Author Archives: bgrell

Bog 5: Fair use

Posted on February 12, 2013 | Comments Off on Bog 5: Fair use

@kylemcgee77

In modern media, there is a lot of debate on the subject of what is fair use or copyright infringement. When it comes to the YouTube vide “Star Wars Fan Film – Essence of the Force,” I feel that this media was close to being fair use but in the end was more of a copyright issue. The video’s format is obviously based off of Star Wars themes. From the intro until the end, it is just like a Star Wars film. With proper credit, this would be fine because it is essentially a tribute film, but in the end it was used for promoting a product (Mountain Dew). Videos are not in fair use if “used upon the potential market…”

I feel that the other video, “Star Wars Saga (The Best Trance Remix Montage)” was fair use. Fair use is determined by whether the material has “affect on the value of the copyrighted work” (Copyright). I feel the video is not copyright infringement because the author is using movie clips from Star Wars to make their video more appealing. It sets the mood for the remix. With proper crediting, the use of these images is in fair use. Like the previous video, I feel the clips were used for tribute and admiration. The original copyrighted audio from the movie was replaced with an original soundtrack.

There is definitely a fine line between what is and is not fair use. It is difficult to be original with media because many “new” ideas were influenced by previous work.

#dtcv

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blog 4: News and remediation

Posted on February 5, 2013 | Comments Off on blog 4: News and remediation

@kylemcgee77

While reviewing a newscast from 1990 and then a newscast from 2008, there are definitely some changes I noticed in the way the news is presented. For example, in the 1990 newscast, whenever an anchor would talk about a subject, there wouldn’t be any distractions on the screen. All you see is the anchor talking or a video that relates to the subject. In the 2008 news, the anchor is surrounded by scrolling text, channel logos, and bold headlines.

Also, in the 1990 newscast, there is only one person talking a time on a subject. When they would switch over to someone else talking, it was a cut take. In the 2008 newscast, there could be multiple people on one screen talking to each other live. The news anchors would also have dialogue with one another instead of having separate segments. It makes the 1990 newscast seem a lot more scripted and has less improvisation. Also, while there is a video being shown in the 2008 news, a camera shot of an anchor could be played over the top.

Despite the differences in the ways the news is presented, there are many similarities in the format of both newscasts. This supports Bolter and Grusin’s claim that remediation is “the representation of one medium in another” (Remediation 78). The format of the 2008 newscast has many similarities to the 1990 newscast, but has added improvements that become the “new standard” in news casting. There is a more modern feel, but the news hasn’t changed completely.

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Blog 3: Walter Benjamin

Posted on January 29, 2013 | Comments Off on Blog 3: Walter Benjamin

Kalakaua Ave.

 

@kylemcgee77

While exploring google maps, I decided to show an image on Kukulaua Ave. in Honolulu, Hawaii. I chose this image because I have been to this exact spot and thought it was interesting seeing the street view on a computer. Here in this image, we see what seems to be a typical day in paradise. Although there is a lot of beauty to this image, one cannot fully expirience the “aura” of this place by just viewing an image of it from the internet. The “aura” that is talked about in Walter Benjamin’s article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” (6) is essentially the mood that is created by a piece. In this image, we see a beautiful blue sky, dozens of palm trees, and Waikiki beach. By only viewing the image, one misses out on the real sights, sounds, and smells of beautiful Hawaii. The aura that is created is warm and relaxing. By going to this place, I have experienced the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze from the ocean, the feeling of the sand as you walk on the beach. All of these aspects are truly what affect the overall aura of this place. Benjamin says that the aura of an artistic piece cannot be found in a captured image. The images are what make the viewer feel distant. This is something I agree with. Although the image appears to be beautiful, The feeling of being in that actual place in much different.

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Blog 2: Humans and Computers

Posted on January 22, 2013 | Comments Off on Blog 2: Humans and Computers

@kylemcgee77

The relationship between human beings and computers is something that is not going away any time soon. As the human race continues to evolve, so will our technological strides. This will eventually bring the human race to the point raised by Vannevar Bush that humans will one day be so reliant on technology that we will not be able live without it. We as humans tend to rely on technology to make our lives easier, while technology (computers) relies on us to operate them. Technology will take away the need for hard work and overall comprehension. The Matrix is a film that cleverly demonstrates how human beings and computers rely on each other to function properly.  In the film, humans are used as a source of energy for machines. The machines, in turn, provide a sort of virtual reality for the humans that will blind them from the apocalyptic world. It also provides them with security. The virtual reality created by the machines is represented by a raining green code (as seen in the image from the link). This raining green code is used in the dream sequence (seen in the video) and is used to represent information from the virtual reality such as visuals and audio. The dream scene supports Theodor Nelson’s idea that essentially all obtainable information will become computerized code. Claims from people like Bush and Nelson raise a lot thought and concern for the future. Will the human race truly be so reliant on technology that we will not be able to live without it?

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Kyle McGee

Posted on January 15, 2013 | Comments Off on Kyle McGee

@kylemcgee77

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Hello. My name is Kyle McGee. I am a first year student here at WSUV and I am trying to achieve a Business degree. The Roku Streaming Player (@RokuPlayer) is a new media product that my came across a few years ago. I have enjoyed using it at home for the past couple of years and just had to get my own when I moved to Vancouver. The Roku Streaming Player is a device that allows you to access internet streamed video and audio through your television. It offers hundreds of channels with favorites such as @Netflix, @Amazon Instant Player, @Hulu, and @Pandora. All you need is a television set and an internet connection. The Roku fits into the characteristic “#Numerical Representation” because it allows you to stream in 1080p HD. 1080p refers to resolution which is “the frequency of sampling” (Manovich 28). It also fits into “#modularity” because it allows you to view hundreds of movies and TV shows that make up @Netflix (along with many other entertainment companies). The Roku fits in the “#Automation” category because it allows you to type in, search, and scroll through desired content with the use of a remote control. The Roku has to know what the content you are searching for is. In others words, It “requires a computer to understand, to a certain degree, the meanings embedded in objects being generated.” (Manovich 30). When it comes to “#variability,” the Roku fits in because it comes in different models. The models are based on HD content, what type of HD content is playable, and other added features. Finally, the Roku can tie into the “#transcoding” characteristic because it consists of “the computerization of media.” (Manovich 37). The media that has been computerized (video and audio) is streamed through your TV via internet connection. The Roku Streaming Player is very useful new media product.

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