Has downloading killed the album?

An interesting question is posed on the BBC 6Music site - are we witnessing the beginning of the end for music albums? Do you value your album collection? Are tracks better appreciated as part of an album or do you all use the shuffle function on your iPod or MP3 player. Many artists (e.g. Travis, Ash, Prince) are beginning to acknowledge that the downloading of tracks has fundamentally changed the way audiences listen to music and have decided to either do away with or give away albums.

12:31 media home work

Stuart Hall has argued that the meaning an audience gets from a text is determined by their cultural backround and that there is no fixed meaning. How far do you agree with these ideas in terms of what you know about Audience theory?

Use examples from each theoretical perspective to support your points.

(about 200 words)-due first lesson week beginning 1st October.

You may want to include references to:

Hypodermic Syringe Theory

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Two Step Flow Theory

Reception Theory

BEWARE! Your Search Engine is working you out

You friendly-wendley search engine, the bestest friend you have is really a spy. The term 'spyware' conjures up images of evil programmers hell-bent on destroying the world. On the other hand, when we think of Google we think, 'Oh I LOVE Google, it helps me everyday!' What you really should be asking yourself is - at what price this help?

Follow the link and learn more.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/6972079.stm

Who is watching Mediawatch? Critical Research / Debates Paper

I suppose its hard to argue against an organisation that believes swearing and violence, as well as misogeny and stereo typing are BAD THINGS! I would be really interested to know what you think of this article, 'NEW CALL TO CUT MEDIA VIOLENCE', and the site in general.

http://www.mediawatchuk.org.uk/

The Debates Paper

All you Year 13 Media types - I know how you just love cowboy films so check this one out! No really people you need to start getting some western type films into your diet so that when the Genre unit (debates paper) comes around you will be quick on the draw. Till then pardner, put the cattle on and have a nice cup 'a cawfee! (The film is called 3-10 To Yuma)

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,2168098,00.html

Where's the bias?

This one has had me scratching my head. If you click on the title of this post it will bring you to a blog connected to the Guardian newspaper. It concerns an article on the BBC's Newsround site. There have been lots of accusations that the article is biased because it seems to either blame America for the attacks of 9/11 or justify al-Qaeda in some way.

This feeds into the article we've been reading in class recently around the issue of freedom of speech and the representation of all views in the media. Is the BBC being biased here by explaining the position of al-Qaeda or is it merely trying to fairly represent the views of all those involved in the story of 9/11? Do the accusations of bias have anything to do with the language used in the article or the way the sentences are structured ( the esteemed Mr. Graham, he of Room 81, the English corridor, thinks this may just be the case).

Psychological Thriller Titles

First of all, welcome to Year 12 Media. As promised, here is an initial list of psychological thrillers you could start to watch in your own time. I will add to this list as you and others make recommendations. Most of these are fairly accessible and mainstream. We may also look at some of them in class.
The Silence of the Lambs
Copycat
Arlington Road
Pacific Heights
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
Basic Instinct
Dead Ringers
The Birds
Rear Window
Vertigo
Someone to Watch over Me
Blue Velvet
What Lies Beneath
Sea of Love
Internal Affairs
No Way Out
Narrow Margin

I refer you to Fatima's comment attached to this post for a more exhaustive list of film titles.