Television - a form of entertainment I could honestly not live without. When I think about the shows I watch not being in existence, I actually get really upset. I look forward to watching a set number of shows each week and am extremely thankful for the invention of DVR. I loved reading this section of chapter 6 and learning all about television in its beginning. Here are what I feel to be the 5 big ideas:
1. Similar to the film industry, the television industry has its top competitors/networks. What originally started out as the Big Three soon developed into the Big Four. These networks are still ones we hear of today - NBC (National Broadcasting Corporation), ABC (American Broadcasting System), CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), and FOX (Fox Broadcasting Company). These four networks have faced competition amongst themselves as well as with emerging cable and satellite stations over the years.
2. I always knew ratings were incredibly important to the success or failure of a television show, I just never knew there was a system created to measure them. The Nielsen Ratings system is used to measure audience sizes; there is a specific way of going about generating of these ratings, but to be completely honest, the whole thing kind of confused me.
Also, coinciding with ratings is sweep week. They are the first weeks of November, March, May, and July. Audience viewership during these weeks is crucial in determining the future of a television series; it is one of the biggest deciding factors in their fate.
3. I may not be the biggest sports fan out there, but it was interesting to read about how it all began. I could not believe that the first events covered on television were boxing and wrestling matches! Also that a baseball game between Columbia and Princeton in 1939 was the first televised sports event! It is crazy to see how sports programming has evolved over the years! These events attract insanely large audiences; people look forward to watching sporting events on their television screens!
4. I must admit, I am a sucker for reality television. The semi-drama and overall entertainment draws me in; it is like my guilty pleasure. The fact that the thought of creating such a genre was developed by a British producer, and in 1996 no less, completely baffled me. I never knew that Survivor was the first reality series (it developed out of Charlie Parsons' 1996 idea).
5. The future of television is one that is completely unknown. With the focus shifting towards the Internet, no one knows what will become of it. This chapter tells us that while NBC is attempting to add the Internet into their focus, CBS is confident that the shows they have on the air will be successful no matter what. I look forward to what will become of television as the years go on. I, for one, am fully devoted to it and don't see myself moving towards viewing over the Internet as a full-time thing. Occasionally, I will watch a show online, but there is something about watching it on the larger screen that makes the storyline all the more powerful.
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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
5 Big Ideas About Film
The film industry is one that completely fascinates me. Learning about how movies are made boggles my mind; I have had the opportunity to work as an extra on a television show and witness the work put into a minute-long scene. If filming a scene that short took nearly 4 hours I could only imagine the difficulty filming a movie brings to the surface.
1. The first idea that sparked my interest in this chapter about film was the beginning of the Motion Picture Patents Company. These film companies basically formed their own little nation, securing their dominance in the industry. They worked together to achieve what they wanted, whether it be resources or more money from producers. Like always, there were some companies that wished to remain on their own. They were known as the "independents" and basically were in charge of the "underground" film industry. The Motion Picture Patents Company attempted to exert all of their energy on getting the "independents" to join their coalition, which in the end, failed.
2. I also found it interesting to read about the majors and minors in the film industry during the Golden Age. While these 8 studios were an incredible part of the film industry all those years ago, their influence and place has greatly changed. Most seem to be either owned by another major company or setting up plans to merge with one. RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) Pictures, which was one of the 5 majors during the Golden Age, does not even exist anymore! This industry is an ever-changing one, and companies such as Paramount, Loew's/MGM, Fox Film Corporation, and Warner Bros. are not as strong and self-sufficient as they used to be.
3. Reading about the different rating systems developed throughout years helps reestablish the fact that things change with time. The world was changing and the need for the Hays Code of ratings was not as necessary as it previously was. In 1968, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) created the Motion Pictures Ratings System which still protected people from explicit content, but allowed for producers to test certain boundaries and shed light on topics that had previously never been touched upon.
4. Another topic I enjoyed reading about was the influences different countries had on the film industry in the United States. Denmark provided us with the idea of feature-length films, Germany opened up our eyes to the darker side of film (touching upon subjects such as insanity and betrayal), Japanese movies led to the eventual creation of the Rashomon effect which told thriller stories through different characters' eyes, and Italians brought in nonprofessional actors when their stories pertained to the poor classes of society.
5. If it were not for the development of special effects, the movie industry would be completely unlike it is today. The entire system began with a man named Bill Abbott, who created action scale models of items, used special lighting and high-speed cameras, in order to create an amazing film. While I was aware of some of these effects, I did not have knowledge of most of their official names and I enjoyed learning them. When I took a tour of Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina I remember seeing the visual paintings of outdoor scenery behind the sets. Now, because of this chapter, I know that they are referred to as matte shots. It is incredible to see just how detailed these images are - it is as though you are actually looking outside when you look through the window!
Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading this chapter. I love watching movies (and television), and always find myself questioning and pondering what it takes to create one. This chapter allowed me to absorb a lot more information, and also think of new ideas I want to look further into!
1. The first idea that sparked my interest in this chapter about film was the beginning of the Motion Picture Patents Company. These film companies basically formed their own little nation, securing their dominance in the industry. They worked together to achieve what they wanted, whether it be resources or more money from producers. Like always, there were some companies that wished to remain on their own. They were known as the "independents" and basically were in charge of the "underground" film industry. The Motion Picture Patents Company attempted to exert all of their energy on getting the "independents" to join their coalition, which in the end, failed.
2. I also found it interesting to read about the majors and minors in the film industry during the Golden Age. While these 8 studios were an incredible part of the film industry all those years ago, their influence and place has greatly changed. Most seem to be either owned by another major company or setting up plans to merge with one. RKO (Radio-Keith-Orpheum) Pictures, which was one of the 5 majors during the Golden Age, does not even exist anymore! This industry is an ever-changing one, and companies such as Paramount, Loew's/MGM, Fox Film Corporation, and Warner Bros. are not as strong and self-sufficient as they used to be.
3. Reading about the different rating systems developed throughout years helps reestablish the fact that things change with time. The world was changing and the need for the Hays Code of ratings was not as necessary as it previously was. In 1968, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) created the Motion Pictures Ratings System which still protected people from explicit content, but allowed for producers to test certain boundaries and shed light on topics that had previously never been touched upon.
4. Another topic I enjoyed reading about was the influences different countries had on the film industry in the United States. Denmark provided us with the idea of feature-length films, Germany opened up our eyes to the darker side of film (touching upon subjects such as insanity and betrayal), Japanese movies led to the eventual creation of the Rashomon effect which told thriller stories through different characters' eyes, and Italians brought in nonprofessional actors when their stories pertained to the poor classes of society.
5. If it were not for the development of special effects, the movie industry would be completely unlike it is today. The entire system began with a man named Bill Abbott, who created action scale models of items, used special lighting and high-speed cameras, in order to create an amazing film. While I was aware of some of these effects, I did not have knowledge of most of their official names and I enjoyed learning them. When I took a tour of Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, North Carolina I remember seeing the visual paintings of outdoor scenery behind the sets. Now, because of this chapter, I know that they are referred to as matte shots. It is incredible to see just how detailed these images are - it is as though you are actually looking outside when you look through the window!
Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading this chapter. I love watching movies (and television), and always find myself questioning and pondering what it takes to create one. This chapter allowed me to absorb a lot more information, and also think of new ideas I want to look further into!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Top 10 Films
While I am someone who enjoys watching movies, I do not have the time to sit down and watch them as much as I used to. I enjoy comedies, romantic comedies, dramas, and horror movies. I never seem to be too fond of the movies nominated for The Academy Awards, which sometimes comes at a disadvantage to me when I am in class discussions. In this post, I must list my top 10 movies; you might not agree with my choices, and they might be a little cliche, but they are ones I have grown to love; ones I can watch a millions times and still never be sick of.
Like I previously stated, these may not be movies you are too fond of, but they are the ten that I love. They are not Oscar-worthy movies but, in my eyes, they are amazing!
1. A Walk to Remember
2. John Tucker Must Die
3. The Notebook
4. The Hitcher
5. Dear John
6. A Cinderella Story
6. A Cinderella Story
7. How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
8. The House Bunny
9. Sweet Home Alabama
10. Easy A
10. Easy A
Like I previously stated, these may not be movies you are too fond of, but they are the ten that I love. They are not Oscar-worthy movies but, in my eyes, they are amazing!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Radio
Radio, similar to music, has always been a part of my life. It has been forced to adapt to the changing times, to deal with advances in technology in an attempt to maintain its listenership. It is easy for one to see how technology has impacted the radio; it does not seem to be as popular as it was before. Similar to my last post, I will be offering up what I believe to be the 5 "big ideas" expressed in the section on radio in my textbook.
1. In 1996, the U.S. Government attempted to help the radio and recording industries through a process known as deregulation, by passing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Under this act, companies were not limited to the number of radio stations they could own. However, instead of stirring up competition like it intended, it simply allowed bigger companies to gain more control over the industry. Also, because of this act, the recording industry underwent a series of mergers. This led to the domination of 4 major labels, which are sometimes referred to as "the majors". These labels are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and EMI. What was intended with this act was not what came into fruition. This act simply made it possible for companies and labels to gain even more control over the industry than they previously had.
2. It was interesting to learn about the competition among different types of radio stations. For example, in the 1990s music programming found itself competing with what is known as the "morning zoo" format. I had previously heard of this format, but I never truly knew what it was until now. This format took on something similar to a talk-show, by incorporating music, staged stunts, and pop-culture commentary throughout its broadcast period. At a time similar to this format's beginning, MTV developed a similar strategy, adding lifestyle programming to its agenda rather than simply offering up music videos.
3. I found in intriguing how the book pointed out that although Internet radio has had an impact on traditional broadcast radio, it is simply a way of better utilizing technology in the changing times rather than killing the radio. This increasing reliance on the internet has forced the radio and recording industries to change their ways in order to avoid extinction. Internet radio offers the same music, reaches the same audience numbers, and is a lot cheaper to operate. Reading this chapter definitely has me looking to see how the industry will scramble to remain in existence.
4. This chapter also offered up the significance of satellite radio, which is also becoming a popular choice among consumers. Satellite radio stations offer more specific music. They stray away from the overplayed traditional playlists, are commercial-free, and allow for hundreds of channels that offer diverse genres of music.
5. A final point I found to be interesting and important in this chapter was the part about iTunes. It is incredible to see the popularity this program achieved in less than ten years. Beginning in 2003, iTunes has achieved extreme recognition, being accountable for 70% of music sales WORLWIDE! The numbers are incredible! iTunes has sold more than 9 billion tracks; it is one of the main sources of internet downloads. While good for sales of music, it has an extreme effect on the radio industry, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
So, those are the ideas that I feel were the biggest in the section on radio. Radio, from it's beginning has been a staple in the lives of Americans, but changes in technology and society have affected its popularity and threatened its success. As the world continues to develop and change, I am eager to see what will become of it. Will the radio soon cease to exist? Will the internet take over the music industry?
1. In 1996, the U.S. Government attempted to help the radio and recording industries through a process known as deregulation, by passing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Under this act, companies were not limited to the number of radio stations they could own. However, instead of stirring up competition like it intended, it simply allowed bigger companies to gain more control over the industry. Also, because of this act, the recording industry underwent a series of mergers. This led to the domination of 4 major labels, which are sometimes referred to as "the majors". These labels are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, and EMI. What was intended with this act was not what came into fruition. This act simply made it possible for companies and labels to gain even more control over the industry than they previously had.
2. It was interesting to learn about the competition among different types of radio stations. For example, in the 1990s music programming found itself competing with what is known as the "morning zoo" format. I had previously heard of this format, but I never truly knew what it was until now. This format took on something similar to a talk-show, by incorporating music, staged stunts, and pop-culture commentary throughout its broadcast period. At a time similar to this format's beginning, MTV developed a similar strategy, adding lifestyle programming to its agenda rather than simply offering up music videos.
3. I found in intriguing how the book pointed out that although Internet radio has had an impact on traditional broadcast radio, it is simply a way of better utilizing technology in the changing times rather than killing the radio. This increasing reliance on the internet has forced the radio and recording industries to change their ways in order to avoid extinction. Internet radio offers the same music, reaches the same audience numbers, and is a lot cheaper to operate. Reading this chapter definitely has me looking to see how the industry will scramble to remain in existence.
4. This chapter also offered up the significance of satellite radio, which is also becoming a popular choice among consumers. Satellite radio stations offer more specific music. They stray away from the overplayed traditional playlists, are commercial-free, and allow for hundreds of channels that offer diverse genres of music.
5. A final point I found to be interesting and important in this chapter was the part about iTunes. It is incredible to see the popularity this program achieved in less than ten years. Beginning in 2003, iTunes has achieved extreme recognition, being accountable for 70% of music sales WORLWIDE! The numbers are incredible! iTunes has sold more than 9 billion tracks; it is one of the main sources of internet downloads. While good for sales of music, it has an extreme effect on the radio industry, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.
So, those are the ideas that I feel were the biggest in the section on radio. Radio, from it's beginning has been a staple in the lives of Americans, but changes in technology and society have affected its popularity and threatened its success. As the world continues to develop and change, I am eager to see what will become of it. Will the radio soon cease to exist? Will the internet take over the music industry?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Music
Music is a form of art that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My generation has grown up with it's presence; it's influence is seen all around. It completely boggles my mind to think that at one point in time it did not exist! I cannot picture a world without music. While reading this chapter in my textbook, I learned a lot of information that I had no previous knowledge of. It was cool to learn about how music came to be what it is - how it started and developed over time. Choosing the "5 big ideas" from this chapter is a lot more difficult than it seems, because I believe a lot of this information to be of importance.
1. The first topic I came across that I felt could be considered a "big idea" concerned Emil Berliner's invention of the gramophone. Although this is a piece of history, it had a serious affect on the music world today. It led to the development of modern music! This invention gave people the possibility to change the recording in the form of a plastic disc. This plastic disc would eventually become the record, which would lead to CDs! Besides the benefit to the consumer, these discs were a lot cheaper to make and could be mass-produced. Due to the gramophone, the record industry as we know it was begun! This is just one example of how much history affects the future.
2. The creation of MTV had a tremendous impact on the music industry. Beginning on August 1, 1981, Music Television (MTV) broadcasted music videos on a 24-hour basis. This allowed the television to become the most popular way to promote an artist. Visually seeing the music made people wish to own it all the more, in turn leading to increased music sales.
3. The social and cultural movements of the United States changed the style of music quite often. It led to new genres being established, some of which are still popular today. The 1960s were a time of great protest. People let music be their voice, generating music styles such as folk music, psychedelic sound, and folk rock. Folk music was sometimes referred to as the songs of protest, while folk rock was geared more towards the younger crowd. Psychedelic sound came out of artists' experimentation with psychedelic drugs, which they believed enhanced their musical abilities.
4. Learning about the development of rock 'n' roll music was interesting for me. I was not aware that its title was the slang term for "sex" - I don't think many people are knowledgable of that. It started in the 1950s and derived from R&B (rhythm & blues) which had it's roots in blues music. With these genres being so completely different, I was not expecting rock 'n' roll to stem from R&B.
5. The 1960s also saw Americans looking for something new and exciting. This was around the time the Beatles came to America. The Beatles greatly changed the culture of our country - it was because of them that other British artists were able to achieve success in America. What I found to be interesting was that this influx of music from England was known in America as the "British Invasion." I can see where the title is coming from, though, as American artists probably believed their careers were being put into jeopardy because of the artists venturing in from overseas.
So, if I had to choose 5 big ideas from the chapter on music, those are the ones I would choose. This information gives us insight into what the music industry was like in its early stages. Everything has to begin somewhere, and it was interesting to learn about where music did.
1. The first topic I came across that I felt could be considered a "big idea" concerned Emil Berliner's invention of the gramophone. Although this is a piece of history, it had a serious affect on the music world today. It led to the development of modern music! This invention gave people the possibility to change the recording in the form of a plastic disc. This plastic disc would eventually become the record, which would lead to CDs! Besides the benefit to the consumer, these discs were a lot cheaper to make and could be mass-produced. Due to the gramophone, the record industry as we know it was begun! This is just one example of how much history affects the future.
2. The creation of MTV had a tremendous impact on the music industry. Beginning on August 1, 1981, Music Television (MTV) broadcasted music videos on a 24-hour basis. This allowed the television to become the most popular way to promote an artist. Visually seeing the music made people wish to own it all the more, in turn leading to increased music sales.
3. The social and cultural movements of the United States changed the style of music quite often. It led to new genres being established, some of which are still popular today. The 1960s were a time of great protest. People let music be their voice, generating music styles such as folk music, psychedelic sound, and folk rock. Folk music was sometimes referred to as the songs of protest, while folk rock was geared more towards the younger crowd. Psychedelic sound came out of artists' experimentation with psychedelic drugs, which they believed enhanced their musical abilities.
4. Learning about the development of rock 'n' roll music was interesting for me. I was not aware that its title was the slang term for "sex" - I don't think many people are knowledgable of that. It started in the 1950s and derived from R&B (rhythm & blues) which had it's roots in blues music. With these genres being so completely different, I was not expecting rock 'n' roll to stem from R&B.
5. The 1960s also saw Americans looking for something new and exciting. This was around the time the Beatles came to America. The Beatles greatly changed the culture of our country - it was because of them that other British artists were able to achieve success in America. What I found to be interesting was that this influx of music from England was known in America as the "British Invasion." I can see where the title is coming from, though, as American artists probably believed their careers were being put into jeopardy because of the artists venturing in from overseas.
So, if I had to choose 5 big ideas from the chapter on music, those are the ones I would choose. This information gives us insight into what the music industry was like in its early stages. Everything has to begin somewhere, and it was interesting to learn about where music did.
Friday, February 10, 2012
The Grammy's
Everyone knows about the Grammy Awards - they're the most prestigious award show for the music industry! It is an honorable thing to win one of these coveted awards, mostly because artists are nominated and voted for by their peers in the music industry. Have you ever made a guess on who was going to win what? Well, that is what I am going to be doing in this blog! I will make my predictions and then, on Sunday, see if I got any right!
Let's get started!
Record of the Year: Rolling in the Deep by Adele.
Let's face it, we know Adele is going to win! Her songs dominate! While I was a fan of this song when it first came out, the radio overplaying it kind of killed it for me. The popularity of her music has soared in the past year, and although I am no longer too fond of this song, I definitely think she deserves it!
Song of the Year: Rolling in the Deep by Adele.
My reasons for this are the same as the previous - Adele kills it! Her voice is amazing! No matter if you are a fan or not, I bet you find yourself humming along to her songs every once in a while. Considering I only know 3 out of the 5 songs listed in this category, I believe Adele is the top contender.
Album of the Year: Born This Way by Lady Gaga.
Almost anyone you ask would admit to being a fan of Mother Monster! You sing along to her catchy tunes and look forward to whatever crazy outfit we'll see her wearing next. Her songs are catchy and make you want to get up and randomly start dancing; I truly believe she will win this!
Best New Artist: Nicki Minaj
Although I am not the biggest fan of this woman, Nicki Minaj has achieved extreme popularity in the past year. Her style and music is completely unique; her songs are consistently playing on the radio. Besides, after seeing her sing with little Sophia Grace Brownlee on the Ellen Degeneres show how can you resist?
Best Pop Solo Performance: Firework by Katy Perry
Katy Perry is well-liked by everyone and this song has an important meaning. It talks about being yourself and not being afraid to show it to the world. It is powerful and moving, and Katy Perry puts on an awesome performance. She brings the message to life in an incredible way! I have always been a fan of Katy Perry; I honestly hope she wins!
Well, there you have it - my votes for the 2012 Grammy's! I cannot wait until Sunday night; I hope some of my predictions were correct!
Let's get started!
Record of the Year: Rolling in the Deep by Adele.
Let's face it, we know Adele is going to win! Her songs dominate! While I was a fan of this song when it first came out, the radio overplaying it kind of killed it for me. The popularity of her music has soared in the past year, and although I am no longer too fond of this song, I definitely think she deserves it!
Song of the Year: Rolling in the Deep by Adele.
My reasons for this are the same as the previous - Adele kills it! Her voice is amazing! No matter if you are a fan or not, I bet you find yourself humming along to her songs every once in a while. Considering I only know 3 out of the 5 songs listed in this category, I believe Adele is the top contender.
Album of the Year: Born This Way by Lady Gaga.
Almost anyone you ask would admit to being a fan of Mother Monster! You sing along to her catchy tunes and look forward to whatever crazy outfit we'll see her wearing next. Her songs are catchy and make you want to get up and randomly start dancing; I truly believe she will win this!
Best New Artist: Nicki Minaj
Although I am not the biggest fan of this woman, Nicki Minaj has achieved extreme popularity in the past year. Her style and music is completely unique; her songs are consistently playing on the radio. Besides, after seeing her sing with little Sophia Grace Brownlee on the Ellen Degeneres show how can you resist?
Best Pop Solo Performance: Firework by Katy Perry
Katy Perry is well-liked by everyone and this song has an important meaning. It talks about being yourself and not being afraid to show it to the world. It is powerful and moving, and Katy Perry puts on an awesome performance. She brings the message to life in an incredible way! I have always been a fan of Katy Perry; I honestly hope she wins!
Well, there you have it - my votes for the 2012 Grammy's! I cannot wait until Sunday night; I hope some of my predictions were correct!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
The Big Ideas of Print Media
Print media - while still something of importance - is not relied upon as much today as it was in the past. While reading the chapter on print media, I learned a number of new facts that I found to be important and interesting. The purpose of this blog post is to offer up what I felt were the 5 big ideas that were touched upon or explained throughout this chapter. These are not necessarily what everyone might consider to be "big"; it is just my opinion.
So, without further ado, let's start!
1. One of the first topics in this chapter grabbed my attention immediately. It was concerning the idea of who the first newspaper publishers were. Did you know they were just printers and editors? They added on the task of publishing to their agenda as a way to increase their profits. If a single printer could not do it alone, they would team up with someone of the wealthy and educated class. In return, the wealthy person would offer financial support and provide opportunities for the printer/editor to offer up editorials.
2. Learning about how magazines began, finding out just how different they were from today, was another topic I found to be of great importance. While magazines today are quite small, they were originally between 60 and 70 pages, making it incredibly difficult for postmen to carry. The words were printed incredibly small, and pictures were a rarity. Instead, woodcarvings or engravings were used as illustrations. Sometimes, when there was not enough important information to print, large sections of books would be published in their place!
3. George Creel, who was head of the Committee on Public Information, chose to divide news into three categories. This was something else I found to be important. The first category was called "dangerous news". It included news about military movements in the U.S. or possible threats from other countries. This news was not printed. The second was known as "questionable news". These were rumors about actions made in or by the U.S. and needed approval before it was printed. Finally, the third category was "routine news", or any news that did not fit into the previous two categories. This was the only area of news that did not require authorization to be printed.
4. Also concerning the topic of news, I found the three varying news formats to be of interest as well. Commercial press reported on trade and business; it received it's financial support from the sale of advertisements and promotion of products. Partisan press was mainly concerned with political topics, acting as the voice of the political parties. This type of press received support from the political contributions it received. The penny press was what I found to be the most interesting. Each paper only cost a penny! It was more geared towards the entertainment area of the news, featuring advice columns and fiction articles. It's funding came from the sale of it's papers - it paid for itself!
5. The final topic that caught my attention was the invention of the telegraph and the way in which it affected the newspaper publishing business. Obviously, telegraphs were quite expensive in their infancy. When owners of newspapers wished to use a telegraph to print, they were often charged by the word! This led to articles becoming shorter, often causing interesting facts to be cut out in favor of what was necessary. It led to the inverted pyramid structure of writing to be discovered, where the most important facts are listed first and everything else flows from that.
Like I said before, you may not agree with me on the topics I chose, but these are the 5 ideas I felt to be "big". They grabbed my attention and had me wanting to learn more. Although print media may not be relied on or used as much as it was, it is still something interesting to learn about. It is a part of our history and it is what led to all that we have today.
So, without further ado, let's start!
1. One of the first topics in this chapter grabbed my attention immediately. It was concerning the idea of who the first newspaper publishers were. Did you know they were just printers and editors? They added on the task of publishing to their agenda as a way to increase their profits. If a single printer could not do it alone, they would team up with someone of the wealthy and educated class. In return, the wealthy person would offer financial support and provide opportunities for the printer/editor to offer up editorials.
2. Learning about how magazines began, finding out just how different they were from today, was another topic I found to be of great importance. While magazines today are quite small, they were originally between 60 and 70 pages, making it incredibly difficult for postmen to carry. The words were printed incredibly small, and pictures were a rarity. Instead, woodcarvings or engravings were used as illustrations. Sometimes, when there was not enough important information to print, large sections of books would be published in their place!
3. George Creel, who was head of the Committee on Public Information, chose to divide news into three categories. This was something else I found to be important. The first category was called "dangerous news". It included news about military movements in the U.S. or possible threats from other countries. This news was not printed. The second was known as "questionable news". These were rumors about actions made in or by the U.S. and needed approval before it was printed. Finally, the third category was "routine news", or any news that did not fit into the previous two categories. This was the only area of news that did not require authorization to be printed.
4. Also concerning the topic of news, I found the three varying news formats to be of interest as well. Commercial press reported on trade and business; it received it's financial support from the sale of advertisements and promotion of products. Partisan press was mainly concerned with political topics, acting as the voice of the political parties. This type of press received support from the political contributions it received. The penny press was what I found to be the most interesting. Each paper only cost a penny! It was more geared towards the entertainment area of the news, featuring advice columns and fiction articles. It's funding came from the sale of it's papers - it paid for itself!
5. The final topic that caught my attention was the invention of the telegraph and the way in which it affected the newspaper publishing business. Obviously, telegraphs were quite expensive in their infancy. When owners of newspapers wished to use a telegraph to print, they were often charged by the word! This led to articles becoming shorter, often causing interesting facts to be cut out in favor of what was necessary. It led to the inverted pyramid structure of writing to be discovered, where the most important facts are listed first and everything else flows from that.
Like I said before, you may not agree with me on the topics I chose, but these are the 5 ideas I felt to be "big". They grabbed my attention and had me wanting to learn more. Although print media may not be relied on or used as much as it was, it is still something interesting to learn about. It is a part of our history and it is what led to all that we have today.
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