Blogs I have commented -

Abby - http://abbird.blogspot.ca/2012/01/sharing-is-caring.html


Danielle - http://le-wild-mudkip.blogspot.ca/2011/11/texting-in-social-situations-how-about.html


Mellat - http://iblogphish.blogspot.ca/2012/04/beauty-is-it-really-in-eye-of-beholder.html?showComment=1334245403472


Lisa - http://liiisaaaj.blogspot.ca/2012/03/career-mashing_11.html


Izza - http://izzaapizzaa.blogspot.ca/2012/03/look-music-videos.html?showComment=1334245282821


Danielle G. - http://dagabuya.blogspot.ca/2012/04/web-20-you.html

Blog #5 - A look @ Music Videos

Q1. Initial reaction: What are your immediate thoughts and observations when you view the music video?      
         Right in the beginning of the music video, they displayed a quote: "You know that feeling before you go to sleep? Well that's how I'm feeling right now." spoken by their friend Anthony Doobay. When I read the title, 'Sleep', at first i didnt know how the passing of their friend would actually relate to this song. My first initial thought about this music video was that it was a tribute/dedication song to their friend. But as the video went along, I realized the concept of the video changed a bit because of the locations they filmed it at and what they were saying to their audience. 'Pretty cool video.

Q2. Analysis and interpretation: Describe the Principles of Media Arts as they appear in the music video. Why do you think the musician, musical group, or director created this music video? What themes are promoted in this video? Are they aligned with Gospel Values, or do they counter them?
         I think this musical pair created this music video because they not only wanted to pay respect to their friend, but to also say that when we dream, think about where you really want to go. I think the way this music group portrayed this song in the video was good; considering that their focus was on 'dreams' and not on the death of their friend. The location of where they shot the music video, I thought wasn't really relevant to the meaning of the song, but it did relate with some of the lines in the song and it did give the video a nice surrounding and atmosphere to the artist(s). The video was filmed inside Ryerson University, and in some locations in downtown Toronto as well. I think they chose these locations just to promote where they're from and who they are. I personally do not think that the themes set in the video are either aligned with Gospel values nor do they counter them. Though they show that sometimes they fool around and don't pay attention in class, it's because the only thing that's set on their mind is their 'big dream' and what they want to achieve. But what they're really saying is: stop dreaming, and wake up. Know what's real.

Q3. Consideration of cultural context: What events may have influenced the musician, musical group, and director to create this music video?
        Well from the start of this video, they displayed a quote by one of their friends who had passed away. I think the affect of their friend's incident influenced them to create a song/music video about what their friend had said. "You know that feeling before you go to sleep? Well that's how I'm feeling right now." They used the concept of sleep in their friend's case, and kind of changed it to tell other people to go for what you want; and reach for it.

Q4. Expression of aesthetic judgment: How does the cinematography, acting and performance, choreography, storyline, special effects, lyrics, and musicality work together in the music video? How do the visuals affect your admiration or disdain for the song?
        I would say that the visuals of this video are appropriate for the song. It may not have a full relation to the meaning of what the song interprets but I think the storyline was good as it followed the lines of the song. The choreography, acting and performance were set to fit and make the artist feel the way they should perform it and I also think that things in the video like the lighting, the time of day, and props they used were relevant to the artists themselves. Paper airplanes were the main prop used and promoted in this music video because of the music duo's name, "The Airplane Boys".

Q5. Ongoing reflection: How has your chosen music video influenced your reception of the song?
       I think my chosen music video has influenced my reception of the song because in the end, I realized that a music video is made to promote a song and show how the artist(s) wants to show it. The Airplane Boys kept true to how they perform and in the video, they just wanted to do what they usually do. In relation to the song, the cinematography did benefit the concept of the song; but what I really thought that the song itself was a project made, in respect for their friend. In turn, the music video was made just how the director/ & artists wanted it, which is what I respect the artist for - for doing what they want and being themselves, and not how others think or want it.

Web 2.0 and YOU!

Blog#6 - WEB 2.0 AND YOU!

Q1. How will emerging technology (blogs, video's, ereaders, ebooks) affect literacy?

     ANS: These kinds of emerging technologies like blogs and videos give people the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Just like in the Web 2.0 video, it said that text is 'unlinear when written on paper but linear when digitally written; also it's flexible and more moveable. Ebooks and ereaders make time and space easier and more convenient. I think these technologies would affect literacy because it's creating a barrier for people to write 'on paper' and come up with their own creative opinions and ideas. Video's and blogs make a way to show or give information in a shorter amount of time and focusses on digital visuals instead of what's real. These technologies do make our time easier, but is an influence to keeping us from our responsibilities and what we could do in reality.


Q2. How is Web 2.0 challenging us to "rethink ourselves" (ie: friendships, work, education, community, family etc...)?

     ANS: I think that Web 2.0 is challenging us to "rethink ourselves" in terms of friendships, work, education and family, is by telling us to be careful in what we post on the internet. In the video it said that we are the ones teaching the internet; by posting different things and cahnging the things already there. Even if we post something that's only meant for a specific person, it's already on the internet and think twice: because anyone can access it now that it's there. Web 2.0 is just warning us of what can happen to the ones we care about and to simply think twice before posting anything.

Beauty - Is It Really In the Eye of the Beholder?

Q1. Why do you think people are portrayed this way in the media?

ANS: I think people are portrayed this way in the media because the creators of those advertisements want to tell people that this is the way you should look & that this is the way all women/people should appear. Almost every advertisement on billboards, magazines and websites attempt to show women in the most presentable way: not just by clothing, but by make-up and real body appearance. Watching the videos and analyzing that image revealed soo much about how advertisers, photographers, editors and companies do to make the person they are really working with into something that isn't really true about the person.

Q2. How are you affected by the images you see?

ANS: I think that when I see these images on a daily basis, I would say that I am really not much affected about this. But knowing that the people on those advertisements do not look like that in real life, it really is disturbing to see that people out there distort images to make people look a certain way. I would say that the first video that I watched was really overdone. Transforming the women's face alone just by using make-up, I thought was enough. But editing the photograph of her face afterwards was just too much. Like, really; what's their purpose? Making a point about a certain way of looking doesnt make a difference in reality if it's possible in a picture. Not all women and girls look like that and not all of us need to. Advertising make-up is just business. But using images like those of a person who looks nothing like that in reality just brings our self-esteem down. 

Q3. What can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images?

ANS: My answer for this question would be... I don't know, maybe "protest against those companies and tell them to stop advertising the unrealistic looks of men and women". But going on their side for a bit, I think that not all of them want is our money... & maybe their point of those images aren't neccessarily about 'being perfect'. I think that in today's society, we have soo many distractions and many of us feel that there is no time to play fun and games or go out to the park and live a healthy lifestyle. In my perspective (and I'm probably going off topic on this one, but) I think maybe those advertisements aren't so full out..

Q4. What would your reaction be to a magazine cover where the subject isn't all glammed up? Is this a possible route that society should take? Why or why not?
ANS: If I saw a magazine cover where the subject wasn't all glammed up, I would probably think that it would be okay. If the subject wasn't presentable, I would wouldn't react in a very good way. I think that it would be okay if the subject on the magazine wasn't all glammed up because that is how everyday people look. I don't know anyone who appears to be as perfect as those I see on billboards and magazines. But I think that sometimes photo/video editors do what they do to distort or edit a persons face because they want to show that this is not the only way to look, but they try to show how the person can look as presentable as they can. In my opinion, I do not think that it is a possible route that society should take because people should know that they should present themselves in a certain manner. If you compare my opinion towards that video of how they covered up her acne, I do not mean of how their face appears to look in reality; I mean their clothing and how they express themselves. It's always the "fashion makes a statement" kind of thing. That is what I mean by presentable. Though I know that not everyone focuses on clothes, what they wear and what other people will think about how they look, this may be a possible route for society because if you focus on the negative of this, it is not how anyone wants to feel. 

To Share or Not To Share... That is the Million Dollar Question

1. What is your personal opinion towards file sharing? Is it right or wrong? Please explain.

     ANS: Well, my personal opinion towards file sharing is that it is not wrong. I only state this because I feel that if you want to show or share your work to others, it's fine. Go ahead, express yourself. But personally, I do not post pictures or any other files on the internet because I like to keep it to myself. As an example, the article above about the Hurt Locker: File Sharing Suits Target Canadians, I think that file-sharing, in this case, is wrong. File sharing really should not be done without the permission from the creator. After reading the article, I now know even more that it is wrong to do because even though it's easy to do, it is not easy to face the consequences when you disobeying and disrespecting the law and rights of authors. Canadian video companies are to blame due to the illegal downloading of this movie not made by the companies them self, but different individuals. Now because this occurred, tons of dollars now have to be paid for. Hmm, to share or not share... Now my opinion is not to share. Keep a file to yourself.

2. If you produced your own piece of art/song/movie, would you hold the same opinion?

     ANS: If I produced my own piece or art/song/movie or some media/digital creation, I would hold the same opinion. I would not share it online, even if I wanted to somewhat, advertise it. But really, if I ever shared something, I wouldn't want others to copy or take it without my permission. Just like the example of the Hurt Locker: File Sharing Suits Target Canadians, I would say that it is wrong to do; and maybe even wrong just to attempt it.

3. Do you feel it is morally acceptable to download copyrighted material if it is only intended for personal use?

     ANS: Right now, I would say that it is, wrong. Just because it is copyrighted. But after reviewing and discussing this topic, I will now state that is, acceptable. I say that this is morally acceptable because, I have to admit... I download copyrighted material, alot. In my case, I  believe this is acceptable because I do use it for personal use. There are so many places on the internet to download files that it is hard to keep track of it and keep it under proper security. My opinion for this is to either show the world and let your work be misused, or keep it safe yourself.