Reflection...

It's the end of the semester which means an end to these blog posts, and I can finally say that "I did it." I've made it through this 0 period class and have honestly learned a lot. Not only did the class teach about the interesting details of media, but it forced the students the make their own blogs so that they could see first hand, how media is truly affecting them. Because of this assignment my encounters with media have changed, and I've learned why it's important to be educated in this field.

To start with my own encounters with media since this class, the actual amount of media I consume hasn't changed. I can say, however, that I see the content being presented to me much differently. I can no longer watch a television show without picking up on the large number of brands being incorporated. It goes as far as music videos that I watch also, with the lighting and camera angles that the producers use to make the viewer feel a particular way. Knowing how to spot this information is very beneficial, and can act as a filter for the consumer or viewer to find their true likes and dislikes.

Before this class, I had been just as oblivious as the next guy when it comes to televised media, specifically the commercials. A perfect example of this are the commercials shown during the super bowl, which are both humorous and entertaining. Little did I not know that I was subliminally being manipulated by advertising companies, and not just being given free entertainment. Looking back, I can see the massive amounts of Doritos that i've purchased over the years, never knowing why. I now know that it's because of the ingenious techniques of advertising companies, and with this knowledge, I can better protect myself from manipulation. It's for this very reason that more individuals should know the truth.

Becoming aware, the key idea that I got from this assignment. I have become aware of these sly companies and what they'll do to sell their product. Because of this i'm a much more alert consumer, now looking at the details of advertisements to see what their selling, which is usually the brand rather than the product. However, it's obvious that the average person doesn't know this which, in my opinion, needs to change. Not only would people be spending their money better but with everyone's combined knowledge, there is a possibility of taking down these very companies in charge.

From what I can see, this class was one of the few aspects of school that will clearly change both my present and future. And for that I send a big thanks to my teacher.

AT&T

While looking for an advertisement I came across this AT&T for home calling, but with all the bundle packages with xFinity and even AT&T U-Verse, it's hard to believe this product will even sell. So to keep their consumer from realizing these details, they use certain technique to diverge their attention. On of them being the simple solutions technique. In big orange letters the advertisement says "...for only 9.99/mo." They are saying that simply, for only 10 dollars a month you can have the new wireless home phone. But since the viewer can't see any real information about the product or how it compares to others, they can't see what they're really paying for.

In class we have learned about how ad companies use color contrasting to their advantage, to point out to the viewer certain deaails to focus on. First, there is the pricing, which is in large orange letters, then there is the title, in slightly smaller blue lettering,  and then at then in fine print under what we think is the advertisement, is the actual information about the product. Also in fine print, is the note saying that it's 9.99 after being added to an existing plan.

In conclusion, this advertisement is very ineffective, and no one would be fooled to buy it, despite the distracting features.

Cymbalta can help? I think not...

Can Cymbalta help? Ummm... I think not. With all the elements of ad techniques and appeals the ad this company is clearly using, it's hard to pick a few to talk about so the ones i'm gonna point out are the need for affiliation, the "Weasel Words" technique, and the Bribery technique. There were also a couple interesting details to point out in the commercial. One thing that I noticed in this commercial was that the problems discussed by the supposed patients with depression in the beginning, compared to the images of the same people shown later in the commercial are irrelevent to eachother. The later images are supposed to be showing the patients after they take cymbalta, when they are in a much more cheerful mood with their problems solved but they show different problems being solved. 

When it comes to techniques such as the need for affiliation, the women that is being reunited with her son as a resulted from taking Cymbalta definitely shows this. Before, the women is shown in the beginning distant from her son, but after taking Cymbalta she is later shown engaging and having a good time with him. So there's a definite sense of relationship being rebuilt when using this product, and also a relationship being lost if you don't. 

With the Weasel words technique, it's much more obvious. After the first 20 seconds of the people's different depression, the only information the viewer gets from cymbalta is that "Cymbalta -CAN- help." This is obviously weasal words because there's no guarantee of help. 

The other technique I had observed in the commercial was the Bribery technique, which was shown is the very last seconds of the commercial when the "free trial," is mentioned. Pretty much any free offer or deal in a commercial is regarded as this technique. 

The last, and possibly most prominent detail of the commercial was the immensely long list of side effects. In fact, only the first 20 seconds of the commercial wasn't about the side effects, and the other 45 were. Not only that, but the side effects were quite serious, such as "possible suicidal thoughts...OR ACTIONS." If it were me, i'd much rather be sad than dead. 

Saosin...Your not alone.

As I was listening to music on Spotify radio I came across this song by Saosin. This particular song is one of my favorites because of its meaningful lyrics, fantastic vocals, and very well written music. When I say well written music, i'm mainly referring to the drummer's playing which, if heard by an experienced musician, can see that it's very intricate and difficult, which allows the listener to enjoy the music that much more. Just as many other artists and bands, the vocals in this song, in my opinion, are very unique. When bands have a unique sound that can't be confused with another groups, it makes them memorable and much more interesting to listen to. The same applies to songs lyrics.

In class we have learned about "ready-made" phrases that many writers today use, which are just common, unoriginal phrases or transitions they use to make their writing sound more professional. With music this idea also applies, and I could easily say this song doesn't contain any.

Taking on seven years 
the holy ghost had left alone.

These lyrics in the very beginning of the song had caught my attention because its bigger meaning behind it. The guy speaking is talking about how the seven years of tough times in his life had been untouched by God, thus making him go through these struggles by himself. 

So between all of of these elements, this song is very memorable. 

ATTILA - RAGE!!!

This song called "Rage," by Attila is personally one of my favorites. In class we learned that people develop a liking for certain things, music being an example, according to the people we spend time around. And because I've grown up with a brother and multiple friends who enjoy punk rock music I began to enjoy this loud, energetic music. This song here is a track meant for parties where the people can let loose and "rock out," with a large group of people and simply have a good time. It's this connection between the viewer and the crowd of people in the video that creates a somewhat "need for affiliation," which is a common technique advertising companies use to make their buyers feel like their part of a certain group. The viewer see's how much fun the people in the video are having and to feel like a part of this group, they listen to Attila.

This genre of music as a whole has such a terrible reputation in the mainstream that some may even affiliate the music with religion and say that it's "devil worshiping music." Another misconception is that punk rock music isn't musical and is just a compilation of loud noises accompanied by a man screaming into a microphone. This statement is very untrue in both these ideas because first, it's using real instruments with real music that's extremely difficult to play. Secondly, the "screamo" portion of the music is incredibly difficult and takes years of practice, and holds the risk of eternal throat damage if done incorrectly. In addition to screaming correctly, they also have to know how to sing. So it's clear that this is indeed music, and is much more difficult than people may think.

Chevy Sale!!!

When analyzing this commercial the first impression we the viewer get is the Wit and Humor technique. "Santa Clause" is casually working at a car dealership and is joked with by a customer and the viewer can infer that the memo Santa Clause was writing down toward the end was an addition to his naughty list. Besides the obvious, another technique that was used was the Facts and Figures technique. The viewer sees this when "Santa Clause" and the customer are discussing the statistics about the new Silverado truck. While discussing the horsepower of the truck, the Facts and figures technique, discretely blends with the Wit and humor technique, by comparing "horsepower," to "reindeer power."

Personally I think this advertisment isn't effective because it's length is way to short, and also because the commercial is much too Wit and Humor dominant, meaning that the customer has no idea what they are purchasing because their attention is too much toward the comedy side of the commercial rather than the product being sold. Another reason is because of the reality assumption that American-made cars don't last as long as competing foreign dealers such as Toyota, which is know for lasting a lifetime. So, with all these elements, the commercial wasn't effective, and the consumer doesn't know what is being advertised.

Omega

While looking through the mail I came across a magazine with an Omega watch ad in it with movie icon James Bond standing dramatically on the front. In very small lettering, which happens to blending with the clouds behind Mr. Bond, is the phrase, "James Bond's Choice," which is defiantly the companies use of the technique Testimonial. By putting in that short phrase the ad company makes it's consumers feel that wearing an Omega watch turns them into James Bond.

Another element to notice in this advertisement is the contrasting colors between the overcast weather, the intense black coat Mr. Bond is wearing and the bright proud British flag being waved. the fact that the British flag is the most diverse item in the picture means that the company wants you to focus on the idea that Omega  might be a foreign company. The reason for this may be the reality assumption that foreign goods are higher quality, an example being the many people purchasing cars from Toyota rather than Ford.

On a side note regarding watches, I honestly see no point in having on that's unreasonably expensive if they are all serving the same purpose, to tell the time. This can already be done by the expensive phone you have in your pocket since you obviously have enough spare money to by a miniature clock that attaches to your wrist. Or this could be yet another example of the reality assumption of the laziness of Americans. Either way I see no point to wearing a watch, especially a nice one.