Task Six: Violence in the Media

1. What is this text, and where did you first see it?

This text is a clip from the film Edge of Darkness. It shows a woman who has gotten out of the front passenger seat of a car. She then gets hit by an oncoming car traveling at a very high speed. I viewed this film with my mother and father at our home.

2. What type of violence is being represented in this media text? (Sanitized, choreographed, gratuitous?)

I think the violence being represented is gratuitous. Not only does the scene startle you, but it makes you want to turn away. The scene happens very quickly, and it does not give you the oportunity to make a choice of whether you want to view the violence or not. As well, the distance that the woman travels after being hit by the car was very far, and somewhat unrealistic.

3. What classifies your choice as either justifiable or gratuitous? Explain your reasoning.

I do not feel that the scene is overly gratuitous. It is slightly overdone, and the fact that you are not given enough time to make the decision of watching it or not makes it gratuitous. As well, the woman had just helped someone, and she was rewarded by being hit by a car. I feel that the circumstances make it more gratuitous. If it had been an antagonist being hit by a car I think that the reaction from people may have been different, but that is obviously not the case.

4. Can anyoen view this image, or is it controlled by a rating? Do you agree with the availability of this text? Can children view this text?

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) rated this film R, meaning that children under 17 are able to view this film with the accompaniment of either a parent or an adult guardian. This means that it is possible under certain circumstances, for a child of any age to see this film. I do not feel that it is appropriate for anyone under about 16, not only due to the graphic violence scenes, but the fact that the plot is simply too complex for them to grasp.

5. What is your personal reaction to this piece of media?

My personal reaction to this piece of media is that it is over the top. Although it does get a "how did they do it" reaction, and it does entertain, I feel they could have accomplished the same thing by changing this particular scene. I kinow that other people probably have a different opinion about the scene, but I feel that it is gratuitous. I am not usually someone who is affected by violencce scenes, but this particular one did make me turn away. Within the few minutes of getting to know the character, you feel pathos for her because she decides to help a father looking for his daughter's killer even though she has her own family at home to protect. You are made aware of the risks she is taking to do something good for someone else. I do not feel that killing her was necessary, or at least not the method and graphicness used.

Task Five: Course Evaluation

Taking this course was something I will never regret. EMS 3O has helped me create my own opinion of media. It has made me aware of many different aspects that I otherwise would never have known about. I now have the ability to critique many different forms of media, and I have the knowledge to do so in a precise and correct way. I liked how the course changed to fit what the media is giving us right now, and how current it really is. I enjoyed how we had the opportunity to use many of our personal influences and things we can relate to, rather than having something specifically given to us to use as material. Never once was I bored from our lessons, and I was always eager to learn something else I could apply at home, whether it was critiquing and movie or simply understanding why a commercial was made a certain way. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to be creative, and learn about the world we are living in and experiencing right now.

Task Four: Movies and the Media

Movie #3: I Am Sam

This movie is about a mentally disabled father, fighting for his right to keep his child. Along the way he affects many lives, including that of a mother who is a lawyer, who is too preoccupied with her job to truly see what she has right at home. This film was directed by Jessie Nelson, and was released on January 25th, 2002. Main actors are Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, and Dianne Wiest.

I love this movie because of the raw emotion it evokes. The movie is simply about the unconditional love between Sam and his daughter Lucy. The life lessons shown in this movie are great as well, as Sam shows his lawyer, Rita Williams, what priorities truly are important in life. Of course, the acting is phenomenal, with Sean Penn’s portrayal of a mentally challenged father. As well, the underlying theme of The Beatles in this film really hits home, as they have been extremely important in my life since a very young age. I think it’s impossible to watch this film without it stirring emotion, and it really puts your entire life into perspective and makes you very thankful for everything you have every single time you watch it. Because in the end, “all you need is love”.

Task Four: Movies and the Media

Movie #2: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

This movie is one of four, and is about an archaeologist who doubles as an adventure seeking, trouble finding man hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis’ find it first. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark was directed by Steven Spielberg, and released on June 12th, 1981. The main actors include Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman and Ronald Lacey.

Although I love every single Indiana Jones film, this was always my favourite. I was introduced to these movies by my father, and they were always ones that we could agree on to watch. I love the nature of the film; adventurous and humorous. I have always been a fan of Harrison Ford, and these movies are exactly why. These were some of the first action films I had seen, and they will always stick as some of my favourites. I love “Indiana” Jones’ determination, values, and personality, and I feel that they all are equally a part of making such an important character in movie history.

Task Four: Movies and the Media

Movie #1: Chicago

This movie is about a woman named Roxie Hart, who wanted to make it big on stage but ended up making it big behind bars after murdering her lover. Using comedy and catchy tracks, it goes through the ups and downs of her rise to stardom. Chicago was directed by Rob Marshall, and released on February 7th, 2003. Main actors included Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly.

Although a strange pick, I really enjoy this movie. This is the movie that got me really into musicals. I think the acting is fantastic, and all of the actors portrayed their characters wonderfully. As well, their dancing and acting skills were very surprising. I loved the comedy spread throughout the film, and the ups and downs all of the characters experienced. Although I would have to say the soundtrack was my ultimate favourite aspect of the film. Every single song was catchy and suitable in its own way. Some were explosive; with fast beats and even faster dance moves, and others were slow and seductive, both in lyrics and performance. As well, every costume in the film was fitting. Many were extravagant and flashy, while others were properly dull. I personally think the entire movie is exciting and a great watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBM82Ju2kJU&feature=related

Task Three: Advertising and Me

Adidas Soccer

The ad techniques used in this commercial for Adidas are excitement and star power. This commercial shows two children who decide to create star soccer teams to play each other. The excitement for these kids in playing a soccer match with professional soccer players is immense. They live in an underdeveloped country, and the likelihood of this actually happening is slim to none. The catch phrase for Adidas is “Impossible is Nothing”, and they are showing this through their unlikely soccer match. The boys chose various players like Kaka, Beckham and many others. By having all of these big names and faces from many different teams and countries in this commercial, they are making sure that there is a player there for anyone.

This commercial is part of something very important in my life. I have played soccer for thirteen years, and it has become one of the most important things in my life. Although I do not follow professional soccer as much as other people do, just seeing a commercial solely about soccer was very exciting. As well, Adidas has always been my favourite athletic brand, so having this commercial come from them was also a very nice thing to see. They are promoting imagination, physical activity, and especially soccer all in one commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW16tXP9JHA

Task Three: Advertising and Me

BCSPCA and Sarah McLachlan

The ad techniques used in this ad are heart strings and star power. This commercial uses the faces of innocent, sad looking animals to get your emotions invested in the ad. They use slow transitions and slow sad music to help this technique work. Anyone who watches this commercial will feel sympathy for the poor animals shown in it, and will then continue to watch the commercial to see what they can do to help stop this. In this commercial they used Sarah McLachlan’s song In the Arms of An Angel. This is a very moving and emotional song, and works very well with the transitions and mood of the entire commercial. As well, at the end Sarah McLachlan makes an appearance, shows her support for the foundation and asks that you do the same. This works because they are showing someone of importance associating themselves with this cause, making you more likely to do the same.

This commercial for the BCSPCA has helped shape my life. I have always loved animals, but commercials like these help me keep my passion for helping them going. My family and I have adopted two cats from the humane society, one having been very close to not finding a home. The SPCA gives people who love animals an outlet to help them, and make all of their efforts the most useful that they possibly can be. This foundation is all about helping animals, and giving them a second chance that they otherwise wouldn’t get.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gspElv1yvc&feature=related

Task Two: Celebrity Role Models

Celebrity #3: Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning was born on March 24th, 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He married his wife Ashley on St. Patrick’s Day in 2001. His father Archie as well as his younger brother Eli played in the NFL. He started playing football in high school, and excelled all the way through college. He was selected first overall in the 1998 draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Manning was named MVP in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 with the record for the most NFL MVP awards. In 2006 Peyton Manning experienced his first Super Bowl Championship against the Chicago Bears, also winning the Super Bowl MVP. Throughout his 12 year career as the Indianapolis Colts’ starting quarterback, he has proved to be arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. He has received over 35 awards over his professional career, as well as dozens of high school and college awards, proving his dedication and talent all throughout his life.

Very shortly after he entered into the NFL, Peyton founded his own charity called the Peyback Foundation. The purpose of it is to help underprivileged kids, especially in the Louisiana area. Peyton and his brother Eli also volunteered their assistance during the rebuilding after hurricane Katrina. In 2007, St. Vincent Hospital renamed it’s children’s hospital Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent” due to his and his wife’s great involvement and dedication to the hospital throughout their time in Indianapolis. As well, Manning has appeared on SNL and has been in many commercials, and is known to be a very naturally funny person.

Peyton Manning is the ultimate athlete. He truly has the entire package when it comes to on and off the field. Ever since he was in high school he has showed his immense dedication to achieving and excelling in everything he does. As well, he has showed his dedication to helping people and fans all over the country and giving back for all the support they’ve given him. It is blatantly obvious how successful Peyton Manning has been over the years, with his four MVP awards, Super Bowl Championship, and Super Bowl MVP award. His success can be measured by his accomplishments off the field as well; even just by the time and courtesy he gives all his young fans every chance he gets.

Peyton Manning’s personal achievements not only include his accomplishments on the field, but his image off. He has managed to keep his image clean and respectable, as he understands that he is a huge role model for people of every age. His values are clearly respectable, and lie very much in giving back to everyone who helped him reach his goals. His parents instilled lifelong values in him that are very obviously still working to this day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G0loI0Jn5M

Task Two: Celebrity Role Models

Celebrity #2: Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp was born in Owensboro, Kentucky on June 9th, 1963 and is of Cherokee, Irish and German descent. He dropped out of school at 15 with aspirations of becoming a musical star. While in California with his first wife, Lori Anne Allison, he was introduced by her to Nicolas Cage, who helped him land his first acting role in Nightmare on Elm Street in 1984. From there, he got his ultimate “jumpstart” in 21 Jump Street in 1987. But only in 1990, when he started collaborating with director Tim Burton did Depp’s true potential start to show. His first Burton film was Edward Scissorhands (1990), and he continued to star in his films, including Ed Wood (1994) and Sleepy Hollow (1999). As one of the most talented and versatile actors in Hollywood, Depp has excelled in films like Blow (2001) as George Jung, Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) as Captain Jack Sparrow and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) as Willy Wonka.

Johnny has been engaged multiple times, to different actresses including Winona Ryder and Kate Moss. He is now happily living with, but not married to his girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis and their two children; Lily-Rose Melody, 11 and Jack, 8. Depp has always done his best to stay out of the spotlight, as he lives with his family in France. As well, Depp has been part of multiple “sexiest stars” lists over the years, being named People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2003. He has also always been knownt to be a very witty, person with a great sense of humour. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 19th 1999, with Tim Burton as a guest speaker.

Johnny Depp is important to me because of his accomplishments. He’s one of the greatest actors of all time, and has never succumbed to the limelight of Hollywood. His style is one that cannot be tied down by one description; it is unique and ever changing. At one point he will be sporting a clean shaven, pulled together look, and the next he will be bearded and eclectic. From the very beginning he was always ambitious, and always put everything he had into every single role he played.

Personally, I don’t think that his awards are an accurate example of the talent he has. Although he has been nominated for dozens of awards over the years, he has won a very small amount of them. In my opinion, he has never been “Hollywood” enough, yet I find that to be one of the most intriguing things about him. I do not think that the minuscule amount of awards he has actually won do him justice whatsoever. Johnny Depp has always been a very artistic person, through his music, acting, and other outlets he’s used. Although I find his acting to be the greatest one he has at his disposal. He truly is a chameleon when it comes to playing a role.

I feel that Depp’s biggest accomplishment is breaking the mould of what a true “celebrity” should be seen as. He has more talent than the majority of people in the business at this time, but shows it in a very discreet way. You will never see Depp flaunt anything he has in a way that many others will do. Depp has always been a humble, down to earth person. He will always be associated with his early image of being a “bad boy”, but I feel that he’s doing a great job of taking on the responsibility and persona of being a family man and a father very well.

Task Two: Celebrity Role Models

Celebrity #1: John Lennon

John Lennon was born on October 9th, 1940 in Liverpool, England. John was always an artistic, witty, outgoing boy. Due to his average grades, his teacher recommended he go to an art related college since he showed an immense interest and talent in all fields of art he had already experimented in. From 1957 to 1962 there were multiple changes of band name and band members, but in 1962 the final change was made. The name of the band stayed as The Beatles, and the members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey). The band made a total of 27 studio albums, the majority having either gone gold or platinum in the US or the UK.

John Lennon earned himself the much used title of musical genius for his melodic songs, mind-blowing lyrics and profound knowledge and use of music itself. John had married a woman named Cynthia, and had a son named Julian in the marriage. He later left her for his second wife, Yoko Ono in 1969, and split in the fall of 1973, and reunited in 1975. They then had a son named Sean. During the time John and Yoko planned on making a comeback into the industry with music and humanitarian actions, John was shot outside his apartment building on December 8th, 1980.

John Lennon has a huge importance in my life. The Beatles were the first music I even listened to as a child, and they always remained my favorite. John Lennon always did what made him happy and wrote his music around what he believed in. His style changed many times throughout his career as a music artist, but it was always something he felt comfortable with. His ambition was always clear: world peace. He spent his career doing many different humanitarian works, and wrote much of his music showing this to the world.

I believe that his success is truly immeasurable, as he is still succeeding now even after his death. People all around the world, young and old, listen to his music not only for the obvious talent, but for the inspiration to be a better, more peaceful person. Some of his success can be measured, The Beatles had over 40 gold and platinum awards for their albums, with an incredible feat having their White Album go 19x platinum in the US. His art, most obviously was his music. He managed to write his music in such a way that it gave the listener a chance to create a fantastic, unique visual.

His values were obvious; to create great music, and to spread the word of peace. He spent much of his life traveling and promoting peace and love, and using his music as an outlet. Although his life was cut tragically and selfishly short, he still managed to spread the word of peace around the world. I think one of the easiest ways to prove that is by how popular their music and John Lennon specifically still are. As well, how many people who know who they are and what they are about who are much after their time. The beautiful music he wrote will live on as long as peace still has a chance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A4r2RU1u3g

Task One: Deconstruct Favorite Piece of Media

Text
1. What kind of media text is this?
This media text is the song Imagine, by John Lennon.
2. What are the media conventions used?
The media conventions used are that of a written song.
3. What values are being promoted? Are they my values?
The values that are being promoted in this song are values of unity, peace and love. John Lennon was a humanitarian, and wrote this song in hopes that people will start to live their lives without hate or violence. He knows he is not the only one who dreams of a world consumed by peace, but he knew that not everyone had the same mind set, and he was hoping that he might be able to change their minds. The values that are promoted in this song are definitely in likeness to mine. Although I am no humanitarian, I do my best to avoid violence, and keep a peaceful mindset. One of my biggest unanswered questions is why people participate in war, and I hope, just like John Lennon that someday the world will come to their senses and will live as one.

Production
1. Who produced this media text and for what purpose?
This media text was produced by John Lennon, a late former member of the worldwide phenomenon music group, The Beatles. The purpose of creating this media text was in the hopes that all the skeptics would realize that real happiness comes from living in peace as one. His goal was to show the world that some of the things that we feel help our society function are actually the things that we are letting hurt us the most; religion, country, Heaven and Hell, countries, religions, or possessions.
2. How is this text distributed? Who will profit?
This text was distributed through the music industry, but simply by the following that John Lennon had acquired. Unlike many pieces of music of our time now, I honestly think that anyone who listened to this song profited, in less of a traditional sense. I think just listening to this song makes you take a step back and truly take a look at what they find important in their lives, and then what is actually important. Of course, John Lennon himself, the music industry, and Apple Company, who were his and The Beatle’s producer throughout their careers.
3. How is this media text made?
This song was written by John Lennon. He used what he knew best to promote his beliefs and values: music.

Audience
1. Who is the target audience? How can you tell?
The biggest target audience would be Beatles fans. They are already aware of the values that John Lennon holds, and they are already a fan of the music that he produces. As well, this song is targeted to people who share his values of unity, peace, and love. He is writing the anthem to their mission, and is making it a beautiful piece of art.
2. How and why does this media text appeal to its audience?
This song appeals to its audience because of the sheer brilliance of it. Not only is the song itself beautiful, but the message is just as poignant. The simplicity of the song is what I think makes it appeal to its audience. It shows that finding, creating, or living in peace does not take nearly as much effort as living a life of greed, violence and segregation does.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTywHAFZxcU&feature=fvst

http://www.metrolyrics.com/imagine-lyrics-john-lennon.html