Crowdfunding and Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding - there is a difference between the two, but you should grasp this concept and use it in the construction of your media products where possible.

Crowdsourcing is not a new idea, but the internet has made it easier, quicker and allowed audiences to bypass traditional media production methods.

Crowdsourcing from Mitzuv

Crowdfunding is where you pitch for capital or investment into an idea.  In terms of media, we are focused primarily on how a video, website, music video or device (such as Oculus Rift) gets funded and developed.  We are not interested in whether Chilango will open up another Burrito chain.

See Kickstarter or Crowdfund to examine how people are using the web.  Find some case studies that you can use and apply in your exam.

Reminder of what Production, Distribution and Exhibition is

This Slideshare below gives a comprehensive guide to what each process is and how it is used within the context of the film industry.

The processes do vary across industries, but essentially production is making, distribution is getting the product around, and exhibition is when the audience get to experience the product.

We have to be focusing our attention on how the Internet is changing these processes, for better or for worse.

Production,distribution,exhibition an intro final for media from robertclackmedia

Topics we will cover

This list is not exhaustive and will be updated with links, etc. as the course continues.  Please note the terms and use a springboard into research using the internet. 

Democracy - there is an essential need to understand this topic and how on-line media initially changed things for better, and then for worse (debatable).



Citizen Journalism - a growing source of news now comes from this since 2005 and the advent of convergent smart phones

Dan Gilmour - he coined the term We the Media, so it would be rude not to read what he has to say about the concept.

Hacktivism - breaking into computers in the name of political free speech.





Anonymous - a large group of individuals you won't want to  upset





Clay Shirky - has lots to say about the impact of the media on society.  Read up on him and follow his twitter account.





Flash Mobs - this has since evolved into something else, plenty of case studies needed.





Evgeny Morozov - writes about the dark side of the internet, the bits that make people fee
l uncomfortable.



Chris Anderson's Long Tail - a theory important to understand given the approach of industries and artists about how to use the web to monopolise sites like Amazon.



Google - what does the Goggles app on your smartphone and Google Glass have in common?  A really interesting topic to examine, and a live project in progress.



Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding - there is a difference between the two, but you should grasp this concept and use it in the construction of your media products where possible. See Kickstarter or Crowdfund to examine how people are using the web.







The Arab Spring - a recent period in history where the Arab world went crazy for democracy with massive fallout as a result.



Facebook - as well as an understanding of how the website works, what's more important is keeping track of what Zuckerberg and his team are buying up, from Whatsapp to Occulus Rift - even companies specialising in AI.  Facebook and gaming? Whatever next.



The rise and floatation of Twitter - now valued on the stock exchange and modelling a format very similar to facebook.  Research and track this marvel.



Wikileaks - not much has happened since Julian Assange took a visit to the Venezuelan embassy in London to avoid extradition to Europe over rape allegations.  He has many supporters and even inspired a film called The Fifth State.  A milestone to be researched and understood.



China and The Internet - AKA The Great Firewall of China.  How long will it take to break down this monster?

G325 - Media in the Online Age and We Media

The two topics we will study are Media in the Online Age and We Media.

Many of the terms, case studies and theories surrounding the above topics are interchangeable, so studying both in preparation for one exam question should not be seen as a bad thing.

Furthermore, many of the techniques, methods and skills learnt from studying these components can be used to enhance your G324 Advanced Portfolio.  I will provide examples as the course progresses.

Our first topic and introductions to the units was to watch the film Life in a Day (Dir: K MacDonald 2011).


The film is an excellent example of online collaboration between producers and audiences, or Prosumers in most cases.  The film can be discussed in relation to Andrew Keen and relates to issues of globalisation, crowdsourcing and UGC (User Generated Content).

Kevin MacDonald went on to make Christmas in a Day for Sainsbury's ahead of their 2013 Christmas advertising campaign. BOXofficemojo.com doesn't show the film to be a blockbuster, but then the film was in partnership with YouTube.  Views translate into audience revenue.

The most important thing to remember about section B of the exam is that there should be a sense of debate and a clear argument presented.  This is just one of several case studies that you could use.