Final Coursework Decision

I've decided to go for the band demo idea for my piece of coursework. There's really not that much time left but the research is picking up. A few of my fellow band mates have started coming to me with song ideas which is useful and I've been experimenting myself.On the internet there is a wealth of information about making and sending off a good demo to a record company. My initial search has uncovered these useful sites:

Making a demo tape: here and here.

Attracting the attention of record companies: here

How to write lyrics: here

How to write music: here

This is a start...next stop world domination! (via a good mark for the coursework of course)

Vietnam

We watched a video in this lecture about the effects of journalism in the Vietnam. Some famous photographs were featured including...

The Execution (pictured) - Eddie Adams (1968). This well known image heavily influenced the American public who began to question the US support of an anti-Communist regime.

My Lai Massacre - Ronald L. Haeberle (1968). The question was raised as to whether the photographer should have stepped in and prevented the situation or whether it is a journalists duty to record and not get involved. The images of the massacre created world outrage and created an international scandal.

Napalm Girl - Nick Ut (1972). Perhaps the most famous image of the war which became a universal anti-war icon. The photo shows children running from a villiage which had just been Napalmed by the US.

Some more recent journalistic activity which had wide reaching effect come to mind. Firstly, the hilarious tabloid coverage of then Labour leader Neil Kinnock tumbling clumsily into the sea during a pleasant shoreline walk with his wife. Some say that from that moment the British public never did take the MP seriously and it is often the thing that he is most remembered for. If I find an image or article about this event I will endeavour to post it! Widely circulated newspaper The Sun also ran a damning headline during Kinnock's leadership campaign featuring the words "If Kinnock wins today, will the last person to leave Britain turn out the lights." The second example I can think of involves film-maker Michael Moore. In a move to influence America and their voting habits during Bush's campaign for a second term, Moore decided on a timely release of his controvercial documentary Farenheit 9/11. Unfortunately for Moore the film failed to have an effect and Bush was re-elected by an even greater margin than when he first gained office.

Mr. Henry Miller Part 2.

I'm torn between two coursework ideas, the band demo and the promotional video. today I went to see Henry Miller (the lecturer not the deceased American writer/artist) again in a search for answers. It sounds like he has a slight Aussie twang or is it my imagination? He could be an Irishman who's lived a long time in the East End of London.

If I want to do the video, I have to find a group. I'm not crazy about that idea, as I would rather have all the creative freedom to myself. Mr. Miller suggested that he makes an announcement for me in the lecture for interested groups. However, a video would take a lot of time and effort and already there's lots of work to do. Is it worth the effort, or will I get just as good marks with the band demo? I should've asked that question.

The band demo though is a much more enjoyable prospect. A trip to Bristol, some rock and roll antics, the possibility of fame! I'm getting all misty eyed just thinking about it. There are some issues to consider: is there more than one audience? (Record companies/public), what about the CD packaging? Independant lable or big corporation? I'll have to do some research.

Dave

Danish Cartoons

The third lecture was an interesting delve into the media world with questions of censorship, control and ownership of the media.There were some interesting articles discussed including the controversial danish cartoons which have recently stirred up trouble in the Muslim world. Click here to see the cartoons.

Personally I believe the cartoons were insensitive but they highlight the gulf that there is between the Western secular view and the highly religious Middle East. Some people have said that it is important to uphold free-speech, but free-speech needs to come with responsibility. The European press needs to act with every European in mind and Muslims are very much a part of European culture. In todays Guardian I was amused to see the explaination the police gave in London for taking a light-handed approach to the protesters: "Don't worry, we're taking photographs of them."

The cartoon debate threw up interesting questions about censorship which links nicely to an article I found about the struggles reporters often have in conveying the truth. Click here. Also mentioned was the influence James Murdoch has on policymakers. Click here. The story involves shady briefcases, secret documents, high class lunches with Britain's most powerful men, it's like a plot from a James Bond Movie. Almost.

As for the coursework, I've still not come to a final decision and time is against me. I've booked another meeting with the tutor and will possibly email everyone on the course to see if they like the video idea. Personally my favourite idea is the band demo, but we'll see.