week 11

How does Hill define reality TV?

Hill(2005) has defined that “there are a variety of styles and techniques associated with reality TV, such as non-professional actors, unscripted dialogue, surveillance footage, hand-held cameras, seeing events unfold as they are happening in front of the camera.” Reality TV is based on reality and fact in people’s life to film or tell something to the audience. The examples of reality TV in New Zealand could be Big Brother and The Real World (Wikipedia).

How has the documentary genre influenced reality TV and how it presents the “real”?

Grierson has defined documentary as “the creative treatment of actuality”. Documentary is based on the fact, it is real. Directors make documentaries in order to tell audience what happened to one thing. Documentary has a very strong facticity. As a result, people can believe documentary more than TV shows or programs. Reality is also not a very drama genre, so it can follow some ways of documentary. Because of the facticity of documentary, you can say it is mostly real. Directors use real situation, real things and ordinary people not actors and actresses to film, it makes the documentary easier to believe.

Reality Television in Wikipedia, Retrieved 21th, October, 2010, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reality_television

Week 10

How does Buffy deconstruct traditional literary notions of good and evil?
Good and evil are very popular in novels and movies of vampire themes. In the past, people always think that good is good, bad is bad. They do not think there is also good side in the bad people and good people can not do anything terrible. But recently, people are changing their minds. Good and bad people can have both good and bad sides within them, because they are human beings and human beings have every different feeling. In Buffy, Buffy and her friends are the good ones. On the other hand, the Vampires are the bad ones. But the director and the screenwriter have changed the traditional literary notion of good and bad. Although Buffy is a good girl, she also does something not perfect. She has weaknesses, she may make mistakes. On the contrary, even the vampires are evil to be thought of by human, they kill people and drink their blood to feed and fulfill themselves, and they have good vampires and good sides within them. Spike is a good example in Buffy. He is a vampire, he has to drink blood and he can not stay outside in broad day light, though he can not control his own fate, he knows that he should not bite people any more. As a consequence, he is not a total bad person. Buffy and he are good friends.

How do you think Buffy has influenced the contemporary vampire drama “True Blood” and the “Twilight” serious of novels and films?

In these two years, I have given more and more interests to Twilight as it has getting more and more hot and popular. The hot spot that attracts me is how things will go on between Bella and Edward. In addition, ever since Edward had gone for a while and left Bella alone, the relationship between Jacob and Bella has been getting better and better, stronger and stronger, and maybe I should also say more and more mysterious. Everyone has noticed that Jacob likes Bella a lot, and Bella do care about Jacob, but will Bella choose Jacob instead of Edward? This is a conflict in this novel. In the meantime, True Blood is kind of same as Twilight. True Blood is about a girl Sookie who has fallen in love with a vampire guy Bill and all the difficulties they must face in order to be together. In the end of the first season, a new vampire who is called Eric has attended in this story. Bill is a good no doubt vampire because he never killed a human being because of his hunger, he always drinks the true blood (a kind of fake blood that Japanese has created for vampires. In this TV serious, vampires do exist in people’s life has be known by human, so vampires can act freely) instead of drinking actual human blood. On the other hand, Eric drinks human’s blood and kills people. You may say he is evil, but he is still my favorite character. He is definitely loyal to his master and he is willing to die for him. From this aspect, how he treats his master is really moving. As far as I am concerned, the traditional literary good and evil concept has been deconstructed since Buffy, so it has been continued in Twilight and True Blood. Vampires are not all bad, there are good vampires and good sides do exist in other vampires.

Week 12

Week 12

Hi Guys. This is my final post.
My blog contributions: week 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,12 Please comment on. Thank you.
Hope you guys final assignment going well. (*^__^*)

1. How ‘real’ are game shows? / How ‘real’ is reality TV?

Game shows are a category of reality TV. Nowadays, Game shows become a popular. As Hill (2005) identified “the reality gameshow has become an international bestseller since its arrival in 2000” (pp. 31). Watching the game shows is one entertainment of ordinary people. There are many popular gameshows, such as Big Brother, Survivor.
A lots of people like watching game shows because it is ‘real’. This means you can join the show if you want.
For example, Hill (2005) cited Costera Meijier and Reesink (2000) described Big Broth “the voluntary locking up of nine people during a hundred days in a house, watched continuously by 24 television cameras, to which the viewers, at the intercession of the inmates, once in two weeks vote against one of the inmates who has to leave the house, until the last person to stay in can be called a winner” (pp. 31). Therefore, when audience watching the show, they will think it same to real life, no dress rehearsal and no script. Maybe they will want to join the show after watching. It is possible. Therefore, these game shows are ‘real’.

2. How does new-media (the internet, cell-phone technology, etc) play a significant role in the success of reality TV, as well as cult TV series such as Buffy?

New-media is an important tool of spread reality TV. It play a significant role in the success of reality TV.
For example, game shows, a point of that is most of game shows have prize. The prize not just for winner, sometimes they will set some prize for lucky audience. It is a method of increasing the view market share. Hill (2005) mentioned the format of Big Brother worked with converging media, such as websites and telephones, only added to its strong economic performance in the television marketplace (pp. 31).
With the successful of these game shows, new-media played a great role. The audience use website to communicate with others and put their views online. Hill (2005) states with the popular of Big Brother, for the website, it received 3 million pages impressions each day.

References

Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV:Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.

Week 10

Week 10

1. How does Buffy deconstruct traditional literary notions of good and evil?

Good and evil is a permanent topic in TV programs. People pay more attention on this topic; it because of the conflict between good and evil is interesting. Furthermore, the changes from good to evil (or evil to good) are a point that people interested. Recent years, fantasy became a popular genre. People are more and more familiar with inhuman characters, such as witches, vampires. The conflicts between good and evil will show more clearly on these characters.
The main notion of good and evil is moral ambiguity. As Braun (2000) considered “what is interesting about some of these newer representations of supernatural, however, is the moral ambiguity that permeates many of the characters, including both the inhuman beings and ordinary characters” (pp. 67). Furthermore, he thought moral ambiguity often seems to intersect with themes related to gender and sexuality (Braun, 2000).
We can find these all elements in Buffy, use sexual tension between various characters to drive the narrative, play with gender roles, hidden depths and characters with otherworldly powers (Braun, 2000).
As Braun described, “Evil with many characters demonstrating both decent and demonic traits and behavior across episodes or seasons. Good characters may develop in frighteningly sinister ways; villainous ones may surprisingly reveal complex and even selfless motivations” (pp. 67). It proves generally there is not a character is good or evil for ever in these shows. They need to change between good and evil. Because even a bad guy will has some good behavior. A good example is Buffy’s powerful ally in her quest—Angel. He is a moral ambiguous character in this drama.

2. How do you think Buffy has influenced the contemporary vampire drama “True Blood” and the “Twilight” series of novels and films?

Twilight is my favorite vampire film, because its romantic plot between Edward and Bella and tense conflict between vampire and wolf man.
Actually, the main conflict in Buffy is different with Twilight. In Buffy the conflict is between Buffy and vampire, but in Twilight, the conflict is between vampire and wolf man. But the same thing is they all have moral ambiguous character in the story, Angle and Edward. A successful story should be having some character like that to make the story more wonderful. Buffy series are focus on the conflict in young people’s heart and Twilight takes more romantic scene to us. In Twilight, the vampires have two kinds, some evil vampire eat human beings and Edward’s family who don’t eat human being, by contrary protect human (Bella ).
True blood has some same aspects with Twilight, the love between human being and vampire. Buffy series provide basis for the development of later films about vampire.

References

Braun, B. (2000) The X-files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The ambiguity of evil in supernatural representations. Retrieved 18 October, 2005 from:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0412/is_2_28/ai_64688900

Week 9

Week 9

1. What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV?

According hill’s (2004) article, we can considered he discuss three definitions of cult TV. These three parts are model of text, inter-text and audience (Hill, 2004).
Based on this question, we will focus on his third definition of cult TV. In my opinion, every cult TV should be having a lot of loyal and dedicated audiences. Actually, Hill (2004) defined cult TV through an audience’s passion for a TV show. A successful TV show must have lots of fans follow it. Thus, this TV shows has one factor to become a cult TV. Therefore, fans are necessary construction of cult TV.
Hill (2004) identified being a fan of cult TV just has subjective enthusiasm or a ‘special devotion’ is not enough. It has to defend one’s fan passions. As he quoted Jostein Gripsrud’s (2002) words “proper fandom exists when an enthusiasm for some cultural object or other takes on …a totalizing, defining role in people’s lifestyles and identities” (pp. 517).

2. How is new media central to this?

New media has important function of promotion of cult TV. Especially, Internet effect new generation deeply. Hill (2004) state “most of fan activities are carried out both online and in real life” (pp. 519). They can use Internet communicate with other fans. They can check the information of the cult TV online. As hill (2004) mentioned fans produce commentaries, fan fiction, episode guides and production histories. Therefore, Internet offers a platform for them to do these things. They can post interpretations, episode guides and fictions online. They will have their web pages. Hill (2004) identified “Fans of cult TV create a market for memorabilia, merchandise and props that relates to their much-loved TV shows” (pp. 519). Therefore, they can sell the memorabilia online. Hill (2004) quote Kirsten Pullen’s words “the Internet may have begun to mainstream fandom”(pp. 519).

References

Hills, M. (2004). Defining Cult TV; Texts, Inter-texts and Fan Audiences, The Television Studies Reader, R.C. Allen & A. Hill. London and New York: Routledge.

Final Posting :) I did not complete weeks 3&4


Why is reality TV so popular for both programme makers and TV viewers?
Hill (2005) states, that most Reality shows “Draw on a variety of genres to create ratings winners.” Reality TV has the unique ability to combine a multitude of genres and known popular elements into one program. This is the prime reason for its success; its ability to satisfy the wants of a huge cross section of society. Hill (2005)-“Reality TV is a Catch all category,” Personally, although I used to be disgusted with the concept and entertainment value of Docu-soap American Style Reality TV; in recent years I have found there are many Reality TV shows I do enjoy (such as Hells Kitchen), perhaps for other reasons besides the melodrama that can turn some people off.  This is a great example of the power reality TV holds in winning over a huge amount of viewers. I enjoy Hells Kitchen, mainly because I enjoy cooking and am interested to hear the various techniques, chefs and experts use to create better dishes. Another viewer- of a totally different mindset- may watch because they enjoy the drama and tension of the kitchen, and the constant over the top insults dished out by Gordon Ramsey. People from vastly different backgrounds and value systems, can easily find entertainment value from the same show. “There is something for everyone in the reality genre.”- Hill (2005)


How does new-media (the internet, cell-phone technology, etc) play a significant role in the success of reality TV, as well as cult TV series such as Buffy?
In my opinion, the internet is simply an aider and empowerer of certain forms of Reality and Cult TV. These shows usually owe their success to word of mouth promotion by individuals, the Internet gives individuals the capacity and power to spread word of mouth promotion of a program; far more than any traditional medium could offer. This allows shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Reality TV like Survivor, to quickly be taken up by its audience. Perhaps this is the main way in which New media plays a role in the success of certain TV programs. Although, im sure shows like Buffy would have been successful before the days of the internet; this modern exposure maybe gives the show near instant success, perhaps allowing for series renewal, whereas in the past it may have been eventually cancelled because of poor profits. The other forms of instant communication (such as Cellphones) work in much the same way as the internet; but on a more local level. Friends will often text message eachother, to tell them about their favorite new show etc.

The Internet and Cellphones can also promote TV programs, by creating a new interactive level in which the audience can participate. This gets people more involved and creates passion and a sense of realism surrounding that particular show. Any activity including competitions, forums, extended narrative, games, memorabilia of the show and online viewing of the series, can be used to hook people in; even if when the series is not showing on TV. Online continuation of a series, will also result in increased profit margins through advertising and sales etc

Advertising for Reality TV and Cult shows, is very prominent on the internet; especially utilized on social networking sites such as Facebook. This may be one of the most successful forms of modern advertising; since sometimes social networking sites allow companies to pull peoples private data, and essentially bullseye their advertising at the intended audience



References


Hill, A. (2005) The rise of reality TV. In A. Hill, Reality TV: Audiences and Popular Factual Television. (pp. 15 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.

Week 11

How does Hill define reality TV?
Hill (2005)-“There are a variety of styles and techniques associated with reality TV, such as non-professional actors, unscripted dialogus, surveillence footage, hand-held cameras, seeing events unfold as they are happening in front of the camera.”
From what I could extract from Hill (2005), there doesn’t seem to be a definitive label for the genre of reality TV. Traditional Reality TV covers anything from investigative documentaries, to onsite reporting of the news. Modern notions of reality tv can range from reality game shows (survivor, big brother), to more documentary-like formal programs, sometimes referred to as factual soap operas (Airline, Middlemore). Hill (2005)“The television industry is flexible in its categorisation  of reality TV. Popular factual programming can fit under a range  of traditional categories,”

Although the definition of “reality” can very easily be applied to the more traditional forms of factual entertainment; some of the modern variants have the title applied very dubiously, for in the case of reality game shows, what the audience see as reality can be a highly edited reality; production companies often take liberties in crafting people into characters, no doubt making their shows more dramatic and interesting.


How has the documentary genre influenced reality TV and how it presents the ‘real’?
This is a hard question. In my mind its not necessarily a matter of what parts of the documentary genre, Reality TV is influenced by; for me it seems more a question of what parts of the documentary style, does modern reality TV use to give the portrayal that something being witnessed is indeed real. Modern reality TV uses  imperfect camera movements and other techniques  usually associated with documentaries, to give the actors or events involved a feeling of  being real, even if the scene is totally constructed,; the perception  of reality is crafted. Hill (2005) has a very novel way  of interpreting the difference between documentaries and modern reality TV- “The continuum between fact and fiction is a useful way to think of the relationship between contemporary factual programming and the various types of popular factual television that make up the reality genre.” 



References


Hill, A. (2005) The reality genre. In A. Hill, Reality TV:Audiences and Popular Factual Television.
(pp. 14 – 40). Oxon: Routledge.