Ritualistic Gathering

There are some shows that people will flock to. Some shows will bring people together in groups or even have entire parties dedicated to them.

The most common example of this is the famous "office parties." Making a show a cult classic helps to build the infamy of a show.

"The Office" has become more than a television show, but a social event. This is an incredible advantage for television companies.

The Video Game Awards

I am sitting here watching the Video Game Awards on Spike TV. It is amazing how spectacular this event is.

I wonder if the creators of pong ever imagined how huge the video game industry has become.

It is clear from this event that video games have progressed beyond a handful of nerds. Lots of companies and big name stars have discovered that there is a lot of money to be made in this market. The video game industry is becoming a very influential market all on it's own.

With big names like Jack Black, Jake Gyllenhaal, Snoop Dogg and more it's hard to ignore a powerhouse industry like this one.

Advertizing on Nick Jr.

I was recently browsing Nick Jr.'s website because I really wanted to see Blue's Clues because it's awesome.

Something that I found interesting is that there were ads on the video feed that were clearly for adults. This is brilliant.

When they advertise their website, they clarify that a parent should assist the child in using the site. This ad is clearly targeting mothers that are sitting with their kids at the computer.

Mormon cult....films

There are those handful of movies that the LDS world loves to watch. These movies include Princess Bride, Goonies, Napoleon Dynamite, Newsies and Footloose.

These films have somehow made it into the "Mormon Date Night Hall of Fame."

For the companies that have created these films that have become Mormon Legends, this means extended longevity in a very large niche.

This may not be a bad idea for major movie companies.

YO GABBA GABBA!

Children have something cool to look at now. Yo Gabba Gabba! is a terrific show for both kids and adults.

The show features many stars such as Tony Hawk, Jack Black and Elijah Wood. This is the smartest thing a children's show can do.

Adding these stars makes the viewing experience nice for both the adults and children. It seems that most children's programming have discovered this. It's not just as simple as "make the kids happy." You have to entice the parents in so that they will be encouraged to let their kids watch.

The Paparazzi Code of Ethics

The ironic part about the title of this blog post is that it's about as real as Santa Clause.

I apologize if I made any children cry.

As a photographer, I am strongly against pathetic urchins like the paparazzi.

This drive to get pictures of the people that we want to see makes them step over ethic bounds.

Here are is the National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics:

Visual journalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.
2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.
3. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work.
4. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.
5. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.
6. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
7. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.
8. Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.
9. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

The Paparazzi probably break quite a few of these.

But this is what people want to see.

Jersey Snore

I have not watched this show entirely but Jersey Shore is where we should draw the line for reality television. I'm not sure why we put a "reality" label on shows like this.

Check out the clip:

Jersey Shore - MTV Shows

Does this accurately represent our generation? Do we want people looking at this thinking that this is what our youth is like? This is one of the saddest things I have seen on television.

We are better than this.