in the media.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLiXS02Mj7U
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Hegemony Post
Using hegemony, I have been able to better understand this interview between Bill O'Reilly and Laura Berman in the following way. In this interview, Bill O'Reilly is using agenda setting in order to give his audience what they want. Fox News is known to be a conservative news station, and it has been shaped that way by the people who own the company. In being a conservative, biased station, Fox News is once again putting a story up that they feel viewers should see. It is not necessarily an important story, but since the story covers something that conservatives despise, Fox News felt the need to put it on The O'Reilly Factor. And therefore, agenda setting has taken place to put a certain kind of content of the media on this program.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g8VNUkIemw
Bill O'Reilly is putting this segment on his show, because he knows that his audience are conservatives. And since this segment is over a teen lesbian couple, he knows that he will be able to further enforce the conservatives negative feelings toward gays people and gay supporters. And in this way, Bill O'Reilly is instead telling his viewers how they should interpret and feel about this issue instead of thinking for themselves. In this way, agenda setting is clearly seen, which I would have not noticed without learning the meaning of hegemony. And after seeing this, I feel as though we need to have a moderate news channel, so that viewers may get the information that they need, and be simply told what to believe because the news companies don't want the viewers to have different views on matters than the news stations.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g8VNUkIemw
Bill O'Reilly is putting this segment on his show, because he knows that his audience are conservatives. And since this segment is over a teen lesbian couple, he knows that he will be able to further enforce the conservatives negative feelings toward gays people and gay supporters. And in this way, Bill O'Reilly is instead telling his viewers how they should interpret and feel about this issue instead of thinking for themselves. In this way, agenda setting is clearly seen, which I would have not noticed without learning the meaning of hegemony. And after seeing this, I feel as though we need to have a moderate news channel, so that viewers may get the information that they need, and be simply told what to believe because the news companies don't want the viewers to have different views on matters than the news stations.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Ayy my first RTF blog post!
Okay, so basically I'm taking this class since I'm an RTF major. So naturally I have to take and get a good grade if I so wish as to continue in my major to becoming a freakin' awesome screenwriter! So hopefully this class won't be a total snooze fest, but I'm sure it'll be just fine. All i have to do is to think about the advanced classes I'll be taking in the future and I'll be good to go!
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