Media Activity #1
>Understanding Media Consumption Patterns <Why did you choose to do Media Studies this year? My main aim for my career is to become a director/screenwriter/cinematographer for films and TV shows. I'm passionate about doing that with my life and it is something i enjoy doing greatly. For me, this course is a good opportunity to study what I love and learn ways to effectively incorporate new ideas and techniques into my own work. I enjoy learning and being inspired by other film and media makers as well as doing that work myself. Write about your own media consumption patterns. I watch a lot of TV shows often. Some of these include Breaking Bad, Dexter, Buffy, Being Human, Firefly, Supernatural, Northern Exposure, Black Books, Sherlock, Six Feet Under, Dollhouse and Spooks. Many of these are long running shows and I spend a lot of time watching them sometimes. I also enjoy watching movies and often watch them for inspiration or escapism. I enjoy finding new directors that I like and sometimes go and look for more of there work and learn from them by watching a lot of their films and studying their techniques because it inspires me. Music is also a huge part of my life. I dont listen to the radio so much as find music online and through friends. I always have music going when Im working, traveling, socialising and relaxing. I sometimes play computer games such as Assassins Creed but recently this year I have had no time for that. The internet is something I use often, usually blogging, tumblr or youtube but also communicating with friends on other social network sites. I've made very good friends through tumblr and it is a place which allows me to express myself and find new things to love and enjoy. As well as this, I am also passionate about photography and art, which I blog about, but also see in exhibitions and these are all forms of media. How many hours of media do you think you consume per week/day? I feel as though everything apart from doing my school work and sleeping involves some kind of media, so I'd say quite a few. Why Do you think you use the media in the ways that you do? I use it for entertainment, expression, finding information, getting inspiration, communication, learning, and many other ways. It's a big part of my life now i think of it. What do you estimate have been the effects of the media on your life and on the lives of your friends and family? The media is a huge part of what shapes our society and who we are, our perceptions of ourselves and other, our ideas and opinions and who we aim to ultimately become. For me, it has inspired me but also caused the usual problems with low self esteem and negative self image due to the relentless marketing machine fueled by the media. I do however thoroughly enjoy and respect the works of many artists who create media as it takes effort and is the most common form of self expression in our modern world. Media effects people in good and bad ways. It is a way for us to communicate, spread ideas, share our individuality and inspire, help and support each other across the world but it also is filled with negative ideas, opinions, arguments and advertising which aims to manipulate us as consumers, rather than respect us as humans. Everybody has been effected by the media in both good and bad ways. What are your three favourite films? Why? This is is a very hard question for me to answer. I love so many films. Right at the moment three of them would be Kill Bill (they count as one movie okay dont fight me on this), American Beauty and The Grand Budapest Hotel. I really love the cinematography and writing for all of these films and they are a large influence on my art at the moment. What, in your opinion, makes a good film or TV program? In my mind, good unique characters, well constructed plot lines, good performances from a diverse cast, good cinematography and anything that makes it stand out as something with a message to tell the world. Your media future Make some predictions about the next five years. What advances do you think will become a reality? In the next five years, I think that 3D will become more common not only in cinemas but in homes and with it will come more innovation and improvement by film makers. Recently there has been a rapid increase in the development of high definition visuals with the introduction of Blu-Ray and high frame rate 3D becoming more common. Many film makers are excited by these developments and are continuing to innovate to use them in new ways for audiences to enjoy. Final Words Finish with a message for your teacher I'm passionate about film, music and TV and want to pursue these in my studies and really enjoy studying and analysing films and cinematography. I'm looking forward to this semester and I hope I can produce work as good as I aim to. PS: I really like this blogging idea