MidTerm Reflection

1. I've learned that it's important for us to critically analyze and evaluate media and the way it's produced. I've also learned that with the emergence of Web 2.0 and ever changing technology, the traditional forms of media, such as newspapers, are no longer as effective as they once were. Media production has undergone, and is continuing to undergo a huge shift in order to accommodate for growing technological trends and changes.

2. As a reader, I've learned that with the right information, I'm able to analyze and evaluate media texts and experiences, and determine which media productions are truthful and reliable, and which ones are just rubbish or influenced by some sort of bias that may influence the message. Also, because we must make observations from each chapter on the course blog, I've learned to better select and organize important information. As a writer, I've discovered that, while I still don't love writing, it is a useful skill to have in any profession I pursue; the writing and scripting that we've done in class will help make me more marketable within a communications degree/profession. In this class, I've learned to think much more critically than I ever have before about media and the way it's created. Analyzing and evaluating our power tools and the way they are used/affected by media productions has helped me understand the landscape of today's media culture.

3. I would definitely not have waited until the last minute to do the first set of media meditations, especially since they were great practice for the midterm.

4. In our tool sets, the political shift under the eight shifts mentions the 1996 Telecommunication Act and the "Net Neutrality" debate. I know absolutely nothing about either of these and I think it would be useful to go over at least a brief history or overview of these in order to better understand the details of the political shift. Other than that small detail, I think this course has been great.

5. I really like all the films we've watched so far; I found them really interesting and informative. Our book does an excellent job of of describing the the process and details of media writing. I feel like I've gotten a really good grasp on the basics of scripting from the examples in the book as well as the practice that we've done in class. I like the course blog because it keeps me up to date on assignments and the all the comments give a nice overview of each chapter. I like the personal blog because it serves as a record of all the work I've done for class.

One Column/Mash Method: News Scripting

Watch CBS News Videos Online

So, I know this video is kind of long, but it caught my eye since I'm 19 and still don't have my driver's license.

Scene #1:
ESTABLISHING SHOT: INSIDE CAR-DRIVING INSTRUCTOR IN PASSENGER'S SEAT.
Driving instructor: Up here we're going to be making a right.

Scene #2:
MEDIUM SHOT: OUTSIDE FRONT WINDSHIELD OF CAR WITH YELLOW "DRIVER EDUCATION STUDENT" SIGN ON TOP-STUDENT DRIVER AND DRIVING INSTRUCTOR CAN BE SEEN THROUGH WINDSHIELD.
Remember turning 16?

Scene #3:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE CAR-STUDENT DRIVER IN DRIVER'S SEAT.
Many of us couldn't wait to get behind the wheel.

Scene #4:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE CAR-STUDENT'S FACE IN FRONT WINDSHIELD'S REAR VIEW MIRROR, ROAD OUTSIDE OF WINDSHIELD WITH CARS AND HOUSES.
But not all teens are racing to the D.M.V anymore.

Scene #5:
CLOSEUP ON "DRIVER EDUCATION STUDENT" SIGN/ROAD WITH CARS.

Scene #6:
MEDIUM SHOT: TEENAGE BOY IN CLASSROOM.
Interviewer: Are you getting your driver's license soon?
Teenage boy (shaking his head): Not soon.

Scene #7:
MEDIUM SHOT: GIRL AT DESK IN CLASSROOM. OTHER STUDENTS IN BACKGROUND.
Teacher: So what happens on the first time you get that moving violation?
PAN LEFT ACROSS STUDENTS TO MEDIUM SHOT OF TEACHER.

Scene #8:
LONG SHOT: CLASSROOM-TEACHER, STUDENTS, SOME TYPE OF DRIVER'S SEAT SIMULATOR IN FOREGROUND.
Ed Starr teaches driver's ed in Arlington, Virginia.

Scene #9:
MEDIUM SHOT: OUTSIDE OF BUILDING-ED STARR BESIDE CAR WITH "DRIVER EDUCATION STUDENT DRIVER" SIGN ON TOP.
Interviewer: Does it seem to you like fewer kids want to get their licenses these days?
SUPERIMPOSE INTERVIEWEE SCREEN IDENTIFICATION: ED STARR, DRIVING INSTRUCTOR.
Ed Starr: Um, yes. Umm, back in 2005, we had about 96 students, um, attempt to get their license. Now we get about 40 to 45 students.
Interviewer: So half as many?
Ed Starr (nodding): Yes.

Scene #10:
ESTABLISHING SHOT: ROAD, HILLS.
It's a national trend.
SUPERIMPOSE STATISTICS: LICENSED DRIVERS: 16-YEAR-OLDS. 30.7% FOR 2008. SOURCE: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION.
Federal data shows only a third of eligible 16-year-olds got their licenses in 2008. That's down from almost 45% 20 years ago.
SUPERIMPOSE STATISTICS: 44.7% FOR 1998. SOURCE: FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION.

Scene #11:
MEDIUM SHOT: OUTSIDE BUILDING-NEWS REPORTER.
Gallegus (walking forward): One big reason for the decline: the economy.
SUPERIMPOSE REPORTER SCREEN IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATION: MANUEL GALLEGUS, CBS NEWS. ARLINGTON, VA.
Gallegus: For many families the cost of paying for a car, insurance, and gas money for a teenage driver is just too high.

Scene #12:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE D.M.V-BACK OF TEENAGE BOY WITH PAPERS, TALKING TO SOMEONE IN CUBICLE.
It's also a lot tougher these days to get a license.

Scene #13:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE D.M.V-"LICENSE RENEWAL" AND "LICENSE EXAMS" SIGNS.
PAN DOWN TO PEOPLE WAITING IN LINES.
Most states now require another step: an intermediate license.

Scene #14:
LONG SHOT: INSIDE BUSY D.M.V-PEOPLE WAITING.
With that comes all kinds of restrictions.

Scene #15:
MEDIUM SHOT: DRIVING RESTRICTIONS-UNITED STATES MAP WITH STATES THAT PREVENT TEENAGE DRIVING AT NIGHT HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW.
47 states prevent teens from driving at night.
SUPERIMPOSE "NIGHT DRIVING" HEADING AND STATE LABELS.
44 states limit the number of passengers, especially other teens.
SUPERIMPOSE "NUMBER OF PASSENGERS" HEADING. DISSOLVE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTING. STATES THAT LIMIT NUMBER OF PASSENGERS ARE NOW HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN.

Scene #16:
MEDIUM SHOT: OUTSIDE OF BUILDING-ED STARR BESIDE CAR WITH "DRIVER EDUCATION STUDENT DRIVER" SIGN ON TOP.
Ed Starr: The whole process, you know, is kind of complicated for a 16-year-old student. Um, when we go over all these laws and regulations, you can see them going and saying "What is going on?"

Scene #17:
MEDIUM SHOT: OUTSIDE DOORS LOOKING INTO CLASSROOM-TEACHER WALKING AROUND, STUDENTS AT DESKS.
Even some who get it say they just don't want the responsibility.

Scene #18:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE CLASSROOM-4 STUDENTS WITH DESKS PUSHED TOGETHER WORKING IN A GROUP.

Scene #19:
MEDIUM SHOT: BOY IN CLASSROOM-OTHER STUDENTS IN BACKGROUND.
Interviewer: How come you're going to wait?
Boy: Uhh 'cause I never tried driving before and I'm kind of scared that I might crash.

Scene #20:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE HOUSE-2 TEENAGE BOYS AT COMPUTER.
And then there's Skype and Facebook.

Scene #21:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE HOUSE-BACK OF 2 BOYS AT COMPUTER.
ZOOM IN ON BOYS.
Who needs a car when you can hang out with your friends online?

Scene #22:
MEDIUM SHOT: TEENAGE GIRL INSIDE CLASSROOM.
SUPERIMPOSE INTERVIEWEE IDENTIFICATION: ERIKA PAZ, STUDENT.
Erika: You don't really have to be in front of the person to have an actual conversation, or have fun.

Scene #23:
MEDIUM SHOT: ROAD WITH CARS AND BUS.
The downside for parents: they get to keep shuttling their kids around.

Scene #24:
ESTABLISHING SHOT: HIGHWAY-CARS, BUS.
But fewer teens on the road means fewer are dying.

Scene #25:
MEDIUM SHOT: HIGHWAY-CARS DRIVING.
In Illinois, teen driving deaths dropped by more than 50%, when its tougher laws took effect in 2008.
SUPERIMPOSE SCREEN STATISTICS-ILLINOIS: TEEN DRIVING DEATHS DOWN 52%.

Scene #26:
CLOSEUP: CAR TIRES DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.

Scene #27:
MEDIUM SHOT: OUTSIDE-TROY GREEN, ROAD AND CARS IN BACKGROUND.
SUPERIMPOSE SCREEN IDENTIFICATION: TROY GREEN, SPOKESMAN, AAA.
Troy Green: So, it's not as if we want to come down hard on teen drivers, we just want to make sure they're safe while driving.

Scene #28:
MEDIUM SHOT: TEENS IN DRIVER'S SEAT SIMULATOR CLASSROOM.
For many 16-year-old drivers this...
TEENS TAKE SHARP TURN IN DRIVER'S SEAT SIMULATORS.
Screeching tires.
is the only turn they'll take on the open road.

Scene #29:
MEDIUM SHOT: INSIDE CLASSROOM-BACKS OF STUDENTS IN DRIVER'S SEAT SIMULATORS, SCREEN STUDENTS ARE WATCHING.
Manuel Gallegus, CBS News, Arlington, Virginia.