Isabella Rossellini: Actress, Model, Creator of...Bug Porn?!

Isabella Rossellini, the daughter of famous actress Ingrid Bergman, has decided to create a series of shorts based on insect copulation. Rossellini is the male insect in these videos, and shows watchers how bugs get it on, whilst wearing crazy costumes. The fly costume is exceptionally disturbing due to the semi-realistic...vomit. The shorts are named Green Porno, which the actress admits is purely to generate viewings through search engine results of the keyword "porn" These videos are intended to target those who watch videos in iPods or other devices, and therefore are only a few minutes long. It shows the impact that online videos has created. I think it's a peculiar idea, but admittedly very original-whether or not that's a good thing I don't know. Also, I think the reason she decided to be the male insects was to make sure viewers thought she was in control of the situation, and it could be a feminist projection. Either way, I think this WILL get a lot of viewers, out of sheer curiosity. I think the Rossellini doesn't care what people will think of this, and I guess you have to hand it to her for being bold and maybe a little crazy.

Retrieved from Wired.com
Coming Soon to a Cellphone Near You: Isabella Rossellini Mounting a Housefly

MPAA Wrongly Accuses College Students for the Majority of Piracy

The Motion Picture Association of America has recognized a "human error" in the 2005 study they commissioned, which found 44% of domestic industry loss from piracy was by college students. They now state that college students make up only 15% of the loss. The industry has been targeting college students and forcing universities to crack down on their students. Now with these results, the vice president of the American Council on Education has said "colleges will continue to take the problem seriously, but more regulation isn't necessary" I don't think the impact of this study will effect college students much, but hopefully there will be less pressure from the MPAA on schools. The MPAA is so concerned about eliminating piracy, but that's impossible at this point. Overseas is where they are suffering from the most, because of governmental and political issues in countries such as China. The U.S. can't really regulate overseas. They need to reevaluate their strategy for thriving as an industry. Controlling piracy is getting too difficult and costly.

Retrieved from Wired.com
MPAA Admits Mistake on Downloading Study

Tired of Myspace?

A lot of people are getting fed up with Myspace. Case in point? Wednesday, January 30th was International Delete Your MySpace Account Day. People are getting tired of Myspace's abundant advertisements, flashing banners, and spam accounts. I think the end of Myspace's reign as the key internet social networking system may soon be over. Although the site has millions and millions of users, people are just waiting for the next site to come along that has all the benefits of Myspace without the problems. Younger people are deleting their accounts and sticking with Facebook, due to less ads and creepy stalkers. Myspace's only real value over other social networking sites is the fact that so many people have accounts. Myspace has a dilemma here-the same reason people are closing accounts is what keeps them free and running. The advertisements are necessary, although Facebook makes millions and they keep their advertising much more subtle and user friendly. If this is the end of myspace, I surely will not miss it!

Fed Up With MySpace? Join the Club and Delete Your Account

Journey finds a lead singer through...youtube

Journey has found their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda, through an unlikely source: youtube. Youtube has gained popularity exponentially in the past few years, and is an especially great tool for artists and others who want attention. Pineda posted a few videos of himself singing online, and was discovered my Journey bandmate Neal Schon. Schon was trying to find a new lead singer and thought the web might be helpful...he soon discovered Pineda, contacted him, and he signed with the band. It's important to note that Pineda was a member of Journey tribute band, and a similar situation has happened before. In the eighties, a lead singer of a Judas Priest tribute band became the lead of Judas Priest, due to his vocal talent and resemblance to the former lead singer. However, the singer did not last very long. There are many issues and struggles that could arise for Pineda now that he is in the band, although you have to admit playing with your music heroes has to be worth it. I think this story reflects the need for truth in certain industries, where products and people seem bought, wrapped, and packaged for everyone to consume. The public is not sure if what they see, hear, and get is what is real. Uploading a cheaply made (ok, almost free) video on youtube, and displaying yourself in the most honest way is what will get the attention of viewers.

A Tribute Band Singer Takes a Net Shortcut In Journey to Stardom by RAYMUND FLANDEZ

Netfix tries to stay competitive

With the possible fear of Apple Inc. taking over the online DVD rental service, Netflix has quickly responded. They offer online streaming video to their customers, but last year they had limited access. Users on a $16.99 rental plan could get up to 17 hours of free video streaming. Netflix has decided to let all subscribers have unlimited streaming videos, except for their smallest monthly rental package which is only $4.99. Later this year LG electronics will be releasing a device that delivers the content to viewer's TV sets. This is a great way to instantly rent what you want when you want, and not have to worry about late fees, taking a movie back, or waiting 3 days for your DVD to come in the mail. Netflix definitely will have a price advtange over Apple. Apple movies are going to be $3.99 to stream for 24 hours. Netflix is making a good attempt to remain competitve. I think free streaming is a great idea. People who have larger rental plans such as 3-5 movies a package would really benefit from this service. Many young people who rent movies don't have as much time to go to a store, or wait for a video in the mail. Free streaming also allows the user to multitask while watching a movie online. I would love to have this service. I currently do not have a Netflix subscribtion, although I want to get one in the near future. I would definitely choose Netflix over another online DVD service, such as Blockbuster. The company seems to really be responding to consumer wants to stay competitive against Apple.

Netflix Expands Internet Viewing Option
by MICHAEL LIEDTKE

Even more internet advertising in the not so distant future

Internet advertising is clearly the new direction for marketing in the 21st century. When you log on to myspace, the site is cluttered with all sorts of advertisements, links, and pop-ups. When searching on Google, specialized advertisements appear based on your search criteria. Many other companies use videos, temporary sites (especially when advertising big budget movies), and other creative ways to get consumers' attention. There will be some expected changes happening in internet advertising in 2008.
-There will be a new structure because marketers want more cooperation between the executives who create ads for TV and newspapers and those who create Web ads
-Screen wars will be rising. Look for liquid crystal televisions advertising in the most unlikely of places-like gas stations.
-To gain consumer insight, House guests will spend time in real households tracking and absorbing how people live, what they buy, etc.
-Green backlashes will be in swing once consumers become suspicious of the many companies claiming to "go green".
-The last trend will be the antisocial movement, that has been brought on by privacy issues.

Overall, those looking to advertise on the internet now need to think about the above trends. It could be critical to their success. Look for more television ads to refer to the internet and vice-versa. Companies need to integrate both mediums into one cohesive marketing strategy. I think businesses can really benefit from advertising online, and should pay attention to the needs of end-users. After all, we're buying products, creating blogs, and leaving valuable feedback.

Written by Suzanne Vranica on January 2nd, 2008.
Retrieved from WSJ.com
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119921379097860487.html

If you're using the internet for exposure, don't complain when you receive it!

Photographer Lane Hartwell was angered when one of her copyrighted images was being used in a youtube video. The video was made by a choral group from San Francisco, and they removed the video after she complained. The video had been viewed hundreds of thousands of times before it was pulled. Some would consider this amazing exposure, but Lane was not amused. Hartwell considers the use of her image as stealing and was quoted "I'm not a charity.... This is my living." She wants payment for all use of her images. The choral group believed using the image would be within fair use provisions, since the video was a parody. She also decided to make her Flickr account private to stop further abuse of her copyrighted images. She had over 5,000 images that were previously available publicly.

Honestly, I feel as though this photographer needs to brush it off and realize that storing images publicly, whether copyrighted or not, will inevitably lead to some "abuse". She had 5,000 images on Flickr, how is she suppose to track everyone of them on the internet? Will she take legal action every online site or blog that has "stolen" her images? I can understand that professional photography is her career, and she spends a lot of time and money. Photographers need lights, cameras, other equipment, studios, etc. However, photography is a form of expression and most artists are happy that the internet allows for exposure on a much bigger scale. She could have asked for a watermark or copyright on the image shown in the youtube video. That would have been free publicity to thousands of people. Instead, she wanted monetary compensation. This video also verges on fair use, so she seems pretty greedy wanting profit from someone else's work. I'm sure the news coverage she is now getting for copyright violation will only continue to alienate most of our generation. Young adults today see the internet is a sharing space where ideas, pictures, and videos can circulate freely and publicly. Even though it may not be the case, or legal in some situations, that is their mind set. Angering your viewers is not a good idea when you rely on the internet for your career.

Retrieved from Wired.com on December 18th, 2007
Why Lane Hartwell Popped the 'Bubble' Video by Lewis Wallace