Sketchers -- A Frith Analysis

As people living in modern America, we are punched in the face by ads every day; each one struggling to out-shine one another. However, have you ever actually stopped to analyze the meaning behind it? An easy way to do so is to create a Frith Analysis. There are three levels in which to analyze an advertisement: the surface meaning, the advertiser's intended meaning and the cultural meaning.

As an example, I will be evaluating a humorous ad from Skechers. This ad was created for one of their newest lines: GOrun2.

The surface meaning of this ad is simple. The ad at first appears to be another documentary on predator versus prey. There is a gazelle grazing without realizing he about to become a cheetah's meal. Suddenly, the animal is running for its life ...but never fear! Thanks to Skechers, a man was able to save the gazelle.

The advertiser's intended meaning is also very straight forward: Skechers make you faster than a cheetah; the fastest cat in the animal kingdom! It would also seem that the advertiser is saying "If you buy sketchers, you can do incredible things....like save an innocent creatures. Does that not pull on your heart strings??

Last but not least: the cultural meaning. When you watch this ad, how do you feel? Don't you want to warn the gazelle of the danger? When the cheetah begins the high speed chase, do you not watch in horror? If you do in fact feel these emotions, the chances are a lot of other people do, too. The advertiser truly uses this factor to their advantage. The man in the ad becomes a hero and therefore glorifies Skechers.

It is really as simple as that. Next time you are brainlessly watching TV ads, waiting for your favorite show to come back on, help the time go by faster--use frith analysis.

Hi, My Name Is..

Insert ridiculous name here.
Just kidding. My name is Melanie. Number 77 on a list of most popular names. That's what happens when your parents love old movies like Gone With The Wind. Then again, I like old movies, too.

I'm a junior Mass Comm major and music minor at Shepherd University, home of the rams.
I have hobbies. I'm not sure how people live without them or if you would call it living at all.
These hobbies include, but are not limited to: Song writing, playing guitar, ukulele, piano, snowboarding, and story writing.

People say I'm a hard worker. I would say I just really enjoy having a job, going to work, and meeting new people; though its really temporary; single-serving friends.

My interests include all the hobbies stated above as well as (my guilty pleasure): I'm a gleek. I also love anime and Miyazaki films (creative genius).

Someday, I'd like to find myself doing P.R. work for some music label company or industry. I would really like to be behind the scenes recording the music...or maybe even writing it.

My favorite television show currently is a tie between Glee and American Horror Story.
My favorite book is also a tie between The Fault In Our Stars or Looking For Alaska- both by John Greene.
I'm not really good with selecting favorite anythings when the question arises but I'll say my favorite movie is Fight Club. I guess there's just something about schizophrenic angst that I find enjoyable. Along with all the clever lines (one stated above).

             Nice to meet you.
              Sincerely,
                     Me.

COMM 406 - "The Persuaders" and What Persuaded Me

The interest is in the name...

  The Persuaders is a 90 minute documentary in which

Douglas Rushkoff analyzes how the changes in marketing strategies are shaping culture and politics in the U.S. As you watch this program, you are given a look "behind the curtain of advertising." The viewer is given a short history lesson and witnesses the development of advertising throughout the years. Then, the strategies behind selling products comes to light. Suddenly, the world for a consumer is no longer what it is cracked up to be!

   After brainstorming my thoughts on this documentary, I simply asked myself: "What did I find the most interesting about this film? What aspect of advertising really captured my attention?" It may be safe to say that what caught my attention is more than likely what sparked surprise and maybe even anger in other viewers: The advertiser's view of consumers.

   The ways in which we consumers are viewed seems to be just as utterly disgusting as it is true. Why is it true? Their strategies work. Their products are bought! As you watch the documentary, you will see how the actions of these advertisers spark reactions in their directed audience. I don't know about you but seeing this game of cat and mouse really made me feel tricked. The big bow on top of this idea was this statement made at 4:34: "Consumers are like roaches. You spray them and spray them, and after a while it doesn't work anymore."                              

   

    The ever-changing trends in what gains the attention of consumers is causing advertiser's marketing practices to reach extremes. As our needs and ideas evolve, so do the ways in which marketers try present new products and prove that they are what we need. However, you, as the consumer, should always remember what this film has proved: we are not people; we are sales. 

   

Banning Google Glass

The rising problems with using hand held electronic devices is not surprising. Many cars come equipped with hand-free electronic services that can do anything from mapping out your destination to reading you a knock-knock joke. The question is, is it safer? 

Is it less of a distraction when its hand-free? Sure. Is it safer? No. 

After reading this article, you may question if its okay to not ban using things such as Google Glass. I for one think that it's ignorant to use such things while driving. YOU'RE DRIVING. WHY DO YOU NEED TO DO OTHER STUFF? Anyways, check it out.

Behind The Scenes of The GTA V Scenes

GTA V

& The Makers'

Realistic Los Santos 

    So as many of you are aware, the newest Grand Theft Auto is said to be the best one yet. Some say it's better the first four + Red Dead Redemption put together. I personally can't give my opinion because I don't play games like GTA. However, one aspect of the game that does interest me is the detailed graphics. 

     The city in which this game takes place acts like a replica of the actual city of Los Santos! The way in which video games have evolved is amazing. You can see the progress with every new video game you play. 

     Seriously. Check out this link to read more about the behind the scenes work. Learn what the creators and artists did to 'set the scene' for Grand Theft Auto V!

That's not what blood looks like... That's mis-bleeding.

BLOOD!!!!!!

After reading this article, I couldn't help but reminisce about the old horror films. 

The advances they've made in theatrical blood is quite thrilling. 

If you're filming a homemade horror film these days all you have to do is visit your local super store and purchase a vampire makeup set. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would film short humorous videos and come up with creative ways to fool our audience. 

For a particular video, I played as jealous boyfriend who shoots his girlfriend in the heart. With limited material, we simply mixed up a concoction that kind of looked like blood and filled small balloons with it.   

When it was time to get shot, we simply had the girlfriend slap her chest (as if in pain) where the balloon was hidden beneath her shirt. Boom. 

She pulls her hand away and there's blood all over her. 

The recreation of blood for movies and theater is an extremely interesting topic. You can not only read up on it but you can also see it happening as you review the evolution of horror film blood.

Mockbusters

It's late at night and you're bored so what do you do?

I don't know about you but my friends and I search through Netflix for the cheapest looking movies (A.K.A: Mockbusters).

If you've ever watched movie channels late at night you have undoubtedly taken at least a glimpse at a mockbuster movie. They are generally movies that closely represent big-production films in plot and title. 

For example: Snakes On a Train, Piranha, and Transmorphers are all B-rated movies that are obviously a play on popular films (Snakes On a Plane, Jaws, and Transformers). 

Some people feel really cheated when they watch these films. Honestly, what did they expect?

Others watch these movies purposely as a source of entertainment and humor. 

Personally, these films (as cheesy as they are) are entertaining and I don't see a problem with the production of them. I mean, have you ever seen Rubber? Entertaining. Seriously. Watch it. 

Summary: Mockbusters aren't harming anyone. They're entertaining.