The other day I was thinking that if the U.S. implemented a public health care system, more people could start their own businesses and work independently without worrying about health insurance. Then John Green posted a video today where he talks about how public insurance can help economic growth.
Go watch.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
A Disney Childhood
Disney bought Marvel last week. Several sites reported the news, including io9. My thoughts went to the horrible possibility that the Jonas Brothers could guest star in the next Iron Man film. Could Disney de-claw Wolverine? Commenters across the internet had similar thoughts about how Disney might influence the portrayals of Marvel characters. The current movie deals concerning Marvel characters are staying intact, though, so Disney can't touch current projects. Even so, I doubt Disney would interfere with Marvel too much. Marvel is plenty successful on its own.
My concern is not about Marvel/Disney mash-ups. It's about control over children's media.
Disney already has a firm grip on the girls' demographic, ages 5-13 or so. The princesses are still popular and Disney's influence sky-rocketed with the additions of High School Musical, Hanna Montana, and the Jonas Brothers.
Disney lacks the same kind of access to the same demographic for boys, and that's why it bought Marvel. In ten years, the current contracts and holds on Marvel characters will expire and then Disney will have full access to children's media for girls and for boys. Disney will be a huge creator and distributor of comics, cartoons, live action shows, movies, action figures, toys, video games, and clothing for children and young teens. Bigger than it is now. All under one empire.
I don't want Disney to have a monopoly on childhood. I don't think anyone should. Children should have access to media from various creators and the freedom to choose what they want to watch or buy, but media mergers condense that access. Even ten years ago, I had a dozen TV shows to choose from on Saturday mornings. The media doesn't offer that many options anymore.
Growing media empires mean less ideas and less diverse content. Less creativity to stir children's imagination. More of the same re-hashed characters and plots that are perfect to watch in a daze, zombie-like.
I don't want the primary option for kids in the future to be Disney. I want to see kids get excited about the next Pixar film.
Oh, wait.
My concern is not about Marvel/Disney mash-ups. It's about control over children's media.
Disney already has a firm grip on the girls' demographic, ages 5-13 or so. The princesses are still popular and Disney's influence sky-rocketed with the additions of High School Musical, Hanna Montana, and the Jonas Brothers.
Disney lacks the same kind of access to the same demographic for boys, and that's why it bought Marvel. In ten years, the current contracts and holds on Marvel characters will expire and then Disney will have full access to children's media for girls and for boys. Disney will be a huge creator and distributor of comics, cartoons, live action shows, movies, action figures, toys, video games, and clothing for children and young teens. Bigger than it is now. All under one empire.
I don't want Disney to have a monopoly on childhood. I don't think anyone should. Children should have access to media from various creators and the freedom to choose what they want to watch or buy, but media mergers condense that access. Even ten years ago, I had a dozen TV shows to choose from on Saturday mornings. The media doesn't offer that many options anymore.
Growing media empires mean less ideas and less diverse content. Less creativity to stir children's imagination. More of the same re-hashed characters and plots that are perfect to watch in a daze, zombie-like.
I don't want the primary option for kids in the future to be Disney. I want to see kids get excited about the next Pixar film.
Oh, wait.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The mark of an excellent film
I have a confession to make. I have never seen Fight Club in its entirety. I know "The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club" but I had never seen any of the film until tonight.
I flipped through channels and stopped when I saw Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in an airplane scene. I had to stop and see what it was. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton were in the same frame--it had to be good.
I started watching at the airport scene and somewhere between there and when Pitt dictates the rules, I knew I was watching Fight Club. Norton's narration wasn't about fighting yet. Nothing on screen referenced any of my sparse knowledge about the movie, but I knew without a doubt what I was watching.
That's the mark of an excellent film--when you know nearly nothing about the movie, miss the beginning, and still know what you're watching before the plot gets going (without looking it up on IMDB or waiting for the name to pop up in the corner of the screen). This works mostly with older films. They leave a strong enough impression that you recognize them before seeing them. I watched the first bar scene and thought, "This must be Fight Club." Just like that.
I promise I will watch Fight Club start to finish at some point. I need to watch more Edward Norton films in general.
An observation: I knew the twist in the movie before it was revealed. (I won't spoil it in case there's anyone else in the world besides me who hasn't seen Fight Club.) The same thing happened when I watched A Beautiful Mind for the first time and somehow I don't think knowing the twist before it comes into play diminishes either film.
One really great thing about TV is that you can accidentally watch movies. I don't know how many times I flipped channels and came across something that looked interesting and ended up enjoying a movie I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. It's the only way we have to catch a film by chance.
I flipped through channels and stopped when I saw Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in an airplane scene. I had to stop and see what it was. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton were in the same frame--it had to be good.
I started watching at the airport scene and somewhere between there and when Pitt dictates the rules, I knew I was watching Fight Club. Norton's narration wasn't about fighting yet. Nothing on screen referenced any of my sparse knowledge about the movie, but I knew without a doubt what I was watching.
That's the mark of an excellent film--when you know nearly nothing about the movie, miss the beginning, and still know what you're watching before the plot gets going (without looking it up on IMDB or waiting for the name to pop up in the corner of the screen). This works mostly with older films. They leave a strong enough impression that you recognize them before seeing them. I watched the first bar scene and thought, "This must be Fight Club." Just like that.
I promise I will watch Fight Club start to finish at some point. I need to watch more Edward Norton films in general.
An observation: I knew the twist in the movie before it was revealed. (I won't spoil it in case there's anyone else in the world besides me who hasn't seen Fight Club.) The same thing happened when I watched A Beautiful Mind for the first time and somehow I don't think knowing the twist before it comes into play diminishes either film.
One really great thing about TV is that you can accidentally watch movies. I don't know how many times I flipped channels and came across something that looked interesting and ended up enjoying a movie I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. It's the only way we have to catch a film by chance.
The hiatus didn't stick
My original reason for putting this blog on hiatus until December was that I needed to focus on other things over the next few months. I'm spending a semester abroad so updating sites really shouldn't be high on my list of priorities. I thought it best to put Digital Fare on hold for a little while.
That would have worked. I've gone long stretches of time without blogging. The problem is, I still come across things I want to blog about and a voluntary hiatus shouldn't stop me from writing them here.
So I'll blog when I blog. Please don't expect regular updates.
That would have worked. I've gone long stretches of time without blogging. The problem is, I still come across things I want to blog about and a voluntary hiatus shouldn't stop me from writing them here.
So I'll blog when I blog. Please don't expect regular updates.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Best of Half-Blood Prince
Minor spoilers for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (the film).
The Harry Potter books are way too long and detailed to be adapted adequately to film. Even Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with a running time of 2 hours and 33 minutes can't cram in all the important parts of the book. That's understandable. Stories based on books must be told differently on screen. Even though Half-Blood Prince has gaps that can be explained only by knowing the book, it shows one thing very, very well: Harry and Hermione's relationship.
Throughout the series, Harry and Hermione are best friends and always supportive of each other. Where Ron sometimes gets lost in himself or in the events around him, Harry always keeps an eye out for Hermione. In Half-Blood Prince, Harry likes Ginny but can't be with her for fear of Ron's reaction. Hermione likes Ron but he runs around with Lavender and pays little attention to Hermione for most of the film. Harry is the only one who is aware of Hermione's trouble, as Hermione is the only one aware of Harry's.
We see Hermione's disgust with Lavender every time she leaves a room abruptly or snaps at Ron for being so oblivious. Hermione gets upset, storms off, or cries. When Harry sees Dean Thomas with Ginny, he doesn't show an outward reaction. Maybe his facial expression changes or maybe he turns away, but that's it.
Until the scene where Hermione sits on the hallway stairs and cries.
Harry comes to comfort her and Hermione asks him what it feels like when he sees Ginny with Dean. Harry doesn't answer right away, but a moment later when Hermione cries into his shoulder, he says, "It feels like this."
Harry and Hermione's friendship is of the purest form, totally platonic. The books depict the same relationship, but it comes across stronger on screen. We can read that Harry and Hermione support each other, but the film does a better job of showing their compassion and sympathy.
Makes me wonder why some fangirls wanted Harry and Hermione to date and miss out on this perfect friendship.
The Harry Potter books are way too long and detailed to be adapted adequately to film. Even Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with a running time of 2 hours and 33 minutes can't cram in all the important parts of the book. That's understandable. Stories based on books must be told differently on screen. Even though Half-Blood Prince has gaps that can be explained only by knowing the book, it shows one thing very, very well: Harry and Hermione's relationship.
Throughout the series, Harry and Hermione are best friends and always supportive of each other. Where Ron sometimes gets lost in himself or in the events around him, Harry always keeps an eye out for Hermione. In Half-Blood Prince, Harry likes Ginny but can't be with her for fear of Ron's reaction. Hermione likes Ron but he runs around with Lavender and pays little attention to Hermione for most of the film. Harry is the only one who is aware of Hermione's trouble, as Hermione is the only one aware of Harry's.
We see Hermione's disgust with Lavender every time she leaves a room abruptly or snaps at Ron for being so oblivious. Hermione gets upset, storms off, or cries. When Harry sees Dean Thomas with Ginny, he doesn't show an outward reaction. Maybe his facial expression changes or maybe he turns away, but that's it.
Until the scene where Hermione sits on the hallway stairs and cries.
Harry comes to comfort her and Hermione asks him what it feels like when he sees Ginny with Dean. Harry doesn't answer right away, but a moment later when Hermione cries into his shoulder, he says, "It feels like this."
Harry and Hermione's friendship is of the purest form, totally platonic. The books depict the same relationship, but it comes across stronger on screen. We can read that Harry and Hermione support each other, but the film does a better job of showing their compassion and sympathy.
Makes me wonder why some fangirls wanted Harry and Hermione to date and miss out on this perfect friendship.
Friday, July 10, 2009
DFTBA Records knows how to use the internet
DFTBA Records is an independent music label created by Alan Lastufka and Hank Green to promote and sell music by YouTubers. All of the artists on the label have strong followings on YouTube and are talented musicians who need a way to distribute their work.
Promotions, sales, song previews, and news updates are all online for DFTBA Records. They have no need for TV spots or other traditional advertisements, and the incredible thing is that they've been really successful so far. So Jokes hit #22 on the Billboard "Hits of the Web" chart in May 2009. Chameleon Circuit sold 1,000 copies in one week. Two hundred DFTBA t-shirts sold out in less than a day.
The key to their success is how they use the internet to promote their work. The artists make YouTube videos to talk about and share their music. DFTBA Radio Hour offers commentary and plays DFTBA Records music in podcast form every Wednesday night. Alan utilizes Twitter to give updates on albums and projects. There's a wiki. There's a street team. There are competitions. There's a blog. DFTBA Records is all over the web in text, video, and audio formats to reach and interact with its audience.
I don't watch much TV anymore, I don't read magazines often, and I rarely listen to the radio. The best way to get my attention is on the internet, and I bet that's the same for a lot of teens and young adults out there. DFTBA Records has a solid grip on how to stay in touch with fans and sell music online. That's more than can be said of music labels that depend solely on a company site and iTunes for an internet presence.
Promotions, sales, song previews, and news updates are all online for DFTBA Records. They have no need for TV spots or other traditional advertisements, and the incredible thing is that they've been really successful so far. So Jokes hit #22 on the Billboard "Hits of the Web" chart in May 2009. Chameleon Circuit sold 1,000 copies in one week. Two hundred DFTBA t-shirts sold out in less than a day.
The key to their success is how they use the internet to promote their work. The artists make YouTube videos to talk about and share their music. DFTBA Radio Hour offers commentary and plays DFTBA Records music in podcast form every Wednesday night. Alan utilizes Twitter to give updates on albums and projects. There's a wiki. There's a street team. There are competitions. There's a blog. DFTBA Records is all over the web in text, video, and audio formats to reach and interact with its audience.
I don't watch much TV anymore, I don't read magazines often, and I rarely listen to the radio. The best way to get my attention is on the internet, and I bet that's the same for a lot of teens and young adults out there. DFTBA Records has a solid grip on how to stay in touch with fans and sell music online. That's more than can be said of music labels that depend solely on a company site and iTunes for an internet presence.
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