Media & Communications

This blog is designated for class projects, discussions and other work for my bachelors degree.

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Many pet owners are aware of the dangers to dogs and cats in extreme heat, but the risks can be even greater during a cold snap.

With record low temperatures across the nation, and the East Coast preparing for a winter storm this week that forecasters are calling a “bomb cyclone,” owners should protect their pets from freezing temperatures. A common misconception is that dogs and cats are more resistant to cold weather than humans because of their fur, according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation.

So how cold is too cold to take dogs outside for a walk? Dr. Kim Smyth, a staff veterinarian with Petplan insurance and a pet health writer, adapted guidelines from the Tufts Animal Condition and Care system to help pet owners determine if the weather is safe.

How Cold Is Too Cold For Pets?

Photo: Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images

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Can we break free?

Ultimately as we progress through the future under our current state, it is easily notable that many of the issues society faces today comes down to one common thread… money. The deniers of global warming and climate change have won round one of the global discussion due to the fact that they have money and control our everyday lives realistically. Klein in This Changes Everything, writes that “Overwhelmingly, climate change deniers are not only conservative but also white and male…” (p.46) Those in power are those who are in control.

The deniers of climate change are the right side and they have established themselves within their power. Because they (the white male conservative money makers) control the economic status of our mass population, it is easier to deny than to face the reality and quick destruction of our world. For those in power, dollar signs are more noticeable than oil spills and polluting the world. The conservative side sees validity in their high power over nature and what that means for our world.

Even with the science, numbers and obvious truth that we as a planet are nearing the end, big companies and world leaders believe they are “right” in their colonization of other countries, as well as allowing others without the economic ability to fix their status to suffer. Capitalism completely allows for the idea of “the other” to suffer and “find shade when it’s hot.” (p.39) Masking the problem is apparently a lot better than attempting to repair it.

Klein writes about the idea of government interventions that have been mentioned and discussed regarding the issues of climate change. However, the facts point out that those in the government and with power would rather rule over the masses then take on the challenge of bettering our planet. Big oil and fossil fuel companies control a large chunk of the economy and because of this we as a mass refuse to take them down from their power and work on fixing our planet. This goes right back to the idea that high amounts of money are more important than the harm fossil fuels cause.

Because large oil companies and the government control “us,” the left side has accepted defeat during round one. This however does not mean the conversation or battle is over. With conventions like Heartland happening it is possible to overrule the powerful white, male voices and allow the left and other side to create change. Our economic state does not have to rely on fossil fuels rather it can shape the future and better our global status.

Klein’s summarization of the panels and both sides of the discussion show that the catastrophic climate change is bigger than one voice or even one company. In order for the deniers to be defeated in progressive change, big companies would have to be a part of the bigger picture. The right side will not accept defeat or being wrong if they do not see a personal benefit for their power. The only way change can happen is if we break free from the power structure and take on climate change as a mass whole.

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White Males and Modern Family

In his essay “Seeing Privilege where it Isn’t” Michael Kimmel argues about white males who are not seen as the traditional stereotypical white man. Culture and society views ‘the power’ or ‘the norm’ as a white, Christian, middle aged, male who has money, and is a respectable male of society. Kimmel hones in on the concept of white males who don’t fit into that box and what that looks like through the media and society.

Michael Kimmel focuses on characteristics of white males that serve as ‘not normal,’ by focusing on the white man who is gay, disabled, or not of the traditional white dominant stereotype. When the white man is not perceived as the dominant power ( gay or disabled) he is reduced down to femaleness and not seen as the same level of the power structure as his other white counter parts.

For example, in the show Modern Family, Cameron Tucker is an outwardly gay male with a husband, kids and white picket fence life. However, both Cameron and his partner Mitchell, are presented in highly feminine ways. Cameron in various episodes is observed as motherly, a caretaker and of the same level as a female housewife. This media text provides a direct example for what Kimmel focuses on in his discussion of white males and privilege.

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Messner and Tom Brady

Michael Messner in “Center of Attention” focuses on the manhood formula and the language that surrounds male athletes especially professional ones. When the language surrounding Messner’s argumemt a specific sports icon comes to mind.

Tom Brady a quarterback in the NFL exemplifies the language in which Messner uses. The above video focuses highly on the scrutiny that led many to believe he wouldn’t play professionally or be any good. Words like ‘sweat’ ‘quick’ ‘passionate’ ‘aggressive’ provide a lens in how Tom Brady is seen, loved and criticized.

Messner’s theory provides depth and ideas behind why male athletes are respected and followed so heavily by the media. He hones in on the center of sports and how males are perceived and produced. For example, Tom Brady is beloved by many and seen as a heroic idol in which many choose to follow.

Like Tom Brady, most men in the NFL, and sports are expected to fit within a certain box of masculinity. Hence why originally Brady was believed he couldn’t be good due to his size and proportion.

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Messner and Women Athletes

Western society has not come far since it is racial differences during civil rights. Correct, we do not have slavery anymore. But are we really equal on all levels? In the book Taking the Field: Women, Men, and Sports, Michael Messner hones in on the center of sport. Messner predominantly focuses on the male centered ideals in sports. From the aggression to athleticism he frames his theory on maleness and how it is engrained in sports and media. Because of this, women in sports can be directly viewed in their lesser part to males. 

Take for example Serena Williams who has won her 22nd grand slam title and even though she has beat her opponent Maria Sharpova on numerous occasion, Williams earns $9 million less than Sharpova. Although Williams has proven her athletic skills (in comparison to male athletes) and talent she is still scrutinized and judged for her body type, athletic build, and race… She has been publicly acknowledged though ‘overt racism’ and continues publicly noticed for her appearance.

While Messner does not predominantly focus on race or female athletes, his ideologies surrounding the body within sports is highly applicable to Serena Williams and scrutiny she and other women face. Females in sports are almost always compared to their male counterparts but only physically. They are broken down through their build, body type and on many occasion their aggression.

Compared to Maria Sharpova, Serena Williams suffers blatant racism due to the stereotypes that have been constructed by the media. Representation of her race is very noticeable in the language used to frame her public judgment from the media. This racist ideology relates to the essentialist theory and that there is an essence of white vs black and male vs female. Are African American male athletes being just as critically judged for their outward appearance?

It seems that being an African American female in sports creates an issue within public media that allows the dichotomy to exist within society. This dichotomy stems from the idea that there is an essence and that that essence can be absorbed, created and repeated. That we as people can hegemonically accept the essence engrained in the media and fit into the box in which we are labeled. Whether that be black/white or male/female or any other binary opposition for that matter…

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Paris is Burning

Paris is Burning is a documentary set in the 80’s that showcases the LGBT community and the culture surrounding galas, balls and fashion. The New York set film swaps between scenes of the balls that occur within the queer community and interviews with people of color within the LGBT community.

The film directly focuses on the ‘queer balls’ and how they serve as a space for the marginalized LGBT community where they can be safe and have a place where they can freely express themselves. The balls feature various costumes, attire, and clothing that expresses the communities’ creativity and freedom to be themselves. The crowd featured is very supportive of one another and many are seen applauding each other as they strut their stuff.

Judith Butler writes in “Imitation and Gender Insubordination” writes about identification and the body. She frames her essay around the performance of gender and how heterosexual recognition provides a lens that provides the paradox for gender expression and the queer community. (235) Butler’s essay helps to provide context to Paris is Burning and how categories within the marginalized exist.

Within the film’s featured balls, it is clear to see the different groups that exist within the whole. Could this be because of societies ‘norms’ and how the body and gender are perceived? One can only assume that when looking at a drag queen, a butch lesbian, a transgender, or any other marginalized queer person that due to the ‘unaturalness’ if it, there is an assumption in how they are trying to present themselves. This confusion with cultural position is seen predominantly with drag queens and how they are perceived as women. Because of how heterosexual norms have framed society, and how queer folk are seen, it is hard to take into account the different identifications that can exist within the LGBT community.

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Black’ish’ Modern Culture

“By definition, black popular culture us a contradictory space. It is a sight of strategic contestation. But it can never be simplified or explained…” Stuart Hall theorizes what ‘Black’ is in popular culture. He states that Black popular culture exists and is represented in society and media texts. Hall summarizes the idea of ‘the other’ and how these roots provide the lens for Black popular culture to exist.

Mainstream popular culture thrives on the performance of differences. Because of this, Black popular culture is able to exist. However, these forms of culture tend to contradict the narratives of counter culture. This is because the idea of the main popular culture is being recoded through a different lens and concept. Instead of being the counter culture it is consuming the mainstream concept and reproducing it as its own.

Take for example two ABCfamily television shows that provide the similarity in mainstream and Black popular culture. Modern Family, and Blackish, have very similar themes and ideologies in how they are produced and presented as television shows. The family struggles, cultural themes, and experiences almost mirror each other. The difference between the two shows is race and culture representation. This is seen in how the shows are presented and consumes.

Both Modern Family, and Blackish critically incorporate themes that exist in culture. This includes race, LGBT themes, as well as economic and social struggles. The discourse for the two however, are different due to race and representation. Blackish is predominantly people of color whereas Modern Family is predominantly white with other ethnic backgrounds added in. Because of this, the two shows are consumed in two different cultural context due to how race and popular culture exist in main stream media and society.

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Gender and Drag

Gender identity and performance has been widely discussed in today’s culture and society. Because of heteronormative structures, gender is a construct that has been engrained, produced and consumed by the masses. Theory surrounding gender defines it as a ‘performance’ in which one identifies and apparently is perceived as.

Judith Butler writes “The ‘being’ of the subject is no more self-identical than the ‘being’ of any gender…” stating that the ‘subject’ us an effect that is difficult to accept in modern society. Butler frames her theory around the performance of being queer or not and how identity has been seen by consumers and culture as a performance that can be removed and changed.

These ‘acts’ are framed around the idea of drag and how one can perform as a different gender then their identified gender. The illusion of drag allows for the heterosexual construct to root their structures that gender is reality and not a performance. When clearly with drag, the idea of the perceived performance is understood through how the body appears.

For example, Ru Paul Drag’s race focuses solely on males as drag superstars. This media text supports Butler as it ties in the idea of performance and fender as an appearance that is perceived. The ideologies in this reality show allow for the understanding and perception that the queens are performing as female. This supports the concept that heterosexual constructs create the signified and perceived gender through the straight systematic box that society places gender and performance in.

Drag queens allow the illusion of performance to exist which allows the narrative surrounding the LGBT community as a whole to thrive and exist. This is because shows like Ru Paul’s allow for rebellion against heteronormative culture and established gender norms.

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Gender Signs, signifier/signified

 “Course in General Linguistics” by Ferdinand de Saussure, semiotics and the functionality of linguistics, a widely used and studied theory that explains the details behind language and linguistic signs.

Saussure narrows his theoretical frame and semiotics in multiple parts that consist of how the nature of the sign exists and how it is identified by the signifier. How signs and linguistics exist tend to primarily be what people focus on. This is noticed by arbitrarily noticing the nature of an item rather than the word it is.

Using this framework, a cultural text that helps to understand Saussure is the traditional restroom signs that exist in society. Without ever having to have words, restroom signs identify what perceived gender should go in which restroom. The dichotomy between male/female is very alive in our culture and public restrooms help support the linguistics of how the nature of signs and signifying them exists.

Most humans can look at a public restroom sign and identify the gender in which it is designed for. This is because the gender sign allows the brain of the signifier to be evoked and understand the signified gender sign. This occurs through simply looking at said sign rather than reading a word.

For example, a common support of this theory is the concept of a tree and that looking at one it is easy to see that it is a tree. This is understood through how the signifier identifies the sign in which it is produced. Because of this, linguistics and semiotics help to understand culture and society. Saussure allows for ideologies to exist and thrive when it comes to language surrounding signs and media.

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Culture is “not” ordinary

Culture and hegemony are extremely related in today’s society. This is seen in mass production of media and the consumption of it. When reviewing culture and society, one can understand that the counter-culture becomes the culture as it becomes known and popular. This feeds into the hegemonic society that is unconsciously forced upon us. Society doesn’t know that when watching a show or listening to certain music that they are falling into the cycle of media control. Certain produced films, music, and other forms of media help shape the idea of hegemonic norms that are so engrained in society. As Raymond Williams puts, “… studying their (media texts) modes of change to discover certain ‘laws’ or ‘trends’ by which social and cultural development as a whole can be better understood.” This helps to frame how the media is ran, consumed, and produced. Powerful dominant stereotypes control the media and control what is seen, heard, and consumed. Because of the dominance and leadership society accepts that it is “normal” and “okay” because they have the luxury of ABCfamily and Spotify or etc. Consumers enjoy their media not realizing that billion dollar white, male, educated, conservatives are in control of such mediums. Today’s culture relationship perfectly epitomizes hegemony because consumers don’t hesitate to research where their information is coming from and how they are receiving their products. It is just accepted, because its “normal.” Capitol dominance is seen as the usual with power in media and culture. The white males of the world get to control what we watch and listen too as well as how we consume the media and when. Do we really find this dominance okay?

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How To Get Over A Slump

Joy Ho (@feeverdreem) is currently interning at NPR on the science desk. If you missed it, check out part one of this story here. And let us know – how do you deal with creative slumps?

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Great tips on how to get over a creative slump. -Emily

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Thanks NPR 

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But What if We’re Wrong and Global Media can exist without English

Global media around the world has been dubbed for English audiences. But what if we’re wrong? By catering global news to English readers, the media feeds into the western colonized few and slumps all bodies into one speaking language, English. With the rise of thriving cultures such as China and India, many news sources have the ability to thrive on their own, by being written and produced in their country’s native language. These two nations, China and India, as mentioned in our class readings question the capitalistic and globalization set forth by the west.(Javnost 2013)  Because of this, the rest of the globe has the ability to do the same. Each nation, country, or section of the globe can report globally and cater to its native audience. With the rise of Chindia it is entirely possible for other nations to thrive on their own and rise while challenging the western view.

“But the objective world is different. Here, we traffic in literal facts…” Klosterman states in But What if We’re Wrong?(Klosterman 2016 Burn Thy Witches) His outlook on the globe backs up the idea that nations can thrive, write, produce and create on their own. The objective world is different and can continue to be different in a beneficial way to individuals and globally. It allows for competitiveness to exist and understand how other countries are rising. This is seen through his example of landline phones and how America was living on the hype of having landlines, while simultaneously Japan was creating and using mobile phones. While colonization may be the reason many of these nations exist, it does not have to be the reason they thrive on their own. The media industry is made up of multiples upon multiples of sources from around the globe. Most of these sources are written in English or have an English version. By challenging the west, global media can function entirely on its own for its own. The English version can be removed and translated if need be, each news and media source could write for its native and specific audience.

By writing specifically in English, global news sources are not catering to its own audiences. This concept is also mentioned in Klosterman’s book and the idea behind football and the audience surrounding the sport. (Klosterman 2016 Sudden Death) Similar to football, global news stories are not always going to be catered to multiple news sources. But by catering to English read people, the global news industry is wrong. They are wrong because their only allowing the west and those who are colonized by the west to read their coverage and news. The future has the ability to have global news that is catered to native speakers of the country that it is writing for, but still covers what is going on in the world. Global news could be written from specific countries like China or Israel in their native language and will hopefully still cover what is happening globally but in their own format, language, and media source.

Japan has been more technologically advanced for years. Because of this, other countries have the ability to advance as well in technology, media, and resources. With individual advancement, each country can create and produce technology on their own. Technology advancements allows for better media to be created throughout the globe. This will allow for cultures to represent themselves respectfully. If media sources are catering to their audience yet still covering global issues, the opportunity for cultural appropriation becomes smaller and smaller. Because, with advanced technology and native written media, cultures are able to be represented by themselves and not appropriated by the west. Locally written media allows for friendly competition to exist among news sources. As Klosterman writes about the competition surrounding sports fans, that approach could exist for global news as well. This would happen by multiple sources from the same country covering the same story such as national holiday coverage and how it relates to that specific country’s culture.

The future can be made up of a lot of opportunities. However, when it pertains to global media and news coverage, there is the opportunity for news to exist in every country and cater to their culture and audience while still covering stories on a broader scale. This can be done by writing in their own language and covering stories from their perspective rather than accepting the west. Global media could grow to a larger scale by existing and thriving in every country. With advancements in technology, countries can create their own news and still cover what is happening on a larger scale that helps inform their people with the language they know. Global news could become competitive on a hyperlocal scale where individual press sources compete for the best story. Alongside that, this future opportunity allows for cultures to be represented by themselves and not misrepresented by others. By having individual control of their own media, countries around the globe can write their own story and provide understanding of their culture from their view.

Works Cited:

Klosterman, C. (2016). But what if we're wrong?: Thinking about the present as if it were the past. New York: Blue Rider Press.

 Thussu, D. K. (2013). De-Americanising Media Studies and the Rise of “Chindia”. Javnost - The Public, 20(4), 31-44. doi:10.1080/13183222.2013.11009126

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The Globe and Mail

Canada has a hereditary monarchy where the governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general. The legislative branch is a bicameral parliament consisting of 105 members of senate that serve until the age of 75, and are appointed by the governor general. There are also the 338 members of the House of Commons, also known as the Chambre des Communes. The members of the house are elected by a simple majority vote to serve a maximum of four year terms. The Supreme Court is the highest court of the judicial branch, and consists of the chief justice and eight judges. The members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the prime minister. All of the judges that are appointed serve with mandatory retirement at the age of 75 years old. The country Canada has grown into an urban and industrial country since World War II because of the growth of manufacturing, mining, and service sectors. There is an abundant source of highly skilled labor force, modern capital plant, and natural resources. Today, Canada is the fifth greatest producer of oil; their petroleum sector is continuously expanding. They export about three-fourths of its merchandise to trade with the United States each year.  United States gets most of its supplied energy from Canada, including oil, gas, and electric power, and even uranium imports. Despite the recent drop in the price of oil, and the recession of 2008 Canada has achieved a marginal growth since 2010.

The Globe and Mail covers a wide variety of topics pertaining to Canada and global relations. It’s geological setting allows it to cater to American and Canadian audiences, covering mostly media that pertain to these two audiences. This is noticed by its English set language and the material it covers. Having both print and online versions, The Globe and Mail provides stories of current news that fall under several categories. The paper breaks down their covered media from American news, to business, top stories, tech, sports, etc. The large range of categories allows for easy reading and user friendliness. Having being in print for over 172 years, Canada’s #1 National News Paper attracts a high volume of readership from across Canada and within America as well. Currently owned by the Woodbridge Company and based in Toronto they print in six provinces across the country. Founded by a Scottish immigrant George Brown and later merged by Scott McCullagh; The Globe merged with The Mail and Empire making it The Globe and Mail. In the 1960’s the paper was bought by FP Publications and then sold to the Thomason Corporation before being owned by Woodbridge Company. Its long history provides for it to be Canada’s number one press and paper. The paper is known in the U.S. as well due to its wide coverage and well known media. Both American and Canadian audiences can benefit from reading The Globe and Mail because it provides unique coverage and updated information on global, local, and pressing issues that people want to read about.

The Globe and Mail covers a wide variety of social issues including a small selection of the inside of a federal prison, suicide stories, discrimination, and immigration issues. Because of the wide range of stories this paper is global in how it covers news due the nature of what it publishes. Reading the paper allows for insight on how other countries cover their news and also how they handle pressing issues. The Globe and Mail not only chooses to cover hyperlocal news but also global news that affects the Canadian population. Alongside that, the paper provides details on current issues that allow a lens for readers to understand how connected the globe is in crime, economic struggle, power structure and media. One of the major articles in The Globe and Mail that went viral not just in Canada but on social media such as twitter and Facebook, but also spread throughout the U.S., was a story of a young man by the name of Adam Capay who after arrested, was put in a cell for four years without the sight of sunlight. The story covered his mistreatment and allowed for audiences to see the common struggle that many countries are facing aside from America with relations to race and how even prisoners are treated differently due to it. Readers of the article were enraged because Adam Capay’s lawyers allowed his abuse and poor treatment to happen. Adam Capay has damage due to this and many took to twitter under his name as a hashtag to make people aware of the story.

Another important article was on a 10-year-old who committed suicide and was even brought to the attention of the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau due to the high rate of suicide among the ages of 12 and 14 years. Trudeau was disappointed, and called it a national tragedy because nobody was doing anything to resolve the situation, and provide better health care to Canadians. The coverage from The Globe and Mail allowed other press to cover stories relation to the suicides and how it affected the countries outlook on mental health. This story sparked a conversation within the education system that would provide help for adolescent youth and hopefully bring down the high suicide rate in Canada.

The Globe and Mail covers a variety of global issues that many countries face as well. For example, a teacher almost forced a Hijab wearing student to take her head wrap off so he could see her ears. This story relates to the ban of burkinis in other countries and ban of head wraps and religious garments. Many teachers struggle with the issue of asking a student to see their ears or other hidden body parts due to the possibility of cheating. Both parties are right and wrong in a situation such as this in education. It makes for a controversial conversation that allows readers to develop their own opinion on the matter. This story covered how both the teacher and student were uncomfortable, but that overall the misunderstanding was handled by the school very well which ensured that the misunderstanding would not happen again in the future.

The country’s political structure influences the press coverage because the outcome of the situation is dependent on the liberal beliefs of the country, and how the three branches of government are run. The news will consist of multiple political figures behind most stories, like the prime minister or a correctional officer because these are the people that have caused the problem or the one that are going to resolve it. The coverage of the press is very diverse because they cover multiple issues like race, public health, weather and global change, politics, entertainment, as well as business. Allowing for a wide range of categories gives readers the opportunity to tap into whatever they want to read or feel important specifically to them.

Following the Canadian Press allowed myself to understand how one news source can fit into the globe. I discovered this by reading coverage of issues that relate to the rest of the world. Alongside that, I was able to see how hyperlocal news can affect other readers that are not of the Canada population. For example, Americans benefit from reading coverage from The Globe and Mail and how their political and economic structure can affect the population. The Globe and Mail provided myself with the opportunity to see how a media outlet can provide a lens on how issues can be covered differently than how they are in America. This following made me want to continue to follow global coverage of pressing issues and the world rather than just American sources.

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Blue is the Warmest Color

Blue is the Warmest Color a film directed and written by Abdellatif Kechiche, opens up with Adele a main character who is met in her younger years as she struggles to fit in and feel comfort in her surroundings. This is noticed by her emotional disconnect with her high school colleague, Thomas, and her struggle to be emotionally and physically attracted to him. Shortly after having sex with him, Adele notices a blue haired girl in passing, Emma, who is met with her girlfriend at the time, and is the films other main character. During the beginning of the film it is clear that Adele struggles with her sexuality and fitting in with her peers. After her first kiss with a female she becomes attached and tries kissing the girl again hoping for a romantic compatibility. After being rejected in the school bathroom Adele goes out with her friend and they scope out the gay bar scene where Adele encounters Emma again and the film starts to develop the romantic spark that exists between the two females.

The films most talked about scene is what makes the movie interesting. This is the sex scene of Adele and Emma. Although fictional this scene is noticeably the same format of that of Classical Hollywood Cinema. This is seen by the exploitation of queer sexuality and what happens in the bedroom between same sex couples. In America on Film the book writes about capitalist ideologies and how homosexuality is portrayed in film. (Benshoff 2009) These ideals are existent in even this French film with how the women are sexualized for the male gaze and also portrayed as cheaters, slutty, and unfaithful. The main plot of this film is the issue of Adele’s social and personal struggle. Her inability to remain faithful to Emma due to lack of attention and love provides a look into the lens of French culture.

French people are more accepting of infidelity than they are same-sex relations. Because of this, Abdellatif Kechiche writes a story that not only portrays the culture within France but places it in a text with lesbians rather than heterosexuals. UK Daily Mail writes about how French women expect their significant others to cheat. Infidelity is so engrained in the French culture that it is just expected and accepted. Blue is the Warmest Color not only feeds into this global stigma, but it also fights against it. This is seen by harshness of Emma when she realizes Adele has cheated on her. The whole scene shows not only the disapproval of it but the pure shame Emma places on Adele for not remaining faithful. Not only did her affair exist but it happened with a male which proves a cultural theory that queer identity in film is placed in a way that shows the characters overcoming their “gayness” or struggling with remaining true to it.

The films underlying theme portrays French culture through an unexpected lens. The shutdown of Adele cheating, alongside with her expectancy to survive as a woman on her own, provides a story that allows viewers to tap into the struggle of not just Queer identities but monogamous relationships and how that looks even in foreign countries and film. The plot in this film is Adele’s personal struggle through her life and how she views her sexuality and herself. The insecurity within the relationship of her and Emma is what allowed for the cheating to exist and what created the rest of the plot line of Adele and her struggle to find herself. The film follows a very similar format to Hollywood Cinema which is following a main character and their struggle to overcome a certain obstacle. (Benshoff 2009)

France has always been seen as fairly liberal through an outside perspective. What this film helps bring to surface is actually how conservative the French culture can actually be. Matador Network writes about the history of LGBT within France and how homophobic the culture has been. As stated above, the French tend to be more accepting of infidelity than they are of homosexuals. Because of this, Blue is the Warmest Color allows for audience members to see what it is like for a same-sex couple to exist in France. Part of the conservative struggle is existent in watching Adele’s parents meet Emma and seeing her as just a friend and expecting her to have a boyfriend. Adele’s family also judges her career choice and where she is going in life. After this seen, two females are seen in Adele’s bedroom and conversing about how Emma isn’t sleeping on the air mattress but rather Adele’s bed. This scene in particular provides the ideology behind gays in hiding. Hiding Emma’s real significance from her parents, allowed Adele to continue living a façade that she puts on for her friends, family, and coworkers alike.

Because of her personal struggle with how others view her in a conservative world, Adele hides her relationship with Emma which breeds the beginning of the insecurity between the two. The film really hones in on how Adele feels about Emma’s art friends and her jealousy for one specific colleague of Emma’s. Because of Adele’s jealousy she starts to feel a pull from Emma which makes her look for attention in other places like a male colleague, that as mentioned above is who she uses to cheat on Emma with. The cheating is what leads to the two breaking up and remaining separated for years. The two regather and meet up in a coffee shop where Emma admits she is with Lise, the female that Adele was jealous about. This scene is important because it provides the idea that possibly both characters cheated on each other which could be part of the reason Emma was so defensive and enraged.

This film overall is very stereotypically laid out similar to an American chick flick. The infidelity, love story, and Adele’s goal to overcome hard chapters in her life puts this French film in the same category as Hollywood cinematic narrative. Although this is the case, the film also provides a lens in which to view French culture and how they are talked about globally. Blue is the Warmest Color goes against the acceptance of infidelity and also provides and LGBT couple in the middle of a widely conservative culture, although viewed otherwise. The well written story shows emotion that many viewers can relate too, which is the ability to overcome romantic hurdles and life hurdles even in a world where what feels right may not be accepted.

Works Cited:

Benshoff, H. M., & Griffin, S. (2009). America on film: Representing race, class, gender, and sexuality at the movies. Malden, MA, USA: Wiley-Blackwell.

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This is The Voice

American hit T.V. show The Voice was mimicked from what originated in Holland, originally with the title The Voice of Holland or TVOH. It had first aired on September 17, 2010, while the U.S. Version aired not even a year later in 2011, and the Chinese version aired over a year after the U.S. Version aired its first season. Many shows over the years have been receiving an Americanized makeover, whether it is a competition, reality, or a sitcom show type. Typically these shows originally air in such countries as Germany, Thailand, or the United Kingdom, and both China and the U.S.  will conceptualize the original program to create these capitalistic aired programs/shows.

In 2010, NBC purchased the franchise rights to air the U.S. version of the show, and soon to follow were many other countries including Argentina, Germany, Indonesia, Portugal, and many others. Now this may raise questions on whether or not this could pass as cultural appropriation through the recreation of shows in a different cultural format. It isn’t necessarily considered cultural appropriation as the television shows are going through transnationalism, and being re-adapted through another cultural and their own systematics of pop culture. During the 80’s and 90’s there was a rapid growth rate “established the ground for trade in television programs and formats across cultures.” (Er, 2016)

With there being these grounds of trade within the television/entertainment industry it can be known that are being capitalized and hybridized to the culture and nation recreating the program. The show new show will have similar qualities and themes as the originating show or program. Of course the shows will have “certain divergences/modifications occur at particular moments due to culturally different interpretations of certain contentious issues such as religion, domesticity, sexuality, womanhood, taboos, and social stratification.” (Er, 2016) 

With The Voice originating in Holland, it portrays is own cultural perceptions of singing, physical appearance, social stratification, and more, whilst the American and Chinese version will have the overall same concept of having four judges listening blindly to a contestant sing, while portraying their own ideals of popular culture, singing, and other social norms.

In Holland The Voice is aired on RTL 4, which has an average audience aging between 20 to 49 years old. Typically a young adult audience to the parental/middle aged audience range, since some will be watching with their children or significant other. The Chinese and U.S. version have similar age viewers, and all pull in millions of viewers per show. Each show market towards the major demographics and cities/states of the nation in which it is aired.

According to Ibrahim Er in his article on Transnational TV Series Adaptations, through the recreation of television shows/media:

[The] meaning is re-formed and manipulated in transnational TV series adaptations through various semiotic modes located in the visual, verbal, and sound tracks of an audio-visual text. Thanks to its transnational frame, it also traces culturally specific connections between such paradigmatic/syntagmatic choices made during a re-production and certain sociocultural and political dynamics of the day, and opens up a new transnational perspective for discussion in the ever-evolving field of multimodality.

With that each version or rendition of the show has the same overall concept, yet will differ quite significantly throughout the regions own sociocultural and popular cultural dynamics. Most competition shows that have different regional variations such as America’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got Talent , American Idol, Canadian Idol, and others with have the concept of the original airing show, yet portray its own unique style and way of the entertainment industry of that nation/region.

All three versions of the show decided the winner of the competition through public vote. The winners of each version however are awarded differently. The Chinese and Dutch winners receive a record deal through a label that resides in the region of the aired show, while the U.S. version is the same in that aspect, it however also offers a cash prize of a hundred thousand dollars.

Unfortunately the running of a show recreated for another nation doesn’t last as long as others, such as the Chinese version, which has been noted that it was cancelled on July 1, 2016 do to a pressing law suit at hand. A directive was issued out by the State of Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television (SAPPRFT) out of compliance to name regulations and similarities of that of another show airing under two separate production companies.

There isn’t a definitive message given by these shows, other than the cliché message of it doesn’t matter where you came from or who you are, if you have talent then you’ll make it big one day, to all those aspiring artists and musicians out there a like. Overall it is used as a source of competition and musical entertainment for television viewers.

There however is an underlying theme of the globalization of capitalism throughout the transnationalism of “TV and film industries and their attendant cultures of consumption.” (Gillespie, 1995) Essentially when another nation or region sees a foreign concept successfully playing out in the tv and film industry, such as the U.S., they will take the concept or idea and capitalize it to their standards and needs. The show will then be conceptualized to that of the new nation/regions cultural standings.

These redesigned programs and shows can be seen in such light when looking back at the original version of a show, then looking at the remake through it’s appearance, style of directing and writing, cultural norms and values, and other like qualities. Once looking at these things one can start to see the capitalization of transnational tv shows, especially through sitcoms and soap operas.

Overall we, as the viewers, can realize that these remakes aren’t appropriating the culture of the originating regions show or program, but rather recreating the show in another regions sociocultural normalities and standards.

Works cited

'2016 The Voice of China' Loses Court Case vs. 'The Voice of China' (2016). Retrieved October 09, 2016, from http://en.yibada.com/articles/134506/20160623/2016-the-voice-of-china-loses-court-case-vs-the-voice-of-china.htm

Er, I. (2016, May 19). A Funnier Monk: A Multimodal Approach to Transnational TV Series and Adaptations. Narratives/Aesthetics/Criticism, 1-15.

Gillespie, M. (1995). Television, ethnicity, and cultural change. London: Routledge

RTL Nederland [PDF]. (2013). Holland: RTL.

The Voice (U.S. TV series). (n.d.). Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_(U.S._TV_series)

The Voice of China. (n.d.). Retrieved October 09, 2016, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Voice_of_China

[bchopp72-blog]

Free AJ Staff

Peter Greste, a Latvian-Australian, has worked as a journalist and correspondent for Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, and other major media outlets. Greste was born in Sydney, Australia, where he attended both high school and college. Greste had graduated with a degree in journalism studies at Queensland University of Technology. In his early career he had started off working with both BBC and CNN, which can be included that he had based out in London for quite some time during the early stages of his career.  He has worked in throughout Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southern Africa.

Prior to his arrestment Greste was hired on to be a correspondent with Al Jazeera English in Africa. He would later be asked to do some work out in Cairo, Egypt during the Christmas holiday. Although it has been known for Egypt to be known as one of the most dangerous environments for a journalist, Greste still went forward with the task of working within the hostile environment.  

Al Jazeera has been highly criticized by Egyptian authorities as a link to terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood. In July 2013 quite a few of Al Jazeera journalists resigned due to biased coverage. The Washington Times had even quoted Al Jazeera correspondent Haggag Salama who accused “the station of ‘airing lies and misleading views.’”

Leading up to the events of the arrestment of three Al Jazeera journalists the Qatar news source was under an immense amount of scrutiny by many, including its former employees. A former anchor for the news source had also been quoted in the same Washington Times article, “[He had] felt that there were errors in the way the coverage was done, especially that now in Egypt we are going through a critical phase that requires a lot of auditing in terms of what gets broadcasted,” he told Al Arabiya. “My colleagues have also resigned for the same reason.”

Although the news source was being highly criticized some correspondents and journalists decided to stay a part of the Al Jazeera team, despite all of the accusations of airing lies through its media channels.

Later that year in December 2013 Egyptian forces arrested the Al Jazeera journalists and correspondents Baher Mohamed,  Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, alongside Peter Greste.. The three journalist had been accused of working alongside Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, a movement that had recently been  declared a terrorist group by Egypt’s military-backed interim government.

The men believed that it would have only been a few hours to where they have been detained, questioned, and released. It wasn't until January 29, 2014 when Greste and the others were set to see a criminal court. The men were accused of lies and slander through the interest of the Muslim Brotherhood. Baher Mohamed was transferred to another prison to be detained and further questioned, while Fahmy and Greste had been further detained.

A broadcaster for Al Jazeera had said on air “Al Jazeera demands that its staff to be released immediately,” during the broadcast below:

Finally in June of 2014, after 11 mistrials the verdict was in Greste was sentenced to 7 years in prison. The imprisonment of the journalist created a domino affect throughout the world of journalism. Al Jazeera had created the campaign #FreeAJStaff, that led to many journalist across the world to partake in.

Later in September 2014 Prime Minister Tony Abbot  met with the Egyptian President al-Sisi to discuss the imprisonment and release of Peter Greste during the United Nations General Assembly. According to ABC even President Barack Obama had discussed with President al-Sisi regarding the arrestment and detainment of Greste and fellow journalist.

It wasn’t until January 1 of 2015 that the Egyptian government had ordered a retrial. During the retrial the court dismissed the accusations and convictions of the Al Jazeera journalists, but it wasn't until 400 days of his imprisonment was Greste released on February 1st. Although he was able to go home Greste’s retrial was still pending in Cairo.

Later that year the jury came to a decision and Greste was sentenced to three years in jail for supporting the terrorist group, the Muslim Brother. A month after the retrial al-Sisi announced a pardon for both Fahmy and Mohamed, but Greste’s name was not on the list to be pardoned.

The trials of Greste and his fellow colleagues had left a lasting impression on the world of journalism and free press, as many had placed tape over their mouths during the #FreeAJStaff campaign. The tape was to signify being censored and silenced by worldly governments. The job as a journalist is to accurately give information to the public, which to them is seen as a social responsibility and justice, and when that was taken away from Greste, Fahmy, and Mohamed, that essentially showed many that their right of free press can be taken away at any given moment, do to accusation and speculation.

Works Cited:

H. (2014, September 25). Abbott raises Greste jailing with Egyptian president. Retrieved September 2016, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-26/abbott-urges-egyptian-pm-to-consider-greste-jailing/5770646

Al Jazeera demands release of detained journalists in Egypt. (2013, December 31). Retrieved September 2016, from https://youtu.be/TRDYQhcmxoE

Chasmar, J. (2013, July 9). 'We aired lies': Al-Jazeera staff quit over biased Egypt coverage. Retrieved September, 2016, from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/9/we-aired-lies-al-jazeera-staff-quit-over-biased-eg/

Egypt declares Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group. (2013, December 25). Retrieved September 18, 2016, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/25/egypt-declares-muslim-brotherhood-terrorist-group

Fahim, K. (2015, September 23). Egypt Pardons Al Jazeera Journalists Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed. Retrieved September 18, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/24/world/middleeast/al-jazeera-journalists-mohamed-fahmy-baher-mohamed-egypt-pardon.html?_r=1

[bchopp72-blog]

“Jess”ica Schmidt

(MCST 2200) Final 

 Television programming has developed strong female characters with how they are written into television shows. Strong leads now exist in a variety of shows such as New Girl, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Jessica Jones. With shows centered around a leading female role, different lessons are understood from the stories that unfold. Although these lead roles rely on relationships with other characters in order to thrive, their stories paint a bigger picture for audiences to understand. The message is that females can thrive as individuals and overcome obstacles and difficulties in a variety of ways. Each female lead in New Girl, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Jessica Jones provides a lens into understanding the “freed” female who overcomes life’s journey as an independent woman. (Vox 2016)

New Girl with main character “Jess” short for Jessica presents a story of a girl who overcomes a difficult breakup and moves in with three gentleman into an L.A. loft. (EW 2016) Jess has to overcome the obstacles of getting over a long-term relationship and changing her scenery. She has to piece back her life and start a new chapter. The show takes place mostly in the apartment of her three roommates and herself. These roommates are Schmidt, Nick, and Winston, three males that shape the show by how they interact with Jess while in the apartment.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s main character is Kimmy who is rescued from a cult and has to start a new life in NYC with her male roommate Titus. Kimmy’s story is told through her interactions with her actor roommate, her landlord and others she encounters in her new life in New York. She refuses to be seen as a victim and starts a new life and chapter by finding new beginnings in her move and adjustment.

Jessica Jones is also set in NYC and is about superhero Jessica who overcomes the obstacles of rape, ptsd, and assault. With the help of her other detectives she strives in her role in New York with her agency and new beginning. Her new chapter is about overcoming serious trauma and fighting crime through superpower. With the help of her dependent characters Jessica’s story provides the lens of how females pick up their lives after experiencing a serious trauma. (IW 2015)

Both Kimmy Schmidt and Jessica Jones take place in New York City whereas New Girl is set in Los Angeles. These cities are important to the development of the show because both locations are seen as cities of dreams. They are both places in which people can start new beginnings and find new pieces to life. Because of the fact that New York City is where the American dream was set, this is why both Jessica Jones and Kimmy Schmidt are set here. They develop “dreams” and new starts by being in the heart of America and taking back their lives. Los Angeles on the flip side of the country is the place where dreams run wild and people start anew just like New York. Both cities provide all three females with the opportunity to take control of their lives while thriving in a large city and beginning a new chapter. (EW 2016)

Kimmy and Jess are both directly comparable in shows and show very similar themes. The first obvious comparison is the two ladies appearance and apparel. Both females dress very light and as if spring has thrown up on them. In comparison to Jessica Jones, both girls are day versus night when it comes to colors and how they dress. Kimmy wears yellow and pink whereas Jess where’s bright blues, yellows and floral patterns. (Bustle 2016) Another direct comparison is the fact that both females also choose to work directly with children. Jess is a teacher and Kimmy becomes a nanny. These two roles present the nurturing side to the characters and also relates to their lightness and warmth depicted in the show. Lastly both Kimmy and Jess live with male roommates that shape their story due to their direct interaction and relationship with who they live with.

When comparing Jessica Jones and New Girl these two shows are different in most ways but also comparable. For example, both female leads have the same name of Jessica, but New Girl’s lead goes by Jess in the show. Another similarity is the fact that they are both overcoming an obstacle in their life. The difference is the seriousness in which they are overcoming. Jess in New Girl has to grow after a difficult break-up whereas Jessica has to overcome PTSD and assault. The seriousness of these two situations are very different but both girls have to change their surroundings and become independent as they overcome these hurdles. Their ability to do so is formulated in the story telling of these shows and how they interact with their co-characters in order to overcome their obstacle. (Vox 2016)

All three shows display the three females independently overcoming challenges that life has presented them with. Their strong leads allows them to be relatable and interesting in order for audiences to tap in and view the shows. Maintenance behaviors directly relate to all three of these female characters as it describes their cohabitance and interactions with other characters. Without supporting roles in all three shows the females would not be able to develop as strongly as they do. (IW 2016) The characters are shown regularly engaging with others that directly relate to the plot of the show. By doing so each character helps develop the series and positively influence the attraction of the show.

One of the major differences between these three shows in the way in which they are produced. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and New Girl are presented as lighter shows that are bubbly, humorous, and easier to watch. Jessica Jones is darker in appearance and heavier in how it is presented, the show is very gloomy and not as comedic as the other two. This is obvious through just one episode of each and how Kimmy and Jess dress versus how Jessica dresses. The characters in all three shows develop the show differently in the lightness versus darkness of them. Titus in relation to Kimmy helps produce the comedy and light of the show, and Schmidt, Winston, and Nick all provide the humor and bubbly feel to New Girl. Mike and the other super characters in Jessica Jones show the dark comedy and heaviness of the show by how melancholy Jessica interacts with them.

As mentioned before, the plotlines of these characters directly relates to their relationship with supporting roles in the television show. This is because female roles need supporting male characters in order to thrive. The minor characters help develop the stories of Jess, Kimmy, and Jessica by interacting and unfolding the girls personalities through their direct relationships. Women as the lead has not entirely been accepted by audience members and because of this, these three shows needed male supports in order for the leading characters to thrive. It works because each female’s story and overcoming their obstacle is revealed through their interaction and self-discovery with other characters. (Fox 2014)

Another difference in these three shows is how they were distributed to watch. Jessica Jones and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt were both produced on Netflix whereas New Girl was originally released on Fox traditional cable network. This major difference provides the ability in how the show is watched and consumed. Because Kimmy and Jessica can be watched on a streaming platform without commercials their popularity grew from first release. New Girl became more popular once it was released on Netflix. The shortness of this show was less popular on broadcast due to having to watch commercials. Audience members prefer to not view commercials which is what makes viewing these three shows on streaming sites more beneficial overall. (Nicole 2015)

The three girls in these shows provide the opportunity for viewers to understand three different obstacles and how they develop a story. Jessica Jones is vastly different in the fact it is a comic superhero story versus a sitcom. The difference is major because viewers prefer two different types of shows and that matters with how the plot develops. Jessica Jones is different than other superhero shows because she tells a story of overcoming a major life obstacle through the influence of power and strength. Kimmy and Jess allow for lighter stories and overcoming obstacles through comedy and bubbliness.

Overall all three shows develop strong female leads in their ability to overcome assault, breakups, sexual trafficking, and other female issues. With the help of their supporting roles Kimmy, Jess, and Jessica fight their hurdles and start new chapters. They develop shows that help socially understand different struggles that individuals can go through whether it be through comic superheroes or light comedy. These three ladies allow for audience members to tap in and understand the development of strength and overcoming life’s challenges regardless how little or how small that challenge is. The writing behind these shows allows for strong lead roles and the unfolding of the stories through different settings and obstacles the girls may have to face. While very similar all three shows provide a different story to view and enjoy and are all available to currently stream on Netflix. Because of this it allows any viewer to watch the three shows and compare how Jess, Kimmy, and Jessica take control of their life.

 Works Cited

 (n.d.). Retrieved May, 2016, from http://www.bustle.com/articles/155956-where-does-kimmy-schmidt-live-the-netflix-series-shoots-on-the-streets-of-nyc

  (n.d.). Retrieved May, 2016, from http://www.bustle.com/articles/124177-supergirl-jessica-jones-shouldnt-be-compared-because-there-is-much-more-to-these-heroes-than

 Anderegg, C., Dale, K., & Fox, J. (2014). Media Portrayals of Romantic Relationship Maintenance: A Content Analysis of Relational Maintenance Behaviors on Prime-Time Television. Mass Communication and Society, 17(5), 733-753. doi:10.1080/15205436.2013.846383

 New Girl series premiere recap: It's Jess! (n.d.). Retrieved May, 2016, from http://www.ew.com/recap/new-girl-season-1-episode-1

 Nicole, J. (2015). The Role of Women in Film: Supporting the Men An Analysis of How Culture Influences the Changing Discourse on Gender Representations in Film. University of Arkansas Journal, 3-32.

 Review: Here's What Makes 'Marvel's Jessica Jones' Season 1 So, So Important. (n.d.). Retrieved May, 2016, from http://www.indiewire.com/article/review-marvel-jessica-jones-season-1-netflix-is-so-so-important-20151120

 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt isn't the new 30 Rock. It's the new Bewitched. (2015). Retrieved May, 2016, from http://www.vox.com/2015/3/9/8173711/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt-review-