Text Review: Media Summative

Throughout the semester, Mr. Edwards had given the class multiple texts. Texts that are debateable, about te media, music, celebrities, you name it. I have picked 3 texts out of my binder that I am going to discuss here, and give an opinion on. These texts are: True Beliebers Ditch The Flip, The Origins Of Hip Hop, and Reality TV Fakes It

True Beliebers Ditch The Flip

This text, is talking about the 'one and only' Justin Bieber. Everyone knows this kid as the 'teenage heart throb', the boy with the blonde hair that he wears to the side, an 'Idol' to most people. But questions have been asked before, if these fans only like him for his hair and appearance, and not just his music. Well they found an answer to that after Justin cut all of his hair off. Apparently after he cut all his hair off, he lost 80,000 Twitter followers, and was left with 7,588,731 followers.

This goes to show that the fans only liked him for his appearance, and how ‘cute’ he looked, or is. In my opinion, the media made his whole appearance. They made that the main focus of him. His music and his movie that came after it, seems to be an extra for this celebrity. Media tends to make celebrities appearance more important then what they became famous for in the first place. That is wrong completely wrong. Because for 1) They aren’t letting their work be noticed and recognized. 2) Because they are making celebrities look a certain way, it is creating an influence for anyone looking up to them. For example, in magazines they make the girls look a lot skinnier than they really are, and it makes young girls think they need to be like that, so they starve themselves and risk their lives so they can look like this. When all along, it was photoshop. Overall what the media does for the advertising of celebrities is completely wrong. It is only going to continue and become worse.

The Origins Of Hip Hop

This text is explaining the birth of the music genre hip hop. Hip hop originally started with African music. The beat to their music was brought all over the world from the slave ships. Ever since then hip hop has become popular by people mixing and matching the music and beats they heard, and creating it into something of their own. Later on in the text they mention some big time hip hop artists and what they have done to become popular. Such as The Sugarhill Gang, The Beastie Boys, and Blondie.

I think it’s amazing how hip hop became so popular, and have multiple styles of it. What bugs me is like I mentioned, hip hop originally came from Africa. From that it turns into different styles with different artists. People who are racist, and like hip hop,don’t realize that hip hop originated from Africa. They are too quick to judge. I think this article was put together really well overall. I deffinitely learned a lot I didn’t know about hip hop before.



How Reality TV Fakes It

This text, shows the true colours of the media. They are sneaky, horrible, and they do whatever they can to get an audience, and earn a lot of money. In this article, they explain how the media takes what people say, and basically cuts and pastes what was said, so it seems like they said something horrible, or something they don’t want people to think they said. They do this as I said to get an audience or to earn money. There are many other examples that were explained in this text but overall this is the main idea.

I personally think that what the media does, is wrong. They can and have ruined peoples lives, with how they mix and match everything. They give people the wrong impression about someone or something, and that can really hurt. As well something that the media does that really bugs me is when editors of big time magazines like Cosmo and People magazine, they make everyone in pictures the ‘perfect person’ with nice bodies, perfect smiles, make them out to seem like they have the perfect lives when really, they are nothing close to it. By doing so, they can really endanger young teens lives, who look up to these people and love reading these magazines. Overall this text was well explained and really got in depth with the truth behind the media.

Country Music: A genre well enjoyed.

Example Country Artists:

Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire
Trace Adkins - Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
Blake Shelton - Hillbilly Bone
Rodney Atkins - Cleaning This Gun
George Strait - Ace In The Hole

Stylistic Origins:
Folk music, blues, bluegrass, gospel, anglo, old-time music

Cultural Origins:
Early 20th century, Atlantic Canada, Southern U.S.A.

Typical Instruments:
Guitar, bass, electronic bass, Dobro, electric guitar, steel guitar, pedal, steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, Double bass, fiddle, piano electronic keyboard, drums, harmonica, vocals.

Facts About The Genre:

Country music is a blend of traditional and popular musical forms found in the southern U.S. and Canadian Maritimes. It became popular quite quick in the early 1920's.

The term 'country music' came in the 1940's when the earlier term 'hillbilly music' was basically tossed out the window.

Country produced 2 top selling solo artists of all times. One of them being Elvis Presley who was also known as the 'Hillbilly Cat'. He sold 129.5 million albums. Another artist who made it big in the Country Music Industry was Garth Brooks who sold 128 million albums.

In 2005, country music declined drastgically. But in 2006, country had one of their best years yet.

People often think of country as a creation of the European-Americans, but the major instrument; the banjo, came from the African-Americans.

The oldest country star alive to this day is good ol' Willie Nelson. Some of his hit songs are 'And Then I Wrote (1962)', 'Stardust (1978), and 'Honeysuckle Rose (1980).

Now a days country is so popular, there is a specific channel on tv strictly for country music called 'CMT' on channel 38 on normal cable tv.

The types of lyrics that are being sung in these country songs, are things about life: from high school lovers, to tractors they have, to heartache, etc. Stuff about everyday life. You may think it sounds lame, but im sure you can agree it's better than singing about all the money they have and how many girls they can get to go to bed with them haha!

Country music has come a long way, and is becoming even more successfull, especially with the new country music hits that are out. And personally it's only getting better.

  

        Willie Nelson                    Elvis Presley           Johnny Cash

Copyright: Hey or Nay ?

In the film rip! a remix manifesto, they are talking about the overall issue, Copyright. It has been an issue for many years now. People look at it as a money making scheme for the government, and crushing peoples artistic abilities. I agree with the people voicing their opinions. But I aswell see where the other side is coming from. It is in fact stealing music that we should be purchasing, and it is making artists income decrease. But all they're worried about is the money they could be getting, rather than putting their feet in our shoes and understanding our issue.

I believe the men in this movie made this documentary, as a way to get their voice out there, as speaking on behalf of those who can't. They probably feel that making a movie that anyone could watch, would be an eye opener for those who are all for copyright. This film discussed how the copyright law is too hard on people, especially those who are using the music they download to remake into their own creation. I 100% agree with their issue. It's not fair that they put their foot down to people who are innocent, and who are downloading songs for something to listen to and enjoy. People now a days really rely on music to help them cope with pain, or even life. Because of the songs that are out, some may feel they can relate to it. Aswell with those who use the music an remake it and mix it and chop it up to their own creation, that should be allowed. All of our lives, people rely on the past, to build a future, and that is what some people use copywritten stuff for. If they don't allow that, it's sad to say but maybe the future won't be so bright, and lot's of people will lose a lot of money because of it. All this because of the copyright law.

In this film, they portrayed how strict people are abouot copyright. They interviewed a lady, and introduced her to 'Girl Talk', and she is impressed with his music. But she also stated the fact that it is deffinitely copyright what he is doing. They basically showed that no matter what they are going to agree with the copyright law. I don't think they were that successful with the interviews, as it didn't get far, but I think that they got a lot farther than anyone could. They impressed the lady with 'Girl Talk' and showed the artistic ability of what could be done if there was no copyright law.

My thoughts on copyright, is I don't think it's fair. There's so much ability and potential in people everywhere when it comes to this, such as girl talk. They could make it very far. Aswell it's not fair that because there is this copyright law, technically downloading music is illegal and you need to purchase songs, some people may not afford to download the music, even if they love music. I personally love music, and I really depend on it to get me through the day, but I would have to be responsible for purchasing my own music, and I can't because I have bills to pay. But I also think it's wrong if people take music or parts of films and claim it their own. With girl talk, they at least mention what artist and music they used, and include it in their cd booklet. It's okay to do that if you give the original artist credit for their work.

My overall thouoghts on the movie is it is well done, and they got a lot farther than anyone else did. They got their voice out there. The arguement was constructed, but I think it could have gotten the point across more better. Maybe by gathering people together and having a little protest to show how many people care. Overall I enjoyed watching it :).

Silent Film Era: Early Cinema *

My opinion about the films from the silent film era, is it's not one of my choices in types of movies to watch. I don't like that it's in black and white, and the acting back then was too fake and enthusiastic. I think this because movies that we are used to now a days is all colour, the acting is amazing (for most actors and actresses), and the camera movement and tricks there are makes the movie more interesting and keeps your attention on the movie.

Some of the movies we watched in media classm were Serpentine Dance, which was the first coloured movie, The Sprinkler Sprinkled, which was the first comedy, and A Trip To The Moon, which was the first sci fi movie. The first coloured movie was kinda boring, because the entire time it was one shot of a girl dancing. It was more interesting because it looked more alive because of the colour they added, but knowing that it was just the editor and producers who coloured it, kind of ruined the mood of the movie. The Sprinkler Sprinkled wasn't all that funny for me, but back then it must have been because it was the first comedy. Now a days, when you see funny movies, theres lot's of funny parts, the different ways they think of to make it a comedy is great! Finally A Trip To The Moon, it was actually a very interesting movie. The thing I didn't like about it though was the fact that it all looked fake. Now a days, we have high tech computers, and people who know how to work them, they make the scene look real. For example in the old movie, they showed the actors on the moon, but it looks fake because 1) the set up looks completely fake, and 2) you cant walk on the moon without floating while you walk, so it defeats the whole purpose of that scene.

Overall I'm not a fan of the black and white movies, because they are known as something in the history, and it is something that would be interesting to watch on occasions, knowing it is something in history.




 

Target For Teens - This Afternoon by Nickelback

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The music video I picked that is best targeted for teens, is This Afternoon by Nickelback.

This video is based at a pool party at someones house. There's a live band playing (Nickelback), there's people having some drinks, everyones hanging out and having a good time. Then later on the cops show up and try to bust the party. This is perfect to be targeted for teens because teens now a days love to party, especially in the summer, and usually partys get busted by cops. People in this video seem to be good looking, perfect body types, and having a wild time at this pool party. Girls are walking around in their bikinis, guys are enjoying the view, and hanging with their friends, and as always, theres alcohol involved at this party.

This video is showing how people (including teens) love to spend their summers, having fun, hanging with friends, and partying, of course seeing as it is a pool party, theres lots of skin showing!

Overall, the video being shown isn't an appropriate one, but it is a good song, an entertaining video to watch, and it best targets teens and what they like to do in the summer. I know a lot of my friends love this song, because it reminds them of the summer.

My Perspective of the Media *

1. I believe that media is very important in my life. It is important to me because I think without media, we won't know whats going on around the world, disaster wise, knowing us girls, we won't know the up to date gossip on some celebs. Aswell, fashion is a big thing for everyone, and our styles are greatly influenced by the media. Imagine what everyone would be wearing and what we would look like if we didn't keep up with the media.

2. The types of media that I am most passionate about, or is most important to me, is the radio, internet, magazines, and tv. I listen to the radio every morning, mostly about the news and what the weather is gunna be like, as well when im with my boyfriend, we listen to the radio. I am always on the internet, like facebook, or just searching some stuff, and I find out a lot of information just by going on the internet. Magazines, I find out all the gossip from celebs and other stuff. Usually from people magazine or cosmopolitan. As for television, I love to watch the news with my boyfriends mother, we always watch for up to date problems going on around the world.

3. I think that the media for our culture right now, isn't that great. People are too dependent on the media, to he point where it takes over their lives, so they aren't living their lives their way. Just based on what the media is. Technology now a days I think is great! But I think people are too dependent on it. People are creating technology, to do jobs at certain companies, so in the long run, people are going to be out of work, because technology is taking over. Personally, I think that there should be a balance of the two. I use media to keep in touch with the world, but I only do so to a certain extent. I don't want to know ALL of the gossip with celebs, but sometimes I do. I guess you can say I am balanced with my life and the media.

4. How do I feel about the ways teenagers are portrayed in the media? Do I think this is accurate? Why or why not? Provide examples from at least 3 different sources (TV shows, movies,music, etc.)

Teenagers portray themselves in many different ways in the media. Especially celebs. Teenagers have differnet styles, tastes, and interests. But some take it to the extreme. In high school, everyone is influenced by the media in many different ways. We have the goths, the rockers, the outsiders, the jocks, the girls everyone looks up to, the girls who get around, etc. and it is all influenced by the media in some way. Personally I think people are too dependent on the media for their own good. It's good that they have their own style and want to be different, but I think thats okay to a certain extent.

Celebs are big with the media. Everything they do is because of the media. They do some scandals because they want attention from the media, they dress certain ways for the grammys or any award show, to get attention from the media. But personally, teens that are celebs, are too influenced by their role model celebs. Some try to be like them, or get too caught up with their money, and media, that they do stuff they shouldn't be doing. Like Miley Cyrus. She got caught smoking, and it was released to the media, young girls look up to her, and she does this. Christina Agulera and Britney Spears used to be young innocent girls, but the media changed them into something people are disgusted by.

Media can really change you as a person if you let it take over your life.