Collective Post

Media is so ingrained into our everyday lives. We use much of today’s media as a source of entertainment and distraction, so much so that many people will refer to today’s media as “infotainment.” It can be broken down into many categories, but the ones we chose to focus on were television, film, internet, music, and radio. We told the stories of how these media came to be, what trends they have gone through or are currently going through, and what we can expect to see from entertainment in the future.

Music is definitely a broad subject when it comes to entertainment. There are not only so many different forms and genres of music, it seems as though there are infinite ways to listen to it. I first chose to talk about music’s history, looking at how sound was first recorded, and how this created the first stepping stone to a world of recreational music. I then talked about how music has gone through the transformative effect, in which music has been integrated into other forms of media. Because music has the ability to enhance a mood and

I then talked about how music has gone through the transformative effect, in which music has been integrated into other forms of media. Because music has the ability to enhance a mood and become easily incorporated in marketing techniques (think of the Nationwide jingle!), it transforms seamlessly into other forms of media.

 

For my last post, I wanted to really highlight just how far music has come. I wrote about media convergence and demassification. Media convergence, in which music technology and other media tools are combined into one device. For example, an iPhone, television, and car radio can all play music. Demassification is the process of media narrowing focus to audience niches. This is apparent in music through artists narrowing music genres and the way music platforms, like Spotify and Pandora, allow listeners to express what they are looking for in music and to then cater those wants.

To sum it all up, I wanted to demonstrate music’s immense progress made over a relatively short time in hopes that readers will be excited for its future.

 

The future is uncertain. Will television networks continue to receive Will streaming services be the death of television networks anyway?

 

 

Found the old radio at Mom’s house- this went to the beach in Ocean City in the 1970s. My folks were believes in hanging on to stuff that still works.

Through research and analysis of readings, it is evident that Radio has evolved incredibly over time. Radio has always been a medium through which audiences seek news, general information, and entertainment. In today’s society, with such advancements in technology, the notion of immediacy in terms of entertainment has prevailed. Entertainment is much more ambiguous than it once was as opportunities with technology are endless. With just a few clicks of a button or taps on a screen, movies, TV shows, music and news are easily accessed. As technology will continue to evolve, effects of radio on society will change as well, and the definition of radio will move further away from the tangible, old-fashioned image.

The film industry has always been in constant change since the start of its creation. From its humble beginnings to the massive audiences we now have, movies have undergone thousands of innovations that have made it into one of the leading sectors in entertainment. As we have seen in previous posts, the ability to which movies can represent populations and create multiple forms of activism is unheard of in other categories within our society. Looking towards the future, we have seen that movie theaters will start to fade while individual and personalized media will become the most utilized forms of this category. With all these inventions and modifications, we have yet to see what will be accomplished in the upcoming years. It is safe to say that there is still much to learn!

Sources:

Kenneth Reginald Sturley 

John Vivian

University of Minnesota Library Publishing

 Federal Communications Commissions

 

U.S. Government

 

Look How Far We’ve Come!

BY LIZZY MULDERRIG

Music’s future is a difficult one to predict.

Source: Unsplash

If the music industry wants to grow and expand, new artists and sounds should not be the only concern. Keeping up with changing technologies is another huge factor in music’s success. In an article written in 2000 by Steve Jones called, “Music and the Internet,” Jones highlights the concern of “keeping up with the machine,” (Jones, 217). He mentions the reality that people had the ability to record high-quality digital audio and press CDs at home. Another article, “Trends in Media Use,” examines a 2003 study about personal media trends. 80 percent of 8-18-year-olds said they owned a radio and their own CD or tape player. In 2004, 61 percent had their own portable CD or tape player. Now, in 2017, people consider CD’s outdated and rarely even purchase/use them!

As technology advances, media convergence occurs. Over time, technology has combined functions of several different media tools into one device. Music can be played on radios, television channels, internet radio, iPods, smartphones, and more. No longer is music a separate entity when it comes to media. It is engrained in all different forms, and the music industry has to keep up in order to survive.

Source: Unsplash

With the advancement of technology comes the strategy of demassification. Demassification is the process of media narrowing focus to audience niches (Vivian, 82). For example, musicians are narrowing genres to target more specified audiences (think: pop-country and electronic genres). In doing this, musical artists are filtering out the massive audience of music listeners to find a more centralized fan base. Music media platforms are also doing the same thing.

Source: Unsplash

Take Pandora, for example. Users specify their music tastes even more specific than genre – they select a specific artist to base their radio station off of. Pandora plays songs that are similar to the artist chosen, introducing new songs but focusing on a very specific sound for a smaller audience. It also has a feature to like and dislike a song, so the radio station is even further catered to your musical interests.

 

So, what could possibly become of music’s future? I’m not so sure, but in the words of Michael Lipsey, “The next chapter of my life is always more interesting than the last one.”

Sources:

Jones, Steve. “Music and the Internet.” Popular Music, vol. 19, no. 2, 2000, pp. 217–230. JSTOR, JSTOR,

Roberts, Donald F., and Ulla G. Foehr. “Trends in Media Use.” The Future of Children, vol. 18, no. 1, 2008, pp. 11–37. JSTOR, JSTOR

Vivian, John. The Media of Mass Communication. 12th ed., Pearson, 2017

Television Entertainment Funding

Emily Cassil

There are many different opinions regarding how television should be funded. Of course, most television networks are owned by 6 large conglomerates. Nonetheless, as John Vivian explains in his book, there are still several options for television/media funding. These include:

• community funding
• nonprofits
• co-ops
• family ownership
• government funding

Each of these has both benefits and drawbacks. In this post, however, I will focus on the debate surrounding government funding of television.

The government (along with tax payer dollars) has, for many years, funded some television programs through the CPB, or the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, which gives money to well known television entertainment programs such as PBS and other public television networks. President Trump, in his 2017-2018 budget cut proposal, suggested cutting the CPB off from all future government funding, as it has been receiving approximately $445 billion in recent years. Although this has not passed, Congress did recently discuss a bill that would cut all funding from the CPB by 2019.

People’s opinions vary widely on this matter. Some adamantly support the bill, such as Mike Gonzales, columnist for the Denver Post. He goes as far as quoting Thomas Jefferson in his article, who once said that “to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagations of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.” On the other hand, some institutions, such as Americans for the Arts, vehemently oppose it. Their website states, “All public broadcasting stations—large and small, urban and rural—are distinctive voices in their community that create informative and engaging programming for their audiences.” In other words, as Vivian explains, those opposed to the bill view public broadcasting as “a public good” and believe, therefore, that “public policy should be supportive.”

 

Sources:

Supporting Public Broadcasting

Congress’ Bill

Variety

The Denver Post

Media of Mass Communication

Future of the Internet

Triston Luke

 

There is a wide ranging view on what the future of the internet may hold.  Some scholars feel they know directly what direction the internet is headed, while others such as Senator Ensign believes the future of the internet is unable to predict “the technology is changing so fast, entrepreneurs are out there, coming up with different ways of doing things on the Internet, and what the Internet is going to look like 5 years from now, there isn’t anybody in America who can predict that”

Research Scientist Giovanni Pau holds an opposing view expressing “it is common belief that besides growing, the internet is evolving toward even richer and more immersive experiences.”.  Personally, I side more with this possibility as research shows that world wide internet usage is expected to grow by 1.1 billion users in a five year span.  Rising from 3 billion users in 2015, to an astounding 4.1 billion users in 2020.

Along with this growth we can expect a tremendous increase in cybersleuthing, which is when “reporters monitor a celebrity’s media accounts, or in extreme cases hack a celebrities email, text messages, or voicemail” (Vivian, 120).  We can expect an increase of cybersleuthing as entertainment news becomes ever increasingly popular amongst todays society.  Entertainment news, otherwise referred to as ‘soft news’, will continue to dominate the internet as lifestyle, culture, and celebrity gossip attracts a major audience.

In all, it will be somewhat difficult to see how much the internet is changing before our eyes as change is often gradual.  In the last 15 years, “we’ve gone from a slow, dial-up, boxy version of the internet to one that can be accessed at incredible speeds from pretty much anywhere”.  I am more than excited to witness what the next 15 years will introduce.

 

Inouye et al. (2008, April 22). The Future of the Internet . Retrieved November 8, 2017

 Zahariadas, Pau, Camarilo. (2011, March). Future Media Internet. Retrieved November 07, 2017

Garrity, J. (2016, June 22). Internet User Growth Over the Next Five Years. Retrieved November 08, 2017

DeMers, J. (2016, April 18). 7 Predictions For How The Internet Will Change Over The Next 15 Years. Retrieved November 08, 2017

Vivian, John. The Media of Mass Communication: 2006. Pearson Education, 2006.

Radio as A form of Social Inclusion

By: Olivia Hoffman

Over the years, every actor in society has aided in the progression of the mass medium- radio. Radio is a mass medium that is truly imbedded in each of our lives daily. More so than any other platform, the radio has survived the challenges that have inevitably come with the changes in the internet. It has adapted accordingly to host a a new storehouse for platforms and their outputs. Due to this prevalence of the usage of media outlets, specifically radio, actors are able to feel a sense of inclusion and connection to the rest of society.

In more ways than just one, the radio is incredibly capable of having an affect on society. The notion of agenda setting is incredibly applicable in terms of Radio usage in the United States. A significant portion of radio usage is catered towards news. Those that listen to outlets such as NPR in the morning on the way to work for example, are shaping their day and shifting their thoughts to what they hear on the radio.

Through radio, there is an opening for expression of cultural identities. Through music and interviews and news, the radio provides a platform in which the culture of a society is easily shared and valued. The participatory nature of radio is ever-present.  Through online communities, in this case radio specifically, there is a sense of emotional support gained through participation in these communities. Community radio acts in a way that could be considered as a “third space” outside of participant’s natural location.  

This is all a form of social inclusion. Radio gives several different opportunities for those to feel included. “Inclusion is about people’s access to resources and opportunities,” (Mollgaard,185).  In essence, those that have access and chose to participate in the media and technology as a form of entertainment or knowledge gain, will then feel as if they are more included in a society.

Radio and Society: New Thinking for an Old Medium

John Vivian

Looking Forward: The Future of Movies

By Gabriel Troiano

 

In previous posts, I have explained how the movie industry has been shaped by its history and have highlighted its ability to influence multiple forms of activism. But what can we say about the future of this industry? Surely, by performing such an analysis, we can complete our journey and look toward the evolution of this medium.

Many trends and innovations can be noticed when reflecting on the future of the film industry, whether going to the movie theater or reading about upcoming blockbusters. According to Nicolai Hartvig, 3D technologies are being utilized all over the movie industry and are also aiding in the fight against some of the problems associated with globalization: “3D is being touted as a means to help filmmakers reach new creative heights, make millions of dollars for Hollywood studios and curb the scourge of the industry — piracy.”

Other technologies that have risen during this period of significant change can be related to the science fiction genre, a particular section that has undergone vast amounts of reformations over the past decade. In her article “Final Frontiers: Computer Generated Imagery and the Science Fiction Film”, Stacey Abbott argues that the science fiction genre has almost become attached to the utilization of CGI technologies due to its reliance on projecting futuristic plots and otherworldly characters.

Along with the invention of new technologies, the movie industry itself has become increasingly dominated by only a few companies, thus being considered an oligopoly. This form of ownership has led this media outlet to have cumulative effects on populations by asserting their dominance throughout the span of multiple years. The ability in which movies can influence people is downplayed however by opinion leaders, who in taking part in the two-step flow, provide audiences with desired amounts of messaging.

Even though these achievements have become mainstream and seemingly natural to spectators, some challenges can be noted when addressing this topic. Fred Wagner from The Guardian argues that “watching alone means the very idea of a film takes on new meaning,” further illustrating the insurgence of programs such as Netflix and Hulu that modify

the movie-watching experience entirely. Additionally, A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis state in their article that such programs can pose a threat to movie theaters as audiences are now more inclined to pull out their tablets and enjoy entertainment in the comfort of their own homes. Finally, businesses that provide individual-oriented services are only strengthened by the fact that customers can now experience a wide range of media utilizing the simplicity of their tablets and phones, a process known as convergence.

As we move away from the bounds of traditional films, we can begin to explore the technological advances that shape this industry’s framework and its ability to influence millions of people. At the end of our journey, we have become mindful and aware of what entertainment can bring us and how we can better interpret its inner workings.

 

Thank you for reading!!!

Nicolai Hartvig- CNN

Stacey Abbott- “Final Frontiers: Computer Generated Imagery and the Science Fiction Film”

Fred Wagner- The Guardian 

A.O.Scott and Manohla Dargis

Online Entertainment

Triston Luke

 

Although the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg kick started the notion of reaching large audiences, nothing can compare to the impact the internet has had on mass communication.  The evolution of technology is responsible for the reason why content display over the internet has become such a reliable source of entertainment for so many.  The internet has allowed users to connect interactively with the creation of sound, motion pictures, and live updating of content.  The concept of convergence is directly related with the internet where one can satisfy numerous needs through one medium.  Between games, music, movies, etc., we are constantly entertained through the internet.

Social Media Rubik’s Cube

The internet has allowed users across the globe to connect and either play against or with each other.  This was made prevalent in the short film in class where online video gaming was depicted as becoming somewhat of a sport.  Many are unaware that the online video gaming industry has generated an audience of thousands and this alone depicts the growth of internet as a means of entertainment.

The availability of music over the internet has removed the burden of individuals having to travel to local music departments to purchase CD’s and items of the sort.  Internet users can now efficiently and legally listen to their favorite songs through numerous sources across the web.

Movie and television streaming through the internet has become extremely popular through broadcasting industries such as Netflix and Hulu. The entertainment companies have gathered millions of subscribers as they display a wide range of films from classics to original productions.

 

Net Children Go Mobile. “Entertainment.” Internet Matters,

Entertainment Online.” How Has The Internet Changed Entertainment – Entertainment Online 

Television Entertainment Changes

Emily Cassil

Today, a wide array of television options are readily available to us. From sports networks to Netflix series to news channels, entertainment is constantly at our finger tips. Let’s go back a few years and discover a bit about the changes that have taken place in the television industry that brought us here.

The first successful television was built in 1927. For most of the 1900’s, cable companies dominated the television world, as cable was essentially the only option for television entertainment. Television audiences were clumped together as far as companies were concerned because of the lack of options available. However, in the late 1900’s, people began to create streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu.

These sites, because of their extreme variety of series/film genres, led to demassification within the television industry. (Vivian defines this as the “process of media narrowing focus to audience niches.”) The competition between cable companies and streaming services creates an interesting situation. Richard Warnica explains that, even if cable companies do stick around, they will be forced to offer packages in which audiences can pick and choose which channels they want. Cable companies struggle, yet audiences have both a higher quality and quantity of television than ever before.  Comedian Conan O’Brien touches on the concept of demassification when he speaks about talk shows, saying, “As recently as 20 years ago, Johnny Carson was the only [talk show host] in town, but as cable channels continue to pursue niche viewers, new hosts will continue to spring up at alarming rates.”

Warnica sums up the recent changes in television when he says, “The future of TV, then, might not be about TV at all, at least not in the way we’ve conventionally thought about the medium, as a finite series of channels broadcasting on screens built for that purpose. In the future, the winners will be the ones that take that idea even further, delivering what viewers want, when they want it, in whatever format they choose.” Traditional forms of television may be dying, but with the death of cable and other such conventions comes new and exciting innovations and options for audiences.

Sources:

The Media of Mass Communication

Canadian Business

“The Future of Television”

Prevalence of Radio Today

By: Olivia Hoffman

More often than not, the first thing that comes to mind when one hears the word “Radio,” is a physical, old-fashioned radio. Or, a little more progressive, a car radio. Yes, these are two incredibly accurate definitions of Radio, however, we have come a long way.

The Transformative Effect of Music

By Lizzy Mulderrig

Man Dancing (Source: Unsplash)

If you’re anything like me, you have an internal playlist that fits the ideal soundtrack to the mood you’re experiencing. If you’re bored – maybe some classic elevator music will come on, or possibly the jeopardy theme song. If you’re nervous, suddenly an eerie tune with a bunch of flat and sharp notes will fill your head, or the jaws theme song.And there’s no denying that everyone has that one pump up, I-can’t-possibly-be-upset-listening-to-this, song that pops into your brain when you’re really feelin’ yourself.

My point is that, without even realizing it sometimes, music is associated with different moods. Steven Davies’ explains music, in his article On Defining Music, as “sounds temporally organized by a person for the purpose of enriching or intensifying experience through active engagement.”  This may be the reason why music has flawlessly integrated with other forms of media.

Source: Unsplash

This integration with other media is called the transformative effect. Music has been associated with dance and theater for thousands of years, from tribal dance ritual to Ancient Grecian plays.

Source: Unsplash

It is easy to recognize that music enhances such experiences, but it wasn’t until silent films that music began to incorporate into new technologies and media.After silent films came “talkies,” in which “a piano player seated near the theater’s orchestra accompanied the films to provide dramatic, comic, or special effects,” (Vivian, 124). 

Now, music is so tightly integrated into our media. Every movie and show has background music.

Source: Unsplash

Television, radio, and online commercials have jingles that significantly help establish many brand names. The jingles for Kars for Kids and Nationwide are no production of a lyrical genius, but they are affective when trying to make a memorable advertisement. Music enhances the commercial, movie, or show, which makes a better product for its audience.

Likewise, if lyricists’ and musicians’ music is featured in one of these media, they can “derive significant income,” (Vivian, 124). It’s really a win-win

kind of situation.

Sources: 

Davies, Stephen. “On Defining Music.” The Monist, vol. 95, no. 4, 2012, pp. 535–555. JSTOR, JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42751232.

Vivian, John. The Media of Mass Communication. 12th ed., Pearson, 2017