      */
     protected function setupSwfOrImage (url :String) :void
     {
+        startedLoading();
+
         // create our loader and set up some event listeners
         var loader :Loader = new Loader();
         _media = loader;

     */
    protected function loadError (event :IOErrorEvent) :void
    {
        setupBrokenImage(-1, -1);
    }


        // nada, by default
    }

    /**
     * Called when we've started loading new media. Will not be called
     * for new media that does not require loading.
     */
    protected function startedLoading () :void
    {
        // nada
    }

    /**
     * Called when we've stopped loading, which may be as a result of
     * completion, an error while loading, or early termination.
     */
    protected function stoppedLoading () :void
    {
        // nada
    }

    /** The unaltered URL of the content we're displaying. */
    protected var _url :String;

