Double Entry Journal #5

Quote:

"Whether it is a visual of George W. Bush standing among the remains of the World Trade Center or a visual of John Kerry standing with his Navy comrades from the Vietnam era, there is a meaning conveyed in each case that goes beyond what words can describe in a short amount of time."

 

Reflection:

A picture is truly worth a thousand words. Iconic visual images, such as George W. Bush standing among the remains of the World Trade Center, speak volumes without saying a word.  Pictures can bring people together as well as enrage them. However, there is often more to the story than what is shown. The article Detecting the Truth in Photos talks about how images can be altered to skew the whole story. The Associated Press releases over a million images a year. In order to preserve their credibility they are exploring new ways to authenicate photos using the latest technology.

 

1. How does visual imagery negatively influence the truth in political campaigns and foreign relations?
Visual imagery is used in politics to negatively influence campaigns and foreign relations. Rhetoric claims can be made via images because images are open to interpretation.
 

2. Can you think of a recent foreign relations incident that may have been related to visual imagery?
What immediately popped into my head was the images of the Amassador that was killed in the Middle East. There were pictures of his body being dragged. It was unclear whether or not he was alive in the pictures.
 

3. What does Ben Franklin by the phrase "Freedom of the press only applies if you have a press."
Anyone can have a message, but unless they have the means to get that message out it will not be heard.
 

4. Do you think that the explosion of digital media is akin to giving everyone a press?
Digital media gives more people the opportunity to express their message.
 

5. In your opinion, is the potential for more people to create their own media a positive or negative influence on our democratic society?
While the potential for more people to create their own media has both positive and negative influences on our society, I think the negative influence is felt more. It oversaturates the info stream with meaningless jargon and propaganda and flat out falsehoods. It's unregulated and allows for anyone, regardless of credentials, to post their ramblings.
 

6. Is our increasingly visual cultural a good thing or bad thing?
From an entertainment standpoint, it's a good thing. It gives us additional options and distractions from the usual news. However, it can be a bad thing with the saturation of information and false information being given.
 

7. What can save us from the tyranny of a visual culture?
In order to be saved from the "tyranny of a visual culture", people must be educated to interpret the messages they are receiving and be able to decipher fact from fiction.

Week 5, Activity 1

1. What is the product or service being sold? Can you easily figure out what the product is?
This is commercial is for Dreamlites - a Pillow Pet with a nightlight. The product name is continually repeated throughout the commercial.

2. What is the general mood or feeling of the commercial? Since we know the product or service being sold, what methods are the advertisers using to make us interested? How do they portray the product or service in a positive light.
The advertisers appeal to family. The product portrays a solution to children's nighttime fears to parents and a fun product that is a must have for children.

3. How does the soundtrack play a role in your interpretation of the commercial? Is the music cheery, dreary, suspenseful, whimsical, fun, or exciting? Does the music affect our perception of the mood? Is there a voice-over of someone telling us something? What is the voice over trying to tell us? Does the person speaking coincide with the overall mood of the commercial? Would our perception of the voice change if the voice was of a different gender or race?
The soundtrack is cheery and whimsical. It repeats the products name. Dreamlites are "magical" and "make bedtime fun". The voiceover assures you that Dreamlite will alleviate your child's fear of the dark...because "no parent wants their child to be afraid of the dark." The voice is cheery and inviting. The voiceover is voiced by a female. It appeals to mothers and children.

4. How do the actors playing the characters affect your interpretation of the commercial?Would your interpretation change if the characters were of a different race or gender? What if the characters dressed differently or spoke differently? How would that change your perception of the character?
The commercial portrays a "typical" white American middle class family. The children are in nice rooms and dressed in pajamas. The ages of the children are appropriate. The target audience wouldn't connect as well with older children because they wouldn't need nitelights.

5. How does the commercial try to get your attention? Does it use flashy graphics with fast music? Does it alter the way we see the world, either through the use of special effects or through the story line?
To grab the viewers attention, the commercial uses flashy graphics, such as the "Dreamlite" brand name. Additionally, it has special effects showing how the stars light up the ceiling. These effects go along well with the story line.

6. Who is this commercial aimed towards? Is it you or someone like you? How do you know? Why do you think the advertiser created this commercial the way they did? Would it have been as effective if it was just black and white text on the screen? Why or why not?
This commercial is aimed towards both kids and parents. I picked this commercial because my daughter was begging for this product after seeing the commercial. The commercial is flashy and cheery. It calls to kids so are afraid of the dark and like stuffed animals.

Week 4, Activity 4

This will be posted as soon as I find the laptop with powerpoint on it :) I believe it is in Tae's room.

Week 4, Activity 3

1. What are the differences between the two covers? What techniques are used to attract your attention? Pay attention to body language, clothing, camera angle, lighting, color, eye contact ect. How do the difference influence what you think and feel about the person.
The first picture is focusing more on sex appeal. Attention is drawn to Arnold's muscles. His clothing, pose and perceived attitude point toward his appeal as a sex symbol and "bad boy". Even the dominant colors of red, yellow bring excitement to the cover.

In the second picture, they are trying to portray Arnold as a politician. They are not showing off his physique. He looks like an intelligent, professional. The overall colors of blue, black lean toward a more professional feel.

Of the two pictures, I am drawn more toward the person in the suit. He looks political. Of course, that's just me. If I were interested in muscles or bad boys, the first picture may appeal to me more.
 

2. What do you find appealing or not appealing about the cover of the magazine?

I find the second cover more appealing. Arnold looks happy and professional. He's not a man that I find particularly sexy. So, the first cover does nothing for me. The Esquire cover strives to put him in a favorable light. He is smiling and friendly looking. He's pointing "at me" which makes me feel like he is personally connected and has something to say to me.

3. What elements in the design make it appealing or not appealing?

In the second cover, the colors are professional. The cover is not too busy and is easily read. The first cover is busier and more colorful. The overall feel of the first cover is less appealing to me.

4. What elements are included on the cover to sell this magazine? Consider title, imagery, sensationalized headlines, exclusive articles, secrets, gossip, free gifts, and celebrity news.

In the first cover, they use sensationalized headlines and secrets to appeal to the reader. "20 Inch Arms In 3 Big Moves" and "Get Lean in Less Time!" If I read this magazine, I'll know the secrets of getting fit and looking like Arnold in "3 Big Moves" and "In Less Time!"

 

The second cover offers "Exclusive" interviews that the reader won't get anywhere else.

I believe this magazine is marketed for men. They've included a scantly clad woman for that demographic.

 

5. Describe the type of content in one issue.

The content in the first magazine appears to be geared toward people interested in fitness and muscle building. It seems to be marketed to people who want quick results.

 

6. What products or services are advertised in the issue?

In the first magazine, I can imagine there would be lots of advertising for fitness related stores and items: GNC, protein shakes, exercise equipment, athletic wear, etc.

 

7. What lifestyle, values and messages are being promoted by the contents in the issue?

The first magazine seems to be geared toward people in the bodybuilding lifestyle. Health and fitness don't seem to be stressed as much as looks and getting "big". The cover seems to promote looks and physical features as extremely important.

8.Describe the demographics for what you think may be the magazine’s intended target readership. Consider age, sex, interests and socioeconomic status.
Magazine 1 would be geared toward the 30s and 40s age range men interested in bodybuilding and looking good. I think these would be middle-class men (probably single) with money to spend on this type of activity.
 

9. What features of the magazine indicate to you that this is the intended readership?

The pictures, names of articles included in the magazine lead me to believe that the intended readership is described as above.

10. What personalities or celebrities are used to promote this magazine?
Many bodybuilders look up to Arnold Schwarchennegger. He made bodybuilding what it is in America today.
 

11. Are these personalities or celebrities promoting or challenging stereotypical messages? How?
In this cover, he is definitely promoting the stereotypical messages that are associated wth bodybuilding and how people should focus of outer beauty.

Week 4, Activity 2

Media language: Bold colors and fonts attract the target audience. Red, yellow and orange are fiery and attention getting. They represent excitement. Prominent image of easily recognizable celebrity portrayed to draw the attention of audience. "Get Lean" & "20 Inch Arms" appeals to men wanting to sculpt muscle. Subheading "in less time" & "in 3 big moves" hint at quick results.
Institution: Magazine front cover
Genre: Men's Weightlighting, Muscle building, health and fitness
Representation: Represents a strong, fit, healthy and fit males. The celebrity is known as a tough guy and is represented as "cool" with his sunglasses and bulging muscles.
Audience: The audience for this magazine would be 20-30 year old males interested in weightlifting, body sculpting and fitness. The magazine is targeted to men who have time to time to work on their bodies and desire to look good. Men would purchase this magazine to find out how they could build muscle like the celebrity. Women are not represented or targeted.
Ideologies and Values: This magazine represents values such as, living healthy, exercising, building muscle and looking good. Buy this magazine and you can be "hot" like Arnold :)
Narrative: This front cover tells the story of how men can look good, be healthy and get huge muscles in a short time.

 

 

Media language: Blue and magenta are colors that represent royalty and being in charge. The celebrity is pointing directly at "you" the buyer. His pose draws you in to read the headline - "Arnold: The Next Governer of California. Really." Additionally, the lady on the cover draws the interest of men with her bare-bellied pose.
Institution: Front magazine cover
Genre: Business men, men interested in politics, powerful men
Representation: Arnold's pose and clothing represent a man in a position of power. With his finger pointing at the reader, you could feel like he is talking directly to you.
Audience: Middle-age men with interests in business, politics and women
Ideologies and Values: This magazine represents values such as power and politics. There is a nice looking woman on the cover too - therefore, it points to looks being important. Arnold is smiling and appears friendly.
Narrative: This magazine cover tells the story of a man who was recently put into a position of power. He represents good-looking, American immigrants who have risen to a position of power.

 

Double Entry Journal #3

Quote:

"The time has arrived to broaden the canons of traditional education and the curriculum to include the expanding technologies of television, film, video, and computers."

Reaction:

As media and technology have taken a huge place in everyday life, traditional education must expand to include these new literacies. While technologies have expanded quickly, they have been slow to be embraced in traditional education. Today, more teachers are learning to embrace new literacies and incorporate them into curriculum. In order to properly incorporate these new literacies, teachers must be properly trained in not only the technology aspect, but additionally in being critical of the information presented.

1. What is meant by the term "new literacies" and give me a concrete example of how it should change teachers' understanding of what it means to literate in the digital age.

New literacies refers to those literacies that have emerged in the post-typographic era. The term encompasses computer, information, media, television, and visual literacies.

2.In your own words explain what this quote means:

"In the current historical juncture of democratic decline in the United States, ideals and images have become detached from their anchorage in stable and agreed-upon meaning and associations and are now beginning to assume a reality of their own. The self-referential world of the media is one that splinters, obliterates, peripheralizes, partitions and segments social space, time, knowledge, and subjectivity in order to unify, encompass, entrap, totalize and homogenize them through the meta-form of entertainment. What needs to be addressed is the way in which capitalism is able to secure this cultural and ideological totalization and homogenization through its ability to insinuate itself into social practices and private perceptions through various forms of media knowledges. (p. 196)"

The rise of technologies and social media have led to difficulty in coming up with a unified definition of commercialism and advertising. People often do not research beyond what is presented to them.

3. What does the lack of critical media literacy in schools create?
According to the article, lack of critical literacy in schools creates passive citizens.

4. Why is it preposterous to claim an absolute definition of " literacy"?
The definition of literacy changes depending on who is defining it.

5. Why does this author advocate for a more critical approach to visual literacy? Do you agree? Why or why not?

 

Week 3, Activity 3

1. Whose message is this? Who created or paid for it? Why?
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers created and paid for this ad as part of a marketing campaign.

2. Who is the “target audience”? What is their age, ethnicity, class, profession, interests, etc.? What words, images or sounds suggest this?
This ad is targeted at middle-aged, upper-middle class socioeconomic status women in White Suburbia. The couple appears to be professionals. They appear to live in a nice home and dress fashionably.

3. What is the “text” of the message? (What we actually see and/or hear: written or spoken words, photos, drawings, logos, design, music, sounds, etc.)
Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers, an honest to goodness meal, healthy, fresh, crisp

4. What is the “subtext” of the message? (What do you think is the hidden or unstated meaning?)
There seemed to go several messages...you don't want to be like your mother, it's ok to ignore your wife when she's rambling.

5. What kind of lifestyle is presented? How?
The couple seems to live an upper-middle class lifestyle - nice home, clean kitchen, well dressed.

6. What values are expressed?
The commercial's values appear to be the importance of appearance and not being like your parents.

7. What tools of persuasion are used? See "The language of persuasion"
This ad uses humor, testimonals and plain folks as tools of persuasion.

8. What positive messages are presented? What negative messages are presented?
Positive messages in this message include, eating healthy, affordable, quick and easy meals.
Negative messages in this message include, mother/daughter relationship, ignoring a spouse, using medical procedures to look younger.

9. What groups of people does this message empower? What groups does it disempower? How does this serve the media maker's interests?
This message empowers young middle-class people and disempowers older women.

10. What part of the story is not being told? How and where could you get more information about the untold stories?
The actual story of the food is not being told...like nutritional values, price. You could find this information by reading the products website.

My interpretation didn't go into the depth that the sample did. I didn't have the background information on the parent company. Had I done more research, I would have probably found this additional information.

Week 3, Activity 1 & 2

CenturyLink

The CenturyLink commerical engages viewers by connecting people through common family values and aspirations. The deconstruction is accurate. The goal is to show customers that Qwest is now part of the CenturyLink "family. The deconstruction points out that while the ad connects with family's, it paints a rosie picture - not mentioning jobs lost through the merger or lack of customer service. The commerical doesn't seem to marginalize any one race, nationality, etc.

Alltel

Alltel's ad is full of sterotypical views of perceived ethnic behaviors. Additionally, it plays of the fear that if you don't go with Alltel's "affordablel" family plan, you will be putting your family at risk by inviting strangers into your home.

Double Entry Journal Post #2

Quote:
"News and its images are always selected truth."

Reaction:
This statement holds so much truth. As I have gotten older, I have learn to be more critical of what I see and read. When I graduated from high school, I attended Marshall University as a journalism major. At that time, the importance of being an unbiased reporter was "preached" and reinforced with every assignment. However, as I watch TV and read article online today, it appears the many organizations use imagery to manipulate stories to align more with their beliefs. While FoxNews claims to be "Fair and Balanced", a critical look at their website, articles and television shows reveal an obviously left leaning organization.

The following infographic was posted at 4thestate and focuses on media bias in the current election.
 

 

1.What is semiotics?

Semiotics is the study of how the reading of signs and symbols together communicate complicated ideas in the
form of codes.

 

2. How can teachers capitalize on students preferred literacy behaviors?

Students prefer to skim and quickly read over text. According to the article, we need to teach students quick ways to assess authority and credibility.  They can do this by typing the author's name into a search engine and checking his background and possible biases.

 

3. According to this article why is it important for students to learn to analyze the news media?

It is important for student to be able to reason intelligently about societal issues. Students must learn to reach meaningful conclusions from the information they are presented with.

 

4. Copy and Paste a West Virginia CSO that a photo analysis activity might address.

 

RLA.O.JN.1.8: classify the elements of photo composition (dominance, texture, angle of view, contrast, rule of thirds, leading lines, framing devices), and explain the storytelling ability of a photograph.

 



 



 

Sources:

Atlock, D. (2003). Seven power lens on 21st century literacy. Retrieved from http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/newsmedia/PowerLensSingle.pdf

 

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.4thestate.net/liberal-media-bias/

 

 



Week 2, Activity 3

People in the photo: President Obama
Objects in the photo: President Obama, there is something over his shoulder but I can't tell if it is books or what.
Activity: There is no real activity here because the President staring with a look of concern.

Inference: This photo strikes me as the President has a look of concern. His wrinkled forehead shows that he is worried about something. You can notice the gray in his hair and he looks strikingly older than he usually looks when giving an upbeat speech.

This photo raises questions in my mind, such as: "What is the President so concerned about?" and "What has happened?"

Depending on where the photo was published, you could find out more information from the article that accompanied the picture.

People in the photo: President Obama, Company officials, one guy appears to be Navy or US Coast Guard
Objects in the photo: People, Boat, bottle of water, concrete barricade
Activity: President walking and talking with men.

Inference: This photo shows that the President is in charge and surrounded by people needed to make necessary decisions. The President walks slightly ahead and at the center of the people showing that he is definitely in charge.  The men appear happy and confident.

This photo raises questions in my mind, such as: "Where are they?", "What are they discussing?", "Who is the gentleman in the blue uniform and what is he telling the President?"

Depending on where the photo was published, you could find out more ifnormation from the article that accompanied the picture. Additionally, you could find out information about the men included in the photo.

Ob

 

Week 2, Activity 2

Politic campaigns use a variety of tactics to create negative ads. Smear tactics date back centuries and can be seen in American politics as far back as Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson's campaign. However, the theme of such attacks has remained the same over the ages. As Mr. Kubey states in th video, "it's easy to scare people about the here and now." In Lincoln's time, racism was displayed as he was compared to a monkey. Jefferson' wife was called a whore. Today, people spread fear about terrorism and financial insecurity. Fear, racism and greed are often themes used to smear candidates during political campaigns.

Part Two:
The Romney ads use the tactics of fear and greed to promote racism. The ad shows a elderly white male and tells him how his Medicare money is going to fund a new government program. The ad alludes to the government taking the hard earned money of elderly white citizens and funneling it into a program for the underinsured. The group of underinsured is more than halfway compromised of blacks, Hispanics, and Asian-Americans.

While watching political ads from the Obama campaign, this particular ad caught my attention. What I noticed most was that it seems to show all races and creeds.