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Interactive Media

In this lecture, we discussed interactive media and what makes it good and bad. In this blog, I wanted to focus on Instagram which is an app which I used enough to know it in and out. Instagram is a social media app. The main purpose of this app is the ability to upload images and videos, as well as edit them.

However, the purpose of Instagram honestly depends on why you are using it. You can use it as a marketing tool if you’re a business selling something, for example, many restaurants now use Instagram as a marketing tool by posting images of the food on offer to attract an audience and clientele.

Instagram is a very usable app, it’s interface is fairly simple to pick up and millions of people use Instagram a day, from different varying age groups. Everything is edited and posted in a matter of minutes almost instantaneously. It has a hands free feature which is amazing if you want to record or take a picture but you don’t/aren’t able to hold your phone which also ties into the accessibility of the app.

Instagram wouldn’t be described as accessible though since the biggest issue has been visually impaired users. However, they are now using AI to assist the visually impaired by describing the pictures to them. 

As a dancer Instagram is very interesting for me as it enables to follow people who share my interests and connect with people. Through this connection and content generation it has become a portfolio of my dancing. However, the app is still filled with trolls and people who put on a façade which ties into a fake reality.

Generally, when I use Instagram I would say that it makes me feel happy when I see people comment and say how much they like and appreciate my work as much as I do. It is also how I see what other people are doing in their lives without actually communicating with them, which I find satisfying since I have a busy lifestyle and its hard to connect with my family who are in different time zones and multiple friends etc. However, it does frustrate me in the sense of power it gives people, as somehow the amount of followers defines how much power you have and makes someone more valued over others – despite people working hard on their profiles.

Overall, I will say that I think that Instagram hits it purpose and does go that much further to make sure that their users are satisfied.  

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Interactive Media

In this lecture, we discussed interactive media and what makes it good and bad. In this blog, I wanted to focus on Instagram which is an app which I used enough to know it in and out. Instagram is a social media app. The main purpose of this app is the ability to upload images and videos, as well as edit them.

However, the purpose of Instagram honestly depends on why you are using it. You can use it as a marketing tool if you’re a business selling something, for example, many restaurants now use Instagram as a marketing tool by posting images of the food on offer to attract an audience and clientele.

Instagram is a very usable app, it’s interface is fairly simple to pick up and millions of people use Instagram a day, from different varying age groups. Everything is edited and posted in a matter of minutes almost instantaneously. It has a hands free feature which is amazing if you want to record or take a picture but you don’t/aren’t able to hold your phone which also ties into the accessibility of the app.

Instagram wouldn’t be described as accessible though since the biggest issue has been visually impaired users. However, they are now using AI to assist the visually impaired by describing the pictures to them. 

As a dancer Instagram is very interesting for me as it enables to follow people who share my interests and connect with people. Through this connection and content generation it has become a portfolio of my dancing. However, the app is still filled with trolls and people who put on a façade which ties into a fake reality.

Generally, when I use Instagram I would say that it makes me feel happy when I see people comment and say how much they like and appreciate my work as much as I do. It is also how I see what other people are doing in their lives without actually communicating with them, which I find satisfying since I have a busy lifestyle and its hard to connect with my family who are in different time zones and multiple friends etc. However, it does frustrate me in the sense of power it gives people, as somehow the amount of followers defines how much power you have and makes someone more valued over others – despite people working hard on their profiles.

Overall, I will say that I think that Instagram hits it purpose and does go that much further to make sure that their users are satisfied.  

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Multiculturalism and Diversity in TV

In the lecture today we looked at inclusivity and diversity in a range of films, TV series and social media. Desmond was the focus in the lecture, which I found interesting since it has some borderline racism in the show as well as numerous stereotypes of characters in the show. Despite this those issues are also what makes the show funny and interesting since it adds quirks. Despite this, I also feel that the show was diverse in the sense of the viewing of black characters in a funny light, even if I couldn’t relate to the characters at all due to the generational gap.

I chose to look into how diversity and multiculturalism have changed using the shows Cucumber and Banana as my case studies. These were two series that were made in companionship in 2015, which depicted the life of 21st-century gays and shown on channel 4. I would describe the show as a modern day “queer as folk” since there are sexually graphic scenes, but it shows how times have changed and so has TV.

The show not only highlights a more accurate depiction on gay life from various different perspectives but also from other races since it also has a black male who is one of the main characters. Based off of this it’s safe to say that the tv industry is becoming more diverse and adding more characters who are relatable to modern day audiences who may not have been enticed to watch older series. I felt that is was also educational as most people still associate gays with the stereotypes like drag, and really effeminate qualities, this show gave a more accurate depiction to show they have mundane problems just like any other relationship.

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TV and online news reporting

In this seminar, we discussed the advert that sparked controversy in the news. Gillette came out with an advert that conveyed the notion that the idea of masculinity was changing and in the advert, men's stereotypical traits were demonized, creating a lot of backlash especially from male celebrity personalities such as pierce morgan. What I will say the advert did well was the hint to the change in society that the typicality’s of men are changing, creating inclusivity for the modern day man.

Another advert that has raised issues in the media is the Protein World poster. It depicts a woman in a bikini with defined curves, captioned with “are you beach body ready?”. The main issues that this advert has are obvious – the fact the woman is bikini-clad and defined suggests that any other body type outside of this defined female body is not acceptable, which is body shaming, This suggestion from a company that provides a health supplement is not good for business.

protein world poster

However, what I feel this advert does well is the showing of body positivity – my reading was that this is going to help me reach a body I was (if not already) more confident with. Despite the backlash, the sales generated were boosted so it couldn’t have been all bad from the advert. 

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Film Review: Assassins Creed - why did it fail?

Recently I had watched a film that I had been anticipating for a while Assassins Creed, it had finally come to Netflix, I do though have to say that I am very disappointed in the film. It had some very famous faces like Michael Fassbender. The film is based on the games Assassins Creed where an agency of modern day templars are attempting to eradicate the Assassins guild and collecting artifacts from the past. The honest verdict for the film is that it was a disaster. Assassins creed synopsis

In the game, the development of the character gives you history into who they are rather than just the history of the ancestors. However, in this film with Cal is a character who has never been heard of before in the franchise. The film fails to give any backstory on the character to help us understand him, so the audience just loses interest in the film altogether. They could have gone back to his past, the character was on trial for killing a pimp and put to death. Yet the evil group managed to fake his death and get him out of there. There was almost zero plot development.

The film it already had a fandom ready to see it – all of those Assassin’s Creed gaming fans ready to see the adaptation. However, many of them were disappointed. With the narrative, it only had elements from the games. Since there were so many storylines to choose from no one really knew what game they tried to adapt; there were no main protagonists mentioned, or even featured. It made for a very generic concept of two sides fighting – one good one evil, which leads to disinterest because the directors didn’t give the fanbase what they were expecting.

Most of the film revolved around Michael Fassbender being suspended from a hydraulic arm, than actual action. With the visuals and props, most of the action scenes or informative scenes had this heavy smoke effect.

When you watch the film and notice the main character doesn’t actually know what’s going on the script doesn’t even make sense. For example, in this scene, the doctor says “stay with it Cal” when he doesn’t know what is happening to him.

With the actual filming and editing, most of the good scenes are in the action. The critics were expecting amazing parkour and intensely skilled fight scenes. Most of the action scenes were so dreadful, they were cut way too fast, which made people want more, but in a bad way. There was hardly any visible action. In one scene there were about nine or more cuts in about 30 seconds. 

Overall, this film lacks concept and synergy with the games, which is what it was riding on for the audience, development in characters and plot and leaves the audience with more questions about what happened rather than what happened next.

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Cinema Management

During this lecture we had a special speaker come in (Mick McAloon) to talk about his job which was managing numerous Curzon cinemas, and keeping customers satisfied by offering them the best experience possible. A crucial part in managing a cinema is the programme which shows what time a film is running that week, it's essential because it also gives the audience a little bit of information about that film and helps the audience decide if they are going to come to watch the film or not.

Screening Programme: 25/11/2018:

 Halloween (David Gordon Green) Horror/Slasher

Its been 40 years since Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) survived a vicious attack from deranged killer Michael Myers on Halloween leaving all of her friends dead. Locked up in an institution, Myers manages to escape when his bus transfer goes horribly wrong. Laurie now faces a terrifying showdown when the masked madman returns to Haddonfield, Illinois. This time, she's ready for him.

Viewing times: 21:15, 22:45, 23:35

The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) Drama/Thriller

Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) is constantly switching between two worlds - the poor, mostly black neighbourhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what's right.

Viewing Times: 16:15, 19:25, 21:35

Crazy Rich Asians (John M. Chu) Drama/Comedy

Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is happy to accompany her longtime boyfriend, Nick, to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. She's also surprised to learn that Nick's family is extremely wealthy - he's considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors. Thrust into the spotlight, Rachel must now contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives and something far, far worse, Nick's disapproving mother.

Viewing Times: 12:45, 16:15, 19:25, 21:15

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Advertising and Marketing

During this lecture we learnt about the marketing and advertising industry. To gain a deeper insight into the industry we were given a group task to create adverts based on Lego, and certain objectives about what the advert should have. For example: An advert that was focusing on safety, should be targeted at the parents who would be buying the Lego for their children, and the tone of the advert would be different to one that was exhibiting the creativity that Lego would unlock as that would be targeted at the family as a whole and would have a more uplifting and positive tone as compared to the former which would have a more serious tone, because of the audience and what it’s focusing on in the advertising. Due to my group being a big one we had the option to do different adverts, so we chose to show how it can unlock the creative side of the child, and one to show how it’s safer and better than using a computer games console as the key to marketing is to focus on what unique selling point the product has.

Coca Cola is a perfect example of good marketing and advertising, especially their iconic Christmas adverts, coca cola has used this Christmas advert for about a decade now which promotes family values, and the joy of being together as a family at Christmas time.

With Coca Cola they always use adverts that promote families and happiness, for example: their advert that was part of the “Taste the Feeling” campaign (2016), I think that from a marketing point of view they want as many people buying and drinking coke as possible so its smart that they play on family values and tie that in with coke and how it brings people together. Despite these two brothers not getting along, he still sticks up for his brother in the end. It shows the product is somewhat entangled with this bond as well, which is an interesting spin.  They also use Avicii’s track “Hey brother” which invokes an emotional response and connection with the audience and the advert.

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Working in TV scriptwriting

During this weeks lecture we had a TV scriptwriter come in and talk about his job. You would write scripts for production companies on an idea or genre that they are looking for, the production company will then further develop the idea with other writers if the idea is good enough, then a commissioner will buy it if they think it will bring in an audience. Working in a field like this would require you to be in touch with your imagination, it is imperative that the idea is original as well as being able to intrigue an audience, however it is argued that no idea is original anymore as narratives are similar with minor differencing factors. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screenwriting)

In our groups we had to come up with our own idea, so we thought about what is on TV at the moment, and it tends to be either si-fi drama hybrids or comedy. Our show had a narrative about Jesus coming back to Earth from Heaven to warn people that if humans continue the way they are judgement day is coming. To make it funny and original we thought of someone like Kevin Hart being Jesus as he is anything but a typical representation of him as we don’t want anyone to believe that he’s Jesus, and he swears a lot. In addition to this we have scenes of him turning water into wine like a party trick, and he has to perform miracles on people on a tinder like service. The idea basis reminded me of a show on E4 (which is also the platform our show would be shown on) called “The good place” which is an American comedy in which a woman goes to Heaven but she is there by mistake and due to her assuming a false identity bad things start happening. 

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The BBFC

During this lecture we learnt about the BBFC (https://www.bbfc.co.uk/about-bbfc/age-verification) and what they do in the film industry and their responsibility since 1913. Their role is to essentially regulate the way that films are classified on a national scale, they also control what films are banned or censored. There were many films that the BBFC had put out, some that were uncomfortable to watch like “Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick which was a bit disturbing to watch. Despite the contents of some of these films they were put out without censoring, it is seen as more informational as there are people who would do these things out there. The job of the BBFC is an important one as they essentially decide what is suitable for the public to watch.

“The Human Centipede First Sequence” is a one of a kind iconic horror film which was given an 18 and over certificate, depicted gore, strong violence and truly twisted themes. The narrative for the film was these three tourists being kidnapped by a German surgeon who was obsessed in creating a human centipede. This led to the sequel being banned in many countries at first. This was one of the films that was said to cross a line in film history, due to it being so disturbing.

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Working in Film Production: Costume Dresser/Make-up Artist

Within film production, there are a lot of jobs. Recently Teresa Orlando came in to talk about her role as an assistant director – you’re in charge of the welfare of the actors, making sure call sheets are out on time, making sure there’s order on set as well as arranging logistics. It was very interesting to hear about her job, especially how it wasn’t a typical nine to five job - doesn’t mean that it was any less stressful.

 It was very insightful to get her first-hand insight into the world of film production, and regardless of what department you work in everything is fast paced and requires a lot of attention. I think that the most likely job that I would have in the film production umbrella are either a costume dresser (http://getinmedia.com/careers/costume-dresser) which requires the ability to adapt if the worst case scenario happens, for example, a seam-bursting which you would then have to fix or alter before the actors are needed on the set, and a lot of knowledge about how to care for different fabrics.

Another option for me I think would be to work as a make-up artist. Their job requires them to get the actors faces ready with the appropriate make-up for the next scene, both roles are required to have good organizational skills, timing and an eye for detail.

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Film Distribution: The Invisible Woman (2014)

During the seminar we talked about two films that had been funded by the BFI, “Upstream Colour” and “Mr Nice, the things we discussed were things like the demographic -which is the type of audience that would watch the films, based on their age, and gender, as well as psychographics which is to do with a person's interests and lifestyles. We also talked about the type of cinema that the films would be screened at. 

[1] The Invisible Woman (2014) is a film that was funded by the BFI and had been nominated for the best costume design at the 86th Academy Awards. [2] It was distributed by Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) which is an American company and a division of Sony Pictures, however, SPC specializes in distributing art, documentary and independent films. The Invisible Woman was first shown at the Telluride Film festival, which is held in Colorado. Due to the parameters, it means the film needs to be distributed in North America before anywhere else, hence the limited release in Dec 25th, 2013 in North America. According to Young and Rubicam’s four c’s theory this type of film would apply to the mainstream demographic those who are in the early 20’s to mid 40’s, hopeless romantic types – which is why despite it having English history and being a British independent film it had an appeal to western cultures; since Americans can get a sense of entertainment and distraction from the film due to the concepts explored (secrecy, drama, romance) In addition to this most of the characters in the film are portrayed as upper or middle class so this applies to the C1’s to A’s in the social grading system. You would potentially see this at an independent cinema due to the nature of the film. A film like this wouldn’t have been advertised on social media as the typical older niche audience wouldn’t really have the demographic on social media, therefore the film festivals would be perfect to attract the demographic audience.

bibliography:

[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1700845/awards?ref_=tt_awd

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invisible_Woman_(2013_film)#Release