Class Highlights

Before I took Journalism 2, I was always curious of what the class would be like. I predicted the class was going to be a lot of writing like an English class. I thought we were going to write stories and essays, however it was nothing like that. I really enjoyed this class because it covered a lot of interesting topics that us as young adults go through everyday. The media is everywhere around us, so I was able to relate to everything in class. However, I never paid close attention to the media and how it affects society as a whole. The class showed me how to analysis certain advertisements and TV programs. There is always a reason why the media exposes something; their main objective is not always to inform the public. Another interesting thing I learned was the history of all eight types of mass media. It made me realized how we have seriously left half of the eight types of mass media behind and really advanced with technology and the Internet. The media impacts have affects everyone in society, whether you agree with how the media portrays things or not. We all contribute to the media and are impacted by it.

I also learned a lot writing my research paper on the paparazzi. My research made me to really look into the First Amendment and understand exactly what the First Amendment means. I was always against the paparazzi but after my research I learned that celebrities are public figures that need tp give up some of their privacy because that’s what comes with the fame. The people are interested in them so therefore it’s the paparazzi job to serve the community.

I am so glad I took this class because I did learn things that I didn’t think there would be a subject for in school. I’m really now considering majoring in Communications and get into the Public Relations industry.Thank you Professor Deck.

Media Ethics/Media Law

A media law case from 2010-2011 was the US freedom of Expression and Media Law roundup on July 7, 2010. The Supreme Court has refused a petition for certiorari in the case of Pirate Investor LLC. V. SEC. this concerned a claim for securities fraud against the publisher of a financial newsletter who promised a hot stock tip to people willing to pay $1,000. The Securities and Exchange Commission sued for securities fraud. They urged the court to reverse the decision that the defendant was liable.

Propaganda in Advertising/PR

Propaganda is mostly known as a technique to convince people in a bad way, but in fact propaganda can be used for positive reasons as well too. Propaganda is not necessarily used for bad intentions because advertising is the same thing as propaganda, therefore the point of advertisement is to inform their target audience about the product and convince them to purchase it. There are many “Propaganda Techniques” used in advertisements, however an advertisement that has always caught my attention and uses several of the “Propaganda Techniques” are the Proactive commercial advertisements.

The first technique the advertisement uses is, appeal to fear. The commercial does a good job at making the audience fear having zits on your face and how it is not good but there is a solution. The use a celebrity to give hope to the audience and how there shouldn’t be a fear of taking care of your skin because the product Proactive is the solution since celebrities are using it so therefore they should and shouldn’t have the fear of bad skin.

Another technique used is, Testimonial. The advertisement uses several people to talk about the product and how effective it has been for them. The use testimonials to prove that the stuff really does work because regular people like us use it too and work for them so why shouldn’t it work for us. It convinces the audience to try the product since there is proof that it does work. Testimonials are the best way to attract and get the target people to purchase the product since there is no other way to show that the product really does work.

Internet

You can do almost anything on the Internet, from gaming to dating. The world today revolves around the Internet and relies on it to satisfy our needs, from doing a research project for school to applying for a job. It seems like today everyone keeps his or her noses on a computer screen.

I use the Internet for almost everything. Whenever I have a question about something, I go online and look for the answer. I use the Internet for entertainment purposes too, like downloading music and social networking with friends. The Internet is also the best way to access celebrity gossip like Perezhilton.com. Sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter are what I use to stay communicated with my friends and to network socially with friends or complete strangers. You need to be careful on the Internet since you can communicate with strangers and you never know who exactly is on the other side of the screen. On a more positive note, I use the Internet to shop as well too. Whenever stores do not have the item that I want, I go on the manufacturer’s website and order the exact shirt or shoes that I want because prices are sometimes cheaper online and they have a bigger variety of merchandise. However the number one thing I use the Internet for is for school because I turn in assignments online and I do research on assignments.

I do not know of anyone who has developed an addiction to one of these activities but I constantly hear stories about people who do on TV and newspapers. The number one story I hear of people who get addicted to an activity on the Internet is the overuse of social networks. I have heard that there are a lot of people that get addicted to social networking because it makes them feel good about themselves. Social networks lets you talk to anyone and unfortunately there are people that take advantage of people by doing so. People might identify themselves as something that they are not and others get drawn to it and want to keep talking to that “person” online. I find it unbelievable that people actually catch feelings and trust online by talking to complete strangers on social networks. It takes a tragedy to make them realize they need to stop believing and talking to strangers online. Usually its rape or sexual abuses for them to have a reality check about the situation. This affects their lives extremely and is so sad that things like this happen to people.

Television

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qSIz-Z-QSI

Length: 6:41

Description: The making of the movie, The Avatar

Chapter 6: Movies

Quiz Question: What is a Production Designer’s job in a movie like Avatar?

Answer: The person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films

 

Movies

Movies is a time when one can escape their everyday lives and enter into a fantasy where you do not think of anything, but focus on the movie. My favorite movie of 2010-2011 was Scream 4. I went to the theaters to watch the movie with someone very special. At the moment a young lady and me were getting to know each other, and now we are in a relationship. Besides the memory if who I watched it with, I really enjoyed the movie. Scream 4 had me entertained the whole time because it had humor, action, and suspense. It was my first time watching a Scream movie so I was worried that I was not going to like it, but it came out to be the other way around. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. There was an anonymous killer in the movie so I was entertained trying to figure out who it was; it was a surprise when I found out who it was. Besides the plot of the movie that I loved, I really like the actors they chose for the movie roles.

My all-time favorite movie is The Matrix because it is filled with action and has a very interested, mind twist plot. I first time I watched the movie was with my uncle at his house because I couldn’t watch it at the movies since it was rated R. I was about 11 years old so I couldn’t understand what was going on in the movie but was thrilled with the action in the movie. After watching the movie I wanted to be like the main character, Neo. I was Neo that Halloween and consist on trying to do the moves Neo did in the movie. That is how I know its my favorite movie of all time because it influenced a lot and still to this day I sometimes try to walk on the walls. Everything about the movie is still so stunning to me because I always remember the first time I watched it and how astonished I was after watching the film. I do not know how many times I have watched the film but every time I watch it, it never gets old for me.

Books

A Child Called It- I read the book, “A Child called It” while I was a freshmen in high school. I did not have to read the book for school so I read it during my free time because my aunt would tell me it is a really good and to read it. I was curious and decided to purchase the book and read it. I really enjoyed reading the book because it made me emotional and made me analyze my life. I came to find out that I should really appreciate my family and how they treat me. I would put myself in his shoes and wouldn’t be able to imagine how horrific it would be to be mistreated so severely how especially your own mother was treating him. After reading that book, I look at my mom and appreciate everything she does for me and my love for her grows everyday because I know, after reading the book, many kids out there are not fortunate enough to be raised by amazing parents. It influenced me more because I knew the book was based on a true story, so I knew the story was real and there are mothers who abuse their kids. A Child called It

Fahrenheit 451-I read the book, “Fahrenheit 451” as a sophomore in high school. It was mandatory for me to read the book for my English class, however I came to really enjoy reading the book and always read ahead of the required reading every night. The book influenced me because it taught me that if you are unhappy in life, you have the power to change that. No one deserves to live unhappy; if you are unhappy one must find a happy to change that to be happy. I learned that life is too short to be wasting it unhappy, life is short so always try to make adjustments to be living the happiest you can. Fahrenheit 451

The Bible-Ever since I was born, The Bible not only influenced my family but me as well. Growing up my mother always referred back to what The Bible says and keeps reminding me I shouldn’t be doing certain things because it is or is not in The Bible. I actually had to read The Bible when I was doing my “First Communion”, I had to read several parts in The Bible and it was influential because part of the Catholic religion is I must follow what it says through-out my whole life. The main point of The Bible is to live as a man with no sin, living in no sin means you are avoiding danger and evil so that is what I live for, to be a man with no sin. The Bible

Media Impact

The media impacts everyone to an extent; bad, good, or both. However most of the time the media impacts individuals in a bad way because the media has the ability to make it seem like it is easy to do whatever is being done on television. Therefore people assume they can do it to and do it but it becomes a real-life problem in their lives. The media is then who is blamed for it.

Heidi Montag is an American media personality, singer, and celebutante. She came to prominence with her starring role on the MTV reality series The Hills. She was born in Crested Butte, Colorado but moved to Los Angeles to pursue some type of celebrity career.

She was always self-conscious of her appearance thinking her nose was too big and her boobs were too small. She started getting plastic surgery, but to the extreme. She got 10 procedures, done in one day which gave her health issues like back problems to stringy neck muscles. Risk of infections and other complications rise when surgery takes longer than six hours. She was only 23 at the time and had facial plastic surgery because she wanted facial changes to her face. She had a breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, and lip injections.  She reveled that she almost died from too much Demerol, but she said it was worth it. Heidi Montag faces Health Risks

She was definite influenced to get all this plastic surgery from the “Hollywood pressure” she will see on television and magazines. Hollywood critics on celebrity appearance a lot that must of made her more self-conscious than she already was. People watch television and read magazines to see what is hot in Hollywood, however Heidi over-did what is “in” Hollywood which ruined her life.

She says, "I definitely think I should have been way more informed. I think that doctors should really walk you through all aspects of it, not just the glamorous side of it. Doctors, it's like they're selling you cookies or something. I would love to not be 'plastic girl' or whatever they call me. Surgery ruined my career and my personal life and just brought a lot of negativity into my world. I wish I could jump into a time machine and take it all back. Instead, I'm always going to feel like Edward Scissorhands.”

Media Autobiography

 There are eight types of mass media we use to communicate with society: Books, Newspapers, Magazines, Movies, Recordings, Radio, Television and the Internet. Everyone experiences each type different from one another because we have a different way in which we use them. We use one more than another and we use each one for a different purpose. Growing up I had different experiences with each of the mass medias.

Books: I used books a lot growing up because it was the only source we used for book reports and science projects. I had to go to the library and search for the book that I needed. There was a “Book Log” in my school library where you had to look for your book’s location on a flash card. It was a process to check out a book because I never really bought a book growing up I would just check them out from the library. In a book I had to look for the information that I needed for my school projects, which I liked because it was something active to do. Reading books lets me imagine of what is going on in the book, it is a time to use my imagination.

Newspapers: I always see newspapers laying around my house because my dad reads them every morning. We have the newspaper delivered to our house every morning. I sometimes pick the newspaper up to read about what is going on in our community because it is the latest news. Growing up I use to always read the newspaper because I played football in high school so I would read the Sports section to see scores from previous games and to read about other football players. What I do not like about the newspaper is the author sometimes exaggerates the story and makes the headlines very appealing to catch the public eye.

Magazines: I enjoy reading magazines because it is a blend of information and pictures. I am a visual person so I sometimes need to see pictures of what the author is talking about. I own a couple of entertainment magazines and sometimes sit in my room and read the magazines because it is very entertaining to me. My favorite magazines are “Star” and “US Weekly” because I am into what is going on with celebrities and Hollywood and magazines is a great way to inform the public about celebrities.

Movies: I love and always watch movies ever since I was a kid. I use movies to bring people together. In high school going to the movies was the “thing” to do because it was entertaining and something romantic to do on a date. I would take my girlfriends to the movies as well as going with friends. Whenever my mom wants to spend the day with my sisters and I, she takes us to the movies. Even though you do not talk during a movie, there is still that bond you have with whoever you are watching it with. What I like about the movies is you can watch them at home and still get the same satisfaction as if you were to go to the theaters. There are days when I just want to stay home and watch movies all day, especially when it is raining.

Recordings: My day consists of listening to a lot of recordings. When I am at home, in my car, at the mall, at a restaurant, at the gym, at the doctors, there are always recordings playing. Music is my passion so I cannot go throughout my day without listening to music. I listen to music to relieve whatever I am feeling because songs talk about life. Music always gets me in a good mood; it is the closest you can get to hear the artist sing live. What I do not like about recordings is it can be a distraction and possible to dose off because I am so into what is being said.

Radio: I listen to the radio a lot because besides playing music, it is very informative. The radio provides me with the latest news and I like to listen to what the talk hosts’ talk about. I usually turn the radio on in the mornings for traffic updates and to hear about any news that are going on in the day. What I also like about the radio is they give away free tickets for concerts, I sometimes to call to see if I am the lucky caller number. I get the newest music from the radio because the radio deejays release all the newest on the radio.

Television: What I like about TV is it has various channels to watch for all types of interests. Unlike the movies, I can change the channel whenever I want. My family and I watch TV after dinner and watch shows that entertain all of us like, “American Idol”. The television has always been a type of entertainment for my family and I growing up, every year we watch the apple drop from New York City on TV and that gets us together as a family. I watch TV now whenever I am bored or have free time.

Internet: When I was a kid I didn’t know how to use the Internet, it was until my teenage years where I had to learn how to use it. I use the Internet for entertainment but for homework too. A lot of my homework is done online and I use the Internet as a source for my essays and school projects. Unlike before where I use to have to go to the library to find books, the Internet now provides me with information because books can be read online. I spend a lot of time on the Internet because if it isn’t for school purposes, I am using it for entertainment. I go on Face book and other social networks to communicate with my friends as well as online shop when the store does not have what I want. I know for my Business major I am going to be using the Internet a lot to communicate with others through emails. The Internet has revolutionized the generation today and will continue to in the future.