Genre – Mockumentary
Sara and I chose the Mockumentary genre. What appeals to me most about this genre is the humor. Anyone or anything can be mocked and subjects are all around us. The characters are very human and thus are easy to sympathize with. The characters, setting, and themes of mockumentaries are numerous. There are the loveable losers, creepy sidekicks, and just plain quirky characters: All of whom either parallel someone we know or are someone with whom we can identify ourselves.

Having worked in a highly unappealing office setting for numerous years, my favorite mockumentaries are the BBC’s The Office and the movie Office Space. Both have done an excellent job of pointing out the annoying details of cubicle life. Unfortunately for those still working in the office setting, both also are startlingly accurate in their depiction of office life.

I chose to interview Andy about his viewing of sports chat sites. There are three sites that he visits: two deal Minnesota based teams only and one deals with all professional sports. He estimated that he spent roughly five hours per week viewing the sites. Initially, Andy appeared somewhat embarrassed by the fact that he views chat sites, but as our questioning progressed he seemed to become assured that there was nothing to be ashamed about. Although he sometimes visits the sites at work, he typically views them at home and in the evening. There are seemingly few rules to posting, as long as there seems to be some valid point and the post is about sports or athletes. Andy likes these sites because they contain information that is not readily available through major media sources. There is more of what Andy called “gossip” about players getting traded, players getting into trouble, and even player sightings around the Twin Cities. Andy pointed out that since there are essentially no requirements to document rumors, you may hear about player transactions weeks in advance. Andy said he does not view these sites in order to have things to talk about, but certain topics do lend themselves to outside conversations. He gave the example of Eddie Griffin’s recent run-ins with the law. While he would not choose to view chat rooms with another person as entertainment, he would show the sites to someone if he thought they would find a certain topic interesting. I then asked Andy why he found this method of gaining information intriguing. Andy replied that chat sites were convenient – he can view them whenever and wherever he chooses, as long as he has an internet connection. In particular, he likes watching YouTube and other clips of players that he otherwise would not get to see play until the season starts, players he doesn’t know much about. Andy’s reading strategy consists of searching the sites for interesting discussion topics such as potential signings or trades. There are certain people whose comments he prefers over others and he stated that over time he has formulated opinions of the different posters (some of whom have more intelligent insights than others). Andy does not normally post comments and has rarely done so. He only posts if he feels he has a new perspective or something extremely beneficial to add. He said he would really have to have a strong opinion about a topic in order to post a comment.
A recurring theme throughout this interview was that Andy liked the wide variety of information available – unlike a typical newspaper or sporting magazine. Andy felt as though he was getting insight that he would not have been privy to without these chat sites. He also repeatedly mentioned the ease of finding the information he wanted and ignoring the information he did not care about. I can see why Andy finds these sites intriguing. If it were a topic that I was interested in, I too would visit chat sites for their convenience and the “knowledge” that cannot be found in other forms such as newspapers or news programs. In terms of sport chat sites, I have no desire to know about possible trades, etc, prior to them happening. Thus, I have trouble identifying with the chatters and glean little meaning from the site. Conversely, Andy easily identifies with the sports fanatics who chat and enjoys visiting the sites.

Media Analysis - Men as unintelligent continued
Example #2 - Dominos Home Improvement Commercial
In the spot, a woman in a home improvement store rings one of the many doorbell displays which causes men throughout the store to come running like salivating dogs believing it's the Domino's delivery guy at the door. This puts men on the same level as a domesticated pet. Advertising represents man’s priorities as one of the following: food, sex, beer, or sports. Dominos chooses to highlight food in this ad. I don't think I need to say more.

Analysis of Media Representation - Men as unintelligent

Example #1, Miller Lite's Square Table

In these Miller Liter commercials, several men sit around a square table discussing what should be made into “man law.” The men represented are men’s men – Burt Reynolds, a cowboy, a professional football player, etc. What they are discussing are trivial things such as whether or not to clink bottles at the top of the bottle or at the bottom of the bottle. This example highlights the insignificant points that are strenuously pondered over at the square table. This portrays men as unintelligent beings concerned with shallow points – as though they have nothing else on which to exert their mental energy. In addition, this particular example also portrays men as homophobic, since their final decision to tap bottoms was a result of realizing that tapping tops was too close to kissing another man. One man, shown as straining to comprehend, sees and up-close shot of two bottle tops touching and declares that “our saliva is touching.” Burt then says, “that’s technically kissing. Why don’t we touch bottoms?” The cowboy now has a problem with that and says, “Hey Hollywood, I’m not into touching bottoms,” with a look of disgust on his face. Burt, obviously the brains here, has to clarify that he means the bottle bottoms.

Critical Analysis of Magazine commercial

The ad is a full page (front and back) in Sports Illustrated. It is for Abilify, a prescription medicine to treat bipolar disorder. The text heading states “Treating Bipolar Disorder Takes Understanding: (there are then three subtopics), 1. You’ve been up and down with mood swings. You want to move forward. Maybe ABILIFY can help: (there are then subtopics from this, stating what abilify can do), 2. How ABILIFY is thought to work: (there is then a very rudimentary picture of the brain with an arrow showing down for chemical and up for activity and a curved line connecting them. They then describe how abilify adjusts dopamine activity, etc.), 3. Ask your healthcare professional if one-a-day ABILIFY is right for you.

There is a large symbol of Abilify (aripiprazole) with an A and a road leading off to the distance. The caption below reads, “For The Road Ahead.” Off to the side of the ad a woman stands with her back to the camera. She is looking out over a small dirt road (background to the subtopics in the foreground) that extends through a lush green open field. She dressed in a skirt and red sweater and the wind is blowing her hair and skirt. Her hair is pulled back into a type of bun, but it is still evident that the wind is blowing through it.

The bottom forth of the page is taken up with small print information about the drug, as is the entire back page.

Feminist Analysis
Instantly I was surprised to see this ad in a men’s magazine. I felt it was not directed towards men suffering from bipolar, but at men suffering because their significant other is suffering from bipolar disorder. The first reason I thought this was because the picture of the seemingly bipolar person is a woman, not a man. Secondly, the points of what abilify can do seem to be directed towards men by emphasizing qualities men want in women – “stabilize your mood” and “Most patients taking ABILIFY did not gain weight or feel drowsy.” It could have read, “stabilize your woman’s mood.” I think men would see an ad depicting a woman with mood swings and think about their wife or girlfriend’s mood swings, not their own. I feel this ad justifies the stereotypes about women’s weight by highlighting that most don’t gain weight on this drug. The woman in the ad is neatly dressed and thin.

I also think this ad points to the age-old belief that women are mentally unstable in comparison with men. Why would they show a man suffering from bipolar when it is women who are so unstable? But why does this ad appear in a magazine dominantly read by males, if not as a guiding point for diagnosing your significant other? The large title, “Treating Bipolar Disorder Takes Understanding” points to men understanding that women are unstable and they are here to give a drug to help. It showcases the gender difference that men are the helpers and women need help.

Postmodern Analysis
Most arguments in this analysis could also be added to the above analysis. I think this ad is pointing to the quick fix of a pill to make people’s lives happier. In reality, bipolar treatment is not as easy as a nice walk down a road through a lush green field with the wind slightly blowing, as the abilify ad suggests. The ad acts as though calmness is only a pill-a-day away. Again, thinking that his is directed towards men whose significant other is suffering from bipolar, understanding the disease consists of treating it with a pill. Solutions to happiness are simple and taken with water. It does not address the messiness and difficulty associated with real mental illness. The side affects are listed in tiny print while it is highlighted that weight gain is not common. Weight gain seems trivial in the scope of a mental disease that is potentially life-threatening. However, in an ad that skews reality, weight is an important factor.

More specifically, the opening of the show uses the dissolve technique to establish setting as one image slowly fades and is replaced by another.

Shaky camera accentuates the documentary aspect.

David/Neal Meeting

Camera starts behind the window and the blinds for David and Neal’s meeting. The angle is over the shoulder of Neal to show the face of David. The shot is medium, and shows Neal getting comfortable. David and Neal appear to be mic’d but the camera is not allowed into the office. As soon as Neal presses David for specifics on the progress of the merger, the camera zooms in to a single shot of David. This highlights that David is not prepared to answer this question and he is obviously uncomfortable. He fidgets with his tie and dances around the question. He uses hand motions to make up for the lack of words he has.

The Birthday Party

Yet another example of the lack of respect the employees have for David. The scene cuts to a 4 shot of office workers celebrating one worker’s birthday. The camera zooms in to show the leather basque she receives as a present. Quickly it goes to a three shot to show the reactions of her co-workers. Gareth is excited and mumbles that she should try it on. The camera goes back to a single mid-shot of the birthday girl as she holds the basque up for size. Again, the camera pans to co-workers to show their giggling reactions. The camera then goes to a short shot of Gareth leaning in, imploring her to “try it on properly without that stuff underneath.” The camera then goes back to a 4shot angle but Gareth is still mumbling about trying it on. The co-workers try to ignore Gareth’s inappropriate request.

The Office – “Documentary”
Season 2, Espisode 3

Opening – Setting the atmosphere for “The Office”

Establishing/extreme long shot – camera sets the scene of Slough. First shot shows dull, non-descript office buildings and garages. Frames slowly fade out and are replaced by new ones. During this time, the opening theme music is the instrumental version of “Handbags and Gladrags.” The sky and buildings are gray; the overall scenery is bleak. A bus drives by then the camera pans to show a round about filled with cars – commuters seemingly on their way to work. The weather is wet and gloomy. The name of the city is discovered when the camera shows a plain green “Slough Trading Estate” sign, as a truck and car drive past in the background. The camera shots seem to imply that this is a manufacturing town. The introduction comes to an end showing the office building where the series takes place. It is old, ugly, and unappealing. The music also comes to an end at this time while the “The Office” is displayed over the building. The font is dull and seems out of date.

Previously, David Brent’s (David is Slough’s branch manager) branch and been combined with another branch. David now has a new boss, Neal, who is younger and more attractive than he is. In this scene, he is obviously envious of Neal and begins mimicking his dress.

The new boss is personable and popular with the employees. The opening scene shows him joking around with Dawn, the receptionist. It is also subtly implied that David is either late for a meeting with the boss or just starts his day later than most managers. (Frame consists of Dawn and Neal then includes David’s entrance).

Challenging Authority – David Brent Style

David saunters in. He walks in front of Neal and partially turns his back to him. This forces Neal to take a step back.

Neal confronts David in a round-about-way that he is wearing a jacket very similar to his own. (Frame zooms in to include only Neal and David). David is trying to act casual and slouches. (Frame then includes an employee walking past in the background). Neal also comments on the heel of David’s shoe. (Dawn briefly enters the frame again then the focus goes back to David and Neal). David awkwardly taps the desk while asking about the meeting and again turns his back to Neal as he walks towards his office. As he’s walking, Dawn enters the frame again and peers at David sideways. David bites his lower lip while strutting away, trying to give a nonchalant, cool vibe. He awkwardly glances at the camera.

The camera pans back to Neal and Dawn who watch David walk away. While the camera is still on them, David begins talking about being “rock-n-roll.” Neal gives a smirk and looks back to Dawn who is using her hair to cover up her attempt to suppress laughter. The camera then goes to a close-up interview shot of David from the shoulders up. David explains his life philosophy of “live hard, die old” and uses lots of hand gestures to articulate.

The atmosphere of a documentary is created by using rough camera shots. The zooming emphasizes awkward moments and creates an overall feeling of uncomfortableness. The subtle camera shots allow the viewer to discover that David’s receptionist is not fooled by his new clothes and generally does not have respect for him.

McDonough District has consistently scored low on the reading and writing portions of state testing. Thus, they have decided that in order to improve test scores in reading and writing, they are going back to the basics and pulling media studies classes and much of the availability for students to access media tools. The current curriculum has only two media studies classes available. These classes are always full and students are on waiting lists. The community seems to be divided over the importance of continuing the media studies classes. Some feel as though students are not gaining valuable skills and that the classes are taken because students get to play around on computers. Others feel as though these are critical skills that students must learn to be successful in college and in their future career.

It is my opinion that media studies should not be cut but instead expanded and used in more classrooms, when applicable.

Due to modern technology, students’ brains are programmed differently than only a few decades ago. This leads some, myself included, to believe that more and more students are not, in fact, suffering from ADD and ADHD. Rather, students learn differently as they are accustomed to having multiple stimuli presented to them simultaneously. Thus, they need more stimulation in the classroom to keep them engaged. Media forms can easily serve this purpose. Neurologist Richard Restak goes into great depth on this subject in his book, Brainscapes: An Introduction to What Neuroscience Has Learned About the Structure, Function, and Abilities of the Brain. Click on the following link to read excerpts or purchase your own copy: http://www.amazon.com/gp/explorer/0786861134/1/ref=pd_lpo_ase/104-1733677-5804726?ie=UTF8

As a Language Arts teacher, my main goal is getting students to read and write. Why does it matter if reading and writing happens on a computer screen rather than with an actual text and hard copies? Students learn and are motivated to learn when information is relevant and personal to them. What better way to make something relevant and personal to a student then to present information and to allow information to be presented via media forms – something Americans spend 11 hours a day using? My primary goal is to educate and I am prepared to use whatever medium necessary in order to accomplish that goal.

Technology is here to stay and it is becoming more available and more frequently used. This includes colleges, universities, and work places. If teachers’ jobs are to prepare students for the real world, then teaching them to use forms of media is necessary. Students are using the internet and need to know how to critically analyze the information they are viewing so they can separate facts from opinions. Media studies can teach them to think critically and carefully, both when viewing information and when posting it.

In my literature classes I plan to use Blogging in the following ways for the following benefits:

--Students will be able to communicate through blogs with some of the authors of the texts they’re reading.
--Students will be able to communicate with other students from all around the world. This is particularly important for the multi-cultural books we will be studying.
--Students will be able to communicate with students from the same state who are reading the same texts, but who have different backgrounds. This gives urban and suburban students, who otherwise might never encounter each other, a chance to see how opinions vary depending on backgrounds and where they live.
--Blogging will be used as a book club where students can easily communicate in and out of class (this serves to assist shy students who might not otherwise voice their opinions). This also allows students to have the time to better formulate their thoughts prior to posting them.
--Blogging provides an easy way to keep track of students’ assignments and progress, not only for teachers and students but also for parents.