The 5 Year Engagement
Image via Wikipedia
Not only did Kevin Haggerty have some fun interviewing me recently; he also opened my eyes to an upcoming film with a unique marketing plan. The 5 Year Engagement is using transmedia, a new form of storytelling that is changing the way we absorb stories and consume culture.
Okay, full disclosure: The movie stars a certain actress named Emily Blunt who I may or may not have mentioned a couple times*. But I’m not here to blather and blush and blubber and gush. There’s plenty of time to do that later**.
The fictional couple in The 5 Year Engagement (co-starring Jason Segel) even has a wedding blog that is building towards the big event. Some of this stuff is really clever.
I’ve been wondering how this approach impacts marketing and how writers can use this kind of creativity in the 21st century. It just happens that my friend Ellie–whose superskills include cooking and being awesome–has been delving into the world of transmedia like no one I know. I asked her for some thoughts on this emerging area.
~*~*~*~
Ellie’s thoughts:
I had lots of misconceptions about transmedia when I first learned heard about it (it’s much more than putting a wig, makeup, and heels on your book). Transmedia is not to be confused with multimedia or cross media, it’s not simply combining media. It’s creating an experience. Henry Jenkins, MIT media studies professor says, “coordinated use of storytelling across platforms can make the characters more compelling,” and Stephen Dinehart says, “ ”true” transmedia is designed in preproduction with the intent of immersion.”
Transmedia evokes all your senses, immerses you in the story. Examples: Read more »
At Least 3 Things You’ve Never Heard Me Talk About
January, January, what have you wrought?
I’ve been a busy boy these past few weeks, but all that hard work is soon going to pay off. The fun part’s coming when I get to tell yous what’s been in the works.
Kevin looks like a guy you can trust. Until he asks about Nick Cannon.
One of the revelations will be a complete overhaul of my web presence which brings me to the way it all got started–blogging.
Kevin Haggerty invited me to talk about my life as a writer, professor, and pop culturista. Although he may have outed me in at least one area. No, I’m not gay* in case you were wondering
There are even a couple new wrinkles for those of you who know me all too well. At the very least you can discover which Muppet I would spend the day with and how I really feel about Flo from the Progressive commercials.
So click on over to Kevin’s site The Isle of Man to read the interview sure to sweep the nation like a Hoover.
*Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
eduClaytion’s Angels
Some of you know about a couple of very important women in my life–Kate Beckinsale and Emily Blunt. By “in my life” I mean they have no idea who I am.
Well, it’s Underworld weekend, and I am going to see the film ASAP. My friend should be here any minute. I’ve been waiting for, oh, two and half years. I feel that now is a good time to give some other ladies a bit of attention before I see Kate as the lovely death dealer she is and promptly forget about everyone else for a long time.
While I never intended to hurt anybody with so much Beckinsale adoration it’s come to my attention* that I may have been hurtful to my other three favorite actresses who round out the eduClaytion top 5, a prestigious list often whispered about during Hollywood soirees and such.
I don’t have some ranking system from 1-5 or anything because I don’t think it’s appropriate to objectify chicks and stuff. But I will say that Kate and Emily are on top. Here are my three other favorite actresses. Read more »
Who I’m Voting for in 2012
As a professor of government and politics, people expect me to have my finger on the pulse of things like the current election cycle. After feeling around with said finger I’ve determined that all of these mainstream candidates are lifeless. But now I’ve found a pair I can support.
Piper Bayard and Kristen Lamb are not only candidates for office, they’re also friends and, if everything works out, will be letting me shoot guns in Texas later this year. So when I discovered that they were running for office I did what any friend of a political candidate would do–asked for a job.
So you’re reading the words of the future United States Secretary of EduClaytion. The fabulous femmes are here today to talk about our plans to take over the country and fix stuff. Let’s get to the interview.
~*~*~*~
1. Let’s start with the important stuff. As Secretary of Education, how many interns do I get?
Considering the precedent set in the Clintonian Era for the meaning of the word intern, we believe we should throw out that euphemism and simply call it what it is. Your harem. That way they can’t sue for sexual harassment because the job description is accurate. Our people are contacting Kate Beckinsale’s and Emily Blunt’s people even as we type. We’re sure they will volunteer for the job since they are both reputed to have crushes on you, and they’re used to the attention that will come with the job. Read more »
What Inspires You?
I’ve been underground lately, and for good reasons. More on that in the near future. In the meantime, I have a special weekend planned and want to take you with me.
Well, I can’t take ALL of you, just a piece. Specifically, an inspirational piece.
See, I’m going to Gettysburg this weekend for a unique time of reflection and writing. I’ve wanted to go stay in a house in the middle of nowhere for a long time but never did it. I finally buckled down a couple months back and researched possible towns to stay in. I’ve been to Gettysburg before, but as soon as I thought of it I knew I had my winner.
Then I set about checking out bed and breakfast type establishments. I’ve never stayed in one of those. I found one that actually doesn’t serve breakfast. This was actually a key attraction for me. Instead, they have a stocked kitchen and you just do your own thing. EXCELLENT if you know anything about my life and sleep patterns.
It’s also major off season. This means A) The rates are cheap and B) There’s no one staying there.
I literally get the entire house to myself because the proprietors (who are very nice) stay offsite nearby.
All this to talk about inspiration. I recently asked the Twitter world what music they use to get in the creative mood. A lot of the responses were movie soundtracks. I get that. Ellie Soderstrom and her husband Mike are all about the Tron soundtrack, so I’ve been playing that one recently.
I listen to a lot of rock, and that won’t change, but I’m open to new ideas! So I’d like to know, What Music Inspires You?
I Will Judge You
I interrupt my recent disappearance to bring you a VERY special announcement:
It’s a party on the prairie and you’re invited.
My Canadian bestie, Leanne a.k.a. Ironic Mom, is celebrating her 300th post with a great story, a fun event, and a chance for you to be judged by me.
Leanne is a brilliant and hilarious writer, but most of all she’s a great person. For example, she’s too modest to even tell you that her freelance stuff gets like hundreds of thousands of views and she also writes for Nickelodeon. If you haven’t met her yet I encourage you to do so.
All the details for the new event are over at her site, complete with a demonstration by yours truly, so check em out and tell Leanne congrats on denting the internet’s bumper!
~~~~~~~~~
Go to The Ironic Mom Avatar Contest!
How Would You Have Answered These 2 Questions?
I recently helped one of my students out when she had to do an interview with a professor.
I told her I had to think about a couple of the questions and would reply via email later.
Here are the 2 questions:
1. If you could require a college student to read one thing before they graduate, what would it be and why?
2. What advice can you offer an undergraduate?
Those are pretty big questions. I could’ve answered a lot of different ways too. There are potential funny answers, lots of them. There are also plenty of serious answers.
I came up with answers I felt good about and sent them off.
I’m curious, how would you answer those two questions for a young student?
How to Lose Touch With Reality
There’s a lady on the internet named Marianne. She’s really funny. This humor might be the necessary outlook of someone who actually lives in Montana on purpose. Since we always make each other laugh I asked her if she would write a guest post, and she’s come up with a winner. After you read this post by Marianne, check out her site Comedy of Errers & find her on Twitter.
~*~*~*~
I live in Montana where we are very serious about winter. It lasts most of the year, and it can get to a temperature where you get to know your nose hairs individually. During this time, I turn to the only true solace one can have when you don’t want to leave the house for days on end: television series on DVD and Netflix.
I watch a lot of television in the winter. Some may say too much, but they would be wrong. I’m sure the temporary side effects I incur from three days of continual media exposure are perfectly normal.
Last winter I watched seasons 1-4 of Grey’s Anatomy in about a week. It made the -15 degree weather seem not so bad, until I had to go to the doctor. I found myself wondering who was sleeping with whom in the medical supply closet. I may have looked in one just to be sure. (You’re not supposed to look in those closets, by the way.) Read more »
The 2012 Pop Culture Baby Naming Guide
My sister who lives in Florida is about to have a baby any day now. I say any day because she’s been ready like that for the past 9 months. She’s definitely not catching Angelina Jolie anytime soon. Or ever.
Since I’m about to become UncleClaytion again, I thought I would take time to comment on a topic that women go crazy over every year: What to name people who don’t exist yet.
My dog's pouting because he wants a cool and relevant name like Tolkien.
The new list of most popular baby names came out recently and it appears as though people are taking their cues from pop culture. For example, the Kardashians and Twilight are influencing many young parents searching for just the right name to identify their flesh and blood for all time.
Maaaaaakes sense*.
As a result, we have a lot of Isabellas and Jacobs running around. The rest of us will just have to hold our collective breath in crushing anticipation of what the next pregnant Kardashian names her child. Sigh. Even writing that sentence satirically makes me want to punch myself in the face to numb the pain of reality. Read more »
Will Norton & The Light
I’m not really into reposting my old stuff but my top post of this year and all-time comes from this past June when I told the story of Will Norton whose amazing life was cut short by the Joplin tornado. I’ve been thinking about Will’s family this week and the pain of empty spaces around the holidays.
There’s a singer I like named TobyMac who’s been singing a song for a long time called In The Light. Will’s story changes lives because he lived in the Light. I hope you’ll take a minute to read this story, especially if you’ve never seen it. Then go look at the beautiful monument that the Norton’s had placed last month in tribute to their Willdabeast.
~*~*~*~
On May 22, a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri. Millions of people now know the story of Will Norton, the 18 year old who could not survive the storm that struck as he drove home from his high school graduation service.
The storm ripped him from his vehicle even as his father in the passenger seat struggled to hold him. A cell phone and graduation cap were the only thing found until Will’s body was discovered a few days later. He was reportedly reciting Scripture in those final moments. But the story goes deeper.
I first heard about Will through Amy, one of my original blogging acquaintances. Her family survived the deadly tornado despite harrowing conditions that she recounted in a powerful way. Her description of the town in the days following the tragedy will shake you.
I learned about the discovery of Will’s body when I came across a link Amy put on Facebook. She only added “What an amazing life. Thinking today about Will’s family and friends.” The search for the high school grad had come to an unhappy end, but Amy linked to a video called “50″ by Will Norton. I got choked up when I watched it, kind of like the way I feel now as I write this. Read more »
A Young Lady’s Gift
For the past couple months I had planned on writing something for this Christmas weekend. I thought I might come up with something interesting and reflective, the kind of words that make ya think and feel good about yourself when that Christmas spirit softens us all a little bit.
But I’m not going to. The reason is a video I’d like you to watch in a moment.
My brother-in-law and sister’s niece Katie is a super gifted singer. She’s only in 7th grade yet just won a singing competition for performers across Southwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to a cash prize, Katie will be performing at First Night, a huge celebration in the city of Pittsburgh.
Her mom told me that the competition was open to boys and girls from 6th-12th grade. And Katie beat ‘em all! Everyone’s really proud of her and if you watch this video you’ll see why.
I hope every one of you have a fantastic weekend with your family and friends.
What’s your favorite Christmas song?
Special Holiday Greeting from Me! (and Michael Jordan)
Well, it’s that time of year again, the season of wonderment and merriment and bloggy Christmas cardiment.
Some of you know what happened last year when I brought all the insiders behind the scenes of my Christmas card photo shoot. I’m about to do it all again with a little help from my friends*.
It’s about to get real up in here like Kim Kardashian. Or something.
I hope my dog doesn’t pee on Michael Jordan because he’s been growling at him all day.
*I don’t really have any friends, just my dog**.
**My dog’s name is Romy.
What celebrity would you like to be in a Christmas card photo shoot with?
Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah to everyone!
The 12 Days of Gen X Christmas
Can you help me finish my 12 Days of Gen X Christmas song? I need #5. And most of the other ones need help too.
16 Candles…Wait, you can’t start there.
12 Brat Pack movies
11 Smurfin’ Smurfs
TEN from Pearl Jam
9 Light Sabres
8 inch hi-top fade
7 Muppets singing
6 mix tapes
5 Missing things / Breakfast Club detainees / ___________________
4 mutant ninja turtles
3 Matrix movies
2Pac rappin / 2 Mario Brothers / 2 Legit to Quit
And a cartridge for my Atari
What should #5 be? What should any number be?
Best suggestion wins free guitar lessons from me.
How Does the New Sherlock Holmes Movie Rank Against Other Sequels?
So I saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. My buddy WD and I had been planning on hitting opening weekend for a while. During a preview earlier this month I heard one critic describe the movie by saying this current film Game of Shadows is better than the original. You don’t hear that too often.
Image via Wikipedia
He was right.
Whether you are new to this Holmes guy or have a solid background in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle canon, you’ll enjoy this film. Well, unless you don’t like good movies. Guy Ritchie directs marvelously. I’m not sure what all cinematography encompasses, but this movie should win Best Cinematography for 2011. That’s a thing, right?
This stellar follow up got me thinking about sequels that were as good as or better than the original. What do you think of these picks?
Back to the Future II–Maybe not better than the original but definitely great. BTTF is my favorite trilogy of all time. Get it? Time?
The Dark Knight–Okay, I know they’ve made like a jillion Batman movies but we can call clean slate on the latest rendition. Of course Heath Ledger stole the show as The Joker, but what a great film.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan–The original Star Trek movie is a disaster, just atrocious (although Mamma Mia makes it look like Casablanca). The rest are pretty good with the exception of #5 which is hard to watch. Oh yeah, I hear there’s also this Star Wars trilogy that had a pretty good run.
T2–I didn’t see the original Terminator until I was a teenager, after I saw T2. In fact, this sequel was the first R rated movie that MamaClaytion let me go to. I went with my friend and his dad during a trip to Erie. I still think it’s way better than the original.
Superman II–I loved Superman when I was a kid. LOVED it. Still do in fact. This sequel had everything including the unthinkable: Clark willingly giving up his powers for love just as the evil General Zod (Terence Stamp) shows up.
I’m trying to think of any major oversights here, so I’ll ask you…
What are some of the best sequels of all time?
How about WORST sequels?
My Big Fat Greek Penance
It’s payday. Not the kind where I happily collect checks and go to the bank. No, today is the day I pay for my transgressions as a wayward, gambling Steelers fan.
Forgive me Thoughtsy, for I have sinned.
Many of you already know about my now legendary wager with Miss Thoughtsy Appears over the recent Balitmore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers football game and how I was a big fat loser.
So I had to watch the worst chick flick that Thoughtsy and her evil minions readers could come up with.
They picked a doozy called Mamma Mia! Don’t let that exclamation point confuse you. It’s in the title. I wasn’t excited. At all.
But I’m a man of my word, so I took my medicine and watched one of the greatest atrocities ever put on film. And I’ve got a guest post over at Thoughts Appear to prove it. I hope it makes you laugh so the universe can be evened out after all the tears I shed while enduring Pierce Brosnan’s voice amidst an estrogen fest of the devil. Read more »
Life. Culture. Education.
Life as Pop Culture Professor Clay Morgan
In The Matrix, Morpheus tells Neo he can take the blue pill and go on believing whatever he wants to believe. Or he can take the red pill to stay in Wonderland and find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.
This is a red pill type site that provides information in an entertaining way. It’s about clear thinking and good writing. It’s about finding meaning amidst the absurd. It’s about humor and truth.
I’m a writer / speaker who teaches history and political courses at a couple of local colleges. Where is local, you say? Well, that would be Wonderland of course.
On topics ranging from pop culture to the meaning of life, my brain’s always poppin’. Take the red pill and unplug.
