The semiotic status of movie trailers

[Abstract] Jean Luc Godard once said that “movie trailers are perfect films because the never let you down”. Movie trailers have a crucial role in the film industry. Despite their omnipresence there are just a few academic works willing to explain their semiotic status. There are many types of movie trailers and all of them have singular characteristics (eg: theatrical trailers, teasers, clips, making of, creative trailers…). In this paper, it is explained how they work depending on the semiotic relation between the sign and the object, in Peircean terms. Some of them might have a more metonymic structure and others might be understood as being more analogical. As a conclusion, it is argued why most of the movie trailers have almost the same sign configuration concerning their persuasive effectiveness

El trailer cinematográfico: historia de un género publicitario en EE. UU.

La historia de los trailers en EE. UU. merece una atención especial debido al papel que ha jugado en el desarrollo de la industria cinematográfica tal y como la percibimos hoy. Entender la evolución de este género publicitario es clave para comprender sus características actuales. Su evolución responde, en términos retóricos, a la evolución de las técnicas persuasivas en dicha materia. Los trailers que vemos hoy son así porque han evolucionado para responder a las necesidades del público y porque han demostrado ser, hasta el momento, la forma más eficaz de lograr rentabilidad comercial en el mercado cinematográfico. Es la ley del mercado, entonces, el motor que pone en marcha la búsqueda de la eficacia persuasiva como fin último.The history of movie trailers in USA deserves a special attention due to the role it plays in the evolution of the movie industry nowadays. In order to understand movie trailers at the present time, it is necessary to comprehend its evolution. From a rhetorical perspective, movie trailers have evolved to respond to the public’s needs and have proved to be me most efficient and profitable way to market any given movie. The movie market, in that sense, seeks for the perfect marketing strategy every time a new movie is released

Mash-ups, re-cuts y fake trailers: manifestaciones mediáticas del consumidor contemporáneo

Comunicaciones del IV Congreso Internacional sobre análisis fílmico celebrado en la Universitat Jaume I de Castellón 4,5 y 6 de mayo de 201

Latest Developments in Industrial Hybrid Machine Tools that Combine Additive and Subtractive Operations

Hybrid machine tools combining additive and subtractive processes have arisen as a solution to increasing manufacture requirements, boosting the potentials of both technologies, while compensating and minimizing their limitations. Nevertheless, the idea of hybrid machines is relatively new and there is a notable lack of knowledge about the implications arisen from their in-practice use. Therefore, the main goal of the present paper is to fill the existing gap, giving an insight into the current advancements and pending tasks of hybrid machines both from an academic and industrial perspective. To that end, the technical-economical potentials and challenges emerging from their use are identified and critically discussed. In addition, the current situation and future perspectives of hybrid machines from the point of view of process planning, monitoring, and inspection are analyzed. On the one hand, it is found that hybrid machines enable a more efficient use of the resources available, as well as the production of previously unattainable complex parts. On the other hand, it is concluded that there are still some technological challenges derived from the interaction of additive and subtractive processes to be overcome (e.g., process planning, decision planning, use of cutting fluids, and need for a post-processing) before a full implantation of hybrid machines is fulfilledSpecial thanks are addressed to the Industry and Competitiveness Spanish Ministry for the support on the DPI2016-79889-R INTEGRADDI project and to the PARADDISE project H2020-IND-CE-2016-17/H2020-FOF-2016 of the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program

A global market assessment methodology for small wind in the developing world

Locally Manufactured Small Wind Turbines (LMSWTs) are growing in recognition as a means for rural electrification, and for meeting sustainability and poverty reduction targets set by the UN. This assessment is intended to inform governments and supranational entities where best to invest in order to meet these UN targets and improve the quality of life for millions of people in rural areas. This paper outlines the methodology used in the market assessment and discusses how the information and results are processed in order to achieve a robust ranking system for all countries included. Preliminary results are included and discussed

Modelling seasonal environmental preferences of tropical tuna purse seine fisheries in the Mozambique Channel

The spatial-temporal environmental preferences and biomass aggregation of tropical tuna from purse seine fishery in the Mozambique Channel (MZC) have barely been investigated. In this study, tuna biomass volume from Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and Free-Swimming Schools (FSC), collected by Spanish fishing logbooks during 2003–2013, were modelled separately as a function of a set of oceanographic variables (sea surface temperature, sea surface height, geostrophic currents, salinity, and chlorophyll-a) using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). Temporal variables (natural day, month and year), and spatial variables (latitude and longitude) were included in the models to account for the spatio-temporal structure of dynamic biomass of tropical tuna volume gathering. Oceanographic, temporal and spatial effects on aggregated catches differed between fishing modes, even though some common aspects appeared along the area and the period of study. Fishable patches of tuna biomass accumulation were explained by sea surface temperature, productivity, sea surface height, geostrophic currents, and apart from the spatio-temporal variables interactions. Although the models predicted slight differences for tuna fishing spots preferences, both fishing modes partially overlapped. Goodness of fit for selected variables showed that models were able to predict tuna catches assembled patterns in the MZC reasonably well. These results highlight a connection between the biophysical state of the oceans and purse seine tuna catches in the MZC, and ultimately may contribute to the scientific advice for the appropriate management and conservation of the exploited resources by purse seine fleets in the area of MZC.Postprint1,58

MOOC offer in Spain. Zero Moment of Truth (ZMOT)

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las características formales de los MOOC en España a las que se enfrenta un usuario potencial de dichos cursos en el «Zero Moment Of Truth», es decir, en los momentos previos a tomar la decisión de matricularse. La mayor parte de las investigaciones sobre MOOC se han centrado en el aprendizaje generado, en el índice de abandonos y en su relación con la educación formal. Nuestro estudio no hace referencia explícita al contenido de los MOOC, ni al porcentaje de los que lo finalizan, sino a los que lo comienzan y por qué llegan a hacerlo. Como hipótesis partimos de la escasa importancia que en España se da al diseño web y a los contenidos audiovisuales en la presentación de los cursos, a pesar de su gran influencia en el momento en que los usuarios deciden si matricularse o no. Como método para contrastar esta hipótesis, nos servimos del análisis de contenido. Se seleccionaron un total de 109 MOOC y se analizaron desde tres categorías de variables retóricas: la categoría informativa, la estética y la credibilidad. Entre otros resultados, se comprueba que los MOOC españoles ofrecen una información bastante completa al potencial alumno pero que pueden mejorar su estética y los elementos que contribuyen a su credibilidad. Las conclusiones a las que llegamos señalan que, tanto si se pretendiese obtener beneficio económico de los MOOC, como si se utilizasen estos cursos gratuitos simplemente para publicitar las instituciones organizadoras y mejorar su imagen, no es suficiente con ofrecer contenidos de calidad.The objective of this article is to analyze the formal characteristics of MOOC in Spain which potential users of such courses have to face at the «Zero Moment Of Truth», i.e., in the moments they make the decision to enroll. Most of the research on MOOC have focused on the learning generated, the rate of dropouts and MOOC’ relations with formal education. Our study makes no explicit reference to the content of the MOOC, or the percentage of those who complete them, but to those who start them and why they come to do so. We part from the hypothesis that too little attention is paid to web design and audiovisual content in the presentation of the courses in Spain, despite their great influence on the time when users decide whether to register or not. In this study we have used content analysis qualitative research technique to test this hypothesis. We selected a total of 109 MOOC and analyzed them with three categories of rhetoric variables: the informative category, aesthetics and credibility. Among other findings, we discovered that Spanish MOOC offer a fairly comprehensive information to potential students, but that they can improve their aesthetics and the elements that contribute to its credibility. The conclusions we reach point out that, whether it is intended to obtain economic benefit from the MOOC, as if these free courses were used simply to advertise the organizing institutions and improve their image, it is not enough to offer quality contents.peerReviewe