Above is an unedited video of the video camera practice we had before using them for our next assessment (Self Portrait on another person).
Here we experimented with using the tripod (both stable and moving) and handheld (including zoom).
It was a great way for me to learn how to use the camera as I have not used many in my lifetime and this one seems extra extravagant.
wk5 Media collaborates [Easter Break – split week, no classes Thur 2 April- Wed 8 April
There was not enough time in this lecture to discuss media collaborates, however we did discuss Project Brief 3:
We then learnt about reading Academic Writing
Practical steps:
– Download and print the article
– Write notes and highlight as you go
– Don’t just start reading from the beginning… to ‘read’ academic writing requires a different strategy i.e. reading key sections (abstract, intro, conclusion); looking at structure… before plunging in to a beginning to end read.
– Skimming is a legitimate part of doing it ‘properly’.
Goals in terms of ‘successful’ reading:
– a brief summary of the main ideas of the text
– an evaluation of the text (strengths and limitations)
– commentary on its relevance for your purpose (e.g. background research on an essay topic OR creative inspiration for a creative/technical skill you are developing).
This lecture was incredibly helpful as it enabled me to learn more about how to do well in University rather than teaching us about the media itself. It was not a normal lecture but it was a good one.
So I wanted to write this because of Netflix finally being made available to Australia (thank god it’s here now).
I used to watch the American one where I filtered my location to Los Angeles or something in order to access the beautiful streaming service.
To give an overview of what it is, thanks to the companies overview page: Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 62 million members in over 50 countries enjoying more than 100 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
Sounds fabulous does it not? WELL IT IS.
I don’t know whether having Netflix will now cause a stir in terms of Foxtel because people potentially will no longer want to pay for Foxtel when they can access things online for a cheaper price. However it’s great because I think we are moving back to paying for watching things online (I never really watched anything illegally that was downloaded but I know many people did) and I believe that now with the introduction of Netflix and then the Australian versions Stan and Presto, people will be more inclined to pay a monthly fee to watch as many things as they like.
Hmmm.. leaves me thinking!
I have created a self portrait which I believe shows my love of travel, singing, sport and celebrities.
I have also included some inspirational text that I have written myself, reflecting perhaps the fact that people always tell me that they live “vicariously through me”. I sort of love this concept as I have many idols myself, and the fact that others perhaps ‘admire’ me, makes me feel incredibly proud of myself at this point in my life.
Sound is one of my favourite elements in film and I have chosen to use sounds that I think show what I love – including singing. Obviously I had to be careful of copyright laws so I decided to record myself doing some humming random notes in the shower (a place where I sing all the time). I have also recorded crowds as I love the idea of fame as well as also being outside, experiencing nightlife but I love meeting others.
The portrait begins with an image of an aircraft landing as if to say that I am landing in order to tell people a little about myself. However over the top of the portrait is an element of metaphoric in terms of the plane being used as a symbol of inspiration (a way of getting in and out of situations). This highlights my love of travel as well as highlighting the fact that I do follow inspirational quotes in order to make the most of all of my experiences. Throughout the film, there are parts where I talk about “hitting turbulence” again reiterating the idea of aircraft and travel. The film ends with an aeroplane taking off which I believe represents my life and the fact that it is only just starting and taking off into full flight.
I have also included images and video that reflect me as a person. For example I am often seen throwing pieces of paper into bins because I love sport and always want to be doing something other than sitting still.
I have experimented with the time lapse app on my iPad. I used it to time lapse a clock ticking to show that life for me goes by quite quickly, so I try and make the most of it.
wk4 Media integrates theory and practice [theory + creative practice + disciplinary knowledge]
Both Adrian Miles and Liam Ward came and spoke to us today.
Adrian Miles discussed the idea that media is the integration of theory and practice. He said that stories aren’t everything and that we must act on our thoughts in order to make it something as thinking means nothing in terms of the final product, in the media world. It made me realise that it is important to get off my backside and start making a name for myself in the world in order to provide myself with the best possible future opportunities within broadcasting.
Liam Ward discussed editing: it is not about “fixing problems”. It is about deliberately breaking things (putting gaps in there) – encouraging viewers to have fun with the ideas. If you break it – it creates meaning – Why those parts? What does it mean? Why those edits?
We considered, 2001 Space Odyssey – primates fighting over water (using tools to fight) : cut: history of human species – from using bones to break things, to orbiting the earth with a spaceship.
And the 1920s – the chair is more than just a picture – it has colours/meanings – what the images can mean rather than just what they are.
We must consider the spatial/temporal relations of media.
On Tuesday the 10th of March, a small group of RMIT Media 1 students went on a walk to the State Library to investigate Media Consumption in every day life. We sampled both inside and outside looking not only at eye level but above, below, under etc. I noticed that the most common forms of media usage were on iPhones, iPads, Macs and iPods which are popular Apple products.
Above eye-level (up high) Advertisements on trams and shops (e.g. Melbourne Central – a film poster for ‘Focus’ – a film starring Margot Robbie, children’s book festival banners and exhibition signs hanging around the outside/inside the library.
On the ground People crouching to take photos, flashing “open” signs designed to gage attention, ‘free tram zone’ (allowing Yarra Trams customers to understand that the city is now a free tram zone, giant chess board (promoting face-to-face interaction).
At eye level iPhones, iPods and iPads being used, branded t-shirts and also a Tibetan demonstration was happening on the steps of the State Library.
In the background Fast Food (McDonalds, Subway), people reading books/magazines (e.g. Who/Woman’s Weekly), people gazing at exhibition signs and statues to read the text, traditional tibetan songs (both in english and tibetan) + signs hanging around the protesters necks to raise awareness and commemorate the lives of tibetans whom have self-immolated and died in protest to China.
In the foreground/ In my hand Pamphlet/Brochure (given to our group by a Tibetan protest leader) and information brochures inside the library.
wk3 Media is a public practice [that is, an engagement with the world and others requiring a philosophical and practical ‘ethics’]
Media is a public practice [that is, an engagement with the world and others requiring a philosophical and practical ‘ethics’] (taken from Media One blog lecture notes).
In this lecture, Annie Lennox (not the singer, however I do wish it was) discussed the ethics surrounding copyright and the restrictions.
We discussed rights of ownership – the rules of ownership – creator/author first owner and the exceptions i.e. employer ownership/contract assignment/licence.
Duration of copyright is for 70 years however this can differ throughout the world.
In this lecture I learnt that it is incredibly important to create your own work but if you are wanting to copy/reproduce/publish/adapt something you must respect the rights of the original works and gather licenses where necessary.
TEXT:
Singing
Acting
Music
Animals
Nutella
Happy
Ambitious
Bubbly
Energy
Nice
Internet shopping
Australia
Celebrities
Best friend
Radio
Oh I love Jessie J
Obsessions
Katy Perry
Sport
wk2 Media is not a ‘thing’ out there [but rather a place we inhabit]
In this lecture, we were required to get into small groups and head outside into ‘the real world’ and investigate media use all around us. The purpose of this activity was to make us more aware of media and its use within today’s society – something that in my opinion is often overlooked. I found this activity incredibly insightful as it allowed me to become more aware of my surroundings and become aware of the way people interact with ‘the media’ within their every day lives. For example there were advertisements on Melbourne Central for the film ‘Focus’ featuring Margot Robbie and Will Smith but on the other hand there were brochures in the state library advertising up and coming exhibitions. There was a great amount of technology use (mainly dominated by Apple products like iPhones, iPads and Macbooks).
Pre-modern vs. Modern society (also a question of authenticity – debates about mediated vs. unmediated communication)
Pre-modern Society
Social world predominately experienced through:
– Face to fact interactions
– Direct experiences
Modern Society
Predominately through media/texts
– maps, books, newspapers…
wk1 Media is re-learning [how, where and why we learn]
I found this lecture incredibly exciting as it was the first Media 1 lecture I had ever been to and in fact, the first university lecture I had ever been to.
We discussed the idea of learning and why we do it. There were readings about Hyper and Deep attention (deep attention characterised by a long period of focus on one object and hyper attention characterised by switching focus rapidly among different tasks). It was interesting as, as we read on, I found that hyper attention is more adaptive than deep attention in contemporary developed societies due to our overuse of technology enabling us to do more things at once. However there is an argument that questions how much better hyper attention is than deep attention considering there is a lack of focus which in my opinion can be unsafe in certain situations.
In this weeks lecture the topic of learning and how we learn was discussed. We were made to reflect on the ways in which learn as well as touching on the things we wish to learn. When thinking about what I would like to learn, I think it would mostly be learning to be placed more often outside of my comfort zone doing activities that I wouldn’t normally do. I wish to show off more of my creativity as in the past I have not been able to do this. I think when thinking about the career path in which I wish to follow, it is important to be more confident in the work that I do and to make mistakes that I will learn from. The most challenging aspect of this course will be keeping up with the work load as often when I lose track, I find it difficult to get back to where I was. I think also having to do tasks that I may not like may be difficult but I definitely want to learn to step outside of my comfort zone.
I am incredibly excited about this course as I know that it will teach me so many things related to the media presenting career path that I want to follow as well as giving me skills in other areas that may help me in other areas of work or life in general!
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This Media Factory Blog by Samantha Beniac-Brooks is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://mediafactory.org.au/samantha-beniac-brooks.
