Media Interests!
Print Media
I don’t tend to read newspapers as a general rule, but do occasionally read the local paper for events around my area that may interest me and the odd story in larger papers if I have a spare moment. I think reading news articles via the internet is better as it is more accessible, quicker and there is no fighting with large, awkward pages.
Being a monthly subscriber, I regularly read Elle and occasionally other magazines such as Vogue or Look. These magazines interest me as I wish to pursue a career in fashion and therefore like to keep up with the latest fashion news, enjoy reading designer interviews and like to hear about new and up-coming designers. Exhibitions and shows are often advertised in these magazines allowing me to follow the new work produced by my favourite artists and designers.
Radio Media
When listening to the radio, which is not too often, I tend to listen to Radio One as I like the way they play a wide variety of music, which is good for me as I follow a wide range of music genres. I make a special effort to tune in when the Radio One Live Lounge is on as I like to hear bands and artists play live and enjoy the way in which they play songs from other artists. I tend to only listen to the radio when in the car or when getting ready for college in the mornings as I prefer to use my Ipod, this is because I have quite an unusual array of music stored on it and most is not very popular and therefore not played very often on the main radio stations.
Music Industry
Being a student, I access my music via free websites on the internet, sharing with friends or band blogs that offer free downloads of their tracks. Illegal downloading is something that will be around always, as all crime will be, however I do think it should be restricted so as not to be so accessible. However, in saying this I do believe that the artists should be passionate about their music and should have a main priority of making their tracks accessible to the public; making money should not be the main concern. Artists and bands, I believe, should make most of their money from live gigs and concerts and merchandise, not spreading their pre-recorded music.
Music influence plays a large part in many fashion styles, such as Punk, but as I follow many different artists and bands my style does not completely conform to one particular group, however may sway slightly towards the indie-rock/grunge style. As a general rule, there are specific styles according to which genre of music the person listens to; people who like Punk tend to wear dark, gothic-like clothing, whereas reggae listeners tend to dress in bright colours, tie dye patterns and earthly fabrics. In my opinion music plays a large part in lifestyle, attitude and culture, for me especially.
Video Games
When I was younger I used to play a lot of video games such as The Sims, both on PC and Playstation, however as I have got older my interest in video games has faded dramatically.
Games like GTA and COD, I believe have a negative affect on young people’s attitudes towards women and violence. These types of games portray women as sexual objects or ‘tools’ that deserve no respect.
New Technology
New technology has vastly increased many aspects of our lives, when used sensibly of course. Search engines such as Google enable us to access information and news quickly and easily, allowing us to learn new things and find websites/information we may not have previously been aware of and therefore increase our understanding of the world.
Social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, enable us to communicate with friends and relatives across the globe, sharing messages and photos, something I personally find very useful with cousins in Australia and America! Sites such as these, although, must be used carefully and maturely and users should be well educated on the dangers that social networking sites can bring.
There is no doubt that new technology such as texts, social networking sites, emails and instant messaging has made communication much easier than was so before; we are able to send and receive messages to those across the world almost instantly and in most cases, without cost.
One aspect of new technology that I use to my own advantage quite regularly is the access to films, television programmes and the music industry. Websites such as NetFlix make it possible for us to stream film straight to our own homes. Some do not agree with home cinema and argue that it is killing the cinema industry, I however, prefer to use these websites and watch movies in the comfort of my own home.
Television programmes can also be accessed easily at home on the internet through websites such as 4oD and Itv Player. This is extremely helpful for those without services such as Sky+ as it is easy to catch up with programmes that may have been missed throughout the day. Websites such as YouTube and Sound Cloud make accessing and streaming music directly from the internet easy and quick. Being a big follower of the music industry, I use these websites often and like the way you can listen to and share new music where-ever you are; this was especially appreciated during the period between losing my Ipod and buying a new one!
Creating your own media texts has never been easier with blogging websites and social networking sites; we are able to post text, photos and even embed a video from anywhere in the world when connected to the internet.
Television
As an internet addict, I don’t tend to follow too many programmes, although I do make sure I am in front of the screen and tuned in to BBC Three to watch my favourite programme, Family Guy. BBC Three and Comedy Central, I would say, are my favourite channels to watch as I do enjoy a good comedy with programmes such as Family Guy, American Dad and Friends showing regularly. However, I do like watching the occasional documentary if it is on a topic that I find interesting and the odd showing of Jeremy Kyle and Jerry Springer, my guilty pleasures, if I have a spare moment.
Memorable Television Programmes
Outnumbered- When the series is on, I make sure that I watch every episode or if not, catch up with it at a later time. I like the way that the director gives the children a topic to discuss, whilst still allowing them to say what they like, without sticking to a solid script. I think the parents, played by Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner, are very talented actors and improvise well with the children’s spontaneous discussions. I also like the way the directors, Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton, do not stick to the stereotypical camera angles commonly used in television programmes; they use plain, simple shots whilst still creating a very comical yet unusual effect.
The Bill- Although this programme has finished, it will always be in my top 5 favourite programmes, following a specific shift of police officers based in central London. The way in which lighting, sound and camera angles were used created a very exciting and fast-pace feel, very appropriate to the story line, along with the talented (and in many cases, rather good-looking) cast.
Feature Film- It is hard to say which genre of film I enjoy watching most as I watch a wide variety, from supernatural horrors to girly rom-coms, however I can rule out violent thrillers such as Saw - I find these types of films boring, grotesque and pointless.
3 Outstanding Films
Trainspotting- This film follows the lives of a group of friends, addicted to heroin. Although this film could be seen by many as being depressing and offensive, the director Danny Bolye, successfully creates a great sense of confusion, danger and intensity when appropriate, manipulating the audiences feelings by doing so.
Harry Potter (all of them)- Although not one of my favourite films, I think these films are brilliant examples of skilful cinematography. Lighting, sound and camera angles are used cleverly throughout the film, for example; when introducing ‘Lord Voldemort’ in the first film, the director, Chris Columbus, uses a low angle shot to give the character status, importance and power.
This Is England- Set in the early 80’s, this film follows a group of skinheads, dealing the heavy violence and prejudice views around today, written and directed by Shane Meadows. I love the raw, almost ’vintage’ style of shooting that adds to the pre-dated feel. The cast holds many very talented actors who play their parts exceeding well and suiting to the style and feel of the film.Consuming film at the cinema is always enjoyable due to the new technologies available such as 3D and Imax screens, however viewing film from home through video on demand or DVD is much cheaper and more accessible; a very important factor for me being a student.
In my opinion, Odeon is a smarter, more comfortable cinema to visit but if I am in the city already, I tend to use the Castle Mall’s Vue cinema. This cinema venue is cheaper and more accessible if you are not travelling by car.
It is not very often that I choose to watch film by myself, I like to enjoy the experience with friends and be able to ‘reminisce’ about them after. (Watching horror films by myself is not even considered an option!)
Conclusion
There are many different media texts around today that some viewers may find offensive, especially in the more modern films and productions. Although one of my favourite films, Trainspotting could be taken as very offensive in that the main storyline is based around drug abuse and violence. One scene from this film that is memorable to me because of this, is when the young infant is found dead in her cot; the showing of this image could be found to be inappropriate by many. Films of this kind are not to be seen by the faint-hearted.
Some genres of music could also been seen as offensive mediums, for example a song called Dance With The Devil by the grime artist Immortal Technique. This song talks of violence and sexism quite heavily and could be seen as ‘dark’ in the eyes of some; it may be a good idea to allocate age restrictions when dealing with media texts such as these to protect younger audiences from coming into contact with these potentially offensive mediums.
The most interesting media text I ever read was a book called Goodbye Dearest Holly, a story written by Kevin Wells, the father of Holly Wells, one of the young girls taken and killed by the local school caretaker. It is a brutally honest novel that tells of the few terrible weeks after the girls’ disappearance. Beautifully written and very emotional, I couldn’t put it down. There has been a more recent version of his story published since I last read this novel that contains an extra chapter previously left out by the family, I would like to get myself one of these versions as I am questioning what information/piece of their story would they have felt the need to leave out when first creating the book.
The most influential media text I have heard is the song Handlebars by one of my favourite bands, Flobots. This song has influenced and altered the way in which I perceive the world very much so; the song starts off by recalling simple tasks that can be performed without aid of the apparently-necessary tools, e.g. “I can ride my bike with no handle bars” developing as the song continues into increasingly dramatic and influential acts/decisions, for example when it says “I can hand out a million vaccinations, or let ‘em all die in exasperation”. Jamie Laurie, lead vocalist and founder of Flobots, stated that the song “is about the idea that we have so much incredible potential as human beings to be destructive or to be creative”. The message behind this song has largely influenced the way in which I see the human race to be.
If I was required to create my own media text to present the condition of England, the state of the contemporary world or my community, I would create a short film or video clip. I feel that the best way to communicate and influence the public is through visual imagery, aided by specific music and soundtrack choices. If I were to create this short film, I would base my report on the underground, hidden world of prostitution and drug abuse. This is an issue/area I am very interested in as it is not an issue commonly discussed or focussed on in news reports or documentaries. Many people in this country, I feel, are hidden and disconnected to the harsh and depressing issues such as these and should be enlightened on the situation, in order to improve conditions and quality of life for those suffering.
Taking media this year was something I was very keen on from the start; hearing all about the course from friends and various teachers, I was keen to start a new and interesting course, something that I had never attempted before. Being interested in fashion and the media surrounding the fashion industry (e.g. journalism), I feel that taking the A level course would help me in understanding the various different media’s around, whether it be genre or medium, and gaining an insight into how to manipulate feelings and impressions of the audience. I am unsure as to what area of fashion I may enter into in later life, but journalism is definitely a large contender and I hope this year will improve and expand my knowledge of the media industry and manipulating audience.
