Melanie's Blog.

Communication 1A03! :) Prof: Alexandre Sevigny, Tuesday and Friday - 3:20/4:30, TA: Rita Tourkova.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Thanks Rita!


Hey Rita!
Thank you for planning the trip to Toronto. It was a great experience and I had an awesome time! Take care over the summer. Have fun! haha.

Where In The World Is Harry?


It seems that Prince Harry has been over seas for the last few months serving on the front lines in Iraq. But was he really in Iraq? Recent pictures suggest that he was not in Iraq at all. A journalist, who follows the Royal family, has just told an English newspaper that he was sworn to secrecy when the Royal family paid him to photo shop pictures of Prince Harry in Iraq.

All photos regarding the family have always been sold through this certain journalist and all magazines deal with this person directly first. It would seem that this journalist had all the hot news on the family so magazines and newspapers made deals to get the scoop before everyone else. The problem with this scheme was that it did not last! The journalist finally cracked for 5 million dollars. An insider, who will not be named, offered the journalist 5 million for his confession and the pictures of him before they were photo shopped.

Prince Harry would dress up in an army uniform and stand in front of a white backdrop. Then his body would be put into a picture recently shot in Iraq. What Harry was really doing is cheating on his girlfriend of 3 years Chelsy Davy with Melanie Archer. Melanie met Harry when he was traveling to Niagara Falls and they fell in love instantly.

The only way he thought he could be away without Chelsy knowing of his love affair was if he got drafted. He has been living with Melanie at her dorm room ever since. Brandon Hall at McMaster University has been swamped with photographers ever since. Pictures have not yet surfaced but soon enough they will.

M. Gillespie who is the author of “Cool Bodies: TV Ad Talk,” says that this type of scandal is what the teenage mind feeds on this day in age. It is stated that “for these young people, consuming involves buying into an image, an identity, a fantasy, a feeling, or a myth.” (Sevigny, Lecture 13) For teens in today’s society, this is the type of story that can be incorporated into everyday life. It is every girl’s fantasy to hide away with a prince who loves her.

Many products are also sold based on this dream all together. An example would be the way a Barbie doll is portrayed. There is Princess Barbie and Prince Ken who live happily together in the castle and Rapuzel who gets swept away by her Prince as well. Many teens buy into this idea and this story is just proof that sometimes a Prince does come along to love and rescue you.

Miss World Canada - Tiffany Sterlingberg


Tiffany Sterlingberg
London, ON

From just graduating from high school to the university scene, Tiffany Sterlingberg has done it all. A new student at McMaster University, Tiffany has decided that she can not only handle the work load but everything that has to come with being a contestant in the Miss World Canada pageant as well.

Along with her fellow contestant Nicole, Tiffany has donated her time to many organizations such as Big Sisters and Save the Whales. She plans on continuing her studies at McMaster in the communications program and would like to one-day write for the Hamilton Gazette. She currently has an internship at the Gazette and loves it so much that she hopes she can stay to start a career.

Tiffany has won many prestigious pageants and it is seen that these wins put her one step ahead of her opponent Nicole. Some of these pageants include the Miss Teeny Weeny and Miss Pretty Girl contests. The prizes that are associated with both pageants include trips abroad and cash towards her education at McMaster University.

As an active member of the community Tiffany participates in many events that involve public speaking. As a student of communications she finds it very important to distinctly use both her verbal and non-verbal communication skills when addressing a crowd. She especially thinks that non-verbal communication skills are key to any beauty contestant. Some non-verbal communication characteristics include “posture, gesture, face, eyes, voice, physical attractiveness and clothing.” (Sevigny, Lecture 14) Tiffany uses these characteristics very seriously when making a speech and tells us that this is why she won the “I Love Your Speech” award at her high school in 12th grade.

After she has completed her studies at McMaster she wants to travel abroad to Italy where she can find her Italian heritage. She plans on stuffing her face with meatballs and eating as much pasta as she wants. Tiffany has an indefinite love for anything Italian but also is very proud of being Canadian.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Song Associated With This Presentation.


The In Crowd - By: The Mama's and The Papa's. haha.

When listening to this presentation, I had this song in my head...haha. LAME!

I'm in with the in crowd;
I go where the in crowd goes.
I'm in with the in crowd;
And I know what the in crowd knows.
Any time of the year, don’t you hear?
Dressin? fine; makin? time.
We breeze up and down the street;
We get respect from the people we meet.
They make way day or night;
They know the in crowd is out of sight.
I'm in with the in crowd;
I know every latest dance.
When you've in with the in crowd,
It's so easy to find romance!
Any time of the year, don't you hear?
If it's square, we ain't there.
We make every minute count;
Our share is always the biggest amount.
Other guys imitate us, but the original is still the greatest.
In crowd!
Any time of the year, don't you hear?
Spendin? cash; talkin? trash.
I’ll show you a real good time;
Come on with me and leave your troubles behind.
I don't care where you've been,
You ain't been no where 'il you been in---
With the in crowd.
With the in crowd.
In crowd!
In crowd!

What I Learned About Crowds. (Presentation March 10th, 2008.)


- People lose their sense of identity when in a crowd.
- People rely on others to take responsibility for their actions when in a crowd.
- Example in "Mean Girls" Katie was the outsider and then conformed when met "The Plastics."
- Crowds are influenced by the media.
- When people watch TV, they believe it's OK to inherit the actions seen.
- The power of reasoning in crowds prevents others to do what they really want.
- When in a crowd, actions are contagious.
- People inevitably conform to crowds when apart of one.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

It's Game Night For the Sabres!


Tonight the Buffalo Sabres play the Washington Capitals. I believe that they are going to win tonight! Game time is 7:30pm. I wish I was at the game! :( haha. LET"S GO BUFFALO! BOOOOOOOOOO CAPTIALS!!!!!

JACK JACK JACK!!!


Jack Johnson is coming to Ontario!! Aug. 3rd! I'll be there! I'm so excited to go!! It's going to be a great end to my summer even though summer hasn't started yet! I do not even want to think about summer ending! I just want it to start and for exams to be over!!! haha. Hey Rita, what are you going to be doing this summer?

Number 10.


LOUISIANA.

Number 9.


MEXICO.

Number 8.


CHINA.

Number 7.


SCOTLAND.

Number 6.


IRELAND.

Number 5.


AUSTRALIA.

Number 4.


GREECE.

Number 3.


FRANCE.

Number 2.


ENGLAND.

Number 1.


ITALY.

Top 10 Destinations.

WHERE I WOULD LIKE TO GO IN THE WORLD INCLUDE: EVERYWHERE!!! :) HERE ARE MY 10.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Movies: The Other Boleyn Girl.


I would like to see the movie called, "The Other Boleyn Girl." It is a movie involving 2 sisters who are both trying to love one man. This man is very powerful and eventually the 2 sisters act against each other to win his affection. The movie comes out on February 29th and I can't wait to see it.

Reading Week.


My reading week was awesome. I was able to eat home cooked meals and sleep in as late as I wanted. My Mom and Dad took me to a Buffalo Sabres game which was intense. They won in over time after they were down in the 3rd, 3-1. I also got to go skiing. I went to Kissing Bridge in Buffalo, NY. It was a beautiful day and the conditions were perfect. I can't wait for this year to be over so I can go back home for good! Reading week made me want to just stay and not return to reality. haha. I hope that your break was good too Rita! :)

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Celebrities Influence on the World.


Our society today is based on a ranking system. All of these systems involve money, power and status. In a teens life influences are created in a different light. They base their influences on parents, friends and celebrities. The article in Vanity Fair shows these celebrities in a way that can be very influential in a teens life.

They see people like Angelina Jolie going to third world countries helping the poor and sick but in reality there are people doing that everyday. Just ordinary people who don't go to the Grammy's as well. Recently she has just become an ambassador for the UN. Most celebrities are not seeking a status that is above the status of their career's as actors. This means that celebrities not only have immunity in the show business but immunity in influential groups such as the UN.

In Lecture #12, Dr. Sévigny discusses crowds. When discussing he states that, "crowds are not always inferior to individuals." This relates to stars shown in the Vanity Fair article because they are doing humanitarian work as well as being celebrities. They are shown as people working to help other people and working with others to accomplish one project together. They are not stealing the spotlight but sharing it with others.

Also, Dr. Sévigny mentioned that crowds "cannot accomplish acts demanding great intelligence." I believe that this shows the way celebrities use their status to help others around the world who need their help in order to survive. When teens see celebrities on TV and in magazines promoting not only their movies but their work abroad shows that they work together with everyone to accomplish a common goal.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Last Quotes: Lecture #4. (About Marshall McLuhan.)

Quotes: Steven Pinker.


"Parents provide their children with genes as well as an environment, so the fact that talkative parents have kids with good language skills could simply mean that and that the same genes that make parents talkative make children articulate." - Steven Pinker. (Lecture #6: The Language Instinct.)

Quotes: Marshall McLuhan.


"Art is anything you can get away with." - Marshall McLuhan.
"Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it." - Marshall Mcluhan.
"Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn't know the first thing about either. - Marshall McLuhan.

Boston Sucks/Sabres Win! :)


Buffalo defeats Boston tonight during a home game. Close game in the 1st period where they were tied 1-1. Buffalo picks it up in the 2nd period with a 2-1 advantage going into the 3rd. At 3:46 in the 3rd period Buffalo scored once again making it 3-1. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better Sabres put another one in the net and winning it with a score of 4-1. YEEE!!!!!!

Jack Johnson: "Sleep Through The Static."


JACK IS BACK! :)
He has released his new CD on February 5th, 2008.
The CD is entitled: "Sleep Through The Static."
Some of the songs include:
1. All At Once
2. Sleep Through The Static
3. Hope
4. Angel
5. Enemy
6. If I Had Eyes
7. Same Girl
8. What You Thouhg You Needed
9. Adrift
10. Go On
11. While We Wait
12. Losing Keys

Let's Go Buffalo!

Hey Rita!

Hey, I was just figuring out how to post some pictures on here! But I did complete my blog entry on Sunday. Thanks! :)

Melanie Archer: Entertainment Industry and Mass Communication.


From the runways in Paris to the movie screens in Hollywood models are the leading causes for mass communication in the world today. The connections that bridge the two industries exist within such examples of mass industry such as magazines, billboards and other such advertisements. Not only do they show publicity for the movie and modeling industries, they get double the attention for filling the gap.

Model Sienna Miller has walked the runway and also starred in many movies of her time. Everyone knows her name in both industries and by successfully creating an upstanding reputation in both gives her a step up from her competition. Her latest movie “Factory Girl” is a perfect example on how a model can act and strut down the runway. Ron Howard said: “She did a stunning performance in this movie and this role showed her diversity as a model/actress.”

The new and up coming Ukrainian beauty Olga Kurylenko has taken the hint given by Sienna Millar and entered into both industries as well. She is going to play the new Bond babe in the twenty second 007 film. This is where she plays the character of Camille the love interest. The ways in which people use mass communication to send a message is vital in today’s society. The works of mass communication brings out more then half of the entertainment industry.

By being able to use our own thoughts, we are able to reach out to large amounts of people around the world, which make this industry worthwhile. This is my interpretation of the Medium is the Message stated by Marshall McLuhan. Commercials, books, magazines and television are prime examples of the world’s entertainment business and mass communication. This makes it easy for the world to see the influential models such as Sienna Miller and Olga Kurylenko.

The mass amounts of communication that are available in today’s society over power many industries. It is not only the modeling or acting industries that take effect over mass communication but also sports as well. The diversity is wide spread throughout the world and will stay apparent in today’s society for the years to come.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Melanie Archer: Entertainment Industry and Mass Communication.

From the runways in Paris to the movie screens in Hollywood models are the leading causes for mass communication in the world today. The connections that bridge the two industries exist within such examples of mass industry such as magazines, billboards and other such advertisements. Not only do they show publicity for the movie and modeling industries, they get double the attention for filling the gap.

Model Sienna Miller has walked the runway and also starred in many movies of her time. Everyone knows her name in both industries and by successfully creating an upstanding reputation in both gives her a step up from her competition. Her latest movie “Factory Girl” is a perfect example on how a model can act and strut down the runway. Ron Howard said: “She did a stunning performance in this movie and this role showed her diversity as a model/actress.”

The new and up coming Ukrainian beauty Olga Kurylenko has taken the hint given by Sienna Millar and entered into both industries as well. She is going to play the new Bond babe in the twenty second 007 film. This is where she plays the character of Camille the love interest. The ways in which people use mass communication to send a message is vital in today’s society. The works of mass communication brings out more then half of the entertainment industry.

By being able to use our own thoughts, we are able to reach out to large amounts of people around the world, which make this industry worthwhile. This is my interpretation of the Medium is the Message stated by Marshall McLuhan. Commercials, books, magazines and television are prime examples of the world’s entertainment business and mass communication. This makes it easy for the world to see the influential models such as Sienna Miller and Olga Kurylenko.

The mass amounts of communication that are available in today’s society over power many industries. It is not only the modeling or acting industries that take effect over mass communication but also sports as well. The diversity is wide spread throughout the world and will stay apparent in today’s society for the years to come.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Hello World.