Chris's Blog

Creating Podcumentaries - a final project

2009-12-17T09:37:00.000-08:00

Our group project is centered around podcast documentaries. We formed an assignment that requires students to make an intriguing, five minute, audio documentary. These audio clips should resemble that of an iTunes podcast. To learn more about these podcasts we would play examples of them in class, or have students listen to them on their own time.
As a group, we used Audacity to record our “podcumentaries,” but any program that the students want to use is fine.
We decided that a Ning would be perfect for this assignment. With a Ning, students can join and assemble their work on the web from different locations (as our group did). Also, with the Ning, we can post the assignment requirements and instructions in the forum. Finally, and possibly the most important factor, the Ning will be there forever. Students can use it as a resource years after the class is over, and their work will not be deleted or lost.
To conduct the podcasts we first needed a script. The script should be 200-400 words and 5 minutes in audio length. It should have minimal spelling and grammar errors, two interviews, and some music or sound effects. Creating guidelines such as these allows students to be creative, but also requires them to do some work to meet requirements for grading.
I am planning on going onto get my PhD and teaching college classes, so this won’t be too helpful in my near future, but it is definitely something I would like to use in my college classes when I am teaching. It would be very convenient to give my students the ability to post assignments and run my class announcements through the Ning.
All in all, the project, and the class too, have been a great experience. I have learned a lot of useful tools and programs on the web and on the computer that I would have never known about. I am confident that they will help me in my future career as an educator.

Here is the link to our Ning - Documentary Methods

Film Adaptations of Literature

2009-12-09T15:40:00.000-08:00

Today teachers like to use film adaptations of Shakespeare, The Great Gatsby, and Jane Austen books. But what about in 10-20 years? What will make the jump from the "fiction" section in Barnes'N'Noble to the "literature" section? The answer: Lord of the Rings. These books are full of literary value and have not yet been appreciated in the classroom. And here's the kicker: the film adaptations are amazing.
When I teach English I am going to break the barriers of the typical boring literature. Sure, I will still show The Scarlett Letter and Huck Finn Videos after we read the books, because it is in the curriculum. BUT, if there is time in the schedule, Lord of the Rings is a piece of literature that I would love to teach.

As an activity I would ask the class to form their own adaptation of a pie ace of literature. I would have them pick a poem, short story, or even a novel, and ask them to do a ten minute skit, reenacting a part or the whole of one of these works.
They would need to do this adaptation with no props. This would make it all the more difficult for them to use their creative minds and think outside the box about the literature that they are reading. Also, this would force them to look deeper into the work they are reading, and think proactively about the material.

Documentary Assignment

2009-12-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

I recently watched the new documentary titled The Carter. The Carter is a documentary about rapper/musician Lil Wayne. The film follows the artist known as Lil Wayne and his DJ, Cortez Bryant.

I feel that the primary point of this documentary is to show Lil Wayne's life for what it is: a gluttonous, drug abusing, sexually abused, and sad person that covers his pain with money and fame. Throughout the whole film Lil Wayne is either smoking Marijuana or drinking a prescription drug called Codeine, which is a strong cough medicine. When confronted about his drug addiction he gets angry. When talking about sex, Lil Wayne informs a room full of people that he was raped as an 11-year-old, and that he never pressed charges because he liked it. When asked about why he raps, his answer is because he wants to be rich, and when talking about himself the conversation often revolves around his fame and that fact that even across the world, in Amsterdam, he is recognized everywhere.

Some interesting techniques are used in the interview. First, they utilize Lil Wayne's music throughout the film. They use the lyrics in his songs to explain his life throughout the film as it applies to what is being shown. For example, when Lil Wayne is asked by an interviewer where he grew up, his answer is very unclear (because he is too high to answer). The music of one of his songs then comes on and informs the viewer of his childhood and where he grew up.
Second, the documentary utilized a number of different camera angles and special color effects. Often, during transition from one place to another, the view became black and white.

The Documentary makes it very clear that they are producing it without Lil Wayne's "OK" on the final cut, which furthers the message that they are trying to send: that his life, though blessed with wealth and fame, is also plagued with some disturbing, tragic factors.

Activity:
Have students write the script for their own documentary. This documentary must revolve around something in the school. Encourage them to form an argument or create a thesis so that the documentary is intriguing.
Next, Have them film the documentary. Interview teachers, coaches, and school faculty. This will get students more interested in their school and the members that operate it. It will also teach them how to write a script and to realize the work that goes into making a documentary.

Ol' Blue Eyes

2009-12-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

I am a music fanatic. I like to believe that my ears are open and my mind is willing to accept an enjoy any type of music from any genre or artist. Mostly, I listen to rap, hip-hop, and heavy metal rock. But my interest is not limited to those three genre's. I enjoy listening to Raggae, Jazz, Classical, Alternative, 50's swing and jazz.

Lately, I have been really into jazz, specifically, Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

I haven't been to a concert of Sinatra's (probably because he is deceased) but I have heard many recreations of his work by other artists (such as Michael Buble's rendition of "I've Got the World on a String."

I guess this song appeals to me because it reminds me of happy times as a young child. As a child, my mother would play Sinatra's music loudly as she cleaned the house. This brings back feelings of love, family and comfort for me.

I also love the music (being a person who has played a few instruments). I feel that I can appreciate the orchestra type music because I played alto sax for many years (with a concentration on jazz).

Here is Sinatra's version of the song (the original) LINK
Here is Buble's recreation LINK

Analyzing the News

2009-11-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

I flipped the television on this afternoon and turned it to Channel 11. Channel 11 has, for many years, given itself the name of KARE 11. Kare 11 gave itself this name to imply that they care about Minnesota and its community. As I watched the afternoon news I completely bought into this concept of care. After all, I saw three stories in a row that warned me of crime in the twin cities. A shooting, a breaking and entering, and a theft from a local pawn shop were all reported on. Each story gave the time and place of the events, and included some [in my opinion] less-than-legitimate “eyewitnesses.”
This was my first time watching the local news in years. While I knew that every story is usually negative, I was so shocked at the severity of this fact. Following the crime reports, the smiling newscaster behind the desk reported of six more deaths in Minnesota due to H1N1.The report was given with little feeling and focused on the facts. This distancing from the emotion of death and illness was very disheartening. It made me feel like KARE doesn’t really CARE at all, and that they are just there to report, not to be sensitive.
After this story, the newscasters focuses on a court trial of a man named Petters. I didn’t really understand what he was being charged for, although I know it is something having to do with fraud and paying investors.
As far as rhetorical appeal goes, it seemed that the newscasters smiled when they spoke of something lightely, and made a very serious face when they spoke of something grave. They seemed to tailor their emotional appearance with the topic of each subject. To me, they seemed very fake. I was not convinced that they CARE.
As far as techniques and editing goes, the camera was steady and focused on the two news anchors. The set was simple and clean. When a new topic would be discussed, a video clip would show the area of the crime, or the issue being reported on while the news anchors voice provided audio. This audio would transition when an eyewitness was questioned, but when they were finished or cut off, the news anchors voice would resume.
I think my average weekly media intake is about average. I typically do now watch local news because of how depressing it is. Instead, I watch ESPN SportsCenter every morning. This keeps me up to date with the sports world. I rarely watch any national news either, as I feel that most are extremely bias (CNN, FoxNews, MSN, etc…) I almost never listen to the radio, and I rarely read the newspaper. My media intake is usually channeled and regulated by myself. I control what I watch and listen to. I frequently download music, movies, and television shows. I do this so that I can watch/listen to this media without being plagued by commercials and advertisements.

Sex Sells, and So Does Axe

2009-11-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

This advertisement is for Axe Body Spray for Men. It is a magazine ad which covers the whole page. The focal point of the ad is a woman in very provocative clothing (white tank top and pink underwear) and high heel shoes, washing a car. Also in the picture is the car, and a man standing behind the car, also washing the vehicle. The picture is very colorful everywhere. But the focal point is on the woman’s pink underwear. In the top right corner there is a small image of the product, and a slogan that reads “Save on your Axe, save on car washing.” This slogan implies that by purchasing a new, lower priced Axe Body Spray, it will cause beautiful women to wash your car in their underwear and a white t-shirt. This plays on the stereotype that every male has a fantasy of seeing a beautiful woman wash their car in this attire.
The setting of the ad is in the driveway of a very boxy, modern looking home. Not much of the home is shown but we can conclude that it may be that of a upper-middle class home in a warm, dry climate (because of its flat roof and stucco siding). This sets the viewer up in a place of comfort. It shows the man who uses axe as comfortable and self reliant. He not only is a car owner, but a home owner too.
The attended audience is men, specifically (but not limited to) young, adult, heterosexual men.
While many agree that these acts are foolish and immature, they do in fact prove effective. In my opinion, the Axe Body Spray is a terrible product. Its scents are not only overwhelming, but also repelling. Yet, despite this dislike in the product, I have purchased it on numerous accounts. Why? The same reason any person buys it, because the advertisements are appealing and clever, and of course, because sex sells.
Below is my fake Axe ad. In contrast to the Axe ad, it plays on typical stereotypical female fantasies of what they would want in a man.

Bromance: The Ultimate Film Genre

2009-10-29T15:38:00.001-07:00

The following PowerPoint presentation is Peter and my analysis of the Post-Modern Romantic Comedy, AKA "Bromance."

http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgg8sng7_30f88qpghp

Media Ethnography - Video Games

2009-10-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

For my media ethnography I observed my brother playing video games. I chose to do this because I am fascinated with the video game phenomenon which has a large impact on much of our society. Video games are extremely popular with not only young boys, but some females and even adults. I, myself, am not one to sit and play video games for an extended period of time. I don’t enjoy playing unless it is against an opponent. I will often play with my friends simply for the competition. It intrigues me when I see people like my brother playing for an extended period of time. I don’t look down on this action, after all, it is sheer entertainment; similar to watching television or reading a magazine.
I entered my brother, Andrew’s, room unnoticed. He sat in a computer desk chair with his elbows resting on the arm rests, his shoeless, sockless feet kicked up onto his desk and his eyes gazing at the wall-anchored television. Andrew held a black Playstation 3 controller in both hands. It rested on his crotch and his thumbs moved at mach speed. Never have I seen more intense focus than I saw in Andrew’s eyes. Andrew seemed to be in the middle of a football game and he was down 21-24 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
I entered the room and asked him if I could talk to him for a minute. “Do you think I could interview you for this media ethnography thing I have to do for a class?” I asked. Andrew was unresponsive.
I tapped him on the shoulder and he responded with a sharp “just a minute! I’m in a nail biter here, gotta win this to go to the super bowl.”
I waited patiently, watching Andrew run the two-minute-drill with Brett Favre leading the Vikes. When Andrew finally scored on a screen pass to Adrian Peterson, he held his pumped a fist in the air and turned to me. “Ok, did you need something?”
Andrew was pleased to talk to me about his video gaming habits after a victorious win, so I asked him a few questions. The following are the questions I asked, and his responses.
Me: Andrew, how often do you play video games? How many times a week? How many hours each time?
A: Umm, I play everyday. No, not every day, 4 times a week, for about an hour at a time.
Me: Do you prefer to play alone or with other people?
A: Other people for the majority but sometimes I prefer to play alone.
Me: What are you favorite types of games?
A: Sports games (football) and Call of Duty
Me: Do you ever feel like you are wasting time by playing video games?
A: Yes, for sure.
Me: Do you have any rituals? How you sit, what you eat. Do you talk? Do you listen to music? What do you Wear?
A: Ussually I listen to music or watch a tv show on my computer, sometimes I eat while I play.
Me: What do you hope to achieve by playing video games? Meaning, each time you sit down to play, what do you expect to get out of it? Is it rewarding?
A: For the most part, nothing. It is not rewarding except to build skill to compete with other people. I guess it’s entertainment.
Me: Do you feel that you share the same objectives/expectations in video-gaming as other gamers around the world?
A: Yes. I don’t know who would think that it will be rewarding in the long term from video games.
Me: What is your overall attitude/opinion about the gaming community?
A: It depends on the games that they play but my first thought is that the gaming community is full of nerds. As in, if you play sports games it is normal guy activity. But if you play World of Warcraft it’s a whole different type of gaming.

It seems that Andrew sees his gaming as a typical means to entertainment. A normal activity that people do to kill time or have fun. When I observed Andrew, he was very casually dress, in a relaxed position, and seemed at ease. I believe that many gamers around the world engage in this activity to escape from the real world problems that they face. By entering into a virtual world they can tune out the real world around them. I have seen this with many of my friends and colleagues who play video games for hours at a time, while they ignore their ringing cell phone. This is a way for people to shut out the real world.

2009-10-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

My Voice Thread about Coffee

2009-10-21T16:09:00.001-07:00

Analysis of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

2009-10-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

Click the link below to view the short clip from the fifth season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Video Clip

Using two different methods from Richard Beach's book A Web-Linked Guide to Resources and Activities, I will analyze the clip...

Analysis Number 1:
Feminist Analysis (A Psychoanalytic Theory)

In the clip, three men are sitting around a table discussing law, when a woman (a friend of the three men) comes in yelling "I have huge news!" The men continue to discuss law and ignore her. She repeats herself and they continue to ignore her. Then, another man walks in the room (who is also a friend of the three men). The man begins to say "I got great news guys!" Immediately the three men turn around and become excited about the other man's news. They ask him what his news is and he informs them that he bought a house at a discount price due to a foreclosure auction and that he is planning to turn it over and sell it to make a profit. The female in the room becomes very upset and they finally ask her what her news is. She informs them that she is going to donate an egg so that another couple (who is not able to have children due to biological reasons) can have a child. The three men act as if her news is not impressive and they instantly turn back to the other man and ask him more about his. The scene then cuts to the woman, in a very nice home, sitting and facing a man and a woman. The viewer understands that this man and woman are the people who she is donating to. The woman attempts to negotiate with the couple to purchase more from her so that they can have multiple children.

The clip is so blunt about it sexist position that one cannot overlook it. The characters in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia are notorious for being obnoxiously sexist, racist, prejudice, and any other -ist or -ice you can name. The tone of the show is mocking the characters themselves. In this episode, the show presents the male characters facing the camera and filling up the screen. When the female character enters the room, she is small and sets off the balance of the screen, not to mention the male characters all have their back to her. This is set up to show the male characters importance in our culture and how women take the backstage. The men are most important to the viewer and the female is less important to the viewer and to them. This is made obvious when they ignore her. When the fourth man enters the room, the men instantly turn to him.

When the men finally allow the woman to speak, they are unimpressed by her information and question whether it involves them or not. When she tells them no, they selfishly respond by directing their attention towards the man again.

The scene is set up to put the men in a primary, authoritative position and setting the female up as an unimportant, annoying person. This is sexism at it's finest.

Analysis Number 2:
Marxist Literary Theory (A Critical Discourse Analysis)

The beginning of the scene begins with three men in a bar discussing law about ownership of birds [as pets]. The men are discussing that it may or may not be illegal to own a hummingbird, a gull and a seabird. The fact that there may be a law against these things is beside the point. It has everything to do with the men not knowing laws, and arguing mindlessly about them.

As the fourth man enters the scene he informs them that he will be "flipping a house." Which the other three men get excited about.

Them men appear to be average, clean clothing. They appear to be in the lower middle class. When they become excited about Frank flipping a house it shows that they have a high concern/interest for money.

When the female informs them that she is "having a baby," the fourth man responds by telling her to "flush it out." These people are set up as being extremely naive about modern medical technology. They also are very concerned with money.

In the second half of the clip, the female appears sitting in a bright, very well furnished home. This is a big change of scenery, considering the bar in the opening of the scene was very dark and aged. The other man and woman in the scene sit with a clipboard, asking the female questions about drug abuse, mental health, and physical health. The two are in an authoritative position. This is because they are in there home, which appears to set them in the upper middle class.

When the female begins to negotiate with the couple, she appears extremely foolish and naive. Since the couple is of a higher class and status, they are appear uncomfortable and nervous when the single female swears or uses vulgarity in her speech.

The scene is set up to show class difference (however small it may be), and the connotations that follow with the amount of money a person has. The first group of people, being positioned in a lower class, appear naive, awkward, uneducated, dirty, dark, and vulgar. The second group (the couple), who appear to be of a higher status, appear happy, clean, bright, educated, and reserved. Television often plays on social status and class by imposing these simple characteristics on characters.

If I were teaching a class...

I would ask my students to flip through a magazine of their choice and find adds which provided a subliminal argument towards sexism, racism, or prejudice. I would ask them to analyze them from a Feminist standpoint and then from a Marxist standpoint. I would ask them to point out specific evidence, and make guesses of who they think the advertisement is targeting, and what connotations it carries about gender and social class.

2009-10-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

My Annotation of The Departed

2009-09-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

My first vlog

2009-09-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Reporting on the 3 Minute Egg Vlog

2009-09-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

The 3 Minute Egg is a video blog about the arts in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The vlog "concrete & grass" caught my attention because of my interest in music, and the variety of music in which I enjoy listening to. The vlog tells about the music scene in the Lowertown St. Paul, and how it has grown in the past decade. Throughout the vlog, various musicians and musical groups are performing. These range from classical musicians and orchestra, to a hip hop singer, to a rock band.

The audience for the vlog is those who live around the twin cities area. The vlog intends to inform surrounding residents of Lowertown's rising music/arts scene and to persuade those residents to check the scene out for themselves. The visual rhetoric is that of countless displays of various types of music, intertwined with interviews with unidentified, casually dressed, middle age people. These people act as the voice of Lowertown.

Throughout the vlog there is a number of visual techniques used. One is the overlap of audio. As the scene changes, audio from the prior scene remains and overlaps with the new visual scene. Another visual technique used is titles givin to music groups and people while they are speaking. And finally, the last visual technique used is the credits at the end. The combination of all of these techniques make this vlog look very official.

I enjoyed this vlog because of the information it gave. It was straight forward and the content was interesting. It made me want to go check out Lowertown St. Paul!