Still Roommates

If the sole purpose for Saturday's film festival was to entertain, then I would have to say that the "Audience Award" hit the nail on the head. I felt that this film was not only entertaining, but also very well made. The aspect that caught my attention the most was how emotion was portrayed. With the humorous and catchy technique of using music to show emotion, this film wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining without the music. I also thought the camera angles showed the film maker's talent, and also made the film seem very professional. The camera shots, particularly the close-up shots, added lots of depth to the whole point of the film by helping portray intimately the actor's emotions. The film was very professional and it felt like each move of the camera was precisely placed. Overall, I was just thoroughly impressed with this film and the aspects it used.

The Open Frame

On Saturday evening I attended Malone's film festival, called "The Open Frame," in the Johnson Center. This was the first time I had ever attended such an event, so I wasn't sure what exactly to expect. Along with not knowing what to expect, I really had no previous knowledge as to what characterized a good film from a bad film. Being the oblivious audience member that I was, I went in with the attitude that I would be entertained rather than to critique the films based on proper film making standards. However, I got thinking about the films and all the awards that were presented Saturday evening and was somewhat disappointed. Now keep in mind that I am no film expert, however wasn't the sole purpose for these films to either entertain or get a point across to one's audience? Honestly, I have no idea, however that is what I went in assuming the films were made for. Each film was different and unique, but only two truly stuck out to me, those being ones that entertained, caught my attention, and made a point. So I guess the question is...What was the purpose of these films? Were they made to entertain? To get a point across to the audience? Or were they made to show the maker's talent? (...Or maybe Rudd mentioned it and I wasn't listening...haha! I apologize if that is the case.) Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience. It was very obvious that each film took tons and tons of time and effort, and I guarantee that once I find the reason for why these films were made my outlook on the entire evening will change.

Nike Air Band

During last evening's competition of "Nike Air Band" students on campus participated in serious role play. By dressing up to fit the role, as well as lip syncing to various popular songs, they took part in "fandom". Without "Nike Air Band" last evening's role plays would have seemed extremely strange, out of the ordinary, and unconventional. By identifying with celebrities through their performance they were able to find their identity in another role. Through this serious role play, the "celebs" of last evening were also able to develop a sense of belonging(ness) within the community here at Malone because their faces will be recongized on campus by those in the audience. Overall, through "fandom," identity and community are shaped and developed.

Happy Endings

When relationships go wrong and someone walks away with a broken heart, particularly the female, it isn't surprising to find her wallowing in her sorrow for a few days following the "break-up." Taking part in "fandom," she expresses her emotions by setting in front of the television for hours on end with a carton of Ben & Jerry's and a variety of chick-flicks. Through these chick-flicks she is able to slowly overcome her despair and verge ahead by focusing on the happy times and happy endings within the film. By watching this film she slowly renews her identity, searching and longing for characteristics that was presented within the love relationship in the film. This expressing of emotions and renewing of identities also helps the female in releasing her emotions in a positive way.

HGTV

During our discussion on Wednesday in class we discussed the motives of the "Media Effect Theory". I felt that HGTV was an excellent example of the "socialization motive". Within this genre of the media text television, many viewers will watch to learn tips, hints, and get ideas about the home and gardening. By doing this they are able to keep up with the trends, staying in tune with what is popular and what is not. By using HGTV viewers feel they are able to join in a semiotic domain while also keeping up the "Jones'". They are then able to relate to others who are apart of this same domain, maybe even eventually making HGTV and this semiotic domain into a "ritual motive" which is also apart of the "Media Effect Theory".

TAG Body Spray

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the advertisement which involves a male spraying "TAG" body spray on himself and instantly females appear, tackling and almost groping him. At the end of the commercial a warning appears across the screen stating, "The makers of TAG body spray accept no responsibility for any injuries resultant from the wearing of this product." Obviously, this is not exactly how a situation would go down for a user of "TAG" in real life, however the company portrays this as a common or almost automatic occurrence in hopes of alluring viewers to purchase the product. I felt this advertisement went somewhat along the lines of our discussion in class on Monday about pornography. Within this genre of media, pornography gives it's audience a perception that sex is just as good as it looks on the computer screen or television. However, without the airbrushing it would not be nearly as alluring. The advertisements for "TAG" body spray could fall under these same lines. Male viewers may think that with this product they withhold the power of alluring girls upon girls, this almost being a false advertisement. Yet with this strategy of marketing, viewers are convinced that they need this product. Media uses this type of strategy not only in advertisements, but also within various media texts to intrigue and allure audiences, this in turn bringing more of what they hope to be fame and fortune.

Iron Chef America

I've never been a huge fan of Iron Chef America, however I believe it is an excellent example of "hegemony". Within this cooking reality television show chefs compete for "top chef" status by using mystery ingredients which they are unaware of until the battle begins. They then fight or cook until the time runs out and in conclusion their concoctions are judged by the critics, whom are usually chefs or restaurant owners. Hegemony comes into play when viewers who are chefs themselves watch the show believing they are just as good as those competing, however they are not participants themselves which in turn makes them realize they aren't are good as they think. This keeps those who are lower in the cooking domain down, keeping those you are already top chefs on top. Another example of hegemony within this show would be the chefs competing who lose the competition. They may go onto the show with a mentality that they are just as good as the others, however when they lose reality hits making them realize they aren't as good as they thought. This also lowering them on the ladder of top chefs, in turn helping the top chefs keep their status and power. This defining exactly what "hegemony" is , those who are on top striving to keep those lower than them down.