Assigned Entry #6 A Look Back

Personally blogging was a very interesting way to remove pen from paper or get away from the typical essay and do something out of the ordinary. This was not my first semester blogging but at times I still found it difficult and challenging to create a worthwhile blog. From the very start it made me go above and beyond what I’m comfortable with and I appreciate and enjoyed the experience.

 

 

Blogging gave another outlet for my writing, and gave a chance for a bigger audience to hear what I have to say. It showed me there are other ways to write and give a message out to people. With the thought that more people can read it I had to take it more seriously because of the responsibility, let alone the grade for the assignment.

 

 

I thought blogs were a great tie-in assignment to our discussions and our writing projects. They were very useful to get more out of our project and others perspectives. I believe that they helped with my writing and also gave me the chance to steer away from the projects. The self-generated posts gave me a break from the essays and I was able to discuss topics that I’m interested in. If I didn’t have the opportunity to do so, I wouldn’t have liked blogging as much because it would have just been another assignment.

Blogs must stay! Even though they were difficult at times they were very useful and fun. I liked reading what others posted, most were very fascinating. Although this may be the end I can’t truly say goodbye. I’ll never know if this is the last one Ill post because I don’t know what the future holds, I may miss it. Although I may not know if this is my last post I do know this is my last time I’ll be with the same group, so I’d like to take the time to say goodbye to my classmates and Prof. Chris. I wish you all the best of luck.

-Austin Wendt

A Dying Art Form

Some of our most iconic, memorable and powerful images came from a black and white film strip that someone took the time and hard work to get out just right. The photographers went through the time to perfect their images and bring them to life. As we continue to innovate and include technology in photography we lose an important piece of the old art. We push toward point and click, which is no problem for certain occasions in my opinion but I think it isn't as great of an art as black and white photography.

Technology is getting the outcome faster and cheaper which diminishes the purpose of taking the time to take the pictures. Using film is a process but the work in the dark room can get amazing images and makes you closer, or a part of your work. When you put the paper in the baths you can literally see it pop on to it and see what you've created. There is no screen to see the “image” that you've taken but a work of art.

When you look at black and white images compared to color or digital photos you miss a lot when they are digital. Black and white gives you more feeling and grain to the image and helps tell a story. You catch more detail and emotion in the people or setting that you captured. The overall mood and impact you feel when looking at it is increased. You feel more a part of what the image shows and you can never get that by looking at a screen after you take a picture with a digital camera. Color does not help enhance the picture yet it distracts and give it less depth. It flattens the image visually and in meaning.

Take for instance the image of the sailor kissing the girl after the war was over. The moment is not helped by color but only taken in with less significance.

Why have I discussed this topic today? Well recently it saddened me to find out that my former high school is losing its film photography class and switching to digital, like many other schools because of budget cuts. A class that I took part in and I really enjoyed is being lost and wont be experienced by other students. This is the last year that they will have the class. They were one of the final schools in the district to have it. Students need the opportunity to have the class and be able to produce great art, because if they don't get into it when they're young then we all may miss out on great future art. It is important to keep it living; can you imagine if these imagines here were not around?

Assigned Entry# 5 Media Impact

Since I have delved deeper in the knowledge of what the media actually is, I have seen a more positive outlook toward it. Instead of the typical corrupt media or newscasts that came to mind before I knew what it was, I’m starting to see what great positive power it can have. Take for instance the ever-increasing popularity of our star search shows.

In today’s society, the media has given a chance to talented, driven people to showcase their abilities. Not only letting them show off what they are able to do, but maybe even given a chance to completely turn their life around and become a star. Using television as a medium, the people gain a following which builds their notoriety. With shows like American Idol and The Voice, singers all over can play to an audience of viewers.

Most shows like these give the viewers an opportunity to vote on who they like most, which in return already gives the singers a fan base; with millions of votes I dont think they are off to a bad start. With singers like Kelly Clarkson, 3 time Grammy award winner, and Chris Daughtery, who didn’t win the competition and has hit on the radio, the opportunity given by the media changed their lives for the better.

            Although most people can easily reference those two shows as examples, there are others that some may forget about which have led to other successes. With shows like The Ultimate Fighter and Face Off, people are given a platform to show their athletic and creative abilities respectively. In the sport of MMA, 3 men have won UFC titles coming out of the show, not to mention many fan favorites or contenders. And with the success of the show Face Off the make-up artists have gone on to work in many movies or other areas in their field.

Without the shows, they might not have gotten the chance to do what they love to do.

            If you’re passionate about something, and you want to be recognized for it and do it for a living, then there is a form of media to do just that. Media has the tremendous power to give people the chance to flip their lives upside down for the better. If you’re ready to display your talents, you may be able to reach the level you want, superstardom. All you have to do is utilize your media of choice.

I have never even considered some of these things before I started to analyze what the media actually is. The use of media can have a positive impact and seems to be given a bad reputation from the general public because we fail to see or recognize these types of media and tend to lean toward news/corrupt mass media. A lot of what we have in our culture and everyday lives is due to the media giving it a chance to come forth and impact us, which I can now see and appreciate.

                

Assigned Entry #4 Get Them to Change

 

When you are told something your whole life that something is good, you generally tend to believe it, but what if someone introduced a new idea to you that may change your mind? Would you be willing to accept it? Michael Moore attempts to do this very thing in his 2009 film Capitalism: A Love Story. Moore takes the old thought that Americans may have about capitalism being the best economic system and flips it on its head by pointing out its weaknesses and the flaws it has, while incorporating his belief that democracy should replace it.

Me and my fellow peers watched the movie, most for the first time, and most came out leaving with the same emotional reaction, one of anger and/or disgust. Moore's use of the rhetorical triangle, emotional connection/appeals and factual knowledge on the situation is the reason why he is credible and was able to get those responses. He used connections and comparisons that most people would be aware of or find personal like comparing the United States to the Roman Empire or referencing the bible/religion to find common ground and try to get everyone in his audience on his side.

Personally, I was actually motivated to do something and check out the situation of the United States economy. I was upset and had a feeling of pride that the majority have the power to turn everything around, but saddened that most choose not to. In the movie we were given the opportunity to see people doing what they can to make the situation in their favor and how it should have been. Moore used this in order to show us we will be able to do something if we ban together and vote.

I believe Moore used his own name to make the movie more credible. He is a well-known figure and so he made the audience very aware that this was his production and that he was a part of it. This was incorporated into his strategies to get you on his side and was used very well. If you needed help to persuade someone to be on your side then I would study his uses in the film. It is a great visual on how to do just that.

Inspirational fight

While flipping through channels trying to find something interesting to watch, I stumbled across a story on ESPN that caught my eye. The story itself has been raising some controversy and interest; It talked about a MMA fighter named Garrett "G-Money" Holeve, who fights with, and for more than just his opponents in the ring.

Garrett has to battle with Down syndrome and has become an advocate and a symbol for people with his situation to compete in the sport in which he loves. Garrett started to gain interest in MMA when his father dared his sons to join him in taking part of the workouts in their gym (he was the only one who took it) and ever since then has become engulfed into the sport. He trains children and even took and took on the task of training a person with Down syndrome, and also trains to fight.

 He went through years of training just like any other fighter, but due to his disability had some fights that weren’t taken seriously with fear of his endangerment and may in fact be described as soft. He never got his TRUE fight until February 23, 2013 when he faced off against an opponent that would help him realize and get what he has always wanted. With similar stature and weight "Monster" Mike Wilson agreed to fight Garrett and didn’t disappoint and gave him a great fight. The battle concluded in a draw with both fighters getting their hands raised at end and out of respect cheered for each other along with the crowd.

Although everything went well, there was still a mixed reaction from people about whether or not he should be able to compete. Some people look at his disability and think he shouldn’t because he may get hurt, but my personal opinion his that he should be allowed to fight. He is able to understand what may happen and he enjoys doing it, so who is able to tell him he can’t do it.

I believe the video may help people change their ways of thinking as it did mine. If someone would have asked me if I thought he should before I seen the video I probably would have said no. Now, I’m in favor of what Garrett is trying to promote, which is to get MMA inputted into the Special Olympics for able fighters (which will vary).

Heres the ESPN story seen click the link to view:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dMf7jgopJXc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I hope you will support his wishes or just cheer him on and give encouragement; maybe changing your mindset in the process. 

Help support Garrett's fight:

https://www.facebook.com/GarrettsFight

http://www.garrettsfight.org/#

Assigned Entry #3 Is faster always better?

 In the Arizona Central article by Anne Ryman, she states since the start of January of 2013 ASU has started offering more 7 1/2 week classes instead of the normal 15 traditional courses taken at  the campus. There are many complaints and many good things to say about the offering of these classes. It will affect everyone though even if you will not take these courses.

These courses can bring in new and different types of students that can really benefit from having this format for their classes. It will help older, working students go to or back to school and get there degree. They will be able to get it done faster and able to go into their field with more to offer and have the ability to go farther.

I was believing that this format maybe very good for all students until one line in the article."Others worry that not all academic subjects are best taught in an accelerated format." If all courses would be switched, then I believe it would be a mistake. All courses are not made for this format and not all students are made for this type of classes especially if they were to be online class. Everyone is different and they need to have the option.
One has to truly think and decide for themselves whether or not they would want to take these classes, and if they change completely, whether or not to go to the school at all.  

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2011/02/22/20110222arizona-state-university-shorter-classes.html

If you could, would you?

We have all seen the magic and amazement coming out of the silver screen. Hollywood has shocked everyone with stunning visuals, amazing stories and touching characters. Time and time again we have seen this magic come to life with relatable characters going through hard times. In countless movies like 17 Again and Freaky Friday some character with one magical moment was given a chance to go back and relive a part of their life and change something from a part of their past.



As I watched and remembered movies with similar stories I always wondered, would I ever want to go back and change anything about my life? I would be able to rewrite any wrong doings, go after a person I liked, or just go down a completely different path.
If it were up to me I don't think I would be able to if given the chance. Not because there haven't been any tough times, or things I regret... But I think I'm to young to worry about it. There is plenty of time to fix or do things that I want to do.
In my personal opinion, I believe everyone is to young to think about this. Whether your in your prime or about to the point you tho k you have nothing left, I just want you to think to yourself "you always have tomorrow, live your life for the here and now" like someone very close to me always says. Live life one day at a time trying to be the best person you can be with no regrets.
Please I'd like to here other takes on hollywood dramatics that youve seen in movies and would like to put your twist on them.