Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Broadcast in Print, Radio and Television

Technically speaking, broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video signals which transmit programs to an audience. This includes print, radio and television. Centuries ago, it would be impossible to hear sound coming from a box-like gadget or to see things from a square component but now, if you ask me, everything can be known via newspaper, radio or television broadcasts.


Broadcasting is very important in our everyday life. Without broadcasting we wouldn’t be able to know the things happening in our surroundings, there wouldn’t be any entertainment, news and current affairs and we wouldn’t be aware of the concept of high technology. This plays a very important role in giving us information and satisfying our curiosity. Imagine daily life without television, radio or even something to read. It would be difficult to communicate and it would give us a hard time in gathering the information we want.


Print broadcast makes information possible to be hand carried anywhere by means of books, newspapers or magazines. Radio broadcasts enables us to listen to music or live recordings while doing something else. Television broadcasts gives us a clear picture of what is happening in our country by means of the news and it provides the entertainment we need in relaxing. These three forms of broadcasting all contribute in our way of life especially the television. The television broadcast is the greatest factor that affects us. Children tend to listen more to tv programs than to their parents, teenagers imitate the looks of their favorite personalities and others buy different products shown in advertisements.


Truly, broadcasting has both positive and negative effects. As much as possible, we must try not to rely too much on it because it might run our lives without us knowing it. We must have control in the things we do and not depend on the schedule of a program or the happiness that commercial ads depict. Broadcasting was invented to make life easier and more comfortable, not to control or take over it.

Magazine.Magazine.Magazine

Magazines are publications containing a variety of articles, financed by advertising and published on a regular schedule. It gives different kinds of information and typically contains stories, poems and essays. Unlike the newspaper which focuses on current events, magazines specialize on a particular subject such as sports, lifestyle or business.


Honestly, I am not into reading magazines. The only magazine I’ve read is the Questor Magazine which focuses mainly on the different kinds of Japanese animation but sadly, the publication of this magazine has ended. Back then I was so interested in watching Japanese animation maybe that’s why I got hooked up in reading this stuff. It was then that I realized that magazines have to designate a target market. They have focus on a certain topic in order for them to capture the interest of the people who can relate to that topic. An example of this is the Questor magazine which appeals to anime fans and the Entrepreneur which is mainly for business minded people.


My interest in magazines grew because of my unforgettable experience in doing our project. I chose to be part of the editorial board because I wanted to feel what it’s like to have your name printed below an article. I liked the idea that others will see your name upon reading the magazine. A lot of hard work was required in being a member of the editorial board. I and my other classmate were assigned in doing an article about the latest communication gadget and its implication in the society. We had a hard time researching on this topic because the gadgets were often limited to cell phones, laptops and Ipods which we thought was very common. Despite the strict timeline our editor in chief gave us, we still managed to finish the article on time.


Upon seeing the published magazine, fulfillment and excitement was what we felt. It was exciting to see your name written beside the article and it was very fulfilling to know that we were able to actually print and publish our class’s very own magazine. Indeed, this was a one of a kind experience. It made me feel part of the magazine industry even only for a while and it made me realize that all the efforts you gave for this project are worth it in the end.

Friday, August 3, 2007

Mercury Theatre's "The War of the Worlds"

The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells is probably the most well-known and one of the earliest depictions of an alien invasion here on Earth, and it has influenced many others, especially several films and television series based on the story.


Upon hearing the radio broadcast of The Mercury Theater, I was bored at first listening to the introductions and the music shows. I paid more attention to it when I heard the news flash saying that there were sightings of strange explosions in Mars. While listening further, I became more interested in the developing events of the newscast and I started enjoying the broadcast. It was so detailed and the descriptions of the aliens were so precise that I could actually imagine what they looked like. There was also a time when I was left breathless in my seat when the reporter, Carl Philips, said that the Martians incinerated curious onlookers with their “Heat Rays.”


If I was one of the listeners back in 1938, I would have thought that the whole broadcast was true. It was so believable especially when you missed or ignored the opening credits, and not to mention the growing tension leading to World War II during that time. The actors were really good and they delivered their lines dramatically especially the part where military forces begin to attack the Martians but are unable to fight them off. There were also sounds heard that was said to be coming from the Martian tripods and the coughing sound of a news reporter that collapses because of the “poison gas.” You also wouldn’t really notice that it was just a show because the statements concerning the fictional nature of the program were broadcasted between long intervals of time and it was always presented as a news flash which was very acceptable even today.


The broadcast ended with the speaker telling the listeners that it was only a Halloween concoction and that it is also the same as dressing up in a sheet and saying “Boo.” This kind of ending made me a little pissed off considering the adrenaline and the suspense that they caused. It was like they were making a fool out of you after making you believe that the world is under attack by aliens.


However, I found it very brilliant and the director really did a great job because even though I know that it wasn’t true the program still got me listening until the end. Truly, The War of the Worlds radio broadcast is one of the most dramatic radio productions in history.






"2X2L calling CQ ... Isn't there anyone on the air? Isn't there anyone on the air? Isn't there ... anyone?"

- The War of the Worlds

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Fourth Information Revolution

One of my childhood dreams is to become a movie director. Every time I watch a film, I usually become fascinated on how they come up with such good movies and special effects. When I was a kid, I often wonder on how the actors fit inside the television set or how the characters possess special powers. Back then I am easily satisfied with the movies that I watch but as I grow up I encountered difficulties in choosing movies that would fit my taste.


Nowadays, Filipinos often prefer watching Hollywood films than Filipino movies mainly because of Hollywood’s excellent special effects and I think that it’s also difficult to find a local film to watch that is worth paying for in a cinema. Honestly, I don’t usually watch local movies because I think it’s just a waste of time watching and listening to a boring script resulting from lack of research and limited budget.


My opinion on local films changed when I knew about the history of motion picture from George Melies’ “A Trip to the Moon” to Victor Fleming’s “Gone with the Wind.” At present, Filipino movies are very much improved as compared to movies of the past when it comes to special effects, film editing and musical score.


Our lesson about the fourth information revolution made me realize that motion picture is one of the most popular forms of art and entertainment throughout the world and it is also a major source of information.


For me, movies are much more than just entertainment. If artists express themselves by using paint and dramatists by using words, filmmakers express their ideas through a motion-picture camera. The filmmaker can express different points of view by using the camera in different ways like filming scenes from different angles. Indeed, motion picture is our means of escaping from reality, dramatizing of factual events and expressing feelings towards any subject matter.

Friday, June 29, 2007

Mass Media is any form and way of communication addressed to a large number of people.
It could be the internet, books, newspapers, magazines or any communicable technology used to connect and interconnect people.

For me, television is the most effective form of mass media but it usually showcases some programs that are, one way or another, inappropriate, indecent or offensive. Let's take for example the "white castle" commercial that features a woman riding a white horse. What's the connection between a girl riding the horse and a liquor ad? I mean, this is one way of harming the self image of young girls.

Another one is that television advertisers often equate happiness with the purchasing of products, despite studies which show that happiness for most people comes from non-material realms, such as warm friendships and accpetance to the community.

And of course, let's not forget the very controversial Pinoy big Brother.
When I ask people what they don't like about the show they often tell me "kasi andun si Wendy." And when I ask them why they still watch it they say "kasi maganda yung show."

Pinoy Big Brother, for me, is a manifestation of a poor Filipino trait that should be discouraged. That trait would be "pagiging chismoso" or gossiping. This trait is preposterous, boisterous in any angle there is. The show invades the privacy of an individual and ignores Filipino values and virtues that should be protected by the media for the betterment of the society.

I am not saying that shows with the same theme as PBB should be banned or stopped or anything of that manner. In fact, with a few modifications, PBB can actually be a productive show. Pinoy Dream Academy is of the same theme yet it shows camaraderie, goal-orientation and determination. These types of shows should be given more emphasis on prime time. It unconsciously molds the Filipino viewers to never stop believing, giving much press on the value of hope and optimism.

Mass Media is a very influential factor in anyone’s life, whatever the character it may appear to be. So, those agents of Mass media should be vigilant; they should know better than to think of money-earning tactics. After all, they are considered idols and models of their viewers, readers, etc. Media influence is boundless and it gives them power. And this makes it important to be careful. Remember, “with great power comes great responsibility.”