Always Compete

In, Steve Bisheff non fiction work on Pete Carroll
Always Compete, points out Pete Carroll's Face Book Page, and other social networks he ascribes to. Carroll has a personal web/blogger. The first
for a NCAA Winning PAC-10 Football Coach.

Monk and the Portrayal of Mental Disorders in Television and Film

Monk and the Portrayal of Mental Disorders in Television and Film

The USA Network aired Monk, the television detective series based in San Francisco for eight seasons. Created by David Hoberman, Adrian Monk is a detective who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD) and is loosely based on Hoberman’s own battle with OCD (Behavioral Health). The goal of this work is to synthesize the context of the many social dimensions, concerning mental illness and psychological disorders that are representative in today’s television and film industry.

Adrian Monk is a fictional character since most patients who suffer from psychological disorders can’t function in society as well as he. Monk lives in an upper middle class Victorian flat in San Francisco. He has a private secretary who dotes over him and a therapist, who seems remarkably available considering Monk’s unreliable payment history. He is appreciated by the San Francisco Police Department for his Sherlock Holmes ability to solve murder cases.

In keeping with his OCD, his dress is always the same: sports coat, shirt starched and the top shirt button fastened. Monk is not like the men and women with physiological disorders who are untreated by today’s health system and who wonder the streets of San Francisco, looking like zombies from a George A. Romero film; dirty, smelly, unshaven, disoriented and uninsured (Romero).

Monk was very popular when it premiered on the USA Network on July 12, 2002. The series currently holds the record for the most-watched scripted drama episode in cable television history. It also set the record with Mr. Monk and the End – Part II, its series finale, with 9.4 million viewers; 3.2 million of them in the 18–49 demographic (Kung).

Mental Illness and Psychological Disorders have become an integral part of the media mainstream, including popular films as Rain Man (1988), The Fisher King (1991) and Forrest Gump (1994) (Smith).

There is also a precedent for films about mental illness and genius. Ron Howard’s film, A Beautiful Mind chronicles the life of John Forbes Nash Jr., a brilliant mathematician from Princeton who suffered from delusions, hallucinations and paranoid schizophrenia. Nash was saved from homelessness by his ex-wife and a small number of mathematical associates. At age 66 Nash had a remission from his mental illness and was nominated for a Noble prize in economics (Levinson). Similarly, Monk’s psychological issues do not hinder his crime solving abilities. His OCD flares up when he is shopping, dining and house cleaning. Clearly, this is not an honest view of mental illness, turning off and on your psychosis at will as is portrayed in Monk.

In Steve Lopez’s novel and major motion picture The Soloist: A Lost Dream, and Unlikely Friendship, Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless but once gifted Julliard cellist finds his home in a shopping cart, fighting off demons in downtown Los Angeles tunnels. Ayers lives in Skid Row and travels to Persian Square to pay homage to a statue of Ludwig van Beethoven. Ayer’s does not have a personal secretary and is a real life victim of schizophrenia (Lopez). But he does have a champion in Steve Lopez, a newspaper columnist who chronicles Ayer’s life in the Los Angeles Times.

According to Alicia Marie Oostdyk of Kent State University, mental illness is represented in today’s media as negative and violent (Oostdyk). This fits with Lopez’s portrayal of Ayers who does suffer from a severe case of mental illness. But Monk departs from the stereotype again since he’s clean, brilliant and dysfunctional in a non- threatening productive manner.

Current and past television programs have sent mixed messages concerning mental illness issues. Jamie Farr’s character in MASH, Max Klinger is a cross dresses with a fake case of mental illness. Klinger goes about his business in a number of stylish dresses so he can be discharged from the military on a Section 8. Section 8 referrers to a category of discharge from the United States military for reason of being mentally unfit for service. But the ongoing joke is that because he is able to fake his mental illness, than clearly he is not.

Law & Order, the NBC legal drama produced by Dick Wolf has produced a of number mental illness episodes in its 20 seasons. The story lines are “ripped from the headlines” and represent cases that may seem believable (Sassone). Kimberly Tyler of AnxietyConnection.com applauds Law & Order frankness in addressing the national debate on the treatment of mentally ill criminals in today’s criminal justice system. Should mentally ill patients be responsible for their actions and be sentenced to prisons to serve hard time or be rehabilitated in mental institutions (Tyler)? Tyler also suffers from depression and lists the medication she is prescribed on her website. Monk’s treatment for his mental afflictions does not include medication. If Monk was treated with Lorazepam or Prozac, his personality maybe more believable, but his character development may suffer under medication.

As an educational tool, episodic television maybe very helpful in explaining mental illness treatment. Glenn Gabbard, MD of Baylor College of Medicine and author of The Sopranos, believe Tony Soprano treatment for panic attacks in the Sopranos provided one of the best depictions of psychotherapy to ever appear on television (Kaplan). In someone ways Tony Soprano’s psychotherapy educated the public and desensitized the stereotypes of mental illness treatment. Dr. Charles Kroger, Monk’s psychiatrist for six season treats Monk in a causal style, talking, listening, offering advice and engaging in Adrian’s’ frustrating banter concerning the progress his is making in his therapy session. Monk’s sessions can be tiresome and rarely fit the realism that you find in Law & Order or the Sopranos.

The popularity of Monk maybe warranted by the acceptance of psychological disorders in today’s society. According to the Institute of Health a whopping 19 percent of the adult U.S. population has a mental disorder (NIH). This may have given Monk a bump in ratings, as the affected relate to the OCD detective. As David Hoberman the executive show producer explains it, “The idea was that a brilliant detective has severe OCD and phobias. That was the pitch. Without Monk’s OCD, there would be no show (Brink).

Citing

Brink, Susan. "Mental illness sans clichés". Los Angeles Times November 13, 2006:

"Epidemiology of Mental Illness". National Institute of Health. May, 15, 2010 .

"Filming locations for "Monk"". IMDb. 5/12/2101 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0312172/locations

"George A. Romero". IMDb. May, 15, 2010 .

Gould, Jonathan. Can’t Buy Me Love, The Beatles, Britain, And America. New York: Harmony Books, 2007.

Kaplan, Arline. "Mental Illness on the Screen: No More Snake Pit". Psychiatric Times April 1, 2007: p1

Kung, Michelle. "“Monk” Finale Breaks Basic Cable Ratings Record". 2009-12-07. Wall Street Journal. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2009/12/07/monk-finale-breaks-basic-cable-ratings-record. May 6, 2010.

Levinson, Martin. "Reviews the book `A Beautiful Mind,' by Sylvia Nasar.". ETC: A Review of General Semantics; Fall98: p358-p359.

Lopez, Steve. The Soloist: A Lost Dream, and Unlikely Friendship. Putnam Adult, April 17, 2008.

"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: On-Screen and Off". Behavioral Health. May, 13, 2010 .

Osstdyk, Alica. Portrayal of Mental Illness on Television A Review of the Literature. Pittsburg: University of Pittsburgh, 2008.

Smith, Claude J., Jr.. "Finding a Warm Place for Someone We Know: The Cultural Appeal of Recent Mental Patient and Asylum Films". Journal of Popular Film and Television Spring 1999: p40-p46.

Sossone, Bob. "Tonight's Law and Order: ripped from the headlines". AOL Inc.. May 20, 2010 .

Tyler, Kimberly. "Law & Order: SVU" Addresses the Stigma of Mental Illness". The HealthCentral Network, Inc.. May, 5, 2010 .

Jumbotron

Abstract

At the 1985 World Science Expo in Tsukuba Science City, Japan, Sony Corporation exhibited the world’s largest television screen, the Jumbotron: Jumbo for big and tron for Sony’s Trinitron television line. This massive vacuum fluorescent display reached a height of 92 feet and could be seen as far as the surrounding country side (McGill). The introduction of the Jumbotron and other big screen displays has dramatically changed the way live events are watched including events as diverse as sporting events, presidential inaugural speeches and papal sermons. Does this oversized cathode ray tube enhance or hinder audience’s experiences at large gatherings? Does the gazing spectator expect to see every image magnified so their myopic lens can absorb and interpret the stream of real time imagery?

Description

Jerry Jones, the Texas Billionaire and owner of the Dallas Cowboys built a $1.2 billion dollar stadium (Lacayo). Included in this coliseum has been a 600-ton colossus Jumbotron. Why would Jerry Jones invest millions of dollars on a 160 ft. television screen, when the Dallas Cowboys has a franchise player like Tony Romo who every season as quarterback dazzles the spectators with sensational scrimmages? The fans want to see the real Tony Romo, not a blown up digitized image of Tony on the playing field. Some diehard fans go to football games to see football, not orchestrated, commercials, sponsors logos and public service announcements, they want to see the grid iron action, not marketing efforts by the national advertising agencies.

At St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City Pope Benedict XVI’s spoke to thousands of parishioners. As the Pope addressed the papal flock, two massive Jumbotrons beamed colorful images of the Pope from his summer residency 17 miles away (Kuhner). Does this modern day electronic technology beaming papal telecasts seem rather out of place and garish amongst the beautiful colonnades and 4000-year old obelisk at St. Peter’s Basilica? Is the Pope’s spiritual message being conveyed properly and with dignity at the holy shrine in Vatican City?

January 21, 2009 an historic event took place at our nation’s Capitol. Thousands of men and women from all races and creeds jammed the Mall to see the 44^th President of the United States sworn into office. And like all huge public events, the Jumbotrons were present, beaming there LED glow across a sea of humanity, echoing “Yes We Can”. This Orwellian sensation was overwhelming. Is this the image the Obama administration wanted to convey -- Big Brother imagery of Barak Obama casting the newly elected presidential shadow over thousands of onlookers?

Rationale

This undertaking is to explain influences and ramifications that are behind large screen projection systems. What aspiring political figure or recording artist would not want their image plastered on a two story visual aid, with fans and political devotes swooning at every word and lyric amplified and enlarged to gigantic proportions?

Why is there an intrinsic need for audiences at public gatherings to be inundated by large television screens? Demophobia, the fear of crowds may be one reason. The reassuring projected images of presidents, rock stars and sports figures at public venues may calm the afflicted thru colorful two-dimensional visuals.

In general people may be freed from their own general anxiety, when exposed to gigantic glaring images of overpowering television screens. In the1939 version of the Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland’s character, Dorothy travels the yellow book road to ask the Wizard for passage back to Kansas. When Dorothy finally meets the Wizard, he is an oversized projection spewing smoke and steam. Suggesting that such a large and powerful image would grant Dorothy passage back to Kansas.

Other assumptions for large video displays are not deeply rooted in the psyche, but are purely monetary. The NHL and NBA charge between $25,000 to $75,000 a season for media packages (Catto).

Media professionals have a responsibility at these large events. What images does the director choose? Close-ups of people smiling? Women in low cut outfits? Two guys fighting over a beer? The kiss Cam? Media accountability is required to sustain crowd control and to pacify the audience into an alpha state of calm.

Sony Corporation has installed several Jumbotron systems around the country at universities and sport arenas. I have been hired as a consultant to help plan and execute training at these institutions and it was apparent at each installation there were power struggles and creative disagreements within the departments that were managing these venues.

Literature Review

In existing work, research is not available for in-depth documentation on audience’s perceptions, feelings, behaviors and expectations on Jumbotron viewing at sporting events and public places. Opinions were expressed concerning stadium experiences with and without the Jumbotrons, but there was an absence of concrete information and quantifiable research on the subject matter of the big screens influence on audiences and pedestrians.

Jumbotron At Wrigley? Don’t Bother.

In this jewel of an article, the Chicagoist spells out exactly why high-definition screens are not needed. Wrigley field has been host to baseball since 1916 and has done quite well without the behemoth video-screen. The fans don’t miss the Kiss Cam, instant replays and marriage proposals (Zaslow). The Jumbotron in this historic stadium would feel gaudy and out of place. Babe Ruth’s memory would be stained with the shadow of this LED behemoth lurking over right field. Baseball at Wrigley field is different since it regards the sport as more than an entrainment experience, but as a living history of an American pastime.

Communicating Love: Friendship in the Technological Age

DeSales University sponsored a writing contest promoting new technologies, relationships and respect. Matthew Kuhner, an honors student and philosophy major, won the “best student essay” of 2009. Kuhner’s article emphasizes the Vatican’s understanding of technology in evangelism and finding fresh ways to fulfill Christ’s mission (Kuhner). Kuhner understands to help spread the gospel and the Pope’s message at St. Peter’s Basilica they needed two gigantic Jumbotrons to accomplish that. The church accepts that they are not a perfect aesthetic fit at St. Peter Square, but the Jumbotrons communicate the Pope’s message in a grand visual style, which brings comfort to his flock.

Troops Bid Bush Farwell at Andrews Air Force Base

The Jumbotron was strategically placed in the hanger at Andrews Air Force base where 4,000 service man and women watched the inaugural ceremonies of President Barak Obama being sworn in as the 44^th president of the United States. Then through the lens of network news cameras, George W. Bush lifted of the Capitol grounds aboard the Marine Corps VH-60 helicopter (Agency Group 9). The crowd cheered as the former president entered the hanger at Andrews Air Force base. Children climbed on parents’ shoulders to catch a better glimpse of the outgoing president (Agency Group 9). In this article by the Regulatory Intelligence Database, the crowd was not entirely enthusiastic when President Obama was sworn into office, but when Mr. Bush arrived the mood of the audience drastically changed to yips and yelps. The Jumbotron impact at this event was a reflection of the crowd’s mood and temperament toward the incoming president and the author’s bias for the Bush Administration.

George W. Bush’s Sci-Fi Disaster

14 blocks from the Nations Capitol Robert Parry and his son Jeff watched the inaugural proceedings on one of the many Jumbotrons set up around the white marble buildings surrounding the Capitol. The mood at this big screen viewing was festive and mocking of the Bush Administration, one group started singing, “Hit the road, Jack” when Dick Cheney was wheeled into the television cameras view (Parry). Parry felt at this viewing there was more joy and cheering when President Obama was sworn into office than the January 20^th 2001 swearing in of President Bush.

1.8 million people braved the cold that wintery morning, without a single inaugural police-related arrest. There were cheers of yips and yelps, at the Jumbotron, but this time for the incoming president, not the outgoing one.

Robert Parry is an award winning recipient of the George Polk Award, of the Iran-Contra affair. Parry has also written several books criticizing the George W. Bush administration.

Jumbo Dreams

Jack Jones a writer for Sports Illustrated examines the history and popularity of the Jumbotron (The Jumbotron is a generic term for large video screen installations).

According to Jones, the first giant glittering scoreboard can be traced to the Diamond Vision system by Mitsubishi installed at Dodger Stadium in 1980. Now virtually every pro and college athletic venue has bowed to the consumer demand for the big screen (Jones). Jones feels the Jumbotron is made for football, with its hail Mary passes, high fives, cheer leaders and Roman pageantry. Even the players use the giant screen to their advantage, checking where potential opponents are located on the playing field. The players also use the Jumbotron as the 13^th man says New York Giants center Shaun O’Hara, pumping us up during the game.

There are rules using the Jumbotron, for instance “the home team must use discretion in showing replays that could cause strong fan reaction” as stated in the NFL game operations manual. The video director of the large screen television feed cannot show the referees missed the penalty of the opposing team over and over again.

Jones recognizes Jumbotron viewing is a technology in flux, the new video apparatus may be 3-D LED screens or portable hand held devices that allow the spectator to choose the video feeds from the stadium (Anadpura). As the former Dallas Cowboys president Tex Schramm as quoted as saying, “We are not selling football games, we are selling events, we have to have pageantry, excitement and crowds.”

From Tiles to Pixels: Media and the City

Roy Stickland writes a Blade Runneresque narrative of public spaces blitzkrieg by PC screens to Jumbotrons and a never ending stream of words, images and sounds challenges of place (Strickland). Shinjuku, Japan or Times Square in New York City are examples of artificial environments that distract from the natural order. Strickland believes the cacophony and collision of media in Times Square are just options for creative expressions, learning and commercialism. The “cool media” environment helps to shape the Jumbotron experience, but Times Square may overwhelm the messages from the latest Jumbotron commercial, drowning out the video at the New York Times Building. In the ancient port city of Ostia, near Rome, mosaics lined the city walls and floors. These mosaics were forms of advertisements, advertising services, merchants and local restaurants. With hundreds of pedestrians strolling the ancient streets of Ostia, those Romans probably felt the discord and tension staring at the garish mosaic advertisements, similar to the feelings that arise from tourist from Kansas, who are visiting Time Square for the first time.

Methodology / Research

The consortium of research will focus on extensive interviews, examining cost benefit analysis, return on investment and quantifiable objectives of the social impact of the big screen. Extensive phone and in person interviews with associated research and analysis will focus on the impact of the Jumbotron, on the game, the players and the fans. In public spaces interviews will be conducted with pedestrians, social and public art activists, city officials, advertisers and marketing officials.

Informal conversational interviews and general interview guide approach will be used to collect data on Jumbotron viewing. Types of questions to be asked will need to be analyzed for effectiveness. Behaviors, opinions, feelings and knowledge need to be taken into account before samples questions are used. Standardized, open-ended interview and closed, fixed-response interview techniques will be used to assure accuracy in sampling (Shrivastava/Valenzuela).

Interviews with respondents will be audio taped to insure accuracy. Questions will be asked one at a time, interviewers will remain neutral. (Shrivastava/Valenzuela).

These are some examples of questions to be asked.

Do you see the benefit of the Jumbotron screen in this stadium?

Do you find the Jumbotron screen a distraction watching this event?

Do you find you watch the Jumbotron screen more than the playing field?

Do you pay attention to the commercials on the Jumbotron screen?

When you do watch the Jumbotron screen, what do you find yourself watching?

Do you always watch the replays on the Jumbotron screen?

As a player do you watch the Jumbotron screen?

As a player, do you think about doing something fancy on the playing field to be shown later on a highlight reel on the Jumbotron?

As a coach do you watch in Jumbotron screen?

The interview process would include the following subjects and locations:

1. Location: University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona. Wildcats (Football)

Respondents: Athletic Director, Marketing Managers, Advertising Agencies, University President, Ticket Holders, Television Production Crew, Team Clubs, Advertisers, Team Sponsors, Coaches and Players.

2. Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona Diamondbacks (Baseball)

Respondents: General Manager, Marketing Managers, Advertising Agencies, Ticket Holders, Television Production Crew, Advertisers, Team Sponsors, Coaches and Players.

3. Location: The Northern Liberties Jumbotron, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Respondents: Advertising Agencies, Pedestrians, Commerce Partners, Merchants,

4. Location: Daktronics, Brookings, South Dakota, Manufacture.

Respondents: President, Marketing Manager.

After the interview process is completed interpreting the data will become an important factor in the accuracy of the information received. Respondent’s answers will need to be transcribed from previous audio recordings. The information will be codified and collated and arguments will be explored and researched against existing material.

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