SocietyMassCom: Writing a Screenplay - Campbell & Character Types (W11-P4) Fa17

Previously, we've covered how to write a story based on the three-act structure (e.g., Syd Field's approach). Now let's take a look at a different way of writing a story. Joseph Campbell first identified what he called the Hero's Journey, common story structure found around the world. He found this common story structure in a vast number of old myths from around the world.  Novelists and film directors started using Campell's work when they were writing their own stories.  The most famous example of a film which was shaped by Campbell's work is George Lucas' Star Wars. After the success of Star Wars, many script writers began using the Campbell's ideas. Today there are a number of books on how to use Cambell's ideas in script writing.

However, let's skip the books and get some insight from the videos below.

Campbell is most famous for his "hero's journey" which is his version of a dramatic act structure in film or other types of stories.

However, for our purposes here, let's set aside Campell's plot structure and just focus on what Campbell says about the types of characters often found in good films. 





Spotted any of these character types in your favorite films?




If you are curious about what Campbell says about dramatic plot structure, you could check the follow video about  at the hero's journey itself.



You spot the Hero's Journey in any of your favorite films?

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SocietyMassCom: Writing a Screenplay - Plot Structure (W11-P3) Fa17

We covered compose video or how to compose a short, but what about how to compose a screenplay or script?

How do you write a story for a Hollywood film?


When it comes to Hollywood films, one of the key experts on how to tell a story and how to construct a plot is Syd Field.

Syd Field defines a screenplay as “a story told with pictures, in dialogue and description, and placed within the context of dramatic structure."

Field promotes his version of a the three act dramatic structure as shown below.

According to Field, there should be three acts in a screenplay and there should be a plot point between Act 1 and Act 2 and another plot point between Act 2 and Act 3.

Setup (Act I): Let the audience know who the main character is and what the story is about. Identify the need of the main character.
Confrontation (Act II): The main character needs something and there will be people/things that stop him/her.
Resolution (Act III): How does the story end? What happens to the main character? Need met or not?
Plot Point: “an incident, or event, that hooks into the story and spins it around into another direction” (Field).


What the following trailer of Die Hard and look for the acts.  Do you spot Plot Point 1 at the end of Act I? What happens at the Christmas party?


Now, think about your favorite films.  Do you see this same structure?

Developing a full or even partial screenplay is beyond the scope of things here, but it is now possible given the what we've covered, to develop a film treatment.

A film or screenplay treatment: A one page synopsis of a film yet to be produced.  It is typically written before the full script.

Could you write a treatment for the next big film written by you?


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SocietyMassCom: Composition in Video (W11-P2) Fa17

We've previously talked about photo composition,.  

This time will not look at it in still photography, but moving photography.

The "rules" of composition that you learn for still photography can also be used in your video work.

Note that when shooting video on your smart phone or tablet, the rules of composition still apply. And now that you are adding more time and movement to the shooting of a subject, you can do some interesting things with the still photography rules of composition.

Note the four rules of composition that can be used in video work which are discussed below.





After you learned about composition in still photography (rule of thirds, framing, etc.), did you start to spot those same rules being used in your favorite TV show or movie?  If not, look for it the next time you are watching TV or a movie.

Take, for example, the Tarantino film, Kill Bill.


Just focus on the rule of thirds.  How often do you see the rule of thirds?  How is it used?




Now, you try it.  Go to YouTube (or another video source) and look for clips of a favorite movie.  See how many rules of composition you see being used.  Besides the rule of thirds, what else do you see?  Framing?


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SocietyMassCom: Photo Composition (W11-P1) Fa17

"You don't take a photo, you make a photo."   Every thought of photography this way?

Put another way: You compose a photograph.  You don't just take it.

Composition is the arrangement of the objects in the photograph or any other work of art.  

As a photographer you have some control of this arrangement in your photograph.  You can move objects around.  You can move yourself around to shoot your photograph from a different perspective.  You take some control over your environment and not just take a photo of what you are given.

In general there are rules of composition that are used in art in general and photography specifically.

One of the best online sources for an introduction to the rules (or guidelines) of photo composition can be found at Photoinf.com.  The site covers six rules of composition discussed there.  For our purposes here, we'll just focus on three of them, simplicity, rule of thirds and framing.

Now, how would you apply these rules in your photograph.  Go try it.  Now go take some photos -- I mean go make some photos.

Of course, there is more to composition than the above, but the above are the basics.



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ComTheory: Cognitive Dissonance and Filter Bubbles (W11-P2) [VID]

Listen to the following.



Do you like that music?  Did it make you feel uncomfortable?
Do you like feeling uncomfortable?
What did you do about it?   Turn it off?

Part of the problem with the music above is that there is dissonance in the music.

So far, from the musical reference above, we observe that dissonance is bad and we try to avoid it.

O.K. let's go from the musical use of the word dissonance to a psychological use of the word.

Leon Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory




Cognitive dissonance theory is based on two key ideas:

• cognitive consistency: "The idea that people consciously and unconsciously work to preserve their existing views" (Baran & Davis).
• cognitive dissonance: "Information that is inconsistent with an person's already-held attitudes creates psychological discomfort, or dissonance" (Baran & Davis).

The questions now arises, when we are faced with dissonance, what do we do? 
We use selective processes to eliminate or reduce the dissonance.

selective processes: "Exposure (attention), retention, and perception; psychological processes designed to reduce dissonance" (Baran & Davis).

The three selective processes

1. selective exposure: "The idea that people tend to expose themselves to messages that are consistent with their preexisting attitudes and beliefs" (Baran & Davis).
2. selective retention: "The idea that people tend to remember best and longest those messages that are most meaningful to them" (Baran & Davis).
3. selective perception: "The idea that people will alter the meaning of messages so they become consistent with preexisting attitudes and beliefs" (Baran & Davis).

How does cognitive dissonance theory relate to the current societal problem of filter bubbles?

filter bubble: "a state of intellectual isolation that can result from personalized searches when a website algorithm selectively guesses what information a user would like to see based on information about the user, such as location, past click-behavior and search history" (Wikipeida).



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ComTheory: Mass Com -- What is it Good For? The Functions of Mass Communication (W11-P1) [VID]

In his book Mass Communication: A Sociological Perspective, Charles Wright drew upon Harold Lasswell's work and identified what can now be called the classic functions of the media.

According to Wright, the functions of the media are entertainment, surveillance, correlations and cultural transmission.

Four Functions Defined

1. Entertainment: “amusement or diversion provided especially by performers” (Merriam-Webster).
2. 2. Surveillance: “Primarily the journalism function of mass communication, which provides information about the processes, issues, events, and other developments in society” (Pavlik & McIntosh, p. 8)
3. Correlation: “The ways in which media interpret events and issues and ascribe meanings that help individuals understand their roles within the larger society and culture” (Pavlik & McIntosh, p. 8)
1. Who correlates for us? For example... a pundit: "a person who gives opinions in an authoritative manner usually through the mass media" (Merriam-Webster). CNN example image. ESPN example.
4. Cultural transmission: “The transference of the dominant culture, as well as its subcultures, from one generation to the next or to immigrants, which helps people learn how to fit into society” (Pavlik & McIntosh, p. 8).

What functions do you spot in Logic music video?

Besides the Logic video example above, what other examples can you offer?

Would add any more functions to Wright's list?  Anything major functions missing?  

What about dysfunctions?  Any dysfunctions?



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MyFavMusic: Just listened to the "Joe Hill" by Paul Robeson, Lawrence Brown on the "Songs of Struggle (& More)" album. Added to my "FOLK FAVS - 1000 Recordings" playlist on Spotify

Fav track from album: Joe Hill
By Paul Robeson, Lawrence Brown
From the album Songs of Struggle (& More)

Added to FOLK FAVS - 1000 Recordings playlist by William Hart on October 22, 2017 at 12:25PM

See info on 1000 Recordings

Listen on Spotify

My musical interests on Tumblr

SocietyMassCom: How Write a Photo Caption (W9-P4) Fa17

Photographers, especially photojournalist, may compose captions for their photographs.  Let's learn how to write a news photo caption.

Source

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.

If that is true for news photographs, then the caption (the verbal description) for the photograph, is like the lead to the thousand word story.

In a news article, the first few sentences of the story is the lead. The lead tells the reader the who, what, when, where, why and how of the story. Packed into the lead is quick overview of the whole news story.*


So, as Kobre' points out in his book, Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach, a caption should tell the reader/viewer the who, what, when, where, why and how of the photograph.  The caption serves the same purpose as a lead in a written news story. [If your interest is specifically in photojournalism, I'd strongly recommend Kobre's book.]

The 5 W's and the H of a news story (or in this case, a news photograph):

• Who - who is the news event about, who is in the photo?
• What - what happened in the news event, what is happening in the photo?
• When - when did the news event happen, when was the photo taken?
• Where - where did the news event happen, where was the photo taken?
• Why (1) - why did the news event happen, what happened that lead to the photograph, what happened before?
• Why (2) - what is the significance of the news event, why is it important to us, what is going to happen after this event?
• How - how did the event happen?

So, a lead in a written news story should answer the who, what, when, where and how of the new event and sometimes it'll address the why and how.

Now, if a caption of a news photograph is like the lead of a news story, then what does a caption include.

The Associated Press recommends a caption should contain two concise sentences. The first sentence of the caption should include the who, what, when and where.  The second sentence should provide the background information on the how and the why, especially the significance of the news event.

Tip: Start the first sentence with the most important thing to your audience.  If who is important, then start with who.  For example, if a celebrity is the who, then you'll probably want to start your sentence with that person's name. If the where is important, then start your first sentence with where.  For example, if a disease is breaking out is a certain area, then the location or where, is probably more important.

Check out AP's Top Photos of the Week page for current examples of news photographs and their captions. Hover the mouse over the photos to see the captions.  Do the AP photographers and photo editors practice what the AP style guidelines recommend?

Can you write a caption for a new photo?  Find some photos you know something about, perhaps from the AP link above or this link, and see if you can write a caption for the photo.  Practice. practice, practice.

* We're especially talking about hard news stories here.

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SocietyMassCom: How to Write a News Story (W9-P3) Fa17

Let’s say you are working for the Associated Press.  You’ve been assigned your beat.  And, now have to write some news.  You have to help fill that news hole.

How to write that story?  What are the parts of a typical hard news story? What are the basic building blocks of a news story?

Building Blocks of Print News Story (Hard News Story)

1. Headline (required)
1. What is the story about?  The topic?
2. Usually written by editor. 
3. Secondary headlines
2. Byline 
1. Author's name
3. Lead (required)
1. Entices reader  
2. Contain the 5 W’s & H    
3. AKA Summary Lead  
4. Backup for the Lead (required)
1. Lead should be supported with facts, quotes, etc. that substantiate the lead.
2. Lead Quote (optional, but helps)
1. The first quote that backs up the lead.  
2. Helps to use strongest quote available.
5. Impact (almost always, in some form)
1. How does this affect readers?
2. Sometimes earlier in story.
3. Also as a separate paragraph later.
6. Background (needed in most)
1. Additional background info may be needed. 
7. Elaboration (required, if space allows)
1. Multiple sources.  Other points of view.
8. Ending (required)
1. Further elaboration.
2. Statement or quote that summarizes, but does not repeat previous info.
3. Future action.

See if you spot some of the building blocks in the following story.

You may also want to check a local paper or a national paper to see if you spot the basic building blocks in their news stories.

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SocietyMassCom: The Other Fake News: VNRs and Native Advertising (W9-P2) Fa17

Fake news is not new.

While the term “fake news” can be traced back to the 1890s during the time of yellow journalism in U.S. newspapers of the 1890s.  This form of sensational journalism exaggerated and even fabricated parts or whole news stories.

The label “fake news” was also used over two decades ago to describe the use of video news releases in some local TV news casts.

We covered previously the relationship between the government and journalism.  Now let’s take a look at the relationship between journalism and business, specifically video news releases (VNRs).

Video News Releases (VNRs)

Watch the following clip from a local TV news cast.



When watching the above clip from a news broadcast what are your reasonable assumptions?  That the people interviewed are local people?  That this is a local story?  That the reporter did the interviews and wrote the story?  That this is real news?

Now, check out this next video which was written and produced by independent video company and funded by Quest Diagnostics, a company that runs lab testing centers around the U.S. where allergy testing is done. 




What did you notice?  What if you started both video clips at about the same time?  Try it. Start the bottom clip, wait a few seconds and start the top clip.  Notice any difference?

The second clip you saw is an example of what is called a video news release (some background).

Video news releases or VNRs are news "segments designed to be indistinguishable from independently-produced news reports that are distributed and promoted to television newsrooms" (SourceWatch).


Native Advertising

Like VNRs, the more recent appearance of native advertising, reveals yet another relationship between the news media and business of which the general public may not be aware. 




Native advertising: "a type of advertising, mostly online, that matches the form and function of the platform upon which it appears" (Wikipedia).





If you are interested in learning more about VNRs, check out the video and links found below.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------



KMSP-9 Helps Rev Up Convertible Sales


If you are interested, see another video comparing a local news cast with a VNR on YouTube or check out even more examples of VNRs and local news stories from PRWatch.

In the clip above, Pakman, mentions the FCC's sponsorship identification rules. Here is one rule/law.
"... the Communications Act of 1934, ... requires broadcasters to disclose to their listeners or viewers if matter has been aired in exchange for money, services or other valuable consideration. The announcement must be aired when the subject matter is broadcast. The Commission has adopted a rule, ... which sets forth the broadcasters' responsibilities to make this sponsorship identification" (FCC). 





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SocietyMassCom: Journalism: Key Principles (W9-P1) Fa17

We’ve discussed previously the relationship between government and the news media.

What does the U.S. Constitution say about that relationship?

The First Amendment of the Constitution guarantees freedom of press.

First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Let’s dive a little deeper on the freedom of the press.  In the video below pay close attention to the freedom of press, prior restraint/censorship, libel and the Pentagon Papers.

Freedom of the Press: Crash Course Government and Politics

Freedom of Press: “the right to publish newspapers, magazines, and other printed matter without governmental restriction and subject only to the laws of libel, obscenity, sedition, etc.” (Dictionary.com).

What government agency is charged, in part, with protecting the freedom of press?

Federal Communications Commission (FCC): “an independent agency of the United States government created … to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable” (Wikipedia).

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SocietyMassCom: The Chomskyan Critique Continued (W7-P3) Fa17

One of Chomsky’s books that deals critically with media is Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.  This is also a title of a documentary and Chomsky and his idea.

Let's take a look at part of the doc.

In the doc, what is meant by "manufacturing consent"?  Propaganda model?




Now, let's focus specifically on Herman & Chomsky's 5 filters of the propaganda model.




(The previous video comes from Al Jazeera English. If you are interested, you might check out Al Jazeera English)



Also, if you are interested, you might explore the link between the percentages of people in society that Chomsky mentions in the doc and the idea of percentages mentioned in the Brand Nubian song "Meaning of the 5%" .



Or try this YouTube video:


See the lyrics.
If you are interested, for more see Five Percenter Rap: God Hop's Music, Message, and Black Muslim Mission (Profiles in Popular Music)





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SocietyMassCom: Libertarianism and a Chomskyan Critique (W7-P2) Fa17

Political ideology: “A political ideology is a coherent set of views on politics and the role of the government” (Cliff Notes).

Libertarianism is another example of a political ideology.

Libertarianism: “In the most general sense, libertarianism is a political philosophy that affirms the rights of individuals to liberty, to acquire, keep, and exchange their holdings, and considers the protection of individual rights the primary role for the state” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

Libertarianism in 6 Minutes

Chomsky and his Critique of (American) Libertarianism

Noam Chomsky is a famous media critique and social activist (Wikipedia).

Noam Chomsky - Freedom of Speech, Press and Media Regulation

Chomsky and Manufacturing Consent

One of Chomsky’s books that deals critically with media is Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.  This is also a title of a documentary and Chomsky and his idea.

Manufacturing Consent (trailer)

Continued.




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SocietyMassCom: Progressivism, the Fourth Estate, Muckrackers and Ida B. Wells (W7-P1) Fa17

Politics and the Media

So...
What should  the relationship be between media and government?

What should  the relationship be between news and politics?

Progressivism

Political ideology: “A political ideology is a coherent set of views on politics and the role of the government” (Cliff Notes).

Progressivism is an example of a political ideology.

Progressivism:  “the support for or advocacy of social reform” (Wikipedia).

Progressivism:  “philosophy-ideology who believed in measured, moderate progress (change) opposed to conservatism, which advocates for [minimal] change” (Urbandictionary.com).

The Progressive Era: Crash Course US History (0:00-7:45)

Still hear of progressivism today?

The Fourth Estate

The Fourth Estate: “The people and organizations that report the news, or news journalism as a whole, regarded as having palpable but unofficial political influence” (thefreedictionary.com)

What is the relationship between progressivism and the Fourth Estate?

Muckrackers and Ida B. Wells

muckrakers: "Journalism, particularly magazine journalists, who in the early 20th century conducted investigative journalism on major corporations and government, and dubbed Muckrakers for the "muck" they uncovered” (Palik & McIntosh, p. 86).

Ida B. Wells "Female African American journalist in the latter nineteenth century who wrote and fought against racism and lynching of blacks” (Pavlik & McIntosh, p. 224).

Ida B Wells - Civil Rights Pioneer

Ida B. Wells: a Passion for Justice

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