FTR For The Record: A PESA Publication
VINTAGE IN
VOGUE
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS YEARS BEST PICTURE NOMINEES.
THE DOMINO EFFECT ARE YOUR SOURCES CREDIBLE?
Volume II: March 2012
...GIVE THEM A REASON TO BE AFRAID!
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TIPS FOR JOB INTERVIEW PREP
WHAT’S ON YOUR TV
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Pregnancy. Alcoholism. Anxiety. Depression.
Letter from the Editor
change that incredible amount of e th see n ca e ey en e rapid Any op de. Whether it was th ca de st pa e th in n ged has swept this natio affairs that have chan l ica lit po e th or gy olo m the way advancement of techn y we have come far fro sa to fe sa s it’ s, ion ill be like the lives of m e what my life would in ag im en ev t n’ ca I thout things used to be. complish as much wi ac to le ab be I ld ou W keeps me up to without my iPhone. me to my peers and ts ec nn co at th et dg an 10 years the handy ga touch? It was less th gle sin a th wi ts en ev and we date on current y we listen to music wa e th d ze ni tio lu vo further than we ago that the iPod re vate the product line no in e pl Ap n see y bs developed have alread u believe that Steve Jo yo n Ca . ed ict ed pr ized that could have ever it aside when he real t pu d an st fir ad iP ne industry? Gethe concept for the er change the cellpho ev for d ul co t ep nc co the same annius. of Georgia researchers ity rs ve ni U r, be em dramatLast Dec at has the ability to th e in cc va a of t en e could be used nounced the developm se model. If the vaccin ou m a in s or m tu ce ved. Just last ically redu the world could be sa nd ou ar es liv ss tle me-sex on humans, coun easure that banned sa m m du en fer re e th al by a federal apweek, Proposition 8, ruled unconstitution s wa a, ni or lif Ca in discrimination marriage s we have addressed ar ye 0 10 st pa e th hat’s next? peals court. In epest emotion, love. W de r ou w no d an , er against race, gend lays ahead of us, but ll tell the future that wi e tim ly On mplishments and tion. None of the acco ac m fro e m co ly thout on change can e would be possible wi tim r ou in n see ve ha are all breakthroughs we s and opportunities ea Id t. ac to e iv at iti y may be overdue someone taking the in p away. The econom sli em th let t n’ do u, The worst around yo n we need to give up. ea m ’t esn do at th t bu ments for a recovery, king at the accomplish loo t ou th wi es elv rs ou beginning your we can do is doubt Whether you are just . ed ev hi ac y ad re al to act is now. we have l in May, your time sse ta e th ng ssi to or tle angel, college career ce you were mom’s lit sin ed nt wa ve u’ yo , never lose your Fight for that job and, most importantly , ay aw r fa s nd la to t forever. travel ay be now, but it is no m e tim he T t. ac to oportunity
Valdano Besic Editor in Chief
FOR THE RECORD VOL. II
Valdano Besic Editor in Chief
Kameron Dawson Film &Television Editor
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Yasmeen Malik Sports Editor Amanda Facemire Staff Writer Danimarie Roselle Assistant Editor
VINTAGE IN VOGUE
Laura Elizabeth Executive Marketing Coordinator Meagan Leann Prislac Executive Assistant Hilary Beth Allen Photography Editor & Staff Writer
CONTENTS 5 TIPS FOR JOB INTERVIEW PREP
WHAT’S ON YOUR TV?
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3 THE DOMINO EFFECT
THE
DOMINO
EFFECT
In a world that never sleeps, it can seem impossible to stay on top of what’s going on right now. With the rise of social media in the last few years, often times it is hard to tell who really was the “first” on the scene of any breaking story. But the desire to beat the competition and publish a story first should come second to journalistic honesty and integrity. Even though the internet has made it possible to believe just about anything and everything, as responsible journalists we must continue to practice even the most basic of principles – namely checking sources and verifying facts. The job of reporting the news has always been first and foremost to bring credible and trustworthy facts to the public and this cornerstone should continue to be ever-present in our minds.
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To succeed in the entertainment industry you must be cautious about everything that has your name on it. One bad judgment or careless publication can haunt you and your career for years. Take for example the tweet that OnwardState.com published concerning the death of former Penn State head coach, Joe Paterno. On the Saturday night prior to his passing, Onward State failed to check their facts and published that Joe Paterno had already died. The rumor spread and other news organizations picked up the story, making the same irresponsible mistake. Just hours later, Onward State’s managing editor stepped down. Certainly this is not the first time a publication has chosen speed over quality. But this disastrous error is an illustration of the repercussions that come with failing to remain a responsible journalist. Each situation requires a new perspective; however when it concerns a topic as serious as illness or death, the right approach is to wait for a spokesperson to clarify the information before taking action. These aren’t the only scenarios for which journalists have retracted information. Several years ago, Fox News found themselves apologizing time after time for journalistic errors and falsifications. Some of these include – using a GOP press release and calling it their own research and airing a 6-month-old clip of then Vice President Biden and calling it new. News organizations and publications that the general public deems trustworthy
are often guilty at some point of publishing a story or video that is incorrect. As the up and coming generation it is our responsibility to remain true to what we learn and practice in the earliest stages of our careers. It is easy to become caught up in the fast pace of media today, but taking the time to consider the consequences of your publications can make all the difference. As it has been demonstrated, one mistake can have a cascading effect on the media organizations around it. With so many journalists racing to get ahead, one falsity among the rumor mill will lead to a domino effect of errors and eventually retractions and apologies. More times than not a lower level employee is fired for his or her carelessness and the blunder stays with them, hindering them from future success.
For many, it all comes down to how far you are willing to go to get ahead. If the answer is that you will do anything, even cut corners and forego proper protocol – you need to reevaluate your direction and integrity. One should always strive to be as transparent and honest as possible, especially when you work in an industry that is constantly evaluating and reevaluating its members. With the internet at our fingertips, it is easier than ever to find the inaccuracies. Our goal should be to add to the industry in as many positive ways as possible – the first phase of that objective is to be aware of the information that is attached to your name and never publish anything you aren’t comfortable with. Yasmeen Malik Sports Editor
HOW CREDIBLE IS JOURNALISM TODAY?
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TIPS FOR JOB INTERVIEW PREP
Know yourself. The most important part of the interview is actually YOU. No matter what job you are interviewing for, you have to know the skills and qualifications that you possess. Anyone can make themselves look good on a sheet of paper, but not everyone knows how to verbally express themselves to the employer. Take the time to study your resume, past experiences, and qualifications. Ask yourselves potential questions that the employer may ask and be prepared to answer these questions without having to think. Basic questions like why you are the best candidate for the job, your strengths and weaknesses, and why you want the job should be the easiest questions for you to answer. Once you know what you are bringing to the table, you have the ability to show your future employer how you will be able to successfully execute any tasks that come your way.
Dress to Impress.
I am not stating that looks matter, but we all need to know how to properly present ourselves, especially to a perfect stranger. Think about the count Have you done your research? NEVER go less hours you have spent making sure you look your into an interview without knowing at least the com- best for your friends and significant others, we have pany background and what they do. No employer is all been there. A job interview is just as important, going to take you seriously if you do not know what if not a thousand times more. Take the time to find you are getting yourself into. Visit the company web- the perfect business attire. It does not have to cost site and take the time to gather as much information a pretty penny, but it sure has to make you look about the business as you can. Take advantage of GOOD! Find the shirt that brings a smile to your social media! Websites like LinkedIn and the commother’s face and the pants that fit like they were pany’s Facebook and Twitter will provide valuable made just for you. Ladies, you know what I’m talkinformation both about the company and the kind of ing about. Once you have your attire, make sure your people that they employ. During the interview, talk hair is flawless and your smile is bright. If your look about the way you plan to contribute to their opera- is right, you’re better prepared to play the part. Show tions and how you can play an important role for the the employer that you took the time to prepare, it company. The employer will be impressed by your shows initiative! First impressions are important. Reknowledge of the company and will assume that they search shows that it takes people 2 minutes to decide are more than just another job option for you. if you’re their cup of tea or not and only 4 minutes to 5 hold it against you forever. Ouch!
Know the company.
You are SPARTA! Please don’t sit there and pretend like you don’t have what it takes to get the job. Why did you even apply? Why would they call you back if they don’t think you have what it takes? Maybe I am just a little too confident for my own good, but I believe everyone should believe in themselves. You have been working all your life to one day land the perfect job, so don’t let your nerves get in your way. I’m not implying that you should bust through the company’s front door, but please do not walk in with your face down. EYE CONTACT! Instead of being afraid of the interviewer, give them a reason to be afraid. Look them in the eyes the WHOLE time, smile when appropriate, and use body language to communicate your point across. This will allow the interviewer to see you as someone who will work well with the current employees and effectively communicate with the team. Communication is key!
“Instead of being afraid of the interviewer, give them a reason to be afraid.” Follow up. Do not call the employer back the next day! That is absolutely annoying. Understand that it takes time to go through the hiring process and select the right candidate for the job. Instead of harassing the company, follow up in a polite way. When you leave the interview, have a letter prepared (sealed and stamped) and send it to the interviewer. In the letter, thank them for the opportunity and tell them you look forward to hearing back from them. This will show them that you are very interested in working for them without giving them the impression they’ll have to file for a restraining order after they hire you. Once you have done this, take a deep breath and continue your life as if nothing happened. When the time is right, they will call you back.
Valdano Besic Editor in Chief 6
V intage in V ogue
A Look at the Time Period Best Picture Nominees Now that it’s 2012 and (supposedly) our last year here on Earth, it’s almost too perfect that six out of the nine films nominated for Best Picture in the 84th Annual Academy Awards are period pieces. From World War I to the 1960s, it feels like Hollywood is “wrapping itself up”, with nostalgic movies like Hugo and The Artist. Looking at the full list, I started wondering why that happened. Granted, there were a LOT of vintagestyle movies this year. The Best Picture nominees don’t even include My Week With Marilyn, The Iron Lady, or Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. It seems the turn of the century made us reflective; Hollywood is paying homage to the past while welcoming its new era of cinema.
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WAR HORSE
Time Period: 1914-ish, Europe (Great Britain). Fashion: Tall stiff collars, large hats, more relaxed corsets. Popular Ideologies: British ideology during this time wa becoming more innovative: feminism, worker unionization, democracy and socialism are just a few examples. Music: British Music Hall (vaudeville inspired), and of course classical music was still very much in style. The Movie: War Horse’s syrupy sweet animal-centered story is teeming with longing for the past. Amidst the carnage and terror of World War I, a courageous and loveable horse manages to lift soldiers’ spirits. There are some heart-wrenching scenes in this one, all revolving around an uplifting horse that raises the morale of soldiers and civilians alike. The Theme: If there’s one universal theme that you can apply to ANY time period, it’s “hope in a hopeless situation”. That’s a trend that we’ve seen since the dawn of cinema time. Hell, that’s a trend in Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, another Best Picture nominee (set in present-day). Hoping is what people do. It’s how we cope, and thankfully it’s not going away anytime soon.
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THE ARTIST
Time Period: 1927-1932, Hollywood. Fashion: If you’ve seen it once you’ve seen it a thousand times (and even more when Gatsby releases). Flappers with calve-length hemlines, short hair, and long beaded necklaces. Men were in sportswear in casual situations, wide-lapel suits for business, and didn’t step outside without a hat on first. Popular Ideologies: The Roaring Twenties ushered in an era of fast modernization and technology. Increased spending and partying led to the growth of the aristocratic class. Music: That ol’ Devil’s music- Jazz and Ragtime. The Movie: The Artist tells the tale of a popular silent film star that refuses to make the switch to talkies as his industry reshapes. His career and marriage tank while he watches his love interest, Peppy Miller, rise to stardom. Don’t worry, it’s not as pessimistic as it sounds- there’s still a happy ending. The Theme: First of all, half of these vintage movies are either French themed or produced (Artist, Hugo, Midnight in Paris), really putting Hollywood in touch with its romantic side this year. The film is a beautiful painting of resistance to change, which is incredibly applicable to our fast-paced world. A homage to silent movies, this film reminds us that unless you’re willing to constantly learn and adapt, you’re going to get left in the dust. My own father, a director of photography at age sixty-seven, just returned from a workshop in L.A. where he learned how to properly use 3D cameras. Increasingly accessible new mediums are hitting the entertainment scene all the time. Stubbornness doesn’t get anyone anywhere, especially when so many faces in the job market can render us completely dispensable.
HUGO
Time Period: 1930s, Paris. Fashion: The Great Depression meant more modest clothing. Where the 20s rejected femininity, the 30s brought it back into vogue. Waistlines returned, and hemlines dropped again. Popular Ideologies: Survival, regeneration. Music: Jazz still prevalent at the beginning of the decade, which was followed by Big Band and Swing toward the latter half. The Movie: A young boy tries to live on his own in a train station after his father’s death leaves him with nothing. Hugo Cabret is a marvelously bright inventor’s son that tries to repair an automaton (similar to a robot). He finds an adventure that leads him to one of early cinema’s most popular directors. The Theme: Talk about self-commentary! Hugo, like The Artist, has been described as “a love letter to early cinema”. The fact that Hugo is also ground breaking in its use of realistic 3D (as opposed to theme park style that jumps out at the viewer) could not be more appropriate. It’s flawlessly executed new visual style coupled with the antique storyline gives the film the same reverence and respect it gives its predecessors. The plot itself is whimsical, with the final thought being a reflection on the importance of our ancestors.
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TREE OF LIFE Time Period: 1950s, Texas. Fashion: High waist skirts with belts, short curly hair and brightly colored fabrics. Men sported skinny ties, “gray flannel suits”, and lost their hats. Popular Ideologies: “Women in the kitchen and men at work”, and “Communism is a terrible evil”. Television also emerged as the dominant medium. Music: Rock and Roll. The Movie: Tree of Life is a reflection on childhood and the origins of life. A man looks back on his younger years and tries to make sense of them in the greater context of the universe.
Picture, then so should Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking, because both have incredible space shots with opera music in the background (the difference here being that Sean Penn’s two minutes of screen time gave Tree more press). That being said, I’m NOT saying you shouldn’t see the movie. Hollywood really went out on a limb with this one and I think experimentation and innovation should always be encouraged. Do I think it deserves Best Picture? No. Do I think it should even win Best Cinematography? Most of the “stunning visuals” that everyone keeps talking about are under the Visual Effects department,so no. Unfortunately the things I thought Tree performed best in have been ignored by the Academy, including Music and Editing. If you like the technical side of film, this is an important one. If you just want to see it because Sean Penn and Brad Pitt are in it, don’t bother.
THE HELP Time Period: Early 1960s Mississippi. Fashion: Before the mini skirt, there was Jackie-O. Pastel suits with pillbox hats reigned, and dresses were still very much 1950s influenced. Popular Ideologies: The rebellious free love movement of course, characterized the 60s. Young people were going on the offensive against their conservative generation, and The Help looks at the civil rights side.
The Theme: The premise is interesting and the movie as a whole has received polarized reviews. Tree of Life is literally a nostalgic movie about nostalgia, peppered with the recurring theme of a man trying to find his place in the grand scope of time. The meaning of life is continuously addressed, which of course, is another universal theme. You could stretch that more by saying there’s an increasing public interest in cosmology and physics, and a hope that soon we will scientifically find our reason for the existence of humanity. I will be candid here- I did not like it. I think it’s a bunch of pseudo-artistry. I think that if Tree of Life wins Best
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Music: Motown, social and political songs, Rock and Roll. The Movie: A young journalist chronicles the racism that black maids are faced with while working for white families. A heartwarming ensemble-based story, The Help has a strong cast and a good adapted screenplay that preserved the original spirit of the book. The Theme: “Sticking together in the face of adversity” is a good summation of The Help. It’s been criticized as being archetypal, with predictable characters that leave nothing to the imagination. I’ll use a quote from Dana Stevens of Slate here that I think sums it up best: “The Help is a high-functioning tearjerker, but the catharsis it offers feels glib and insufficient, a Barbie Band-Aid on the still-raw wound of race relations in America.” Besides that, The Help resonates an optimistic view of the future, a future of increased social awareness and action. The U.S. still has a long way to go in these areas, which is why I think The Help is a good reminder.
MIDNIGHT IN PARIS Time Period: Present-day and 1920s Paris. Fashion: See The Artist. Popular Ideologies: See The Artist, but also keep in mind the new literature emerging during the 20s…Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, Cole Porter, (to name a few). Music: See The Artist.
The Movie: An American screenwriter on a trip with his fiancée discovers the wonders and beauties of Paris during one of his midnight strolls in the city. When a mysterious car picks him up and transports him back to the 1920s, he encounters his beloved literary giants that help him with the manuscript of his first novel.
The Theme: Okay, so technically this one isn’t entirely set in the past…but I’m counting it anyway. Owen Wilson’s character, Gill, is an enthusiastic young man that romanticizes the 20s, thinking it was perfection compared to present-day. He eventually begins to question the nature of nostalgia itself after encountering his love interest, (played by Marion Cotillard) who believes that the 1890s were the actual Golden Age of Paris. The film closes on a beautifully self-aware note, with which I will leave you. I don’t know why it’s human nature to always want to be somewhere else. We seem to have a “grass is always greener” view of things. So many of us want fame, or fortune, or to live in a different country or time period. Whether Hollywood is longing for the past or simply tipping its hat to its ancestors, Midnight in Paris sums up our quest for happiness in just a few sentences: “…If you stay here, and this becomes your present, then pretty soon you’ll start imagining another time was really your...You know, was really the golden time. Yeah, that’s what the present is. It’s a little unsatisfying because life’s a little unsatisfying.”
Amanda Facemire Staff Writer 10
What’s on TV?
With today’s ever-changing economy, many things have been affected—including what we see on television. It seems that there has been an increase in the amount of television that focuses on heavy topics like teen pregnancy, social issues like depression, and physical abuse. Television producers and directors have seen a direct change in what audiences want to see through a direct effect on ratings. Shows such as “Once Upon A Time” and “Grimm” which focus on fairy tale characters and situations seem less appealing to the modern audience than prior to the economic downturn. Before the fall of the economy, a series could follow models used in shows like “Heroes” that focused on imaginary characters and still be relatively successful. This was because the ideals of the viewers were more creative and upbeat. Nowadays, people are more serious. They save more, and are more averse to spending money on superfluous items like designer clothes and even movies. This conservative attitude had a direct effect on the entertainment industry. Movies like “Confessions of a Shopaholic” and “Sex and the City 2” tanked at the box office because people could not stand the sight to see a character, even a hypothetical one, live so carelessly and spend money. People often want to see visuals that are more like themselves than other visuals that are the opposite. Yes there are shows like “Housewives of Atlanta/Beverly Hills/New Jersey” that depict the high- spending lives of women, but these shows do include an important factor—Social Issues.
Kameron Dawson Film & Television Editor
Social issues humanize a character. Pregnancy. Alcoholism. Anxiety. Depression. These are all issues that we deal with and as we are living in this society, we would like to see them addressed on television. In a way, seeing rich people live their lives happily without a care is frustrating when you the viewer is struggling to make ends meet. By seeing others you relate to, you become more invested as a viewer and you want to see how the character turns out, whether they will overcome their challenge or succumb to their own personal struggle. We see a piece of ourselves in the characters, so if they succeed it makes it possible for us to as well. Producers have realized this fact, and have created television projects that are not only entertaining but are also educating and uplifting as well.
Shows like “Jersey Shore” which didn’t seem more than a weekly raid of booze and G.T.L got serious this television season. Vinny, arguably one of the most beloved of all the characters on the show, came up front about his issues with handling his severe anxiety. In an episode that almost brought myself to tears, Vinny addressed the harsh effects of traveling straight from Italy to more partying in Jersey. Viewers could see that Vinny just wasn’t in it for the partying or the money anymore. It all just got old, and it wasn’t worth his health or his piece of mind. When television producers bring elements like this to episodes it’s ironic to see the reality in “reality” television. 11
THE SUMMIT March 31st, 2012