JOUR 2 Hilights

I've always had a healthy distrust of the media and marketing as a whole, though I partook in the practice of propaganda and aggressive sales tactics myself.  My feelings about how television, advertising, and pretty much any product that's in the business of making money, operated, were reinforced by taking JOUR 2.  One of the many highlights for me was finding out the timeline of when certain mediums came into play.  The term shellac, was one I've never heard of until my wife told me about this specific style of nails she wanted.  Later on that week, I learned that shellac was type of wax that was used for audio recordings int the 50's.  So, yes that was a popular topic at my house for that week.  My favorite discovery was the work and the affect that Edward Bernays had on our society.  He's now one of my heroes, and yet I kinda see him as an evil genius.  I can't say enough about how cool our teacher was.  The fact that she was so flexible with everyone's individual situations, shows how understanding and reasonable she is.  I remember one day coming in to class with a heavy heart, and seeing her put the Giant's scoreboard on the projector.  That was a hug highlight for me.

Media Ethics And Laws

As a small time promoter of music and musical acts, with family and friends also involved in the music industry, the issue of piracy hits close to home.  Once the digital era took over, artist, engineers, and record executives have been scrambling to find a resolution to the issue of mass illegal reduplication of their intellectual properties.  I spoke out about this issues in the mid 90's to friends and colleagues, but my words fell on def ears.  People were just not aware of the of the power of the technology, and couldn't foresee the advancements in sound quality and speed that were soon to come. I can remember a time when having a cd meant you were either an artist signed to a label, or music engineer/executive.  It just wasn't common to see the average wanna-be rapper or garage band with an audio cd.  Soon, it became the standard. By then (1997) 35% of American homes had computers, and almost all of them had cd burners.  Why would be people pay for record if they could get it for free.  This gave birth to sites like Napster, and Limewire, who were subsequently shut down for copyright infringement.  The introduction of mp3 technology, made it allowable to triple the amount of music you could store on one cd.  MP3 gave us the need for a device that could store endless amounts of data and audio.  I myself have three Iphones/Ipods in my home.  I realize now after years of supporting artist I've enjoyed, that artist and labels are going to have to adapt to these changes.            

The rulings against Napster in  2001, and Limewire in 2010, to cease operationg, did not fear every company with similar services. File sharing sites like Mediafire and MP3 Bee are still around, and violate the exact same copyright laws that Napster and Limewire were sued for. Rappers like 50 Cent, have found ways to use their fame and capitol to land them advertisement deals, movie roles, and ownership in up in coming companies.  The money 50 cent made alone on the sale of Vitamin Water in 2009 made him 200 million. Now he ownes stock in small company who makes high-quality headphones, and has been given 260 million to produce 5 movies.  I think this type of entrepreneurship is key to survive within today's music industry, as well as many of the other entertainment industries of today.

Propaganda In Advertising

In this commercial, as well as others made by Proactiv, celebrities like Justin Beiber are used to sell the idea that you can be as attractive as these people if you were to use their product.  I recall when Proactiv first aired their campaigns, they were using doctors and experts to sell their product.  Suggesting that since they were licensed practitioners, they had to know what they were talking about, and we should accept their opinions as facts. The first celebrity that I saw pushing Proactiv was Vanessa Williams. Since then I've seen P. Diddy, Lindsay Lohen, yikes! At first the product was aimed at adults, now it seems they are targeting the younger demographics

Internet- The Death of Social Communication

For me, the internet is a tool that I use to make my life a little easier.  I spend about an hour and a half, a day searching for specific information, banking, or emailing. Even when I visit social sites or music sites, I spend very little time on them.  I have friends who watch television shows and movies online, but I still choose to watch tv shows, on the tv. I think due to the fact that I'm back in school, my usage of the internet has increased significantly.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like I dislike the internet.  I honestly just don't have the time to spend surfing on the web.

I remember a time when the idea of emailing was new and not used by many.  Now a days, emailing and texting has become the most widely used form of communication.  With the smartphones, you can practically do anything that you could do on your home computer.  I've seen people in the club updating their facebook accounts, emailing, even working on pdf files for work. It's quite helpful and empowering to have such a tool.  You pretty much have a computer in your palm.  If you take look at any "social setting" such as a mall, club, or school, you'll see everybody walking around with their heads down and their fingers typing away.  We look like zombies being guided by our pda's, laptops and iphones. Social contact is dying, and the art of conversation has been replaced by popular acronyms. Lol.  I didn't want to talk about one specific person, because I feel like a lot people fit this description. I've had friends ignore me while I talked, because they were texting or facebooking someone. I've done the same to them.

Television

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwOPIRHbOCM
Length: 2:42

Description: Opinions on the definition of "Media Convergence."

Chapter 1: Media Impact, Chapter 2: Media In A Changing World

Description: This video asks the question that all of us will eventually deal wit.  "What is media convergence?" I chose this video out of all the possibilities, because it had various opinions from various people, on the subject of convergence.  In our society, innovations like the iphone, help to change our way of life.  The iphone is the essence of convergence.  You have music, internet, and social mass media all at your fingertips.

Quiz Question:  Define Convergence?

Answer:  The merging of technologies, industries, and content, specially within the realms of computer, telephone and mass media.

Week 5: Movies & Recordings

Honestly, I haven't watched too many movies in 2010, but the one that I did, blew me away.  I really like the message and the graphics in the movie " Inception. "  I tend to like movies that have hidden subplots and messages in the film.  Inception, basically gave the message that your mind is very powerful in creating and shaping your world.  That if you want something bad enough, you could make it happen.  The manifestation of your thoughts could be a scary thing,  if taken lightly.



My favorite movie of all time; not sure if I have one. Yet, one movie that I like a lot, is " Devil In A Blue Dress." This movie takes place in the early 50's in Los Angeles.  It transports you back to a time when life was simple, and yet exciting because of all of the social dynamics that that came together in Los Angeles at this time.  Denzel Washington is the main character, and plays a man who just lost his job, and get's mixed up with some corrupt politicians and gangsters, just to pay his mortgage.  I like movies that make you feel like you're part of the movie.  Almost like you're inside the movie and there's no inconstancies in even the background or extras in the movie.  I want to feel like I'm the main character, and I'm emotionally invested in the plot.  This movie did that for me.  I suggest for anyone who loves dramatic movies to give this one a look.

Magazine Proposal

Name Of Magazine:   The Latest & Greatest- An Interactive Magazine For Those On The Cutting Edge!

Concept:  There are many entertainment magazines, specially hip hop magazines.  As well as magazines that
are for recording professionals.  Yet, there’s not a magazine out there that merges these worlds together.  It specifically gives at home recording artist tools and tricks of the trade that they would have to go to school for to obtain.  Aside from tips from professionals, we will also include advice from our readers.  As well as reports and music reviews from everyday fans.

Reader Demographics:   The Latest & Greatest, is a magazine for young and mature recording professionals as well as those who just want to keep up with the hip hop culture and scene.  Being that many people, male and female, young and old are recording at home, this magazine has the potential to reach a wide base of  readers.  The magazine will be reasonably priced at $5 per issue to allow all readers an opportunity to obtain a wealth of knowledge from our staff, artist and reader contributions.

Other Magazines:   Though there are other magazines for hip hop new and reviews like XXL, The Source, or Vibe, non of these give you advice on how to maximize your recording abilities.  Meanwhile, there are plenty of professional magazines like EQMAG, or Strat, these magazines don’t report on hip hop news, rumors or mixtape and album reviews.

Potential Advertisers:  Beats By Dre, Sleek Audio, Monster Cable, Professional Recording Schools, Clothing and Sneaker companies.

Five Articles:  (1)An interview with Dr. Dre.  (2) How to organize your home studio.  (3)  Mixtape and album reviews from our writers and readers.  (4)  Which headphones are better for recording; Sleek Audio or Beats By Dre.  (5)  How to get more out of your home recording equipment


Cover Description:  With Dr. Dre soon to release his first album in over 10 years, his image alone on the cover will generate much interest.  He personifies the essence of a recording professional who’s on the cutting edge of technology and the hip hop music alike.