Class Highlights

This quarter I've definitely learned more about the different types of media. To me, the most interesting part was the history. I also thought it was neat to learn what a nickelodeon was, other than a TV channel.
I don't really view media in a different way, but I do understand the significance of its impact on the masses.

Media Ethics/Media Law

At Chicago State, their newspaper Tempo was censored.

Link here.

Do student newspapers have the same rights as regular newspapers? Is there a difference between high school newspapers and college newspapers?

Propaganda in Advertising/PR

Firstly, this ad uses the "beautiful people" technique. What in the world does Paris Hilton have to do with Carl's Jr.? By watching this, I guess people will associate "sexy lady" with "cheeseburger" in their primitive brains and go straight to Carl's Jr. in the hopes that Paris herself will be there, slithering around on the floor and pretending to eat a burger that's bigger than she is.

I also think that "intentional vagueness" is used, simply because this ad doesn't explain anything.
Does the burger taste good? Who knows. Is it a good deal? Probably not. People will draw their own interpretations, such as "Paris Hilton seems to . . . really . . . really . . . like it, so it must be good!" or "Mmm, there's nothing like eating a soapy soggy burger off the dirty wet floor! Let's to to Carl's!"

Internet

I do know someone who is addicted to gaming. But if I started to describe him on this blog, I'd feel bad. So instead, I'll use myself as an example!


I wouldn't go as far as to use the word addicted, but back when AIM was popular, I was definitely obsessed with it. I would sit in front of my computer for hours, wasting time, just to wait for one of my friends to come online. And at the same time, I went on Myspace way too much. I spent hours messing with the HTML on my profile, getting it to look perfect, and making sure I had all my favorite songs on my playlist.

Now that those two things are pretty much dead, there are two runners-up to contend with. One is Facebook, which doesn't pose much of a threat anymore. When I first joined, I would just waste my life sitting there doing nothing in case someone commented on my page. Now I go on in short intervals, just to check up on things, and then I go do something else. Unfortunately, that "something else" is usually my new obsession, Minecraft. I don't know what the free version's like, but if you pay for it, it's definitely very addicting. I end up staying up way later than I had planned because I keep finding new things to do in this game, or getting new ideas.

Television

A Brief History of Conspicuous Product Placement in Movies

Length: 6:31

Description: An entertaining and informative compilation of different movies using product placement, including older movies and interesting facts.

Chapters: 6 (Movies), 13 (Advertising)

Quiz question: What was the first film to win an Academy Award for best picture, and which product was featured? Scroll down for the answer.

Answer: Wings, featuring Hershey's Chocolate.

Movies

One of my favorite movies from 2010 was How to Train Your Dragon. It was an original concept and a highly enjoyable movie to watch. It's also one of those movies that I can watch multiple times without getting sick of it. I loved the story, the dialogue, the animation, and the music. It also triggered wanderlust; now I want to visit Europe/Scandinavian countries more than ever. I first saw it in theaters, and then I received the DVD for my birthday. Read more about the movie here!
{and yes, I know it was based on a book series, but I've never read them and don't plan to}

One of my favorite movies of all time would have to be Pirates of the Caribbean, but it's a tie between 1 and 3. The combination of director Gore Verbinski, composer Hans Zimmer, and actor Johnny Depp is what makes these movies so amazing in my eyes. Throw a little Disney magic into the mix and you've got a movie I will watch every month if need be. Exotic landscapes, supernatural elements, old-fashioned adventure, predictable romance, and a killer soundtrack are almost too much to handle. I first saw POTC 1 in theaters, and then after that I made sure to see the other two on their midnight releases. It also goes without saying that I received the trilogy for Christmas. Here is the link to read more.
{and, as interesting food for thought, the new movie Rango also features the same director/composer/actor combination}

It's fun to watch the movies and count how many times Keira Knightley actually closes her mouth. In the third movie, I think it was closed a grand total of six times.

Magazine

Name of magazine: Crazy Cat Lady
Concept: This magazine covers more than the basics. Every article goes into detail and depth, providing you with all the information you could ever want. 
Readers: Cat lovers, mainly experienced ones. Ranging in age from early twenties into fifties. Mostly female, middle or upper class.
Competition: Other magazines claim to be useful, but are mostly filled with pictures and pictures and not much else. My magazine has full-color pictures and helpful tips, articles, and reader stories on every page.
Advertisers: Iams Cat Food, Los Gatos Veterinarian, Tidy Cats Litter, Walgreens First Aid Antiseptic Spray, San Jose Animal Care Shelter.
Articles: Exclusive interview with renowned cat expert Maggie Muggers, best cleaning products for getting cat barf off fabrics, kittens and everything you ever wanted to know about them, readers' pick for best litter box of 2011, twenty tips for how to be the best cat owner you can be.
Cover: Background picture is my cat, Cece, caught in the middle of a yawn. Articles are highlighted in colors that compliment the picture, and this issue comes with a bonus poster in the back.