INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES
.png)
Analytical critiques of media messages can be applied to all aspects of news and popular culture. Every story has an author behind it with an intent for a greater influence with their work. Trends in media define trends in culture and values of society. Whether it is a movie with a cult following, an iconic television show, a viral social media video or a best selling book series, these stories impact how we think, speak, act, dress and perceive the world around us.
​
This sphere of influence has immeasurable and irreversible consequences on culture. In each of my courses, I learned that diverse representation of people and groups is so important. In films, television shows, the music industry and advertisements all races, genders and sexual identities must be portrayed equally and accurately. In my education courses, I learned about the importance of children being able to relate to characters in media. When television shows they watch at home and books they read for class represent the diversity of themselves and their peers, it helps them build confidence and a better understanding of one another.
casdf
One of the biggest takeaways I had from this course was the film industries impact on youth culture. Over the 20th century, the evolution of film and the movie going experience completely changed adolescent life. The idea of "youth" being its own demographic was not a popular concept until the 1950s. Once children became a consumer group all industries began to market toward them, and movies were a huge player in this market.
Kids and teenagers then became the defining group to say what is 'cool' or 'trendy' in popular culture. From Elvis in the 1950s to the Beatles in the 1960s, these themes are even more relevant today. With each new generation of teenagers comes a new cycle of trends, and brands and companies aiming to lure them into their products. There is so much advertising directed toward youth, which makes it so critical that they have the tools of media literacy to determine which messages are ads and why they are being targeted. Especially with native advertising, it can be difficult to determine what is an ad compared to any other video on social media.
​
For my final paper for the course, I explored the boom of youth culture in the 1950s and how it was influenced by the film industry. I specifically looked at James Dean's role in Rebel Without A Cause and how that shaped teenage archetypes. Read it here!
​
​
STORIES F GIRLHOOD THROUGH HISTORY
This course taught me how powerful of a tool music is in media. I have always loved music and the emotion that it provokes but I did not know much about theory, composition or technical use. In class we studied and compared of the forms and styles of music commonly used by the media, including radio, television, and film. We watched introductions to films and analyzed how the first notes, or the tone of the song hook you in and make you want to continue watching and the song transitions through the film serve as the 'sonic glue' holding it all together.
​
The majority of the course was spent analyzing West Side Story frame by frame so study how the score moves the story along, highlights the characters, enhances conflict works in tandem with color and angles to fully capture the high emotions through the film. Each character has their own theme song, color and light that signals their presence.
​
Since undertaking this analysis, I have a much deeper appreciation for music used on screen. When watching films for my own enjoyment I feel like I have a better understanding of why certain songs are used, how they relate to that moment in the film or if they are foreshadowing. I also now take the time to check out the soundtrack of a film after I finish watching.