Q & A
Name
Institutional Affiliation
- 1 How does it go about transforming your ideas into fictional pitches?
To begin with, a real pitch is approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Therefore, assuming that I am a Hollywood writer, I would have to ensure that my pitch is lengthy enough as per the requirements of a real pitch. Now, as a writer, I have to persuade the film studio I’m interested in, showing them how I have a hot story. Moreover, the audience aspect in my pitch is critical. The film studio has to be convinced that my story would sell. Besides, I should be aware that the filmmaker has to be convinced after listening to the first minutes of my pitch. This is because film making is expensive, and the film studio won’t risk making a film that wouldn’t sell.
- 2 In your own opinion, do you think that intellectual property has more cons than pros?
I think that intellectual property has more pros than cons. In light of innovation, intellectual property plays a critical role. IP laws have prevented duplication of films, piracy, counterfeiting, therefore promoting innovation. I think there would be no new ideas, storylines, and products if everybody were allowed to copy what others have done directly. On this note, I would say that legal features such as copyrights and patents play significant roles in society, especially in spurring innovation.
- 3 Why do Smythe consider audience power as a commodity?
As Smythe argues, audience power is produced, sold, purchased, and consumed. It is, therefore, a commodity. Arguably, all of the above involves work on the side of the audience. In this case, work is defined, and it is a creative and humanly peculiar act. This means that producing something is done to serve some utilitarian functions while altering the individual’s nature. Smythe argues that advertisers buy the audience demonstrating how the price is reached on.
- 4 Describe the consumer blindness explained by Vaidhyanathan.
In his chapter “THE GOOGLIZATION OF US,” Vaidhyanathan argues that consumers are like ignorant sheep being led blindly to the cyber-slaughter. Notably, consumers are being tricked by cheap online free services and blinded by freedom of choice. Indeed, consumers are not forced to utilize google, and they can opt-out of it. The main point Vaidhyanathan tries to explain is that the google system is designed to benefit the company ignoring the interests of the users. However, the consumers are blindly trusting and using google without understanding the reality of the matter.
- 5 Briefly explain the four ways of organizing communication, as described by Williams Raymond.
Williams Raymond identifies four ways of organizing communication, which is; (1) the authoritarian way- assumes that a ruling group controls the society, and it uses every means it can to remain exercise power and remain in control, getting people to behave in a manner which suites the system. (2) the paternal way- assumes that a person or a group in control exercises fatherhood. Actions here are typical of those of a father toward his child. (3) democratic way- assumes that every person in the society has an equal chance of participating and contributing ideas. (4) Commercial way – this way of organizing communication believes that communication is done to favour a certain direction.