General Media Stuff

So, recently in class we have been doing some interesting stuff on the Media industry. With Mrs Francis we have been doing about Working Title Films, a company that I produce many films that I like, and also Channel four films who I also enjoy films from. I was surprised to find out about Working title films being funded (67% of its shares are owned by) Universal Pictures, and also the fact they work quite a lot with Studio Canal, who generally produce european made films. Channel four seem a lot more interested in purely British films, and usually only puts its name on such films, such as Slumdog Millionaire and This is England.

With Mr Van Straten, we have started work on our coursework, which is to do a two minute intro to a film of any genre. In my group with Grace, Georgia and Danni we have decided to do the opening scene of a Thriller/Horror film, as we all know quite a lot about this particular style of Film and we have taken a look at two films in particular. We looked at the Film 'Them', that Georgia suggested as we wanted to not let the audience know who is watching the victim, and that was what was conveyed in the opening of the film. The Second, was "What Lies Beneath" that i had just watched and when we mentioned the word bathroom, i thought for us to take a look at it. Both films have proved useful so far, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the project!

Oh Dear

That was my first thought when i looked at my hastily edited continuity film earlier, which overall looked very scrappy. Cue Kia, Morgan, A Camcorder, and the tape entitled Awesome Crew. I Have shot some new footage, and I am planning to edit it a home using Final Cut, and add to the footage i have already got, and hope that it works! I included over the shoulder shots from both sides of the conversation, which took several takes again because of the nature of the conversation (about Kia not having and limbs!) Anyway, it's all good now, and I am thinking up ideas for my Thriller film. I am thinking of a chase sequence, but not by some hideous three headed monster, or a chainsaw wielding, hockey mask wearing maniac, but the viewer of the film doesn't know what is chasing the person being chased. I am not sure of the whereabouts of this sequence yet, but i was in Hammersmith the other day, and i found a particuarly dark and dingy looking area that was very atmospheric for this sort of thing. However, when i first had the idea, i wanted to do it in a multi storey car park, and I haven't given up trying to find one i can use yet, but it is fairly unlikely. In terms of actors, I have asked James Sherrard to be the unfortunate one being chased, and I am going to get in contact with one of my more intimidating friends to be the person chasing, if I am actually going to use one. But yer anyway, that's basically it in terms of my ideas.

I have recently been reading into the  controversy caused by the highly amusing book 'Should you be laughing at This?' by Hugleikur Dagsson, which was a book released a couple of years, and one which i forgot about, and have now rediscovered. It shows how people's personal tastes on this controversial subject can affect their better judgement, as I think it's quite funny if you don't take it to seriously, which I think some people are. Have a look at this article:

http://bifsniff.com/wp-content/files/2006/12/banthisbook-1. jpg 

Sorry about the small text, but that's the best i can find at the moment. Also, if you like that very blunt humor, check out the book 'Modern Toss' which is very similar and has an accompanying tv show! 

Half Term Media Report

Well it's sunday night, and i can finally fill you in on my media troubles and strives over half term. I hope i am not alone in saying this, but i'm aware that the amount of time that i have spent watching tv and using the internet and my computer is hugely excessive, but to be honest, if i haven't got better things to do then why not? I have spent an average of 3 hours a day on my computer and 2 hours watching television. To be honest, I could've been a lot worse, but i tried to busy myself with other things. This average was taken over my 15 days on half term, and for 10 of those days i spent an hour playing my playstation 2. Is it worth buying a next generation console? I have got the money but which one etc.? 

Over half term i have also done other media related things. I went and bought two 7" singles after seeing them advertised on television and online. One was Bloc Party's new single 'Talons', which i would recommend to anybody who is a fan of Bloc party or just like strange sounds, fusing rock with a hint of electronica mixed in. The Other one was the new Bond theme 'Another Way to Die' by Jack White and Alicia Keys. After hearing this on Radio 1 a while back, and not liking it, i found myself listening to it continually using youtube. I think it's a good and interesting Bond Theme, and really gives new listeners to the great Jack White a sample of his creative, garage-blues sound, and i think he has written a classic and retro sounding bond theme. However, this is just my opinion and I would like to hear other bloggers opinions on this issue. On Youtube, it has had mixed feedback as you can see here:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=suXkdsftsVU

In other news, The Black Lights, the band that i am in have just recorded their second demo, which is due to be mixed and ready to be released later next week. I will fill you all in on details when the time comes. Also the original Demo that was recorded on the 21st June earlier on this year has found its way into the hands of The Last Shadow Puppets, the side project of Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys, and Miles Kane from The Rascals after it was handed to them by Jamie and I as we were fortunate to meet these legends and are awaiting some form of feedback on the demo soon. I think thats about it, but i'm also writing articles on Music accompanying Films and also on The Rating of Video games. Tata for now...

Media Diary from the last 7 days

Apologies everyone, as it appears that i haven't done my media diary. Well i can tell you that it has been quite a busy week. I have had many an essay to do, and have as a result i have listened to music for at least 10 hours this last week, this is not including the 80 minutes on the way to and from school on the bus, as this adds even more, and is something to be slightly ashamed off. Anyway, on other news, i have again become interested in the Kings of Leon album as i saw an advert for it on the way home, and as i haven't had the chance to buy it yet, I continue to gawp at it with a certain air of the kid in the candy store. I have also listened to snippets of it off the stingy old itunes, which by the way I think is one of the best applications ever created!

Oh and also, I have become interested in my gaming again, and as i cannot afford a PS3 yet, i'm making do with my PS2, playing Hitman Contracts (undoubtly my favourite stealth series), Midnight Club 3 (My favourite street racing game) and Black (great first person shooter). I played these all for an hour each at the weekend.

I also watched a couple of films at the weekend. I watched the film 'The Pianist', which i thought was an amazing piece of film, and one which i thought was very powerful. I particularly enjoyed Adrian Brody's  part in the film, and i'm yet to find a film that i don't enjoy him in. The next film 'Ray' is one of my favourites, about a particular favourite of mine, Ray Charles. Jamie Foxx in this film portrays a very accurate picture of Ray Charles, and I believe the film is a great way off looking at the life of a hugely talented star.

So thats basically it for this week, oh an by the way, check out Zero Punctuation video game reviews if you want a laugh:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-punctuation?page=1

Media Invasion Days 3,4,5,6 and 7

Now, you might be wondering why I happen to be doing 4 days worth of Media Diary at once. Well wonder no more because here is the answer. I have been on a Combined Cadet Force training weekend down in Folkestone, and largely, i have been detached from the media. But i will report on the little media that did affect me.

On Day 3, I listened to my Ipod for 40 minutes on the coach, largely i was listening to the Axis of Justice Podcast, which I downloaded at the beginning of the Summer. It was a Radio Broadcast, aired in the States, presented by the Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, and System of a Down Singer Serj Tankian. It is a largely socialist radio broadcast, but nonetheless interesting, and packed with good an interesting music that i might not listen to normally, from Traditional Kenyan Folk to Old School Rap.

After a day inside the prison that is school, i had not been influenced by the media as such, but i listened to my Ipod on the way home for 35 minutes this time, as the trip had less traffic. I was listening to some classical music for my Music AS level (Stravinsky and Haydn if your really that bothered). I got home and watched a Zero Punctuation review of an XBLA double bill, which wasnt as funny as always for 5 minutes and continued to browse the internet for 2 hours doing my usual business for 2 hours. I then proceeded to pack and sleep.

On Day 4, i did not listen to my Ipod but to the radio for 45 minutes instead (Virgin Radio or Absolute Radio now). However i listened to my Ipod for 2 and a half hours on the way down to Folkestone, and then nothing media related happened for 3 days.

On the way home today i watched the Film Airplane on my Ipod with Jerome for about and Hour and a half, and then challenged him to a lyric battle for the remaining hour. When i got home, I went on the computer and my PS2 for a total of 4 hours. I realise how white and nerdy this is, but i'm past caring as i'm exhausted after a tiring weekend, but anyway, i've done my homework!

Media Invasion Day 2

Got up at the bright and breezy hour of 6 45, although i was none to pleased about that, and immediately turned onto my youtube account TGA92. I'm sure whoever is reading this obviously thinks that im a media nutter for going on youtube straight after getting out of bed, but i have come addicted to two new singles from two of Britains best rock bands at the moment. The First one being the new Kaiser Chiefs single 'Never miss a Beat' which i found out about last friday, while watching MTV two. I thinks its a great catchy song, and i will certainly be buying the album. The other is a free single that anybody who has ordered the new Bloc Party album 'Intimacy' will recieve for free. The song is called 'Talons' which i find is much more interesting that a lot of the music at the moment. Also this a good example of how im affected by the media, because i heard about the song through an advert, then I found the song on Bloc Party's website, then proceeded to order the album. Some people may be considered to weak minded because of how easily im affected by the music industry, but if i find a song by a pretty decent band, then i might as well buy it, so don't mock me. I listened to both songs for ten minutes in total.
I listened to my Ipod on my way to school on the bus, for 40 minutes. You will probably realise that i do this on the way to and the way back from school everyday, as the bus journey is quite tedious now. During school i wasn't affected by the media at all really, purely because i see school as prison that locks you away from things in the outside world, so nothing media related occured at school.
I got home after big band after not being affected by the media at all, which I thought was quite an achievement. Needless to say, i went straight on my computer and looked up the latest video games coming out and did me usual media related stuff and 'homework' for 2 hours. This is quite a lot i think but i don't care.
I then lit up an incense stick and transcribed 'Californication' by the Chilli peppers for the rest of the evening. End of transmission

P.S Logic Pro is AMAZING and another wonderful from Ben Yahtzee is out tonight. Time for some giggles i think

Media Invasion Day 1

Even though it appears that i'm currently in Media Studies, and its a wednesday, i'm still gonna fill out all the times that i was affected by the media on Day 1 of the media invasion.
After being given the task, i saw an advert for the new Kings of Leon album on my way home, which caused me to look it up and research it from 5 30 till 6, later on in the evening. Also, on the way home on the bus, I listened to some banging tunes on my Ipod.
This Ipod is my least favourite of all my Ipod's purely because it keeps freezing on my logitech speakers, meaning i have to reset it often. This annoys me more than 80's drum sounds, which really get on my nerves.
Anyway, i also watched Black Hawk down after doing my homework for an hour, while listening to the delights of Massive Attack for an hour. I had recorded this film after seeing an advert for it in the radio times (yes i know how upperclass that last sentence sounded). I enjoyed Black Hawk Down, and enjoyed the style of Ripley Scott, as i have tended to on regular occasions, but he ain't got anything on Senor Roderiguez yet.
So ended the first day of my media log....

p.s ZERO PUNCTUATION TONIGHT
oh and also, i would like to pose the following question. Is blogging really a necessary part of a modern day person's life? Do we really need to tell everyone what we are thinking? Is it another way for the government to spy on us? Probably a bit of a rubbish question on all accounts but oh well.