Lecture 6

Lecture six was all about our consumption of media (or content). Two types of ways in which we consume content created by traditional media producers, and increasingly new types of producers, were outlined. These are the 'big' and 'small' screens of life. 'Big' screen refers to the older cinema, TV and PC. While new personal media players, mobile phones, and smart phones are 'small' screen. The 'big' screens traditionally meant that viewers were passive - the media was broadcast to them at a certain time and they had little control over the media. However increasingly consumption is becoming more personal with the use of small screens and as the consumers become involved in the production process.

In the lecture we looked at fan films such as 280 days and also 'Trailer Mash'. These forms of entertainment show how fans and consumers within a 'niche-market' are involved in the production of media.

Mobile phones are playing a large part in the changing way in which people interact with technology and media; especially when it comes to the news. Consumers can now receive updates on their phone and also participate in the production of news. For example we are beginning to see mobile phone footage on actual news programs. Though it must be said that the footage recorded on mobile phones is rarely good quality.