Numerous lessons throughout this module have identified how mixed media types such as television and film have created new platforms for relating the human experience to viewers. While some content creators seek to experiment with storytelling, others stick to what works—or what draws in the audiences (and ratings) most effectively. Noting how all of these forms have the ability to interpret, represent, and change reality is an essential part of media literacy.
Use the summaries to review what this module revealed about the media’s methods and messages.
Reality Television
Shows like The Real World are still on MTV after 33 seasons, and many other reality TV shows are popular, such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kitchen Nightmares, and the Real Housewives franchises. It certainly seems like American audiences sometimes prefer the reality that television provides to their own.
Network and Cable News Programming
One of the first things a media literacy student must learn about the news programs she watches is that they are not created equal. These programs may look and sound the same at times, but depending on the channel and anchors involved, news programming can serve a diverse set of purposes. Two types of news programming that are often contrasted are those that are on network channels versus cable channels.
Parody News Programming
When a phenomenon grows in popularity, it is a common practice in our culture to create a parody of that thing—a humorous spin on something well-known designed mainly to entertain audiences. The Scary Movie franchise, for example, is a series of parodies modeled off of the surge of horror movies in the late 1990s and 2000s. Given the rise in both network and cable news programming in the past 50 years, it was only a matter of time before news parodies captured the attention of audiences as well.
Cinema
Though most of us have been to the movies, few of us sit and think about how movies create interpretations of reality through their use of cinematics. While a story relies on the reader’s imagination to come alive, a skilled filmmaker can bring his specific interpretation to life—with his trusty camera, some keen editing, and perhaps a hundred (or thousand!) additional cast and crew members.
Now see if you can answer all of the multiple-choice questions below, taking note of any concepts that might require additional review.
What earlier form of media was NOT considered a foundation for reality TV?
- cinema verité moviemaking
- game shows
- commedia dell’arte theatre
The first entries into reality television were game show-style productions that caught people in real situations giving everyday answers. Thanks to the help of cinema verité moviemaking in Europe and the invention of the handheld camera, real footage could be captured and recorded at any time and in any location.
The first entries into reality television were game show-style productions that caught people in real situations giving everyday answers. Thanks to the help of cinema verité moviemaking in Europe and the invention of the handheld camera, real footage could be captured and recorded at any time and in any location.
The first entries into reality television were game show-style productions that caught people in real situations giving everyday answers. Thanks to the help of cinema verité moviemaking in Europe and the invention of the handheld camera, real footage could be captured and recorded at any time and in any location.
Why do many critics feel that the methods behind the creation of modern reality TV have become “paradoxical and hypocritical”?
- because much of reality TV is now heavily scripted and staged
- because reality TV now focuses on important issues of identity and belonging that were not previously dealt with
- because reality TV now focuses more on famous people than everyday people
A paradox is an illogical or absurd situation that can be true only upon further thought; a hypocrisy is a behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel.
A paradox is an illogical or absurd situation that can be true only upon further thought; a hypocrisy is a behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel.
A paradox is an illogical or absurd situation that can be true only upon further thought; a hypocrisy is a behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel.
What are many of the fundamental differences between network and cable news programs derived from?
- the number of hours of programming each type of channel is responsible for creating
- the expectations of audiences who are watching content they have paid to receive
- the governmental regulations that are placed on network channels but not on cable channels
In an effort to fill 24 hours’ worth of news programming a day, cable news channels can rarely rely on the same content as network news to interest their national audiences. As a result, they tend to inject more passion, conflict, and opinion into their newscasts.
In an effort to fill 24 hours’ worth of news programming a day, cable news channels can rarely rely on the same content as network news to interest their national audiences. As a result, they tend to inject more passion, conflict, and opinion into their newscasts.
In an effort to fill 24 hours’ worth of news programming a day, cable news channels can rarely rely on the same content as network news to interest their national audiences. As a result, they tend to inject more passion, conflict, and opinion into their newscasts.
What are cable news often criticized for using?
- professional-looking actors with no journalism backgrounds
- intense graphical and textual layouts
- passionate and opinionated anchors and pundits
Typically, those involved in journalism follow a code of ethics that directs them away from emotional appeals and outbursts, as it may unfairly influence an audience. Cable news hosts and pundits are often characterized as sensationalistic.
Typically, those involved in journalism follow a code of ethics that directs them away from emotional appeals and outbursts, as it may unfairly influence an audience. Cable news hosts and pundits are often characterized as sensationalistic.
Typically, those involved in journalism follow a code of ethics that directs them away from emotional appeals and outbursts, as it may unfairly influence an audience. Cable news hosts and pundits are often characterized as sensationalistic.
Which is NOT a reason that parody news programs remain popular with viewers?
- Viewers tune in as a more lighthearted alternative to the often-depressing hard news content and programming.
- Viewers tune in because they grow attached to the comedic celebrities who star in the shows.
- Viewers tune in as a way to keep in touch with actual news.
News parody shows became so popular that in some cases viewers tuned in to learn the news as well as to laugh at it. Some think that a major reason for the popularity of news parodies is a result of the news’ often depressing content—proving the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine."
News parody shows became so popular that in some cases viewers tuned in to learn the news as well as to laugh at it. Some think that a major reason for the popularity of news parodies is a result of the news’ often depressing content—proving the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine."
News parody shows became so popular that in some cases viewers tuned in to learn the news as well as to laugh at it. Some think that a major reason for the popularity of news parodies is a result of the news’ often depressing content—proving the old saying that “laughter is the best medicine."
What is the primary difference between parody and satire?
- the intended responses from their audiences
- the use of different forms of humor, exaggeration, and ridicule
- the size of their audiences
Though they often overlap, the main difference between parody and satire involves their purposes. Parody is meant to poke fun and make its audience laugh, where satire is meant to be critical of something and make its audience think.
Though they often overlap, the main difference between parody and satire involves their purposes. Parody is meant to poke fun and make its audience laugh, where satire is meant to be critical of something and make its audience think.
Though they often overlap, the main difference between parody and satire involves their purposes. Parody is meant to poke fun and make its audience laugh, where satire is meant to be critical of something and make its audience think.
When a film director reinterprets an existing work of literature, what is she able to change about the original work?
- characters and settings only
- plot, characters, and settings only
- plot, characters, settings, and themes
Depending on the amount of control the director is given, she may change nearly everything about the existing literary work if she so chooses, though she should maintain some significant connections to the original work.
Depending on the amount of control the director is given, she may change nearly everything about the existing literary work if she so chooses, though she should maintain some significant connections to the original work.
Depending on the amount of control the director is given, she may change nearly everything about the existing literary work if she so chooses, though she should maintain some significant connections to the original work.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
