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As budding filmmakers it is our responsibility to be aware of both the positive and negative effects of media on youth.

How does media technology effect our society?

Studies have shown that children between the ages of two and eighteen spend an average of five and a half hours each day watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet, some children even interact in multiple media tasks at the same time.

Current technology is having cognitive, emotional and social developmental effects on the youth of today. The readiness with which technology is now available to children under the age of 18 is a new phenomenon, and consequently the long-term effects are yet to be seen.

Since television and films first started becoming household commodities researchers have been drawing links between the media and its portrayal of violence. A common widespread belief is that television violence impacts our youth’s behaviour by affecting their cognition of violence. “Disinhibition holds that watching violence on television may legitimise the use of violence by the viewer in real life by undermining social sanctions that normally work to inhibit such behaviour.” “>Reference .

Television shows and films expose children to violence. Violence can include rapes, murders, beatings and other offences. As noted above such exposure desensitises children to such acts, and might make them associate such deviant behaviour as normal. Sex, is another example of an act, which a child might gain the wrong impression by viewing on television. Sex on TV can appear to be indifferent, causal and exploitive to women. It’s very rare for shows to mention contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.

Some research has indicated that viewing violence on television has the same brain wave activating as viewing violence in “real life”. If children are nolonger able to tell the difference between real violence and non-real there is nothing to stop them from performing inappropriate acts such as rape and murder.

One of the main issues with trying to blame television violence as the reason for both youth and adults acting out in later years is that it is difficult to prove cause and effect. “a clear cause-effect relationship is complicated by the fact that children are typically exposed to many stimuli as they grow up, many of which could play a role in later behaviour” (Reference).

More and more research is being done in this area “The results of a study released in March, 2002 that tracked 700 male and female youths over a seventeen-year period showed a definite relationship between TV viewing habits and acts of aggression and crime in the later life” (Reference).

Although we are unable to draw definite conclusions it would appear naive to discredit the effect television violence is having on society. As young producers and directors it is our responsibility to acknowledge such an effect when creating a new TV show or film. How we choose to continue with the knowledge will be determined by each person’s personal conscience.

Research
CHILDREN ANDTV VIOLENCE

TV Violence and Brainmapping in Children

Musical Films Resurgence:

As I begin this blog, I feel it is necessary to first acknowledge that I hold a bias view towards Musicals. Many of my first dramatic experiences were related to Musicals. It appears that as a right of passage, young performers must be involved in their school Musicals. Consequently, I would like to begin by reviewing the productions, which started my fascination with Musicals.

“Fiddler on the Roof” was one of the first musical productions I was involved in. I played the role of Yenta the Matchmaker. Fiddler on the Roof is one of the most overtly famous Jewish musicals of all time. Fidler on The Roof first became a stage musical in the 1960’s and was made into a film in 1971. The wonderful performance of Topol won critical acclaim for the film.

My favorite scene in the Musical is the dance off between the Jews and Russians in the bar when Tevya and Lazer Wolf are agreeing on an arranged marriage for Tevyas eldest daughter. The reason I find the scene so charming is because the scene incorporates the dance moves of both religions. It fuses the two cultures together.

Norman Jewison’s directing abilities, in the film, have also been praised
“as Tevye fantasises about enjoying untold blessings from heaven, the camera looks up at him standing in the barn loft above all the animals, in the place of God as it were, pouring out his gifts to those below — but in the end, as he sings the trenchant last lines, it’s the camera that looks down from on high while Tevye is firmly back on earth.”(Reference)

Another famous musical we performed at school was “Sweet Charity”. In retrospect it was not suitable for high school students to perform, but it was a wonderful musical. Shirley MacLaine played Sweet Charity in the Film version directed by Bob Fosse in 1969. With out a doubt my favorite scene was “Big Spender”. “the superbly weary, sleazy erotica of ‘Hey, Big Spender’, in which a row of disillusioned taxi-dancers laconically display their wares, and the trio of bizarre fantasies (’The Rich Man’s Frug’) performed by a vampiric night-club dancer.” (Reference)

“My Fair Lady”, adapted from the screenplay Pygmalion, is another musical which was made into a film, and which I was involved. It was one of Audrey Hepburn’s greatest roles, although they did not use her voice for the songs. My Fair Lady’s strength was in the characterization of the roles portrayed.

Over the years my interest in Musicals has wavered up and down. However, my love for dramatization, big colorful costumes and music has always remained.

For many years it was no longer fashionable to create Musical Films. Nonetheless, due to the work of such Producer/directors as Baz Lurman, and his film Moulin Rouge, we have started to see a return to the genre of Musical Films. Moulin Rouge was a feast for both the eyes and ears. The production was two years in the making, and well worth the hard work. Performed by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, the musical incorporated catchy popular songs within the framework of a love story. Lurman’s inspiration for the film was the “Moulin Rouge”, the greatest nightclub of its time. It was important to Lurman to try and be authentic in his visual creation of the Moulin Rouge. Lurman also used the concept of the M.R to create an overly spectacular visual experience.

“Chicago” is another musical that recently attracted much hype in Hollywood. Chicago is a long running Broadway show, which was adapted for screen casting some of Hollywood’s most noted performers. Catherine Zeta Jones sizzled in her portrayal of the seductive murderer Velma Kelley and the film was met with critical acclaim. Thus, adding to the rise of the “Film Musical”.

The rise of Bollywood in Hollywood and around the world is another example of the rise of the Musical. Bollywood is well known for their elaborate costumes, large sets and catchy tunes. The recent film musicals “Bride and Prejudice” and “The Guru” are two examples of the impact Bollywood is starting to have in Western Cultures.

It is apparent from the above examples that Musical Films are fast becoming popular, once again, in Westernized culture.

It has recently come to my attention that many people do not know what film and television “producers” prescribed duties entail.

A film or television Producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls either using his own authority (as an entrepreneur) or the authority of an employer (employee producer) (Reference ). A producer is responsible for all aspects of the motion picture and or TV production process from inception to completion, this includes:
* financial,
* creative process.
* technological
* supervision
* administration
The producer is also responsible for overseeing all the actors and crewmembers involved in the film or television production.

There is not only one form of a Producer, the title of “Producer” is used to describe many different types of positions involved in the creative process.

The following are different types of producers:

Executive Producer (EP):
An Executive producer supervises either on his own authority or subject to the authority of an employer. An EP producer is often responsible for overseeing numerous other producers who are confined to one area of the production process.

Producer-Show-runner:
This is arguably the most sought after Producer type in Hollywood. Since television began there have been some names, which have become synonymous with Producer-show runner. Some of the names most identifiable nowadays are Darren Star and David E. Kelly. Both Star and Kelly have produced some of the longest and most financially lucrative shows in television history.

What David E. Kelly and Darren Star have consistently managed to do, is producer well received television shows. Both the aforementioned producers have produced many notable series e.g. Beverly Hills 90210 , Melrose Place, Ally McBeal etc. Due to their consistency such Producers have great clout in the industry.

A show-runner (producer) has the additional responsibility of providing television networks with ideas-that will gross high ratings and be financially beneficial.

Associate Producer:
An Associate Producer performs one or more producer functions assigned to him or her by a producer. An associate producer is under the supervision of a higher-ranking producer

E.g.
Theatrical Motion Pictures Development/ Pre-Production Producer:
* Envisages the underlying concept upon which the production is based
* Selects the material upon which the production is based
* Selects writers and secures the appropriate writers for development of the project etc.

Production Producer:
* Approves contracts for the principle components of the production
* Oversees the unit production manager
* Provides in person consultation with the director
* Provides in-person consultation with the production designer
* Selects composers, manages and approves weekly cost reports etc.

Post Production Producer:
* Provides in person consultation with the editor,
* Views and evaluates the directors cut,
* Supervises the music recording sessions,
* Is involved in person in the publicity process etc

Television Series Development/Pre-Production Producer:
* Creates the pilot or conceives the series concept,
* Acquires the concept with which the pilot or series is developed,
* Oversees and is involved in story or script editing,
* Negotiates in the network license fees or any additional financing required to produce the project.

Clearly, what can be ascertained from the above descriptions and examples is that there are many types of producers with varying responsibilities. Like in any field the type of producer one aspires to be depends on what interests and abilities the person possess.

Furthermore it is important for any one involved in film or television production to understand the varying roles of producers, and where their particular roles both start and end.

The early studio executives all had stories of rags to riches. Many of the studio executives came from Jewish immigrant families and in time they become among the most influential creators of American popular culture.

Nowadays moviemakers deal explicitly with strong Jewish themes. Spielberg re-embraced his Judaism by making the critically acclaimed film “Shindlers List”. The film dealt with Shindler a “Righteous Gentile” who saved the lives of many Jews in the Second World War. Spielberg was criticised by some for misrepresenting Shindler as hero when he was reputably more of an opportunist. However, as a young Jewish Teen at the time I felt the popular Hollywood film sparked a personal interest to study the holocaust in greater detail and it appeared to educate many who previously new nothing about the Holocaust. It appears that the making of the film also had a profound affect on Spielberg. After the completion of the film Spielberg established the “Shoa foundation”, which is now run by his previously estranged father. The Foundation visually documents the stories of survivors.

Woody Allen is another well-known Jewish performer who openly embraces his Jewish identity. Aaron Spelling, Deborah Messing, Adam Sandler, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kirk Douglas e.t.c are all well-known Jewish figures in the Hollywood industry. Consequently, it is no wonder that so many films and television shows not only embrace Jewish characters and actors they also integrate Yiddish words as part of their vernacular.

How the role of the Jew is portrayed in films is another interesting question to ponder. Coming from a religious household it is apparent to me that most Jews portrayed in Hollywood would be associated with Reform Judaism. Reform Judaism does not prescribe to the belief that the “Torah” (religious writings) where handed to Moses at mount Sinai verbatim. Reform Judaism is more associated with customs and traditions than religious observance.

In the film “Keeping the Faith”, actor Ben Stiller plays a Rabbi who falls in love with a non-Jewish gorgeous blond women played by Jenna Elfman. For a Rabbi to marry non-Jewish women the Jewish people would consider it a great loss. This film appears to underplay the importance of religion and faith and ascribe to a happy Hollywood ending where the man and women end up together.

The surge of the Kabbah is yet another example of how Judaism affects Hollywood. The Kabbalah is Jewish Mysticism. It is only supposed to be studied after the age of 40,when a person is married and with great care. However, Hollywood seems to have embraced the idea of Kabbalah , or its cult version of the Kabbalah. Sadly, one of the greatest Jewish teachings appears to have become a form of a cult headed by such famous artists as Madonna (Ester)Demi Moor, Ashton Kutcher and Britney Spears.

Adam Sandler is another well-known Jewish actor, writer and producer. In an attempt to give young Jewish kids their own holiday songs for Chanukah (similar to songs published every year for Christmas) , he produced a popular Chanukah album. In some of Sandler’s songs he lists the many actors associated with Judaism and how they are associated. In Australia the cult band “Yidcore”, are Jewish punk rockers that write and perform strongly Jewish songs.

As a young star Kirk Douglas dissociated himself with Judaism but after two near death experiences the actor has become a devote Jew. Douglas also encourages others to embrace Judaism.

“Studying the Torah is very demanding. I say to screenwriters, you want to write? Study the Torah. There is every story, every plot that you can think of in there, and it is very dramatic.'’ (Kirk Douglas)

I have started to explore the aforementioned issues in relation to my own projects. It is apparent that Judaism is affecting the film industry both in front and behind the camera.

Extra:
The lyrics from Adam Sandlers Chanuka Song

Who and What Am I:
Unlike any other tangible form, the Internet raises the question “Who or what disseminated the information I am reading?” When one reads an article on the Internet, interacts with a web site, receives a pop up icon or responds to a chat session invariably we do not know who, what or how many people we are interacting with. Consequently, when the law tries to govern the Internet it must first recognize the new forms of “information givers” that exist in such unchartered legal territory. Are we responding to a random Internet generated message, or are we chatting with many people typing from one station using the same name chat name or are we simply chatting to a 12 year old girl in California?

A further, and greater, issue that arises is jurisdiction. “Traditional law is based on the notion that activity occurs in a particular jurisdiction-a nation, a state/territory, a municipality- and can be dealt through reference to the rules (and authorities) of that physical location” (Ref). The problem that the Internet raises is that it is difficult to define whose jurisdiction an issue may arise in because people interacting over the Internet, or information being disseminated, may come from different countries. Consequently, even if a ruling were made by a court it would not have to be upheld in another country. Laws and rulings cannot be made to cross international borders, and sometimes they cannot even cross-national territories.

The first amendment of the United States constitution is “freedom of speech”. This amendment has also been one of the main issues causing delay in the judicial process. The amendment provides all Americans with the right to freedom of speech, and it is an amendment, which is strongly upheld and adhered to. Nonetheless, Australia does not adhere to the same constitutional privilege and therefore ultimately has more scope to combat Internet abusers.

A further site of interest may be New Forms Of CommunicatorsNew Forms Of Communicators

What is a documentary?

One of the prominent questions my Masters of Media Production class has been continually discussing is “what constitutes a documentary?”

When I was younger the very thought of watching a documentary would make me ill. I believed a documentary was long and boring. I believed that a documentary was “the truth!” It was a factual account of a person or event that had come to pass.

It seems that over the last few years what constitutes a documentary is changing, and with it is my desire to view a documentary.

Wikipedia defines a documentary as

“A documentary is a work in a visual or auditory medium presenting political, scientific, social, or historical subjects in a factual and informative manner.”

The AFC’s definition of documentary follows that used by the Australian Broadcasting Authority: specifically ‘a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine infotainment or light entertainment program, and corporate and/or training programs.’ The AFC data covers documentaries intended for cinema or TV release. Non-broadcast documentaries are not included, nor are online documentaries. (AFC)

Another definition of a documentary, and my favorite is the following “In audiovisual records: (1) A non-fiction motion picture film having a theme or viewpoint but drawing its material from actual events and using editing and sound to enhance the theme. (2) Still photographs having a theme or viewpoint but showing actual situations realistically”.(Ref)

The reason the aforementioned is my favourite definition of a documentary is because it acknowledges that the editing and sound are used to enhance the theme. Thus, suggesting that a documentary is more than just a factual account of a situation or a person.

The more my class delved into the concept of a documentary, the broader our view became. I would not attempt to write my own definition of a documentary, but if I were to I would highlight such words as “enhance” and “directors view”. Unlike my childish belief that a documentary was the truth, I now believe that a documentary is the account of a factual event or person told through the often-bias view of the storyteller (producer or director).

Michael Moor is a notoriously famous documentary filmmaker. Many believe that the rise of the documentary is due to Michael Moor. Prior to Moors films “Bowling for Columbine” and “Fahrenheit 9/11”, documentaries did not receive the same marketing and exposure as fictional films. Moor’s elaborate, embellished and blatant lack of subjectivity has made his documentaries not only profitable but re-ignited documentary filmmakers.

Michael Moor has opened the door to documentary filmmakers. A great deal of footage in his films appears to be filmed on a simple camcorder and edited in a home suite. But, Moor is more than a documentary maker, he is a true storyteller. Although, I enjoy Moor’s documentaries and they have inspired my filmmaking ambitions I am not unaware of his methods. Moor has been condemned for his uses of heavy editing, sentences are assembled in the speaker’s voice, but edited to create new sentences.

Thus, we re-visit the question “What is a documentary”, how can we distinguish a documentary from a fictional film. If Moor’s films are considered documentaries then it would seem that such movies, as “The Crucible”, “Gladiator” and “Schindler’s List” should also be considered documentaries.

The line between fiction and non-fiction is becoming more difficult to distinguish. I believe in time there will start to be stricter rules determine what constitutes a documentary.

In follow up to my entry “what makes a great short film” I thought it would be important to also ascertain what makes a great documentary.

Making a great documentary is as difficult as making a short film, however what is more difficult is financing and selling a great documentary. The nature of documentary making is expensive. You have to buy all the appropriate insurance and also ensure all the visuals; music and graphics are properly licensed. Furthermore, the prospective broadcasters will require you to certify that you attained full legal permission to use every frame of video and every measure of music. Clearly, it is a costly business.

The following are the top ten tips to making a great documentary by Janis Cole, I have added annotated comments.

1. Secure creative backup funds (it is always important to have extra money)
2. Pick crews who make you laugh (its important to pick people you have a good time with, because documentary film making often requires shooting difficult subjects in difficult conditions)
3. Learn to embrace CHANGE (I believe its important when creating a documentary to sometimes let the work guide you, rather than being too restrictive with your filmmaking approach.)
4. Leave all drugs at the hotel when you go off to shoot (Yes, the entertainment industry is notorious for its use of drugs, but I hope that when people are at work they can leave their addictions at home)
5. Don’t even consider dealing drugs to finance your film (I think this is a ridiculous comment to include)
6. Choose your wardrobe to indicate that you’re the filmmaker (professionalism is important in any shoot. Furthermore, it’s important to dress appropriately. For example if shooting a film in the Middle East it is important for both men and women to dress conservatively and appropriately so as not to offend anyone or cause trouble)
7. Keep your idea under wraps (it is always important not to disclose too much about a film prior to its completion, as ideas are easily stolen)
8. Document your production experiences (the making of films are currently very important for marketing)
9. DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB – YET (only a few people will succeed in the entertainment industry.)
10. Steal Michael Moore’s doc method Pick a topic (any will do), determine a narrow viewpoint (arguable for 90 minutes), put yourself in front of the camera (don’t worry about how you look), tell your audience what you think (which is how you want them to think) and be sure to make anyone else’s viewpoint looks foolish (easily achieved in the cutting room, even when your main character isn’t George W. Bush).

My top five documentaries are:
1) Farenheit 9/11
2) Super Size Me
3) The Making of Moulin rouge
4) The documentaries 7 and Up.
5) Spellbound.

The first documentaries that I was truly fascinated by where the “Seven Up” series. I was captivated by how the storyteller captured the personalities of the subjects. “The basic premise was to examine the Jesuit theory: “Give me the child until he is 7, and I will show you the man”. Michael Apted wanted to document whether the theory was true or false. Is a person’s fate sealed at birth? He filmed the same children every seventh year from the time they were seven. It has also become the longest running real life documentary ever made. I am not so sure I would have been so fascinated if I was only able to see one of the documentaries, what made it so interesting was to be able to watch the progression over time.

There is currenlty a rise of documentary filmamking, and rise in innovative documentary filmmaking such as the ABC documentary “Homeless” . The probelm with Homeless is that it lacks depth. The documentary does not make us care about the people represented.

Although, I applaud the rise of the “documentary” film and the innovative new forms of media being explored I am afraid that along the way many new film-makers will loose site of the most important part of the documentary process “The Story!”.