Promoting the Self

I've started a second blog! It has been around for a few weeks and I have been tweaking and tinkering, but there are some starting posts, featuring the beginnings of my series, Brociology.

If you've heard the term 'bromance' or have watched the show How I Met Your Mother, you'll appreciate what I have and will be talking about. Check it out!

Midterm Reflection

1. Because of the ideas in this course I have started to view media in an entirely new way. That's what I've learned. I was watching Katt Williams do stand up recently and thought, 'Who writes these jokes? Is this all his material? How much improvisation is involved?' I was questioning the ownership of the material and the program itself, and that questioning showed me how I've been changing from this course.

2. As a critical reader I've realized that it is important to consider the stories that are not being told. Taking something at face value can be deceptive and influential in ways that you might not have intended.

As a writer I need to remember that I'm writing for an audience, not just for myself. I have to make the transition from private to public.

As a thinker I've began to consider why something is being shown, not just what is being shown. I'm now thinking about who owns this and what message it is really showing. I wonder what demographics a commercial is appealing to and judge if it does it well or not.

3. I would've liked Twitter to be introduced from the start. I read an article that said 79% of twitter accounts don't have more than 10 tweets, so the network seems to be largely used as a news feed from whoever you want. If the class is engaged in this the entire course they may find some of the ideas of the course reflected in the community of twitter and Web 2.0.

4. I don't know what the agenda is for the rest of the semester, but I would like to learn about historical and/or current events that are contributing to the massive changes and technological advancements of the 21st century media culture.

5. The course blog is an easier-to-use version of Angel in some ways. It is quite easy to clarify what is due when by going to the blog. It is especially effective because the posting order compliments the structure of a class.

Hilliard's book has been great so far. It is great as showing rather than just telling as well as makes several allusions that give its readers (students mostly) some more familiarity. The videos shown have been great and have served their purpose quit well every time.

As for the personal blog, this is a good way to keep the work done organized as well as introduce students to the blogosphere. It allows students to customize the feel of their assignments with the many tools available as well as gives them/us something to look back to with ease.

Last Party on Earth (With John Stamos!) - Media Meditation #3

Jokes.com
Nick Swardson - My Funeral
comedians.comedycentral.com
Joke of the Day Stand-Up Comedy Free Online Games

This is one of my favorite stand up bits. Comedian Nick Swardson is a big hit on the stand up comedy scene. This is an older skit of his, posted to Comedy Central's web base in '06. It's hilarious. I wanted to see how stand-up comedy stands-up against the four media tool sets.

My triune brain was triggered mostly in the neocortex. I had to keep up with the joke and the continuous funnies. My limbic brain is calmed by his attire and the serene glow of the stage. His voice is entertaining and nonthreatening, allowing me to relax and enjoy. In a reptilian reaction, my brain would jump at the sudden burst of laughter from the audience.

The eight shifts are dominantly relevant when looking at the discursive shift. Stand up comedy is almost always subjective. The whole profession is people telling their personal take on topics to an audience. Each comedian is a prime example of a shift from objective focuses to subjective expressions.

The economic shift offers some interesting thoughts. This routine by Nick Swardson is owned by somebody. How often this is exposed on public programming is based not on how hilarious or acutally clever it is, but rather how many numbers it rakes in.

Through a technological scope, stand up comedy used to be mostly an act to be seen in person. It was televised swiftly, but now we can see it archived and archived on websites, ready to be streamed at the user's will.

The seven princples further the understanding of this stand up comedy. Individual meaning is a big player in this medium's effectiveness. If you share his take on funerals, you'll love him. If you like to party, you'll like this skit. If you remember John Stamos, you'll like the skit. He covers a wide range of areas that viewers can relate to so that there is more potential for engagement.

Emotional transfers happen often in this industry. Laughter, in this case, is derived from a good thought - something funny. The comedian can transfer his funny ideas into your mind, causing the same reaction. He also talks about dying in the beginning which is a topic that whirls up much deeper and more spiritual thinking.

Production techniques are used mainly by the comedian himself. He dresses with the audience in mind. Nick Swardson has a nice looking outfit on, but it is casual enough that he doesn't look too professional in order to reflect the environment he wants to create. Everything he says is made to build a story where the climax is a hilarious occurrence or realization.

The several persuasive techniques shed some light on the nature of this bit.

Humor is the dominant technique of persuasion. It is the focus and central point of this videos creation. Swardson is there to make people laugh.

Nostaliga is induced when he talks about John Stamos. Anybody who appreciates the kind of humor he is using will probably know John Stamos from Full House. He was in his prime awhile before Nick Swardson, so this is a throw back for appreciative audience members.

Hyperbole. One case where this is used is the scenario of paying John Stamos to come to your funeral and cry. This is a ridiculous, but not entirely unrealistic, thing to do.

Nick Swardson uses timing in his delivery of a joke to enhance the effect. He builds up the supporting information in quick succession and then, after a lull, suddenly says a big, unexpected event or realization that makes everything hilarious.

Warm fuzzies: He is a pretty nonthreatening looking guy with a nice looking outfit. His voice is kicked back and soothing in a way.

There are several elements of this performance that are often under the radar for viewers. These viewers have one thing in mind: Be entertained. By asking the questions these tool sets guide you to, you can gain some perspective on what is being made, for what reasons, and what is effective.

Feeding the Fish - Media Meditation #2

Fish is a gadget that is available for any Blogger blog. It is a little window on the side of your blog that has virtual fish swimming in virtual water. It is a fairly appealing activity to engage in every so often.

How does it work, you ask? Click in the water and food will appear. The fish will eat it! That's it - easy and fun.

One might question why this is an entertaining thing to do. What better way to answer that question than to apply the four media tool sets?

My triune brain is touched in a few different ways. The limbic part of my brain enjoys the colors of the fish and the ripples in the water. My neocortex enjoys possible the obedience of the fish as well as the control over their sustenance. Also it might appreciate the fishes' forever reliable you-give-it-I'll-eat-it way of life. There aren't many surprises, so my reptilian brain is somewhat silent. If a fish takes a quick turn or something, I might be a little freaked out.

The eight shifts of our advancing world can be seen even in a simple little application like this.

The personal shift is seen in the digital act of owning fish. We're always trying to make things easier for ourselves, so this application takes away the cleaning and maintenance of a real fish and lets you just feed it and watch it obey your every whim! Now the people who can't own a natural fish can own several digital fish!

The economic shift is subtle yet real in this application. This was created by a group that had one of two desires in mind: Create a fish simulation that is appealing and easy; or make something mindless that people will use, hopefully resulting in monetary compensation. No matter how small and seemingly unattended something may seem, it still might have ties to profiting somebodies.

Seven principles of media analysis, much like the eight shifts, offer guidance and structure in thinking about being exposed to media. Ownership immediately comes to mind with this. As seen in the economic shift, somebody might actively own this, taking statistics on how many downloads it gets, how many uses it gets, and anything else that might garner a greater profit.

This application, while greatly simple, may hold varying individual meanings and value messages. Someone who did not get to have a real fish might find some joy in this simulation, gaining greater appreciation than somebody who had or has a fish to appreciate in real life. Some people might just bask in their own glory, watching the fish obey limitlessly, always eating when told to.

Careful, though. There is a certain reality being constructed by this fishy fun (pun.)(rhyme!). Owning a fish is not this easy! You have to attend it on a schedule, remaining consistent instead of having the fish work around your schedule. Also, ten fish can not fit in a window no bigger than a standard playing card. No, they will not maintain a perfectly clean tank all on their own!

Even though this gadget is simple in nature, offering only one function, it contains a few persuasive techniques that were put in place for a reason.

Warm Fuzzies. The fish swim in a docile fashion and can be colored however the user wants. The user will probably pick a color that is appealing, not frightening.

Bribery. Feeding the fish has never been easier! Click once!

Simple Solutions. See Bribery.

Symbols. This could be a protest against blind obedience! These fish just eat and eat, having no will of their own. They cannot say, "I will not eat that food." It could also be a symbol of a caring person giving sustenance to their fellow beings.

In this end, this gadget probably doesn't serve as an alternative to pets for most people. It is a fun flavor to have on a blog and some people might find a little pleasure in the absolute dominion of the fish, but it is still a small tool intended to keep people on the page so that they may catch something of interest while they feed the fish!

Nigeria's President Returns, A News Analysis

This is a news report from CNN about Nigeria's missing president returning after three months. Much like the commercials that precede this breakdown, a news story can be taken apart using the media mash up method!

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SCENE #1: ZOOMING SHOT, STILL PICTURE OF A CAR AND AN AMBULANCE.

No background music.

Christian Purefoy: In the early hours of Wednesday morning, an ambulance brings Nigeria's president home. Umaru Yar'Adua has not been seen...

SCENE #2: ESTABLISHING SHOT, UMARU YAR'ADUA SPEAKING BEFORE AN AUDIENCE.

The president's indecipherable words can be heard behind the reporter's voice.

Christian Purefoy: ...in public since he was rushed to a Saudi Arabian hospital...

SCENE #3: GROUP SHOT, MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SITTING DOWN.

More indecipherable words from the president.

Christian Purefoy: ...because of a heart condition three months ago.

SCENE #4: ESTABLISHING SHOT, UMARU YAR'ADUA SPEAKING BEFORE AN AUDIENCE

Murmurs from the audience and the president can be heard.

Christian Purefoy: No public comment has been made on his health and it remains a...

SCENE #5: CLOSE UP SHOT, NIGERIAN HOLDING NEWSPAPER OUTSIDE AMONGST A CROWD OF OTHERS. THE PAPER HAS THE HEADLINE "CABINET MEETING POSTPONED" AND A LARGE PICTURE OF UMARU YAR'ADUA.

Murmurs from the Nigerian crowd.

Christian Purefoy: ...closely guarded secret, much to the frustration of Nigerians.

SCENE #6: CLOSE UP SHOT, NIGERIAN CITIZEN SPEAKING TO THE CAMERA.

Murmurs of the crowd can be heard.

Nigerian Citizen: No body will be happy to miss his father because he is the father of the nation and for three months he's...I mean we cannot say that this is wha...this is where he is. But the good thing is that he is back.

SCENE #7: CLOSE UP SHOT, ANOTHER NIGERIAN CITIZEN SPEAKING TO THE CAMERA.

Nigerian Citizen: They don't need to deceive Nigerians. Understand, he's our president, he's number one citizen in our country. Let them know how he is.

SCENE #8: GROUP SHOT, NIGERIAN PROTEST ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S ABSENCE. MASSIVE SIGN THAT SAYS, "UMARU WHERE ARE YOU?" WITH A MASSIVE PICTURE OF THE PRESIDENT.

Citizen voices can be heard in the background.

Christian Purefoy: During President Yar'Adua's absence...

SCENE #9: ESTABLISHING SHOT, A MASSIVE GATHERING OF NIGERIAN PROTESTORS

Sounds of protest can be heard behind Purefoy's voice.

Christian Purefoy: ...the country has been faced...

SCENE #10: GROUP SHOT, GROUP OF SOLDIERS WALKING

Sounds of protest cont.

Christian Purefoy: ...with the military imposing a curfew...

SCENE #11: GROUP SHOT, SAME SHOT FROM BEHIND

Sounds of protest cont.

Christian Purefoy: ...across the north to control religious violence...,

SCENE #12: CLOSE UP SHOT OF A NIGERIAN WITH AN ASSAULT RIFLE

Sounds of protest and chanting.

Christian Purefoy: ...militants ending a ceasefire...

SCENE #13: PANNING SHOT, A BOAT FULL OF ARMED NIGERIANS RIDING DOWN THE NIGERIAN DELTA.

Chanting cont.

Christian Purefoy: ...in the oil rich Niger delta...

SCENE #14: CLOSE UP SHOT, PICTURE OF UMARU YAR'ADUA

Sounds of protest again.

Christian Purefoy: ...and a constitutional crisis...

SCENE #15: GROUP SHOT, PROTESTORS HOLDING THE SIGN WITH THE AFOREMENTIOEND PICTURED ON IT, SAYING "UMARU, WHERE ARE YOU?"

Further sounds of protest.

Christian Purefoy: ...provoked by the president's absence.

-End of first minute.-

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This report immediately addressed the 5 w's that Hilliard talks about. Most of these become evident in the first few seconds and scenes.

Secondly, the lead combined both soft and hard elements. It presented a dramatic scenario to grab reader while offering some of the 5 w's in the process.

Also, the scripting and lines are definitely more oriented towards vocalization rather than being written down. The utilization of images and video makes the words easier to absorb, regardless of how they are presented, changing the dynamic from writing to be read to writing to be heard.

A God's Journey with Musical Fury - Media Meditation #1

Never before have I been exposed to such a masterful blend of story telling and instrumental passion.

Dethklok is a melodic death metal band that is fairly unique and/or extraordinary in its current condition. The band fulfills two roles. The first is the role of a real band that composes and records albums as well as performs concerts. The second role is using that same composed and produced music as the soundtrack to the television series Metalocalypse, a show that band vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and pianist Brendon Smalls helped create. He doesn't stop there, he also voice acts three of the five band members in the show, the band's manager, and other side characters.

One of their songs truly amazed me. The show is hilarious, but this analysis will focus on the music.

Dethklok's song Murmaider II: The Water God is the epitome of story telling mastery combined with the perfect musical genre.

My Triune Brain was impacted greatly in the limbic department. This is music, and this music triggered my limbic brain to extremes. My neocortex was kept just as busy deciphering the lyrics. The genre, death metal, is the top genre for reptilian brain attention. The pulsing beats, aggressive vocals, and furious riffs keep me focused and ready to react.

The Eight Shifts in the media can be applied in many ways to this song. The epistemological shift of the words to the image can be seen in how this song is portrayed. It sacrifices complete coherence of words to create a most powerful image through the use of music.

In an economic scope, this song was produced a sequel to the band's popular song, Murmaider. The corporation that owns the band may have changed the creators' original intentions to appeal to the awaiting audiences.

The aesthetic shift is major here! Brendon Smalls is convergence in flesh. He contributes every aspect of the band and show, fulfilling many roles. The show as a medium has expanded from television to the internet, and the song is available in so many locations.

There are seven principles of media by which this song should be considered.

Those who listen to this song will get different individual meanings. The genre is off putting for most people, so that alone will make people hate it. However, the storytelling potency is so great that perhaps one can overlook their distaste for the genre and embrace this song for its glory. Metal heads will enjoy this song for it is a fantastic song. It meshes impressive instrumentals with melodic vocals, taking the listener on a journey.

The reality being constructed by the song are easily overlooked. This song takes the listener on an epic path of ascension, using powerful language and glorious portrayals to enhance the experience. This song, however, is made partially for use by another source - the television show. Consider, this song's creation may have been out of a necessity, not desire to create.

The emotional transfer in this song is MASSIVE. The vocals express the words somewhat clearly, and these words ride well with the musical rhythms. This essentially mixes powerful sounds with powerful words, creating a potent song. The events in the story inspire certain emotions. It uses the word 'you', putting the listener in a special place. This 'you' is given a great amount of power and glory throughout the song, and this gives the listener feelings of power and glory.

Persuasive techniques are a staple of any medium. In this song there are several that can be applied.

Strength is a major technique being applied. The lyrics contain powerful language: "The beasts of the sea will collect and submit, pray for your forgiveness and live as your permit." "Your minions stretch for leagues for a bloody coral throne." "I get by just fine. Check. I've known much worse life. Check. I've conquered dark times. Check. They should fear my mind. Check."

Plain Folks is evident for the song addresses the listener as part of the song's story. It puts the ordinary person into the place of the hero which the story follows.

Flattery is applied in a similar way as Plain Folks. The person listening is given the place of the hero, flattering him or her to new heights and enjoyment/engagement.

Fear is utilized in the context of the story. By the time this comes up you are already swept up into the story. You're told that you will "never stop swimming, you'll always be tracked." It makes an enemy known, creating fear.

This song is a masterful work of poetry, story telling, and music. The story was about the right type of journey. If this song were composed to be country or R&B, it would lose a lot of its quality. Sometimes mediums can converge and create garbage, but in this case a beauty was born. This song forgoes any genre boundaries I set in place for myself. It not only refreshed my appreciation for story telling, but also for the raw passion of hard music.

The Persuasive Viking

As GoDaddy did in the past post, it is time for Snickers to be judged by the scripting mash up. This commercial may seem mindless and aggressive, but beneath that soft exterior are the in depth workings of persuasive techniques and marketing tools. With some consideration, one may find a surprising level of thought and effort put into hooking a viewer.

Also, this commercial is a commercial marketing against itself. It is pushing dark chocolate, inevitably battling the standard snickers bar in a duel for consumer glory. Granted, all the money will go to Snickers regardless, but they risk an internal see-sawing of product dominance by advertising purely from a DARK perspective. Consider: Does the 'self competitive' nature of this commercial influence the angle of persuasion taken by advertisers? (In this case, aggression and mindless humor are two strong themes to keep in mind.)
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SCENE #1: ESTABLISHING SHOT - OUTSIDE A GAS STATION. VIKING IS FILLING UP CAR WITH GAS, ANOTHER MAN STANDS AT THE PASSENGER DOOR. PILGRIM WALKS TOWARDS THEM WITH A PLASTIC BAG.

Viking grunting melodically.

Pilgrim's footsteps.

Passing cars and wind.

Pilgrim: Hey guys, they were out of Snickers.

SCENE #2: CLOSE UP SHOT - VIKING'S FACE, SOON BEGINS TO TWITCH AND SNARL IN ANGER. HE THEN GRABS A GARBAGE CAN.

Passing cars and wind cont.

Viking: Nooooooooooooo...

SCENE #3: FULL SHOT - VIKING AND PILGRIM. VIKING HURLS THE GARBAGE CAN AT A CAR ACROSS THE GAS STATION. GARBAGE SPILLS ONTO THE PAVEMENT.

Passing cars and wind cont.

Garbage can thumps into car.

Viking: ...ooooooooooo!

Pilgrim: But, uhm...

SCENE #4: CLOSE UP SHOT - PILGRIM, HE GRABS A DARK CHOCOLATE SNICKERS BAR FROM THE BAG AND HOLDS IT UP.

Passing cars and wind cont.

Pilgrim: ...I got these Snickers dark bars with dark chocolate instead.

SCENE #5: FULL SHOT - VIKING, PILGRIM, AND CARS. VIKING GRABS ANOTHER GARBAGE CAN AS HE YELLS, QUICKLY HURLING IT AT THE SAME CAR. GARBAGE LITTERS THE PAVEMENT.

Passing cars and wind cont.

Garbage can thumps into car.

Viking: Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

SCENE #6: FULL SHOT - VIKING, PILGRIM, AND CARS. THE VIKING THEN EXCITEDLY GRABS THE DARK CHOCOLATE SNICKERS BAR, UNWRAPS IT ANXIOUSLY, AND TAKES A BITE. THE PILGRIM STANDS THERE PASSIVELY.

Snickers' wrapper crinkling.

Passing cars and wind cont.

SCENE #7: PITCH SCREEN, LARGE, ALL CAPITALIZED 'FEAST' WITH AN INTERIOR VIEW OF A SNICKER'S BAR AS A BACKDROP. 'SNICKERS DARK' LOGO AND WEBSITE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN.

Viking grumbles heartily, presumably with a mouth full of Snickers.

GoDaddy Mashing: Oooh Weee!

Today we utilized a one column mash up method in order to tussle with the scripting of a banned Super Bowl commercial from GoDaddy.

This method deviates from the two column method where audio and video elements are separated to their own sections. In the single column method both elements are combined into one easy and readable format geared towards the world of web 2.0.
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SCENE #1: ESTABLISHING SHOT - OUTSIDE LOLA'S MANSION - DANICA, LOLA, AND A FANCY CAR.
Cheesy keyboard music.
Danica: Meet Lola.
Lola: Mmmm Hmmm.

SCENE #2: SLOW ZOOM SHOT - LOLA'S FOOTBALL PORTRAIT.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Football crowd cheering.
Danica: The day he retired from football...

SCENE #3: GROUP SHOT - DANICA WITH LOLA'S PORTRAIT.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Danica: ...Lola started chasing his biggest dream.

SCENE #4: SLOW ZOOM SHOT - INSIDE LOLA'S MANSION WITH LOLA, DANICA, AND WOMEN.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Danica: A business of his own. Lola's first step? He built his website...
Lola: Mmmm Hmmm.

SCENE #5: CLOSE UP SHOT - LOLA WITH WOMAN IN BACKGROUND.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Danica: ...with GoDaddy.com.

SCENE #6: GROUP SHOT - LOLA'S OFFICE WITH LOLA SITTING IN CHAIR AND DANICA WALKING TOWARDS CAMERA.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Danica: And with GoDaddy's easy to use e-commerce tools, Lola...

SCENE #7: CLOSE UP SHOT - LOLA'S MONITOR WITH 'LOLA'S LINGERIE' WEBSITE.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Danica: ...was soon selling his own line to the world.

SCENE #8: CLOSE UP - LOLA.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Lola: Oooh weee!

SCENE #9: GROUP SHOT - LOLA'S MANSION AND POOL WITH DANICA, LOLA, AND GUESTS.
Cheesy keyboard music cont.
Danica: Lola dreams big.
Lola: Uh huh
Danica: And whose to argue?

SCENE #10: SCREEN TO GODADDY END CREDIT WITH GO DADDY LOGO.
Chorus singing 'GoDaddy.'
Danica: See more now at GoDaddy.com.
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It unfortunately is not surprising that this commercial is banned. The ad reflects not only GoDaddy but also the NFL. GoDaddy's commercials have always been a little strange and unique...



...but Lola was apparently too over the top?