Primetime Horror

Posted by Casey Muessigmann on October 10th 2013 to Generic Reviews
“American Horror Story: Coven,” and “The Walking Dead: Season 4″ are both set to premiere in early October.
 
The anticipation has been building. Two of the most-highly watched horror series on national television are going to be back on the air within a mere few days of each other. The new lineup of fan-favorite shows seems to have taken a turn toward the crypt. If Miley Cyrus has shown us anything, it’s that America loves the unexpected and different.
 
Since hitting TV, “The Walking Dead” has drawn rave-reviews from horror fanatics nationwide. The zombie-apocalypse tale features thick plot-lines and well-developed characters. The state of the world around them causes a constant state of insecurity in the viewer. You just don’t know what to expect. Season 3 simply stressed the point that writers had been proving all along: no one is safe. Seasons 1-3 are available on Netflix.
 
Serving as “The Walking Dead’s” metaphorical Robin, “American Horror Story” is also making its return. Each episode has a story of its own. Each character is intricately developed. The script is incredibly well-written, and the cast is stellar. Add each individual factor up, and you’ve got great potential for a hit show. The difference between AHS and other weekly programs, however, is that AHS constantly pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable, and what is expected.
 
Slate.com points out that topics featured in the AHS past have included: insanity, nuns, aliens, posession, medical experimentation, religious hypocrisy, homsexual aversion therapy, serial killers, the devil, abortion, the Holocaust, and as of this season, slavery and witchcraft.
 
The fact that a pair of mainstream horror shows have caught the eye of Americans speaks volumes to the changing world we live in. Viewers expect more from television. They expect a raw sense of danger. They expect a jaw-dropping plot carried out by a gifted cast. If history tells us anything, “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story” will deliver.
 
For The Walking Dead Season 4 Info: http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/10/08/walking-dead-scott-gimple-season-4/
 
For American Horror Story: Coven Info: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1715314/american-horror-story-coven-premiere.jhtml
 
Also: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/television/2013/10/american_horror_story_coven_season_3_reviewed.html
 
For Information on Past Seasons of AHS: http://www.avclub.com/articles/american-horror-story,103902/
 
 
 

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Objective vs. Subjective

Posted by Casey Muessigmann on September 03rd 2013 to Generic Reviews

Objective Description

I spent 20 minutes observing my roommates while they were spending time in the living room. One of them was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework. A pair of them sat in front of the television playing a game of NCAA Football. Another was sprawled out on the couch, reading a book of some sort. This is pretty regular amongst us on nights when classes await the next morning.

 

Subjective Description

I spent a short time in our living room with my roommates, and the following were my observations. One sat at the kitchen table; his vacant face peering into his dull computer screen. He seemed to be searching for the answer to a question he hadn’t even fully comprehended yet. Another laid leisurely on a couch, scanning the pages of an apparently breath-taking piece of literature. The final two sat straight-backed on chairs, leaning toward the television screen with all their might. They were clearly locked in a matchup of wits via NCAA Football 2014. In our apartment, it’s make or break when you take the virtual gridiron, and losing just isn’t an option.

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Journalist’s Toolkit Review

Posted by Casey Muessigmann on August 26th 2013 to Generic Reviews

The third article we were asked to look over was “Journalist’s Toolkit.” Being unfamiliar with Google Chrome, I’d have to say the article did an excellent job of walking young journalists through using the program. Fonts are visited as well, explaining that depending on what system you have, your fonts that you set may not appear the same to others who visit it. The article also explains how to avoid this issue. It provides tutorial sites for setting up your website, and gives a step-by-step guide to data journalism and the use of videos in your work.

In essence, this is a guide to video and data journalism. There are several helpful hits and resources just waiting to be tapped into waiting at the site below.

http://www.jtoolkit.com/wp/

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Reporter’s Guide to Multimedia Proficiency Review

Posted by Casey Muessigmann on August 26th 2013 to Generic Reviews

The second article we were asked to look over is titled the “Reporter’s Guide to Multimedia Proficiency.” From the very get-go I could see how this blog would be helpful to the less media-savvy. The immediate introduction of a couple “RSS” blogs that feature facebook and twitter information and explanations is a perfect start. The article goes on to proclaim the importance of finding the right blogs for you. It also claims that one good blog leads to another, and I can relate to that without a doubt.

The next section says that if you want to become a journalist, there is absolutely no reason to wait any longer. Start a blog. Start it now. And when it comes to finding things to write about, feel free to ramble as I’m doing right now. The article features links to any and every example you could ever wish for when looking for a blog template, and serves as a great resource to beginning bloggers. Owning an audio recorder and learning how to conduct an interview are covered next. An interview is an easy and effective type of blog.

Basically, this article served as the outline on a blank page for your future blog. It provides links to podcasts, sample photos, how to edit the photos, sample websites, and in a nutshell provides examples for any question you might have.

Long story short. Don’t wait. Write now. Add pictures. Add links. Be creative, and have fun with your journalism, because if you’re going to do something you love and share your story with the world, you might as well have fun doing it! To see the site, visit the link below.

http://www.jou.ufl.edu/faculty/mmcadams/PDFs/RGMPbook.pdf

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Living in a Media World Review

Posted by Casey Muessigmann on August 26th 2013 to Generic Reviews

This week in class we were asked to review a few articles. The first of which was “Living in a Media World.” In my initial skim of the page, the youtube videos posted caught my eye, but upon further review, I noticed the importance of the text featured. Kickstarter was a prominent topic of discussion on this site, and as a musician, I am well aware of the benefits that the program can provide to an artist or journalist. With the financial backing of volunteers, whom gain rewards along the way depending on the amount they invest, it can open doors and opportunities to those who may simply not have the money to make these projects alone. One such example of a successful kickstarter is a good friend of mine, Mike Squillante, who asked his fans and youtube subscribers to donate toward his next album.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1924478282/lets-do-this-together-mike-squillantes-new-record

If you’re interested in what this guy is capable, just feel free to check him out on facebook, twitter, or youtube. He’s phenomenal, and thanks to the kickstarter program this article raves about, he’s got a new album coming out.

The page also provided insight into a students’ perspective of the media, giving several examples of their first media related memory. They ranged from television programs to songs, and I found this ironic, because if I was posed with the same question, I’d quickly respond with the 1990’s cartoon “The Care Bears.”

The sale of the Washington Post was also featured, as well as a small section about the success of Univision, and the role of women in movies. To get a peek at the page yourself, visit the link below.

http://www.ralphehanson.com/

 

 

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