Monday, 12 December 2011

"The enormous controversy surrounding violent video games has been fuelled by conflicting claims about the nature of their content and the relationship between game use and hostility."
Violent virtual video games and hostile thoughts. (2004, September 1). Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 1, 1.

“violence has been a subject in literature and the arts since the beginning of human civilization.”
Marketing Violent Entertainment to Children: A Review of Self-Regulation and Industry Practices in the Motion Picture, Music Recording & Electronic Game Industries, Appendix A - "A Review of Research on the Impact of Violence in Entertainment Media" (Sept. 2000);

“satisfies some basic human needs. The adrenalin rush, the satisfactions of imagination, fantasy, and vicarious adventure, probably explain why millions of nonviolent people enjoy violent entertainment.”
Ibid

“because the mass media presents violence in so many different ways (news, sports, action movies, cartoons, horror movies, documentaries, war stories with pacifist themes), it is particularly difficult to generalize about its impact. Even social scientists who believe that violent entertainment has adverse effects don't agree on what kinds of violent images or ideas are harmful.”
Jonathan Freedman, Media Violence and Its Effect on Aggression: Assessing the Scientific Evidence (2002).

“violent video games might actually serve as a substitute for violent crime — that is, people who are likely to commit violent crimes might be able to get their violence "fix" by playing video games instead of committing crimes.”
Video Games and Violence - Art Carden - Mises Daily. (n.d.). Ludwig von Mises Institute - Homepage. Retrieved January 31, 2011, from http://mises.org/daily/3528




“There is a mechanism, usually called ‘identification’, which makes viewers of ‘violence’ vulnerable to it – such that it thereby becomes a ‘message’ by which they are invaded and persuaded.”
http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/_mmagpast/Cat%20of%20violence.html Categories of violence

"Tell me what you eat and I shall tell you what you are"
http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=759 Our Appetite for Aggression

“many narratives have depended on violence and it is clear that violence in fictions gives pleasure to the audience”
Clark, V. (2007).

“shape young people’s attitudes and actions than do parents or teachers, thus replacing them as educators, role model and the primary sources of information about the world and how to behave in it.”
http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=457 Our Appetite for Aggression

“violent entertainment may offer viewers – especially young males – a way to explore their violent tendencies without hurting anyone.”
http://www.enotes.com/media-violence-problem-article Is Media Violence a Problem?

“media violence is a catharsis which may actually help reduce aggression”
Ibid

“reveal an extensive presence of violence in modern media”
http://psi.sagepub.com/content/4/3/81.short?rss=1&ssource=mfc The Influence of Media Violence on Youth

“children and youth spend an inordinate amount of time consuming violent media”
http://digiplay.info/node/2778 The influence of media violence on youth

“it’s not about censorship but it’s about protecting our children”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/nov/09/labour-mps-call-of-duty-modern-warfare Labour MPs clash over Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game

“males are more attracted to violent imagery than females are”
http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=457 Our Appetite for Aggression

children’s exposure to violence in the mass media, particularly at young ages, can have harmful lifelong consequences”
http://www.enotes.com/media-violence-problem-article Is Media Violence a Problem?

“media violence may not make children violent, but it may teach them that violence is a normal way of solving problems
http://www.enotes.com/media-violence-problem-article Is Media Violence a Problem?

if something is repeated often enough it will tend to be believed and remembered
Burton, G. (1990).

“children replicate the behaviour they view”
http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/_mmagpast/St_Vdogms.html Studying videogames

“if they want to steal a car, they steal a car in the game instead of in the real world”
http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/_mmagpast/mm28_diploma_censor.html Diploma – the c-word: censoring the media?

“don’t know what we’re feeding our kids’ minds.”
http://www.vision.org/visionmedia/article.aspx?id=457 Our Appetite for Aggression

Wiki

“Violent media increase aggression by teaching observers how to aggress, by priming aggressive cognitions”
Anderson, C.A., & Bushman, B.J. (2001). Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect,
“Violent video games are like peanut butter,” said Ferguson. “They are harmless for the vast majority of kids but are harmful to a small minority with pre-existing personality or mental health problems.
^ "Violent Video Games May Increase Aggression in Some But Not Others, Says New Research". apa.org. American Psychological Association. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
“Violent video games may have even stronger effects on children's aggression because (1) the games are highly engaging and interactive, (2) the games reward violent behavior, and because (3) children repeat these behaviors over and over as they play (Gentile & Anderson, 2003)”
^ American Psychological Association. "Violent Video Games — Psychologists Help Protect Children from Harmful Effects".
“Psychologists have found that when parents limit the amount of time as well as the types of games their children play, children are less likely to show aggressive behaviors”
ibid
"He wanted to find out if it was as easy in real life to rob a taxi as it was in the game.
Reed, Jim (August 4, 2008). "Thailand bans Grand Theft Auto IV". Newsbeat (BBC). Retrieved February 25, 2010.
“In the past 30 years, video games have had a major impact on how people spend their leisure time”
Thomas A. Kooijmans. Effects of Video Games on Aggressive Thoughts and Behaviors During Development Rochester Institute of Technology. December 2004
“The majority of research thus far has been on the negative effects of video games, mostly due to the violence contained within”
Ibid
“Koojimans determined that the Pac Man and Super Mario Brothers video games were violent…because they involved the obvious destruction of objects through physical means of smashing, punching, eating, and so on.”

Are We Talking About the Same Violence?
Ibid
exposure to violent media reinforces and increases aggressive tendencies that already exist in an adolescent

Are We Talking About the Same Violence?
Ibid

“The general aggression model claims that violent video games desensitize people to aggression”
Video Game Violence and the Emerging Psychopath
ibid

Thursday, 8 December 2011

Critical investigation question

How and why are violent videos game such as grand theft auto so popular amongst younger audience and should we be concerned?

Book Refrences

“Violent video games are popular with male and female children, adolescents, and adults. They have been successfully marketed to youth and are easily obtained regardless of their age.”

“Even the US government has created and distributes violent video games to youth, and does so without checking the ages of those to whom it distributes the game”

http://www.amazon.com/Violent-Video-Effects-Children-Adolescents/dp/0195309839/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323171332&sr=8-1

“We assumed that girls were much less likely to play violent games than boy. Yet our surveys of more than 1,200 middle school students found that the m rated grand theft auto series was extremely popular to girls”

“Loaded grand theft auto 3, blew up a few cars and shot a half-dozen people, including a young blonde woman. When asked, Darren admits that the woman he killed in the game looked a lot like his teacher.

http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Theft-Childhood-Surprising-Violent/dp/B002WTCB90/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323171567&sr=1-2#_

“Kids become attracted to it and more numb to its consequence”

“What the studies say, quite simple, is that the boundary between fantasy and reality violence, which is a clear line for most adults, can become very blurred for vulnerable children. Kids steeped in the culture of violence do become desensitized to it and more capable of committing it themselves.”

http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Teaching-Our-Kids-Kill/dp/0609606131/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323171609&sr=1-7#_

“The columbine shootings were perhaps the event that first bought the possible side effects of violent video games into public attention,”
“Hilary Clinton recently introduced a bill in the senate aimed at restricting the availability of violent/content sensitive video games to children and teenagers.”

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gDQDPYjeLOMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=violent+video+games&hl=en&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=violent%20video%20games&f=false

“unfortunately, as children grow, they spend more time playing entertaining games and less time playing educational games... in addition to children spending more time with entertaining games, these games have become increasingly popular,”

“just as educational video games can be used to teach school children, employees and physicians, violent video games can teach aggression.”

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=EgOurkPjH2gC&pg=PA430&dq=violent+video+games&hl=en&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=violent%20video%20games&f=false

http://www.amazon.com/Violent-explicit-video-games-Subcommittee/dp/1234641763/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323171677&sr=1-14

http://www.amazon.com/effect-violence-physiological-desensitization-real-life/dp/B000PKI3UY/ref=sr_1_37?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323171928&sr=1-37

Tuesday, 6 December 2011

Critical investigation 10 possible links

Looks at how video game industry have become pressured with such violent video games.

http://www.gamecensorship.com/

Talks about the increased problems in regards to video games, furthermore it looks at the regulations, also argues how games are positive

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_controversy

Takes a different approach of looking at censorship and how it affects the economy

Censorship- violent video games Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Video-Game-Censorship-Including-Counter-Strike/dp/1242983147/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323167097&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stop-Teaching-Our-Kids-Kill/dp/0609606131/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323167247&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Video-game-controversy-First-person-Psychological/dp/6130313888/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323167265&sr=1-3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Violence-Video-Games-Including-Tactical/dp/1243012773/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323167277&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Video-Game-Addiction-First-person-Psychological/dp/613031390X/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323167296&sr=1-7


http://www.economist.com/node/18561127

call of duty is one of the best selling shooter games

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/gameon/view/220545/The-top-gun-Call-Of-Duty-still-winning-the-war-of-the-shooters/The-top-gun-Call-Of-Duty-still-winning-the-war-of-the-shootersThe-top-gun-Call-Of-Duty-still-winning-the-war-of-the-shootersThe-top-gun-Call-Of-Duty-still-winning-the-war-of-the-shooters

The impact of violent video games on people and their behaviour

http://gmedia.glos.ac.uk/docs/articles/Gentile_Lynch_Linder_Walsh_20041.pdf

First game t0 be banned in almost a decade

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/6767623.stm

Politicians argue over call of duty censorship

http://www.gamebandits.com/news/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-british-politicians-squabble-over-censorship-23588/

Government becoming involved in watching out for children

http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=11521

Mother wants to know if she should buy her child call of duty

http://cmch.typepad.com/mediatrician/2009/12/call-of-duty-teen-boys.html

Influence of media violence on youth

http://cmch.typepad.com/mediatrician/2009/12/call-of-duty-teen-boys.html

Video games censorship (The Guardian)

Children’s computer games to be censored

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2002/dec/29/newmedia.games?INTCMP=SRCH

Control violent video games

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2006/mar/01/games.politics?INTCMP=SRCH

Call of duty is to violent and the film classification should take action

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/nov/23/modern-warfare-3-tom-watson-keith-vaz

Government must not censor Internet

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/nov/01/governments-must-not-censor-internet

How BBC get around censorship

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/pda/2011/mar/13/sxsw-bbc-iran-china

Media investigation

The Guardian

Facebook has too much free speech and needs censoring

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/apr/20/facebook-considers-censorship-claim-china

Apple bans game app

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/appsblog/2011/sep/14/apple-phone-story-rejection

Intensify control of social media

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/26/china-social-media-censorship

Censorship for films, video games and records

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2000/may/03/news.hillaryclinton?INTCMP=SRCH

Violent video games

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2011/jun/28/california-violent-game-law?INTCMP=SRCH



Broadsheets

Censors approve

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/censors-approve-terror-on-tube-game-6258217.html

Swift's flirtatious game of self-censorship
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/swifts-flirtatious-game-of-selfcensorship-2196692.html
Viral rape video game sparks censorship debate
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/viral-rape-video-game-sparks-censorship-debate/story-e6freuyi-1225848676536
IGEA welcomes release of new video game classification guidelines
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/technology/the-interactive-games-and-entertainment-association-says-it-welcomes-new-classification-guidelines/story-fn7bsi21-1226185860380
Violent video games may actually reduce crime
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8798927/Violent-video-games-reduce-crime.html

Monday, 19 September 2011

Powerpoint

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B--DKUeXiqFfNTk4NjlkZWEtM2U3ZC00ODRkLTk0NDAtNTFkMDhhMzk3Zjlj&hl=en_GB

Saturday, 10 September 2011

Impact of social media on uk riots

http://www.socialbusinessone.com/blog/social_media_s_effect_on_the_uk_riots_should_surprise_no_one
this link shows how the blackberry contributed to the London riots as people used it to mobilise in London and there was debate whether the bbm service would have been closed or not. This conveys social media having an impact on the riots.

http://blog.optimum7.com/safon/social-media/social-media-effects-riots-in-uk.html
UK residents began utilizing such services as instant messengers, Twitter, and Facebook to spread information about the current state of affairs. Blackberry Messages (BBM). Huge amounts of information both true and false, was sent out to millions of residents with an estimated 37% of British youth owning a Blackberry, this became one of the most adaptive and responsive riots to have ever taken place. This is also shows the impact coming from the social media. And how it allowed communication to take place and that no one could find out what people were saying due to the security of the service provided by blackberry.

http://www.browsermedia.co.uk/2011/08/10/social-media-plays-huge-role-amidst-madness-of-uk-riots/
Social networking has been a huge part of this week’s events, for both right and wrong reasons, with some even suggesting technology is to blame. This shows peoples concern over using social media and what a huge impact it can make.

Tuesday, 6 September 2011

Harry Potter and the deathly hallows part 2

Harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2
Media representation
In the film Harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2 there are considered to be four main characters consisting of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Voldemort.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is the protagonist in the film and is being represented as a hero. The way harry is portrayed represents some of the characteristics which is associated with a hero. Therefore the conventions of a hero which also apply to harry potter is he is brave therefore he is already a hero as he is willing. Furthermore he shows determination which also contributes to a heroic person therefore he continues to fight and do not quit therefore suggesting heroic qualities these qualities stereotype what people believe a hero should be like. In some scenes harry potter is in a low angle shot in contrast to class mates who are in high angle shots therefore suggesting the power and dominance of harry potter and this also suggests importance and that every student inspires to become Harry Potter.
Harry Potter also displays a sense of romance as he is an heroic character who has to fight evil there is a chance he could be harmed therefore before leaving to face his fete he has a far from romantic kiss with Ginny Weasley in the thick of things this scene follows the conventions of a typical hero fighting and the girl kisses the hero.
Ron Weasley
Ron Weasley is conveyed to be the helper. He is a loyal and trustworthy friend willing enough to anything in order to help one of his best friends Harry Potter. Ron has become his own individual during this film as Ron was more of a shy person, weak and was overshadowed by the existence of Harry Potter, although Ron would be instrumental in killing voldemort he will be dwarfed by Potter's accomplishments his would never receive the same recognition. However in this film Ron is proving himself a worthy wizard by conveying his courage and fearlessness. Ron is always ready to defend the honour of those he cares about. Whether they are accused of anything he is quick to jump to their aid.
Hermione Granger
Hermione is also a helper and is also portrayed to be a bright girl. This is represented through her vast knowledge and ideas. She’s seizes the opportunity to use her skills in order to help.
Hermione has a relationship with Ron who she kissed within the film and this kiss took place after destroying a piece of Voldemorts soul where the two characters could have been brought to their death. Hermione has the characteristics of a hero but is a female and she conveys her hard work and determination, she is courageous.
Voldemort
Voldemort is the role of the villain and the film is based on the Harry and Voldemort trying to kill each other. The character is stereotypically a killer as he made to be scary and kills others with no remorse. For example he kills professor Snape who helps the dark lord and is loyal to him. However because voldemort feels he is the master of the elder wand he kills him as this is the wand he requires in order to kill Harry Potter.

Media languages and forms
As this film is the last of the sequences people are able to relate to the film straight away if they have watched the previous films therefore this film franchise all continues on and allows the film to followed and easily understood. The situations in the film are easy to see furthermore this allows you to predict the forthcoming events which may occur later in the film. This is conveyed through mise en scene which consists of different aspects such as the lighting, setting, and costume. Voldemort who is the evil villain is conveyed in a low key lighting which presents darkness conveying his evilness furthermore the setting always seems to be a dark and scary atmosphere. In a scene when voldemort comes to attack the castle he is the leader of a massive group of people and as he walks to Hogwarts we see him in a low angle shot suggesting his dominance and power furthermore his influence over others therefore people follow him voldemort facial expressions convince the audience he is a bad character through his smile which suggests his evilness and sarcasm. In contrast Harry, Ron and Hermione aren’t always seen In dark atmosphere but are shown in normal circumstances however they possess the power of spirit for example the first time they return to Hogwarts they have to sneak past the guards and when their friends see them they all happy and overwhelmed. Again in this scene they are shown in a low angle shot to suggest he is a strong, brave wizard and that he is the most important and he has to be the one to kill voldemort. Harry wants to bring peace and is determined in order to get it. Ron and Hermione are characters which reassure Harry and are his closet friends and family. This is conveyed through their caring gestures and their worried facial expression which shows their concern for Harry. The characters are not glamourized in any way to make them appear better through clothing or props they are similar to other students furthermore they are modest characters. As they do not think they are superior to anyone, they listen to other people’s opinions making them likeable characters.

Narrative
The Harry Potter films are all structured as each film continues from one another so it would be difficult to talk about just Harry Potter and the deathly hallows part 2 therefore by combining all the films you could see a consistent narrative throughout the film and how they all have a link furthermore they follow the narrative of todorov which believes in equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. This exist through the Harry Potter films therefore the equilibrium is Harry Potter realises that he is a wizard therefore he is able to attend Hogwarts witchcraft and wizardry and learn the art of magic. The disequilibrium exists when harry potter understands his parents were killed by an evil wizard known as voldemort and he is after harry potter. Throughout the films harry potter is destroying objects which kill voldemorts soul however the actors and audiences are unaware of this until later in the film franchise and they convey how each object they destroy kills voldemort therefore as this mission continues in order to find these objects voldemort has placed a challenge within the object making the task difficult furthermore voldemort is also trying to find harry and kill him before harry kills voldemort. The new equilibrium is when Harry Potter destroys voldemort and the characters have kids who go to Hogwarts witchcraft and wizardry.

Genre
The genre of the film would be considered as a fantasy. However the film contains elements of mystery, adventure, thriller and romance. Therefore creating a hybrid of genres. This film is a fantasy and this is conveyed through the unnatural existence of wizards and witches. The film is mainly CGI from spells being casted to statues becoming guards and big spiders and giants alive. The film also adds mystery and thriller as the film involves fighting scenes and also scenes thriller which are portrayed by the death eaters which create a frightening atmosphere. The adventure aspect comes from the different tasks they have to endure, by the way travel to different places and find different objects which has voldemort soul trapped within it. There are elements of romance as the film is coming to its climax and people are going to be injured or fatally harmed there is care between the friends and romance is conveyed through Ron and Hermione kissing and harry and Ginny kissing furthermore other casts are expressing their love and pain as one of the weasley twins is killed therefore showing their love and how hurt they are from the events taking place. Therefore the film is not just about Harry Potter but everyone is affected from Harry Potter and Voldemort fighting and as Voldemort call for Harry to meet him in the forest this shows that he wants Harry to confront however if he does not then he will harm the people he loves therefore Harry Potter does not have a choice.

Media institutions
The institution which that had created the film “Harry Potter and the deathly hallows part 2” was the “Warner Bros” and this film is the end of the seven previous films created by the same institution. The film was released on the 15th July 2011 in the UK. The film was distributed by the “Warner Bros” as this film was well known and had many fans the film was released all over the world in many different countries as a result of its success and well deserved popularity. Therefore in other countries it was released between the 13th July and the 4th August. The film will late be released as a DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D Blu-ray film and this will be towards the end of 2011. Other merchandise has also been sold such as video games therefore each text are promoting each other in the different media platforms.
The film follows the theory narrative of Vladimir Prop to an extent. As there is a hero, villain and helpers. The hero being harry potter the helpers being Ron and Hermione and the villain voldemort.

Media values and ideology
The values and ideologies conveyed in the film Harry Potter and the deathly hallows. Are that good will always win. Throughout the film franchise we have seen both good and evil and how they have impacted on each other throughout the films. We have seen that evil has been a force to be reckoned with as Dumbledore was killed therefore harry was unaware of what he had to do therefore as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out to look for the horcruxes they were unaware of what the objects maybe therefore conveying their emotions over pouring with anger and frustration.
Another is that love conquers all and is very powerful as this is conveyed throughout the film and is a key theme, when harry is going to be killed by voldemort he has his families sprits surrounding him which eases his pain and nerves. The film demonstrates determination and fearlessness in the sense the Harry Potter and co are fighting for what they believe in; therefore they do not appreciate voldemort ways and want to try and stop him. The consistent belief in the films is Hogwarts is their home and this shows their attachment to it and when it is destroyed they are upset and devastated.

Media audiences
The target audience for the film would be from the age of 12 to 21. And the film will target the genders of both males and females.
The characteristics of the audience fit in to the film as the film allows people to identify with the different types of characters portrayed in the film. On example would be with the target audience in mind is that the film incorporates romance which is what the audience maybe experiencing. The view of the audience would be following harry potter through his adventure also we can see what the dark forces are planning allowing the audience to forecast the following events which may occur in the film.

Thursday, 7 July 2011

Summer Project ideas

Films
-Transformers
-Harry potter
-Bad Teacher
-Privates of the caribbean
-The Smurfs
-Cars 2
-Xmen
-Hangover
-Fast and furious
-Green lantern

Tv shows
-Eastenders
-waterloo road
-The apprentice
-Prison break
-90210
-Misfits
-The inbetweeners
-Xfactor
-Britains got talent
-Big brother

Games
-Fifa 11
-Virtual Tennis
-Call od duty
-La noire
-Grand theft auto
-Top spin 4
-Pro evolution
-NBA
-Batman
-Fight Night