Thursday, October 19, 2006
How much of the media you consume is global? Do you watch US TV programmes or visit US websites, for example? Do you consume media from other cultures as well or does the US dominate?
Although a lot of the media is dominated by the USA I try to make sure I watch British films and films from other cultures, not just US blockbusters. They are usually much more interesting and original. Sky movies occasionally show European and Asian films which I try to watch but even Filmfour is dissapointing in it's variety. I do watch a lot of US TV programmes especially sitcoms but probably far more British stuff. In terms of music the majority of what I listen to is British. Really it's a shame that US media is dominant because we're missing out on outlooks from other cultures and talented British writers/ directors/ artists.
a_moran at 7:40 pm
Monday, October 09, 2006
MTV (Music Television)
- A cable television network headquartered in New York City.
- Originally devoted to music videos.
- Now shows almost no music oriented programming.
- Has become an outlet for a variety of different television shows aimed at adolescents and young adults.
- Broadcast began on 1st August 1981 as an operation of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company, a joint venture of Warner Communications and American Express known as WASEC.
- In 1984, Warner and Amex attempted to take some cash out of their WASEC investment. The companies divested (reduced the asset) WASEC and it was renamed MTV Networks Inc.
- The parent companies registered for a stock IPO( first sale of a corporation's common shares to public investors), which eventually went public at $15.00 per share.
- 1985: MTV saw the introduction of a sister channel, VH1, short for Video Hits One.
- 1986: MTV Networks Inc. was acquired by Viacom Inc., and was renamed MTV Networks, still a division of Viacom today.
- 1987: Viacom itself was the target of a successful hostile takeover by National Amusements.
- Viacom is an American Media conglomerate with various worldwide interests in cable and satellite television networks (MTV Networks and BET- Black Entertainment Television), and movie production and distribution (the Paramount Pictures movie studio and DreamWorks).
a_moran at 9:33 pm
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
"My Showbiz Career" from "Breakfast On Pluto"
I chose to analyse this scene from the film "Breakfast On Pluto" as it shows the inner emotions of the two characters- the protagonist Kitten and the lead singer of 'The Mohawks' Billy. A number of techniques are used in order to convey the relationship between the two and also to show the emotional connection between them. Firstly in this scene the camera pans around the two characters onstage showing them both in a profile view. This allows the audience to see them gazing into eachothers eyes and creates a romantic feeling between them. Also, it shows the status of each of them in the relationship by their body language. Kitten looks infatuated by Billy while Billy returns an intense stare, thus portraying him as the more dominant in the relationship.
The lyrics of the song are also used to convey the feelings between them. Billy sings 'I am a stranger in your land' which could be interpreted as him being new to Kitten's world of cross-dressing and homosexuality. Editing throughout the scene also includes fades creating a romantic, dreamy atmosphere. These elements accumulate in making the scene a romantic connection between the two characters, showing their status within the relationship and their feelings towards eachother through body language.
a_moran at 10:49 am