Anna+Aupperle


 * Working Title ** : “The Impact of Participatory Media: A Case Study”

**Members**: Anna Aupperle

1. Concept: My thesis is that modern participatory media (specifically YouTube videos and Tumblr gifs) are interacting with and influencing traditional/“mainstream” media in new and ever-expanding ways. I argue that websites such as YouTube (and on a lesser scale, Tumblr) are legitimate forms of “media spectacle” and have irreparably impacted “traditional” media (in this case, television). The case study I will be using is Darren Criss, YouTube sensation and current mainstream television actor. Most of the research I have read has focused solely on fandom of strictly traditional media, while I am interested in presenting, through this video, a specific example where fandom actually leads to and subsequently intersects with traditional media in a non-traditional way. This project would be structured as an academic video essay. I specifically chose this form of project because I am highly interested in editing, and while I have some minor experience in the mechanics of it, this is the area of production that I feel has the most value with respect to my media theory research interests. (In the future, I would like to explore the idea of perhaps making a fandom-oriented documentary focused on the online-only realm of StarKid Productions, and I feel strengthening my editing abilities would only enhance my ability to do this in the future.) In this project, I would be combining the theoretical background of major media theorists Dr. Henry Jenkins (using quotes from his //Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture// and //Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide//) and Dr. Douglas Kellner (//Media Spectacle)// with one specific case study from current fandom studies in order to prove my specific thesis.

Plan for project: I will begin with a quote from Jenkins’ //Textual Poachers// in order to set the context for the piece, in addition to my own thesis. Quotes and other interstitial elements will also be present in between the video clips in order to make sure I present a substantial argument for my thesis. In terms of a rough outline of the video clips, I intend on beginning with at the chronological beginning of the story, and progressing through several YouTube clips (I have about 11 chosen now – I’m not sure which ones I’ll use yet, since I’m sure that would be way too many to use in 2-3 minutes!) to prove my thesis. Then, I would like to cut to some fan imagery (fandom of fandom) as well as a montage of some Tumblr gifs. Additionally, I will show several screencasts of Tumblr and YouTube sites, which are also integral to proving my thesis.

2. Techniques to work on: The main technique here is the efficient use of Final Cut Pro. I will deal with several major editing techniques in this project. I intend to deal with creating a few split screens, as well as utilizing titles and lower-thirds. I am particularly interested in utilizing a combination of text and graphics in this video essay.

3. Actors/Subjects: N/A

4. Equipment needed: I will need Quicktime or another screencasting software in order to make a few screencasts of YouTube and Tumblr sites. Most importantly, I will need access to Final Cut Pro for editing all of the pieces together, as well as a large external drive for storage. I may also need Pro Tools or Logic, depending on the audio quality of the video I have received and the edits required between audio tracks. Additionally, I will need access to DVD ripper software (probably Mac the Ripper or similar software) in order to access the higher-quality content (namely: a short segment of //Glee//, Season 2, Episode 6, “Never Been Kissed”) necessary for this project.

5. Possible locations: N/A

6. Other logistics (releases, scheduling conflicts, etc.): The main logistical hurdle in creating this academic video essay will be in actually getting the correct source material for the project. This will require ripping YouTube videos, which is clearly not in line with YouTube’s Terms of Service. The major issue I am concerned about with regard to this project is fair use. I have done some research on this, and according to the Center for Social Media’s //Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Online Video//, I feel that my project in general would fit within the confines of “fair use” since it would be “using copyrighted material for illustration or example” (6), which (according to the guide) usually qualifies as “fair use” since I would be using many different sources and would only be using them to prove my point (not just as a reposting of currently posted material). However, I am prepared to justify the use of each of my quotations and/or video clips with regards to the fair use process, and I will be documenting each piece of copyrighted material in the creation of this project with the help of the “Documenting the Fair Use Process” worksheet posted on Blackboard. That being said, my other biggest concern is that I will not be able to cut all of these videos down to a manageable timeframe (perhaps this is too ambitious of a project?), while making both audio and video streams prove my ultimate thesis.