QR CODES

A whole new way of directly accessing information instantly! These codes, thanks to media convergence, are making it easier to access information online. The can be found on highstreet posters and public transport, and its a great new way to go directly to the information you want to see.

Media Convergence - A Video Representation

A video representation of Media Convergence, a video produced by the group. Set in a news room, showing a contrast of the news today and the news in 1993, showing technology in a positive light by helping the news room. Although when we asked the public about smartphones, they don't always agree on the positive effect of the smartphone...

Print Based Media A Thing Of The Past

With the  introduction of eBooks and eBook Readers, one would argue that print based media is becoming a secondary and outdated source, with many eBook readers being able to store hundreds of books on one device. The most common and well known ebook reader is the Amazon kindle which was launched by Amazon in 2007 to allow customers to purchase books online and store them on multi platforms  This has created a revolution with reading making actual print books secondary and outdated.

The Revolution WILL Be Televised

A take on the original "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", a political song addressing issues that are not publicised and often kept secret about. Smoove only this year remixed this song and in fact renamed it, saying The Revolution WILL Be Televised, the new version addresses our state of society today and how convergence is changing the way we live. How we "will be able to do everything you need from your potato couch" and how the revolution will "be recorded on miniDV and kept in the pocket, then transferred to all available formats".

The song is sung in a rap format, using different effects to represent its modernism, it is very fast representing the pace of life. The song also represents the working world "for those who won't be able to attend, except for live satellite link, due to their current revolutionary commitments". Representing the great use of technology in o ur world.

I think this song is a great conclusion of the digital convergence culture we live in. Have a listen!

Facebook More Than Just Social Networking

Facebook is known as the worlds most popular and most used social network site, with its user rate increasing each year many companys have noticed this and are taking advantage of the high user and traffic rates. The site is able to be used as a multi media marketting tool, with many companys creating pages for their own products allow the product itself to gain more of a following and fan base. Some examples of this would be Cadburrys chocolate wispa campain which brought the well love Chocolate bar into being sold all year instead of just holiday periods and Mountin Drew Energy Drink which thanks to facebook is now a competitor to Luocazade and Red Bull other well known engery drinks sold on the UK market. This shows that  Facebook is a great way of using media convergence to promote a product to a wider audince faster and easier. Allowing compaines to use many new exciting mehtods of marketing such as online games,competitions and polls this allows customers and consumers to have more power in the shaping of a product or company thanks to the introduction media convergence.

Online check in Good or Bad

Media Convergence is enriching our lives in every point, making things easier,faster and simple than ever before.  An example of this would be online check in services which some airlines offer. This allows people to check in 24 hours earlier and jump  queues, allowing faster access to flights. This  also means people can arrive at the later time and aren't forced to wait at the airport hours before. One may argue that this is a great invention, but however there are more risks within using such services E.G. increasing the risk and opportunity of fraud. Is it really a good idea to upload your personal details to a website you trust with your informaition? Which could be accessed by anyone who would have the ability to hack into the system. Yes media convergence offers many rewards but are these outweighed  by the risks, with more case of online fraud being reported and increasing  every year.

Everything is a Remix

New media is constantly being re-mixed, where we see original pieces of media beings adapted and mixed together to create something new and contemporary. This could suggest that although we are constantly discovering new types of media, the products we are producing are not exactly new, but simulacrums of other things. Below is a music video from Weezer, where we see a large variety of viral videos adapted to fit with their song. By this happening, we see how media convergence can affect every aspect of society, from the music industry to the average person surfing through YouTube.

 

Weezer - Pork and Beans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQHPYelqr0E&ob=av2e

 

Romy :) 

Technology - The Mass Murderer

Is technology killing off our old fashioned ways? Do you find yourself sitting in front of a screen all day instead of interacting with actual human people?
The report below shows how technology has replaced some of our less practical but traditional ways.

The 50 things tech killed off:
1. Ring the cinema to find out times
2. Going into the travel agents to research a holiday
3. Record things using VHS
4. Dial directory enquiries
5. Use public telephones


Click the link for more...

http://tech.uk.msn.com/features/telephones-boxes-and-writing-letters-the-things-tech-has-killed-off

Bad times for convergence in USA

Banned in Philadelphia! Texting While Walking Philadelphia officials next month plan to use more “stick” in a program that takes a carrot-and-stick approach to bad behavior by people in cars, on bicycles, and on foot. The program, dubbed “Give Respect, Get Respect,” was launched at the beginning of May, aimed at reining in bad behavior by motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians in Center City (see previous story). Since then, some tickets, but mostly warnings have been handed out. But Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler says starting in August, more citations will be issued... Pedestrians who text while they walk without looking ahead will also be targeted Banned in Philadelphia! Texting While Walking - Philadelphia - Fox Nation http://www.alldeaf.com/current-events/92630-banned-philadelphia-texting-while-walking.html

Is media convergence taking over...

 are we even risking our own health and safety?

Thats what people in Philadelphia seem to think anyway, but are we becoming too reliant on technology as a society. People can be distracted by Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and the latest news and weather just on their phone alone. With voice command on Xbox because were too lazy to reach for the remote, and talking to our iphones looking slightly crazy because we can't be bothered to press a few buttons, maybe the Philadelphia officials are right. Eventually our phones will be making our dinner too by the sounds of it!

Sarah 

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Media Convergence = Viral Marketing Tool

I was browsing Youtube the other day, listening to some music video's when i noticed an advertisement at the top of the homepage that i recognised. Mercedes-Benz recently launched an advertisement on the TV, that could also be found online. This sounds normal obviously, but the online campaign was in fact an interactive video called 'Escape the map' created by AMV BBDO, aiming to attract younger consumers. The audience had to play along to save themselves from being 'captured by the camera and regulated'. The people who took part in the online video or 'mission' were entered into a prize draw to win one of the new cars being advertised. I think this is a good example of media convergence in action, and how it can be used as an advertising tool within the industry.

The competition is now closed, but you can still log on and have a go of escaping the map yourself at http://escapethemap.com/

Sarah 

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Interactive Media

Media convergence is constantly helping the viewer become more involved in the media they are experiencing. Inventions such as simple things like comment and feedback sections, blogs, and user generated content help viewers get their point across. Also their are more complex idea's like You-view TV incorporating internet and television, so viewers no longer need to two screen (being on a computer/smartphone whilst watching TV at the same time) as it will all be in one place. Therefore viewers can Tweet and Facebook the latest gossip on reality TV shows like 'X Factor' and 'I'm a celebrity' on just one screen. During a recent talk from Alex Connock (co-founder of Ten Alps), he showed us an interactive online video. Viewers can choose their own path and ending to the story, and the video has over 20 different versions the viewer could choose to watch. This is another example of media convergence and the audience having more control and input into what they see and hear.

http://yonibloch.co.il/pretendtobehappy/

There's the website, so log on and give it a try :)
Sarah
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Internet Shopping

I needed a dress for this weekend to go to a party but because of assignment deadlines I've not had a chance to go shopping so I turned to internet shopping, what a saviour! I browsed several websites such as asos.com and boohoo.com for different style dresses and to compare the prices. After finding the perfect dress it was the easiest thing to place my order, all I had to do was fill in my details and card number and that was that, I ordered next day delivery so it arrived today just in time for tonight and I couldn't be happier.

Without media convergence I wouldn't have found that dress so I'm very grateful for it!

Mediamorphosis

Mediamorphosis, Understanding New Media, by Roger Fidler helped me in finding the opportunities for the industry as a part of our group essay, as it explains how the media has adapted to the new technologies that constantly get developed. One of the relevant quotes I found in this book was,
   
     'All forms of communication media coexist and coevolve within an expanding, complex adaptive system. As each new form emerges and develops, it influences, over time and to varying degrees, the development of every other existing form.'

This helps to explain my points that I made in the essay of how news media has developed from paper, to the television and radio, and now onto the internet and phone applications, and I see this technology developing further into new forms that will change the industry, and society, again and again.
     Technology is unstoppable, and as long as there are scientists and experts to create it, it will continue to evolve and shape our industry.

Convergence At a Concert!

Last night I was lucky enough to go to the Key 103 Jingle Ball, and get VIP wristbands to go backstage. Whilst we was there, pieces were being recorded to be broadcast for the radio station such as interviews with the performers and backstage gossip. I thought this was really interesting and showed how media technology is growing, enabling radio to be broadcasted from outside a studio. As well as this, the audience were recording videos on their phones, meaning that there is less need for normal cameras, as it is all included in one device, however my problem with this was that the battery life runs down extremely quickly, so if you end up stranded in Manchester, this could be a problem!

Me and my friend backstage with JLS!

Romy :) x

Rough Edit

We started our edit today. Me Sophie and Sarah took part in creating the rough edit, I think we got a good structure laid out! We just need some effects, titles and polishing adding and we should be done. I've got a good feeling about this video, really pleased we went out that bit further to do the filming! Oscar

Living with the Amish

Living with the Amish is a programme on channel 4 that follows a group of 6 teens taking on the Amish way of life for 6 weeks. I thought that this was appropriate to media convergence as these teenagers have been brought up around social media and digital technology, and this show covers how they are dealing without these items with their new way of Amish life. The teens talk about how they would be at home blogging, texting, gaming or on social websites but instead they are barn raising and sewing. This show is an example of how much teenagers now rely on social media and technology in their everyday lives, and feel quiet lost without it. The show also has a website which i thought i would look at to get more info on the programme, and i found fact files on the teenagers, where viewers could log on and get to know their favorites better. This makes the programme format itself an example of media convergence with the use of multi platform content. The show is also available to watch online through the 4oD service so viewers can catch up anywhere and anytime. The website also has interviews and an archive of series and episodes.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/living-with-the-amish

Sarah :)
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Filming

After a good two weeks of planning and filming on different locations, we have now finished the production side of things with the video. Filming went well and once all the out-takes are edited out I think we'll have a good video to represent media convergence in society and industry today! Onto the edit next week, hopefully that will go well too!

Convergence and our project

Media convergence has really benefitted our group for this assignment, as well as other ones because we have been able to connect through Facebook to arrange meetings and days to film videos etc. Also the use of this blog helps us to see what others have found and allow us to help each other out. I recently borrowed a book written by Henry Jenkins about convergence which helped me to learn much more about convergence and contexts which were affected by convergence, such as Harry potter books which now have websites that have sprung up allowing readers to write their own ideas for others around the world to read.

Methods of communication

Ok so heres the thing I haven't been too well over the last two weeks in fact Ive had to miss university lectures and work and well its been horrible ive literally been stuck in my bedroom in bed on my own without human contact. this made me very grateful for Media convergence as I was able to access many social networking sites to ease my boredom and keep in touch with friends this made me come to the conclusion that communication is one of best advantages and opportunities of Media convergence it is now easier and faster than every before to be able to talk to someone or write a blog and post it. or update your flicker with a click of a button.  giving people more power and opportunities can lead off into all kinds of exciting directions this is a what I feel one of  main goals of Media convergence. 

Media convergence summarised

Because media convergence is such a broad topic, with all the platforms it can be applied to, i thought i would find a source that could summarize the topic for me. This personally helped me understand the subject in its simplest form: http://moneyterms.co.uk/media-convergence/

Our lecturer also sent out an email with a link to the author Henry Jenkins website, who writes about the topic of media convergence. I found it pretty useful and thought i would share :)
http://web.mit.edu/cms/People/henry3/converge.html


He has also written the text book "Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Intersect"


I'll post more soon :) 
Sarah
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My Electric Dream

After watching the Electric Dreams series which was broadcast on BBC 4 in 2009 it has made it clear how technology affects society in a huge way. If a computer, TV, cooker or fridge is taken away from a family it changes the way they work and live together.
I recently experienced this for myself as when moving house there was no internet connection, it made me realise how much everybody relies on the internet to entertain themselves in the evening. We only had one television set up, with the whole family sat around watching. This was a very strange experience, far away from the independence of our own rooms with our own technology to isolate us. Although it was quite cramped in the room, it made us all realise how dependant we are on technology, we even had a conversation with each other!

To watch the electric dreams series click this link here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUY4CLjNzQ8

Hectic week.

Hello so this is my first actual blog post on this blog its already turning out to be a hectic week monday night I went out for halloween as everyone did hopefully I honestly didn't have that much fun the drink were horrible and the places where packed. anyways i did receive a fun little video sent on my phone of one of my school friends dressed up in his costume in Amsterdam which was funny and nice just to see his face it made me think about these lectures and the actual effect media convergence has in our life without knowing it. without phones and multi media messaging this would not have been possible. on Tuesday also I got a little nice shock again from my blackberry its seems that when I downloaded the Facebook app it then took all my events and placed them into the calendar application of my phone sending me reminders that this event was happening to which i forgot that Carcer City ( a great underground band from Liverpool)  were playing in my city tonight so i ended up going to that with friends. I would of just forgotten about it if not for my blackberry reminding me really guess thats just another example of how media convergence helps enrich our life's. and now im about to go get a shower and then head off to uni. so if you have read this thanks for reading :) 

Hi, From Romy!

Hello,
My names Romy :) I'm 18 and live in Bolton. I'm studying BA Hons TV and Radio at MCUK which is so exciting! I'm in my first year out of three and its been fun so far and I'm excited to see what were going to be getting up to!
So that's it for the profiles, we're going to be getting down to the nitty gritty now and learning some stuff I guess :)
See you soon!
Romy xxx

Hello my names mark

im  21 and im Currently studdying media HND production at salford uni in my second year  I enjoy reading comics Mostly Marvel, watching movies,going to gigs tattoos and nigths out with friends.

I have facebook and I like to use the internet to keep in touch with people and the world news as well as media events.

My main goal/ambition is to become a music video producer I hope to reach this goal soon.

il be posting other posts of this blog soon till then thanks for reading. Bye :)

Public Profile

Hi I'm Sophie :)

I'm studying BA Hons TV and Radio at the Univeristy of Salford and I'm 19 year olds. I'm in my first year at MediaCityUK and it's amazing so far!

We've just decided that we are going to name our group 'Team ORSSM' aka Awesome!

That's all I have to say for now so byee!
xxx

Hello - My Name is Oscar

Hello,

I am the second person to write on this shared blog. My name is Oscar and I am also on the BATAR course at Salford Univerity. Its amazing to be studying in the new facilities, one of the great things about our building at MediaCityUK is that it has great facilities for manipulating different media platforms. This is also very relevant to the module we are studying by bringing different ideas and people together that would not usually have mixed before.

As we have started lectures on this module I have started to notice a lot more how convergence is relevant to the media I consume. As the module progresses I think I will notice and understand the importance and the effect convergence has on the end product and our lives.

Oscar

1st blog post ever :D

hey readers...
my names Sarah, I'm currently studying TV and Radio at media city.
I'm in my first year, so pretty lucky to be studying in this brand new building ^^D. This blog has been created for a group assessment for one of our classes within the course, and the one thing we still need to do is come up with a group name... (everything that pops into my head sounds so cheesy haha) but here are a few ideas anyway... 'the A* team' (warned you they were bad).... 'team jelly bean' inspired by my hamster jelly bean who could be our team mascot!



ermmm yeah idea's are still very limited haha.
Any idea's would be appreciated <3

Sarah
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