Media Mediation #4: Burton is always right.

Burton logo from google.com images

I recently watched Burton Snowboards Backyard Productions documentary Burton-For Right or Wrong. It was a good documentary as it included various locations from all over the world ranging from Tahoe, California to New Zealand as well as many of the top snowboarders from all over the world such as Shaun White, Kelly Clark and Mads Jonssen.

Throughout the documentary a few questions frequently come up and they are “What is snowboarding?” and ”what does it mean to be a professional snowboarding?” Therefore they are using Rhetorical Questions to get a point across to the audience.

It also engages the Limbic brain a lot as there is a lot of fast upbeat music throughout the whole production which goes perfectly with the amazing tricks which keeps the audience entertained. Humour is also used throughout the film as many of the snowboarders who are interviewed such as Jeremy Jones are incredibly funny and entertaining to listen to.

I really enjoyed the film as it was highly entertaining and gave the viewer a unique opportunity to see the high and lows of being a professional snowboarded.

Media Mediation # 3 Facebook: How Many Friends Do You Have?

(facebook logo from google.com images)

The creation of Facebook has had many cultural and social impacts on today’s society worldwide and is arguable one of this generation biggest contributions. It allows people who may never meet to communication online and keep in contact with old friends.

A few weeks ago I was able to go and see The Social Network with friends. The movie follows Facebook creator Mark Zuckerburg on his trials and tribulations while creating the social network website while attending Harvard University in 2003. The quote on the movie poster “you don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies” is 100% accurate in Zuckerburg’s case as it would be an understatement to say annoyed a few people. Throughout the movie we see an idea created into a billion dollar company in a few short months.



Throughout this media experience both the Limbic and Neo-cortex were constantly in action. The use of music, which either was upbeat or calm caused the audiences emotions to be affected by what, was occurring on the screen. The film ended with a few facts about the company such as “Facebook has more than 500 million users” gets the audience thinking about just how much Facebook has an effect on everyday life and how much more could Facebook possible expand.
While watching you can see the Cultural Shift as Facebook goes from being relatively unknown to a worldwide phenomenon as more and more people sign up each day and become “addicted” to Facebook.

Overall I really enjoyed the film as it was interesting to watch about the creation and the creators of such a powerful website such as Facebook. I feel this film is something that future generations will watch as although Facebook may not have such an impact to them personally say in 50 years they will be able to watch this film and see how much it impacted today’s society!

Thesis: InStyle magazine is an International monthly woman’s magazine published by Time Inc in America. The magazine primarily focuses on beauty, fashion, entertainment and celebrities.

Five Facts:

• InStyle, “Your Own Personal Stylist”, is an insider’s guide to the lives and styles of the world’s most stylish and admired international celebrities, and is the first port of call for women seeking expert advice and inspiration about fashion, beauty, homes and entertaining.


• Many of the magazines facts can be found Here.

Triune Brain: Not only is the neo-cortex brain being used as the magazine is filled with articles but the Limbic brain is also actively used. There are many pictures and articles that that cause the reader to fell a certain emotion. Much of the advertisements, which can be found throughout the magazine, have a Limbic effect.

8 Trends: InStyle magazine uses a traditional word format but has also experienced a technological shift as many access their website instead of buying the magazine.

7 Principles: InStyle Magazine uses a variety of production techniques including words, images and videos on the website. Through these production techniques InStyle magazine is able to construct a “Reality” that in order to appeal to mass society one must dress a certain way or have a certain look. Individuals are able to construct their own meanings about the ideas of fashion, beauty, ect but many who buy these magazine probably share the same point of view on issues such as what is considered “in style”. As InStyle is a magazine readers are able to read at their own pace.

29 Persuasive Techniques: InStyle magazine uses a wide variety of persuasive techniques. There are many written Symbols such as the way InStyle is written on the magazines and anything to do with the InStyle brand and often in red, they also use a particular font on their website which can be identified with the InStyle brand. The use of Beautiful People can also be found throughout the magazine as much of the magazine is made up of advertisements that are persuading through images of good-looking people to sell products and lifestyles. Group Dynamics are also present as they often persuade through the idea that everyone is doing it/buying it. Finally, Humor can also be found as it appeals to a mass audience.

Midterm Part Two Reflection

1. I have learnt how much media has changed over time and how much it has had an effect on society. I have also learnt how many types of media there are and how they all intertwine with each other.

2. I have learnt that I need to take more time when I’m reading a text to think about its key issues. Having to blog about each chapter has taught me to think about a text chapter more than I usually would.

3. I would try to take more care in updating my blog and try and get more involved.

4. I don’t think I would have you do anything differently as you have been clear and concise about what you expect from us since day one.

5.
• Power Tools: I think the power tools are very useful as they help me to understand and analyse more that I think I usually would. Using them has taught me a lot about different aspects of media.
• Blog: Although I don’t like blogging I think it is a useful and necessary tool to be able to use as it seems to be the next big thing and taking over society. I also like that we have easy access to what we have to do and that it is a reliable source.
• Personal Blog: Again I feel the same way about my personal blog as I don’t like blogging but do see it as an important skill to know how to use. It is also to have to analyse a text and then post it digitally.
• Quizzes: I find the in-class quizzes as very useful as it forces me to review the power tools every class therefore is a great study tool when it comes to tests like the midterm. I don’t think I realised how useful the quizzes were until I actually started studying for the midterm and realised I already knew a lot of the information.
• Films: viewing the films and then analysing them using the different power tools is very useful. I feel this way because it allows me to use the tools in a test like scenario. I also like that when I now view as commercial I am thinking of all the power tools that companies use to grab the viewers attention.
• Textbook: reading the textbooks is useful as its an interesting read and I am constantly learning something new about media and how much it has rapidly changed over time.

Group Radio Transcript

Announcer (Sarah): Are you horribly disfigured? Overwhelmingly beautiful? Painfully ordinary? Then Champlain is the place from you! Come to a school atmosphere that surrounds you with innovative individuals like yourself!

Miranda: Be the popular person you've always wanted to be. At school where students and teachers strive for perfection and attain it. Why would you go to a school where they make a club for you, when you could go to a school where you make a club for them? Champlain, full of wonderous activities and beautiful people.

Taylor: Is your dream to be a professional skier or snowboarder? At Champlain students are offered fantastic deals for passes for various moutains, such as Sugarbush's all mountain all season $100 pass! This amazing deal is exclusive to Champlain students only! So come to Champlain college and let your dreams come true.

John/President Finney: Hey guys, President Finney here! And I'm just here to say you are all very sexy! Not feeling so pretty on the inside? Join our community and you will instantly become beautiful. Come to Champlain and you can become a professional snowboarder! So you want to go to Canada, eh? Come here and I will buy your passport! See I may by the President, but I'm just a normal guy like you. Come to Champlain and all your wildest dreams will come true! Join us, or we'll FIND YOU! Let us Dare!