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Journalism

garibkhan — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:36:57 CDT

Journalism is a discipline of gathering, writing and reporting news, and more broadly it includes the process of editing and presenting the news articles.

Journalism applies to various media, including newspapers, magazines, radio, and television.Journalism's main activities include stating who, what, when, where, why and how, and stating the significance and effects of certain events or trends. Journalism exists in a number of media: newspapers, television, radio, magazines and, most recently, the World Wide Web through the Internet.The subject matter of journalism can be anything and everything that they choose, and journalists report and write on a wide variety of subjects: politics on the international, national, provincial and local levels, economics and business on the same four levels, health and medicine, education, sports, hobbies and recreation, lifestyles, clothing, food, pets, and relationships; journalists report on anything that news organizations think consumers will read. Journalists can report for general interest news outlets like newspapers, news magazines and broadcast sources; general circulation specialty publications like trade and hobby magazines or for news publications and outlets with a select group of subscribers. Journalists are usually expected and required to go out to the scene of a story to gather information for their reports, and often may compose their reports in the field. They also use the telephone, the computer and the internet to gather information. However, more often those reports are written, and they are almost always edited in newsrooms, the offices where journalists and editors work together to prepare news content.

Journalists, especially if they cover a specific subject or area (a "beat") are expected to cultivate sources, people in the subject or area, that they can communicate with, either to explain the details of a story, or to provide leads to other subjects of stories yet to be reported. They are also expected to develop their investigative skills to better research and report stories.

Print journalism

Print journalism can be split into several categories:newspapers, news magazines, general interest magazines, trade magazines, hobby magazines, newsletters, private publications, online news pages and others. Each genre can have its own requirements for researching and writing reports.For example, newspaper journalists in the United States have traditionally written reports using the inverted pyramid style, although this style is used more for straight or hard news reports rather than features. Written hard news reports are expected to be spare in the use of words, and to list the most important information first, so that, if the story must be cut because there is not enough space for it, the least important facts will be automatically cut from the bottom. Editors usually ensure that reports are written with as few words as possible. Feature stories are usually written in a looser style that usually depends on the subject matter of the report, and in general granted more space (see Feature-writing below).News magazine and general interest magazine articles are usually written in different styles, with less emphasis on the inverted pyramid. Trade publications can be more news-oriented, while hobby publications can be more feature-oriented.

Broadcast journalism(RTV Journalism)

Radio journalists must gather facts to present them fairly and accurately, but also must find and record relevant and interesting sounds to add to their reports, both interviews with people involved in the story and background sounds that help characterize the story. Radio reporters may also write the introduction to the story read by a radio news anchor, and may also answer questions live from the anchor.Television journalists rely on visual information to illustrate and characterize their reporting, including on-camera interviews with people involved in the story, shots of the scene where the story took place, and graphics usually produced at the station to help frame the story. Like radio reporters, television reporters also may write the introductory script that a television news anchor would read to set up their story. Both radio and television journalists usually do not have as much "space" to present information in their reports as print journalists.' Television Journalists have to be well presented and well prepared.

On-line (Cyber) journalism

The growth of the Internet and World Wide Web has spawned the newest medium for journalism, on-line (Cyber) journalism. The speed at which news can be disseminated on the web, and the profound penetration to anyone with a computer and web browser, have greatly increased the quantity and variety of news reports available to the average web user.The bulk of on-line journalism has been the extension of existing print and broadcast media into the web via web versions of their primary products. New reports that were set to be released at expected times now can be published as soon as they are written and edited, increasing the deadline pressure and fear of being scooped many journalists must deal with.Many newspapers are branching into new mediums because of the Internet. Their websites may now include video, podcasts, blogs and slide-shows. Story chat, where readers may post comments on an article, has changed the dialogue newspapers foster. Traditionally kept to the confines of the opinion section as letters to the editor, story chat has allowed readers to express opinions without the time delay of a letter or the approval of an editor.The growth of blogs as a source of news and especially opinion on the news has forever changed journalism. Blogs now can create news as well as report it, and blur the dividing line between news and opinion. The debate about whether blogging is really journalism rages on.

Fields

Advocacy journalism

Alternative journalism
Arts journalism
Business journalism
Citizen journalism
Fashion journalism
Investigative journalism
Literary journalism
Photojournalism
Science journalism
Sports journalism
Video game journalism
Video journalism

Film Making

garibkhan — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:23:13 CDT

Filmmaking/Movie-making is the process of making a film, from an initial story idea or commission through scriptwriting, shooting, editing and finally distribution to an audience. Typically it involves a large number of people and can take anywhere between a few months and several years to complete. Filmmaking takes place all over the world in a huge range of economic, social and political contexts, using a variety of technologies and techniques.

Stages of filmmaking

The filmmaking production cycle consists of five main stages:

Development. In which the script is written and drafted into a workable blueprint for a film.
Pre-production. Preparation for the shoot, in which cast and crew are hired, locations are selected, and sets are built.
Production. The raw elements for the finished film are recorded.
Post-production. The film is edited, sound effects, music and any computer effects are added, and the film is completed.
Sales and distribution. The film is picked up by a distributor, and reaches it's audience.

Development

Preproduction

In preproduction, the movie is designed and planned. The production company is created and a production office established. The production is storyboarded and visualised with the help of illustrators and concept artists. A production budget will also be drawn up to cost the film.The Producer will hire people to fill the following roles:

The director, who is primarily responsible for the acting in the movie and managing the creative elements.
The assistant director (AD) manages the shooting schedule and logistics of the production among other tasks.
The casting director finds actors for the parts in the script. This normally requires an audition by the actor. Lead actors are carefully chosen and are often based on the actor's reputation or "star power."
The location manager finds and manages the film locations. Most pictures are shot in the predictable environment of a studio sound stage but occasionally outdoor sequences will call for filming on location.
The production manager manages the production budget and production schedule. He or she also reports on behalf of the production office to the studio executives or financiers of the film.
The director of photography (DOP) or cinematographer creates the photography of the film. He or she cooperates with the director, director of audiography (DOA) and AD.
The art director manages the art department, which makes production sets, costumes and provides makeup & hair styling services.
The production designer creates the look and feel of the production sets, costumes, make up and hairstyles, working with the art director to create these elements.
The storyboard artist creates visual images to help the director and production designer communicate their ideas to the production team.
The production sound mixer manages the audio experience during the production stage of a film. He or she cooperates with the director, DOP, and AD.
The sound designer creates new sounds and enhances the aural feel of the film with the help of foley artists.
The composer creates new music for the film.
The choreographer creates and coordinates the movement and dance - typically for musicals. Some films also credit a fight choreographer.

Production

Post-production

In the film workflow, the cut list that describes the film-based answer print is used to cut the original colour negative (OCN) and create a colour timed copy called the colour master positive or interpositive print. For all subsequent steps this effectively becomes the master copy. The next step is to create a one-light copy called the colour duplicate negative or internegative. It is from this that many copies of the final theatrical release print are made. Copying from the internegative is much simpler than copying from the interpositive directly because it is a one-light process; it also reduces wear-and-tear on the interpositive print.
In the video workflow, the edit decision list that describes the video-based answer print is used to edit the original colour tape (OCT) and create a high quality colour master tape. For all subsequent steps this effectively becomes the master copy. The next step uses a film recorder to read the colour master tape and copy each video frame directly to film to create the final theatrical release print.

Distribution

Independent filmmaking

Manipur

garibkhan — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 01:04:11 CDT

Manipur is a state in northeastern Indiamaking its capital in the city of Imphal. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland in the north, Mizoram in the south and Assam in the west; it also borders the country of Myanmar to the east.The Meiteis, who live primarily in the state's valley region, is one of the primary ethnic groups. Their language,Meiteilon (also known as Manipuri), is also the lingua franca in the state. It was recognized as one of India's national languages in 1992.Manipur is considered a sensitive border state. Foreigners entering Manipur (including foreign citizens born in Manipur) must possess a Restricted Area Permit which can be obtained from the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office in the "metros" (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata) or certain other state government offices. Permits are valid for only 10 days, and visitors must travel only on tours arranged by authorised travel agents, in groups of four. Furthermore, they may come to Imphal only by air and will not be permitted to travel outside the capital.

History

The history of Manipur dated back to 33 A.D ruled by a total of more than 109 kings and Manipur was known by different names at various periods in its history, such as, Tilli-Koktong, Poirei-Lam, Sanna-Leipak, Mitei-Leipak, Meitrabak or Manipur (present day). The legendary first King of Manipur who made Kangla his capital was Lord Pakhangba who ruled the kingdom from 33 A.D.Maharaja Bhagyachandra [1] (1762 - 1798 A.D.), is another famous king of Manipur. He had to fight off the Burmese several times, once running away to seek refuge with the Ahoms. He started the Ras Lila dance. [2] He is also credited with spreading Vaishnavism in Manipur after his grandfather Pamheiba Rajah madeHinduism the official religion and for creating a unified Manipur.[3]Manipur and Assam became involved in the disputes between Thailand and Burma, and Manipur took advantage of a Burmese invasion of Thailand to raid deep into its western frontier. This triggered the Burmese invasion of Manipur and Assam, which pulled in the British, ruling neighbouring Bengal. The British, to safeguard their position against the Burmese, intervened, defeated Burma and took over Assam, and brought Manipur under British paramountcy in 1891. Thus in 1891 AD, after the defeat of Manipur by the British in the Anglo-Manipuri war of Khongjom, Manipur's sovereignty for more than three millennia was lost.During the Second World War, Manipur was the scene of many fierce battles between the Japanese and Allied forces in the so-called Burma Campaign. The Japanese swept over East Asia and came up to Manipur. They and factions of Indian National Army under command of Subhas Chandra Bose were beaten back by the Allies before they could enter Imphal, proving to be one of the turning points of the War (Central Front 1943/44).There are two cemeteries maintained by the British War Graves Commission in Manipur, which are the final resting places of several Indian and allied soldiers who died here.On August 28,1947, with British Parliament's repeal of British Paramountcy, in preparation for Indian independence, Manipur became an independent kingdom once again but not for long.The King, Maharaja Budhachandra, began a process of democratization of the state, enacting the Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, which established a democratic form of government with the Maharaja as the Executive Head and an elected legislature.In 1949, the King Budhachandra was invited to Shillong, the capital of the Indian province of Assam, where he was forced to sign an agreement for annexation of the kingdom into India (Arunkumar 2005). The King had already signed a Standstill Agreement with the Indian Dominion in 1947; the Standstill Agreement froze the status quo, i.e., the Indian Union as the de facto Paramount Power over and above the King.Once Manipur became part of the Indian Union, India dissolved the State's Constitution Assembly in October, 1949, and made it into a part C state. Later on it was further degraded to the status of a union territory from 1956 onwards.In 1972, Manipur was elevated to the status of a state.

People of Manipur

According to the 1991 census report, the total population of Manipur was 1,826,000 (18.26 lakhs) but in the 2000 census, it is expected to reach over 2.2 million (22 lakhs). The people of Manipur are grouped into three main ethnic communities: the Meiteis, those inhabiting the valley, and the 29 major tribes in the hills which are further divided into two main ethno-denominations, namely Nagas and Kuki-Chins. The Meiteis are themselves divided in the Meitei (the natives in the valley), Bamon (originally of Bengali-Brahmin) and Meitei Pangans (originally migrants from Bangladesh). All speak Meitei. In addition to Meiteis, the valley is also inhabited by Nepalis, Bengalis, Marwaris and people from other Indian communities. At present several people from the hills have also migrated and settled in the valley. The Naga group consists of Zeliangrong (composed of three related tribes, namely, Rongmei or Kabui, and Liangmei and Zemei or Kacha Nagas), Tangkhul, Poumai, Mao, Maram, and Tarao. The Chin-Kuki group consists of Tedim Chin (officially recognised by the Indian Union as Sukte) Gangte, Hmar, Paite, Thadou, Vaiphei , Zou, Aimol, Chiru, Koireng, Kom, Anal, Chothe, Lamgang, Koirao, Thangal, Moyon, Maring and Monsang. In recent times, several Chin-Kuki communities have identified themselves as Nagas e.g. Anal, Kom, Thangal, etc. depending on socio-economic and geo-political advantages to the tribes. The term Chin is used for the people in the neighboring Chin state of Myanmar. Other groups like Paite, Vaiphei,Zou, Simte, Gangte and Tedim Chin (Sukte) identify themselves as Zomi and have distanced themselves from the name, Kuki. Thadous remain the major Kuki population in this Chin-Kuki group while Hmar identify themselves closer to the Mizo or Lushai group.

Problems facing Manipur

Since the implementation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in 1958 and the designation of Manipur as a "disturbed area" human rights organisations have recorded numerous breaches of Human Rights by the military in the area. The AFSPA allows the armed forces to use “force as may be necessary” based on their “opinion” and “suspicion”, to effect “arrest without warrant” or “fire upon or otherwise use force, even to causing death” (Section 4). Furhermore, “No prosecution, suit or other legal proceeding shall be instituted, except with the previous sanction of the Central Government in respect of anything done or purported to be done in exercise of the powers conferred by this Act”. There is a very fervent opposition to the act and it is one of the main electoral issues in local state elections. Among the many groups, organisations and individuals calling for the repeal of the act is the internationally renowned "Iron Lady", Irom Sharmila, who has been on a hunger strike since 2000.There have been some minor border disputes with Myanmar (formerly Burma), which were resolved through treaty of Yandaboo. Manipur is also involved in a border dispute with Nagaland.[citation needed]There have been many social upheavals in the recent past, resulting in mounting tensions between the Meiteis (the valley people) and the so called Nagas residing in Manipur.[citation needed]Some steps have been taken by the central government to appease the Manipuris. The long-standing demand to include the Meitei language in the 8th schedule was finally granted by the 71st amendment of the Constitution in 1992.November 20, 2004 was a landmark date in the history of Manipur when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh fulfilled a long-standing demand of the Manipuri people. He officially handed over the historic Kangla Fort to Manipur state government, which issued an ordinance taking over the administration and control. It had been the headquarters of the paramilitary force, the Assam Rifles, since 1915. It was finally opened to the general public after nearly 114 years.The Prime Minister also upgraded Manipur University into a Central University and laid the foundation stone for a 97.9 km long, Jiribam - Imphal, broad gauge rail line project. The line ends at Tupul, 25 km away from Imphal.

Other facts

The game polo originated in Manipur from a similar game called Sagol Kangjei. British soldiers and planters took it back to England, modified the rules and made it popular around the world.

Rosa macrocarpa, the beautiful species of rose, was discovered by Sir George Watt in Manipur in 1888.

Lord Irwin described Manipur as the "Switzerland of India".

Sarit Sarak and Thang-Ta, relatively unknown and unique Martial Art, originates from Manipur.

Manipur is famous for its classical and folk dances, including the graceful and soft Ras Lila, the acrobatic Pung cholom among others and the dance during the festival of god Laiharaoba known as maibi dance.

Kaibul Lamjao National Park in Loktak lake is the natural habitat of the rare and endangered Brow antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi). Locally known as Sangai, it is one of three species of Elds deer in the world confined to South East Asia.

The Shiroi Lily (Lilium Macklinae Sealy) is a beautiful lily found only in the upper reaches of the Shiroi Hills in Manipur's Ukhrul District.

The Indian National Army (INA), led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, planted the Indian Tricolour, which was to become the Indian national flag, at Moirang, Manipur; the second part of British India to which the INA managed to penetrate, the first being Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Manipur has 3 representatives in the Indian Union: 2 in the Lok Sabha (Lower House) and 1 in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House).

About me

garibkhan — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 06:33:22 CDT

First of all, i'd like to tell you my real(official) name. My name is NONGTHOMBAM RAJU SINGH. Nongthombam is my family title(surname). Raju is my real name and Singh is just a sub-title oftenly used in Manipur( Manipur is my home state which is in India) just to indicate that somebody is Hindu.To be very frank, I just don't wanna bemerely known as RAJU or RAJU SINGH. There is nothing wrong in this name but on the contrary i hate to be double-standard. I don't find RAJU as apt as my personality nor as appealing as a name should be. I strongly and firmly believe on the concept of Beauty. I may look like a vulture but I should always be surrounded by beautiful people or accompanied by something beauty. That's me... I always wanted myself to be called by a strong name but was already affiliated to the real one. I didn't want to lose the attachement which I already had had. Thus, I modified my name rom RAJU to RAJ which according to me, is a powerful name. I get a lot of energy,power and inspiration from this name. I have been called and known as RAJ for many years. I first introduced myself with this name in my PG class as RAJ : R A J. R for RAM, A for ALLAH-O-AKBAR and J for JESUS CHRIST. You can imagine what would be the probable impression? That's me... finding beauty in everything.SO, CALL ME RAJ YOU'LL GET THE DIFFERENCE, SOONER OR RATHER THAN LATER.

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garibkhan — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:14:14 CST