There is a chance that you may be reading this blog post on your phone. Despite film and media snobs suggesting otherwise, marketers and social media institutions are recognising that audiences often consume video in portrait mode rather than turning their phones to a landscape position, and a number of videos are now being produced in this way. Read about it here.
You may have also noticed that video content on social media often uses subtitles? The nature with which we consume social media and video content is often when we are bored and seeking entertainment in a public space, often alone and when sound is unnecessary, embarrassing (!) or annoying. When video content unexpectedly includes sound, we often skip or close it. Media producers have realised that this is potentially detrimental as you will avoid consuming their video content. As a result, many include subtitles so that you can engage in the dialogue of the video content without skipping it. Look out for this particularly on facebook and instagram. Read about it here. Going back to music video developments, Chance the Rapper's latest music video was shot on his iphone. Do watch the video on your phone with the screen rotation locked and look at how the video encourages you to physically engage. What does it make you do?
Finally, consider how this demonstrates technological convergence. Phones are increasingly complex and enable use to produce, consume and access media with ease.
Well done Covergirl! In an unprecedented move, they have cast beauty blogger James Charles as a model in their latest marketing campaign. Read about it here This could be used when exploring gender identity. Do some research into the 'Queer theory'. Is this an example of it in action? Can you find any other examples from media texts that may support or challenge the Queer theory? Does this conform or challenge dominant ideologies about gender identity?
If you haven't heard about the developments in VR, where have you been?! In this article, 'Fifty Shades Darker' director, James Foley, talks about how he used the new technology in their marketing. Read about it here
Keep an eye out for how this new technology is used by institutions and consumed by audiences over the next few months. What are the positives and negatives of this new development?
In order to stay relevant, media industries need to adapt to reflect the needs and wants of the audience (uses and grats). Facebook has seen many changes over the last few years - Facebook Live being the most recent (and controversial) development. What do you think about 'work place'? Who is the target audience for this? How might audiences use this (uses and grats)? Read more about it here
And in other news this week, Twitter has announced that it will be axing its 6 second video sharing format - Vine. The video sharing format that brought us such classics as 'Ryan Gosling won't eat his cereal' did not adapt in the same way as Snapchat and Facebook. Is this the reason for its downfall?
Following on from the all female Ghostbusters, Warner Bros have confirmed an all female cast for an 'Oceans 8' in 2018. Read about it here
What do you think about this current trend for all female remakes? Is it necessary? What are the positive and negative implications of this on the institutions and audiences
The racial tension between law enforcement and the general public in America has been a shocking development over the course of this year. If you wanted to explore the identity of young, black Americans in more detail, you could certainly look at how social media has (in some cases) empowered them. Supported them. Provided them with a voice against the bourgeoisie (Marxism anyone?) It can be used as a tool for citizen journalism (see my previous post on this here) I'm curious to see how this film does at the American box office given the very sensitive nature of the topic. It feels a bit too raw and real in this current climate. Read about 'Get Out' here
Social Media is such an intrinsic part of our lives now. It is all encompassing.
It is interesting to see how some companies, charities and organisations are using it in innovative ways to draw our attention to contemporary issues. Have a look at this French campaign highlighting alcoholism in young women here
