Question 1 - Radio
Based on what we have read, discussed, demonstrated and learned, do you think that the deregulatory nature of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 has created an oligarchy that controls the radio industry? and who gets air time? as well as the role of the DJ? Please explain why this may be good for radio and why it may be bad for radio as an industry.
What about the consumer, has deregulation been good for the consumer or have radio station owners (big media companies) become like banks: too big to fail? What should radio stations do to compete with or collaborate with convergence technologies like Facebook, MySpace, iPods, smartphones, and online radio sites like Pandora?
- Yes I think right now it is an oligarchy that controls the radio, just like T.V. you really don’t find very many publicly owned (I mean public as in anyone have a voice in the decision of the network). Only the few and powerful own it. Only popular/mainstream bands get air time and advertisement. The only role of the DJ these days is to put the music on, take a request once or twice, and have has little commentary as possible. This is bad, because it’s causing a monopoly in the radio business and only popular bands are getting air time whether they are good or not. I don’t think deregulation has changed a thing for the consumer. They can’t really do anything to keep up with yahoo music, youtube or even pandora; pandora doesn’t even have ads but you can listen to these where ever you go with smart-phones or your laptop. Radio stations should prepare for the great downfall.
Question 2 - Music
Let's face it the music industry is in trouble, but it also has a unique opportunity to prosper if it changes it approach. In light of this, can you cite some of the major problems facing the music industry because of convergence technology like the iPod, smart phones and the Internet. Can you explain why the music industry has so much power over what is played on the radio?
Explain how the music industry and the street game are similar.
Was it a smart business strategy for the music industry to sue its customers? Explain why it was smart or why it was not smart.
Did this approach alienate consumers from the industry? Explain why. Which model or models would you use for the industry: the free model, the hybrid model or the pay model and explain why it would help the industry. What about the customer how will he or she benefit from the model that you choose.
Finally, has the music industry ignored talented acts for short term profits on personality driven performers with lesser talent as many of you have indicated, does the Internet provide a legitimate outlet for independent acts, and if you are an independent act would you go with a major label or would you promote your music online and keep control of your music and image?
-Because of the internet, it makes it easier to pirate music and share music while the greedy recording companies loose money. The music industry doesn’t have as much power as people think it does over what gets played, thats in the hands of what the populace finds to be in at the moment. But the music industry does push those poplar artists one hit wonders on the radio constantly. It’s almost like pimping, the music industry basically puts it’s hottest artist out as much as possible so they can get the attention they need so the industry can make money off of them. It was a horrible idea to sue their customers, now they are even less likely to buy music from the music company that sued them. This make the artist look bad as well. Yes, the industry has a habit of signing personality of talent. The internet is a good way for a band to advertise themselves, but isn’t good as the only means of getting a name out there. It does allow for a band to control their image.
Question 3 - Film and Television
In your opinion why does television have a better opportunity to succeed better than films in the age of iPods, HULU, YouTube, smart phones, and network TV sites?
If you are the film industry what would you do to prevent from becoming exactly like the music industry based on these options: would you embed ads in your films in the form of icons, would you create links in films so that gamers can play multiple story lines, would allow chatting during the movie, would you make them downloadable with ads, would you allow instant purchasing of things you see during the movie or would you do a combination of all of the above?
Finally, if you are an independent filmmaker explain how you would use online sites, handheld technologies like cell phones, and social networking sites like to market and distribute your film. Feel free to list names of sites here and how you would use them to market and distribute your films.
Television has a better chance of survival because of that fact you can buy T.V shows from itunes and can pay for subscriptions to netflix and hulu. With movies, you buy it once and you have it, but with television shows they’re always coming out with a new season. The only time i would embed ads would be at the beginning of a movie, never in the middle. I would also make sure that product placement was at a minimum (I, Robot is an example of product placement). If I were to be making games, I would allow for multiple story line, if and only if, it was necessary for the plot development. Chatting during the movie is a no-no unless your at home with friends. There would be instant purchasing of items in the movie. If I were an independent film maker I probably allow my movie to run free once in a while on hulu and netflix. I would also have a website that i created so they could buy the movie if they liked it and download it right then and there.
Question 4 - Internet
Based on Ashton Kushter's recently becoming the first person to have over 1 million people following him on Twitter, and the fact that he beat CNN which was advertising for people to follow CNN and using their personalities on Twitter, do you think that the Internet may be the most dominant medium or is on its way to becoming the most dominant?
How has the Internet changed music, radio, television, and film? In your opinion has the Internet been a good thing or a bad thing for radio, music, television and film industries? Explain.
In your opinion has the Internet enabled independent creators of music, film, and television a legitimate outlet or was the old system better with the industries in charge?
How would you use the Internet and convergence technology like iPods to teach a college course?
-The internet is already the most dominant form of media. The internet has allowed people to listen to what they want when they want with youtube, itunes. Has allowed people to watch what they want when they want with youtube, hulu, and netflix. Basically the internet is giving the viewers/audience the power that they have wanted for a long time. This is good and bad, it’s good free advertisement, but it’s bad because the big companies that are involved in radio, T.v/film, and music feel like they’re loosing money. This is great for the audience though. This has opened many doors for independent makers of music and film to get their visions out to the public. The internet has had a great impact in convergence. Every phone, handheld device and gaming console must keep up with it’s competition. The makers’ of said devices must allow for internet access via wifi, allow for viewing movies whether its flash of a dvd.
In the last three questions, you are the judge just like the skits. Here are your cases for you decide.
Question 5 - Class & Group Evaluation
Explain how you believe that your group has grown in terms of working together based on how this course was taught?
-I believe our group has learned how to go solo when finding information and come back together as a group to compare our findings to form the very best answers we can.
Explain how you believe that the class as a whole has grown in terms of working together based on how this course was taught?
-The class has had to do sketches with other groups; submit outlines so the class had study guides, and also help present new and important convergences information that has to deal with the ever evolving world of mass communications.
When did you notice that the class had grown together?
About half way through the semester.
In your opinion what do you think of the edutainment methods we used such as the skits and the convergence methods such as Facebook, the Vox blog, and Twitter to teach as opposed to traditional papers, traditional exams, quizzes, and presentations?
-I truly think this has started us on the right path of getting familiar with technology, and on how you can get information you want out to the public with out having to send money. Also this is a lot more green then writing papers that are just going to be thrown away since CCBC does not recycle!
Give your opinon of the class taking over as the producer, director and running large portions of the class using these methods, did this make you more willing to pay attention to class, look forward to attending class and more willing to participate in class? Did you feel empowered in this role?
-I felt like it was a responsibility to contribute knowledge that I had gained, to make sure everyone was on the same page. It was kind of like working in a business field where you have to make sure every gear is turning in the right direction. Otherwise you have a broken and malfunctioning business. It was pretty fun, to know my group and I had an actual voice in the class.
Question 6- Self Evalutation
What did you learn in this class about communications? Provide me at least two or three examples. How did you grow in terms of confidence in this class?
What did you enjoy most about this course? Knowing what you know now, do you think that you will be able to apply what you know in other classes to help you study. Are you glad that you took this class, and why?
-Communication is EVERYTHING! without proper communication of idea and work it seems that it just gets lost in translation. If the teacher told me to post a work assignment on the board, I was then responsible to make sure everyone knew that there is homework, at the very least make sure my group was aware of announcements. I’m not as quiet as I used to be in terms of confidence. I liked the fact the teacher was open to knew strategies of teaching and presenting information to the class. I also like we were able to debate if a test/quiz was being given to soon. I think I can apply this to other classes, the only drawback is I don’t think most teachers are as open minded of students abilities and how fair it is to give a test right after acquiring knowledge on a certain subject. I am satisfied that I took this class, I can take the information I learned from this class and start formulating a business plan for my future education and career!
Question 7 - Professor Evaluation of Doc Chris
What did you think about how this class was run by Dr. Chris?
-I think his teachings at first were crazy and unorganized. But I soon realized part of this was a test in itself. He was trying to prepare us for the real world where nothing is truly certain except what you make certain. Also I think he did a good job presenting information while making the class do research into out arguments.
Did you like using the edutainment and convergence methods that he used in class? Why or why not?
-Yes, it allowed the class to form arguments while researching our sides of the argument. Also it allowed the class to learn how to find information that is hidden, or trying to be hidden such as, don’t use google to find an article that would accuse them of selling your information to business to spam you.
What did you learn in this class that you did not know because of the way this course was taught?
-Media barons run the show. You can find them online if you look in the right spot.
Did you like the interactive nature of the class and did it keep you paying attention?
-It kept attention 90% of the time. Since I would have to argue my view points one quickly found themselves getting ready to present information on why out decision was correct.
Do you think that you could teach this class to high school students or incoming freshman based on the methods and online tools that we used? Why or why not.
-Yes, because after the first week, you pretty much know its going to be a hands on class, and if you listen you will have all the information need by the end of class for quizzes.
Would you take another course with Dr. Chris? Why or why not?
-Probably. I don’t think the Doc, teaches other classes here, but if he did I most likely would since this class was pretty entertaining and educational.
Would you recommend this course or another course taught by Dr. Chris? Why or why not?
-I would, and already have to half of my friends. Its a fun class. Need I say more.
What would you like for Dr. Chris to have taught more on or was what he did sufficient for your needs?
-I feel sufficiently taught! Though he should prepare the next class outline to have a section on video games, which we included this semester ourselves.
Finally, would you give this course a passing grade?
-Indeed I would!
