The phenomenon of blogging

Blogging in today's society is wide spread. People of all ages are becoming their own reporters. McLeay (2006) states that blogging gives people a chance to express themselves, be their own editors and from this people adopt a sense of academic power as they are providing information. Whether this information is the contents of their breakfast or the latest shooting at HQ, they become a news outlet and empower themselves with a public voice. Although people do not solely use a blog to express themselves and the information they find news-worthy. New forms of media publishing include: hand-out news flyers, pass-it-on email links (forwards), myspace, facebook, and there's always university bulletin-boards that are inundated with current affairs. The back of public toilet doors are always enlightening as well as the messages written in the dusty windows of cars. Of course there are the other extravagant options such as radio announcements, billboards and smoke-in-the-sky messages pending on how windy it is. Basically, the news can be published in any means as long as it gets the message across.

The key factor that assures the smooth transition of texts from one form to another is the clear comprehension of the message being converted. Being able to understand the subject or the broader focus allows the writer to express themselves more effectively in the new mode whilst doing the message of the original text, justice. Parker (1990, pp. 2) states, if you’re unclear about the purpose and undecided about the sequence and relative importance of the information you want to communicate, you’re in dangerous waters. To be able to successfully translate written text into a web-based publication one should develop the core concept of the project. Parker (1990) goes on and proposes that one is able to create effective, good-looking communications when one can define a project’s purpose to the extent that different parts of the message are able to be prioritized. A thorough understanding of the original texts ensures the message will not be lost in translation.

When converting a print document into a web document, a shorter, general idea of the message should be given where points are made quickly and wording is rationed to reduce scrolling. The message should not be ‘danced around’ but made directly, not just to decrease scrolling, but also because individuals are generally interested in finding information fast and efficiently online rather than slowly digesting an article as they would in the Sunday paper. Although it has been questioned as to whether the message, due to shortening, loses its original ‘vibe’ and underlying meaning. Many authors use words that they think best convey their message and create a certain ‘punch’ with its delivery although, due to words being rationed, the article risks loosing its expression. Walter Benjamin sited in Kress & van Leeuwen (1990), in his comments on the transition between manual production and recording, suggests that it is through reproduction of a publication and its presentation to suit ‘mass society’ that a message faces the disappearance of the ‘aura’ of the work of art. Therefore there are advantages and disadvantages that surround web publications. Information is able to be communicated quickly and directly although the message may be distorted by the edited briefness of the publication.

Won't some one please stop the madness

The Australian last month featured the article, Pap 'offered shots of dying Di' and even though the story was mildly interesting, its come just that little bit too late... ten years late. Basically, the article talks about a photographer, Romuald Rat and his driver Stephane Darmon taking photos of a dying Princess Diana, without offering assistance to ensure a deal of $672, 800 with the well-known Sun Tabloid. The photos consist of a close-to-death princess with blood running down her face and the second of an oxygen mask being held to her face that has smeared the blood over her complexion. The second photo was published as the entire front cover of an Italian gossip magazine "Chi Exclusiva Mondiale" the day after Di's death, so the photos aren't a new discovery. So why are we still bringing it up? If we're not going to leave the ten-year-old issue alone then we're as bad as the Italians who used images of her dying moments to sell a few magazines. Steve Irwin, Anna Nicole Smith and Mother Teresa have all vacated 'the building of life' in the past ten years and there's no weekly spread about these incidents being murder. In saying that, next week we'll probably enjoy reading some goof's story about how Mother Teresa was in the mafia and was murdered by her own gang or how Bindi Irwin hired a scuba diving hit-man in order to steel her father's fame. In this case, all I can ask is, won't some one please stop the madness?

Draft it baby... Draft it

In reflection of the creation process of my blog, I realise now how much there is to consider during the design process. I have used the convention of colour arrangements, different texts, white space, pronouns and linguistic features in a reader centered approach to appeal to my target audience. My audience being the sophisticated and opinionated more mature generation. For example those who listen to talk back radio, aging from around 40 - 70 years old. The purpose of my blog being to give a brazen, uncensored opinion freely and blatantly, hence the name 'The Brazen View'. This form of matter-of-fact opinion aims to arouse the audience in thoroughly agreeing or disagreeing with what I have to say. The idea being the reader's opinion must be "black or white", "left or right" as if to say "There's no fence sitting around here!" Although whether the audience agrees or disagree with the given opinion is irrelevant, as long as they are intrigued and involved.

Firstly, I strategically chose mature colours such as greys, deep blues, maroons and creams to relate to the target audience as 40 - 70 year old are not going to enjoy bright pinks, lime greens and fluorescent yellows striped all over the page. The different texts have also been deliberately chosen. I want to keep a 'classic' feeling to the page, but needed the text to be readable and clear. Therefore I decided to make the headings on the side of the page and the dates of the blogs a classic Georgia font whilst keeping the news feeds easy to read in making them an Arial font.

Secondly, I chose the beach/light house background as it suggests sitting back at a beach house reading the morning news. This is a sophisticated scene that a mature audience would enjoy. The background was also mostly white which made the black text more readable and assisted the use of white space. This was important as the audience at hand would not enjoy copious amount of clutter all over the page as seen on myspace or facebook - blogs that are intended adolescents.

Lastly, I used the convention of pronouns and colloquial language to help the readers relate to the text. For example I included the sentence, "You'll be lucky to get a finger in let alone a foot." The pronoun in this sentence makes the audience think I am talking directly to them and personalises their reading experience. My colloquial writing style helps them to familiarise themselves with me and become comfortable with me as a writer since I am talking to them informally as a friend would. I have also been quite deliberately ironic in my writing style, which adds entertainment value to my blog. For example, "...Lost, I would have to say was one of the top 20 worst television shows ever to be screened. The program consisted of a plot that was lost itself..." This form ironic opinion creates a win/win situation. The reader can either take your humorous opinion as stupid and let it occupy their mind for the rest of the day, thinking about it or agree with you entirely and become your biggest fan.

Each component of my blog has been thoroughly thought out and utilised for a reader centered approach. I found the design process to be tricky at first, but became second nature when I began thinking about my targeted audience.

A communication master alas a social retard

Journalist Suzy Jagger may have labeled Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, the embodiment of the new media generation, but the media celebrity also embodies the personality of a scared, sharp-toothed hopping mouse. The article Facebook founder's friend in dropout featured in The Australian last Friday pins Zuckerberg as the confident and ambitious 23 year-old success worth the $3 billion that he is, but little do they mention of his introverted and reticent nature. Zuckerberg is an interview god until a personal question arises. At that point the man turns into a jittery, snappy and cautious marsupial-like creature, quite the odd reaction from the new media man of the millennium.

Oh shut up Lunn

Stephen Lunn, in his article appearing in the Australian last month, titled He'll always be Harry to fans, in my opinion took the wrong approach to the subject and totally blundered over what nonsense he did manage to spill out onto a page. The journalist mentioned that Daniel Radcliffe had a hard time publicising his new film December Boys at its premier last month and also went to the extent to say that the hundreds of fans that did turn up were solely there to see Harry Potter not Maps - the orphan character that Radcliffe plays in his new film. Could it just be possible that the child actor has managed to conjure up a large fan base as all celebrities do? The film was Australian and brought work to a large portion of Aussie actors, crew members and producers. The least we can do to encourage the production of International films within Australia and the employment of Aussie actors is to give some credit to the films that do happen to make headlines.

Russell Crowe set to crow no more

The Australian last month reported in their article, Beam Crowe up, Scotty that Russell Crowe is set to play the evil character in the 11th Star Trek movie that will be released in December next year. What amazes me is not the fact that Crowe was chosen for the film, but more so the fact that he is accepting the part. The film will be directed by JJ Abrams who also directed the TV series Lost and lets be honest, Lost, I would have to say was one of the top 20 worst television shows ever to be screened. The program consisted of a plot that was lost itself - unfolding in repetitive circles like a never ending merry-go-round that in the end made you want to throw up from dizziness, confusion and the general lack of quality drama. Why Crowe can not forecast what is to become of this movie is beyond me. Hopefully for Crowe's sake the 11th Star Trek is such a colossal flop that the box office will miraculously forget about it and Crowe will be able to crow loudly and proudly once more.

Elizabeth II yay! Elizabeth III nay?

The second sequal to the legendary film 'Elizabeth' premiered early last september and got director, Shekhar Kapur toying with the idea of producing a third film to the sequal. The story of Elizabeth deals with love, sacrifice, betrayal and most of all survival. It was brilliant and won a truck load of awards. I was thrilled at the news of a second film, but a third? The Australian in their report, titled Third movie planned for Elizabeth proclaimed that the third film would address how Elizabeth, as a model in her time, faced the concepts of morality. It will put forward the idea that if you get to the top, and suddenly are going to die, you become average, ordinary by dying, because everybody dies. In my opinion the third film already sounds like a pile of crap. This is Elizabeth we are talking about. The woman who opposed and saw victory over every man who stood in her way, a woman with pride, strength and an iron fist. She is not the woman who cries over age lines nor worries about her popularity status after death, but a woman who is content with a just and dutiful reign. Which is why I'd prefer that we leave her at a powerful point after the second sequal rather than deminishing her with an over-stretched, flimsy third installment.

Australia hits film boom, but South Aussies to reap benefits?

Michael Bodey reported, in his article Hollywood hiatus a bonanzain featured in The Australian in August this year, that the Australian film industry is set to boom in 2008. Hollywood has hit a hiatus that is expected to take place in July next year due to talk between actors, crew, directors and producers that will most likely lead to strikes. The reactions of Hollywood Film studios have been to plan production to start in March and finish before July to swerve any negative effect of the strikes on the industry. It is because of this that foreign productions are setting their sights on Australia and its about bloody time too.

There are two leading film agents in South Australia who will help you get a foot in the door of the film industry. Some people will sugar coat this story and say that it is a narrow swinging door, but the truth is that this door is alarmed, locked, padlocked, bolted down and almost welded shut. You'll be lucky to get a finger in let alone a foot. As far as agents go, there is Ann Peters whose company is called 'School of Acting'. She knows the industry well, but has been accused of having "favourites" who are the only ones who ever see audition scripts. Up next there is Richard Laidlaw whose the boss of 'Actors Ink'. Richard may resemble a pimp with his huge array of knuckle bling, but don't let it scare you off. If you're a good actor, Richard will take care of you. He's delivered successes such as Teresa Palmer who just starred in December Boys next to Daniel Radcliffe.

All I can say is that with the so called 'boom' coming our way, these agent folk better be up to delivering the audition pieces to their clients, otherwise the 'boom' may just dodge South Australia all together.

Why The Brazen View exists

Into our day and society, blogging has erupted like a technological volcano, spilling out and overflowing onto the world wide web, but just how hot is this lava flow of information? Well if you enjoy reading about the lives and complaints of emotional teenagers who solely financially support Maybelline with the mass purchasing of eyeliner, than I suppose you think the blogging scene is a blazing inferno these days. Unfortunately for you weirdos, The Brazen View is not here to sulk about aching neck, nose or nipple piercings. Neither are we present to discuss how we spent our day sitting under the Mall's Balls. No, instead The Brazen View is here to give the pert, saucy and shameless truth of matters of societal importance and yes, this disregards Britney Spears and her copious fetish for chasing cars with green umbrellas - An event that always seems to make headlines. So please, enjoy The Brazen View, a real news outlet, one that for once isn't owned and controlled by Rupert Murdoch.