Film Analysis

Chapter seven opens with a very interesting and surprising fact. Although it characterizes the movie industry as "an industry based on dreams" and assumed to be "one of the biggest media businesses," it actually brings in less revenue each year than the newspaper, television, or book businesses.

After presenting on the television media chapter, I found it interesting that, according to page 137, "movies mirror the society that creates them." You would think television would more so than movies, since movies tend to be somewhat unrealistic. It also states that movies were invented before television, so they used to be the primary source of entertainment for the nation.

The equipment used to create movies came during the Industrial Revolution. First, a machine to capture moving objects was invented, and then a device to project the images. This innovation process took a total of six people. Etienne Jules Mary, a French scientist, and Eadweard Muybridge, a photographer, worked separately to create motion pictures. However, they eventually met and perfected a "photographic gun camera."

Thomas Edison then met with Marey in Europe shortly after Marey had invented a projector. However, the pictures on the film strip tended to jump, so William K. L. Dickson, Edison's assistant, learned to perforate the edges of the film, which led to the invention of the kinetoscope. From there, two French brothers Auguste and Louis Lumiere took the inventions and improved them by developing a way to project the film on large screens.

In 1896, America's first motion picture was shown in New York City. At first, the movies were just a side show and only cost a nickel. But soon after, they became more popular, and by 1900, there were more than 600 nickelodeons in NYC.

By the 1930's, the motion pictures had gained audio and color footage. These developments led to five major transformations in the industry: the move to California, the adoption of block booking, the formation of United Artists, and the efforts at self-regualtion. The move to Hollywood occurred when Harry Chandler, owner of the Los Angeles Times, sold a lot of his own real estate for an inexpensive price and promise of moderate weather and cheap labor.

News Post #4: A Better Perspective

Last Wednesday, I was fortunate enough to view the 5:00 news from a totally new perspective. Our JMC 201 class made a field trip to the NBC13 news building for a private tour. Being able to see all the behind-the-scenes aspects of a news station was both interesting and an adrenaline rush. I've never had a real interest to pursue a career in broadcast, but last week changed that. I loved the energy and high emotion that rushed through every room in the building. Most importantly, I loved the apparent tight-knit relationships among the employees and the fun and assumed to be "laid back" atmosphere.

While standing in the control room, amazed by all the different control boards and TV screens, I watched breaking news from Auburn. AL. My classmates and I watched in complete shock as were informed that someone had poisoned the beloved 130 year old oak tree on Toomer's Corner. Being a life-long Auburn fan, I was especially hurt by this story.

Toomer's Corner is not just a town landmark, it's tradition. It's a legacy. For someone to pull such a cruel prank that affects the entire university and its supporters is absolutely outrageous. While half of the state feels that this act of insincerity is "harmless," I beg to differ. The infamous Alabama-Auburn rivalry has now gone too far.

I've heard and read numerous complaints about the continous coverage of the crime. In my opinion, the media is not reporting the story to its fullest potential. People think this story is pointless, because it's about a tree. But honestly, the media is not depicting the true emotions of the citizens and students of Auburn. That oak tree was much more than just any old tree. It was symbolic of the unity of the Auburn "family."

All that said to say, I don't think NBC13 really did a superb job of showing exactly WHY this crime is so tragic. I believe some heart-felt, one-on-one interviews with the people of Auburn community would give this ongoing story the justice it deserves.

News Post #3: "Freebie"

Last Monday was my "free" blog post due to the stress of my presentation.

February 14, 2011

News Post #2: Hope for America

On Sunday, February 6th, Brian Mooar reported on the unemployment issue. Supposedly, there was a 9% decrease in the job market this path month. He stated that 36,000 jobs  have been lost, and this is "not nearly enough to get the economy moving again." Austun Goolsbee, White House Economic Advisor, said, "It's got to be more, the president is the first to admit, but we're on the right path out." Mooar also discussed the recent bad weather and how it is taking a hit on the job market as well, as it especially hurt the construction industry. Furthermore, Mooar explained that the half million unemployed are just simply giving up since there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. NBC did feature a couple of hopeful graduating college students, who, despite not landing their "dream job," are looking for any opportunity that is open and available.

Being a college student myself, this story really strikes a cord with me, and this issue is the very thing I fear as I am working my way through a private college that I really cannot afford. I know our country has been hurting for quite some time now, but no one is really giving our nation much hope. This is the main issue I have with this broadcast. I understand that things are not great, but the media is not sharing any kind of economic forecast for our country. Like the well-known phrase "the good, the bad, and the ugly," I feel like all I am seeing is the bad and ugly and absolutely no glimpse of good. I feel like the news outlets are over-dramatizing our current situation, because apparently, it is only worthwhile to show death, hate, and sadness these days.

Mooar did close with saying, "The White House says that it believes that the recent tax cuts passed by Congress will create even more jobs." I just don't feel like this one small statement of hope is giving our country the push and motivation it needs to keep pushing forward into a brighter and more successful tomorrow.