Paparazzi : Scandalous?

We have all seen a number of paparazzi scandals in the media in the past.  From Princess Diana to Britney Spears, many celebrities have been greatly affected by the media in regards to their personal lives. 

It is evident that the paparazzi have used media and the internet to its advantage in order to invade peoples’ privacy.  For example, the paparazzi have been sure to capture and publish arguments that have occurred between new American Idol judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj recently.  These personal affairs have been shared with the world via social networking and news websites. 

Here is an interesting article about paparazzi.

Based on the information above, respond to the following questions in your second blog. 

1. Do you agree or disagree with the way celebrities are treated by the paparazzi?
2. How far is too far? 
3. Why would the paparazzi use media networks to their advantage to post personal news about famous individuals?  Is this right?

Now, conduct some research of your own:

4. Research an appropriate paparazzi scandal that has occurred within the past few years.  Do you agree or disagree with the way the celebrity was treated?  Why or why not?
5. How would you feel if someone invaded your privacy (cell phone, laptop, etc)?  Explain.

iPhone Crazy..... or not?

The old saying goes, “how did we ever get by without cell phones?”  My question, however, is “how did we ever get by without the iPhone?”  It goes without saying that the iPhone is a pretty popular electronic right now.  No matter where you go or which street you cross, you notice that people everywhere are using their iPhones.  Whether it be for music, text, pictures, or heaven forbid – calling – the iPhone has proven itself time and time again.

Apple’s latest product just so happens to be the iPhone 5 and has gained tremendous popularity in its short lifespan thus far. Read this article written on Sept. 17 before the iPhone 5 was even launched.

Isn’t it pretty amazing that a product that had yet to come out was in such high demand?  Watch this video and look at how the iPhone has evolved!

It has been said that there is a bank of material locked up by Apple that will be released slowly over the next few years.  Some of this material was made/invented by Apple’s own Steve Jobs.  Thus, despite the fact that he has passed away, his legacy lives on through his inventive and world-renowned products.  Some rumours suggest that the iPhone 6 will be launched next year at around this time. 

Considering all of the above information, answer the questions below in your first blog post:

1)      Are you the type of person that wants/needs top of the line  

      electronics?  Why or why not?

2)      How do you feel about Apple’s bank of material that will be

      released over time?

3)      How do you think the iPhone might change in the years to 

      come?  What other applications/functions would you like to see 

      incorporated into new versions?

Blogging Safety!

Here is a list of blogging safety tips adapted from Microsoft's Online Safety tips:

- Don't divulge personal information: use your FIRST NAME ONLY, don't give any details with regards to contact information, home address, phone numbers, last names of friends or relatives, instant messaging names, age, or birth date.

- No questionable photos of you or anything else: If you wouldn't show it to your grandma, don't post it on the web! Avoid posting photos of yourself.

- Remember the internet is permanent! Anyone on the Internet can easily print out a blog or save it to a computer.

- Use blogging provider sites with clearly stated terms of use, and make sure they can protect the actual blogs, not just the user accounts, with password protection. (Even so, it's better to assume anyone can see it.)

- Avoid trying to "out-do" or compete with other bloggers.

- Keep it clean and positive: Our blogs are reflective of our Catholic values. Sexist, racist, homophobic, or any type of oppressive and offensive language will not be tolerated!

Welcome to 2012-2013

Hello all you media and comm. tech students! Welcome back to another wonderful year here at Mary Ward! I am already excited about this upcoming year! I am certain that it is going to be a great one! We have lots of exciting days to look forward to and I am sure that you will be as excited as I am!

As part of your media arts / communications technology course you will be required to create and maintain your own media arts / communications blog. Blogging has quickly become a very popular form of communication and online journaling.

Through this course your will be required to reply to reply to six different media / technology issues or topics that will be posted here for you to respond to on your own blog. Each response must be no less than 300 words and should have discussions relevant to media arts and communication technology. You will also be required to respond to 6 other people's blogs with thoughtful ideas and comments. The evaluation for this unit is found in your unit guide. Once you have completed all tasks (which will take you several months) you will submit your unit guide, with a list of the six blogs that you responded to, for evaluation.

Happy Blogging!
Ms. P.

Web 2.0 and YOU!

Grade Ten Media Arts/Communications Technology

Blog Entry #6

Did you know that there is a blog born every half second? The ability to express your personal perspectives, self-publish and have a potential audience of millions is a phenomenon that was brought about by Web 2.0 technology. The video below examines how human interactions and identity are challenged and changed by emerging forms of web communication technology. Have a look at the fascinating video:

Once you have watched the video, think about and respond to the following questions:
1. How will emerging technology (ie: blogs, videos, e-readers,e-books) affect literacy?
2. How is Web 2.0 challenging us to "rethink ourselves" (ie: friendships, work, education, community, family etc...)?

A Look @ Music Videos

Grade Ten Media Arts/Communications Technology

Blog Entry #5

In 1979, the English New Wave band The Buggles released their chart topping hit, Video Killed the Radio Star. The song laments the fall of a radio singer's career caused by the rise of television. The video for this epic song was the first to be broadcast by MTV (Music Television) on August 1, 1981 at midnight, securing this song and video's place in pop music history. Without a doubt, the lyrics of the song foreshadow the new age of music videos.

With the dawn of MTV, audiences were able to appreciate the song, not only for its melody and lyricism, but also for its visuals. From that moment on, music was no longer simply an auditory experience, but also a multi-sensory one. 

You will use the critical analysis process to formulate your assessment of your chosen music video. Ensure that your choice is appropriate for a high school audience. When in doubt, consult. The Critical analysis process involves:

Initial reaction: What are your immediate thoughts and observations when you view the music video?

Analysis and interpretation: Describe the Principles of Media Arts as they appear in the music video. Why do you think the musician, musical group, or director created this music video? What themes are promoted in this video? Are they aligned with Gospel Values, or do they counter them?

Consideration of cultural context: What events may have influenced the musician, musical group, and director to create this music video?

Expression of aesthetic judgment: How does the cinematography, acting and performance, choreography, storyline, special effects, lyrics, and musicality work together in the music video? How do the visuals affect your admiration or disdain for the song?

Ongoing reflection: How has your chosen music video influenced your reception of the song?

Beauty - Is it Really in the Eye of the Beholder?

Grade Ten Media Arts/Communications Technology

Blog Entry #4

OK - so we all know very well that pretty much every image in the media that we see has been magically touched by Photoshop. Photoshop can be a great tool - but it can also be an evil weapon. We would argue that most images that are used in the media have been photo shopped just a bit too much.  The following video is an example of the wonders of Photoshop.  Watch as the woman gets transformed from beginning to end:

From hair and make-up artists to Photoshop techniques, the woman at the end looks much different than the woman who initially sat in the chair.

Recently, I discovered a Photoshop parody online.  I informed Ms. Parise about it and we watched it together.  This led to a conversation about how peoples’ self esteem are affected by the images they see in the media.  Please take a moment to watch the following video:

There are uncountable amounts of magazines and advertising companies that do this sort of thing - shave off a little bit here, push up a little bit there.  In the end, sometimes it crosses the line. What kind of message is being pushed onto us if these are the kind of examples we see each day?

Here is a little example of how one of the photo editors did the same thing to one of their colleagues at the National Post:

According to Wikipedia:

“The media's influence on our perception of body images has become one of the most significant crisis's in the lives of young males and females. The sources of mass media, including advertisements, fashion industries, music videos all tend to manipulate society through unrealistic or unhealthy thin body images that paint the picture of perfection of what true beauty should be. Along with product marketing, media tends to utilize various forms of media psychology to possibly influence a set standard of beauty or what is known as the “picture perfect body” for society to carry out. As a result of this, many young adults, especially young males and females, tend to idealize images of their favourite celebrities and/or models presented within media, into their minds.” 

Based on the videos you watched above and the excerpt you read, please comment on the questions below in your blog post:

1.  Why do you think people are portrayed this way in the media?

2.  How are you affected by the images you see?  

3.  What can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images?

4.  What would your reaction be to a magazine cover where the subject isn’t all glammed up?  Is this a possible route that society should take?  Why or why not?