Social Ad Proposal

I would like to focus my advertisement around a social issue that has existed for many years, but had most recently been brought to prominent attention. The issue of police brutality has existed for almost as long as the institution of police itself, and while many different demographics of the population are targeted by this abuse of power and privilege, it is fairly well known that African-Americans are far more disproportionately prejudiced against by the police and this prejudice has more often than not culminated in harmful and/or deadly situations that have been declared unfair and unjust by much of the population. Cases from a few years ago, like that of the contested death of Trayvon Martin, are even more prevalent today with the most recent deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. These two young black men were murdered brutally and without cause, although grand juries (composed almost entirely of white jury members) have chosen to not even bring charges against the white police officers responsible for their deaths.

Although I personally have not been nor do I know anyone who has been affected by this issue, I still care deeply about it, because it terrifies to me to know that I live in a country where young black men and women can be murdered without cause and not have their murderers delivered to full justice. I cannot live in a world where the deaths of those of another race are considered legal, because their murderer was white and a position of power.

People should be concerned about this issue for the same reason I am. Whether you are of African, Asian or Hispanic descent or if you are white, then you should fear for a world where the deaths of citizens are brushed under the rug in order to keep in place a corrupt institution. Police are supposed to protect people, but lately they have not been serving their purpose.

I want to create an advertisement that not only brings this issue to awareness in the general populace but also that evokes emotion, whether it be sympathy, sadness, anger, etc. that makes people want to move to take a stand. Tens of thousands of people are marching to end racial injustice in America and police brutality but the media is attempting to cover it up or give them a bad name. I want to make people realize how disgusting that is and join the cause.

Photojournalism Article

CV's Dancing Machine

Captains, Emma Brown (12) and Emily Hall (12) discuss their routine
 with coach Linda Richards (not shown in picture).

If you enter Eagle View Middle School's cafeteria on almost any given day of the week, you will most likely find a silent and empty room with lonely chairs stacked against the walls. However, on December 3, 2014, the sounds of girl's laughing and music playing echoed throughout the building. The Cumberland Valley Dance Team utilized the room for one of their practices due to another Cumberland Valley club taking up the high school cafeteria, a space usually reserved for the dance team. 

The Cumberland Valley Dance Team is a "team" in name only, as it is technically classified as a school club. However, existing since the 1970's makes the dance team far older than many of the other school organizations also classified as clubs, and their plethora of awards are nothing to scoff at. But how do they get so good? Once their talented team of girls has been selected, it all comes down to practice, practice, practice. With a season that lasts all year long and entails at least three competitions and numerous performances at community and school sport events, such as football and basketball games, practicing is vital to their success. 

A typical practice features stretching, practicing their routines (pom, hip-hop and variety mix- a combination of jazz, pom, and hip-hop) and lots of friendly camaraderie! Coach Linda Richards of 10 years watches as the girls practice their dances and work hard to help them improve. 

Practicing their hip-hop routine, the girls strike a Beyonce-inspired move.

Team captains, and the only two seniors, Emma Brown and Emily Hall talked about their experiences with the team and what it's like to be captain. "I like being part of a team of 13...14 other girls [that] I can rely on..." shared Brown on her favorite part of being on the dance team. Captaining responsibilities include motivating the team, leading stretches, sending out text reminders, and being there for the other girls. 

With great skill, Kate Minnich (10) shows off the moves
that got her a spot on the team.

Junior Lydia Maliackel describes her relationship with her teammates as extremely close: "They see me at my worst". The general consensus of her fellow dancers agrees with this statement. The girls see each other as sisters and love the fact that they get to dance with each other.

In the Eagle View Middle School cafeteria,
Rebecca Maher (10) braids Kate Minnich's (10) hair.

There's a lot of fresh talent on the team this year, but a number of returning dancers, who were on the team last year when they took first place at Eastern Dance Nationals remain and Coach Richards hopes to make a repeat performance at Hershey High School Nationals in 2015. With their passion, skill, and love for the sport, Cumberland Valley's Dance Team has danced their way into many's hearts.

As a special routine considered good luck before competitions and performances,
the girls of the CV Dance Team do a unique chant and huddle. 

After practice ends, Megan DeMario (9) removes her dance shoes
and laces up her boots, ready to head home.

Image Gallery

Photojournalism Shoot

Social Issue Ad Campaign Examples

I like this ad because of the way it tells a story with only one picture. It is speaking out against child labor, which is a very important cause to me and I think it really summarized the ethics of the issue. By putting a price tag on the child, it is showing that children who work laborious jobs for very little to no money are having a price tag put on them. The ad is arguing that no child should have to provide hard labor to be considered worth something and that they are certainly worth more than the cost of a new shirt or pants. 

This ad is really interesting to me because I like both the way the photos are taken and the concept behind the images. The effect of the makeup on the animals is a dark kind of comical, almost humorous but mostly sad. The setting of the dark cages and the painted on smiles on sad and abused animals hits home the idea that "Animals Are Not Clowns". 

I love this ad because women's rights is a very important issue for me. I like the effectiveness of placing the perpetuated ideas of what women shouldn't do or be over the woman's mouth, silencing her and forcing her to remain confined within these ideals. The photography is simple yet effective, focusing on only the woman's face and having a blunt, to the point message.

PennLive

Cumberland Valley's Mady Clahane lives up to lofty expectations, wins third straight District 3-AAA title

 by Andy Sandrik

link

The article summarized the events of the 2014 District 3-AAA girl's cross country race. It had several quotes from the race's winner and some other competitors. It included facts like girl's names, grades, times, and overall team scores. 

I liked the quotes the author used in the article and I liked how the pictures all showed key moments in the race: the joy, the exhilaration, the heart break. Some of my favorite pictures were of the girls right after finishing the race because the emotions on their faces were very clear. 

Student Yearbook Guide

Reporting

1.     Good Reporters

a.     Look and listen for their readers.

b.     Know everyone at an activity is a potential source.

c.     Know some sources offer better insights than other.

d.     Gather information with the five W’s and H.

2.     Research

a.     Helps reporters understand their stories.

b.     Previously published material can help build a story.

c.     Primary sources provide background and material for a story.

3.     Interviews

a.     The better the questions, the better the answers.

b.     Active listening produces the best results.

c.     Good notes contain direct quotes and facts.

Writing          

1.     Notes

a.     A writer uses questions to help focus the story.

b.     If the notes seem incomplete, there is more reporting to do.

c.     Organizing notes helps with decisions about content.

2.     Stories

a.     Put information in a human context.

                                               i.     Lead – Opening sentence or paragraph introducing the story, setting the tone and angle, piquing the reader’s interest.

                                             ii.     Quotes – Word-for-word statements from sources showing a reaction to, explanation for, or an interpretation of the event. Add voices and human interest to a story.

                                            iii.     Transitions – Details that give context to quotes and make them more meaningful. Inform readers and help them understand the quote. Transition paragraphs prepare readers for the next quote.

                                            iv.     Conclusion – Final sentence or paragraph that ties the end of a story back to its lead; giving a sense of completeness. End with a strong quote or point, not an editorial comment.

b.     Quick reads offer an alternative to features.

3.     Good Writing

a.     Depends on an angle and substance.

b.     Seems tightly written and lively.

c.     Uses narrative elements.

d.     Seems fresh and original.

Read the article by Mallory Summers & see all the components working together

Writing effective headlines requires creativity, effort, and attention to details

What can you take from this page to help in writing creative headlines?

1.     A solid understanding of content.

2.     Word play and brainstorming.

3.     Guidelines lead to quality and consistency.

Describe the 3-step process to writing dynamic headlines

1.     List 10 to 15 key words that describe and relate to the story topic.

2.     From that list of words, brainstorm rhyming words with strong storytelling merit.

3.     Using these key words craft words and phrases that creatively capture the story.

Captions                        

1.     Content

a.     Should do more than state the obvious.

b.     Answer reader’s questions about a photo.

c.     Requires reporting.

d.     Direct quotes from individuals in the photo add depth.

2.     Describe the 3-step process to writing captions

a.     Gather the information to explain the photograph.

b.     Create a verbal/visual connection by brainstorming a list of attention getting impact words that come to mind when looking at the photograph.

c.     Write the caption.

Photography

We will be discussing this section in class