Books, magazines, television, and newspapers are just a few specific types of media discussed during this semester. Over the last few months I have learned a lot about the media and some of its effects. In addition, my expectations for the class were met far beyond what I thought. Also I was able to determine what my view of the media is versus the world’s view.
One of the first things I learned in this course is how crucial the media is in today’s world; it is pretty much impossible to remove media from it. I also learned more about how different forms of media affect each other. For example, when television was first introduced it had an impact on radio. As a result, radio stations became more geared to specific audiences. I never realized how much different forms of media impact others. During this course I was able to learn about the effects as well as different the types of media themselves. One of the most interesting things I learned in this class was how to create a blog. At first I was worried about it because I had never done any blogging and had no idea how to set it up. But it was really easy to create it and I enjoyed the experience.
My expectations for this course were to learn about the media in general. I was not really sure what I would learn about specifically in this class. But I ended up learning a lot more then I had thought. We discussed specific types of media like books, radio, television, etc. where they started, how it impacted the world and other types of media. In addition, at the beginning of the semester we learned about the meaning of mass communications and other types of communications like interpersonal, and intrapersonal. This course was more fun than I thought it would be and more informative.
From my perspective, I view the media as a great tool and asset if used properly. Sometimes the media astonishes me with all of its variety and its effects on people. It is a fantastic way to communicate with others far away and learn about other cultures. In addition it is a great way to entertain people and give them an aesthetic experience. I also believe that using the media is an effective way to spread the truths and values of the gospel. An example of this would be the Mormon ads shown in the New Era. Another example is the commercials sponsored by the Church on the radio or television. In fact, I am hoping to major in media arts and create films that can effectively reach a large audience and spread the gospel’s message or at least educate people about the Church.
On the other hand, I think the world sees the media as a way to make money and promote their own agendas. They show incorrect or faulty information to persuade people to side with them. An example of this would be the commercial made about the Mormon missionaries and the lesbian couple during the controversy of Prop 8. The world tries to use the media to gain power over others by putting them down using negative, misleading, or false information. While I do think the world realizes the amazing possibilities the media provides as I do, I believe that the world uses it in a selfish manner. Also, the world’s standard for media entertainment differs from mine greatly.
Overall, I think the Lord wants us to use the media for righteous purposes like spreading the gospel. All the different forms of media allow the saints to be connected and united even though we may be half around the world from each other. It also gives us a chance to reach out to those seeking the gospel. In addition I think the Lord wants us to be educated about the media so we can use it safely. While the media is a great tool as I have said, it can also be negative influence that drags us down if we fall into its clever trap. But ultimately the media should be used to uplift others and ourselves as well.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Chapter Thirteen - Law
In class we were shown a clip where Don Imus was commenting on the Rutger's women basketball team. One of his rude comments directed toward them was calling some players "nappy-headed hos." This is completely inappropriate and I am astonished he would say something like that while he was on air. He embarrassed Rutgers players in an unacceptable way. In addition it took him two days to apologize. His comments were way out of line, he should have thought about what he said before saying it.
If I were in charge, I would have immediately released an apology. In addition I would have suspended Imus for a lot longer then two weeks. I would have suspended him for four weeks and then closely monitored his shows for a few weeks. I would be tempted to fire him and probably would if this kind of rude commentary was a re-occurring part of his show.
If I were in charge, I would have immediately released an apology. In addition I would have suspended Imus for a lot longer then two weeks. I would have suspended him for four weeks and then closely monitored his shows for a few weeks. I would be tempted to fire him and probably would if this kind of rude commentary was a re-occurring part of his show.
Chapter Twelve - Public Relations
Yes. public relations activities like image consulting ethical are ethical provided that they are do not convey lies. The way you present yourself is very important. Appearances matter to people whether they are willing to admit it or not. People will make judgements (whether correct or incorrect) on you based on you present yourself, ie. your clothes, hair style, etc. For example, when you go to an interview you dress up and try to make a good impression of yourself. You would not go to your interview in an old t-shirt and sweats, instead you would a dress if your a girl or a nice pair of pants and a button up shirt, something nice.
Image consultants are very helpful in showing their client the way the want others to perceive them. For instance it is very important for President Bush to look good. How would it look if our President dressed like a slob when he goes to other countries? Not good. Also, when you go to the bank would you choose the teller dressed professionally or the one in beach clothes? Most likely you would choose the teller in the professional attire. Image consulting is important to help people obtain a good image and increase their success.
Although PR is important it can be used unethically for example, P.T Barnum's exaggerated claims about Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind were lies promoted as truth. There are definitely examples of this today. The first that comes to mind is the Magic Bullet commercials. While this product can be useful, the commercial that promotes it is extremely exaggerated. They say you can make a five second lunch! But of course that is only the estimate for how long it takes to puree what is in the container not the time it takes to get everything else ready. Another example is the commercials for OxyClean.
Image consultants are very helpful in showing their client the way the want others to perceive them. For instance it is very important for President Bush to look good. How would it look if our President dressed like a slob when he goes to other countries? Not good. Also, when you go to the bank would you choose the teller dressed professionally or the one in beach clothes? Most likely you would choose the teller in the professional attire. Image consulting is important to help people obtain a good image and increase their success.
Although PR is important it can be used unethically for example, P.T Barnum's exaggerated claims about Tom Thumb and Jenny Lind were lies promoted as truth. There are definitely examples of this today. The first that comes to mind is the Magic Bullet commercials. While this product can be useful, the commercial that promotes it is extremely exaggerated. They say you can make a five second lunch! But of course that is only the estimate for how long it takes to puree what is in the container not the time it takes to get everything else ready. Another example is the commercials for OxyClean.
Chapter Eleven - Advertising
1. For my good advertisements I choose a free credit report.com commercial and an PSA about watching your kids at the pool. The first one is good because it has a catchy tune that is easy to remember and it a commercial that is enjoyable to watch. The second ad is good because it gets the message across very clearly. It has the shock factor and is very convincing.
For the bad ads I chose a Carl's Jr. ad and a commercial for a car dealer ship. The first is an example of a bad ad because I don't think it is effective. I don't like the Carl's Jr. commercials because I think they are gross and messy. The second ad is a commercial for a car lot and it is very cheesy. The actors are probably trying to make a fun and cool commercial but it doesn't work out that way. The commercial made me think about more how cheesy I thought it was rather then the product they were trying to promote. For both ads I thought about how much I dislike them when I saw them then about the products.
2. I think advertising is very effective. If it wasn't, then why would companies spent millions or billions of dollars advertising their products? Advertising gets the word out about products and all the reasons to buy them. Many advertisements have catchy jingles or lines that get stuck in your head like the freecreditreport.com commercials, or the Kit Kat commercials "break me off a piece of that kit kat bar!" Then there's Tony the Tiger and the Frosted Flakes cereal that tastes "Grrrrreeeaat!" and several others.
Advertisements can be very persuasive. I have been influenced by advertisements several times. For example, after I saw the trailer for Dark Knight I really wanted to see it. It looked so good to me that I bought tickets to the midnight showing with my friends. This has been true for other films I've seen in theaters. On the other hand, the commercials for Carl's Jr. have turned me away from that fast food restaurant. I don't like the commercials, it looks gross to me and so I never go to there to eat. It does not have any appeal to me.
For the bad ads I chose a Carl's Jr. ad and a commercial for a car dealer ship. The first is an example of a bad ad because I don't think it is effective. I don't like the Carl's Jr. commercials because I think they are gross and messy. The second ad is a commercial for a car lot and it is very cheesy. The actors are probably trying to make a fun and cool commercial but it doesn't work out that way. The commercial made me think about more how cheesy I thought it was rather then the product they were trying to promote. For both ads I thought about how much I dislike them when I saw them then about the products.
2. I think advertising is very effective. If it wasn't, then why would companies spent millions or billions of dollars advertising their products? Advertising gets the word out about products and all the reasons to buy them. Many advertisements have catchy jingles or lines that get stuck in your head like the freecreditreport.com commercials, or the Kit Kat commercials "break me off a piece of that kit kat bar!" Then there's Tony the Tiger and the Frosted Flakes cereal that tastes "Grrrrreeeaat!" and several others.
Advertisements can be very persuasive. I have been influenced by advertisements several times. For example, after I saw the trailer for Dark Knight I really wanted to see it. It looked so good to me that I bought tickets to the midnight showing with my friends. This has been true for other films I've seen in theaters. On the other hand, the commercials for Carl's Jr. have turned me away from that fast food restaurant. I don't like the commercials, it looks gross to me and so I never go to there to eat. It does not have any appeal to me.
Chapter Nine - Television
During my week of television watching I discovered that I like to watch entertaining shows over informative ones. When I watch a show it is to help me unwind and get away from the real world for a while. I was also reminded of how many commercials are on television. Television is a great entertainer but it takes up a lot of time if you are not careful.
I think that some programs do appeal to the lowest common denominator (LCD). An example of this would be the Simpsons. But there are definitely some programs that deny the LCD as well; for instance CNN. But, I don't think there is any network that denies the LCD completely. Each network has shows that do both because if they have both types of shows then both types of people watch it and their ratings go up. You can't ignore the LCD and stay in business at the same time.
I think television has had the greatest impact on our society. It revolutionized the world when it was introduced and opened the door to numerous possibilities. Television can reach out to people on a more personal level. In addition, television is so ingrained into our society that it would be impossible to remove it. Watching television has become a social event. I know I go to my friends' apartments to watch our favorite shows together and other people do the same thing. And then some people watch the television shows just so that they can talk about it to other people the next day. Television has also impacted all other forms of media in some way or another. Although all other forms of media may have an impact on society, television has the greatest impact overall.
I think that some programs do appeal to the lowest common denominator (LCD). An example of this would be the Simpsons. But there are definitely some programs that deny the LCD as well; for instance CNN. But, I don't think there is any network that denies the LCD completely. Each network has shows that do both because if they have both types of shows then both types of people watch it and their ratings go up. You can't ignore the LCD and stay in business at the same time.
I think television has had the greatest impact on our society. It revolutionized the world when it was introduced and opened the door to numerous possibilities. Television can reach out to people on a more personal level. In addition, television is so ingrained into our society that it would be impossible to remove it. Watching television has become a social event. I know I go to my friends' apartments to watch our favorite shows together and other people do the same thing. And then some people watch the television shows just so that they can talk about it to other people the next day. Television has also impacted all other forms of media in some way or another. Although all other forms of media may have an impact on society, television has the greatest impact overall.
Chapter Eight - Movies
1. The increasing amount of sex and violence in films is because society accepts whatever Hollywood gives us. Hollywood creates films that are exciting films that exaggerate the real world. They do so to create a shock value and to increase their own profits. The increase of sex and violence in films is a major factor for the increase in sex and violence in the real world. Society accepts what we are given and then follows what it accepts.
2. To make a box office hit in 2009 I would need to have a great, original, well written script. I would be important to have a great cast, maybe a few well known actors to get some more attention. Also it is important to have good cinematographers, costumes, set design, etc. Basically I would need to have good pre-production, production, and post-production teams.
In addition it would be crucial to have a lot of good advertising. This would include having posters, time slots to advertise and show trailers. I would need to make sure to get the word out about my film and build up excitement and anticipation. That's how I would make a box office hit in 2009.
2. To make a box office hit in 2009 I would need to have a great, original, well written script. I would be important to have a great cast, maybe a few well known actors to get some more attention. Also it is important to have good cinematographers, costumes, set design, etc. Basically I would need to have good pre-production, production, and post-production teams.
In addition it would be crucial to have a lot of good advertising. This would include having posters, time slots to advertise and show trailers. I would need to make sure to get the word out about my film and build up excitement and anticipation. That's how I would make a box office hit in 2009.
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