For Your Consideration: Academy Awards Campaigning and the Precarious Relationship Between Art and Commerce in Hollywood

Description

The Academy Awards represent the uneasy tension between art and commerce in Hollywood. The façade of art that the Academy has worked so hard to cultivate is weakened in the face of “for your consideration” campaigning. These advertising efforts, led

The Academy Awards represent the uneasy tension between art and commerce in Hollywood. The façade of art that the Academy has worked so hard to cultivate is weakened in the face of “for your consideration” campaigning. These advertising efforts, led by the studios and teams employed by potential nominees, make claims to the virtues of a given film and advocate for their celebration. The awards business has grown into a multi-million dollar industry, directly contradicting the art-driven version of Hollywood that the Academy claims to represent.

Date Created
2023-05
Agent

The Just Saying Podcast

164656-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Jack Grant and Sam Truman, two seniors at Arizona State University, discuss the latest in major sports, current events, and various other topics. Within their informal discussions, Jack and Sam "just say" whatever comes to mind and never shy away

Jack Grant and Sam Truman, two seniors at Arizona State University, discuss the latest in major sports, current events, and various other topics. Within their informal discussions, Jack and Sam "just say" whatever comes to mind and never shy away from a hot take. Most episodes include only Jack and Sam, but some entertain numerous guests and differing formats. The podcast is supported by a multimedia website, which also includes some written articles and interactive features. All components were further marketed through social media outreach and engagement. The Just Saying Podcast thesis paper includes an analysis of podcasting history and what has made them such a popular media outlet. Further, the paper discusses what makes The Just Saying Podcast a unique product. Our deliverable, The Just Saying Podcast, can be found at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-just-saying-podcast/id1585891858 All components can be accessed through: https://www.justsayingpod.com
Date Created
2022-05
Agent

The Just Saying Podcast

164642-Thumbnail Image.png
Description

Jack Grant and Sam Truman, two seniors at Arizona State University, discuss the latest in major sports, current events, and various other topics. Within their informal discussions, Jack and Sam "just say" whatever comes to mind and never shy away

Jack Grant and Sam Truman, two seniors at Arizona State University, discuss the latest in major sports, current events, and various other topics. Within their informal discussions, Jack and Sam "just say" whatever comes to mind and never shy away from a hot take. Most episodes include only Jack and Sam, but some entertain numerous guests and differing formats. The podcast is supported by a multimedia website, including written articles and interactive features. All components were further marketed through social media outreach and engagement. The Just Saying Podcast thesis paper analyzes podcast history and what has made them such a popular media outlet. Further, the paper discusses what makes The Just Saying Podcast a unique product. Our deliverable, The Just Saying Podcast, can be found at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-just-saying-podcast/id1585891858 All components can be accessed through: https://www.justsayingpod.com/ https://twitter.com/JustSayingP

Date Created
2022-05
Agent

Revival

Description
Although bipolar disorder affects millions of Americans, it is not widely discussed topic. Therefore many misconceptions remain about the disorder, which is partially due to its misrepresentation in the media. However with television producers and writers such as Julie Plec,

Although bipolar disorder affects millions of Americans, it is not widely discussed topic. Therefore many misconceptions remain about the disorder, which is partially due to its misrepresentation in the media. However with television producers and writers such as Julie Plec, co-creator of The Vampire Diaries, The Originals and Legacies, creating a humanistic characters with bipolar disorder, this is slowly changing. Inspired by these writers, I also decided to create my own video about my experience with bipolar disorder.
Date Created
2019-05
Agent

Unathorized: A Short Film on Technology and Immigration

135379-Thumbnail Image.jpg
Description
Unauthorized confronts the relationship between technology and personhood in the modern world. More specifically, it addresses the personal and social effects of border politics within the frame of cyber crime. The short film takes place in the near future where

Unauthorized confronts the relationship between technology and personhood in the modern world. More specifically, it addresses the personal and social effects of border politics within the frame of cyber crime. The short film takes place in the near future where a hacker can create citizenship for anyone she wants, effectively turning anyone into a legal person in the United States. This parallels the real life struggles of unauthorized immigrants trying to gain a new life this side of the border despite the overwhelming backlash from the conservative and xenophobic population. The main character's ability to grant citizenship forces the viewer to confront what being a person really means. The film also alludes to the popularized antics of modern day hackers and whistleblowers who are often turned into heroes for fighting the establishment despite their character flaws. The protagonist of Unauthorized struggles through underhanded sexism and blatant racism as well as her own personal struggles with drug addiction and failed relationships. These are very real struggles women face in technology jobs and life in general. The main character's actions ultimately destroy every relationship that she's established, including the connection to her own family. This film, in short, is about the walls people build between each other, both physical and social.
Date Created
2016-05
Agent

Research Through the Art of Documentary: Why Documentary Film has a Heavier Impact in Cinema

134680-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
The documentary genre offers something other than a simple form of entertainment. Instead, it is a visual form of research that informs its audience. It is a form of communication through visual and audio elements. This article is about why

The documentary genre offers something other than a simple form of entertainment. Instead, it is a visual form of research that informs its audience. It is a form of communication through visual and audio elements. This article is about why the use of documentaries is beneficial in storytelling that is driven by an historical event (the Olympic Games). My documentary is about my personal story to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In my documentary, I attempted to tell the my experience and journey of how I got to the pinnacle of my career. One of the most important elements that I aim to capture is the illustration that the journey of an Olympic athlete is never a single stream. It is supported by many people. I wanted to expose the assumptions made in other documentaries or highlight reels about athletes. Often times, athletes only get media attention once they have reached the successful point in their careers. The goal and vision for my personal story was to show that there is much more density within the lives of athletes. I will take a look at philosopher Habermas' theories and see how they apply to the construction of documentary films, and also how his theories were used directly in my personal production. Also, I will attempt to breakdown the techniques of documentary filming and explain the benefits behind them. Since documentary filming has a distinct stylistic manner, I will explain why I chose the different types of shots and methodology I employed.
Date Created
2017-05
Agent

For Adults Only: Changes in the Perception of the NC-17 Rating in the Era of Responsible Entertainment

137158-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
This thesis examines the changes that have occurred in the way the average American regards films carrying the NC-17 rating since 2007, when Dr. Kevin Sandler's book The Naked Truth: Why Hollywood Doesn't Make X-Rated Movies was published. In The

This thesis examines the changes that have occurred in the way the average American regards films carrying the NC-17 rating since 2007, when Dr. Kevin Sandler's book The Naked Truth: Why Hollywood Doesn't Make X-Rated Movies was published. In The Naked Truth, Sandler coins the phrase "responsible entertainment," referring to the Hollywood industry's standard of avoiding making, distributing and exhibiting films that carry the NC-17 rating. The mainstream film industry's commitment to responsible entertainment goes back to the creation of the movie rating system in 1968; since that time, adults-only movies have been stigmatized and ghettoized from the rest of mainstream film. However, since Sandler's analysis of the NC-17 rating in 2007, there have been notable changes in parents' attitudes about what is acceptable for their kids, as well as in the public's attitude about movie ratings; in addition, the general political climate of the country as a whole has evolved. This raises the question, is the era of responsible entertainment coming to an end? This thesis examines the four significant NC-17 films to be theatrically released since the publication of Sandler's work--Lust, Caution (2007), Shame (2011), Killer Joe (2012) and Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)--in an effort to analyze the cultural and political catalysts that have led to these changes in the perception of the MPAA's most restrictive movie rating. In doing so, it may be possible to determine what the future holds for NC-17 movies, how they are released, and how the public will perceive them.
Date Created
2014-05
Agent

Disney Animated Film and its Negative Impact on Children

136738-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
The Walt Disney Company has been a worldwide phenomenon for over half a century. Disney's animated films in particular impact a large number of individuals around the world. The fact that they rerelease popular films every few years lends to

The Walt Disney Company has been a worldwide phenomenon for over half a century. Disney's animated films in particular impact a large number of individuals around the world. The fact that they rerelease popular films every few years lends to the lasting influence these movies will hold in the lives of children to come. It is important to examine the messages Disney animated films can teach children in regards to women's roles, United States history, and racial difference. This essay examines these topics as they appear in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, The Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, and The Lion King. Lastly, it examines the potential impact these films can leave on children and suggests ways in which adults can help children analyze what they see in the media.
Date Created
2014-12
Agent

The Process and Analysis of Film Reviewing

136213-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
"The Process and Analysis of Film Reviewing" is a two-part project that discovers what goes into the film reviewing process and what produces a good film review. A film review website entitled "Reel Reviews" (reelfilmreviews.com) was created, which features original

"The Process and Analysis of Film Reviewing" is a two-part project that discovers what goes into the film reviewing process and what produces a good film review. A film review website entitled "Reel Reviews" (reelfilmreviews.com) was created, which features original content such as film reviews, trailers and information about special features and events relevant to the film industry. The paper portion of the project takes an analytical look at the current state of the film reviewing world and addresses the changes in technology that have an impact on how film reviewing is done.
Date Created
2015-05
Agent

Becoming the medium

149877-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
The original mediums were not texts or technologies; they were ritual actors performing acts of mediumship. Mediating between determined norms (the status quo) and emergent trends (change), they invoked divine authority to conjure meanings that proved adaptive, nonadaptive and/or maladaptive.

The original mediums were not texts or technologies; they were ritual actors performing acts of mediumship. Mediating between determined norms (the status quo) and emergent trends (change), they invoked divine authority to conjure meanings that proved adaptive, nonadaptive and/or maladaptive. With the advent of the written word, ritual became formalized and codified. The medium became a communication device, something abstract and external to the human condition. It then became possible to speak of "media effects" imposing influence in a logical deterministic manner. Yet with the advent of new media, we are witnessing a return to modes of cultural discourse that are spontaneous, interactive, communal and unscripted, all hallmarks of ritual action. This "ritual return" centers on the emergence of the "prosumer" (producer/consumer), a figure actively engaged in mediating practices. While resembling the original archaic "medium" in some respects, the prosumer is a "literate ritualist" allied with a multiplicity of cultural tribes. Thus the "new media" has given rise to "the new medium." The pages that follow focus on acts of contemporary mediumship, examining related concepts such as "ecology," "niche," "role," "affordance," and "trope." Each section considers how specific mediating practices afford and constrain modes of ritualized behavior. I call this practice-oriented approach to media studies "praxism."
Date Created
2011
Agent