placeholder

Global Homer-ization

       Globalization is the process of increasing interconnectedness among nations, cultures, and people. In the context of RTF 305, globalization refers to interconnectedness among nations due to the social effects of shared media consumption.

       “Cultural imperialism” is the domination of one culture over another through the distribution of media. Cultural imperialism reflects the imbalance of power among nations because more powerful nations tend to have more influence over less powerful nations.

       Take for example the global syndication of the popular show, “The Simpsons.” “The Simpsons,” an American television show, has aired in over 90 countries and in over 45 different languages. Influences from the show can be seen all across the world. In Argentina, The Simpsons Movie was the highest grossing movie of 2007. Simpsons art and restaurants can be found in many places on the streets of Buenos Aires. There is even a Duff Brewery facing a pending lawsuit from the FOX Corporation in Buenos Aires.

Screen from Morgan Spurlock's "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3D! On Ice!"

WIll a Canned Beverage Really Fix The World's Evils?

       The Pepsi One “People” Commercial released in 2010 features music by the Black Eyed Peas, a grid of several different screens; each containing a unique, culturally diverse person holding up poster boards that come together to depict an earth-like sphere, and messages such as “I care about people.” The narrator goes on to ask “What do you care about?” The narrator introduces the “Pepsi Refresh Project” that gives millions to “refresh the world.”

       This advertisement for Pepsi One ties the product to a more powerful and meaningful movement. Other broad yet positive concepts like unity, progress and equality are incorporated into the commercial as well. The ad is highly stylized and “hip.”
The appeal that most applies to this ad is style. Characteristics of style include hyperbole and fantastic claims. Hyperbole is exaggeration and fantastic claims are unrealistic or fantasy-like assertions implied about the product.

       The Pepsi One ad exemplifies hyperbole and fantastic claims for many reasons. For one, if you listen closely to the lyrics of the song, you can hear hyperbole. The song says “The continent is called Pangea,” implying that humans are somehow unified on a single metaphorical “Pangea.” Clearly, the present state of the world does not fit this in a literal or even metaphorical sense. The song coaxes everyone to simply “Forget about all that evil” and unite. We of course know that forgetting about all evil is unrealistic. Furthermore, different definitions of evil exist. Some might even say that corporate advertising is evil-- in which case, Pepsi is in trouble. The final statement that “Every Pepsi refreshes the world” is clearly an exaggeration. Even though Pepsi is putting money toward good causes, it is not realistic to believe that simply buying a Pepsi will “refresh” the evils of the world.  Even while this is true, it is easy to see how the way the ad is presented can be effective for many people who view it.

The Royal Tenenbaums: A Three Act Movie

       Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums follows the Three-Act or “Hollywood” Structure. I will focus on the protagonist, Royal Tenenbaum, his descisions, and the results of his decisions.

       Act One: The film is introduced with a narrator explaining the history of the members of the Tenenbaum family and how their relationship with Royal Tenenbaum has fallen apart. The “plot point” of the first act occurs when Royal decides to tell his wife he has stomach cancer in an attempt to stop her possible marriage with Henry and reconnect with his family. This decision asks the question; “How will Royal's lie affect his relationship with his estranged family?”

       Act Two: The conflict occurs when Henry discovers that Royal is lying about his stomach cancer. The plot point occurs when Royal decides to leave the family after this discovery. This complicates Royal's relationship with his family and escalates the steaks. Royal is no longer trying to get back together with his wife. He simply wants to be a part of his own family.

 

       Act Three: Eventually, Royal Decides he wants Etheline and Henry to be together and officially divorces Etheline. Before the wedding, Royal saves Ari and Uzi, his grandsons, from a car that crashes into the house. Royal's son and father of the boys, Chas, improves a bitter relationship with his father by thanking him. Royal also buys a dalamation for the family to replace one lost in the crash. This serves as a resolution for Royal, who dies soon after. The family attends his funeral.

Back to Normal: Plowing to a Mini-Resoltuon

       According to Colton Tain's lecture, characteristics of TV sitcoms include “mini-resolutions.” In the sitcom genre, mini-resolutions often come at the end of an episode. This structure of a sitcom episode is often made so that a conflict can arise and be resolved within the episode and everything can “return to normal” within twenty-two minutes. This set-up allows viewers to miss episodes without having to worry about much continuity.

       Examples of mini-resolutions in sitcoms are easy to find. The animated sitcom “The Simpsons” has used mini-resolutions of some kind for virtually every episodes. Because of this, plot progression between episodes is little to none. The famous episode “Mr. Plow” can be used as an example:

 "Call Mr Plow,
That's my name,
That name again is Mr Plow"

       In the episode, Homer buys a truck with an attached snow plow to compete with Barney's snow plow business. He makes a television commercial and sees success very quickly. He is even given the key to the city. Barney, who is jealous, tries to trick Homer into plowing off the peak of a mountain. His plan backfires when he himself gets trapped. Homer rescues Barney and they resolve their differences. The mini-resolution begins when they agree to merge their plow businesses, claiming that "When two best friends work together not even God himself can stop them!". This angers God, who causes a heat wave that melts the snow in Springfield. This puts both of them out of business, and things return to normal.

Connotative Power in "Pulp Fiction" Shots

Eye Level Shots
(Neutral Power)

Vincent and Jules are having a power neutral conversation in this shot.

Vincent has a quick-witted power neutral conversation with Mia. (Shot 1)

(Shot 2)

Vincent and Jules are introduced in this power neutral identification shot.

High Angle Shots
(takes power away)

This shot shows Mia's loss of power after a drug overdose.

This shot shows the profound loss of power of Butch and Marsellus after having been knocked out and tied-up by a shop owner.

Low Angle Shots
(gives power)

In this shot, power is given to Jules as he intimidates Brett.

Power is given to Butch in this shot as he prepares for a boxing match.

Power is given to Vincent over Mia as he attempts to save her life with an injection of adrenaline after she overdoses.

 

Power is given to Ringo as he wields a gun in Jules' face during a hold up.

(placeholder)

All in the Family: Sitcom Substance

       “All In The Family” redefined the sitcom because it dealt with controversial social issues in a way that no show of the format dared to touch on. Today, All in the Family continues to rival mainstream family-centered shows as far as subject matter they were willing to tackle.

        “All in the Family” is different from similar shows such as today's “Modern Family” in many ways. Firstly, the prevalence of a deeply racist and bigoted protagonist in today's network television programming is virtually non-existent. “Modern Family” contrast “All in the Family” because it branches out of the “traditional” family structure and includes characters such as a gay couple with an adopted child.

There's some things that remain the same within these sitcoms. Both “All in the Family” and “Modern Family” are centered around the concept of the family; hence the titles. Both of these shows also tackle societal issues through comedy.

        “All in the Family” explored issues such as race, homosexuality, anti-antisemitism, and even rape. In one episode, Edith Bunker escapes from an attempted rape. This content was definitely ahead of its time, and isn't shown in today's network sitcoms. Rape is still on television shows such as “The Sopranos” on HBO, but for network television “All in the Family” had some very dark content.

        Sitcoms have clearly adapted to society as time goes on and new issues become more prevalent, but “All in the Family” will remain a pioneer in this respect.

Tecnological Change: The Evolution of the Radio Industry

    
       Technological change is the biggest factor in shaping the radio industry because it provides the innovations for the industry to be modeled around.

       Technological change was the initial force that set the radio industry into motion. Without the architecture of technological change, the radio industry would never have been built. Technological change begins with an invention created by an isolated group or person. If this invention can create an industry or improve an already existing one, it has a chance of spreading to a large amount of consumers over time.

       From Marconi's invention of the radio telegraph to Sarnoff's concept of the household music box to today's satellite radio, advancements in technology continue to redefine the radio business. New and useful inventions in radio have a tendency to become integrated into the industry. Often times, the original inventor does not see profits or their invention may be popularized after their death. Such an example of the latter is Edwin Armstrong's invention of FM technology.

Be Afraid, Be Skinny, and Don't Drink Merlot: Exploring Cultivation Theory

      The average media consumer in it's natural habitat

 

Repeated ideas in television and movies can affect the behaviors of those who observe them. Often times this can lead to false or exaggerated perceptions. This phenomenon is known as cultivation theory.
The media can influence us by presenting distorted information or repeatedly defining a certain ideal.  

 Seriously, put down the Vogue and pick up a doughnut.

       Examples of this can be seen today whether it's women who believe that they have to be unnaturally skinny like girls in magazines or people in an uproar about a threat which is either very rare or not as dangerous as portrayed. We can see this with the public reaction to media coverage to last year's outbreak of swine flu or the infamous “mad cow disease”. People tend to react to perceived threats of danger to their lives even if there is little or no reason to worry.

"That's 100% pinot noir. Single vineyard. They don't even make it any more."

 

       It seems that many subcultures are susceptible to cultivation theory as well. When Alexander Payne's Sideways hit theaters in 2004, wine enthusiasts everywhere took notice to protagonist Miles' (Played by Paul Giamatti) distaste for Merlot. The character actually impacted the wine market due to a sudden decrease in consumers buying Merlot and an increase in Pinot Nior, his preference.

Getting Framed: Jon Stewart Does Glenn Beck

       Political comedy functions largely by picking an enemy and making and making an ass out of him. Jon Stewart shapes the opinions of a large number of his viewers through parody and bringing out the foolish side of figures in modern day politics and media.  The Daily Show with Jon Stewart relies heavily on Framing to deliver it's message.
       Framing is a tool used in media that reflects the intentions of the messenger to encourage the viewer to think about an issue or person in a certain way.  This can be done by selecting specific information to divulge about the issue or person being discussed.  Often times framing can be achieved by a form of commentary from a third party. Commentary about an issue or person can be delivered subtly or overtly and it can be positive and negative.
       One example of Framing on The Daily Show is Jon Stewart's comedic portrayal of Fox News personality Glenn Beck.  Stewart parodies the talk show host's unorthodox method of “teaching” the audience with a blackboard. Stewart also mocks Beck's attitude that America is facing impending and serious danger and flails himself around dramatically.  Stewart highlights his disagreement with Glenn Beck by first showing an unflattering clip from his show and then responding to it.  The careful selection of clips as well as humorous commentary is geared towards characterizing Beck as a paranoid zealot.

Watch: (Feel free to skip the MSNBC bits)

My first blog post

As an RTF major, RTF 305 is an important intro class for me.  I became interested in film as an early teen living in small town Canyon, Texas.  A lack of excitement drove me to unearth my creativity.  I began to make home movies with friends and took up animation as a hobby. To this day I wish to continue in my creative endeavors and one day hope to be involved in some form of creative production, whether it be film, graphic design, or animation.  Aside from networking with other RTF majors, I hope to gain a better understanding of media and it's role within society in RTF 305.  I plan to have a more extensive understanding of production methodology.  I also wish to be more familiarized with the RTF program as a whole.