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Week 9 DS Task

The film I have chosen is Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory (1971). I chose this as it is a movie that a lot of people can recall from watching it growing up; therefore provides a sense of cultural significance. The remake comes from the director Tim Burton, which is just a more modern version of the Roald Dahl classic. The movie in itself is one where pretty much a lot of children wish they were a part of the golden ticket experience, but looking into the film more gives us a sense of the different aspects that contribute the movie to be a part of NFPB.

Initially, we are given an insight into the poor life of Charlie Bucket and his family, who would do anything to get a golden ticket. This contrasts the other children who are seen as spoilt and ungrateful even when winning the “ultimate” prize. The narrative shows gives the message of being content with what you have, no matter how small. Charlie is the last out of the kids to withstand all the challenges of the factory.

Mentioned is the aspect of poverty vs wealth. This is one of the key topics in the movie as it is evident. Charlie’s family live in a one room house, with a broken roof and having to eat the same food every day. In the end, money doesn’t buy happiness, which is the moral of the movie. He doesn’t strive for riches, but the ticket rewards him with more than he could have imagined. The ticket possibly represents the divide between the financial states of the families. There is hope for us all, as we witness with Charlie.

#culture

Week 9 Reading

25 movies are selected by the national film registry based on its significance- culturally, historically or aesthetically. The diversity shows the range throughout American movies to raise awareness for its longevity.

In the reading ‘the politics of film canons’, Janet Staiger focused on the history of film canon, along with the political aspect of it. ‘Some films will be chosen for extensive discussion and analysis; others will be ignored’. The politics of admission: looks into films as an art form- with theorists Vachel Lindsay & French impressionists. The approach is made due to assumptions due to the aesthetics and states that moving images should be included in the group of objects. Film as an art form can be tied in with the economic gain. In Lindsay’s and Munsterburg’s book, they go on to mention the effect that film has on social behaviour.

‘All arts do X; film can do X: therefore film is an art’ (Munsterburg). The way in which a film is presented links in with the imagination and contains a form of instructions/information. Another way of approaching this is the grouping and classifying of films. This allows the audience to see whether a movie is worthwhile in society. The example given is American horror films which ‘provides a grip on a large group of objects’. With this genre, it allows the audience to gain the visual representation more than conveying a message to society.

Auteur theory holds that the director of the movie looks upon the visual imagery, therefore is considered the “author”. Sarris writes “The auteur critic is obsessed with the wholeness of art and the artists…” (pg30). The work of the director is favoured more so for the uniqueness and their ability to offer a style/message throughout their work. My own example for this would be Tim Burton. He continues to explore the dark, fantasy genre which he is known for with Edward Scissorhands (1990), Sleep Hollow (1999) & Sweeny Todd (2007). There generally seems to be a relatability factor to his characters.

Ideological critics tend to judge the film based on its impact in society- politically or socially. An example here would be 12 years a slave, which brings to light the topic of slavery in 1853.

The politics of the academy: mentions that there are other forms of canon; a literature of films and one that approaches film methodologies. “One resurrects the film to claim it an unnoticed masterpiece”. In conclusion, the questions raised centre around what it means for the movies that we choose to study and how we should go around doing so. Media texts are based on the selection process and can be subjective (inclusion and exclusion).

Reading: Staiger, Janet (1985) ‘The Politics of Film Canons,’ in Cinema Journal Vol.4 No.3, pp.4-23.

#culture

Week 8 Reading

In ‘media research methods’, James Anderson (2012) looks into the method of ethnography and the main topics that would enable its use. “…it has come to mean any outsider’s analysis of any member that organizes itself across discourse and performance” (p351).

He then goes on to look at the major topics, which I will provide some here. Participant observation: which comes in the form of interviews, reflexivity: being self-aware of your environment, cultural formation of ethnography is semiotic: with this, we are able to view the interaction and behaviour of the public; as being sensible and sense-making. From then, the narrative is understood if there are any intentions. For example- visiting a certain town due to its architecture or the attractions.

With this method, I was able to relate it to my field trip observation to Stratford, where I provided images to show another part to the analysis, which ‘categorises the resources gained’. I also provides a narrative of what went on during the trip, referring to the local town, the intention of the products on sale and related them to theorists. This way, this provides ‘intention, goals, purposes and an emotional response’.

Another factor that brings in ethnography is member knowledge. It is a way of understanding the meaning of an individual, which generally makes them recognizable as something different. Relating back to Stratford, groups of tourists were ones that stood out, firstly from the size of the groups as they were generally large and also for the multiculturalism. The people provide the study of this method. Anderson concludes by stating that the communities are defined y their interactions, not by size or location; which related to my study. Stratford isn’t the biggest of places, but as it is quite small, it feels more like a tightknit community than just another tourist attractions. A strategy within this research is gaining access.

‘Even though the analyst is granted full access to an organization that access is likely to be different from that granted to a member. Informants, guides and mentors refers to the support of people who are willing to talk you through the local environment. I have used this factor in order to relate to the aspect of tour guides providing tourists with information that will guide them through the town efficiently.

Overall, ethnography gives us a full view of the way in which we communicate and observe the audience.

Reading: Anderson, James (2012) Media Research Methods. London: Sage, pp351-373.

#culture

Week 5 DS Task

I will be looking at the Nike logo as part of structuralism- ‘The Rhetoric of the Image (1964).

Roland Barthes has three messages within the reading. The linguistic message, a coded iconic message and a non-coded iconic message. Like the Panzani advertisement, there is a caption (slogan) associated with the image, but the substance in this case if the black tick against a white background. ‘Just do it’, like the image present provides a sense of positivity and motivation, especially with knowing it is a sports brand.

The way in which we understand this logo is through recognition. The signified shows the prominence of the tick and the text. It establishes the relationship between the mentality of the sports player and the brand. Together, it forms a identity that is well recognised, plus going back to the prominent signifier. Then following the structure, if the tick or the slogan was removed, with either one, we are still able to understand what is being represented without shapes. The logo is a graphic so does not constitute as a ‘real image’, but there is formation as to the positioning of the slogan on top and the tick underneath.

“The ‘composition’ carries an aesthetic signified, in much the same way as intonation, although suprasegmental is a separate signifier in language”. The way in which we find the signifiers is through the illustrations being linked together. He argues that “the audience look for signs to help then interoperate the narrative…” with knowledge of the image, it is easier to come up with ideas as to the meaning, but the majority is based on assumptions of linking the signifier to the signified.

#culture

Contacting PR Companies

It may seem like a tricky one as you may feel as if you need to know lots of people who work in the media industry in order to network or get in contact. But this is not the case. How are you going to keep a working relationship with PR companies if you don’t reach out to them.

There may be times/all the time where you are sent press releases or requests to write a review or interview, well there is your first step in contact. At the bottom of these emails are nearly always the contact information who deal with the press side of particular artists. It may seem daunting at first when you send the first email requesting anything, but just remember to be professional and approachable even if you are not face to face with the person.

No one wants to reach out to someone who doesn’t seem like they are enjoying what they’re doing or seemed to come across as rude. They are generally busy people and don’t have time for all that.

Remember to include the subject of your request in the email. Like I said, people in the media industry get lots of emails daily and reading the subjects gets their attention more so than a blank subject section.

Look up the name of whoever you are emailing. If that cannot be found, introduce yourself in a casual way, maybe with a ‘Hi’ as a lot of PR people are pretty cool and laidback people. It’s a creative industry so you don’t want to appear as if you are applying for a job; but still be professional when requesting or inquiring.

Be sure to follow up on the email if you haven’t recieved a reply closer to when what you have requested is due. One email should do it as it’ll then go to the top of their inbox. Do not bombard them with thousands of emails every hour.

#journalism

Errors Interview for Native Monster

Back in January, I did an interview with singer Steev Livingston of Errors ahead of their UK tour for Native Monster.We talk touring, first impressions, new album, writing process and more. I hope to contribute to this site more as the months go on. The content of the site varies from video game reviews through to musical previews and news. There is something on there for everyone.

Read the full article below. http://nativemonster.com/music/bands-and-gigs/band-interviews/preview-we-interview-errors-ahead-of-their-birmingham-gig

#journalism

Think Piece Development

As my think piece is now done, I can now brief you in on what the 3,000 words written was all about! One topic that people tend to talk about, especially music fans is people wearing band t-shirts withoit having little to no knowledge of the bands but wearing is as pretty much a fashion statement. I found this to be really interesting as this is something I was looking forward to finding out people's opinions on this topic and to be able to see both sides of the debate was thought provoking. So the overall conclusion stems around spreading the rock culture and scene to people who may not have much knowledge in it, especially when it comes to promoting these bands. There's no test to when it comes to proving how much of a fan you are. Music is music and can be spread in so many ways.

#journalism

Featured Article

My featured article on the site, Conversations About Her. You can read the fill article here. Focusing on the launch of Hayley Williams’ new online web show ‘Kiss Off’.

#journalism #hayley williams

Interview Tips

Before being given the opportunity to work for the music website Altsounds, the only form of getting my work out there was in the form of a blog, which you can take a look at here. The blog was started in the summer of 2013 where I just posted music news and reviews.

As the months went on, I began to gain recognition from PR companies about my blog, in which they wanted me to interview artists on their roster or review pieces of music. As months went on, I updated it regularly with new features, including what I was doing previously.

Fast forward two years, I have over 21,000 views on the blog, with as much updating as I can. I am aiming to produce new content and features just like I initially did when I first started running the blog.

Interviewing tips: When it comes to approaching a band/artist to interview, I believe it is best to start off with smaller musicians as they need more exposure than established acts. Not to say don’t aim for the ‘higher’ end, but as you start to build your portfolio, people will see that you are interested in taking this on withouth being asked to do so and will trust you more with different types of interviews like face to face or phone interviews.

If the interview you have requested is confimed and starting out it is in the form of an email interview, be sure to submit questions within 2-3 days of confirmation. I say this as PR companies get a large amount of press requests from bigger publications which they would probably give priority to over smaller publications, so you want to put yourself out there in terms of being trustworthy and reliable with press offers. As time goes on and your passion grows, your site will continue to develop.

Don’t get discouraged if you get turned down the first few times. It’s all about building your skills and portfolio before venturing to bigger and better things.

#journalism

On behalf of Altsounds, I spoke to Lynn, Brian and Alex of the band PVRIS at the Birmingham show on their first ever UK headline tour. We talk playing Slam Dunk festival, performing at Banquet Records, first impressions of each other and plenty more.

Additionally, the band are set to play at Slam Dunk festival in the UK this month, playing alongside bands including Fort Hope, You Me At Six, Lower Than Atlantis, Taking Back Sunday and more.

#journalism #PVRIS #altsounds

Interview With Smashing Satellites

As part of the portfolio, we are asked to conduct an interview with someone (a musician) in the music industry, of which we can find out more about them. With already having contacts with PR companies from my work experience placement, this part was not difficult.

It was just a matter of researching the recent activities of the band, Smashing Satellites in terms of new music, influences and other questions that would gather more information for the interview and topics that people may not have necessarily got into when previously interviewing the band. A number of 20 questions were written, ready to be sent over to recieve answers.

Doing the research was interesting as I wanted to ask questions that they probably wouldn’t have been asked all the time, but then wanted to keep it to the point of finding out what they’re up to when it comes to their music.

Luckily there wasn’t long to wait before getting back responses which then meant that I was able to write up a written interview of around 1,000 words.

#journalism #smashing satellites

Cross Media Element

For the cross media piece, I have decided to produce a 1 hour feature show from one of my articles that I have written.

Development: So after writing a numerous amount of pieces to be able to complete my portfolio and a varied choice, I have chosen to produce an audio/extended version of the article titled ‘Hayley Williams’ Launches New Web Series ‘Kiss Off’. The feature will center around Hayley’s musical influences and creating iconic looks.The music from such artists include David Bowie, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac and more. Just like my first assignment for music programming, I have produced a script which goes through the music and speech that forms the show.

Final product: The end product produced can be listened to via the link below.

https://www.mixcloud.com/sarahakomanyi/cross-media-piece/

#journalism

Preview: PVRIS- 02 Academy, Birmingham

Make way for PVRIS everyone. PVRIS coming through. Be some of the first in the UK to join PVRIS on their first ever headline UK tour.

Narrowly missing stepping on the damp and the cold grounds of the UK for the very first time, Alex Babinski, Lynn Gunn and Brian Macdonald who make up PVRIS are set to headline the O2 Academy 3 on the 18th of April, holding a capacity of 250. Joining them will be Twin Wild and Birmingham alt rockers Light You Up.

Hailing from the sunny side of Massachusetts, Birmingham are sure to give them a long awaited welcome as tickets were sold out quick as we all witnessed the fall of Madonna on the Brit Awards!

“It’s insane. We were not expecting that at all,” says Lynn on the sold out shows. With this being their first time overseas, it was more than the band had expected. “I’ve always wanted to visit and experience it so I’m sure it’ll be awesome.” Sounds like there are a lot of bars set which we need to keep held high for anyone to witness what we bring as a country.

With the extensive run of shows supporting Lower than Atlantis, headline tour and festival shows across Europe, PVRIS will be experiencing it all in just a short space of time since the release of their debut album ‘White Noise’.

Their first few videos for their singles ‘St Patrick’ and ‘My House’ have gained over 1 million views within 6-9 months. These tracks will be included on their set list. “We didn’t think it would happen this quickly,” Lynn admits. “We’re super proud of the songs we made but we weren’t sure how other people would take to it.” That’s understandable in any situation, but luck was on their side as the feedback has been positive for the band and the album overall. With this record though, we finally have the assurance to know that we can make it work.”

Wondered what inspires the whole black and white concept for their music videos? Or just their songs in general? Here’s Lynn to elaborate more on that. “I’m always really inspired by dark things and the supernatural for some reason,” clarifies Lynn. “Ghosts, paranormal stuff, death, anger, sadness.” “A lot of that record, I wrote when I was having a really bad time mentally.”

Whichever way we look at these influence, if writing records that people can relate to means that Brian, Alex and Lynn are heading in the right direction. Along with this, the word ‘role model’ is thrown around loosely these days but this is one title that Lynn tries not to think about.

“The main thing is just to be a good person and lead by example, I guess. I feel like I’ve always tried to do that,” says Lynn. “If someone wants to take something from our music, that’s what matters to us.”

Having such a busy schedule in terms of writing new material and touring, what more can they fit in now? “Not to get ahead of ourselves, but we want to be one of the biggest bands ever. We’re not going to stop working until we achieve that, you only get one life,” simple, yet truthful guidance from Lynn. “No one wants to live small.”

For a full list of tour dates/tickets, head on over to www.pvris.com

#pvris #journalism

News: Spencer Smith Leaves Panic! At The Disco after 10 Years

“This was not an easy decision to cometo, but after a lot of thinking it became clear that this is what’s right forme and the band. I love this band with all my heart, …at a certain point, I realized that I wasn’t able to be there for the band the way I wanted to be, and more importantly, the way they needed me to be..” just a small piece taken from Spencer Smith’s official post, in which he looks back at his time in Panic!, with having decided that his time in the band has come to an end; pretty emotional hearing what he has been through but full of the joyouss bringings of his Panic! At The Disco. Being able to slowly but surely turn his life around, looking back at everything that lead to his career as the drummer of Panic.

"What will stick with me the most is showing up in city after city and finding more and more of you who had learned the lyrics to all our songs, or had made homemade t-shirts with our faces surrounded in puff paint, or baked us cookies from your grandmas secret recipe and put a single hair in each one (ok, that one was a little creepy…creepy, but delicious)." He wrote.

WATCH: Panic! At The Disco- ‘Nine In The Afternoon’

For a lot of people PATD were ‘that band that got me through school’ or the ones, along with bands like MCR and Fall Out Boy who showed us it was ok to be different, being able to break down the barriers of the rock scene; creating a path for the artists emerging into the scene and being seen as influences in music and also having a long name was not the worst things. How can we compete with "There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey. You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet" and “Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off”. The good out ways the bad when it comes to reminiscing on 10 years as part of the band- starting off with your best friends is all anyone wants to go through life being able to say. Having people to share the journey with is surely one thing he’ll always be grateful for.

Friends since 2004, Spencer Smith, Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross and Brent Wilson formed Panic!. Joined two year down the line was Jon Walker who replaces Wilson. With everyone parting ways to continue their own musical endeavours, this means Brendon Urie is the only original member. Additionally, the band’s most recent album, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die was released in 2013- featuring single ‘This Is Gospel’ and ‘Miss Jackson’.

Read the full statement from Spencer here.

#panic at the disco #spencer smith #journalism

Week 8- Fieldtrip: Observing the spaces of culture

When it comes to cultural space, the study of ethnography which is the “writing of culture”- James Anderson (2012) comes into use. A place that I explored for culture was Stratford. Initially, the first thing that came to mind is the birth place of Shakespeare, which altogether holds a great significance in terms of literature in England. Arnold (1869) focuses on culture as a part of our lives. He also states that culture is constructed to make the public respond and form an opinion.

For participant observation, I collected images that I took which pretty much gives an overview of some signs of the values that are attached to culture and relativity. Pictures include the Beatrix potter store and Shakespeare’s birth place. Already before visiting Stratford, people are aware of some of the culture and the fact it is considered a tourist attraction makes it better when it comes to the commodity factor of the town. Where we visited seemed to be the part in which provided consumers with the essentials needed to feel like tourists for the day- souvenir stores which comprised of British novelties through to food stores (bakeries, fish & chips). A lot town as similar with the stores, but Stratford is pretty small with the stores looking similar in appearance on the outside. The buildings are attached so it seems like a close community in that sense.

As well as being an informative/tourist destination, there is a part of the town which you can’t help but notice the consumer aspect along; the advertising that leads to purchasing items. The types of businesses (M&S, New Look, Barclays) are similar everywhere you go but with the essence of Shakespeare and Timeless Tales, which revolves around Beatrix Potter and other childhood stories. With all this around, it makes people feel compelled to purchasing these items, especially if this is not your original surrounding. Something that appeals to our interests are products that we are more likely to purchase along with advertisement, even if it is not necessarily something we need.

Gaining access: visiting, we were able to go around as we pleased so there was a lot of choice. Of course, there’s always going to be places that define which would mean having to pay to gain entry such as the butterfly farm. ‘…access is likely to be different from granted to a member’. You’ll get a very different experience from people who have paid to enter than the onlooker, which I was. Not only did it apply with this situation but around town, there were guides with certain groups who were able to talk them through the local community/surroundings.

Anderson sees human behaviour as sensible and sense-making. I’ll use this in context to the people visiting the town, with the typical tourist actions (taking photos, asking locals for destinations). Looking at the wider picture, it does all makes sense. Who wouldn’t want to remember a place that they’ve visited, especially when it culturally significant to a wide audience. ‘To grasp the narrative of the understanding’. “Communities are defined by their interactions, not by size or location”- Anderson, James (2012). The more people that make their way to Stratford, the awareness of the town will be evident which mean more people visiting, making it more of a consumer attraction.

References:

Anderson, James (2012) Media Research Methods. London: Sage, pp351-373

M. Arnold (1869) Culture and Anarchy

#culture

Week 5 Readings

This week’s reading was brought to us by Hesmondhalgh.D, (2008) ‘Cultural and Creative Industries’. The main focus of this was to define the terms cultural and creative industries as they are commonly associated with one another. Also looking into various theoretical traditions associated with how these terms are understood- between culture and economy; and meaning and production. One thing that was clear was that the two concepts that are hard to not notice are the making of cultural goods and disseminated in modern economies and societies (2008, pp, 1). ‘The term ‘creative industries’ represents a refusal of the forms of critical analysis associated with the cultural industries approach’. With this being said, I think there does seem to be aspects in which people consider to be more linked in with this industry, along with forming criticisms in creative industries.

With anything, there were limitations. E.g. Bernard Miege (French sociologist) who introduces translated essays including limitations on his opinions on cultural industry. It was shown to have used theory from Adorno and Horkheimer’s work of the cultural industry (1977/1944). Nicholas Garnham was known as ‘political economy of culture’. Here is one cultural production approach that was he was influenced by. ‘…differs from mainstream economics by paying much greater attention to ethical & normative questions’. I believe that as something becomes available in the mainstream society, it is obviously made to reach a wider audience so this will lead to questions about whether it is right/fitting in with the ideal structure.

Later on in the reading, Hesmondhalgh looks into Vincent Moscow where he distinguishes the tradition of North American political economy of culture and the cultural industries approach. It is said by analysts, that capitalists seek profits from culture then respond to problems in the sector. As we know, problem cause a decrease of a factor and in this case it would be money. ‘Because it is hard for consumers to know what kinds of pleasure will be available from cultural products in advance of experiencing them, cultural industries use ‘formatting’. (Ryan, 1992) to identify products with stars of a particular genre. Throughout, there is a sense of dominance with distribution and marketing coming out on top unlike creativity which they seem to be not as important.

As always things changed, especially in the media. After WWII, the government paid attention to the likes of ‘classical arts’ which included public broadcasting and film. It is argued by the GLC (greater London council) that cultural policy should take full account of people’s interests/tastes which are generally shaped by commercial forms. ‘The industries in the 21srt century will depend increasingly o the generation of knowledge through creativity and innovation…’ (Landry and Bianchoni, 1995). There is definitely a shift in cultural and creative industries around this time, which will allow people of this generation to be in control of what people are aware of, especially through creativity.

In conclusion, the reading has been able to differentiate cultural and creative industry. Overall I believe it is all about power in an industry that looks into certain sectors than others. Whatever way we approach this, there seems to be arguments which more so than not focus on ‘endorsing inequality and exploitation associated with contemporary neoliberalism’ which certainly did not bring out the best in people.

Reading: Hesmondhalgh, D. (2008) ‘Cultural and Creative Industries’. In: Bennett T and Frow J (Eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Cultural Analysis. London: Sage, pp552-569.

#culture

Hebdige’s model of subculture: Punk

I will be using Hebdige’s model of subculture in order to look into my chosen subculture: punk. He looks into the ways in which commodities of certain subculture are used/how style is constructed. Punk is seen as rebellious and breaking down the rule barrier in order to let something that is not considered mainstream exclusive to certain types of people- with similar interests. Mostly associated with teenagers/young adults.

The main focus of the style is based around the music they enjoy, being represented by band merchandise (t-shirts) from bands such as The Ramones, The Clash and so on. Commonly associated with the use of general items like safety pins through the ear or on clothing, ripped jeans/t-shirt, doc marten boots and so on. The style, like many others have had an impact on modern subcultures but a more toned down version of what was around in the 70s/80s. Back then, a lot of people were different, maybe not seen to people as that being a good thing but now this particular subculture has influenced quite a lot in terms of style on the younger audience and a lot of people more or less “look the same”.

Its more so on becoming consumer driven as now sometimes I’m not sure on whether people actually wear pieces like band tees because they are a fan of the artists or just wearing it to be seen as “cool”. It is about making money now and it feels like something that was once used as a way of uniting and forming groups with people with similar interests has now been seen as fashion statements. You don’t have to look “punk” in order to like what is associated with the subgenre but less of being rebellious and breaking down barriers. I don’t see it as being creative anymore, unless you put in the effort.

You can buy jeans that are already torn now in stores! It’s not a DIY process anymore- something as simple as that which makes it less punk.

#culture

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