In eMerging Media class (week 12), we have discussed with Jenny (Betty Boo) about ‘realism’. Once the discussion began, I was wondering how does one tell what is realism or not? How and what does ‘realism’ mean nowadays anyway? Although documentary filmmakers go through the similar process of ‘the use of voice over commentaries’, ‘recorded interviews’ and ‘visual evidence via location shots’….but it is not just about doing these process anymore, it is much more than showing the real footages because documentary could be a total imagination / fiction, ‘what if’ and ‘it could/might’ situations.
I suppose it could be a tricky concept to define since the perception of realism is fading and changing whilst new technology emerges. But it could be simple too, as I started asking myself some questions from the viewer’s point of view. Firstly, what is media ‘realism/reality’ these days and do filmmakers tell the truth entirely on their documentaries without considering what they want the viewers to see? I feel that documentaries are subjected to individual perceptions.

For example, the film “Walking with dinosaur” which Jenny showed us in the first week and is entirely animated as an illusory film but still is considered as a documentary. Why is that? Is it because it could have happened in the way that was shown? Is it not realism as it is based on computer graphics as an animation file? Who actually decide/judge what realism is? Do we want to believe the realism? Again, it always comes down to the viewers’ point of view if it’s real or not, they will always have their own individual opinions.
Jenny asked us if these films “Troy” and “Passion of the Christ” are considered as documentaries. I would say that to a certain extend, they could be considered as documentaries, because the stories origins from parts of the history and myth.

As a media production student, I am aware of the possibilities of new technologies capabilities, and with these; it is possible for filmmakers to create their imagination of ‘what if’ situations with all the animations and effects to present it to the real world. No longer would thoughts be just that, we are no longer bounded by the restrictions of the physical world. But, on the other hands, as we all know documentaries could be easily controlled and manipulated by media technologies which could create the wrong realism to the viewers, then perhaps the viewers nowadays are more caution on what they see and if to believe it or not. In the world we live in, it seems that we are increasing concerned about ‘marketing’. It is imperative to attract as much viewers as possible. “Whatever sells more”, that’s all that matters nowadays? Does the artistic values still exists in our lives?
Frankly, I don’t accept that it is true realism in documentaries especially nowadays, since the technology had developed incredibly quickly to the point where we can simply fake things to look real to the audience and make them to believe that it is real. Of course, I do acknowledge there are some real documentaries which are truly based on true stories and original footage but eventually all these footages would be edited and directed by someone who makes the documentary. So can we call documentaries as realism?

Looking back, we can see that in many ways, the world has been changed a lot since new communication technology exists in our lives. They are linked to power relations existing in society at large, with reference to gender, class, age, geographic region and education and so on…

New technologies were only for loaded people or who were important so, people used to have a frame as “rich people” who had communication technology computer. We still can tell these days but not as much as before. New communication computer is very attached with everyone and it does not matter the age and rich or poor anymore. I am not a fiminist or anything but men used to believe in distinction between man and woman which is really ridiculous. Man used be the first to know and first to do and still some people think there are big difference between man and woman but the world is getting change to give lots of chances to female to prove themselves that female can do as man do. People used to believed that males always better than females in many ways especially with computer and boys are more interested because they have more opportunity, and that they have more opportunity because they are more interested but the developments of media technology computer have made the woman to be involved with man and it is the same for both sexes in society.

For example, I used to live in Kuwait for almost 10 years. When I first visit Kuwait about 13 years ago, most typical Kuwaiti women were warped up with hejab and abiya (a scarf to cover their hair/body) and just stay at home to take care of their children and family and they did not have that much time to learn about computer. Basically woman did not have any clue how to use any technologies. Women should not know as much as man know about computer because man get afraid women would be equal or know more about computer than men and not be able to listen what man say. Not only that since anyone could chat with people, men got very strict to make sure their wives do not chat with people. Woman should obey whatever men say but these days even in Kuwait, women are very educated and work the way men do especially after the invasion, men realized that they need help from women and also women proved that they could do it. Kuwait has become americanised as a free country and it is astonishing how technologies can change the way people think. How incredible is that! The power of the mass media technology!

Women have improved a lot since media technology get close to them day by day. Everything got involved with computer and everything should be done by computer such as schools, companies, shops, games, entertainments and so on. Some people might think that Arab country is very slow and still in old generation but these days, such mentality has been changed a lot for gender problems even though they are slow in taking new generation. Now, most of people in the world, they have computers and they can do many things by using computer. For example, we can have emails to have contact whoever we want, chat, check news, weather, economics, banking, groceries, shopping, and games and so on. The computer can be covered from problems such as gender, racial practices and class distinction. By using computer, we can chat with different kind of people without knowing other’s privacy. Some people could lie or pretend whatever they wish to be. Also computer could be used as punishment. For example, some parent say to their child not to use computer because they did not do homework or did not improve their work.

“The higher computer knowledge of young children over those of adults creates a dilemma for parents. On the one hand, parents are anxious that their children have the best training in the use of computers and other new technologies in order to obtain lucrative employment in the future. On the other hand, parents fear their children’s ability to get involved in hacking or accessing adult information from the internet or becoming victims to paedophiles or other criminal elements” (Marshall, ‘Technolophobia: Video games, computer hacks and cybernetics. Media International Australia’, 1997, pp.77-78). These days’ parents are getting afraid since computer became too close in our life and new generations are more involved with new technologies day by day. For example, when I visit South Korea I met many kinds who are only 6 or 7 but they are really good in computer and possibly better than adults. The parents are always checking and after them to see what they are doing with computer because they do not want their child to go to a wrong website. And most of the websites are protected under-aged persons by checking their identifications before login in.

“In simplest terms, a glass of water can be framed as ‘half full’ or ‘half empty’. These frames shape the way we look at the situation and indicate our feeling about it. The discourse that frames technology as beneficial to society but also discourse that frames technology as giving rise to losses, their risks or the harms it may bring to society or to various groups. It is linked to the Pessimistic View of Technology.”(Dicken-Garcia, ‘The Internet and continuing historical discourse’, 1998, pp19-27).

The disadvantages brought along with this rapid growing technology cannot be ignored since they influence not just our own lives, but society as a whole. Moreover, discourse about a technology can be framed from the individual, institutional, and society perspective. Also, depend how the people gets good things out of the computer and how to use it in a right way. We should be ready to take more new technology but also we should think about the fact that new technology can harm our life. So, we should think how the new technology computer in all different angles to avoid problems instead only taking new technologies.

Adobe AfterEffect is one of my favourite software. It is an exciting software environment for combining all kinds of media into time based imagery most commonly known as motion graphics. Adobe Systems Incorporated builds award-winning software solutions for Network Publishing in 1982, including Web, video, print, wireless and broadband applications. Its graphic design, imaging, dynamic media and authoring tools enable customers to create, manage and deliver visually-rich, reliable content (San J, Adobe Software Plays Leading Role in Visual Effects for “Gladiator”). Adobe AfterEffects has taken a broad step forward, bridging the gap between 2D and 3D animation systems which creates special effects for film, video, multimedia, Web projects, motion picture, broadcast and multimedia (Devin R, “After Effects”). AfterEffects is one of the most exciting tools for expanding the video creativity on this planet. With this latest release, editors and animators can use the tools of 3-D, positioning lights and cameras to give their animations depth, while still taking advantage of AE’s straightforward interface when designing projects (Douglas S, Camcorder and Computer Video Magazine).

Adobe AfterEffects is an absolutely essential component in any effects and compositing workflow. It takes this essential suite to the next level with incredibly powerful new tools. It truly brings cinematic effects to Web video, the same cinematic effects that it brings to the cinema. It inspires creativity and it’s a joy to everyone(David N, Creative Mac). In addition to more than 60 special effects, time remapping can be used to create such effects as variable slow motion, frame stuttering, playback delay, backward playback, and hold frames. Adobe After Effects can be seamlessly integrated with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Premiere (Adobe Software, Inc., “Adobe After Effects”)
One of the good examples is the movie “Gladiator” which won Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 2001. Adobe After Effects as well as Adobe Photoshop software were used to create several of the visual effects shots for DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Studios’. It shows that creating Academy Award-winning visual effects proof positive that creative tools like Adobe After Effects and Photoshop have come of age. Also, top visual effects houses like DreamWorks are realizing that they do not need to use expensive, high-end editing hardware and software to create award-winning special effects (San J, Adobe Software Plays Leading Role in Visual Effects for “Gladiator”)

Additionally to creating several final shots for the film, DreamWorks did all of the pre-visualization and pre-production work for the establishing shot of ancient Rome using Photoshop and After Effects. Artists began with a poster of a model of ancient Rome, scanning it into Photoshop to paint out artifacts and text. Within After Effects, artists added digital clouds and movement to make it look as if viewers are flying in toward the city. This presentation was so successful that the DreamWorks team subsequently flew back to Rome to photograph the model to create the final piece (San J, Adobe Software Plays Leading Role in Visual Effects for “Gladiator”)

I found this interesting website, ‘The Central City’. This website is a non-linear net art work which is completed over four years by Stanza. I do think it’s a magnificent collection of interconnected environments created using generative procedures and the idea is to develop analogies for the organic characteristics of the city. It provides the fine information and explanation to give emergent knowledge of each website being. The users are encouraged to take a painterly move towards to image change, ensuing in a subtle and ironic convergence of art cities experience.

As the home page which gaze form of detailed urban design as a visual world of the city. There is a round formed city map right in the middle of the homepage where forms mystery of physical objects spread upwards ubiquitously and recurrence. In my thought of this homepage was the explosion of population or virus from the city. The city allows you to experience different artwork depending on how user choose to experience and navigate as occurrence in the process which can be done by movement within the grid. Users can navigate around from each of the cells on the home page as well as go to various areas of the site from there. This website attracts users and creates high level of interactivity and engagement of users by giving entire decisions as in where to go, what to see and what to hear. It allows users to interconnect with images also activate effects on images by clicking or dragging the mouse which creates user feels as if they are manufacturing the site happen. It gives users the option of moving through material without the linear, sequential restrictions of printed format which have the random attention feature focused in an environment of activities.

I strongly think that this website is well developed similarity for the organic identity of the city as an urban community and makes links with electronic networks and virtual communities. This organic interplay is contrasted with patterns and forms of urban design with sounds of specific places which develop on the subject of the relationship to the audio visual world of the city and its structure. I truly take pleasure in the way I clicked my way through the site and the distinctiveness and high interactive strategies. Also, this website provides plenty of information and explanations of each site which gives knowledge of all the art forms how they created as well as the intention. Moreover, ‘The central city’ gave me thoughts that unconscious cities became extraordinary art pieces which create art internet experience where raise high interest and curiosity for users. I think you should check this website out, right now!

‘Reality TV’ shows have become one of the hottest and most popular productions in TV programming nowadays. The numbers of reality shows have grown largely through the last couple of years which concentrates to attract viewers and gather high ratings via interactive gimmick such as SMS and calling on the phone. Although, the growing trend of reality TV shows are mostly based on low moral values but they have a highly magnetic effect on viewers. I started asking myself and wonder why reality television shows are getting more popular and trendy with audiences and the media industry. What is the exact attraction for such shows? I do feel that it’s worth it to look closer since the impacts on audiences are powerful.

Before I try to uncover the core of why/how the reality shows have such attractions, I have to bear in mind that reality TV shows have no script or policy, not to mention they are easier and lower cost to produce compared to multi-millions ‘Hollywood’ production. As the ‘cast’ in reality shows are ‘real people’ and not actors. Therefore, producers don’t really have to be concerned about paying fees for people who are on the shows. It’s the issue of finding the right mix of people who are desperate to be on TV for fun or experience. From these examples, it is possible to state that that reality TV show could be the most ideal programme to start with for fresh film makers or low budget production companies. Even if the show was a failure, it won’t be as critical as making a film as it is financially less risky. Further more, reality TV shows can be created by anyone who has a brilliant idea. It just hit me that I could even make the reality show right now! No worries.

I personally like watching reality shows for the reason that there are no scripts for how the shows should be or how the people should react. Not that I enjoy every reality shows but I would watch most of them. My favourite shows are ‘Joe Millionaire’, ‘Apprentice’, Temptation Island’, ‘Survivor’, and so on. And I remembered that I enjoyed watching ‘Temptation Island’ last year and I would just wait for the show every week. Just the fact that people were fighting for the money and how they would stab the backs of others which attracted me to watch and try to figure out who will win in the end. It was just hilarious and felt more like a reality game rather than a reality show.

For audiences including me, reality TV show offers an alternate choice to the mainstream programs such as comedy series or the wide choice of police investigating shows which can be seen on at least one channel during primetime. With reality TV shows, viewers are empowered to look into other people’s life without breaking any moral values. What’s more, viewers could cheer themselves up with the relief of knowing or saying ‘how she/he can be so awful/sweet?’ or ‘I could never do/be like that!’. Reality show enable the viewers to escape into a daydream situation such as finding ‘true love’ by living in a beautiful house with 20-25 young beautiful girls to choose from, e.g. ‘Bachelor’. They provide hope and relaxation to viewers at the same time. On the other hand, ‘reality show’ proposes viewers with fantasies and hopes but does it really happen as in reality? In my understanding of everyday life, women/men don’t date or find true love by choosing from 20 people and expect to get married/engaged in a couple of weeks, people just don’t out of the blue fly off to somewhere fancy for the reason of winning money or love. They are completely out of reality! Why would they call it as a reality show? Is it because what they capture on film is what we audiences see?

At this point, I must ask myself, ‘Do we really need another reality TV show or maybe it’s time for an ensured reality show?’ Although it’s known as “Reality Show”, how much I/we would trust them that it is reality without the producer’s plan or touch? After thinking about it, I feel that it is possible to produce one anywhere and possibly without large sum of money. Once again, I find myself asking if it really matter that they are educational or not? Does it matter if they are just some kind of junk shows? Is attracting people to watch, as well as the products advertising that happens without the viewers knowing? Perhaps, reality show is altering to a long series product placement show.

In my positive view, I would like to think that media is a big part of entertainment and when this ‘fad’ fades, that’s the time when producer would start looking for some new trendy shows to attract viewers. But until then, we are still stuck with the current reality show trend. Therefore, as a media student, I would like to be focused and understand thoroughly of this current trend to allow myself to improve my creativities ideas for future reality show if I was a producer. In addition, I believe reality show is a good starting point where I can think and get ideas for my future productions and films. As I mentioned, it would be great to produce a show/film that people can believe without doubt, but I don’t have the solution of the audience being totally sure that it’s a reality and educational show, not a product placement show. I will now always ask myself for the solution and that’s the reason I am furthering my studies at RMIT for!