Enter World: exploring mediated cultures

Friday, April 06, 2007

JWF_PSY769_MediaSynergy_WEB.pdf

Preface

The goal of this paper is to establish Michael Moore as a force in the media who is able to use media synergy in a way typically seen in use by major media conglomerates. After establishing this, we can begin to analyze effects of crossing media formats and styles on audience interest and processing. To begin this analysis of media synergy, we need to establish how Moore is involved with media creation and promotion. Section I: Michael Moore and Media reviews Moore’s early and varied media experiences. His experiences, as well as responses to some situations, are important to understanding points made later in the paper. As we explore the implications of Moore’s media involvement it becomes clear that past experiences build toward his identity formation, integration of entertainment and information, and understanding of media promotion. Section I establishes Moore’s background in relation to media and media synergy.

Sections II and III detail the making and promotion of Moore’s two top-grossing documentary films, Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11. These sections explore the culmination of Moore’s media awareness and experience as well as his growth between the two films. It is also in these sections that we begin to explore how Moore interwove entertainment styles with the documentary format and how this might affect audience interpretation of his films.

Section IV: Promotion, Controversy and Media constructs a comparison of Moore’s on- and off-screen tactics to draw coverage to himself and his documentary films, leading into Section V: Media Synergy and Michael Moore. Having established Moore’s media background and successes, we are now able to begin exploring the connections between Moore and media synergy. This section expands upon the meaning of media synergy, how Moore aims for synergy in promotion and creation of his products, and addresses trends in media consumption.

Section VI: A Progressing Relationship Between Entertainment and Information takes the links of media synergy beyond the creation and promotion of media content and into an investigation of changing ideals in the media sphere. Using Moore’s documentary films as an example of the crossover between entertainment and information, we look more closely at various methods used to draw viewer attention. Finally, the paper concludes with Section VII: Implications for Media Psychology and Future Research.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

I am fascinated with the mediaverse within Second Life. There are classified ads for writers and editors, there are newspapers and magazines of all genres. There are also film contests and art galleries. Reuters is in SL, and like Jennifer Government employees have the last name of Reuters. Adam Reuters is the SL rep. And with all of the events hosted in SL, there seems to be a lot to cover.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

I received an issue of JPG Magazine this weekend, and it made me want to take photos again. There are three themes open now, and in an effort to encourage myself to take more photos I’ve submitted to all three. Getting the photos published is determined by popular vote, so please (feel free to) visit and cast a nod if you enjoy my work:


Breakthrough, revolution:

Beauty redefined:

Entropy, things fall apart:

That all of the photos I submitted were taken while outside of Juneau also encouraged me to order a new lens that takes better low-light photos. And in response to that, I’ve gathered up a bunch of equipment to sell. Dominoes. Magazine = art submission = art evalutaion = equipment upgrade = clearing space. 

Friday, February 16, 2007

I’m noticing people eating a lot in tv shows. Not sitting around a table having a meal, but eating while doing other things. Talking, working, walking, waiting, driving. I’m also noticing it mostly with women, but I’m not sure if that’s the shows I’m watching, social training to notice women eating or not eating, or that the writers/directors are intentionally focusing on women eating. From there I’m wondering if it’s a good thing, promoting healthy eating and images of women eating to counter eating disorders, or just a reflection of a national eating habit bordering on disorder itself. 

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

I’ve been watching a lot of documentaries and am about to delve into reailty TV (on DVD) for a project. Last night my parents were over, and we started up An Inconvenient Truth. It was boring.

I’m not the typical television watching, in her 20s, lack of attention audience. I watch a lot of documentaries, but I read even more and listen to audio casts of lectures. It was boring.

Not only that, it was disappointing. In a documentary on global warming and increased levels of CO2 that are due to the human race ... who decided to start with Al Gore IN A CAR!? 

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Or living through the screen, as it may be.

A couple days ago I saw an ad at Blockbuster for their enhanced membership, the tag line was Experience More. I chuckled half to myself at the idea that sitting in front of a television set watching others act out a story was experience as opposed to the world going on outside that small rental store’s doors.

Tonight I heard on the radio that grocery stores are unveiling shopping carts with built in movies to keep kids entertained. There was a psychologist interviewed who said the increasing number of children who are either amused or bored dependent upon screens being present (waiting room tv sets, personal DVDs, minivan movies, etc) is taking away from parent child interaction and the kids aren’t learning things from the parents they should be learning.

Monday, August 28, 2006

An article in the Boston Globe yesterday about changes in marketing techniques due to changes in media reminded me once again of product endorsement in textbooks. I was not able to find any articles or research on that when I looked last, it might be time to search again. It’s pretty common knowledge that the products in major motion pictures were sold those spots, it’s even been the target of comedy in movies. However, in this world obsessed with protecting the child—why is no one concerned with the statistics textbook that talks about Camel cigarettes in its word problems?

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Filmmaker Magazine has an article about how MySpace is changing independent film marketing. The potential is so great—but I just can’t get over the horror that is myspace. If the users are truly “overwhelmingly young, hip and media-savvy” WHY ARE THEY USING SUCH AN UGLY SITE? All politics of ownership aside ... where are the aesthetics? Not to mention usability. Though most of my issues are the broken pages due to enormous photos and the constant pummeling by other people’s music. Any site that loads music without letting the viewer choose to play it ... just shouldn’t be.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

In a criticism of updated content in Wikipedia, CNN details a play by play of changes to information on Kenneth Lay’s death. What they fail to mention is that open-source journalism in formats such as IndyMedia encourages readers to take self-responsibility in fact checking—something we should all do with corporate media as well. The benefits to open formats for such information ARE the changing, the fluidity, and the multiple sources. These are not downfalls ...

However, that it was the encyclopedia rather than the “news” being updated is strange.

But the real question is ... did he fake it?

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

When the copier became an accessible means of production, waves of activists began using them to self publish and connect with others through zines. With Google Video and other methods of sharing video without high production and distribution costs, documentaries seem to be more common and more outspoken. Are documentaries this decade’s activist communication tool?