i find it interesting that new medium as a threat has been a problem for such a long time. as silverblatt mentions in the book-(chapter 6)"in the eighteenth century, women were advised not to read novels for fear that it would make their brains soft." (p 83) i think that todays mediums of music videos, video games, and even the use of gps devices are going to lessen but not completely deminish the use of prior mediums. for example look at how the music industry has changed so quickly...it used to be things like albums, 8-tracks, cassette tapes, cds, and now we just press a button and we own that music!these mediums are no longer really known about in our society but yet cds still are made. this is only a quock look at the changes in music technology and its advances. its interesting to think that this will continue to change in all aspects and mediums in our life.
i looked at the video of the song "video killed the radio star"sung by the buggles and the lyrics and video itself are very funny in a kind of profound way.

Chapter 10 – Color

From Bess -

As I was reading in our text book in chapter 10 about Color I immediately thought of the 1993 movie “Schindler’s List” directed by Steven Spielberg. Throughout the whole movie the color scheme is in black and white or dead colors, with dim lighting. According to Silverblatt dead colors are ‘like gray or black, make us feel sad, alone, or uncomfortable”. The basis of the movie alone the audience knows that this movie is a more of a dark and uncomfortable movie for some from the holocaust events that are depicted. But what I found interesting is how Spielberg used the red color for the little girl throughout the movie. It was as if you were caught up in her journey because you were forced to recognized her because her red coat was the only thing that was in color, everything else was black, white or gray. According to Silverblatt about colors that contrast you as the audience “produce a visual tension which is sensed by the audience.” Attached below is a link that shows some still shots of the movie to show the contrasting color scheme and how much affect color really has you as the audience.



Schindler’s List may have won Oscars but I think depicts to a tee what Silverblatt is trying to explain about color choices and lighting of the media. Also I think it shows how many different people can have a similar feeling about a presentation thru this. I don’t think the majority of people who have seen Schindler’s List have walked away feeling great, it really pulls you in and have you experience this historic event.

Genre evolution:

From Molly:

Leave it to Beaver vs Malcolm in the Middle

In chapter 9, Silverblatt talks about how genre’s have evolved over time. I think that a great example of this is how sitcoms have changed over the years.
Think about the major differences between the sitcom Leave it to Beaver. The situations that were raised in that sitcom were completely different from what happened in Malcolm in the Middle.
Leave it to Beaver was the cliché perfect family. June always had the house clean, and dinner was always ready by the time her family came home. And she did this all while in her dress and pearls.
Fast forward to the 2000’s… Malcolm in the Middle was introduced to us. This was complete opposite of what the Cleavers life was like. The house was a mess. The dinner was rarely made, and was definitely not ever made on time. The boys were always fighting and dirty. Oh just imagine what June would do if she saw how dysfunctional Malcolm’s family.

It is very interesting how time changed over time. It is also interesting to see how society not only accepted this new version of a classic but also completely loved it. This is the newer version life and society. People could really relate to Malcolm’s world, and because of that, the show gained huge popularity.

Nosferatu - Staircase Scene

Chapter 10- Color and Lighting:

In Chapter 10, Silverblatt talks about color and lighting in production elements.

They talk a lot about how color affects the story-line and audience. Color goes way beyond that though- there have even been studies on how color affects us, and our everyday life.

For instance:

- Ever wonder why brides wear white? We all know that its because its supposed to represent purity and innocence. It is supposed to indicate cleanness. And the funny thing is, it seems like none of that matters, who cares if your wedding dress isn't completely pure white- what if you decide to go with ivory instead? People actually talk about this stuff. Speculations and comments are made about the bride. Its completely silly- but its all because of the dress color.

Studies also have shown that color not only can affect our moods- which correlates with why specific colors are used in different movies and plays. Star Wars is a pretty good example of the use of color. Darth Vader was black- signifying death, fear, etc. Princess Leah was dressed in white- again, for purity, innocence. But if you notice, in the original Stars Wars, the use of colors was limited- to specific scenes, especially for fight scenes with the lasers, which would excite the audience.

Color can also affect our memory! They say that color can influence people's memory, and in a very good way. Color can help remind people of certain things, and also grab their attention. This would aid people when they were trying to memorize things. Research has also shown that color can significantly remember events and objects. Think about it, can you remember what your conversation was on your first date, or can you remember what he wore?

It is interesting how much color can affect our everyday lives, yet usually it goes unnoticed.

http://www.yenra.com/color-psychology-memory-affect/ ( the link to color and memory)

Chapter 8- Affective Response

One of the things that caught my interest in Chapter 8 is the idea of an Affective Response within the movies that we watch. Silverblatt uses the example of the movie, 101 Dalmatians. This movie is very heartwarming to most children, who find the idea of little puppies to be happy and exciting, and wouldn't want them to be harmed in any way.

It is important for a writer to capture the audience's heart or cause some sort of a reaction from the viewer. There are several examples that I can think of just from my own experiences. I remember when I was younger and watched the movie Old Yeller. Yes, this is an old movie and some of you may not have seen it, but if you have you would know that the movie has a very sad ending and definitely pulls at your heart strings. The important thing to think about is that the writer was able to get that reaction from me. This is something that Disney, the creator has been very good at and because of them being able to do this with many of their movies, it keeps me wanting to watch more.

Another example of an affective response could be the movie Saw. It is a fairly scary and suspenseful movie, and for me, movies like these often keep me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what's next. This particular genre of movie keeps me watching because even though similar outcomes are happening in each movie, they are a bit of a rush.

Lastly, another type of movie is the action movie. Movies like The Matrix can make you can make you fall in love, so to speak, with a certain character. Neo, for example, the main character becomes someone that you continually want to follow and find out what's happening to him. It is because of this that I then wanted to watch the sequels to the movie.

Choosing a favorite movie is tough, but one thing is for sure, the best movies allow you in some way to connect with them and get a response.

MEDC 1630 Intro to Media Literacy :Chapter 8 Introduction

As Silverblat discusses in Chapter 8 about the introduction and used "Rocky" as an example, is about the introduction of the primary characters and the plot of the movie. I couldn't help but think about one of my favorite movies, "Moulin Rouge" (2001). The opening scenes of that movie directly introduces you to the primary characters but also tells you the entire movie but you don't realize it until the end of the movie. As he refernces to 'Rocky" with how the opening scene not only tell you that there will be a boxing match but Rocky is defeated. In the opening scenes of Moulin Rouge you are intorduced to Christian, Satine, and the Duke. You are also shown the plot of the movie and by using a song that directly supports the plot and through the feel of the song and the images of desperation, courage, truth and love that there is going to be a struggle between these three people. A love triangle between them occurs and you are made to belief that Christian had lost the battle. Many twist and turns are in between but this is what the entire movie is all in an elobarated form and with some outstanding musical numbers and songs! By the end of the movie you reallize not only did he win her love but she ends up dying in his arms after the finale of thier play, which is a play that is actually about the love triangle too.

I have attached a clip from the movie with the opening song, "Nature Boy" by David Bowie, in which if you listen to the lyrics reinforces the plot from the opening scenes.The first lyrics to this song is "There was a boy........the greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return". If you hav never seen this movie it is one of a kind, in my eyes, filled with modern songs with a twist and the actor and actresses had some amazing routines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KexJb5Vu4i0