Final (extra credit) Blog Post

Before taking RTF 305, I had never used any sort of blog before. However, I have really enjoyed writing the weekly assignments. It’s a way for me to become more familiar with a specific topic discussed in the ongoing lecture. The blogs required a means of really understanding what was being discussed and how it is used within the media. Also, that you had to search for some form of example, like a youtube video or image, or excerpt, helped increase the understanding of the concept. The only difficulties encountered with the blogs were sometimes the prompt was a little confusing and wordy, and embedding videos was a little tricky in the beginning. But other than that, it was pretty straightforward and simple. The blog prompts that included advertisements, sitcoms, and screen shots were my personal favorites. It was fun to bring in examples that I was familiar with from movies and television shows that I have seen. I would recommend using a blog in future RTF courses as well as other undergraduate courses because it was an effective way of understanding concepts from the lecture or topic. If I had to make an improvement with the blogs the only thing I can think of is making the embedding option for videos a little simpler, and also including more concepts to use within the blog; and not just one. This would help tie in more concepts from the lecture. 

Yes, you can use my blog in a paper or report. 

Globalization and Cultural Imperialism

Globalization is defined as a form of imperialism in which consumption and consumerism are extended, imposed upon the oppressed to fully assure identification with metropolitan values and to create the world in its own economic and cultural image. The traditional role of the media is said to have been transformed by globalization to become a generative force for the benefit of the economic and political ruling class. This leads to cultural imperialism which is the practice of promoting a more powerful culture over a least known or desirable culture. It is usually the case that the former belongs to a large, economically or militarily powerful nation and the latter belongs to a smaller, less powerful one. 

The United States is a culturally imperialistic nation. This cultural imperialism causes huge changes to the culture and nature of the people who are being taken over by it. Cultural imperialism takes the native culture out of the people as well as their power and authority. It also gives the imperialist nation a means of gaining capital at the imperialized nation's expense. This could be through trade, customs, language, religion, or family. 

The western news corporations are an example of cultural imperialism and globalization. Even though there are other news corporations representing the east (Arabvision and Asiavision), they do not have a great impact on the big international news flow. Referring to developing nations, the involvement in forming how they are perceived are practically zero. They are unable to control their external image, and developing nations have even less control over other people's representations of them.

Advertising is a very important aspect of the marketing industry.  Advertisements help portray products and ideas using methods of persuasion, comedy, and imagery. Having a common figure helps the audience recognize the commercial and product. In the Allstate commercials the "Mayhem" man helps sell the insurance company by playing different roles of people that represent characters of different situations. These commercials include a teenage girl driving recklessly through a parking lot, a "filthy rich executive," a transfer-student quarterback lost in the stadium, and a jogger along the side of the road. All of these characters are portrayed to be liable to occur at any given place at any given time. And because they are so different, the commercial can be aimed at a wide range of people that can each relate to one of the characters of "mayhem."


One of the main advertising techniques used in these commercial advertisements are the use of a common figure, which emphasizes ubiquity. Using this "mayhem man," the audience is able to associate the character with the product, or in this case the insurance company. The use of multiple scenarios helps different members of the audience relate to each of the different characters. The comedic nature of the commercials provides a means for "catching-your-eye." With this technique, viewers are more likely to stay tuned in to watch, and thus remember.

Three Act Structure- Phantom of the Opera

The Three Act Structure is used in many films, consisting of the general beginning, middle, and end. The beginning is usually used as the introduction to the film and storyline. Characters are introduced and are called into action for one reason or another. The middle, or complication, revolves around a series of chain events; one leading to another. And finally the end, or the resolution, is where the "battle" or final conclusion occurs. This is the major climactic point of the film, which occurs usually in the last five minutes of the film. The Phantom of the Opera shows this Three Act Structure that Professor Ramirez-Berg discussed in his lecture.
Act 1 introduces the audience to the characters in a "future" setting. There is an auction at the opera house and it is clear that something significant has happened at this place before. Not far into the movie, and after the auction comes to a close, the final item is being given away. This item is the chandelier, which the auctioneer announces was part of a 'strange occurrence' brought about by the infamous Phantom of the Opera. Once this is said, the sheet over the chandelier is lifted and immediately the surroundings in the scene go back in time, to when these 'strange happenings' occurred. This concludes the introduction and begins the start of the compilation.
Act 2 reveals the sequence of events that unfolds between the Phantom and the opera house. When Christine is cast into the lead role the Phantom attempts to make sure she stays in that position. Through a series of kidnaps, murders, and threats, it becomes quite clear that what the Phantom really wants is Christine. And so, it becomes a challenge to the finish to see who will win Christine over.
Act 3 encloses the conclusion of the film. The Phantom and Raul meet and "battle" for their love of Christine. This becomes the highest climax of the film, because the audience doesn't know what the overall final result will turn out to be. In the end, the Phantom reveals his true sense of compassion and lets the two go. This wraps up the final twenty minutes or so of the movie and goes back to the "future" to bring the film full circle.

Desperate Housewives as a Serial Sitcom

Colin Tain's lecture discussed the differences between episodic and serial sitcoms. Serial sitcoms consist of continual advancement of plot lines as well as characters that change and grow with each new situation that they encounter. This category is not very predictable nor lesson based, instead it is very complex and complicated. Many dramas such as Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill are serial sitcoms that have and ever advancing plot and continue through the different seasons always taking off where the last episode left off. Episodic sitcoms however usually have a central theme or problem that the episode revolves around. The episode generally ends where it started and each episode has little in common and shows little progression between each other. Cartoons are primary examples of this category, for example, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and King of the Hill . Each portrays characters that remain the same age, and do not develop any new changes. Episodes are predictable and familiar and there are lessons to be learned. 

Desperate Housewives is an example of a serial sitcom. Drama-based, this show begins on Wisteria Lane and advances on the lives of five women. Through the seasons, different situations have caused many changes as well as the growing ages of all the children and family members. This progression allows for new people and gossip to emerge, tying all of the episodes back together. The plot builds continually and the audience follows along as they get swept into the lives of these desperate housewives. 

Film Language in Titanic

The camera shots and angles in a film determine the importance and significance of a particular scene. The audience is able to understand and make connections with characters and their emotions as well as the overall setting that is being displayed. In the movie Titanic, the beginning scenes and narration focus in on Rose, one of the primary characters. She is arriving at the loading dock with her mother and fiance in all of the hustle and bustle of the crowd, awaiting the boarding of the unsinkable ship; the ship of dreams.

The first shot is the long shot. It shows most of the loading dock, including the people the cars and the ship. Since it is a high angle shot it takes power away from any one person and leaves the audience with the question of what is going on. There are no clear characters, relationships, or emotions presented. However, the camera angle toward the ship is at eye level giving a primary identification of a major object that will become significant in some way.

The second shot shows the medium shot. Still at the loading dock, certain characters are now made obvious. The shot shows confirmation to more specific people within the same crowd from the previous shot. There is a women, later understood to be the main character, who is strategically dressed in white, walking through the crowd. Her white attire creates a clear image of her importance and draws the eye straight towards her. The eye then makes its way to two characters directly in front of her, who also seem to share Rose's same importance.

The third shot is the close up. The main character, Rose, is now identified and made extremely clear. She is looking up at the ship, and in a narrative voice, admits that she indeed does not want to board the ship and feels trapped and not in control. Her emotions spread across her face in this scene and the audience connects with her same feelings.

Shot progression portrays the language of the film and lets the audience understand and connect with the emotions, characters, and settings of the film.

Studio System of Control

During the 1930's, Hollywood's big five movie studios, which included Paramount, MGM, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, and RKO, dominated each part of the movie making process using vertical integration. They were able to take full control of each aspect in the processes necessary to distribute and create films. These industries relied heavily on the marketing technique of the 'star system' which created a particular star "face" or characteristic of the separate studios. This allowed for the connection of Hollywood stars to different genres. This formation popularized and characterized the different studios and what kinds of films they created. Famous stars such as Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, and Fred Astaire were associated with singing, crime investigation, and tap dancing. 

Since each star promoted different types of audiences, it was important for each studio to have a hefty number of talented stars in order to create diversity and variety. The studios were only able to successfully produce genres of films if they had matching talent. For example Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were used to create singing and dancing blockbusters, while Humphrey Bogart specialized in creating mystery and crime solving blockbusters. And because the studios made each actor/actress sign a contract proclaiming them to one movie studio, the stars were the central focal point to each film industry. This best illustrates how the studio system took complete control over the film studios and monopolized the industry. 

All in the Family vs. According to Jim

The hit 1970s sitcom All in the Family and the contemporary show, According to Jim both share the similar idea of being a somewhat "controversial" family-based television show. Each center around the father figure who is portrayed quite obviously as a "manly man." Archie Bunker and Jim are both likely to speak their mind on the show and give their input on what they see as right and wrong, and normal and not normal. On one particular episode of According to Jim, Jim and Cheryl's young son wants to be Cinderella for Halloween and Jim opposes, saying his son is not going to be seen looking like a "girl." This brushed on the subject of homosexuality and so-called normalcy. Unlike All in the Family, however, this subject is acceptable in today's times because of how society is changing and how things are not so extreme as they once were.

Industrial and Commercial Influence on the Radio

The 1920’s sparked an influx in consumerism, and brought about the rise of commercials. Broadcasting companies realized they could make a profit on selling spots on the air for advertisements, and with society on a high of purchasing all kinds of new products, it was deemed as a good idea. This radio commercial became popular and changed the way society viewed objects and their impacts. When this new form of entertainment emerged it became a daily enjoyment and became a family-oriented amusement. Families could now tune in to the radio to find out the new innovative things in the world and where to get them. Advertisement shaped the radio industry because it brought more buyers to the market. Through radio advertisements, the government was able to seize the opportunity to reach out towards the population and inform them of important announcements. 

Just as in Radio Days, the commercial for the Masked Avenger caused the little boy to want the product continually, leading him to actually steal the donation money from the church to buy it. Still today, commercials dominate the media in an attempt to encourage and persuade people to buy certain products. This commercial broadcasting has caused an increase in the number of radio stations on the air. A dramatic increase from the 1920’s, the radio has expanded today into a major entertainment source; all started form the increase in consumerism from the twenties. 

The Effects of Social Learning

Social Learning, a theory brought to attention by Albert Bandura, is a common effect of the media in society. By observing television shows, movies, music, and ads people are fed information in a new context through “modeling” by the media. This modeling can be manipulating and persuading, altering many viewers’ personal morals and behaviors. With the social learning theory, there is much more influence on the audience to acquire attitudes and responses that come from televised situations that would otherwise be direct experiences. I think the concept of social learning helps me understand the general idea of the effects of media-promoted violence on young men and boys. Using the obvious example of the movie Tough Guise, it was shown the increase in weapon size, muscle bulk, and aggressiveness in film.The film shows how violence has increased in television and movies. The male population views these same examples daily through violent/action movies, criminal television shows, and many forms of music. Not only men, but young boys are exposed to this at an early age with video games and cartoons. An average boy may watch superhero cartoons in the morning, play violent/fighting video games later, and finish up the day with a typical action movie. 

Though these seem pretty innocent, the total hours a day that young boys view violence is pretty average across the board. And so, according to the social learning theory, if many young men are observing such behavior through the media, then they are more likely to mimic these same tendencies. Another example, stemming off violence would be lawbreaking urges. With many rappers and celebrities being put in jail as a result of illegal weapon and drug possession it is only appropriate to question whether this behavior is being viewed by the youth as acceptable, or worse, the “norm.” Having such “models” in the spotlight committing inappropriate behavior, society as a whole becomes subject to the same such behavior. If the general population encourages and promotes such media, it is only questionable how these young males will turn up in the later years of their life. 


My example of Tough Guise

Framing Within the Media

The use of framing in media is abundantly used to strengthen media influence on the public’s opinions and views. This affects what topics are brought to attention and how important certain information is. With framing, the media can create a whole new viewpoint or aspect of a situation and organize how it is presented. The public is then able to interpret the information they are provided. I think the concept of framing helps me understand this advertisement for the 2008 Presidential Election because it shows how the media influences what the public thinks of the different candidates. In the advertisement, the page is divided between John McCain and Barack Obama with the American Flag flying in the background. Under McCain’s profile is the words “75  years old,” and under Obama’s profile is the word “Arabck.” This obviously creates a negative connotation toward both candidates, with one being portrayed as very old and the other as being of Arabic nationality. There is no support that is being given toward either man and it leaves the viewer to believe that neither person is the right fit to govern their country. The media framed such an image as to control the view of perhaps the public’s choices, or even the general affects of democracy. Either way, it gives a profound statement that may not have otherwise been stressed towards the public. 

My First Blog!!

Well here goes my first blog for this class. I've actually never written a blog, nor did I think I would take a radio, television, and film course. But, here I am doing both and am very excited about it!! My FIG that I'm in is primarily all about RTF so, being undeclared, i'm thinking...possible major? We'll see. So far, Austin has been amazing! The University is so much fun and so pretty to look at walking from class to class. Not to mention all the people, I have already met such great people and have made some pretty awesome friends! And it's only been two weeks!! This should be a great year...and an exciting class.  :)

-Chelsea