Shark Week 2011: previewing the Discovery Channel's annual bite-a-thon
The Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week is a perfect example of the mixing of the scientific and the scientimific.
What's that mean? Well, there science, and then there's the stuff - what I dub "scientimific" - that makes good television. Quite often, never the twain shall meet.
Frankly, Discovery's "Mythbusters" is probably the most entertaining small-screen depiction of the practical application of the scientific method. The plethora of Shark Week programming - seven new specials debut this year, starting tonight - tends to sprinkle moments of level-headed science atop massive amounts of hysteria-inducing fear-mongering re-enactments beefed up with funereal soundtrack dirges.
Considering the ratings success of Shark Week - it's lasted 24 years now - it's safe to assume that scary sells.
(At least the channel seems to have its tongue in its toothy cheek: the press kit I received came with a bingo card with squares containing the phrases "hot chick in bikini," "clueless swimmer" and "ominous music." Also, don't forget to play the Shark Munch game !)
I deduced this while perusing screeners for four of the Shark Week entries debuting this week. Some observations:
"Great White Invasion" (debuts at 9 EDT tonight) The scientimific: Said scene, which encompasses a couple of frightening minutes, is dragged out to about 15 minutes of screen time for maximum dramatic impact. The lead scientist is a hootin' ham for the camera. Using the word "Jaws" in the title to invoke fear (along with the inevitable use of the "we're gonna need a bigger boat" scene).
"Summer of the Shark" (debuts at 10 p.m. EDT Monday) The scientimific: Sure, the phenomena can be explained in a few sentences from a well-reasoned scientist but how else is Discovery going to fill this hour unless they CRAM IT WITH GORE-SOAKED RE-ENACTMENTS OF SHARK ATTACKS EXCLAMATION POINT!!!! The most memorable? A surfer paddles back to shore after he's chomped, his hand attached only by a string of flesh. Do not for a moment think the camera turns away from the blecch.
"Killer Sharks" (debuts Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Press Kit Examples - News
(At least the channel seems to have its tongue in its toothy cheek: the press kit I received came with a bingo card with squares containing the phrases "hot chick in bikini," "clueless swimmer" and "ominous music." Also, don't forget to play the Shark
On the terrific electronic press kit that colorfully recounts the making of "Horses" in New Orleans, Pettibone, who co-authored "Eternity," chuckles about the irony of their collaboration, which he cites as "the first happy song Marianne Faithfull ever
AP Many must-do projects, such as caulking, cleaning gutters, adding insulation or preparing emergency kits, are important year-round, in fact. The Associated Press The hot, hazy days of summer are a perfect time to start preparing for winter.
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I recommend the kit but with a few reservations about the quality of the accompanying manual. You must decipher many sentences and try to determine what the authors mean. I had hoped for real-world examples, which the otherwise good application
How to Promote Your Own Writing | Clarion Management
As resources at publishing houses grow scarce, far more writers are needed to advertise their own operate. If you want to get noticed, often you require to build your own buzz. These hints will support you get started.
1. Organize a StudyingRather of waiting to be invited to a literary occasion, produce your personal. Invite your writer close friends to read with you, determine on a venue, and get the word out. Place up posters, speak to your local radio show to see if they’ll publicise it for you. List the reading in your newspaper’s local occasions calendar. Invite every person you know, and tell them to bring their close friends. Voila: immediate audience!
2. Have Your Portfolio PreparedIf an editor or publisher exhibits interest in your perform, be prepared with a specialist portfolio. It will need to contain a writer’s resume and Volunteer Thailand samples of your writing. If your resume is searching thin, assume about volunteering to acquire experience. Volunteering in the industry will also get you extra contacts, and much more opportunities to promote your work.
Ariel Gore suggests writers "brand" themselves in their promotional material. Create a one particular sentence description of by yourself and your writing that will generate media interest. For instance, "Dave Thomson is a former lawyer turned renegade fisherman, whose tales of the sea are complete of intellect and passion."
3. Assemble a Writer’s WebpageA writer’s website is a good way to market your self. On your internet site you can contain a brief bio, links to your writing, a cv, and a photo of yourself. Some writers contain a weblog on their webpage. Other people incorporate links to their favourite internet sites, hyperlinks to critiques of their perform, or a list of what they’re presently studying.
Be inventive: the goal is to create interest in you and to provide your contact info.
If you don’t have site making abilities, you can hire somebody to produce a internet site, although this can be costly. See if you can locate a web designer who’s just starting up out in the small business. They’ll be attempting to construct their portfolio, and might be willing to assistance you for cost-free. Offer you your editing or writing abilities in return.
4. Make a Press KitA press kit commonly accompanies a completed book, and is created to make the media’s job easier. It includes a synopsis of the book, pull quotes, an author bio, and excerpts from critiques. It can also include a writer’s cv. a list of awards and nominations, or doable interview questions. A press kit is normally very difficult copy, and is sent out to interested media, bookstores or writers’ festivals. For an instance, see science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer’s internet press kit.
Press Kit Examples - Bookshelf
The Public Relations Writer's Handbook, The Digital Age
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