AHA!

AHA MOMENTSSSSSS!!

1. I didn't realize the many types of media. When I think of the term, I usually think of tv and radio. Basically, any source that offers news. But then I read up about books and recordings, and they too are considered part of the media! It might've been my obliviousness, but hey, Now I know!

2. I've never seen This Film Is Not Yet Rated before this class, but after, I realized how deceiving and unfair the MPAA rating system is. The fact that some MPAA information cannot be obtained by the public totally goes against our rights. The rating system is out of whack! To be honest, if I had kids, I'd rather have them watch a sex scene (of good taste, of course) instead of heads and limbs being chopped off any day!

3. McLuhan's theory of Technological Determinism definitely helped me put things into perspective. Every single thing I own can be analyzed and determined what it retrieves, obsolesces, enhances, and reverses. The theory can be applied to anything, even the simplest things like paper and a paper clip.

This class was very enjoyable and the atmosphere definitely helped all of us engaged. I enjoyed this class so much, I recommended it to my brother, who in fact, is taking it online next quarter! Thanks Mrs. Deck!

Media Ethics Case 2009

In 2009, a Domino's employee in Conover, North Carolina, was recorded preparing a sandwich in the most unsanitary way. He sprayed snot on them, put cheese up his nose, and farted on the salami, while another employee jokingly announced that this food would son be delivered and eaten without the consumer ever knowing what happened. The video was uploaded onto YouTube, and in a matter of days, received more than a million hits. Although the two former employees had said the video was a prank and that the food was never delivered, Domino's suffered the consequences.

The video destroyed Domino's reputation, causing defamation to the company. And since the event was broadcasted and spread through YouTube, Twitter, and other social medias, it is a case of libel.

Propaganda Techniques

Common Man / Plain Folk
- This technique attempts to convince the audience that the propagandist's positions reflect the common sense of the people. In the video, Edwards states that the real heroes are the regular, everyday people of our country and that his voice represents all of them. He uses these folks in order to become more relatable and likeable.

Flag-Waving
- This technique is an attempt to justify an action on the grounds that doing so will make one more patriotic, or in some way benefit a group, country, or ideas. The shots of everyday Americans, the American flag waving proudly, and presidential rally add a sense of patriotism; by voting for Edwards, you're doing your part as a proud American.

Academic Research Project

The paparazzi have always been known for their notoriety and aggressive, dog-eat-dog ways of capturing celebrities, politicians and other prominent people at their most candid moments. These pictures become their source of income, but sometimes they cross a hundred miles over the line of privacy to shoot a buck. So the question is, How far should the paparazzi be allowed to go when shooting the famous?


Let's be real for a quick second: Britney Spears went crazy for a long while. After her breakup with K-Fed, it was all downhill. She had to fight for the custody of her kids, she tried to escape being a regular on TMZ. But it didn't help her situation when all of a sudden she came under the public eye with an interesting new do - BALD! Here, Britney goes apesh!t on smothering "photojournalists."

BLOG 7: Internet

There are 179 social networking websites listed.

I have only heard of twenty of these websites listed.

Looking through the list, I didn’t see HitRECord.org, a collaborative, social networking site where members (RECorders) submit original pictures, texts, videos, songs, etc. (RECords) and combine them into larger RECords with money-making potential. I also didn’t see PosttheLove.com, Channing Tatum’s site that lets members post up anything that they feel is inspiring and heartfelt - a vehicle to spread the love to others in a creative way.

One site I have never heard of is VampireFreaks.com. It’s is an online community for the gothic/industrial subcultures, and surrounding topics. It was created by site owner, Jethro Berelson (Jet) in 1999. It began with a small number of forums dedicated to gothic/industrial music but has gained high popularity in recent years in the gothic community circle and the site eventually grew (Wikipedia.org).

I use social networking sites to stay in touch with my friends, and blog about anything I feel needs to be addressed. I use mainly Facebook.com, Blogger.com, and HitRECord.org. I have never had an incident in which social networking got me in trouble. But Blogger.com helps me so much with organizing my thoughts and venting about little things stressing me out.

BLOG Week 6: Television

length: 3 minutes 5 seconds
description: Michael Bay's The Island presents the audience with a huge amount of promotional tie-ins.
chapters: Ch 6. Movies
question: The specific type of promotional tie-ins that includes certain brands and products in movies (ex: Puma athletic wear, Nokia, and Budweiser in The Island) is called ___________ or ________________.
answer: product placement, brand integration

Week 5: Movies or Recordings

My favorite song of 2009 is The Fray's "Absolute" from their sophomore album,The Fray. The band, who is known for their deep, heartfelt power-ballads, hits us with another one with such lyrics like this: "It's a kiss that sits upon her lips, That waits for planes and battleships," and "All we are and all we want, Forty years come and gone, All we are in photographs, Will never be taken." What I really love about this song is the lyrics. They give off visuals and references to times of war. In fact, the lyrics bring me back to World War II and the famous photograph of a sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square when the Navy returned (here). The first time I heard this song was on their CD.

Bonus:

This performance was actually a free livestream concert on their website from Webster Hall In New York City.

I would define "oldies" as anything before I was born, especially music that came from the peers of my parents' generation. That being said, my favorite oldie of all time would have to be "Let It Be" by, of course, The Beatles. I first heard the song on an audiocassette my parents had, who are big fans of The Beatles. Like "Absolute," the lyrics are what caught my attention. The song has an anthemic vibe of optimism and sheds light to all dark times. No matter what Hell is thrown at you, everything will be alright, "There will be an answer, Let it be."

Bonus:

Brooke White performs "Let It Be" On American Idol. This is probably my favorite non-Beatles performance of the song. You can definitely hear and feel the emotions and the utter sincerity the song brings to everyone who sings it.

Week 4: Magazines

Name: Artist Locale

Concept: The magazine would cover all art-related things within Silicon Valley, including up and coming artists, fashion designers, architects, art exhibits from both underground and mainstream artists, and worthy local concerts to check out. It would be a cross between art and fashion.

Readers: 18+, men and women, all ethnicities and income levels (articles will include bargain-hunting tips and date and times for art exhibits with little to none admission fees; living in such a diverse area, featured artists would be of all ethnicities - Asian, Latino, Black, White - you name it.

Competition: national magazines such as GQ, Teen Vogue, Elle, Nylon. The different would be the quality of the content. The articles and content will be for real people of a real down-to-earth place like Silicon Valley, unlike the San Fernando Valley.

Advertisers:
1. owners of sophisticated, yet affordable restaurants
2. up and coming fashion designers
3. up and coming striving artists
4. architect firms
5. art gallery directors

Articles:
1. Best local bargain-hunting treasures
2. DIY clothing from old sweaters, cardigans, jackets, etc
3. interview with successful Bay Area artist + tips on how to become successful
4. interview with up and coming painter who was featured in a national magazine
5. A published journal of an art school's sruggle to hit it big and make his or her mark in the art world.

The premier issue would have a picture of a architecturally-pleasing close-up of San Jose's City Hall. "Artist Locale" would be in red letters, featured articles would be mentioned on the sides with black and red letters, and the close-up would be of the hall's steel beams touching the blue, cloudless sky.

Week 3: Books

The Kite Runner
After reading The Kite Runner during my Senior year of high school, I realized that one decision can potentially alter the rest of one's life. If Amir had told someone about Hassan being raped by the neighborhood bully or if he hadn't of framed Hassan of stealing, then his life wouldn't have been filled with so much regret and sadness. Amir's journey back to Kabul to set things right decades after making a cowardly mistake taught me how to be a more moral and ethical person.

The Five People You Meet In Heaven
TFPYMIH opened my mind to the thought that all people are linked somehow and affect each other's life, even if we realize it or not. Though Eddie saw his place in the world as worthless and unimportant, the book taught me that everyone is loved and cared about.

Go Ask Alice
This book heavily influenced my take on drug abuse and family. I promised myself I would never indulge in illegal substances, although I have been made fun of because of it. The nameless narrator's disatisfaction with her family taught me to never take my own family for granted and appreciate their influence on my life.

Week 2: Technological Determinism

I chose to apply Marshall McLuhan’s theory of Technological Determinism on the beloved television remote.

Enhances: Convenience and Access

Rather than constantly getting up to change the channel or adjust the volume, you can simply press a button on the remote from the comfort of your favorite chair.

Reverses: Laziness

People become huge couch potatoes since they don’t have to move much anymore. In fact, when my dad watches tv sometimes, he calls me from the other room just to change the channel for him!

Obsolesces: Television Buttons

There is no need for television buttons since everything you need is on the remote; the on button might be the only exception.

Retrieves: The Need for Simplicity

With everyone's busy schedules, it's hard to spend time just kicking back and relaxing. But when there is some leisure time, people can just simply pick up the remote, sit down, and watch some tube with the family.

Week 1: Media Autobiography

Unless you live on a remote Third World area of the globe, it’s hard to argue with the fact that the media has an immense control over the audience‘s views and perspectives. Mass media roams all around us, especially since we live in California, home to Hollywood, major newspapers, and Silicon Valley, just to name a few. Majoring in fine arts and planning to transfer to UC Berkeley or UCLA, my work will soon have its place in bustling areas of an already media-influenced state.
Since I am interested in a career in the media, magazines, movies, internet, and television are the most important to me now.
Growing up, I only read video game magazines to attain cheat codes and tips to defeating the evil villains in Zelda and Bomberman. Now, I usually pick up a copy of GQ, Vogue, or Nylon to see the latest fashion trends and tips for men. I always felt that magazines had too many advertisements and not enough articles concerning relative material.
I wouldn’t call myself a movie buff, even to the lightest degree, but I do enjoy kicking back, munching on some popcorn, and watching a story other than my own. As a child, I was addicted to Disney movies like Mulan and The Lion King, but now, I have grown more fond of movies full of black comedy. I love the fact that movies become portals into another world, grabbing you by the mind and not letting go until usually an hour and a half later.
When it comes to the internet, let’s face it, it will turn all other media obsolete. I grew up surfing the web, even if I was only allowed to play the AOL games and Nickelodeon.com. There is an infinite amount of things to do online, from watching videos on Hulu and YouTube to using Google to research famous painters. Besides variant internet speeds, there is virtually nothing wrong with it.
I hate to say it, but I spend too much time watching television. Even as a kid, I was hooked on children’s favorites like Doug, Rugrats, and Power Rangers. Now, I’ve realized that I have become a reality junkie. I like the variety of shows constantly on, but absolutely hate interrupting commercials.
When I was younger, I read tons of Arthur and Bernstein Bears books. When I entered middle school, I stopped reading for fun because I consistently had to read for my reading classes. This continued on to high school, until I made a resolution to read ten leisurely books a year. Like movies and television, they bring you to another world, but take relatively longer to finish.
I always thought newspapers were for adults. While I would read my Little Bear books, my dad would be sitting at the dinner table reading the Filipino newspaper. I rarely read the paper; only during my Senior year in high school did I actually read it almost daily because it was required in my government class. Although each newspaper has a very limited amount of articles, they are easy to get a hold of and are very inexpensive.
Recordings are used for anything. I listen to music recordings all the time, and in class, we watch news recordings to gain insight on the subject we would be currently discussing. I like the minimal amount of space that recordings take up on your laptop.
Every time I’m in my car, the radio is on. It is a great way to get a hold of current events and traffic updates while on the road. To be honest, I’d rather listen to the radio than compact discs in the car, but there is only mainstream music always on.