Mr Bush Extension work (sound)

Development of Sound Technology in Hollywood during 1920’s

In the 1920s, the introduction of sound recording was a massive event in the development of sound recording.  Many other new items and procedures were later introduced. For example, different transducers such as microphones and loudspeakers were introduced, along with devices such as the mixing desk.  Greater sound fidelity was also found during 1920, by using the electrical system, with one of the earliest recordings made being the dedication to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

In the 1920s, the media industry also introduced the usage of photoelectric cells to record and reproduce sound signals that were optically recorded directly onto the movie film. Shortly thereafter, there was also the use of the first practical magnetic sound recording system, otherwise known as the Magnetic Sound Wire, which was solely based on the work of Danish inventor Valdemar Poulsen.

Film Noir- Mr Bush

What is Film Noir

Film Noir is dark lighting used by directors to portray emotions and create moods. For example, dark lighting can be used to portray a sense of mystery, which can get the viewer to think what may happen next. Dark Lighting often connotes the presence of evil, which may suggest that evil will follow. Film Noir can also be used to create a sense of mystery. If lighting is dark, this may make the view think as to why the lighting is dark. Is there some evil? Is someone or something going to pop out? Lighting can create various moods.

Film Noir was introduced by Nino Frank, who noticed how dark lighting, AKA film noir was often used amongst African American crimes and during war films, to connote a sense of sadness.#

NO EMBED CODE- http://dvisible.com/category/fashion/  (FEMALE LEANING AGAINST WALL)

In the following movie still, film noir is being used as the lighting has become dark. The mood being created here, in my opinion, is that of suspense. The female is leaning against a wall and she appears to be in an upset mood, as a mysterious looking male watches on from down the corridor. This is where the questions set in: who is the girl? Who is the man? Is she upset? Why? Why is he watching her? As there are lots of questions, this makes the viewer suspenseful. As the female is in the darker section of the corridor, this could possibly connote that she is a femme fatale, a fatal female. This is the stereotype that she fits in, because of the lighting.

However, the same can also be said for the male, as he is standing in a darker section of the corridor. The fact that he is in the darkness could connote that he possibly an evil/sinister character. The fact that he is staring at her contributes to this opinion. However, there is light in-between both of them, coming from an open door, which could connote the fact that safety could be inside that room.

NO EMBED CODE- http://www.pictureshowman.com/articles_genhist_filmnoir.cfm (FEMALE LOOKING AT MALE)

In the following movie still, film noir is being used the lighting is dark. The movie still consists of two people, one female and one male, who look as if they are staring at each other. However, this can not be confirmed because of the film noir. This shows that film noir can create suspense. As the lighting is dark and their faces cannot be seen, this can raise questions, such as: are they looking at each other? Who is looking at whom? Why are they looking at each other? This is how film noir can create suspense.

However, the fact that they are both submerged within a cloud of white smoke/fog connotes that they may not be dangerous. This may connote that the situation could possibly be regarding love, because of the fact that they are both in bright lighting.

3 movie stills

Jurassic Park (http://www.agirlsworld.com/rachel/beat-street/reviews/jurassicpark3.html)

This movie image is from Jurassic Park 3, which is a sci-fi adventure/action movie. The image shows one of the central protagonists in a jungle, surrounded by dinosaurs known as velociraptors.  The frame shows that he is outdoors and in a jungle; we can tell this by the vine behind him and the trees surrounding him. His facial expression shows that he is scared, or in shock.  We can tell that the central protagonist is isolated because the frame shows him on his own.  We can tell that he is not a native to the jungle because of his clothing. He is wearing a smart shirt and jeans with a hat, which may show that he came here and is now stranded or lost.

Freddy vs Jason (http://www.filmlinc.com/fcm/online/reviewfreddy.htm)

This movie image is from Freddy vs Jason, which is a slasher thriller. The image shows the 2 central protagonists, freddy and Jason, having a duel. We can tell this because Jason has his weapon drawn. Their surrounding have been set on fire, which connotes that there has been some sort of chaotic happenings in the area. Freddy is also wearing makeup because his skin has some marks on it. Freddys clothes have been torn up and are dirty, which connotes that he has been through a chaotic experience. 

Next Friday (two young boys greeting each other with smiles) (http://thecia.com.au/reviews/n/next-friday.shtml)

This movie image is from Next Friday, which is a comedy film. The movie image shows 2 young African-american males greeting each other outside a very nice house. This is odd because of their clothing; they are wearing vests and sports shirts, yet they live in a posh house. Their clothing connotes that they are troublemakers. Their facial expressions show smiles, which connotes that they are both happy to see each other.

The genre of the film, Alien vs Predator is a hybrid between action and sci-fi. The two central protagonists of the film are on the poster, as the film is based around these two creatures.The film poster shows an alien creature staring down to another alien-like creature, otherwise known as a predator. The alien creature at the top looks a lot more sinister than the predator, and the lighting at the top of the poster is a darker shade than it is in the middle. This could possibly connote that the alien is more evil that the predator. The image also shows the predator with 2 blades and valves coming out of his helmet. This connotes that he uses technology to battle. The alien looks very aggressive and the predator has his weapons drawn, which connotes that the film will contain a lot of violent scenes. Because they both seem aggressive, it seems as though they are both ready to battle. The title of the movie also contributes to this opinion, as the film is titled Alien vs Predator. The caption of the poster makes the two creatures seem very dangerous. This makes the audience want to watch the film and see why the caption is what it is, which is:  “whoever wins, we lose”. This film would probably be targeted at young male adults, as the film will contain scenes of violence. Movies about aliens and fighting usually is targeted towards males.

The film genre is comedy. The two central protagonists are in the poster as the film is based on their activities on a Friday. The film poster shows to young males sitting down in a front porch, with a radio. This connotes that they are just relaxing and enjoying the day. However, the caption reads “a lot can go down between Thursday and Saturday”, and the day between Thursday and Saturday is Friday, which is the title of the movie. This connotes that the day is not going to be as peaceful and quiet as Ice Cube and Chris Tucker would like it to be. The film is directed towards young male adults, as it contains scenes of violence and also usage of drugs, which would therefore make it a certificate 18 movie. The facial expression of the two central protagonists connotes that they both are going to get up to some trouble, as their facial expressions look cheeky.

In my opinion, the most effective of the 2 posters is the Alien vs Predator one, despite the poster having less content than the one for Friday. This is because the AVP poster makes me, as the consumer, want to watch the film. It intrigues the reader, by showing the two dangerous looking main characters, and also with the caption saying:  “whoever wins, we lose”. This interests the consumer because they want to see who wins and who loses.

PowerPoint research (Time Warner)

Time warner

Brands owned

 HBO (Home Box Office)
Warner Bro’s
Time Inc
Turner Broadcasting Systems

Media Platform used

Television mainly (broadcasting)

Products currently promoting/ developing

Warner bros- Harry Potter and deathly hallows & Nikita

Time Inc- TIME app on iPad & SI app on iPad

HBO- Boardwalk Empire (new series) & In Treatment (series)

Turner Broadcasting Systems- Hardcore Pawn (series) & Men of a CertainAge (series)

Alliances- Boing, Cartoon Network, CETV, CNN, zee/turner

Profits in 2009- 3^rd quarter profit fell 38% to $661 million, with revenue slipping 6% to $7.14 billion

Fox News, CNN, Sky News-  time warner owns CNN

Ms Wigley cover work

Media Texts are Profit Motivated

This could suggest that the people/companies who produce media texts, such as advertisements are misleading their target audience. This is because they make the product seem as if it is the best product available out of that brand, however, we have no idea if that is true. They appear to be promoting the product. However, they may just be promoting the product just so that the advertisement looks good, which in turn, makes the company look good. If the advertisement promotes the product well, and people begin to buy the product in question, simply due to the quality of the advertisement, other companies may also want to use that advertising company to promote their products/services. If more companies hire an advertising company to promote their product, that Advertisement Company would in turn make a profit.

Media Companies & Power

Sometimes, media texts are used as propaganda, otherwise known as misleading information. Some media companies produce advertisements, which make a product seem better than it is. This can influence the people who see the advertisement to buy the product without actually researching into it. These products will cost the viewers some amount of money. Therefore, they are having a financial influence on the public. The government also control some of the media content that we viewers see. As the media is now linked to the government, this shows a rise in power, as the government control the nation, and they now control the media we consume.

Another example of the Media and power is the war in Iraq. Any news regarding a world war, which is taking place in a different continent, is fed to the media consumers in the UK via media. The media are in control of what content we receive, regarding the happenings of events halfway across the world.

MediaMag Conference Notes Summary

Chewing Gum for the Brain

Why Do People talk such rubbish about Media Studies

The speakers introduced his lecture talking about how Homer Simpson is the inspiration for Media Studies.  He then continued his lecture talking about school and parents views on the educational system. Angry parents have accused schools of “dumbing down” English lessons by showing clips of The Simpsons in lessons. The Independent Newspaper also created a headline regarding Media Studies, titled: Tories to tackle Media Studies Menace. Barnaby Lennon, the Head of Harrow School labelled Media  Studies as a worthless qualification, and also stated that : “worthless qualifications give false hope to state pupils”. The lecturer also spoke of an online Media Studies blog, titled “Media Studies is shit!”, where the bloggers speak about how they “want William Shakespeare in classrooms, not Ronald McDonald.” The Independent also spoke about how Media Studies, being a soft subject, has students shunning Science and Maths in order to study Media. One of the lecturers closing points was about how people have argued that studying Media Studies at A-Level and University will not get you a job.

Online Media, Cleggmania, and the Cowell Factor

The topic of the debate is all about democracy. The lecturer introduced the debate by talking about someone called Tony Benn, whom had been in parliament for up to 50 years. He also spoke about how he had big ideas that changed the world.  He then introduced Simon Cowell, more famously known as the judge on X-Factor and Britains got Talent. He then spoke about how Simon Cowell, just by being a judge and a tv star, may have more power than some of the world’s biggest politicians. He then spoke about how converged media is a lot more interactive. Media Studies is also used to create video games, which was the lecturers next point. He spoke about how todays video games are designed using modern media facilities. He then introduced a book by someone called Danny Gilmore, titled We The Media, which connotes that media studies has become a vital part of todays society.  Nick Clegg is a name that is mainly notified as being a major part of todays Government. He then introduced something known as Cleggmania.  For one of his finishing points, he refered back to the beginning of his lecture, where his PowerPoint Presentation showed a picture of Susan Boyle, the lady from Scotland who became world famous for her performances in Britains got Talent. He closed his lecture talking about how he used a picture of Susan Boyle, because she became famous via television, but she has no power. 

Perfecting your Production Work

The 3^rd Lecturer spoke to us about how Media Studies can be perfected by following some simple tips for Media Studies success. The lecturer began by talking about how any Media Studies project needs to be carefully planned before beginning it.  Their next point was how all planning needs to be recorded, perhaps in a book. This allows the planning to be referred back to when the production begins. They then began to talk about using storyboards can help make a media production easier, as it gives the producer an idea of what each frame will contain, and can therefore make production easier and quicker. The next point was about how using Blogs can also help Media  Production a lot easier. These allow you to easily share information with other members in your production team.