last post for comm 229!

Since it's the last post, I'd like to cover a media related topic that involves something I love, sports. Celtics cavaliers this weekend, game 1, AND bruins flyers, game 1, AND the sox in Baltimore. Couldn't get any better. That being said, I say, to ESPN, to honestly shut up about Lebron. How come the extent of coverage of sports is now just the "superstar" story? Honestly, Lebron James hurt his elbow or at least he "claims" he did (publicity stunt to draw attention to him). But does ESPN really need to show him shooting his left handed free throw a hundred times? WHO CARES. In fact, those were the exact words Paul Pierce spoke when asked about Lebron's elbow: "I really don't care about it." I say how about ESPN goes out and tries to make a story that is actually newsworthy for sports? I just hate the extensive coverage of the national media on superstars like Lebron and Kobe (which makes me dread the TV coverage of these games even more with Jeff Van Gundy having aenurisms over every shot Lebron makes). Besides, why shouldn't we all bow down to great people like Kobe? Sure, he was accused of rape but a huge payout settlement, a jersey number change, and 40 points a night makes it all go away, and is even worthy for a family dinner with the president! Really, I just can't stand extensive media coverage of sports stars in general, but ESPN takes it to the next forsaken level. And I haven't even STARTED talking about their obsession with Bret Favre.

dont be dependent!

I've realized in especially taking a media studies class that we rely far too strongly on technology. My friend works at a business in boston, and he texted me and told me the computers were down, and the office was much like armageddon, and no one knew what to do. It got me thinking of how dependent we are on technology and it's success. Why are we so dependent on technology? I understand that we've shifted to a technological, paperless nation. But it's really quite destructive. If we're so dependent on technology, it leaves no room for mistake. Much like my friend's story, it will be like armageddon. We need to be much less dependent on technology and more dependent on alternative sources. If somehow every computer went down, what would we do? If all cell phone towers were destroyed or somehow disabled, how would people communicate? I think it's something that people need to rethink, and try to be less dependent on technology.

You can take my choice...but you can't take my FREEDOM! Except you did...

I love talking about how we have free choice in the media we consume. I find it comical that it's actually called free choice. Rules and regulations are now becoming more and more prominent on the radio and television that we don't really get to decide if we want to filter out things because someone already did for us. I wish that WE got to decide whether or not we wanted things filtered. I think this conversation links back to the ratings week in class when we watched This Film is not yet rated. For little kids, I think it's important that parents be the role in deciding what is filtered and what their children are allowed to watch. However, beyond that, I think we should get to decide what we watch and consume! Are some things offensive? Sure! To some people. Then some other things are offensive to select people to and not to others. With all our complaints and rules and "morals" (which is such a joke in American culture), we've forced media creators to tip toe around the rules, to avoid offending anyone, with the possibility of being fined or getting hate mail or whatever it may be. I think everyone just needs to RELAX, and decide WHAT YOU want to consume, not what others want to consume.

Newsworthy...

Since we've discussed "newsworthy" items in this class, I have to say something that makes me mad. I saw on the "Today Show" a story about a father and a son who were friends on facebook, then the son deleted his dad because he was posting embarassing photos of him on his facebook. REALLY? REALLLLLY? Is this newsworthy? FACEBOOK???? It makes me so mad because we as a culture have become so OBSESSIVE. EVERYTHING we get our hands on we become obsessed with, whether it be facebook, music, sports teams, you name it, were obsessed with it. However, that is a given and that is how our culture is. But is a facebook story really news worthy? The only newsworthy facebook story to me would be if the creator died or facebook ended. I just don't understand who finds this story interesting. It's much like how extensive coverage of celebrity deaths and break ups are. Yes, Michael Jackson died. Did we need to hear about it on every news station for months? Mmm, NO. It just bothers me that we as a culture even care to follow stories like this, because you know if they're putting it as a news story, they feel pretty confident that a large number of people will be interested.

I'd like to thank...

this week's topic on production got me thinking about how many different crew members play roles on a movie set. I've always hated credits at the end of movies, or on TV shows, that seem to never end, especially when they're at the beginning and you can't just leave. That being said, I guess I never realized how much work goes into making a movie. However, it can't be done by just one person. Well, I guess it could, but that would certainly be the only movie the person ever made because it would take them so long. Having a good crew I never realized plays so much a role. I guess for some reason a mask has been pulled over my eyes, and I feel like a director or a producer doesn't have much to do with the success of a movie, and it's pretty much all the actors. However, I've realized how much behind the scenes action has to take place in order for a movie to be good at all. The success of a film obviously has to do with the actors, but the main idea, the production, the editing, etc. all is behind the scenes crew working their tails off to attempt to tailor a perfect film. Simply put, after reading this chapter, I've come to see how difficult film making can really be, and how much work goes into making a film successful.

Production Technology

It's wierd to look and think how much production technology has really developed. I'm taking a film history class this semester, and the most innovative technology was really nothing in some of the movies we've watched. Dating movies back to the 20's that we've watched, it's been tangible to see the development of technology in film. It's also changed the way films are appreciated and made. If avatar did not have great special effects, would the story line have been enough to draw in fans? If the movie 2012 did not have great special effects too, would people have even liked the story? These great advancements in technology and computer animation have completely changed the movie industry.

Most films early in the industry really were focused on the story, but now it seems special effects have really taken over in films. People love the special effects in films, and now with the surge of 3d films it's really on the rise. Me, personally, would much rather have a better story than good special effects in a film, but special effects work to make more money!

March Madness!

So, unless you live under a rock, you've heard of march madness and know that it's going on right now. Glad to say, my champion, Duke, is still in the running, while over 60 percent of the nation has their champion, Kansas, out. Either way, I was thinking of how marketable big name events like these are. If you've watched at all, I'm sure you've seen the clever Reeses' commercials that incorporate the "sweet sixteen" term into their sweet chocolatey product. I found myself somewhat bothered I guess watching these commercials. I guess the reason I'm bothered is because of how much corporations/companies have their hands on advertising, and how much of commercials you have to sit through. Granted, some commercials are funny, but for the most part, they are becoming really obnoxious. I'm not sure if this is a new fad, but I feel like any show you watch, you get 10 minutes of commercials, 5 minutes of show, 10 minutes of commercial, and this pattern continues. It really annoys the crap out of me, because I hate sitting through commercials. More than that, I hate sitting through commercials on the radio. The radio loves to play one or two songs then have a 20 minute commercial break. In case you haven't gotten the point of my rant, I HATE COMMERCIALS. What drives me even more mad is that I don't feel like many commercials for products are very effective. I hardly ever see a commercial and think "oh cool" or "oh I want that!". But they must work for some people or else these commercials and advertisements wouldn't be thrown in our faces all day every day.