The film industry today continues to re-invent itself as technology and the world population advances and becomes savvier. This is the only way the film industry will remain a viable art form. Some movies now are all about the special effects and action with the plot added seemingly afterwards. These movies cost hundreds of millions of dollars like “GI JOE” that give the viewers a visually amazing movie but not much else.
Movies I’d recommend to others would be according to what they were in the mood for. If they wanted action/adventure then the new “Star Trek” is at the top of my list even if you did not grow up watching the movies or never saw them on TV this movie really gets you rooting for the characters in it and how they got started. If you wanted horror I enjoyed “Drag Me To Hell” it was not overly gory but it is very intense and full of surprises. Watching the person I went with react to the movie was almost as enjoyable as the movie itself. The experience of going to the movie is what keeps me coming back to my favorite theater.
Going to the movie in a theater is always an experience sometimes good and sometimes bad. In a theater you lose control of the sound, temperature, volume and other movie goers. However if you want to be the first to see a long awaited movie you must go see it in a theater. More and more theaters have high definition movie theaters with amazing sound and comfortable stadium seating. These updated theaters will go a long way in securing theaters survival in the future. Older theaters are in danger of losing customers if they cannot offer a better picture and sound that are now found in homes with HD large screen TV’s found in most homes now.
Movie theaters have had to adjust to customers demands of high quality sound and pictures while providing this in a clean, safe and comfortable environment. Taking a family to a movie today is expensive and consumers want their monies worth. The internet, DVD’s, Blue Ray and On Demand movies will cut into the theaters bottom line but the film industry will adapt and cater to where the largest profits are. While movie theaters will survive they will have to continue to upgrade themselves to offer the highest quality product to consumers with lots of options.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Images
The most meaningful image for 2.1 billion people worldwide is the symbol of the cross. It is the symbol of the Christian god sacrificing his son to save mankind. This image is instantly recognized worldwide in jewelry, home decoration and on churches. Christianity is the world's largest religion that comprises many different branches and denominations using the symbol and the image of the cross to show how God loved the world. Jesus was crucified on the cross free of sin to allow Christians to ask and receive forgiveness for their sins. Wars have been fought to protect and spread Christianity using the image of the cross rally strength and support. The story of Jesus dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins will always be connected to the cross.
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Christianity
In the Southern US the image of the rebel flags stirs emotions of hatred, pride and history. During the Civil War southern states that left the union wanted their own flag. The Confederacy adopted the rebel flag, also known as the “Southern Cross” to represent the rebels that succeed from the union. Your white southern boys see this as part of their history and feel this image represents their rebel youth. Young black boys have learned through their elders of the pain and suffering their ancestors endured as slaves and the south’s fight to maintain slavery under the rebel flag. This image stirs intense feelings on both sides for and against the image this flag represents. Stories of pride, heritage, hatred and discrimination are all linked to this image of the rebel flag and vary widely depending on the color of your skin.
http://arebelflag.net/
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html#Christianity
In the Southern US the image of the rebel flags stirs emotions of hatred, pride and history. During the Civil War southern states that left the union wanted their own flag. The Confederacy adopted the rebel flag, also known as the “Southern Cross” to represent the rebels that succeed from the union. Your white southern boys see this as part of their history and feel this image represents their rebel youth. Young black boys have learned through their elders of the pain and suffering their ancestors endured as slaves and the south’s fight to maintain slavery under the rebel flag. This image stirs intense feelings on both sides for and against the image this flag represents. Stories of pride, heritage, hatred and discrimination are all linked to this image of the rebel flag and vary widely depending on the color of your skin.
http://arebelflag.net/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
war reporters
During the early days of the Iraq war—think back to 2003—“embedded reporters” were allowed to travel with U.S. troops into battle and do reports from locations in the combat zones. Do some research into this reporting and give your opinion about the appropriateness of reporting news in this manner. Why was this done? Should this have been allowed? How do you think the soldiers felt about reporters “tagging along”? Cite some actual reporters and describe their reports (don’t forget to cite sources). Have war-reporting techniques changed in the current war coverage?
Having embedded reporters with U.S. troops during war is a double edge sword. It does allow the world to see how the U.S. handles itself during contingency operations and gain national and international support for our actions. This can also provide our enemies and potential enemies a valuable insight for our tactics, responses and equipment. They can also twist and distort this information for propaganda for their cause.
I do believe that this is a good limited practice as long as it is properly monitored by military public affairs. I know that clearing every story before it is released is considered censorship but if it saves soldiers lives and does not negatively affect morale I feel it is valid. Embedding reporters can also distort what is really happening on the battlefield when they transmit inaccurate information. “In 2003 the embedded reporters transmitted inaccurate information correspondents for several news organizations reported seeing a convoy of up to 120 Iraqi tanks leaving the southern city of Basra, and most news outlets reported a large troop movement. However the next day, a spokesman for the British military said the "massive movement" was really just 14 tanks.” 1
Being a soldier myself I know how we love to tell our story because we are very proud of what we do and the people we serve with. Journalists are given limited training on what to expect and know the rules they must follow in order to not become a burden to the units they are assigned to. Journalists cannot give specific details of locations, disclose classified information or outline the future plans of their unit. These “baby sitting” tours are usually limited in duration to just a few weeks at most to limit the impact. For those that stay longer they become part of the team and are looked at as part of the family. Some critics believe that this closeness makes it difficult for journalists tell their story objectively if their safety is in the hands of the soldiers they are reporting.
Former BBC reporter Martin Bell stated about his experience that “Embedding' journalists... has brought warfare home to us as no war has been brought home before”. 2 This does however come at a high cost. As of October 2008, 153 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in Iraq since 2004. On April 2003 Julio Parrado and Spanish reporter was killed by a missile that severely injured several members of the unit he was reporting on. Unit members described him honest, genuine and a true friend. Parrado’s newspaper stated he had reported how fond he was of them too.3
War-reporting techniques have changed in the current war coverage with satellite phones and computers that allow communication in real time almost anywhere in the world. The military closely monitors who they allow in the field with our soldiers and set clear rules for their reporters. The U.S. and the world have also come to expect access to instant information on both the home front and the front line. I doubt that is going to change anytime soon.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june03/embed_3-27.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2885179.stm
http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/29/1607519.aspx
Having embedded reporters with U.S. troops during war is a double edge sword. It does allow the world to see how the U.S. handles itself during contingency operations and gain national and international support for our actions. This can also provide our enemies and potential enemies a valuable insight for our tactics, responses and equipment. They can also twist and distort this information for propaganda for their cause.
I do believe that this is a good limited practice as long as it is properly monitored by military public affairs. I know that clearing every story before it is released is considered censorship but if it saves soldiers lives and does not negatively affect morale I feel it is valid. Embedding reporters can also distort what is really happening on the battlefield when they transmit inaccurate information. “In 2003 the embedded reporters transmitted inaccurate information correspondents for several news organizations reported seeing a convoy of up to 120 Iraqi tanks leaving the southern city of Basra, and most news outlets reported a large troop movement. However the next day, a spokesman for the British military said the "massive movement" was really just 14 tanks.” 1
Being a soldier myself I know how we love to tell our story because we are very proud of what we do and the people we serve with. Journalists are given limited training on what to expect and know the rules they must follow in order to not become a burden to the units they are assigned to. Journalists cannot give specific details of locations, disclose classified information or outline the future plans of their unit. These “baby sitting” tours are usually limited in duration to just a few weeks at most to limit the impact. For those that stay longer they become part of the team and are looked at as part of the family. Some critics believe that this closeness makes it difficult for journalists tell their story objectively if their safety is in the hands of the soldiers they are reporting.
Former BBC reporter Martin Bell stated about his experience that “Embedding' journalists... has brought warfare home to us as no war has been brought home before”. 2 This does however come at a high cost. As of October 2008, 153 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in Iraq since 2004. On April 2003 Julio Parrado and Spanish reporter was killed by a missile that severely injured several members of the unit he was reporting on. Unit members described him honest, genuine and a true friend. Parrado’s newspaper stated he had reported how fond he was of them too.3
War-reporting techniques have changed in the current war coverage with satellite phones and computers that allow communication in real time almost anywhere in the world. The military closely monitors who they allow in the field with our soldiers and set clear rules for their reporters. The U.S. and the world have also come to expect access to instant information on both the home front and the front line. I doubt that is going to change anytime soon.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june03/embed_3-27.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2885179.stm
http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/29/1607519.aspx
Friday, September 11, 2009
Propaganda is defined by the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, cause, or person. Propaganda is a very effective tool against your enemy if you know how to reach your target audience and can elicit a response from them. Propaganda is all about perception and what you can make people believe. It is used by everyone in politics and in every public affairs office to put a positive spin on themselves and negative one competitors. Al Qaida uses Al Jazeera and the internet to spread their propaganda against the West by showing the death and destruction of civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan regardless of who really caused the damage. Terrorist organizations are having no problems recruiting new members to support their agendas no matter the cost so it propaganda is working very for them. During the last Presidential election examples of both good and bad propaganda were used by both parties. Obama’s family history and Palin’s daughter’s pregnancy were used to try to sway public opinion for the other candidate sometimes very effectively. It did work for President Obama much better than Senator McCain in swaying voters. An even more current example of how propaganda is used for both good and bad is the national debate for universal healthcare for everyone. Both sides are only pushing the facts that support their claims and leaving out a lot of relevant facts like true costs and current success and failures of the healthcare option. The outcome for this is still very much up in the air. Propaganda can be a very effective tool in waging war or in politics and even at work to spread information to ensure the desired outcome with your audience. It can be used for good and bad just like a loaded weapon.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Where I like to write
Well we will see if this works!! I can set up a blog but don't know how to actually use one.... As far as where I like to write, I cannot honestly give you a place. Where ever I am and can get a chance to sit for a few minutes is where I write. Perfect example, right now!! I am hiding in old office right now trying to do my homework and not wake up the spiders before I go on another mission!!! When I am home which is very rare, I do all my writing at the dining room table so I can watch the kids that I nanny and help both of them do their homework at the same time.
I am not a great writer and have only written papers for school but I have learned that it can take me hours to write a three page paper. I absolutely and not the type of person that can "free write". I am very research heavy. I will spent the majority of the time looking up info then color code it in my paper for when I go back and cite it. I also have a very vivid imagination.
I am not a great writer and have only written papers for school but I have learned that it can take me hours to write a three page paper. I absolutely and not the type of person that can "free write". I am very research heavy. I will spent the majority of the time looking up info then color code it in my paper for when I go back and cite it. I also have a very vivid imagination.
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