Tonight’s reading was about what counts as evidence. I thought that it was very informative and will help me write my final argument essay. I did not realize what could and could not be used as evidence before I read this chapter.
One point that I found helpful was that, “evidence should match the time and place in which you make your argument.” If the information you use as evidence is outdated and no longer relevant, your argument is really null and void. If any link in your argument is too old or has been updated, your argument falls apart and can fail to persuade. Therefore it is important to check that the evidence and information used is up to date and relevant to your topic.
The section on observation and interviews were interesting also. It said that in both cases it is important to look at the entire situation and not take anything for granted. They used LAX as an example of this saying how grand and luxurious it looks from the outside or in movies. However the inside is actually unimpressive and does not offer many amenities. The same goes for interviews. It is important to make sure that the person is not using bias or giving incorrect information. An interview with a Republican senator from Georgia about healthcare reform is going to differ from an interview with a Republican Senator from New York. Furthermore, these interviews will be much different than a Democratic senator from California. But interviews are a good way to add perspective to an argument.
I have always been taught to be wary of surveys and questionnaires. A lot of the time they have double barreled or loaded questions that make them very inaccurate. If you are conducting a survey it is really important that it is random people and that the questions are straight forward and easy to answer.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Style
Tonight’s reading was Chapter 12- Style and Arguments. I found this chapter very interesting. I had never really thought about writing having a style like clothing and architecture does. I had always hear about the author’s “voice” but never specifically about a style. After reading this chapter though, I now understand how many different elements can go into creating a style for your writing.
The first section on word choice talked about how we speak or write differently for our different audiences. Clearly I am going to write differently in these blogs than in a paper or a text to a friend. And of course there will be different jargon used with different groups. The section about punctuation kind of confused me though. I thought that it was more about simply varying sentence length than adjusting punctuation. I would never use an exclamation point in a formal essay. I feel that it would be informal and unprofessional to use it in this context.
I would also avoid using metaphors and similies in formal papers. I have always been taught, in high school, that figurative language such as this should be taken out of research papers and formal essays. The textbook made it seem okay to add these in though. They spoke of how they could actually enhance your argument instead of weaken it. I found this very interesting, but I also feel that they must be used carefully. I feel that flowery language can turn a paper from a strong argument to a piece of prose fiction. In this section there were also tropes that I never thought were actually things. I never realized antonomasia and irony were parts of style.
There were many things in this chapter that I feel will help me with my own writing style. I will now be conscious of it and work at it.
The first section on word choice talked about how we speak or write differently for our different audiences. Clearly I am going to write differently in these blogs than in a paper or a text to a friend. And of course there will be different jargon used with different groups. The section about punctuation kind of confused me though. I thought that it was more about simply varying sentence length than adjusting punctuation. I would never use an exclamation point in a formal essay. I feel that it would be informal and unprofessional to use it in this context.
I would also avoid using metaphors and similies in formal papers. I have always been taught, in high school, that figurative language such as this should be taken out of research papers and formal essays. The textbook made it seem okay to add these in though. They spoke of how they could actually enhance your argument instead of weaken it. I found this very interesting, but I also feel that they must be used carefully. I feel that flowery language can turn a paper from a strong argument to a piece of prose fiction. In this section there were also tropes that I never thought were actually things. I never realized antonomasia and irony were parts of style.
There were many things in this chapter that I feel will help me with my own writing style. I will now be conscious of it and work at it.
Blog 12- Chapter 10
The article “Why Literature Matters” by Dana Gioia speaks about the fact that young Americans study in the arts, especially in literature, has declined. The article goes on in attempts to explain why reading is so important and why we should engage in this activity more often. I honestly found this article very difficult to ready. Perhaps it was simply boring me. I felt that the sentences were all very long and wordy. Sentence length was not varied very often which made it monotonous. I had to keep reading the same sentence three times in a row to finally understand it. At the end I still didn’t feel that I should read more. It failed at doing its job. I felt to motivation to read whatsoever. It did have a lot of good facts and arguments. It talked about the decrease in literacy impacting the level of political awareness in our country. All of her facts and points were relevant and strong. However, I didn’t think it flowed well or appeal to me at all.
The other article “What Makes a Serial Killer?” by La Donna Beaty was more interesting to me. Perhaps this is because I am obsesses with CSI and have a fascination with criminal justice. Comparatively though, I thought this article was 100 times better. It was interesting and outlined the points of the argument well. I thought it was a clear example of the causal arguments. It clearly outlines the different causes that can produce the effect (becoming a serial killer). I thought that that the set up of the article was good as well. It first talked about the fact that serial killers are not new to our society. Then it moves on to talking about the progression of serial killers. I thought the author used good transitions. Next it talks about all of the different theories there are as to why these people kill. I thought the article was interesting and grabbed the attention of the reader.
The other article “What Makes a Serial Killer?” by La Donna Beaty was more interesting to me. Perhaps this is because I am obsesses with CSI and have a fascination with criminal justice. Comparatively though, I thought this article was 100 times better. It was interesting and outlined the points of the argument well. I thought it was a clear example of the causal arguments. It clearly outlines the different causes that can produce the effect (becoming a serial killer). I thought that that the set up of the article was good as well. It first talked about the fact that serial killers are not new to our society. Then it moves on to talking about the progression of serial killers. I thought the author used good transitions. Next it talks about all of the different theories there are as to why these people kill. I thought the article was interesting and grabbed the attention of the reader.
Blog 11- Chapter 9
The first reading for tonight “Why I Hate Brittany” by Nisey Williams was an argument that I agree with. I thought that it was a very powerful argument and that she was a very firm believer in this issue. She used a lot of forceful and blunt language and even the title suggests that the article will be frank. I thought that this was a good example of an evaluation. It is difficult to statistically pinpoint Brittany as the reason teenage girls are becoming more promiscuous. She makes an evaluation of the situation. The article was still able to make a good point, although this is somewhat out of date because now the influences fall more on Miley Cyrus and Rihanna. It convinced me that Brittany had a large influence over teenage girls who are easily impression. I thought that it went from point to point well and connected ideas smoothly. She brought up the nature of the MTV awards and how celebrities now perform scantily clad. She also made a good point talking about Avril Levine and how she is able to sell records without having to “sex it up” proving that these tactics are not necessary for those who are truly talented.
The second article “The Case against Coldplay” by Jon Pareles is a critic’s view on Coldplay. He truly detests this band and wants everyone to know it. He is not afraid to hurt anyone’s feelings and lays it all on the table withing the first few paragraphs. I thought that this article was a bit to brash for my liking. I am not a avid fan of Coldplay and probably wouldn’t be able to recognize a song of theirs if it came over the radio. However, I thought that the article was hasty and aggressive for no good reason. I realize that it is written by a New York Times music critic and I feel that sometimes critics, such as Pareles are mean because it is their job. It is easier to write a bad review than a good one. I didn’t think the article worked because, despite its well written nature and good analysis, it made me feel bad for Coldplay and regard Pareles as a Scrooge type character.
The second article “The Case against Coldplay” by Jon Pareles is a critic’s view on Coldplay. He truly detests this band and wants everyone to know it. He is not afraid to hurt anyone’s feelings and lays it all on the table withing the first few paragraphs. I thought that this article was a bit to brash for my liking. I am not a avid fan of Coldplay and probably wouldn’t be able to recognize a song of theirs if it came over the radio. However, I thought that the article was hasty and aggressive for no good reason. I realize that it is written by a New York Times music critic and I feel that sometimes critics, such as Pareles are mean because it is their job. It is easier to write a bad review than a good one. I didn’t think the article worked because, despite its well written nature and good analysis, it made me feel bad for Coldplay and regard Pareles as a Scrooge type character.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Chapter 8
I really enjoyed the first article “The Offbeat Allure of Cult Films.” I thought that it was a very good idea to interview young people, as the author, Sayoh Mansaray, did. It was very effective because the people she interviewed are the reasons why these movies, such as Napoleon Dynamite and Rocky Horror Picture Show, do so well. Interviewing teens is a good way to bring in a different perspective. Why not go straight to the source, instead of reading what professionals have to say about why so many teens are in love with these cult films. I also thought that Mansaray did a good job defining what a cult film is. If someone had not seen Napoleon Dynamite or Donny Darko, they might not understand what a cult film is. The author is able to define it well saying they are “quirky movies,” “off the beaten path,” and “nonmainstream films [that]… differ from other films in theaters… because they aren’t as clean and processed.” Mansaray also used story of Marshall, a young girl, throughout the entire article. I thought it was a good way to make the essay flow and bring it full circle.
The second article “Pink Think” by Lynn Peril also did a good job proving its point. I thought it was well outlined, using bullet points to make each argument clear. However, the article did appear quite bias. Peril sounds like a feminist who takes the rights of women and the negative effect of gender roles very seriously. She had many examples of how women are “oppressed” but failed to mention how women have progressed so much since she was born. She seemed to focus all on the negative things going on and none of the progress. The article did make a strong argument though. It appealed to the pathos, especially those of women. The article was very powerful for its somewhat short length as well. She also did well defining “pink think” as “a set of ideas and attitudes about what constitutes proper female behavior.” This was very important to her argument. Without this readers would have been very confused. Her specific definition allowed the article to be successful.
The second article “Pink Think” by Lynn Peril also did a good job proving its point. I thought it was well outlined, using bullet points to make each argument clear. However, the article did appear quite bias. Peril sounds like a feminist who takes the rights of women and the negative effect of gender roles very seriously. She had many examples of how women are “oppressed” but failed to mention how women have progressed so much since she was born. She seemed to focus all on the negative things going on and none of the progress. The article did make a strong argument though. It appealed to the pathos, especially those of women. The article was very powerful for its somewhat short length as well. She also did well defining “pink think” as “a set of ideas and attitudes about what constitutes proper female behavior.” This was very important to her argument. Without this readers would have been very confused. Her specific definition allowed the article to be successful.
Chapter 7
I thought that the sample argument “Abortion Distortions: Senators from both sides make false claims about Roe v. Wade” was a very strong argument. It really showed how important it is to use relevant and correct facts, especially if you are arguing such a controversial topic as abortion. I found it very interesting that senators would use information that was incorrect and expect to get away with it. I thought that the article did a good job addressing the issue. It pointed out that the information used to back a claim must be recent or at least relevant to the claim. Sen. Boxer used statistics from 1936 while Sen. Santorum simply used incorrect information. I understand that both wanted to use this to enhance their view on the issue, but they just went too far. It really brought the credibility of authoritative figures into question. I feel that I should now go over my research to make sure that it is all relevant and up to date. I also want to check were my sources got their statistics so that I do not blindly trust them. I also thought this article outlined their point well so that it was easy to follow. Their presentation of evidence was very good and made it enjoyable to read.
I thought the other article “The Psychological Experience of Security Officers Who Work with Executions” worked well also. It didn’t outline as well as the previous article. I liked how the “abortion distortion” article put bold heading so that its points were clear. It was a very interesting topic and if flowed together well. I liked it because it followed the story of what they did. It was in chronological order. First they talked about what happened in the interview. Then they spoke of how after the interview they classified the subjects and so on. They took us through what they did and I thought that was a good tactic. However at times it got jumpy. Altogether though I thought it was a strong argument.
I thought the other article “The Psychological Experience of Security Officers Who Work with Executions” worked well also. It didn’t outline as well as the previous article. I liked how the “abortion distortion” article put bold heading so that its points were clear. It was a very interesting topic and if flowed together well. I liked it because it followed the story of what they did. It was in chronological order. First they talked about what happened in the interview. Then they spoke of how after the interview they classified the subjects and so on. They took us through what they did and I thought that was a good tactic. However at times it got jumpy. Altogether though I thought it was a strong argument.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Sources
Sources are obviously important because they are where you get your information from. They need to be credible and trustworthy, or they should be used with caution or awareness to bias. Of course they should be relevant to your topic and have an author that is knowledgeable on the subject. You should also look at what audience the source is geared towards and how current it is.
The sources that I have found so far are newspaper articles. They are mostly circulated only within the state of North Carolina. Star News, which reports often on the NC film incentive, is even local to Wilmington. Most of the articles I have been looking, I have found because of twitter. The small local production company, Southern Gothic Productions, often posts articles about the incentive on their twitter page. They have been very interested and active in getting it raised. They have been a very useful source. They have also blogged on the topic and can be used as a credible source because they are in the film industry and know a lot about it. I also have some online newspaper articles from national newspapers simply reporting on the film industry and where most filmmakers want to shoot their movies.
Since there was recently a law passed raising the incentive from fifteen to twenty five percent, I have to look at the law book, which is in the library. The new film bill is Senate Bill 943 and took effect January 1st, 2009. I have also found a brochure put out by the North Carolina Film Office, located in Raleigh. It describes in full detail what the differences are between the old and the new bill. It also offers a FAQ section that is very helpful and makes it much more understandable for those who do not understand complex legal terminology.
The sources that I have found so far are newspaper articles. They are mostly circulated only within the state of North Carolina. Star News, which reports often on the NC film incentive, is even local to Wilmington. Most of the articles I have been looking, I have found because of twitter. The small local production company, Southern Gothic Productions, often posts articles about the incentive on their twitter page. They have been very interested and active in getting it raised. They have been a very useful source. They have also blogged on the topic and can be used as a credible source because they are in the film industry and know a lot about it. I also have some online newspaper articles from national newspapers simply reporting on the film industry and where most filmmakers want to shoot their movies.
Since there was recently a law passed raising the incentive from fifteen to twenty five percent, I have to look at the law book, which is in the library. The new film bill is Senate Bill 943 and took effect January 1st, 2009. I have also found a brochure put out by the North Carolina Film Office, located in Raleigh. It describes in full detail what the differences are between the old and the new bill. It also offers a FAQ section that is very helpful and makes it much more understandable for those who do not understand complex legal terminology.
Structuring Arguments
Tonight’s reading was about how to structure an argument. It is very important that an argument is well composed and arranged. There may be many different ways to successfully argue a point. However, there are more ways to structure and argument unsuccessfully. In order to avoid this there are several things that can be done. The textbook we are using outlines the Toulmin Argument. It is only one of the various ways to put together an argument, but it is one that works well.
I really do believe that there are ways to make an argument flow well and stir emotions of others. There is a grace about the way some arguments, such as the Declaration of Independence, that are moving and genuinely make you believe in the cause. I had to peer edit a great amount of research papers for my senior thesis. I was definitely able to tell who put time into planning out how to lay out their argument most effectively and who threw everything together, sometimes haphazardly. I agreed with almost all the book had to say.
I also enjoyed reading about the Toulmin Argument. I thought it was a helpful tool that can be used as a reference when writing a research paper. I have never had a specific outline for an argument such as this. I find it very useful to have because it gives structure to what I want to say. At first it confused me a bit. I didn’t quite understand the difference between the reason and the warrant. After looking closer, I was able to grasp the concept. I feel like I am a very structured person and I like to have a formula for what I am doing- something definite and concrete. I thought that the Toulmin Argument provided this. It also gives you a way to make your argument stronger. If one of the components are lacking, you know what to fix or find that will help your argument. On top of that, it is a way to judge or dismiss other arguments that do not have all the qualifications.
I really do believe that there are ways to make an argument flow well and stir emotions of others. There is a grace about the way some arguments, such as the Declaration of Independence, that are moving and genuinely make you believe in the cause. I had to peer edit a great amount of research papers for my senior thesis. I was definitely able to tell who put time into planning out how to lay out their argument most effectively and who threw everything together, sometimes haphazardly. I agreed with almost all the book had to say.
I also enjoyed reading about the Toulmin Argument. I thought it was a helpful tool that can be used as a reference when writing a research paper. I have never had a specific outline for an argument such as this. I find it very useful to have because it gives structure to what I want to say. At first it confused me a bit. I didn’t quite understand the difference between the reason and the warrant. After looking closer, I was able to grasp the concept. I feel like I am a very structured person and I like to have a formula for what I am doing- something definite and concrete. I thought that the Toulmin Argument provided this. It also gives you a way to make your argument stronger. If one of the components are lacking, you know what to fix or find that will help your argument. On top of that, it is a way to judge or dismiss other arguments that do not have all the qualifications.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Audience and Purpose
Knowing your audience is crucial to a good argument. If you are unaware of who you are speaking to, your argument could fall flat. There are different strategies that can be used with different types of audiences. A speaker is not going to say the same thing about drunk driving to teenager as to middle aged parents.
A good thing to know is who your topic is going to impact. An increase in the film incentive would impact most of the state. It could possibly increase taxes; therefore all taxpayers would be affected. It would affect those who live in the Wilmington area greatly too. Seeing as there is a major studio here, many filmmakers would want to use this area. The people here would need to understand that shooting would occur where they live. It also impacts filmmakers and those who work in the film industry. A higher incentive means more movies. More movies means more jobs. This could be comforting to a lot of people who would be able to stay in the area instead of having to move to somewhere like LA.
You also need to know who is interested in your topic. The people who work in the film industry and want job security would be interested. This is because no one wants to lose their job and uprooting and moving away are not fun tasks either. Production companies would also be interested in a higher incentive. They are always looking for ways to cut down their budget and a tax break is a good way to do this. More studios would look to North Carolina as a viable location for shooting because of its competitive incentive rate.
The purpose of the side advocating for an increased incentive is to provide more jobs, stimulate the economy within North Carolina, and build a larger film industry in the state. They want to be a competitive part of this ever growing industry and want in on some of the profits.
The opposing side’s purpose is to protect the taxpayers. They do not want to be giving breaks to anyone who does not deserve it. They also do not want to have to raise the people’s taxes again, especially if the promised results take a long time to be seen.
A good thing to know is who your topic is going to impact. An increase in the film incentive would impact most of the state. It could possibly increase taxes; therefore all taxpayers would be affected. It would affect those who live in the Wilmington area greatly too. Seeing as there is a major studio here, many filmmakers would want to use this area. The people here would need to understand that shooting would occur where they live. It also impacts filmmakers and those who work in the film industry. A higher incentive means more movies. More movies means more jobs. This could be comforting to a lot of people who would be able to stay in the area instead of having to move to somewhere like LA.
You also need to know who is interested in your topic. The people who work in the film industry and want job security would be interested. This is because no one wants to lose their job and uprooting and moving away are not fun tasks either. Production companies would also be interested in a higher incentive. They are always looking for ways to cut down their budget and a tax break is a good way to do this. More studios would look to North Carolina as a viable location for shooting because of its competitive incentive rate.
The purpose of the side advocating for an increased incentive is to provide more jobs, stimulate the economy within North Carolina, and build a larger film industry in the state. They want to be a competitive part of this ever growing industry and want in on some of the profits.
The opposing side’s purpose is to protect the taxpayers. They do not want to be giving breaks to anyone who does not deserve it. They also do not want to have to raise the people’s taxes again, especially if the promised results take a long time to be seen.
Logos
Logos are appeals to logic. They are usually based in fact and reason. It is important for an argument to provide these two things so that the audience will believe what someone is saying. Often these types od arguments provide an audience with evidence. This evidence can be in the form of a chart, statistical data, cause and effect reasoning, or even performing a task in front of an audience. Aristotle said that there are two categories of logos or arguments based on facts and reason. The first is hard evidence. This is the statistics or testimonials. The second are those that are based more on reason and common sense: things that follow logically from a hypothesis.
Some of the logos that can be used when discussing the film incentive in North Carolina are the laws that have been created for it. A new law recently was put into action (on the first of the New Year) that increased the incentive from 15 percent to 25 percent. I should be able to find the actual law in the library because they have the state legislation on record there. Of course I would also need to take a look at the old law and see how they differ and what improvements were made.
In support of the incentive, I could provide data that shows the predicted increase in jobs and stimulation of the state’s economy. I am sure that there is data on how much revenue films can bring into a state and how successful other states are when they increase their incentives. I have also seen polls that have been conducted by local North Carolina news papers on how people feel about the issue. I could also interview some people from this area, seeing as there is a large film influence in Wilmington.
The other side of the argument could use contradicting facts. They could reason that with the economy the way it is no one is going to want to spend money on making movies. They could also argue that even with a higher incentive, production companies still want to film in larger urban areas such as New York City and Los Angeles, California.
Some of the logos that can be used when discussing the film incentive in North Carolina are the laws that have been created for it. A new law recently was put into action (on the first of the New Year) that increased the incentive from 15 percent to 25 percent. I should be able to find the actual law in the library because they have the state legislation on record there. Of course I would also need to take a look at the old law and see how they differ and what improvements were made.
In support of the incentive, I could provide data that shows the predicted increase in jobs and stimulation of the state’s economy. I am sure that there is data on how much revenue films can bring into a state and how successful other states are when they increase their incentives. I have also seen polls that have been conducted by local North Carolina news papers on how people feel about the issue. I could also interview some people from this area, seeing as there is a large film influence in Wilmington.
The other side of the argument could use contradicting facts. They could reason that with the economy the way it is no one is going to want to spend money on making movies. They could also argue that even with a higher incentive, production companies still want to film in larger urban areas such as New York City and Los Angeles, California.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Ethos
Ethos appeals to ethics. They are appeals based on the writer’s authority or credibility. In ethical appeals the author or speaker must present themselves in a way to make the audience respond. Audiences respond well to those who seem authoritative and trustworthy, usually those who have high qualifications and credentials. In order to appeal to a reader as a person with good character it is important that facts are used that have a valid source, and that shared values are highlighted. It is also important that the opposing view is acknowledged and respected. This shows people that, even with contrasting arguments, your side is should be agreed with.
Credibility is a crucial part of ethos. It shows the respect for the audience and honesty a writer. The easiest way to convey this is by stating facts, but also backing them up with research and reliable sources. I could use statistics from other states that have raised their film incentives to show that it has a positive effect, when arguing for a higher tax credit. States like Georgia and Michigan’s economies have grown sufficiently in this industry because of their high incentive rates. On the other hand, it may take time for this to occur and those who oppose could present data that shows the predictions for the near future, or the amount taxes would have to increase. Of course, for both sides, it is always necessary to use language that shows respect and intelligence.
Credibility can also be established by connecting with core moral beliefs held by an audience. When arguing for the incentive, I could argue that everyone who is willing to work hard deserves to have a job. However, others could argue that no one wants higher taxes.
It may be difficult for me to establish authority over this subject because I am not an active member of the film community or the state government. However, using statements from these people would establish some ethical appeal. The same could be done for the other side. Many Republicans in the state government oppose this, and getting their view and arguments on the subject would further enhance the ethos of a writer.
Until Next Time.
Maggie
Credibility is a crucial part of ethos. It shows the respect for the audience and honesty a writer. The easiest way to convey this is by stating facts, but also backing them up with research and reliable sources. I could use statistics from other states that have raised their film incentives to show that it has a positive effect, when arguing for a higher tax credit. States like Georgia and Michigan’s economies have grown sufficiently in this industry because of their high incentive rates. On the other hand, it may take time for this to occur and those who oppose could present data that shows the predictions for the near future, or the amount taxes would have to increase. Of course, for both sides, it is always necessary to use language that shows respect and intelligence.
Credibility can also be established by connecting with core moral beliefs held by an audience. When arguing for the incentive, I could argue that everyone who is willing to work hard deserves to have a job. However, others could argue that no one wants higher taxes.
It may be difficult for me to establish authority over this subject because I am not an active member of the film community or the state government. However, using statements from these people would establish some ethical appeal. The same could be done for the other side. Many Republicans in the state government oppose this, and getting their view and arguments on the subject would further enhance the ethos of a writer.
Until Next Time.
Maggie
Friday, January 15, 2010
Pathos
Pathos is a technique used to appeal to people’s emotions or an appeal to the heart. Pathos can be extremely effective in persuading the pubic, especially when used in addition to sound facts and reasoning. Techniques used to express these emotional appeals are often stark images or descriptive language, such as simile, metaphor, or figurative language, that can paint a picture in the reader or listeners mind. It is a very powerful tool that can be used to influence how others think and believe. When using emotional appeals you want your audience to make a connection with you or make them feel they owe something to others. Using this technique, it is possible to rally more support for your cause that logic and facts alone.
For my argument, the North Carolina Film Incentive, a big reason the incentive is important is because it will provide jobs for many people. Unemployment is a subject that is relatable because, in the current recession, it is not uncommon. Anecdotes are always a useful way to connect with people and make them feel they owe something to others. I could tell a story about how people will lose their jobs and be forced to move to big cities like L.A. or New York where the cost of living is much higher than here in North Carolina. I’m sure that I could find someone local who would greatly appreciate the extra work the incentive would provide because it would mean they wouldn’t have to move and they could finally pay the bills on time.
There are also many stories about filmmakers within North Carolina whose projects have failed because they were unable to fund them with such a low incentive. They had their dreams crushed because North Carolina did not provide and environment suitable for young, aspiring cinematographers. Everyone has a dream and everyone knows what it is like to be let down or experience failure. People feel pity for those who are so close but just cannot catch a break that a higher incentive would give.
On the other side, a higher film incentive would require a slight raise in taxes. No one likes it when taxes are increased. This can be used by the other side. Getting people angry is a good tool. Usually anger causes action. If people know that their taxes will go up because of an industry that is not essential to the state, they will become upset. Most residents of North Carolina do not participate in the film industry. Therefore they will not feel obligated to help those who do. Film can be seen as a shallow business that is only in it for the money, if it is portrayed that way. The opposing side could play this up and ask the question, Why should we help those who are already making millions?
Until Next Time.
Maggie
For my argument, the North Carolina Film Incentive, a big reason the incentive is important is because it will provide jobs for many people. Unemployment is a subject that is relatable because, in the current recession, it is not uncommon. Anecdotes are always a useful way to connect with people and make them feel they owe something to others. I could tell a story about how people will lose their jobs and be forced to move to big cities like L.A. or New York where the cost of living is much higher than here in North Carolina. I’m sure that I could find someone local who would greatly appreciate the extra work the incentive would provide because it would mean they wouldn’t have to move and they could finally pay the bills on time.
There are also many stories about filmmakers within North Carolina whose projects have failed because they were unable to fund them with such a low incentive. They had their dreams crushed because North Carolina did not provide and environment suitable for young, aspiring cinematographers. Everyone has a dream and everyone knows what it is like to be let down or experience failure. People feel pity for those who are so close but just cannot catch a break that a higher incentive would give.
On the other side, a higher film incentive would require a slight raise in taxes. No one likes it when taxes are increased. This can be used by the other side. Getting people angry is a good tool. Usually anger causes action. If people know that their taxes will go up because of an industry that is not essential to the state, they will become upset. Most residents of North Carolina do not participate in the film industry. Therefore they will not feel obligated to help those who do. Film can be seen as a shallow business that is only in it for the money, if it is portrayed that way. The opposing side could play this up and ask the question, Why should we help those who are already making millions?
Until Next Time.
Maggie
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
NC Film Incentive
The topic that I have chosen for my research is the North Carolina film incentive. It is a local issue that I find very important because I am a film studies major. It impacts my future because the more movies that are shot within the state of North Carolina, the more likely it is that I can get a job here. There are many jobs that can be found in this field because movies are constantly being made. However, a surplus of these jobs are in major cities such as Los Angeles or New York City. I would move to these places if need be. Nevertheless, it would make me extremely happy if I could stay here. I just find the other cities too big and overwhelming. It may just be a stereotype, but I feel that people who go there end up losing who they are. I think that Wilmington is a better fit for me. The people here are all really nice, friendly, and down to earth.
I also find this topic interesting because it affects the local community. Wilmington has EUE/Screen Gems Studios, located right on North 23rd Street. So, this incentive will not only change things in North Carolina, but also have a major impact on the immediate community. “One Tree Hill” is a major production, but it has been on for seven seasons and will probably be ending soon. This film incentive is critical. North Carolina needs to attract productions in and compete with other states with high tax credit rates.
Over the summer I found out about a local production company called Southern Gothic Productions from a friend of mine. It was started by three local people who are in the film industry. Via twitter they would post links to articles about the North Carolina film incentive. I found them very interesting because I had never really heard anything about it before. I found out that, in 2009, the tax credit given to producers if they made their films here was only 15 percent. Compared to other states, this was low. In June or July Wilmington lost out on shooting the Miley Cyrus/Walt Disney film “The Last Song” to Georgia, whose incentive was at 30 percent. Then Governor Perdue signed a bill to raise NC film incentive to 25 percent. I want to learn more about how films help the North Carolina economy and how raising incentives will aid in getting out of debt.
Until next time.
Maggie
I also find this topic interesting because it affects the local community. Wilmington has EUE/Screen Gems Studios, located right on North 23rd Street. So, this incentive will not only change things in North Carolina, but also have a major impact on the immediate community. “One Tree Hill” is a major production, but it has been on for seven seasons and will probably be ending soon. This film incentive is critical. North Carolina needs to attract productions in and compete with other states with high tax credit rates.
Over the summer I found out about a local production company called Southern Gothic Productions from a friend of mine. It was started by three local people who are in the film industry. Via twitter they would post links to articles about the North Carolina film incentive. I found them very interesting because I had never really heard anything about it before. I found out that, in 2009, the tax credit given to producers if they made their films here was only 15 percent. Compared to other states, this was low. In June or July Wilmington lost out on shooting the Miley Cyrus/Walt Disney film “The Last Song” to Georgia, whose incentive was at 30 percent. Then Governor Perdue signed a bill to raise NC film incentive to 25 percent. I want to learn more about how films help the North Carolina economy and how raising incentives will aid in getting out of debt.
Until next time.
Maggie
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Introductions
Well, I’m not really the best at introductions but here is some basic information about myself. My name is Margaret Muller, but everyone calls me Maggie. I am eighteen years old and my birthday is on May 8th. I live on Long Island in New York in a small town called Bayport- Blue Point. It is about an hour and a half away from the city by train. So, it is far enough away to keep out of all the madness, but close enough to visit every so often. I live right on the bay and grew up around boats, but I don’t know very much about them.
When I was in high school I twirled baton. Most people have a skewed perception of twirlers. Usually they are thinking about majorettes and color guard. It is an actual sport though; where people go and compete against other teams. We didn’t march in front of the band in weird costumes or anything embarrassing like that. It is basically like competitive dancing, but with a prop. It is also not as easy as people might think. I really enjoy scrapbooking too. I think it is a great way to keep memories in a creative way. My two best friends, Alison and Emily, and I have nights where we all work on a couple pages together. I absolutely love musicals, and wish I could sing so I could be in them. I’m actually listening to Bye Bye Birdie as I write this. (I saw it on Broadway over the winter break. John Stamos was in it and one of the actors from Spectacular, the Nickelodeon attempt at High School Musical. It was wonderful. However, the girl who played Kim seemed sick so she was slightly pitchy.)
This is my first year in college, so I’m a freshman, but I have enough credits to be a junior because of the AP classes I took in high school. I am a film studies major and am thinking about double majoring in theatre as well. I have always enjoyed movies and televisions, so I thought, why not try it out as a career? I have never been very good at English. Every single quarter in high school I got a 94 in English when all my friends were getting 99’s and 100’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading and keeping journals. But, I get confused with grammar and hate symbolism which I can never seem to find. I am looking forward to this class though. I hope to get better at writing and maybe finally enjoy an English class.
Until next time.
Maggie
When I was in high school I twirled baton. Most people have a skewed perception of twirlers. Usually they are thinking about majorettes and color guard. It is an actual sport though; where people go and compete against other teams. We didn’t march in front of the band in weird costumes or anything embarrassing like that. It is basically like competitive dancing, but with a prop. It is also not as easy as people might think. I really enjoy scrapbooking too. I think it is a great way to keep memories in a creative way. My two best friends, Alison and Emily, and I have nights where we all work on a couple pages together. I absolutely love musicals, and wish I could sing so I could be in them. I’m actually listening to Bye Bye Birdie as I write this. (I saw it on Broadway over the winter break. John Stamos was in it and one of the actors from Spectacular, the Nickelodeon attempt at High School Musical. It was wonderful. However, the girl who played Kim seemed sick so she was slightly pitchy.)
This is my first year in college, so I’m a freshman, but I have enough credits to be a junior because of the AP classes I took in high school. I am a film studies major and am thinking about double majoring in theatre as well. I have always enjoyed movies and televisions, so I thought, why not try it out as a career? I have never been very good at English. Every single quarter in high school I got a 94 in English when all my friends were getting 99’s and 100’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading and keeping journals. But, I get confused with grammar and hate symbolism which I can never seem to find. I am looking forward to this class though. I hope to get better at writing and maybe finally enjoy an English class.
Until next time.
Maggie
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
