-I have never written a blog or used a blog website before attending RTF 305.
-I think there are a few positive aspects that come from using a blog. I feel it is more convenient to log on a blogging website and write a weekly assignment rather than writing a formal essay, printing it out and turning it in. I like that writing a blog for a college course feels informal and doesn’t create as much stress as regular homework, possibly leading to better grades for some students.
-I did not encounter many difficulties when writing or posting blogs. When writing the first blog, I had a little trouble adding media, but our TA quickly cleared up any confusion about adding links and html.
-I felt that all blogs were around the same level of difficulty. However, the most interesting blog (in my opinion) was number eight, in which we had to apply different camera angles to our favorite film. I did not take much interest in prompts in which we had to define, explain and then apply a concept or system to an example from the book or lecture.
-I would recommend using blogs in a future RTF 305 or any undergraduate course at UT. I feel that it is more effective than having formal writing assignments and more efficient.
-I do not have any suggestions or changes to add to the blogging experience.
Yes, you can use my blog in a paper or a report.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Globalization
Globalization connects different cultures, people and others in the world. Technology and the media speeds up the process of globalization. Through it, the world is becoming more integrated and cultures become more alike than before. As discussed in the textbook, as countries become more involved in globalization, they must keep up with the media market and sell to specific audiences.
Cultural Imperialism is evident in globalization. Not all countries are on the same level when it comes to globalization, leaving others to dominate and take over. Although globalization connects cultures, it leads to loss of local to national cultures when traditions and ideals cross over from other countries or continents.
One example of this would be Disney's Princesses. They have become famous all over the world, possibly due to their ethnic features but have traveled from the United States to other places around the world, westernizing and dimishing former ideals and children's cultures.
Cultural Imperialism is evident in globalization. Not all countries are on the same level when it comes to globalization, leaving others to dominate and take over. Although globalization connects cultures, it leads to loss of local to national cultures when traditions and ideals cross over from other countries or continents.
One example of this would be Disney's Princesses. They have become famous all over the world, possibly due to their ethnic features but have traveled from the United States to other places around the world, westernizing and dimishing former ideals and children's cultures.
Monday, November 8, 2010
MAC Viva Glam-Celebrity and Sex Appeal
MAC’s Viva Glam advertisements have lured many to purchase special shades of lipstick and “Lipglass” while contributing to the MAC AIDS Fund. I think this type of advertising is powerful because consumers see the ad and know that when they buy the product they are helping out in some way. I also think the Viva Glam advertisements are appealing because they feature numerous pop icons, which always seem to grab attention. The most recent advertisements showcase Lady GaGa and Cyndi Lauper.
Advertising with celebrities inevitably attracts attention. Some consumers may buy something simply because their idol is in the advertisement, of course this can backfire when people who dislike the celebrity may not buy the product just because they promote it. Consumers may also be drawn to the celebrity appeal because they feel that if Lady GaGa (for example) is using the product, they’ll use it too. In addition to the celebrity appeal, the advertisement uses sex appeal. Let’s face it, sex sells, especially in women’s ads for women. Maybe it’s the idealistic notion that women have to be sexy, but it works.
MAC Viva Glam uses great tactics in raising money for their AIDS fund. Phrases like “let’s talk about keeping your love life, safe…and seductive” add to the sex appeal of the advertisement. And if that isn’t enough, Pamela Anderson in dominatrix style outfits will definitely sell lipstick. Using pop and fashion icons like Cyndi Lauper and Lady GaGa also amp up sales for Viva Glam products. MAC knows women idolize women like these and if we don’t, we will more than likely buy their lipstick.
Advertising with celebrities inevitably attracts attention. Some consumers may buy something simply because their idol is in the advertisement, of course this can backfire when people who dislike the celebrity may not buy the product just because they promote it. Consumers may also be drawn to the celebrity appeal because they feel that if Lady GaGa (for example) is using the product, they’ll use it too. In addition to the celebrity appeal, the advertisement uses sex appeal. Let’s face it, sex sells, especially in women’s ads for women. Maybe it’s the idealistic notion that women have to be sexy, but it works.
MAC Viva Glam uses great tactics in raising money for their AIDS fund. Phrases like “let’s talk about keeping your love life, safe…and seductive” add to the sex appeal of the advertisement. And if that isn’t enough, Pamela Anderson in dominatrix style outfits will definitely sell lipstick. Using pop and fashion icons like Cyndi Lauper and Lady GaGa also amp up sales for Viva Glam products. MAC knows women idolize women like these and if we don’t, we will more than likely buy their lipstick.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Three Act Structure in the Nightmare Before Christmas
In Hollywood’s Three Act Structure, plot points are made at certain times in a film and the resolution always plays out within minutes of the film’s ending. This structure is used in Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas
In the first act, we are introduced to Halloweentown and its inhabitants. The main character, Jack, is leader of the town and has grown tired of the Halloween routine. During his lament, he wanders off and is led to Christmastown, a world he has never known before. He is instantly mesmerized by this magical holiday and decides to re-create or take over the Christmas Holiday in Halloweentown. At the 20 minute mark, the act peaks when Jack holds a meeting to tell all about what he has discovered and his plans for their new holiday. This plot point introduces our complication and begins our journey to the climax. It also serves as the ending point for act I.
In act two, Halloweentown spends every waking moment contributing to the fast approaching Christmas. Meanwhile, Jack sends out his nemesis’ secret henchmen to “fetch” Sandy Claws (Santa Claus) from Christmas town and bring him back as Jack decides he will give him a break and take over his holiday. When the henchmen bring him back, Jack sends him off not knowing he will be taken to Oogie Boogie to be devoured. On Christmas Eve Jack sets out to deliver toys to all the children and fails, while his love interest, Sally, tries to save Sandy Claws from Oogie’s lair and also fails. After he and his makeshift reindeer are shot out of the sky and at our second plot point at 59 minutes, Jack realizes he ruined Christmas and his rightful place is in Halloween town.
In our final act, at an hour and four minutes, Jack goes back to Halloweentown to save Sally and Sandy Claws. The climax arises when Jack dodges all of Oogie’s attacks and rescues them both while destroying Oogie Boogie. This leaves us with our resolution at an hour and eight minutes, when Sandy Claws is freed and saves Christmas and Jack and Sally end up falling in love, while appreciating Halloween much more. The Nightmare Before Christmas perfectly resembles Hollywood’s Three Act Structure, in time and within the plot.
In the first act, we are introduced to Halloweentown and its inhabitants. The main character, Jack, is leader of the town and has grown tired of the Halloween routine. During his lament, he wanders off and is led to Christmastown, a world he has never known before. He is instantly mesmerized by this magical holiday and decides to re-create or take over the Christmas Holiday in Halloweentown. At the 20 minute mark, the act peaks when Jack holds a meeting to tell all about what he has discovered and his plans for their new holiday. This plot point introduces our complication and begins our journey to the climax. It also serves as the ending point for act I.
In act two, Halloweentown spends every waking moment contributing to the fast approaching Christmas. Meanwhile, Jack sends out his nemesis’ secret henchmen to “fetch” Sandy Claws (Santa Claus) from Christmas town and bring him back as Jack decides he will give him a break and take over his holiday. When the henchmen bring him back, Jack sends him off not knowing he will be taken to Oogie Boogie to be devoured. On Christmas Eve Jack sets out to deliver toys to all the children and fails, while his love interest, Sally, tries to save Sandy Claws from Oogie’s lair and also fails. After he and his makeshift reindeer are shot out of the sky and at our second plot point at 59 minutes, Jack realizes he ruined Christmas and his rightful place is in Halloween town.
In our final act, at an hour and four minutes, Jack goes back to Halloweentown to save Sally and Sandy Claws. The climax arises when Jack dodges all of Oogie’s attacks and rescues them both while destroying Oogie Boogie. This leaves us with our resolution at an hour and eight minutes, when Sandy Claws is freed and saves Christmas and Jack and Sally end up falling in love, while appreciating Halloween much more. The Nightmare Before Christmas perfectly resembles Hollywood’s Three Act Structure, in time and within the plot.
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