My Top Five Websites

Let’s be honest. I love the Internet, and would rather not even think about the amount of hours per day that I use it. I check my e-mail religiously and Google feeds my curiousity like nothing else can. But with the exception of those two sites, the top five sites that I visit most often are these:

1. Facebook: You’re welcome, Mark Zuckerberg. Even after all this time, Facebook remains just as addicting as ever. In college, I find I use it even more than before though. It is the perfect way to stay connected to people near and far, seeing what they’re up to and sharing an inside joke, witty comment, picture or video. It’s a strange world we live in when a “wall post” or “like” can brighten your day — but I just go with it.

2. Twitter: My favorite new social networking tool. But unlike Facebook, I do actually use it for good, productive reasons. While I do follow some friends and favorite celebrities, I do follow important people in the communications industry such as Roger Ebert, who offers amazing movie critiques, and Hart Hanson, a successful TV writer who tweets insights into the world of television. The 140 characters or less seems is the perfect amount to get a dose of everything you’re interested in. Follow me @maddieecarlin!

3. Imdb: As a cinema major, this website is liquid gold. I often find myself Netflix-ing movies or reading movie reviews, and am thus curious for more information about the people behind the camera. I find myself most often reading the trivia and quotes section under a movie, which offers insights into the production and development. Through Imdb, I have discovered the work of director Ron Howard, of cinematographer Roger Deakins, and the production company Metanoia films. I absolutely love this website and hope it soon becomes even more legitimate.

4. YouTube and VEVO: I am a music video and behind-the-scenes junkie, and these websites fuel the addiction. Both websites offer the newest music videos as well information about their production sometimes. Artists also often post behind-the-scenes footage to YouTube themselves while Vevo24s follow an artist for 24 hours and in a very quick and cool editing style, portray a “day in the life”. Since I hope to work in the music industry as a cinema major in the future, these websites are the perfect way to observe just how its done. One leader in this field, Travis Schneider, who most prominently worked for Maroon 5, even e-mailed me back when Iasked for advice after discovering his YouTube page!

5. Netflix: Again, as a cinema major this seems like a pretty obvious one. But Netflix is awesome for anyone, and has led me to discover some great TV shows such as Lie to Me and Dexter as well as catch up on some classic films. To its inventor, I offer a sincere thank-you.

I know that this list may not seem impressive but I am working to expand it in the near future after learning about some awesome websites such as ISSUU and StumbleUpon in this class. Hopefully it won’t be the same by the end of this semester!