ABSTRACT
This chapter explores applied media aesthetics as it influences the violent aesthetic. It includes a discussion of ritualistic violence, hyper-real violence, and symbolic (or representational) violence and how these aesthetics can seduce producers of news and entertainment. At the end of this chapter students should be able to discuss counter-storytelling, alternative conflict solutions, and apply selected media theories to production problems. They should be able to debate producer accountability in an era where people are both producers and audience. Sequential Art: “The Pitch” is the story of an independent production company hearing pitches for potential movies, which must include a violent video game as product placement for a game developer. Key Concepts: aesthetics, applied media aesthetics, the violent aesthetic, ritualistic, hyper-real and symbolic (or representational) violence, framing, verticality, low key and kinetic lighting, squib, EDIT media, gig economy, reality media, product placement, counter-storytelling, applied media theory.
