Video+Production


 * Media Literacy**

//You are so convinced that you only believe what you believe that you believe, that you remain utterly blind to what you// //__really__// //believe without believing you believe it.// (Sister Carlotta to Bean, __Shadow of the Hegemon__)

**Media** informs, educates, influences, persuades, motivates, manipulates, propagandizes, proselytizes, controls.

It accomplishes this primarily through storytelling Who tells the story (gatekeeper) Who they tell it to (audience) What they tell and don’t tell and in what manner they tell it (content) When and Where they tell it (context) How they tell it, what means (media) do they use and what style (genre) Why they tell it, what outcome is intended (implicit/explicit values)

Skepticism is the safest lens to use to evaluate and interpret media messages. Check the “facts” and their sources. Hear the other side. (Proverbs 18:17) Are there logical fallacies: Appeal to authority Appeal to emotion Guilt or proof by association Cause or correlation Are questions answered or just there to place doubt or confusion?

We will examine a number of media messages that deal with: \ Entertainment (These you will do on your own -- cartoons, comedy, radio, non documentary films and TV, fiction, music) Commercial/Fashion Economics/markets/advertising Social Issues and social engineering Science and health One other area (Mystery gatekeeper to be revealed at the end of the semester)

You will be uncomfortable at times. (I apologize ahead of time for any inappropriate language, sexual material, violence, etc. I hope to keep that to a minimum.) What you see in class is not an endorsement of any particular point of view and by the nature of the class will often be controversial or confrontational.

**Your Responsibilities** Next week you will decide how you want to break the class up into teams for projects, as well as if they will remain the same or change with each project. If the group cannot decide by at least a 68% consensus (7 out of 9), then I will decide. We are shooting for 100%.

**General Discussion and Assignments** A place where I will pose questions (your response required) and post assignments and where you may pose questions (responses optional), make comments, supply links to examples of media relevant to our class, etc.

**Journal** Due M/W/F each week except for spring break, golf tournament, project weeks, and the first week of each quarter. Entries can be what you have learned, what you have noticed in media you watch/read/listen to, questions you have, problems you have with people on your team. Journal entries will be kept confidential.

**Projects** You will decide whether you do 3 or 4 projects from the following:

Devil’s Advocate Propaganda – Take a side of some cause or argument opposite of yours. Use the most effective and persuasive techniques you see them using to persuade others to their side. This will stay in house (in classroom) unlike the next three.

Dirty Tricks (or not) Political campaign – Pick anyone you want to run for President of the United States. Persude the student body to vote for your candidate.

Wall Street Whiz Advertising campaign – Pick a product or service, choose a brand name, and create an advertising campaign for students at Chinquapin. Proceeds, if the product or service is real, can go to the senior gift or whatever you choose.

Angel’s Advocate Persuasive – Pick an unpopular or little known cause you believe in and legitimately persuade the student body to your POV or at least move them to consider the cause. Will need a pre and post survey to ascertain effectiveness.

You may use any media or mix of media to reach the student body. Videos should be ten minutes or less. Boring is usually the death knell to your attempt to persuade.

NO INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE, LYRICS, SEX, OR VIOLENCE. If you have a question about your idea, it is probably over the line, but you can always ask, and creative bleeps or manufactured “language” can be used in a limited way with prior permission. Think PG.

Media analyzed:

[|YouTube - Children see. Children Do.]

[|YouTube - Embrace Life - always wear your seat belt]

[|frontline: the persuaders: watch online | PBS]

[|Ron Paul and Internet Politics | Watch Free Documentary Online]

[|Impact Politics]

[|Lyndon Johnson Flower Girl Ad | SPIKE]

[|YouTube - PRE-SCHOOL POLITICAL AD]

[|YouTube - Mike Huckabee Ad: "Chuck Norris Approved"]

[|YouTube - McCain Ad Mocks Obama's Fame]

[|The :30 Second Candidate]

[|How To Make a Political Attack Ad Guide | Political Tasks Guides | Howcast.com]

[|Top 60 Memorable Campaign Ads Of 2008]

[|YouTube - Media Persuasion Techniques in Presidential Ads]

[|Gerson Therapy - Tape 1]

[|The Story of Stuff]

[|Advent Conspiracy]

Fahrenheit 9/11

Fahrenhype 9/11

An Inconvenient Truth

The Great Global Warming Swindle

2002 Clios

Food, Inc.

Food Matters

Voices of Iraq

I Do Exist

Judgment Day

Expelled

Drug Wars

The Listening Project