Before taking RTF 305, I had never posted a blog. Doing the blog for this class was probably one of the easiest, yet most helpful assignments I had to do this semester. For many of the blogs, I had to review the material in the textbook as well as my lecture notes so I knew what I was talking about. Plus, there wasn't really a wrong or right answer, as long as I understood the material. The website was very easy to use, but I did have trouble figuring out what I was exactly supposed to write in the first couple of blogs. However, my TA helped me out and told me that I was trying to fit too much unnecessary info into the blogs and after that everything was peachy.
I especially enjoyed the blogs that dealt with movies, as I'm sure many others did. The prompts about camera angles and story structure let me study the details of my favorite movies and TV shows. The blog that was the least interesting was the one about the development of radio technology because it was more about history than about theories, which I find kind of interesting. The blog that was the most difficult to write about was the one I posted about the cultivation theory, because I really had to learn what the difference was between that theory and all of the others. I had not really listened to the lecture that week, so I had to reread the chapter to get a good grasp on the material.
I really believe that blogs are an easy and effective way to learn the material better, plus it is very easy to get a good grade on them. They should be used in other undergrad classes at UT, especially if most of the grades in the class are made of tests. Blogs kind of work like labs because they reinforce the what is taught in lecture and in the textbook. Of course, one thing that would make blogging more interesting would be more prompts about movies and TV. However, I know this can't really be done without discarding other important topics. Therefore, there isn't really much that can be done to make blogging better. In my opinion, the assignments are already a really cool way to learn, as well as express what you think about the topics.
Yes, you can use my blog in a paper or report.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Increasing Interconnectedness
Globalization is the process of increasing interconnectedness among nations, cultures, and people. For instance, the infrastructure of mobile phones is growing, enabling more connection between not only people of the same country, but as well as other countries. Another example of globalization is digital convergence, which makes greater production possible in poorer places around the world. All in all, globalization is very much supported and accelerated by technological developments.
These technological developments and increase in connections between nations and people have resulted in cultural imperialism. As people across the globe have become more connected and less isolated, there has been a loss of local, indigenous, and national cultures. For example, indigenous people such as the Native Americans have lost much of their culture through technology that has advanced in the last century. In the past, Native Americans made things such as clothes and blankets using primitive, but traditional, weaving methods done by hand. However, now such blankets can be made in mass quantity by machines.
These technological developments and increase in connections between nations and people have resulted in cultural imperialism. As people across the globe have become more connected and less isolated, there has been a loss of local, indigenous, and national cultures. For example, indigenous people such as the Native Americans have lost much of their culture through technology that has advanced in the last century. In the past, Native Americans made things such as clothes and blankets using primitive, but traditional, weaving methods done by hand. However, now such blankets can be made in mass quantity by machines.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Appeals of Advertising
The countless number of advertisements that I encounter everyday is ridiculous. When watching television, which is the medium through which I see the ads the most, I try to ignore pitches by changing the channel or going to do a chore. However, every once in awhile I'll see an ad that catches my eye as being very appealing. One recent commercial that has had this effect on me is for the 5 Hour Energy drink.
For me to be intrigued by an energy drink commercial is very rare and odd, as I hardly ever drink such a drink and I am well aware of the negative effect they have on your body. The specific commercial I am speaking of is the "No 2:30 Feeling" one. The ad takes something most people can relate to and despise, which is the sleepiness and tired out feeling one gets in the afternoon, especially during something boring like class or work. The spokesperson offers a solution to this "2:30 Feeling" problem, which is what caught my attention. Often, I feel the need for a quick nap while I am in a lecture class or even while I am working or driving. This small drink seems like an easy and effective solution to this nuisance and notions that it could nurture my fatigue and help achieve more things during my day.
The appeals of nurture and achievement are very important factors in a successful advertisement and product. After all, most everyone wants to accomplish more things during their work day and a lot of people will seek the help of a product like 5 Hour Energy to help them go that extra mile. Furthermore, if a person is very busy everyday, such as a single mother or a busy office worker, than the product will seem even more appealing to them as a nurturing tool. When tired out folks can't find rest or energy in other things, they will seek out this energy drink because it claims that it will help people work throughout the day, therefore helping them be productive and have a positive feeling.
The 5 Hour Energy advertisement depicts drained people around the workplace seek in vain means of perking themselves up, such as coffee, soda, or a candy bar. The spokesman lets the viewer know that these methods are not nearly as affective as 5 Hour Energy. Soon after, it shows the workers drinking the energy drink and afterwords feeling very energetic and positive. When I saw this commercial, I thought of all of the times I had been in those people's position of feeling exhausted and trying failed methods of perking up. I knew that if I took a nap, I would waste hours of the day and not be as productive as I should have been. This commercial tempted me to pick up this product because of it's promise that it would nurture me through my tiredness and thus, help me achieve far more than if I did not invest in 5 Hour Energy. However, I am unaware of it's actual effects because I have never actually used this energy drink.
5 Hour Energy Drink Commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Sq25eToVo
For me to be intrigued by an energy drink commercial is very rare and odd, as I hardly ever drink such a drink and I am well aware of the negative effect they have on your body. The specific commercial I am speaking of is the "No 2:30 Feeling" one. The ad takes something most people can relate to and despise, which is the sleepiness and tired out feeling one gets in the afternoon, especially during something boring like class or work. The spokesperson offers a solution to this "2:30 Feeling" problem, which is what caught my attention. Often, I feel the need for a quick nap while I am in a lecture class or even while I am working or driving. This small drink seems like an easy and effective solution to this nuisance and notions that it could nurture my fatigue and help achieve more things during my day.
The appeals of nurture and achievement are very important factors in a successful advertisement and product. After all, most everyone wants to accomplish more things during their work day and a lot of people will seek the help of a product like 5 Hour Energy to help them go that extra mile. Furthermore, if a person is very busy everyday, such as a single mother or a busy office worker, than the product will seem even more appealing to them as a nurturing tool. When tired out folks can't find rest or energy in other things, they will seek out this energy drink because it claims that it will help people work throughout the day, therefore helping them be productive and have a positive feeling.
The 5 Hour Energy advertisement depicts drained people around the workplace seek in vain means of perking themselves up, such as coffee, soda, or a candy bar. The spokesman lets the viewer know that these methods are not nearly as affective as 5 Hour Energy. Soon after, it shows the workers drinking the energy drink and afterwords feeling very energetic and positive. When I saw this commercial, I thought of all of the times I had been in those people's position of feeling exhausted and trying failed methods of perking up. I knew that if I took a nap, I would waste hours of the day and not be as productive as I should have been. This commercial tempted me to pick up this product because of it's promise that it would nurture me through my tiredness and thus, help me achieve far more than if I did not invest in 5 Hour Energy. However, I am unaware of it's actual effects because I have never actually used this energy drink.
5 Hour Energy Drink Commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Sq25eToVo
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Three Acts
The most popular method of cinematic storytelling is the three act structure, which naturally encompasses the beginning, middle, and end of the story. A great cinematic story that uses this structure is Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977, d. George Lucas). At the movie's beginning, the viewer is told by text on the screen the setting of the movie and its back story (time 00:01 to 01:35, link 1). The viewer is then thrown into a space battle between what is learned to be the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. It is in this battle that the first main characters, C-3P0 and R2-D2, are introduced (time 02:12 link 1); it is through these two characters that the viewer meets other characters in Act I as well as learn more about the plot of the rebellion against the Evil Empire. Most of the first act takes place on the planet Tatoonie, which is where characters Luke Skywalker, Ben Kenobi,Han Solo, and Chewbacca are first introduced. Naturally, Act I is used to familiarize the viewer with the characters and explain their dilemmas and how they are going to solve them. However, near the end of the first act (09: 41, link 2 and 00:00 to 00:42, link 3), the main character's mission complicates, as they are captured by the Empire's Death Star. This is what is called a Plot Point, which is "mini climax" to the act which usually creates suspense, escalates the stakes, and propels the action into the next act where new questions will be answered.
After the characters and action of the movie has been set in Act I, the movie enters Act II. The second act is what complicates the action, as the character's mission is derailed when they are captured and learn that their destination has been destroyed by the Empire. Now, the mission is to escape from captivity as well as rescue the Princess Leia, who is also imprisoned (05:01 to 6:40, link 3). In the following events, everyone escapes except Ben Kenobi, who sacrifices himself for the sake of the mission. The heroes take the princess to the moon of Yavin IV, home of a Rebel base. However, they are unaware that the Empire had placed a tracking device on their ship, allowing them to be followed to Yavin IV (09:25 to 09:38, link 4). This is Plot Point Number Two of Star Wars, which lets the viewer know that all is not well for the heroes, and that the dangers and stakes are escalated even higher. The question of whether or not the Empire will destroy the Rebel base is the premise of Act III.
Act III begins with the Rebels figuring out that the Empire is closing in on them and therefore prepare an attack strategy. Skywalker joins the other pilots as they prepare for battle and their mission to destroy the Death Star. As the fight wages on, most of the Rebel Squadron has been obliterated by the Imperial Forces. Only accompanied by the other two remaining fighters, Skywalker begins to take his turn at destroying the only weak spot of the Death Star. Soon after, his two comrades have been disposed of, leaving it up to him to save the entire Rebel Alliance. This is where the movie nears it climax, as the next sequences of action are the deciding points of how the movie will end. Luckily, Han Solo appears from nowhere, giving Skywalker the help he needed in shooting his proton torpedoes at the Death Star's weak spot, thus destroying the galaxy's most powerful space station. The moment when the Death Star explodes into a thousand pieces is the movie's climax, as the problems have been resolved and everyone has been saved (08: 10 to 09:30, link 5). The movie ends with Skywalker, Solo, and Chewbacca being honored by the Alliance, therefore leaving audience's with a happy ending (00:20 to 01:15, link 6).
Link I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YQR4Khcceg
Link II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjO7a8AMHEY&feature=related
Link III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZLu73Ch_pg&feature=related
Link IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-hnOztiAw&feature=related
Link V: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9FWlu-eaRA&NR=1
Link VI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p-BszlWZzM&feature=related
Remember, the Force will be with you...always.
After the characters and action of the movie has been set in Act I, the movie enters Act II. The second act is what complicates the action, as the character's mission is derailed when they are captured and learn that their destination has been destroyed by the Empire. Now, the mission is to escape from captivity as well as rescue the Princess Leia, who is also imprisoned (05:01 to 6:40, link 3). In the following events, everyone escapes except Ben Kenobi, who sacrifices himself for the sake of the mission. The heroes take the princess to the moon of Yavin IV, home of a Rebel base. However, they are unaware that the Empire had placed a tracking device on their ship, allowing them to be followed to Yavin IV (09:25 to 09:38, link 4). This is Plot Point Number Two of Star Wars, which lets the viewer know that all is not well for the heroes, and that the dangers and stakes are escalated even higher. The question of whether or not the Empire will destroy the Rebel base is the premise of Act III.
Act III begins with the Rebels figuring out that the Empire is closing in on them and therefore prepare an attack strategy. Skywalker joins the other pilots as they prepare for battle and their mission to destroy the Death Star. As the fight wages on, most of the Rebel Squadron has been obliterated by the Imperial Forces. Only accompanied by the other two remaining fighters, Skywalker begins to take his turn at destroying the only weak spot of the Death Star. Soon after, his two comrades have been disposed of, leaving it up to him to save the entire Rebel Alliance. This is where the movie nears it climax, as the next sequences of action are the deciding points of how the movie will end. Luckily, Han Solo appears from nowhere, giving Skywalker the help he needed in shooting his proton torpedoes at the Death Star's weak spot, thus destroying the galaxy's most powerful space station. The moment when the Death Star explodes into a thousand pieces is the movie's climax, as the problems have been resolved and everyone has been saved (08: 10 to 09:30, link 5). The movie ends with Skywalker, Solo, and Chewbacca being honored by the Alliance, therefore leaving audience's with a happy ending (00:20 to 01:15, link 6).
Link I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YQR4Khcceg
Link II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjO7a8AMHEY&feature=related
Link III: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZLu73Ch_pg&feature=related
Link IV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY-hnOztiAw&feature=related
Link V: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9FWlu-eaRA&NR=1
Link VI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p-BszlWZzM&feature=related
Remember, the Force will be with you...always.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Situational Comedy
One of the most popular programs on television is the situational comedy, or the sitcom. Ever since the birth of the television, the sitcom has kept audiences glued to their sets with its characters and stories. However, while the characters and stories have changed over the past sixty years, the basic formula of the sitcom has not varied much. One of the aspects of the sitcom that stood the test of time is the half hour long format. Unlike television dramas which are usually an hour long so as to allow certain character growth and more resolution in each episode, the sitcom has relied on half hour episodes. This is because in the typical sitcom there is hardly any character development or major resolution for each episode, therefore there is no need for a full hour episode. This lack of dramatic themes in the sitcom is evidence of its comedic basis. Sitcoms are written to funny to the audience, and an overuse of dramatic elements could alienate some audiences. In most sitcom episodes, the characters will encounter a minor problem which will resolved at the episode's end; until the resolution, many comedic elements are thrown in, including the characters' lines or the characters themselves.
One fine example of the situational comedy is Seinfeld, which aired from 1989 to 1998 on NBC. Seinfeld was a half hour long show that certainly did not dwell on character arcs or developments or lessons. The four main characters, Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer, simply encountered a minor problem, such as not getting a seat in a restaurant or dating a woman who ate her peas one at a time. At the end of the episode, the problem would usually be resolved but the characters themselves would never change. The show hardly dived into dramatic themes, and if it did then it would usually be dismissed as stupid by the characters. Using comedic story lines and characters, the show was successful in striking a funny bone in audiences.
Here is an episode of Seinfeld where Jerry dates a woman who only looks good in certain places:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xi9kgnvjQE&feature=related
One fine example of the situational comedy is Seinfeld, which aired from 1989 to 1998 on NBC. Seinfeld was a half hour long show that certainly did not dwell on character arcs or developments or lessons. The four main characters, Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer, simply encountered a minor problem, such as not getting a seat in a restaurant or dating a woman who ate her peas one at a time. At the end of the episode, the problem would usually be resolved but the characters themselves would never change. The show hardly dived into dramatic themes, and if it did then it would usually be dismissed as stupid by the characters. Using comedic story lines and characters, the show was successful in striking a funny bone in audiences.
Here is an episode of Seinfeld where Jerry dates a woman who only looks good in certain places:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xi9kgnvjQE&feature=related
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Shot Progression
The camera shots of a film determines the language of the movie and helps the viewer learn more about the setting, the characters, and the emotions of the scene. Most, if not all, films use the film language illustrated in camera shots extensively. Recently I have noticed this use of language in the movie Chasing Amy, which was written and directed by Kevin Smith. In the selected scene, Ben Affleck's character Holden McNeil is in deep thought about whether or not he should let his girlfriend's past affect their relationship.
The first shot of McNeil in this scene is a long shot of him sitting on a swing set. This swing set was seen earlier in the movie, as it was where McNeil and his girlfriend, Alyssa Jones played by Joey Lauren Adams, first bonded and formed an attraction towards one another. Using this long shot, Smith lets the viewer know of the familiar setting; this also directs the viewer to notice the correlation and contrast of Holden's relationship with Jones. It also illustrates the emotions of McNeil, who is revisiting a place that resurfaces happy memories. It is important to notice the empty swings swaying beside him, which indicates the loneliness of Affleck's character.
The next camera shot is the close up, which gives the viewer more of an idea of what McNeil is doing. In this shot it can be seen that he is solemnly gazing down at something, although the viewer does not know what it is. Here his emotions are clearly conveyed, as they were indistinct in the long shot. He is slightly slumped over, taking breaths as he is in a deep trance of thought; this shot shows the body language of depression.
The next shot is the extreme close up. This shot reveals what McNeil was gazing at, which turns out to be a yearbook turned to the page of his girlfriend's school photo. The step allows the reader to realize what exactly McNeil was pondering about, which gives more meaning to the entire scene. Since the close up did not let on to what McNeil was staring at, Smith uses an extreme close up to point out the details that were extremely important to the scene, as well as to the story. As the scene progressed, it's content morphed from very general to very specific, with more vital information given in each shot.
The shot progression from long shot to extreme close up is from time maker 2:12 to time marker 2:20:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w14JjfDdFKw&feature=related
The first shot of McNeil in this scene is a long shot of him sitting on a swing set. This swing set was seen earlier in the movie, as it was where McNeil and his girlfriend, Alyssa Jones played by Joey Lauren Adams, first bonded and formed an attraction towards one another. Using this long shot, Smith lets the viewer know of the familiar setting; this also directs the viewer to notice the correlation and contrast of Holden's relationship with Jones. It also illustrates the emotions of McNeil, who is revisiting a place that resurfaces happy memories. It is important to notice the empty swings swaying beside him, which indicates the loneliness of Affleck's character.
The next camera shot is the close up, which gives the viewer more of an idea of what McNeil is doing. In this shot it can be seen that he is solemnly gazing down at something, although the viewer does not know what it is. Here his emotions are clearly conveyed, as they were indistinct in the long shot. He is slightly slumped over, taking breaths as he is in a deep trance of thought; this shot shows the body language of depression.
The next shot is the extreme close up. This shot reveals what McNeil was gazing at, which turns out to be a yearbook turned to the page of his girlfriend's school photo. The step allows the reader to realize what exactly McNeil was pondering about, which gives more meaning to the entire scene. Since the close up did not let on to what McNeil was staring at, Smith uses an extreme close up to point out the details that were extremely important to the scene, as well as to the story. As the scene progressed, it's content morphed from very general to very specific, with more vital information given in each shot.
The shot progression from long shot to extreme close up is from time maker 2:12 to time marker 2:20:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w14JjfDdFKw&feature=related
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Star System
The key to the success of the Big Five studios during the Golden Age of Hollywood was that each studio controlled every aspect of the movie making process. The Big Five, which includes MGM, Paramount, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and RKO, produced, distributed, and exhibited the movies in their own theaters. However, the dominance of the Big Five studios limited the availibility that had surfaced in independent filmmakers. Because of vertical intergration, it was practically impossible for new filmmakers to have their movies made, much less seen by audiences. This lack the studios' new material and creativity threatened to make the movies of each studio indistinguishable to audiences. Yet, studios solved this dilemma utilizing the "studio system".
Using the studio system, each studio enlisted the same Hollywood stars so as to promote their movies. Stars were key to the success of the Classical Era, as it helped to bring in audiences as well as distinguish each studio from the next. Therefore, each studio began to specialize in a certain genre and develop its own style of movie that would fit its array of stars. If a studio had a star that was a dancer, then that studio would often make musicals. If a studio had a comedian under its roof, it would be sure to produce comedies. This helped audiences who were fans of specific genres and movie stars know which theaters to attend. This certainly helped moviegoers tell the difference between studios and made Hollywood less bland and more diverse.
For instance, Paramount paired singer Bing Crosby and comedian Bob Hope and followed in producing buddy movies in which the duo both starred. Paramount found huge success with Crosby and Hope's "Road to..." series. To serve as the perfect vehicle for crooner and the comedian, the series of movies included many songs and were full of joke telling. Audiences knew that a movie with Crosby and Hope would make use of both men's talents. Therefore, audiences who were fans of that genre or the two entertainers would be certain to attend and invest their money in Paramount theaters. Each studio could be defined by the style of movie they specialized in as well as the stars it had under its belt. Movies did not have top notch production if it had popular movie stars in them. Each studio could have moviegoers streaming through the theater doors if that studio had a wide array of Hollywood stars under its wings.
Road to Morocco:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_w3UG6C_Mo
Using the studio system, each studio enlisted the same Hollywood stars so as to promote their movies. Stars were key to the success of the Classical Era, as it helped to bring in audiences as well as distinguish each studio from the next. Therefore, each studio began to specialize in a certain genre and develop its own style of movie that would fit its array of stars. If a studio had a star that was a dancer, then that studio would often make musicals. If a studio had a comedian under its roof, it would be sure to produce comedies. This helped audiences who were fans of specific genres and movie stars know which theaters to attend. This certainly helped moviegoers tell the difference between studios and made Hollywood less bland and more diverse.
For instance, Paramount paired singer Bing Crosby and comedian Bob Hope and followed in producing buddy movies in which the duo both starred. Paramount found huge success with Crosby and Hope's "Road to..." series. To serve as the perfect vehicle for crooner and the comedian, the series of movies included many songs and were full of joke telling. Audiences knew that a movie with Crosby and Hope would make use of both men's talents. Therefore, audiences who were fans of that genre or the two entertainers would be certain to attend and invest their money in Paramount theaters. Each studio could be defined by the style of movie they specialized in as well as the stars it had under its belt. Movies did not have top notch production if it had popular movie stars in them. Each studio could have moviegoers streaming through the theater doors if that studio had a wide array of Hollywood stars under its wings.
Road to Morocco:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_w3UG6C_Mo
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