Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Questioning the media Chapter 7
I would have to say the earliest memory I have of going to the movies was when I was in eight grade. I had my first girlfriend and I didn't know where to go so I took her to the movies. I cant remember what movie we went to see, but I do remember that we both enjoyed ourselves. I asked my mom about her earliest experience of going to the movies and she said that she remembers going when she was around 6 or 7 years old. She said that she was so excited to go and couldnt wait to get there. She could not remember what movie she went to see, but she said she had popcorn and that it was a new adventure for her.
2. Do you remember seeing a movie you were not allowed to see? Discuss the experience.
There were quite a few movies that I saw as a kid that I was not supposed to see. In order to see a rated R movie, you have to be 17, but I saw a couple of these movies in theaters when I was 15 and 16. One time I remember having a freind buy me and my girlfriend tickets to see this scary movie that was rated R. I was hoping we wouldn't get caught when we walked in, but we didn't and we both enjoyed the movie even my girlfriend was scared throughout most of the movie. Most of the rated R movies I had seen when I was under 17 were scary movies like SAW or the Omen.
3. How often do you go to movie theaters today? How often do you play DVD's on a television, or watch movies on a computer? Which experience do you prefer and why?
These days I don't go to see movies in the theater that often because they are so expensive. Plus I usually don't have much time to go there anyway because I'm always busy with other plans. The last time I went to the movies was to see Sherlock Holmes and Avartar shortly after, both of which were at the end of December. I play DVD's on tv every coupl of weeks when I feel like having a movie night, but at my house I have DVR and so we have like 40 movies recorded so usually I watch one of them. I prefer to watch a movie on DVD at the comfort of my own home because I can relax and get comfortable which allows me to enjoy the movie better.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Chapter 6 Questioning the Media
Usually I dont watch many cable channels regularly because there are certain stations I like to watch what little bit of time I do watch television. I have direct TV at my house also, so there are certain channels I watch that arent on regular cable TV. There are probably about 6 or 7 stations that I try and watch regularly. They are ESPN, Comedy Central, USA, Fox, MTV and ESPN2. The shows these channels play is what attracts me to them. I like to watch funny shows like Family Guy and the Simpsons on Fox and funny movies on Comedy Central as well as Scrubs. I like to watch action movies on USA sometimes.
4. CNN and MTV have our changed our society as well as the global culture. Have these changes been positive or negative? Explain
These stations have really modernized our society and the way we think because of the influential things that play on these stations. On MTV, there used to be alot of music videos that the country loved to watch all the time. It used to be the way to listen to music until the invention of all the new technology like Youtube and Ipods. CNN has always been more of a news channel that lets people in on real time situations that going on in the economy now. The changes these stations have brought about in our society, I feel, are positive because people know what to expect from certain parts of society because of the up to date information they receive fro CNN and the relaxing music from MTV so people can take a break from there world and just listen to music to get away.
I Think that digital broadcast satellite and cable are definitely not on the same playing field because of how much more advanced the digital broadcast satelitte is than cable. DBS is more advantageous than cable in areas that are hard to put the underground wires in and also areas that arent profitable for them. DBS can also be viewed from peoples cell phones, so therefore its like having a mobile TV as to where cable, you can't take it anywhere but the place you are watching a TV. DBS high definition images are alot better than cables HDTV as well because of the quality of the picture.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Chapter 5 Dicussions questions
Nowadays, I don't have much time to watch television unless it is a weekend. I am so busy with my schoolwork and job during the week that there are some nights my tv is never even turned on. I probably watch anywhere from 8 to 12 hours of tv during the weekends and maybe 3 to 5 during the week. The prograns I try and watch regularly are programs like Family Guy, The Simpsons, and South Park. I dont get to watch these shows all the time, but I like them because they are just so funny and make me laugh constantly.
3. If you were a network television executive, what changes would you try to make in the programs that America watches?
If I was a network television executive, then I would push to have certain programs taken off the air. I would push for things like all the reality love shows to be taken off air because most of the people on these shows are just on it to be on tv and could care less about the other people they are competing for or against. Most people I know, don't even watch shows like these, therefore they are just taking up airtime. I would try and push America to try and watch more shows that are funnier and not so serious especially since times are so rough. I think it would help make Americans loosen up and not be so uptight.
1. Describe your earliest memories of watching television. What was your favorite show? Which, if any, shows did your family watch together? Were there shows that you were not allowed to watch? Which ones and why?
I don't remember how young I was when I first started watching televison, but I do remember some shows me and my brother liked to watch. I think the name of the show was called Alvin. It was about this little brown creature living with some family. I can't remember all the details but I still remember his character because he was funny and he is what made the show good. When I was little, me and my family never really watched any shows together that we all like. I remember that we had cinemax and HBO and I was not allowed to even watch these stations because of nudity.