Week 3 - Response 2 - POL Chapter 1

Chapter 1 is an abstract look at what images can do for a person. Images invoke different kinds of emotions from different people and one image can be perceived various different ways. The section that had me thinking the most was labeled "The Myth Photographic Truth." In this section, a brief history of photography is given. Photographs were mainly taken for two reasons. The first is document existing proof that an even occurred or that people actually existed at on point in time. A French theorist named Roland Barthes uses the term studium to describe this truth function of a photograph. Photographs are also objects in which we invest emotional content and are a primary means in remembering events. They also enable us to forget those things as well. Barthes uses the term punctum to characterize the affective element of photographs that pierce ones heart with feeling. The photograph called Trolley-New Orleans shows a divide/segregation between the 3 photographed people. As described in the book, there is "a white matron looking suspicious, a white boy in his Sunday best, and black man looking mournful." As I look at this picture, a lot of emotions run through my mind and I often find myself asking what these people truly felt at the time this picture was taken. This photograph is proof that both studium and punctum exists.

Week 3 and 4 - Response 1 - Designs and Completed work for Project 1

This is the poster for my cosplay campaign. I originally didn't have the slogan "Express don't Repress" on the poster, but after reviewing what a poster does versus what a billboard and what an online banner does, I decided to include it. All three mediums do the same thing, except a poster shows more information so I decided to include the slogan, what cosplay is, and a small tidbit of what people think of cosplayers as well as a message to all cosplayers.

This is my billboard. I originally didn't have the website on it, but after much deliberation, added the website last minute since billboards are advertised so that the general public can see it. The website link basically provides anyone who sees the billboard a place where they can learn more information about cosplay. Since billboards are much more straight and to the point, I cut the silhouettes of the body sizes down to 3 and only have the slogan on it.

This is my online banner. A banner provides more insight then a billboard, but less information then a poster so I decided to include both the slogan on the bottom and what cosplay is at the top. There is not website link because usually, online banners are clickable which redirects you to the website.

As you can see, all of my designs are relatively similar and almost the same with minor changes. I wanted the designs to be related to each other, as if being advertised by one company or person since other people's designs seemed radically different from each medium. The one thing that helped me connect other people's designs were their logos, but without those, I would not have been able to tell and would probably have viewed them as advertisements for the same issue, but by different people or companies. I also want to note that the website on the billboard is real and is actually about a book that discusses cosplay and how it is an expression for a lot of people.

Week 2 - Response 2 - POL Chapter 7

From what I could gather, Chapter 7 discusses mostly about how modern society has become a consumer culture, a culture in which the economy is focused on the selling of consumer goods and the spending of consumer money. This is due to the influx of transportation and the mass production of products. The emphasis of a consumer culture is to use material goods in order to attain happiness and satisfaction, making it a lifestyle instead of a choice. The most interesting portion of the chapter to me is the mention of the phrase, shopping arcade. It is defined by Sturken and Cartwright to be when shopping was just a mundane task that was transformed to an activity of leisure and entertainment. I wholeheartedly agree with this because of how people do shop in the society we live in today. People go out to shop for new clothes, accessories, playthings and etc, most of which is not a necessity, but a want. The phrase, shopping arcade, was what caught my attention because I myself am an avid gamer who loved going to arcades as a child. When you think about how they used the term loosely, it does fit since playing in an arcade was all about leisure and entertainment.

Week 2 - Response 1 - Campaign Ideas/Inspiration

For the first project in DTC 356, we are to come up with an advertisement campaign of some sort that is transitional from print, to digital and etc. I have two main ideas I'd like to do, but not entirely positive which would be better. My first idea is an awareness about what voice acting actually is. As a working voice actor online, I know the ins and outs and the dos and donts of the craft. I am a big fan of anime, cartoons and video games and as such, have attended several conventions about them. Because of anime and modern video games in particular, voice acting has blown up and suddently, now everyone wants to do it. But what a lot of people don't understand is that voice acting still requires the knowledge and skill of actually acting and knowing how to realistically portray a character. It's a pet peeve of mine when convention goers tell professional voice actors at a panel that they want to be VAs as well, but have done nothing to get there and think it's all about doing so many different voices. But in reality, it's not. My second idea is related to the convention scene. At conventions,the attendees often wear cosplay or what most people like to call during halloween, costume. The passion and love these fans have for characters of anime/videogames and the like have really inspired them to be said character when these conventions go on. There has always been a controversey about cosplay however, and that some outfits can be too revealing or you need to have the right body and face to wear certain clothing. I have a strong opinion about this topic as well and would love to express my concerns through a campaign. Both topics are incredibly dear to me so choosing one is the difficult part.

Week 1 - Response 2 - POL Intro & Chapter 6

The intro of Practices of Looking is, like many other intros to textbooks, a summary about what topics will be covered in each chapter of the book. It will identify key terms and main points to keep in mind while reading each chapter. The intro explains that the textbook will cover different aspects of "visual culture." How they plan on doing so is beyond me as I was mostly confused as to what visual culture since it can be defined as various different things.

Chapter 6 covered criticisms of mass media, which is nothing new as this has been a topic discussed in several classes and textbooks before. I think what really stuck out to me was when the chapter discussed about the worth of the Kennedy assassination video. It was stated that the video was sold for $16 million. It blows my mind that a person would pay that much for a video, but because the footage is a record of the event and not the event itself, there is only one known copy of such a video, thus making it rare. I also found the two very different opinions about mass media was also interesting. That some scholars and critics believe that mass media is contributing to individualization, while others believe that it is contributing closer to the community.

Week 1 - Response 1 - Ego Surf

I'm constantly reminded that without an online identity or presence, it is hard for someone to trust you. Companies hiring want to be able to google a potential employee's name to see what kind of person the potential employee is. Nowadays, people have different kind of social media accounts such as Facebook, Myspace, Google+, Tumblr, Twitter, etc. Some people also have linkedins for networking purposes. When I search my name, I search it 2 different ways. I search up what people know me by, John Go as well as what I'm legally named, John Wesley Go. When I look up John Go, I come up with an Asian actor who primarily works in Asia. I come up with my own Facebook and youtube as well, but there isn't much about me personally. When I search up John Wesley Go, I come up with an Anglican minister and theologian as well as my tumblr page. It's cool to see that other people share my name. As an aspiring voice actor, if ever I become professional, I'm sure I myself will have more presence online.