Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Link Ch. 5 – Lena Dunham, Vogue & Jezebel – Is there a Photoshopping problem?

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

The level of Photoshopping going on at Fashion/Beauty/Lifestyle magazines has been an ongoing controversy, with performers such as Adele, Kelly Clarkson and Kate Winslet being made almost unrecognizable as photo editors try to make the curvy stars’ bodies comply with … Continue reading →

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Pre-Class Video: Illustrator Tommy Kane draws Seoul, South Korea

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

Today’s video is from artist/illustrator Tommy Kane, and I’m playing it in honor of the fact my eldest returns home from Korea tomorrow where he’s been working for the last year.

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Oscar Nominations 2014: Brühl snubbed, Hustle gets acting nominations in all four categories

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

Oscar nominations were announced bright and early this morning, with several surprises in what is widely considered to be one of the tightest fields in years. Gravity and American Hustle led the nominations with 10 nods each, followed by 12 … Continue reading →

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Pre-class video: They Might Be Giant performing “You’re On Fire”

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

My pre-class video for today is a music video from the awesome band They Might Be Giants.

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You can still be entertained by the Golden Globes broadcast even if you didn’t watch it Sunday

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

I wasn’t able to watch the Golden Globes Awards broadcast Sunday night, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t still be entertained by it.  Here’s what you missed if you didn’t watch: The wonderful introduction to the show by co-hosts Tina … Continue reading →

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Pre-Class Video: CATCH – A stop-motion animation shot with Google Glass

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

I usually have a pre-class video running as students assemble for my Global Media Literacy class.  While I generally collect these videos over on my Tumblr, this semester I’m going to try to post all the ones I use to … Continue reading →

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What can we learn from the Chris Christie Bridge scandal?

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

As you no doubt have heard in the last few days, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is in a lot of hot water over actions by his staff in closing several lanes of traffic on the George Washington Bridge this … Continue reading →

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

What do midwestern tabloid newspapers put on their covers when they are tired of snow and cold? Why, puppies, of course!!!  Is America facing a Velveeta shortage heading into the NFL playoff season? And if so, whatever will we do … Continue reading →

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Women and the Movies 2013 Part 2 – Where are the women directors?

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

While women talking to each other about something other than a man in movies was a good indicator of success last year, 2013 was not a stellar year for women directors.  According to a story from Variety, only two of … Continue reading →

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Women and the Movies 2013 Part 1 – Bechdel Test Movies

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Ralph Hanson

There’s long been the argument made that the reason that movies primarily feature male characters is that these types of movies make more money than those that have prominent female characters. For 2013, that statement is demonstrably false.  A study … Continue reading →

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