The Influence of the Internet on Daily Life

There are many different types of media in today’s society; television, radio, magazines/newspapers and the internet are just some of them. Every form of media has some way of influencing it’s target audience.

Many people can be influenced by these types of media, and news headlines, celebrity gossip and facts and statistics are constantly being hammered into people’s minds. Television is probably the main form of media which influences people, because nearly everybody watches it at some point or another, and whether they choose to watch the news or a TV show, they may be influenced by something in their chosen programme more often than not. There are magazines and tabloids which may be filled with celebrity gossip, newspapers filled with headlines which may not neccesarily be true, television shows which may have characters who people may be influenced by, and so on.

Apart from the above media, I’d say the internet would be one of the most influencial media around. There are millions of websites on the internet today, and they all contain such a variety of information. There are tons of sites which anybody from around the world, of any age, may view. These days there are children as young as 5 using the internet, mostly just to play educational games. But who says that they can’t get access the websites directed at older audiences? There is very mild protection on the majority of websites, if any. This may cause children to be influenced by anything they read, not only adults. It’s not only children, but teenagers and adults may be easily influenced by the internet aswell. Just like magazines, there are now websites filled with celebrity gossip such as www.heatworld.com, where anybody could believe anything they hear about celebrities’ lives. There is so much information on the internet today compared to just a few years ago. If the internet can effect people this much now, what is it going to be like in years to come?

Walt Disney Profile

Walter Elias Disney, was born on December 5 1901, and died on December 15, 1966 at the age of 65 due to lung cancer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney. Walt Disney was an American producer and director, amongst other professions in the film industry; he is renowned for his Disney film productions. Walt’s immense success and talent has won him many awards over the years, of which have given him the record for the individual for the most nominations, and the most wins. In total, he won seven Emmy Awards and twenty two Academy Awards (Oscars) in his lifetime, amongst forty eight nominations.
Numerous amounts of fictional animated characters have been created by the Disney industry, one of which is the infamous Mickey Mouse; probably one of Walt Disney’s most successful pieces. "I hope we'll never lose sight of one thing that it was all started by a mouse." – Walt Disney. I found this quote of Disney’s on http://www.imdb.com/.
Walt is also prominent for another of his great establishments; Disneyland, and Walt Disney World theme parks in America and France, and even in Japan and China. It is said that Walt got his inspiration for Disneyland from the ‘Tivoli’ theme park in Denmark.
In 1925, Walt met Lillian Bounds after employing her to ink and paint celluloid, and shortly afterwards the two started dating, and were married to one another in the same year. Disney was married to Lilly until his death, and with her he had two daughters, Diane Marie Disney and adopted Sharon Mae Disney.

Life at CCAD

I began CCAD opting for the multimedia pathway, but i then heard there was an interactive media pathway with photography and about 6 people from the year were on that course. I then decided that sounded more appealing because that's what I wanted to do when I left college. It was probably the best decision i've ever made at the college,

I have met the best people who have made my time at CCAD thoroughly enjoyable and hilarious. No matter how difficult I have found the projects I have managed to get through them with the support of my closest friends and achieved good grades that have boosted my enthusiasm for the course.

I am excited to have a fresh start at Hartlepool where I will be studying FdA Commercial Photography, but I will be sad to leave my close friends here at Green Lane. I will miss the laid back ways of this college, and I think I have been very lucky with the teachers I have been taught by over the last two years.

I would say I enjoyed first year slightly more than second year, but this year has definitely had its highlights. The trip to Paris being one of them. When we went to Paris with the second years for 3 nights was one of my favourite holidays, despite it being freezing and rainy the majority of the time!

I definitely hope to keep in touch with certain people from this college, but I am definitely looking forward to focusing all of my time on photography.

Paris '09

Zac Efron Interview - 17 Again

Courtesy of DDA Public Relations Ltd

Question: In the film, you play a high school basketball star who grows up, and in the opening scene, your character is in all his glory on the basketball court.
Zac: That first scene was fun. It was neat, the way it read in the script. It just showed that this kid had so many opportunities and is very, very focused on this basketball thing. You can tell he had been training his whole life for it. He knew what he wanted to do. He knew where his life was going. He had a plan and he was also very driven and focused on that plan and on those goals. So, it made it more interesting when all that got taken away at the very beginning of this story. So, I enjoyed that sequence.

Q: What made you want to make 17 Again your next film?
Z: Honestly, there was an opportunity, when I read this script, that I recognized. There were so many roles post High School Musical that were just high school stories. They were regular high school characters. They were dealing with high school romance and high school scenarios and high school drama. In 17 Again, I had an opportunity to play a 37-year old man, which is someone that I can virtually in no way relate to. And that seemed more interesting. I got a chance to play my father, really. That seemed like more fun. It seemed like the less obvious choice. And I had a blast doing it, so I’m glad that it came through.

Q: Can you talk about observing Matthew Perry and Matthew Perry observing you playing him? Burr was telling us that he would work with you to help you get his mannerisms.
Z: Yeah, all the time. Matthew’s face is very specific and his mannerisms are very specific. He’s got, I don’t know, a built-in culture that was fun to try to find with him and Burr. He was always available on the phone, and I could call him and just ask, ‘What should I do here? I’ve got three things that I might try.’ And he would say, ‘Go with the first one.’ Or he would just point out things to remember: ‘Now, remember here that this is the most important thing that’s ever happened to you. He would give advice. So, I was very grateful to Matthew for that actually. I owe him a lot.’

Q: What was the atmosphere like on the set with so many comic actors and funny people? Were you guys cracking each other up all the time?

Z: It was pretty exciting. It was very funny. Plus we had Adam Shankman on the set a lot. Together we couldn’t keep a straight face the whole time we’d be filming.

Q: What did your dad think of your performance as a dad?
Z: I think he was amused. I don’t know personally what he thinks. He’s just happy. It’s pretty weird for him.

Q: He was on set a couple of times?

Z: Yes. Yeah.

Q: If you had a chance to go back to high school, would you change anything about it?
Z: I’d probably change a million things. If I could go back, I’d just pat myself on the back and be like, ‘Dude, you’re out of here.’ And you’re out of here in no time, honestly. It felt like forever. High school feels like you’re stuck there for an eternity. And the whole time you have to deal with all these strange social interactions because you’re trapped with all these kids your own age that are so different than you.

Q: What do you mean by “strange social interactions”?
Z: You know, on a daily basis, you have to sit right behind the prettiest girl in school, and stuff like that. You’d be surprised how distracting and how much pressure that puts on you.

Q: Who was the prettiest girl in your school?
Z: The prettiest girl in my school? I don’t want to say her name but I still remember her. I’m never going to forget that. There just are things like that – getting called out by one of your teachers in front of the whole class. Public speaking in high school’s a nightmare. I was actually alright because I was doing musical theatre, but some people would literally get the shakes and not be able to talk in front of the class. It’s very unnerving.

Q: Do you feel older than you are sometimes?
Z: Yeah, I think a little bit sometimes. From a very young age I always got along with adults.

Q: Do you ever wish you were older?
Z: Maybe at times. But I’m also very young at heart, I think. I still have fun. I still have fun doing very young things, like watching cartoons in the morning.

Q: Which do you favor?
Z: I still watch SpongeBob sometimes, Saturday mornings when I roll out of bed, sure, SpongeBob will probably stay on.

Q: You just turned 21. What was your party like?
Z: It was, I mean, a 21st birthday party. I had my friends, a lot of close friends and family. It was probably pretty low key for a 21st birthday party, I imagine. But it was a lot of people that I had never seen in the same room before, so I was very excited to have that. There were probably about 60 people, something like that. Close friends, friends from high school, friends from L.A., friends that I met from different projects. Burr [director Burr Steers] and Thomas [cast member Thomas Lennon] were there. It was a very interesting crowd.

Q: What was your collaboration like with the director to play something that’s so different from anything you’ve ever played before?
Z: It was fun. It was interesting. I think Burr was frustrated with me at times because he would try to ask me, ‘You’ve got to have some way to relate to an adult in this fashion. There’s got to be something. Use it.’ I’d say, ‘No, man, I don’t have a daughter.’ So, he would find something else. And that was, I think, where I had the most fun with Burr. He really pushed a lot. He made things interesting. He would change scenarios and make them real to a degree, and that was fun. I learned a lot from Burr and I feel that 17 Again was a big step in the right direction for me personally.

Q: Can you talk about your love of surfing and skateboarding? How good are you?
Z: I don’t know. I picked it up when I was young. I grew up in Pismo Beach. A lot of my friends were big surfers. They were well into it.

Q: Can you still do it? Are you doing it?
Z: Yeah. Yeah. I mean every chance I get. It’s harder to go in California. I tend to go when I’m on vacations. Every time I go it’s a shock to the system. I realize how out of shape I am every time I get in the water. Your shoulders feel like they’re going to fall off.

***

17 Again is released in the UK on April 10th 2009.

Seven Pounds (2008)

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino



Certificate: 12A

Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, Elpidia Carrillo, Robinne Lee




In a Nutshell
Will Smith plays Tim Thomas, an IRS agent with a emotional secret that keeps the viewer intrigued from the beginning. Thomas takes on an ambitious journey to help change the lives of seven strangers, to make up for whatever sins he has comitted. The reasons why he chooses to help these individuals are clear throughout the film, but how he helps them only becomes clear at the end, and the fact that he falls in love with one of the seven makes the finale a real tearjerker.

What's right with it?
The film goes back and forth to the past and the present of Tim's life, beginning and ending with the present. The story gradually pieces together like a jigsaw, allowing the audience to realise what's going on and having it all suddenly make sense. Once everything begins to piece together, this dramatic film suddenly becomes and emotional love story, revealing Tim's past secret and why he so badly wants to help the lives of seven other people in need. Among these seven people is blind pianist and meat salesman, Ezra Turner (Woody Harrelson) and Emily Posa (Rosario Dawson) a beautiful young woman with a heart disease and a rare blood type. Smith shows great emotion in this unlikely role and really intices the viewer in the story.

What's wrong with it?
Some may find the storyline a little farfetched and depressing, or find that the blossoming love story takes up too much of the running time. However, I personally feel that all of these factors added to the bittersweet storyline with Smith's gripping performance.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd



Certificate: PG

Starring: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Christina Baranski, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper



In a Nutshell
Based on the hit West End musical, Mamma Mia! tells the story of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her single mum, Donna Sheridan (Meryl Streep). After reading through her mums old diary, Sophie discovers that she is the result of one of her mum’s three summer romances, and from this point is eager to find out who her father is; Harry (Colin Firth), Sam (Pierce Brosnan) or Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). Meanwhile, Donna’s two best friends Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) come to stay on the picturesque Greek island where the Sheridan’s have their quaint hotel which is gradually falling apart, and where Sophie will soon be marrying her fiance, Sky (Dominic Cooper). When the three potential fathers arrive on the island, Sophie makes out to them that it was her mother who invited them. But, when Donna notices their presence she is baffled as to why they are and tries to get rid of them in every way possible.

What’s wrong with it?
Despite the all-star cast which made me expect the best for this film, I was surprised to find myself cringing throughout most of it. Meryl Streep’s acting is of a poor standard in contrast to many of her previous films, apart from when it comes to her solo performance for ‘The Winner Takes it All’, where some emotion really shines through. Pierce Brosnan’s singing is painful to listen to, and even Julie Walters disappoints.

What’s right with it?
This chart-topping musical is a feel good film which makes you want to get up and dance in your seat while singing along to the songs. There are elements of tasteful humour within the film, but the majority of it is just plain cheesey.

Sex Drive (2009)

Directed by: Sean Anders



Certificate: 15

Starring: Josh Zuckerman, Amanda Crew, Clark Duke, James Marsden, Seth Green, Alice Greczyn, Katrina Bowden




In a Nutshell
The film tells the story of Ian Lafferty (Josh Zuckerman), an 18 year old virgin who is desperate to lose his virginity before he moves away to college. As a last chance, he turns to the internet where he begins to get friendly with ‘MsTasty’ by pretending he’s a confident, strong American football player. He eventually scores a date with her… in Knoxville. Ian steals his intolerable brother Rex’s (James Marsden) vintage sports car after deciding to set out to meet the girl of his dreams on a road trip. Ian’s best friends, Lance (Clark Duke) and Felicia (Amanda Crew) join him for the 500 mile journey. Although this hilarious teen comedy has several laugh out loud moments, it also has a romantic outcome which most will probably find predictable, but nonetheless a heart-warming, feel good film, filled with comedy and disaster.

What's wrong with it?
Some people may just feel like they're watching the same old American teen comedy, with the daft, occasionally slapstick humour. However, i think that this modern teen movie is definitely one to watch for the laughter and the romantic storyline.

What's right with it?
The storyline consists of hilarious comedy, romance and tension, making the film far from boring. Rather than a typical American teen film, Sex Drive ties in a sweet, romantic storyline as well as a typical geeky-boy-goes-after-popular-girl interest. There is a lot of laugh-out-loud humour, and Seth Green particularly gives out a fantastic performance as the Amish farmer, Ezekiel.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008)

Directed by: Mark Herman



Certificate: 12A

Starring: Asa Butterfield, David Thewlis, Vera Farmiga, Jack Scanlon, Rupert Friend, Amber Beattie




In a Nutshell
Set in World War II, this gripping film shows a story of life through the eyes of Bruno, the eight year old son of a Nazi commandant at a concentration camp. The film portrays the innocence and naivity of a child’s mind during the Holocaust. Bruno (Asa Butterfield) befriends a young boy behind the electric fence of what he can only assume is a local farm. The film displays a true feeling of how Jews were treated, with devostating consequences. The Boy in the striped pyjamas, who goes by the name of Shmuel (Jack Scanlon), becomes Bruno’s best friend, but their secret friendship soon gets the better of Bruno’s youthful mind.

What’s wrong with it?
Some may find the visits that Bruno makes to see Shmuel quite repetetive, but I found that they all keep you interested in what’s going to happen next. The ending was quite sudden, but equally it was shocking and frighteningly realistic.

Whats right with it?
The childrens’ acting is very believable in this dramatic film, and Butterfield and Scanlon really make you feel sympathy towards their very different characters for different reasons. David Thewlis, who plays Bruno’s father, the Nazi commandent, also plays a very realistic part, and you almost feel frightened of him and on edge whenever he’s in a scene.