Blog Entry #8: Mashups and Copyright law

Video #3: Jay-Z Mashup

1. What is this mashup trying to communicate? Is it technical experiment, social or political commentary, a comedic parody, or an abstract work of media art?


I think that this video's trying to say that two different genres of music can come together and still sound good. Though to me, it didn't sound good but I think that's what they're trying to say. I also think that it was just an abstract work of media art. I think that there's nothing more to it than just two songs being put together.

2. Did its creator follow or break copyright laws in its production?


The creator, I'd say, did break the copyright laws in its production because it just showed almost all the parts of the music video and plus, they didn't change the song much.

3. Do you think that mashup like this requires copyright permission? Why or why not.


I think that a mashup like this requires copyright permission because the creator(s) basically just used the instrumental and not to mention the videos then just added a few glimpse of Jay-Z.

Blog Entry #7: A Look At Music Videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i7GEMQC2IY

Initial reaction: I've heard the song way before the music video was out and so I thought that the music video was going to be funny because I've heard the lyrics before. Not to mention Nicki Minaj was in the music video. I think that it's really funny how she sings her part, the way she pronounces it, and how her facial expressions were used. 


Analysis and interpretation: I think that the musician(s) created this media because they were trying to make a joke out of a profession. The music video seemed to be relying on the "naughty nurse" stereotype and I guess that was the theme that was being promoted in the video. I also think that they made the music video because they wanted to make the song popular. Almost all the time, music videos make the songs more popular and this music video is one of them. What they wore in the music video were just another sexual cliché  so that the music video would seem more inviting and sell more.
The music video,I'm pretty sure, is not aligned with Gospel Values. It's not even relevant to the song itself.


Consideration of cultural text: Well, judging from the lyrics, I think that what might have given the musician(s) the urge to create the video was a relationship break-up. To me, I think that in the song, they were trying to tell the man who cheated on her that their relationship is done for good and so he should leave her alone.


Expression of aesthetic judgment: Other than the acting and performance, I didn't really like what they've done with the video so I don't think that the cinematography, choreography, storyline, special effects, lyrics, and musicality work together in the music video. The storyline was irrelevant to the song. Although, I thought the music video and the song itself was really funny.


Ongoing reflection: My chosen video have influenced my reception of the song because the song doesn't have to do anything with the music video. I thought that the song was good and the music video was somewhat stupid because the image they were portraying in the music video discourages many students from joining the profession (being a nurse).

Blog Entry #6: Is Taxing Pop Really a Solution?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F4t8zL6F0c&feature=player_embedded

I think that this kind of scare campaign would be effective enough especially to those who are self-conscious. I mean watching that thing… whatever was coming out of the can, it looked disgusting and people, like me, would think that that’s what they’re taking in each time they drink pop.

This scare campaign does make me want to become a healthier person. But I don’t need to cut back on pop since I have it probably once in 2 months, I need to cut back on fast foods.

I do think that the growing obesity in our nation is an epidemic of large proportion. In my opinion, if super sizing was never made, the growth of obesity in our nation wouldn’t be as bad as it is now. Some people can’t even walk because of that and honestly, I’d be devastated if I was them.

After watching the video, I was intimidated. I thought of being reluctant and never have pop anymore. Then I thought that I was still going to have some in the future. It was still very intimidating though…to me anyway.

If the new tax goes through in America, they would probably do the same in Canada because they’d probably higher up the price for when they deliver America’s product to Canada.

I wouldn’t continue to pay a large sum of money for something like pop nor chips because I’m kind of sick of them. Though not unless I was really hungry and I had no choice, then maybe I would.

Blog Entry #5: Halo Be Thy Name!

According to Microsoft, "Halo 3," their latest installment of the widely popular video game, "rang up a record-smashing $170 million in retail sales within its first 24 hours in U.S. stores (Los Angeles Times). This does not even account for international sales!!


This astounding figure is comparable to top grossing movie releases. In fact, Halo 3 did better than "Spider-man 3," which only grossed $151 million at the box office in its opening weekend.


This phenomenon may point to a trend within entertainment for the youth market. Could this mean that video games are growing more popular than movies for people your age? In your opinion, what do you think is more entertaining: movies or video games? Why? Please explain in 200-300 words and give examples. Youmay add your own images.

VS

In my opinion, even though I love watching movies, I think that video games are better than movies. Because better topics can be talked about with video games other than movies. When people finish watching a movie, whether the movie sucked or not, they talk about which parts they liked, and which characters they hated, and then they compare it to other movies. When people play video games, they talk about the same things as they do for movies but they also talk about what happened in the game, what boss they beat, what level they stopped at, and what decisions they’ve made along the game because in video games, decision’s a MUST. Like in this game called inFamous, the main character (which is the person with the controller) chooses whether he wants to be the hero or the villain. As for me, when I played the game, I chose to be the villain and was referred to as “inFamous.” Making our decisions in video games help make the story better…or bad. This reminds me to mention that many video games’ stories are much better than the movies. A lot of award-winning movies go unknown as they grow old while video games, like Super Mario, which I think is almost my age, is still alive and it has good stories that are no longer just a 2-3 page summary in the booklet.

Blog Entry #4: Social Awareness Contradiction

Back in 2004, Dove started their Campaign for Real Beauty. This campaign was targeted at women - telling us and encouraging us to realize that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. A powerful message is being sent out to all who listen to this campaign. Here is their mission statement. Dove really wants a woman to realize the kind of effects that the media has and how often we are all bombarded with images that can make us all question if we are truly beautiful.

Later, Axe Body Spray started their Axe Effect Campaign Ads. Many of us are already very aware of what these commercials are like, men using spray - and women chasing after them. Leading men to believe that using this spray will truly make this happen!

1. How do you feel about the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty?

I feel as if I'd want to support what they're doing because it's important, especially to women, to know what real beauty is. Because otherwise, they would lose self-esteem because they think that they aren't good enough.

2. How do you feel about the Axe Effect Campaign? Does it make you laugh hysterically or roll your eyes in disgust? Tell me why.
Well at first, I was disgusted (when I was watching the beginning). But as the commercial went on, I thought it was hilarious. Seriously... no girl on earth, in the right mind, would dare to ever chase after a guy just because they sprayed that perfume all over them. I personally think that the axe perfume smell horrible.


3. Do you think that a 'parent' company has some responsibility in ensure that all their different sectors uphold the same sort of beliefs and values? Tell me why or why not.
I think that a 'parent' company has some responsibility in ensuring that all their different sectors uphold the same sort of beliefs and values. Because if the 'parent' company doesn't have or give the same sort of beliefs and values as their 'kid' companies, that would make them seem hypocritical since they go against their own beliefs and values. The Beuaty Pressure video and the AXE Effect - Women - Billions would be an example of their (UNILEVER's) hypocriticism

Blog Entry #3: Mac vs PC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkrn6ecxthM&feature=player_embedded#!

The war between Mac and PC has been waging for about a decade now. While some swear by their Mac, believing that its aesthetically-pleasing design and other user-friendly interface is well worth the higher price, PC followers believe that it is all "iHype" and that the university of PCs and relative affordability is hard to beat. Explain which platform (Mac or PC) you believe to be better and why.

 Vs

I believe that it really depends on what you're going to use the platforms for. As for me, I'd say that the Mac would be better than PC because it allows me to do many things including things I need to do for school *cough cough, media.* *cough cough.* I also think that Mac having a variety of features like Final cut pro, GarageBand, and Photo Booth makes it a lot more interesting than PC. 

Although, like they said in the "Mac or PC" Rap Music Video - Mac vs PC, PC says "Everybody fits with me,all the applications wanna get with my virility" I guess that it is compatible with anything. In my opinion, the only thing that the PC is good for is gaming.

Blog Entry #2: Art Imitating Media Imitating Life

Facebook.

Facebook is a social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. In 2004, the social-networking site was originally known as TheFacebook(.com). This social-networking site is a reference book and/or an electronic directory made up of people’s names, pictures, videos, interests, relationship statuses and many more. It allows people to connect with friends and with their friends’ friends. Facebook allows people to make new connections with other people who share common interests with them.

Even though Facebook allows its users to do all those things, there are some down sides to it. People can be stalked, and or possibly cheated on by your spouse, even raped and murdered. No matter how private you try to make your page, it’s not going to be as private as you want it to be; people find their ways. But the good thing is that you tried.

It is important to protect your information from uninvited eyes and advertisers because as I have said before, you could be stalked. Another thing is that whatever you put on the internet, chances are, it can not be erased. People who might see or read it could use it against you if you are not careful enough.

Blog Entry #1: MARIAH CAREY !!!

I have a poster of her in my room and it looks just like this one! <3<3<3

Blog Entry #0: 09/17/10

First period: Media

I MADE THIS BLOG! WOOT WOOT!!!

Second period: Science

NOMENCLATURE. 'NOUGH SAID...