Making Your Visual Presentation

The ability to make videos has been around for years now. In 1951, the first video tape recorder captured live images from television cameras by converting the information into electrical impulses and saving the information onto magnetic tape. Since then the world has advanced drastically in its ability to stop and record time for a few minutes at a time. Now we have web cams, digital cameras, and even cell phones that have the ability to record pretty good videos incredibly quick. Most of these devices record in either the .AVI or .MPG formats, both of which make the video shot easier to upload directly from the device to a computer or any other source of memory.

The actual process of making a video hasn’t really changed much since the 1950’s, or has it? Do you think that now, because of all the utensils we have at hand, is easier to make “good” videos? What do you think would be the components of a good video? What do you think would be the components of a not so good video? What is it that keeps you watching it for its full length?

Also, how do you think you would a make a video? Would you use props? What exactly would you do to make your viewers interested for more?

Sound and Vision: The YouTube Phenomenon

Ever Since YouTube was introduced in 2005 it has become the most worldwide video sharing website. Before the launch of YouTube in 2005, there were few easy methods available for ordinary computer users who wanted to post videos online. The popularity of YouTube stems from several aspects of the website. The simple fact of its easy access to millions of videos on pretty much any topic you can think of is key to its success. There is no doubt that YouTube has made a social impact. Several videos have gone viral on YouTube not to mention a personal favorite that I'm sure most people have seen "Charlie Bit My Finger". YouTube has also aided in the discovery of new artists as well as their popularity such as Justin Bieber.

Why do you think so many people are drawn to YouTube? How much of a part do you think YouTube has played in the discovery of new artists? If you use YouTube, why are you drawn to the website?


Christine Stanners & Tracie DeGonza

Wiki Building

When the Wikipedia article isn't enough, there's always the chance of finding a Wiki article. Wiki articles provide more in-depth answers to whatever the searcher is looking for. Many heavy hitters of pop culture have their own Wiki pages. Here are some examples:

http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

http://pokemon.wikia.com/wiki/Pokémon_Wiki

http://zoids.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

http://twilightsaga.wikia.com/wiki/Twilight_Saga_Wiki

I thought it interesting that for the Twilight Wiki, not only is there the main article, but another Wiki for every main character. Wow. The above are just a tiny sampling of Wikis out there on the web. Apple has a Wiki, as does Baywatch and Nintendo.

Building a Wiki from scratch is a huge task. A legitimate Wiki engine can be downloaded, but as the examples above define, it might be easier to find a host site. Wikis are group efforts; there might be one head Admin and a bunch of Moderators. This helps establish what gets posted and if it stays there or not. The Geekgirls website says it perfectly; for those not technology savvy, building a Wiki from the start can be a painfully annoying process. If anyone has ever toyed with HTML and computer codes, I can tell you how long it took for me to create just a simple box.

Wikia is a host site, but all the Wiki articles look different. This is an easier way to make Wiki articles, and each topic looks unique. The Harry Potter Wiki has affiliates, fun facts, and tons of community links. The Pokemon Wiki has featured characters and polls. Each article is different to what the fanbase desires.

Building a Wiki isn't easy. It takes a knowledge of HTML and coding, a lot of time and a steady flow of people who want the article to work. The topic has doesn't have to be popular, but it needs to be decently well-known. Zoids aren't so big anymore, yet the Wiki still exists. Silly Bands are insanely popular yet no Wiki on them exists, because the demand isn't high enough.

Now for some questions. Do you personally think Wikis are useful? Should colleges and universities have Wikis, where students can post unbiased opinions about their school? Are Wikis becoming too numerous, and do you think some of them are flat-out ridiculous or just good intentions? (I personally think having a Wiki page for every Twilight character is a little much.)

CSR Wiki Entry

What have you changed/added/removed from the CSR wikipedia page? Post your edits here and link to the section.

Be sure to comply with Wikipedia's rules on neutrality.

Choose Your Topic

Each of you will be responsible for assigning questions or problems to solve for an upcoming topic on our schedule. Look at our schedule on the calendar on Blackboard and choose the topic you'd like to be responsible for. Your post here must be up *prior* to class time that day and deal with the topic in some broad sense. You may want to connect it to our reading for that day as well as link it to previous discussions we have had.

Select your day (and a second choice as well) and post it in the comments here, no later than Friday at noon. Check the comments before adding your own. The sooner you post, the greater the likelihood of getting the day and topic you would prefer. All dates after spring break are available. Once you've all posted, I will add your names to the calender so you have an extra reminder.

Transmedia Storytelling

Post your transmedia story developments here: be sure to include all elements particularly the images and links that explain the connections you are making.

Don't forget to list both your names!

Elements must include:

• Image
• Story
• Facebook Page
• Blog

Elements may include (use at least two)

• Twitter
• Game
• Film
• TV show
• Comics
• Music
• Books

Jenkins Ch 2: Buying into American Idol

Jenkins argues in this chapter that asynchronous participation (i.e. not in real time) has affected both fan communities and the corporations who try to woo them. Fans can go back and review material they once saw only in real time; they can also confer and debate meaning about products or shows. He writes:

Even if you believe that fan and brand communities lack the clout to significantly alter corporate behavior, you still need to understand the way participation works within this new affective economy so that you can direct criticisms at the actual mechanisms by which Madison Avenue seeks to reshape our hearts and minds.

Find examples of fan communities (think of Blakley's "taste communities") affecting corporate behavior or attempts by corporations to woo those fan communities. Are there other examples like American Idol? Were they effective? How so? Do people feel more loyalty when they feel that they have an input?

Post by the end of the day Friday.