Thursday, March 28, 2013

Project Space Essay


Laura Gutierrez

March 28, 2013

Professor Lawson

Final Draft


The Hollywood Life

The major cities that everyone wants to visit at least once in their life time are New York, Miami, San Francisco, Paris, London, Boston, and amongst one of the most popular ones Los Angeles. People love coming to Los Angeles, to live the so call “Hollywood life” that mostly everyone dreams about. That maybe one day they will be dinning amongst the celebrities. The life of glamour and glitz. Hollywood is probably one of the most diverse, socially influential cities in the world with its features from the Chinese Theater, to the Hollywood sign, to the Hollywood walk of fame.        
                          
                                                                               
  The Chinese Theater was built in1927 with the debut of “Kings of Kings” produced by Cecil B.DeMille (history). This theater is the most prominent and drawn theatre by spectators, many movie premieres is shown here. With a minimum capacity of seats inside, the outsides of this theater is fully flocked by fans for the red carpet, to see their loving stars walk the red carpet. The most loving and respected stars have appeared through this theater, leaving behind their engraved signatures or handprints on the pavement floor. Rolling up in the shiniest, most delicate, expensive cars you can ever imagine. Black leather, smell of pearl rose, and the sound of the ignition that sends chills up your spine.                                                     



 None the less, the Chinese Theater’s architecture is very detailed and precise. With its 40-foot high ceilings, every inch of the walls curved with delicate paintings along the walls. The red seats make you melt into them as if it’s a hot summer’s day and you are eating an ice cream cone melting through your hands. It gives us a glimpse of the architecture we may encounter in China’s most prominent buildings. The courtyard is drawn by the many stars that arrive here. The diversity of Hollywood is shown here, having many cultures shown on one street, shoes how different people can come together as one.  We can also see how Chinese architecture is seen, with a 30-foot dragon stoned on the entrance of this theatre. We can say that a Chinese dragon is one of the most profound identities that the Chinese culture has. One of their ever defining symbols they have today.                                                                                                          
 The social impact Hollywood has on us today is major. The entertainment industry fundamentally gives us what we as consumers want. They don’t go along with new, improved, and risk-taking ideas. They settle for old ideas, ideas that sell.  People that do not live in Los Angeles, see Hollywood as the greatest attribute to become a star. People from all over the world come to Hollywood for not only to site see or shop, but to also embrace the LA traffic. Movies depict how coming to Hollywood cannot only make you famous but rich as well. With the fame, comes a lot of troubles but also a lot of positive outcomes. People tend to only see the good factors of Hollywood.  Life in Hollywood is very worthwhile in others factors. For the fact that it has one of the greatest diverse cultures. People from all over the world come to visit and here they learn about the many cultures we have here in Hollywood. Having so many people from around the world creates restaurants, artistic movements, and fashion from their culture. They bring it here and we get a little bit of every culture we possibly can.                      


  When walking down Hollywood Blvd. People may see different costumes worn by people who are showing us some of the most famous movies, cartoons, or characters. When I went there, there was Disney princesses, like snow white. Bumble Bee from Transformers. From the Star Wars phenomenon Darth Vader. The Pirates of the Caribbean; Jack Sparel, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. These are people that re-create characters in movies or cartoons, and take pictures with little kids or tourists. They show everyone the greatest movies or cartoons of all time, come to live. Tourists can also see that Hollywood is one of the biggest entertainment capitals of the world. Many people even make a living down Hollywood Blvd. by dancing, singing, showing their artistic skills and putting on a show for the tourists. A group of dancers were dancing to the beat of Will. I Am, they were showing off their dancing moves. From techno music to some guitar playing a young man singing his heart out at the other end of the corner was singing to Bruno Mars “Locked out of Heaven” one of his #1 hit songs. As well, as adding some personal songs of their own that they personally wrote. There are many people that get discovered like this. Showing the world how dedicated one is, you never know when a recording producer is walking down Hollywood Blvd to work, when they can hear you and make a signing contract with you.  By all means, it is Hollywood.    

           
         The Hollywood sign is a significant landmark for Los Angeles. Situated on Mount Lee in the Hollywood hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains, this sign is overlooked throughout all of Los Angeles. It is a glimpse into the Hollywood life, as seen and shown throughout some featured films.  Everyone wants to get a glimpse of it at least once in their life time. It is probably one of the most recognized and published landmark that Los Angeles has representing Hollywood. From the desserts of Arizona, to the beachy cities of Florida, or to the windy cities of Colorado, wherever one is in the world the Hollywood sign is recognizable. Not being able to touch it because there are intruders who can destroy it. The Hollywood comes as close as 20 feet to the viewer’s feet. It is a hike up the mountain, but it’s capable for anyone to get to the top. Once at the top of the mountain the view from the San Fernando Valley is on one side, and the city on the other side. It is a breathtaking view. The wind blowing through your skin makes one feel like they are on top of the world. When standing at the tip of the mountain, everything seems so small and tiny.  At night, all the lights shine from every house, building, and all the stars from the sky. Catching a little piece of nature, and all its beauty. At the top of the mountain one comes to peace with their lives, even if it’s just for a little while.    
                     
             The walk of fame is visited annually by about 10 million spectators. It contains more the 2,000 stars engraved throughout the sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard. They are public monuments for people to see the greatest artists whom have accomplished big things in the entertainment industry. The people whose names are embedded on the stars vary from musicians, actors, producers, directors, and musical; theoretical groups. Each star contains a different emblem on it, besides the name of the artist. There are five different symbols that vary, from a classic film camera representing motion pictures. Television receiver representing broadcast television, Phonograph record representing audio recording or music, Radio microphone representing broadcast radio, and Last but not least comedy/tragedy masks that represent theatre and live performance. The side walk is black, so you can see the stars clearly. They are red with a gold outline around the star. In the star, the artists name and the symbol are shown depicting if they are either an artist, musician, or theatre actors.  While walking down Hollywood Blvd, it’s nice to give recognition to those people who have actually have made a change in our society. Whether signing, acting, or directing they all have brought unique triumph. Amongst other stars there are also stars for global phenomenon. For example, the Dodgers have their own star. Also Victoria’s Secret has their star as well. These are companies and industries that make Hollywood what it is today. With it’s sold out runways, to it’s sold out sport games.        
                                               
      In all, Hollywood is one of the greatest cities to visit at least once in your lifetime. It has so much diversity and culture from places all around the world. It also is one of the most socially influential cities. From the Chinese theater, to the Hollywood sign, to the walk of fame everyone feels like a star when they walk down Hollywood.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Project Web Reflection


Laura Gutierrez
March 27, 2013
Project Space reflection
Professor Lawson

  1. My place was Hollywood Boulevard. I choose this place because this is a place that people from all around the world know about. It is one of the biggest cities in the world. What interested me about this place was the profound effect it has on our society today. How much diversity and culture is incorporated into just one street in Los Angeles. I researched my place by actually visiting every single place. Taking pictures and finding out some facts that I never new before about the different places. 
  2. Project space was a different writing process than project web because project web involved more research about your topic. I had to research various websites, books, articles to make sure that I had reliable sources for my related topic. Through project space I had to visit my space. Which was a lot of fun. Even though I had been to these places before, going again and actually paying attention to the details made a difference. I learned a lot more about the diversity Los Angeles has in particular Hollywood Boulevard. I liked this project better because you were more hands on with your essay. You were able to free write and talk about the experiences you felt when you went there. 
  3. This easy was a lot more easier than the last one. It wasn’t very difficult, but in a way it would be difficult would be staying in topic. There was so much to say that you would lose tract about what you were talking about. I never seem to procrastinate that much. But my writing process has improved since the last essay. 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Field Work Plan


Laura Gutierrez
March 14, 2013
Professor Lawson
Fieldwork Plan
Fieldwork Plan
            I stand before the stars of the most prestigious artists. With a glimpse of their hands that are paved alongside the sidewalk. You can almost squeeze your hand into one, and believe that you can actually feel them. Just maybe, imagine the red carpet, screaming fans, and glorious lights that blind side you. Rolling up in the shiniest, most delicate, expensive cars you can ever imagine. Black leather seats, smell of pearl rose, and the sound of the ignition that sends chills up your spine. The long custom design gowns, hair and make-up at its best, you see jaws dropping from left to right. Black and white; Suit and tie, the enchanted smell, and that smile that can light up a room. One of the many virtues of the Hollywood scene.
            People that do not live in Los Angeles, see Hollywood as the greatest attribute to becoming a star. People from all over the world come to Hollywood for not only to site see, shop, but to also embrace the LA traffic. Movies depict how coming to Hollywood cannot only make you famous but rich as well. For many those dreams do come true, but for others that dream is still stuck in their heads. Many are also let down by the real Hollywood lifestyle. What is portrayed in the movies is not but only the good things that come out of the Hollywood scene.   
             Walking alongside the stars on the pavement floor, down Hollywood Blvd, you see many familiar faces. People dressed up as power rangers, transformers, and other such characters that catch your eyes. Mimes pretending to be enclosed in a box stand on a 3feet box to capture the attention of faraway viewers. The sound of a guitar to the beat of Maroon 5 “Daylight”. The hat placed on the floor upside down, waiting for change to thrown in, trying to make a days’ worth of living. But as well another sign of chills of creepiness goes down your side. Certain people helplessly call Hollywood Blvd, their home. Have nowhere to go but the deep alley ways of this street. Knowing many people visit, hoping to get some spare change. Some work for their money’s worth, others just simply beg. But neither ever loses hope that one day, all the madness in this world will change.
            People coming from the outside in, may feel a bit of out of the loom, especially if you are coming from a small town. The transition from a small town to a big city is a huge step. Twice as many people, noise level increased by 100percent, and the ever on going L.A traffic. Coming from a friendly, loving little town, where everyone knows each other. To a city where everyone goes about their business, making last minute coffee runs, making the last call for a huge endorsement deal, to running down the sidewalk because your late to work. Getting pushed and shoved, while trying to take in all the unsettledness you are feeling. Walking down this sidewalk the lights, amazing buildings, and shops, may be an overwhelming experience if you are not use to it. The fashion that comes with a city, ladies walking like they are about to twist an ankle but walking in them with the highest peppiness you can.
            Signs, billboards, screens all over expressing how skinny you should look, what you should be wearing, the latest brands, are all shown at every turn you take. Your next item of purchase is being displayed on the big screen. What music you should be listening to, the artist you should be admiring. The smell of greasy, non-healthy food is right under your nostrils. The smell of coffee because it’s the only reason why people are awake and walking. Also because there’s a coffee shop at every corner.
            Why we seize to admire this place for the fame or the fortune or both. If you really thought about it at every turn you take all you see is someone telling you what you should be wearing, eating, and how you should look. We all hope and dream that one day, we will be on that billboard and among side the artist, living that Hollywood lifestyle.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Project Web Reflection

THE APPEALS OF COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING


My essay topic was the appeals of commercial advertising. I decided on this topic because I wanted to get more informed over the different type of appeals advertisers use to persuade viewers to buy their products. I learned so much regarding my topic. Now that I am media literate I wont be persuaded into buying unnecessary items. A few things I learned was the different type of tactics they use like sound, emotions, and visual elements to persuade their viewers. We should now enhance media literate classes so we can all be informed about all the ins and outs of commercial advertising. Hope that my classmates learned a few things to. 

My writing process has progressed since last semester because I am learning new and improved methods of structuring my essay. How to have a powerful thesis statement. So that the wrest of your essay flows with the thesis. As well as how to look up information through our libraries data base. Something i didn't know before. Also learned how to find trustworthy sources. That don't have reliable information. The easiest part of this process was making the topic. The most difficult was the research process, and making sure the structure of my essay was well though out. 


Saturday, February 9, 2013

FreeWrite


Reflection:

The research I have done for Project Web so far has been to establish my topic. I have found some articles backing up my intended topic which is how consumers are persuaded by marketers. What are the techniques advertisers use that have worked throughout the years? I need to look for more background information, that gets far more into depth about my topic. Maybe find some examples about commercials, that persuade viewers into buying unnecessary items. I have to make sure my sources are reliable. In reaching my ideal completed project I must have found very good information about my topic, that are true. Find some videos that are good examples. Find some facts about commercials, that I can talk about in my essay or/and blog and can help people stop being manipulated. 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Emphatic (vocab word)

emphatic-showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly

Vocab Words

cacophony- a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds: a cacophony of deafening alarm bells!