Extra Credit Blog Evaluation

I had never used a blog before this, although I had always wished I had. I feel like it would be a really fun way to express myself.
Using a blog for this course really allowed me to get a better handle on the material we learned in class. It helped me to explore lecture concepts further, which aided me tremendously when studying for the tests, as I already understood most of the material.
The only real trouble I ran into when using the blog was adding pictures and other multimedia at first. Because I had never used a blog before, I didn't know what to expect, but once I got used to adding multimedia, it got really easy (and made me feel really technologically savvy!)
My favorite blog prompts were the more interactive ones. The ones I considered in this category was the one when we analyzed the shots of one of our favorite scenes in a movie and what they meant, and the one when we analyzed the dramatic structure of one of our favorite movies. This allowed us to add a personal touch to our blogging, which I think is an essential aspect of a good blog. The blog prompts that were more difficult were probably the ones when we had to find an advertisement or some kind of example of advertising. I didn't really know where to look for that and had a harder time finding the material to write about. It got easier later on when I started paying special attention to advertisements and recognizing certain features that connected them to the lecture, even before I knew what the blog prompt was.
I think this method is very valuable for any course. It allows students to work hard to understand the concepts they're learning about in class rather than just mindlessly taking notes.
To improve the blogging experience in the future, I would recommend giving a tutoring session before the first blog on: what language is expected (casual tone versus formal tone) as I was confused by this throughout the process, how to insert multimedia (particularly videos), and other helpful blogging tips and tricks.

Yes, you may use my blog in a paper or report

Globalization

Globalization is the act of increasing connectivity between people who live in various locations throughout the world with different cultures, customs, and languages. This is often done through technology such as telephones and the internet.
However, some cultures don't have access to the same amount of globalizing technologies, and those who do tend to dominate the global power structure. This idea is known as cultural imperialism. This is seen through the domination of Western ideas, as Western countries are more wealthy and typically dominate through their technological and economical strengths. This domination often leads to the assimilation of other cultures to the same, Western form, causing their own cultural diversity to be lost.
The U.S. is the dominant force in this Western cultural overload. The most well-known example of the phenomenon is the constant appearance of McDonald's no matter where you are in the world. McDonald's is a well-knwon American staple, and has grown to become a worldwide staple, as other cultures adopt the American principles.

photo from: http://www.thingsihateaboutbackpacking.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/mcdonalds-russia.jpg

$20 dinner for 2!

This Chili's advertisement is very persuasive in promoting a new special. It begins by showing a guy going up to a random (but attractive) girl at the park and asking her if she will go to Chili's with him. The girl then asks, "Do I know you?" followed by a negative response from the guy. "Okay!" she says nonchalantly, and they leave together. This ideal, and slightly unrealistic, situation is portrayed to promote Chili's "$20 dinner for 2" special by pointing out the confidence this great deal has given the male character in this scene. The idea of this situation being presented as possible because the deal at Chili's is so "great" makes the idea of going to Chili's much more appealing, persuading many people to go.

One of the most prominent advertising appeals discussed by Professor Straubhaar is achievement. By exemplifying human achievement based on the product being promoted, advertisements are able to persuade people the product makes that achievement possible. The Chili's ad shows the advertising appeal of achievement because it shows the guy not only being able to secure the girl and a date, but for a "very good price." By infusing the male character with confidence and displaying his success, the Chili's ad exemplifies the "power" of their special which is a strong incentive for people to give them their business.

Image from: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/ctermors/ChilisDinnerfor2.jpg

Classical 3 Act Hollywood Structure: Mean Girls

The movie Mean Girls follows the 3 Act Hollywood structure Professor Ramirez-Berg described in his lecture.
The first part, the Introduction, takes place when we are introduced to Cady Heron, as the protagonist. The film takes us through her first few days at a real high school, after being home schooled in Africa her whole life. After a few rough days of trying and failing to make friends, Cady finally befriends some other outcasts, Janice and Damien, who teach her the dynamics of high school. The first plot point, or mini-climax, takes place when Cady, Janice, and Damien plot to sabotage the school's popular clique of girls, the Plastics.

This begins the Complication section of the movie, in which Cady becomes a part of the Plastics and reports all of her findings to Janice and Damien, as they plot their next move. Slowly, Cady gets wrapped up in living the life of a Plastic, and starts turning into the Queen Bee. After the group succeeds in taking down the original Queen Bee, Regina George, Cady herself becomes the new "Mean Girl." Plot Point number two takes place when Cady has a party at her house and skips Janice's art show. Janice and Damien then show up at her house, proclaiming her a "mean girl."

The Climax of the movie occurs when the Plastics' "Burn Book," full of mean things bashing the other girls, boys, and even teachers at their school, is turned into the Principal. Of course, this is after Regina has posted copies all around the building for everyone to read. The school then goes wild as girls fight with each other and accuse each other of writing the pages from the book. All of the girls are then called to an emergency assembly in which they discuss their feelings and try to work through the drama. Cady and Regina get in a fight and Regina ends up getting hit by a bus. People then spread rumors that Cady was the one who pushed her in front of the bus, and the whole school turns against her. 

The third act, or Resolution, occurs when Cady starts to come back to her senses. She takes all the blame for the "Burn Book" and joins the Mathletes as her punishment, where she actually ends up winning the competition. She goes to the Spring Fling dance and wins Spring Fling Queen and gives a nice speech trying to make it up to everyone. She dances with and kisses the "hottie" she had a crush on, and everyone learned their lesson about cliques and mean girls. 

photos from: 

http://images1.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Janice-Ian-lizzy-caplan-881369_1400_916.jpg

http://static.reelmovienews.com/images/gallery/cady-heron.jpg

http://l.yimg.com/eb/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/paramount_pictures/mean_girls/tina_fey/burnbook.jpg

http://img.listal.com/image/1341996/500.jpg

The Episodic Format of the Typical Sitcom

Last class, Colin Tait showed us the many different aspects of television shows, particularly sitcoms. I feel that the episodic format of the sitcom is a defining characteristic which sets it apart from other TV shows. Mr. Tait described this format as non-continuous from episode to episode, with each episode leaving the viewer with a particular message or lesson. This format is very attractive to many television watchers who don't have the time or the patience to keep up with a serial formatted show. This unique aspect allows the sitcom to gain a sporadic, but large, following based on convenience and simplicity. 

One of my favorite shows, Modern Family, is a sitcom which uses the episodic format. Each episode is different, and doesn't require information gained from previous episodes to be understood. Only the characters remain constant, but the situation constantly changes. This show also often ends with a lesson based on the characters' experiences within that particular episode. For instance, in one episode, two of the characters, Claire and Mitchell, learn the importance of being brutally honest to their loved ones as the struggle to reveal possibly hurtful, but helpful, truths. Through the episodic method, Modern Family has exhibited a variety of comedic situations, earning it not only awards, but the attention of the American public. 

Photo from: http://static.tvfanatic.com/images/gallery/modern-family-poster.jpg

The Notebook Camera Shots

Directors utilize different camera shots to convey different messages about the scene and character relationships. The Long shot usually shows isolation or sadness, the Medium shot gives information about characters and their relationships, and the Close up gives us an intimate look into the characters feelings and is usually used during an intense moment in a scene.
In the movie, The Notebook, all of these shots are used to better highlight the intense feelings going on throughout the movie. In the infamous scene where Noah and Allie take the boat out on the lake, we see all of these shots at work.
The scene begins with a series of long shots, establishing the setting and showing Noah and Allie's isolation from the rest of the world and their problems.

The shots then progress to medium shots as Allie and Noah begin to talk. The conversation is casual and lighthearted, showing the stiffness of their relationship and foreshadowing the explosion of feeling that is to come.

The shots then switch to close-ups as the conversation gets more emotional. The director uses these shots so that the viewers can better understand the intensity of the moment and connect to the character's feelings.

This is just one of many examples of the significance of shot variety. Each shot is chosen by the director to ensure that the audience is able to connect with and understand the story that the film is telling. 

The Star System in Classical Hollywood Studios

The Classical Hollywood Studios utilized the audience's captivation with movie stars to promote their films, and even certain products, making it a key aspect to the studios' success. This method, known as the "Star System" involved associating stars with specific genres or talents, giving the audience a consistency to expect and look forward to. The studios would use the stars as marketing tools, highlighting their presence in films in order to gain viewers.
Because this method was so successful in creating loyal fans and viewers, it led the studios to focus their films on the stars, rather than the plot or character development.  Also, because the stars we such successful marketing tools, the studios would often insert advertisements into their films, using the stars as endorsers. The example of Judy Garland used in class shows her endorsing another MGM actor, Clark Gable, in the middle of a film she was starring in. In this way, MGM was using the popularity of one star to increase the popularity of another. This was important, as the studios competed over how many stars they had under contract; the more stars they had, the more films they could produce using the successful "Star System."
In the following movie posters, it is apparent that the stars are the entire focus of the film. Not only is the illustration a close-up of their faces, but, in some of them, the names of the stars are larger than the title of the film. Highlighting the faces of the stars rather than including an illustration more relevant to the plot shows the "Star System" in action, as it promotes the stars over the picture itself.

Photos from: 

http://www.threemoviebuffs.com/review/postmanalwaysringstwice

http://filmjournal.net/clydefro/category/blogroll/1930s/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/20348545@N05/3132505701/

http://baldmtpress.com/posters/movie_posters_hollywood_posters.htm