Chapter 7; Friday, February 26th (movies: questioning the media)

1.) Describe your earliest memory of going to a movie. Do some research and compare this with a parent's or grandparent's earliest memory. Compare the different experience. 

(response to question #1) 

My earliest memory of going to a movie is, going with my mom and little brother to see A Bugs Life at the Carmike movie theater. My mothers greatest movie memory, is The Wizard of OZ. She recalls average black and white film, the type she had been used to since she was a little girl. The brilliant colors of "OZ" amazed her and the movie became a Thanksgiving day tradition in her family for as long as she can remember. Every Thanksgiving my mother, my brother and I sit down together and watch The Wizard of OZ. My experience with my first movie was in a theater, watching an animated film filled with color with my mom and brother, my mothers experience with movies were black and white, and then, in color, on a sofa with her family at home. Both of our experiences were with family. 

2.) Do you remember seeing a movie you were not allowed to watch? Discuss the experience

(response to question #2) 

Yes. I remember being at a friends house for a sleepover, when I was in middle school. My mother isn't the strictest parent but when she does have rules, she enforces them, and expects them to be respected and followed. Meanwhile, my friend informed me that she had a movie called Water Boy with Adam Sandler, I remembered my mom telling me specifically that this movie was "not for children's eyes" and a "grown up movie." So, I did what any middle schooler would do... I watched the movie. I remember, that I was not impressed. I remember being let down, this was something that I took a chance on. I could have gotten In trouble with her. Its was a silly movie that didn't even make since to me then. I look back and laugh, and after telling my mom about my experience several years ago, she laughed. Water Boy certainly never made it to the "Top Ten" list of 2000, let alone any year. 

3.) How often do you go to the movie theaters today? How often do you play DVD's on a T.V. at home, or watch movies on a computer? Which experience do you prefer and why?

(response to question #3)

Attending the movies is a special occasion, usually on a date, or with friends, and family. This treat usually occurs once a month, maybe more often if I'm lucky. I play DVD's on the T.V. at home, more often than I go to the movies, it is more convenient and comfortable; as well as more affordable, viewing movies at home becomes a theme, movie nights bring the family and friends close together and make it possible to share an experience... the movie can be paused for snack, and bathroom breaks. There is also a greater choice... old classics, or new releases, the group is able to make their own decisions. I prefer to watch movies at home. While, going out to the movies is a treat, the comfort and convenience of a home movie wins every time. 

Chapter 6; Cable: A Wire versus Wireless World (Friday, February 19th

16.How many cable channels do you watch regularly? What programs do you watch?What attracts you to a certain channel?

(response to question #16) 

On the average I watch about 8 channels regularly. I usually watch the Discovery, History, MTV, VH1, ABC, A&E, HBO, and the Food Network channels. The story line and currently running shows attract me to the programs. The Discovery and History channels are informational and interesting. MTV and Vh1 are attractive to my age group because they contain shows like real world, and taking the stage; these shows are younger and involve situations that occur in our lives. And lastly ABC, HBO, A&E, and the Food Network are attractive to me because the material is entertaining and can hold my attention. 

17.If you controlled a cable public-access channel in your community, what would be your channel’s goal? What could we do to make public-, government-, or educational-access programming more appealing? Should we?

(response to question #17) 

If I controlled my own cable public-access channel in my community, I would set a goal to both be educational, as well as entertaining. I would host shows that were appropriate for a large range of age groups, and encouraged family viewing. I believe that public, government, and educational-access programing could be made more appealing by broadening the plot; People aren't going to tune in to an info-mercial... so I think that by putting some time and effort in to a few reoccurring plots and characters, the informational industry could become more lucrative. 

19.CNN and MTV have changed our society as well as the global culture. Have these changes been positive or negative? Explain.

(response to question #19) 

I believe that by broadcasting information of any kind by a television company, there is a gain to be had by a community. CNN and MTV both broadcast information that the average american (or non-american) could not receive on their own. While some could argue that in some cases, MTV should be censored more by the producers and simply allow "young people" to get ideas about things they have not yet experienced themselves. But I believe those people are the same people that try to hold information back due to the fear of knowledge. Ignorance is bliss, knowledge is power. When a population of people are unable to receive information they are ignorant and are easily controlled. It is true that with knowledge comes great responsibility and with the expansion of MTV, and CNN the knowledge of lands and people far away from the U.S. can be gained by simply turning on the TV. I believe that the sometimes "controversial" topics covered on these channels are necessary in the education of young people all over. 

Questioning The Media; Chapter 5, Friday February 12th

18.Describe your earliest memories of watching television. What was your favorite show? Which, if any, shows did your family watch together? Were there shows that you were not allowed to watch? Which ones and why?

(response to question #18) 

My earliest memories of watching television, are sitting in my living room at my mothers house with my little brother. (My mom informs me) My favorite show was "Barney", i knew all of the characters and could recite by memory all of the songs. My family and I watched cartoons on the weekends; while my mom cooked breakfast my brother and I would watch Tom and Jerry, Dexter's Laboratory,  Rocket-power, and PB and J otter ( to name a few favorites). A couple shows that came on later in the night were "not appropriate" and "used bathroom language"; these were my mothers words exactly. Some of the shows that were deemed "inappropriate" were, Beavis & Butthead, The Simpsons,  and Pinky and the brain. MTV, VH1, and HBO were also among the "adult" shows my brother and I were restricted from. 

19.How much television do you watch today? Which programs do you try to watch regularly? What attracts you to your favorite program(s)?

(response to question #19) 

I watch television whenever I am not too busy with homework or choir rehearsals. I probably turn on the TV whenever I am in my dorm room, but usually just for the company of sound. The shows I watch regularly are: Criminal Minds, CSI, and Bones. The attraction to these shows is simply a hunger for good vs. evil. As young children most of us are taught that there is a right and a wrong and that in a perfect scenario, good always concurs evil . When a character we have come to love on one of these shows is faced with adversity at the highest degree, we are pulled in and sometimes even cheer when justice is served. 

22.How could television be used to improve social and political life in the United States?

(response to question #22) 

Television producers could create programs that are more educational about the worlds political and economical challenges. I believe that television is truly the portal to other countries, even other periods in history. Through television, the ignorant can sometimes be informed through an eye opening program. Programs such as National Geographic, and the History channel have been able to shed light on some of the topics that aren't discussed regularly in common conversation. I believe that with the expansion of programs like these, television could truly become a form of social and political education for the lives of citizens, not only in the U.S., but in the entire world. 

Chart from Media & Culture

Chapter 5; Friday, February 12th

1.What were the major technical standards established for television in the 1940s?

(response to question #1)

The development of television as a household necessity began with "creating a coherent set of technical standards for product manufacturers" (Media & Culture). In the late 1930s, while competing for new updated technical standards and dueling patents war, the National Television Systems Committee(NTSC), began outlining industry-wide manufacturing practices and compromising on technical standards. So, in 1941 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an analog standard for all U.S. TV sets. About thirty countries, including Japan, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and most Latin American nations, adopted this system. In the U.S., analog signals were scheduled to be replaced by digital signals in 2009, allowing for improved image quality and sound.

5.How did visual news develop at the networks in the late 1940s and 1950s?

(response to question #5) 

Since the 1960s, broadcast journalism has consistently topped print news in national research polls that ask which news medium is most trustworthy. Most studies suggest this has to with its ability to create loyalty with viewers who connect personally with the news anchors we “invite” into our living rooms each evening. Print reporters and editors, by comparison, seem anonymous and detached. In this section, we focus on the traditional network evening news, its history, and the changes in TV news ushered in by cable.

12.Why has it become more difficult for independent producers to create programs for television?

(response to question #12) 

Although audiences and profits may have declined, the networks continue to attract larger audiences than their cable or online competitors. But the business of television is not just about larger audiences. To understand the TV business today, we need to examine the production, distribution, and syndication of programming. In fact, it would not be much of a stretch to define TV programming as a system that delivers viewers to merchandise displayed in blocks of ads—and at stake is $60 billion in advertising revenues each year.

This chart from the Media & Culture book is an example of the difficulty independent producers face when trying to produce programs for television: