Resolving Conflicts

A situation comedy, otherwise known as a sitcom, is a genre of comedy that is based on every-day situations of a cast of recurring characters.  Sitcoms are episodic and story-lines usually do not carry over episodes. Episodes feature a conflict which causes distribution to the lives of the main characters. The episode's storyline focuses on solving the conflict or providing a revelation at the end of the episode. Most shows end by everything returning to normal, but some choose to have an arching storyline. Sitcoms are usually popular because viewers can tune in without having prior knowledge of the show or storyline.

An example of this could be the television show 30 Rock. Each week viewers witness a new problem to be solved on the set of TGS,  with each problem being resolved and rarely referenced in upcoming episodes. While the conflicts are resolved in each episode, guest stars provide story arches within seasons. For instance, the character Liz Lemon's relationship with Carol and the conflicts that arise are carried throughout the season. Although the show has minimal storyline arches, 30 Rock presents a different storyline and conflict with each episode.

Film Shots

In Professor Ramirez-Berg's lecture on Monday, he went over the three basic shots, the long shot, medium shot, and a close up. Berg went into detail how a shot conveys a certain message during the film. The following are examples of the shots and their intended meaning in the film Dirty Harry.


The Long Shot

The use of the long shot in this scene convey's the isolation of character. Inspector Harry Callahan is singled out since he is a dirty cop.  He doesn't associate with other police officers and is seen as a sort of a lone wolf. The scene of Callahan walking away from the crime exhibits his ability work alone when others fear him for his unconventional tactics.


The Medium Shot

The use of the medium shot in this scene displays the hostility between the two characters. At this point in the film, Scorpio had kidnapped a school bus filled with children and was threatening to not reveal where he was hiding the girl he kidnapped earlier. The shot emphasizes Inspector Callahan's aggression towards Scorpio by putting his gun and clenched fist in scene. The shot is also able to capture the emotion of both characters with both of their faces clear in shot, creating a clear hostile relationship.

The Close Up

With the close up, we are able to see the true emotions of the character. In this scene, Inspector Callahan is showing no mercy towards the Scorpio killer and is completely willing to shoot him. The view of the character's eyes exhibits his lack of fear and aggression. The angle also emphasizes his role as an authority figure as it is shot from below.

 Photo Credits:
http://www.fernbyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/dirtyharry.jpg
http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Dirty-Harry-movie-18.jpg
http://www.fernbyfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/clinteastwood.jpg

Classic Hollywood

Classical Hollywood is often associated with stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Carey Grant, and Katherine Hepburn, but rarely is it connected to the directors who created the iconic films. The Hollywood star system made the actors the main representation of a movie. Advertising for a film revolved around which actors were cast in the film. A set audience was expected to follow a specific studio because of the actors hired.

Just by listing a certain name, the audience could accurately predict which genre the film was. By contract, stars were linked to studios and branded as a certain character. If you saw the name Fred Astaire, you most certainly knew you would see him sing and/or dance. Hollywood studios became associated with the genres their actors appeared in. A star may have been popular enough for their name to appear in the title of the film, guaranteeing a large audience. If Fred Astaire and Judy Garland were with MGM, they would be making as many musicals as possible. Studios profited off of the star system, producing over fifty films a year and managing success even with a few flops.

Photo Credit

All in the Family vs. Contemporary Television

All in the Family's "Judging Books By Covers" episode deals with the judgement of homosexuals and the stereotypes that are common in modern culture. All in the Family dealt with issues far ahead of its time which today still causes controversy. The television show can be compared to contemporary family shows such as Modern Family. Both television shows deal with social issues such as the acceptance of gay people, while using different approaches.

Modern Family is more welcoming to the idea of a gay couple because in society it has become more acceptable. The show depicts how an unconventional family is becoming the "modern" family and the nuclear family is becoming more rare. Even though the main cast includes a gay couple, there is still some controversy over how they are portrayed. It took an entire season and a Facebook group to finally get the show to air a kiss between the two men. While on television gays are becoming more welcomed, there are still social issues over what is aired.

All in the Family takes a different approach to dealing with the issue of gays in society, using satire. Archie Bunker's intolerance is put on display for the audience to hopefully disagree with him and recognize the absurdity of Archie's stance. Archie is portrayed as bigoted and ignorant in the episode in attempts to dissolve stereotypes about homosexuals and tackle homophobia.

While the approaches to the subject are different on the two shows, both deal with the way gays are depicted. All in the Family tried to illustrate the idea that not all gay men are as flamboyant and feminine as they are made out to be, they are just as everyone else. Even though this idea was being spread on TV in the 1970s, gays on TV are still used as a form of comedy and not treated equally. Modern Family also attempts to show the world that stereotypes aren't always true, as one of the gay characters, Cameron, shows off his masculine and hangs out with straight men.

One issue dealt with in All the Family that is not seen as much today is the discrimination of homosexuals. Although it still exists, there are laws that prevent such discriminations as seen on All in the Family. You would not see someone who was suspected of being gay denied service at a bar on television. While All in the Family was revolutionary for its time, the idea of two men raising a child was never portrayed as it is today. Contemporary television shows illustrate the issue frequently, something that could not have happened in the 1970's.

Regulation of Radio

In the 1920's, radio ruled the media; it was the main medium for news and entertainment. With the invention of the popular device, stations were being formed at an alarming rate. Prior to government regulations, any station was able broadcast, which led to a overload of stations on frequencies. Government began to interfere with the Radio Act of 1912, enforcing licensing. Through regulation, government can enforce laws that change how we use a form of communication. Although the government initially did not have much control, through regulation it was able to shape the radio we listen to today.

The Radio Act of 1927 was formed to eliminate chaos on the airwaves as stations were interfering with the frequencies of others. The act gave the government power to regulate which stations were licensed to broadcast. The act also allowed the Federal Radio Commission to revoke licenses and fine those in violation of the act. Some saw the government regulation as a infringement upon the fifth amendment of the U.S. Constitution, preventing free speech in the media. Although censorship did not exist at the time, stations were not allowed to air "obscene, indecent, or profane language." FRC made sure stations operated for "public interest, convenience, and necessity." With regulation over radio, the government would influence the evolution of the device, ensuring the safety of listeners through censorship by the Federal Communications Commission(FCC).

Goodman, Mark. "The Radio Act of 1927 As a Product of Progressivism." Web. 24 September 2010. <http://www.scripps.ohiou.edu/mediahistory/mhmjour2-2.htm>.

Straubhaar, Joseph, Robert LaRose, and Lucinda Davenport. Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. 6th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing, 2009. 608. Print.

Social Learning

The Social Learning theory is the idea that audiences imitate what is seen through the media. The theory further explains "that viewers imitate what they see on TV through a process known as observational learning"(Media Now, 416). Since individuals can identify with characters in media, we are more likely to justify their behavior. By the justification of behavior, lack of consequences, and glamorization of characters on radio, television, and film viewers are more likely to imitate bad behavior.

The media's effect on individuals is brought forward in the film, Radio Days. The following clip (@2.02 mark) depicts the Rabbi's belief that radio shows had an effect on Joe, influencing him to steal the money from the Jewish National Fund to buy a Masked Avenger ring. The Rabbi's stance that "listening to the radio introduces foolishness and violence," is proven by Joe's behavior. Joe wanted the prized Masked Avenger ring so badly that he would disgrace his rabbi and family by stealing. Joe receives punishment, which is rarely portrayed in media, and he is strayed away from a path of discouraged behavior. Radio Days gives a prime example of social learning and its effect on society.


Sources:
Allen, Woody. Radio Days. Orion Pictures Corporation, 1987.

"Woody Allen's Radio Days Clip IV." 20 June 2009. Online video clip. Youtube. Accessed on 18 September 2010.

Straubhaar, Joseph, Robert LaRose, and Lucinda Davenport. Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. 6th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing, 2009. 608. Print.

Media's Use of Framing

The Framing theory, as explained in Media Now, “examines how writers frame or present a story.” Media often uses framing to create public opinion of a news story, by setting the tone with certain words and the way in which facts are interpreted. Although news is supposed to be unbiased, the use of framing allows the media to sway its audience. I believe the major network programs give a clear example of how framing is used to present a bias view of a story.

News programs on major networks, such as Nightline, 60 Minutes, or 20/20 often cover controversial trials as part of their weekly schedule. The coverage of trials by television specials present the major facts, but it is the way in which they are presented and the facts that are left out that make a report bias. One example of bias coverage of a trial is the Mumia Abu-Jamal murder case of 1982.

ABC's 20/20 has been much criticized over their 1998 report of the Abu-Jamal case. The documentary, Framing An Execution, explains how the special focused in on whether Abu-Jamal was guilty or not, instead of whether the trial was fair or not. The special framed the story around the prosecution and presented the defense in a hostile way, using editing techniques to make the lawyer seem evasive. The story told by 20/20 also left out facts and several key witnesses. The tone that the special creates, along with the facts used, leads most viewers to side with those who are depicted to be just. 

The example of the 20/20 Abu-Jamal report helps me understand how media use framing to sway audience. The coverage of the case led many to simply believe the conviction of Abu-Jamal was just. Since the audience was never presented with the idea that the trial was unjust, most people believe it is just another closed murder case.

A link to a clip of Framing An Execution can be found here.

Sources: 

Straubhaar, Joseph, Robert LaRose, and Lucinda Davenport. Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. 6^th Edition. Wadsworth Publishing, 2009. 608. Print.