AT&T has made many commercials that are all very similar. Every screen shot shows a line up of something that symbolizes the AT&T slogan, "more bars in more places."
Their latest commercial shows a dad going away for a business trip, but everywhere he goes he takes pictures of his daughter's little stuffed monkey she put in his briefcase. Evey picture has a stack of objects from shortest to tallest. AT&T pride themselves on having the phone company with the fewest dropped calls.
I always liked those commercials. I would always try and find the set of bars that were hidden in the screen shot. Sometimes they were in the form of towers, or boats, or stuffed animals. Regardless, I found it entertaining.
At a youth basketball league at my church we had the team line up from shortest to tallest, and I heard a couple say, "more bars in more places." It's funny how a line up of bars reminds people of AT&T now.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Filet-O-Fish
There has been a lot of talk about this commercial lately.
http://www.cantonrep.com/archive/x110664396/Does-singing-McDonalds-fish-reel-you-in
I remember the first time I saw it. I was like, "What on earth? This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen in my life." But then, about a week later, I caught myself singing along with the commercial, and I'd even have it stuck in my head throughout the day.
The people that conjure up McDonald's advertisements are geniuses.
I have never had a filet-o-fish, nor have I ever wanted one. And, I can’t say that this commercial is changing that fact. But they have definitely made an impression on society.
We all know McDonald’s is around, it’s very prominent. But this is the first time, probably since the infamous BigMac commercial (two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, etc.) that we’re actually talking about them again. I see this commercial as reminding the world that they exist, and also, McDonald’s is trying to say that they are not just about cheeseburgers. Especially for all those people that are giving up meat for lent.
Brilliant.
http://www.cantonrep.com/archive/x110664396/Does-singing-McDonalds-fish-reel-you-in
I remember the first time I saw it. I was like, "What on earth? This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen in my life." But then, about a week later, I caught myself singing along with the commercial, and I'd even have it stuck in my head throughout the day.
The people that conjure up McDonald's advertisements are geniuses.
I have never had a filet-o-fish, nor have I ever wanted one. And, I can’t say that this commercial is changing that fact. But they have definitely made an impression on society.
We all know McDonald’s is around, it’s very prominent. But this is the first time, probably since the infamous BigMac commercial (two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, etc.) that we’re actually talking about them again. I see this commercial as reminding the world that they exist, and also, McDonald’s is trying to say that they are not just about cheeseburgers. Especially for all those people that are giving up meat for lent.
Brilliant.
Q: What has two thumbs and doesn't give a crap?
A: Bob Kelso.
I think Scrubs is hilarious. But I never really considered how the show originated, so I did a little research.
Scrubs writers worked with several medical advisors, including doctors Jonathan Doris, Jon Turk, and Dolly Klock. Their names launched the idea for the names of the main characters: John Dorian, Chris Turk and Molly Clock.
Scrubs is produced by ABC, even though it was aired by rival broadcaster NBC.
Bill Lawrence is the show's creator, executive producer, and head writer.
Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan have produced and written a number of episodes together. They started as writers/co-producers on the show, and have worked their way up to executive producers.
Bill Callahan is an executive producer and writer. He started on the show in season 4as co-executive producer and has since written six episodes.
Angela Nissel is supervising producer. She has written 7 episodes. She started on the show in season 2 as a staff writer.
Mike Schwartz is co-executive producer who started as a story editor. He has written 11 episodes and also has a reoccurring role in the show as Lloyd the Delivery Guy.
The television show became so popular that DVDs of each season are sold. And now there are even Scrubs podcasts, webisodes, board games, chat rooms, and soundtracks.
I think Scrubs is hilarious. But I never really considered how the show originated, so I did a little research.
Scrubs writers worked with several medical advisors, including doctors Jonathan Doris, Jon Turk, and Dolly Klock. Their names launched the idea for the names of the main characters: John Dorian, Chris Turk and Molly Clock.
Scrubs is produced by ABC, even though it was aired by rival broadcaster NBC.
Bill Lawrence is the show's creator, executive producer, and head writer.
Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan have produced and written a number of episodes together. They started as writers/co-producers on the show, and have worked their way up to executive producers.
Bill Callahan is an executive producer and writer. He started on the show in season 4as co-executive producer and has since written six episodes.
Angela Nissel is supervising producer. She has written 7 episodes. She started on the show in season 2 as a staff writer.
Mike Schwartz is co-executive producer who started as a story editor. He has written 11 episodes and also has a reoccurring role in the show as Lloyd the Delivery Guy.
The television show became so popular that DVDs of each season are sold. And now there are even Scrubs podcasts, webisodes, board games, chat rooms, and soundtracks.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
please use other door..
Every saturday morning at 9 o'clock I unlock the door to the store at the salon I work at. I move the "Please Use Other Door" sign to the side door that isn't supposed to be used while the store is open. I'm always entertained by the responses that little sign creates. I sit at my little reception desk and witness three basic reactions:
The first-
Woman walks to door, reads sign, turns around embarassed, doesn't say goodbye (although she hello when she arrived) and briskly walks out the correct door.
The second(most common)-
Woman walks to door, reads sign, turns around chuckling, feels compelled to tell me what they just did, explain that the salon is like a maze, and leaves.
The third(personal favorite)-
Woman walks to door, reads sign, disregards sign, and continues out the wrong door.
Although, I have to admit the last one takes a lot of guts, I think it's the most stupid reaction. These people have no idea why the signs there, it could be because an alarm will go off if that side door is used, but they don't care. They would rather keep truckin' than admit their fault and turn around.
It amazes me how the same little sign can create such different reactions.
The first-
Woman walks to door, reads sign, turns around embarassed, doesn't say goodbye (although she hello when she arrived) and briskly walks out the correct door.
The second(most common)-
Woman walks to door, reads sign, turns around chuckling, feels compelled to tell me what they just did, explain that the salon is like a maze, and leaves.
The third(personal favorite)-
Woman walks to door, reads sign, disregards sign, and continues out the wrong door.
Although, I have to admit the last one takes a lot of guts, I think it's the most stupid reaction. These people have no idea why the signs there, it could be because an alarm will go off if that side door is used, but they don't care. They would rather keep truckin' than admit their fault and turn around.
It amazes me how the same little sign can create such different reactions.
house md
House is one of my favorite media texts. Dr. House is rude and brash, but he knows what he's talking about. It's genre is mystery and drama. I think there is a clear line between what makes the show more mysterious and what makes it more dramatic. Every episode begins with a medical MYSTERY. A teacher faints and starts convulsing, and nobody knows why. The teacher's symptoms only get worse until House has some revelation that clears up the mystery. However, inbetween every case there is the DRAMA of House needing vicatin, Cuddy adopting a baby, Wilson seeing his long lost brother, or Thirteen and Foreman dating. That is definitely more drama than mystery. It brings to the table a soap opera feel.
It's conventional in the way that it relates to all kinds of audiences, kind of like the C.S.I. series. There's mystery, yet the drama of the team is what really keeps our interest. I think Greg House is the opposite of convention. There aren't a lot of jerks on t.v. that are the heros, so it puts a spin on the show.
It's conventional in the way that it relates to all kinds of audiences, kind of like the C.S.I. series. There's mystery, yet the drama of the team is what really keeps our interest. I think Greg House is the opposite of convention. There aren't a lot of jerks on t.v. that are the heros, so it puts a spin on the show.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
i love signs
So, I've really become more aware of advertisements, and I like looking at their meanings. I think this is so fun. :)
Here we have an ad for E!'s new show, Running in Heels. It's a reality show that depicts what "really" happens at Marie Claire magazine. I love this ad. The creativity is what makes it appealing to me. However, it has a connotative meaning that can mean different things to different people.
This show is all about style, so having a sharp, black stiletto be the main focus is an obvious choice. But what makes it original are the notches carved into the heel. By each notch it lists positions, starting at intern and moving up to editor-in-chief. Notches are used for keeping record, generally. But a common phrase associated with notches now-a-days is, "another notch in the bed post," which, if the ad is taken in that direction, makes it more edgy.
Stilettos are made to improve the look of the female form. They elongate legs and give a lift to body parts that look good lifted, so I half expect some of their intention for the notches is to remind people of the above mentioned phrase. However, the ad describes what each of the notches represents, and I think that is the company’s way of maintaining professionalism, but implying seduction. Basically saying, “Think what you want, but that isn’t what we meant.”
Here we have an ad for E!'s new show, Running in Heels. It's a reality show that depicts what "really" happens at Marie Claire magazine. I love this ad. The creativity is what makes it appealing to me. However, it has a connotative meaning that can mean different things to different people.
This show is all about style, so having a sharp, black stiletto be the main focus is an obvious choice. But what makes it original are the notches carved into the heel. By each notch it lists positions, starting at intern and moving up to editor-in-chief. Notches are used for keeping record, generally. But a common phrase associated with notches now-a-days is, "another notch in the bed post," which, if the ad is taken in that direction, makes it more edgy.
Stilettos are made to improve the look of the female form. They elongate legs and give a lift to body parts that look good lifted, so I half expect some of their intention for the notches is to remind people of the above mentioned phrase. However, the ad describes what each of the notches represents, and I think that is the company’s way of maintaining professionalism, but implying seduction. Basically saying, “Think what you want, but that isn’t what we meant.”
It's not all bad...
Sometimes media gets a bad rep because it's affecting our youth and shaping our culture; shows are too violent, teenagers are worshipping celebrities, etc. But it's not all bad.
Media educates, stirs discussion, and raises awareness.
One example is the book Under the Overpass. This book was a requirement for the freshmen, and it was thoroughly discussed in our College Experience class. There was also a chapel service where the author, Mike Yankoski, came to speak. Some background on the book: Mike and his buddy Sam lived on the streets for six months to understand what being homeless meant to its entirety. I read the book, and afterward my perception of homelessness was really changed. I had more compassion, for sure, and I wanted to do something to help.
A friend of mine is going to school up in Wisconsin. One night her and some friends were running around town, and afterwards she put up pictures of the night. They went rock climbing and out to eat, but before going back to the campus they walked around downtown. One of the pictures was of one of the guy's lying next to a homeless man who was rolled up in a sleeping bag on a stoop. The caption read something like, "random homeless man." And there were comments after it saying the homeless guy just pulled his sleeping bag up over his head and that it was so funny.
Before reading Mike Yankoski's book my first reaction would have been, "That so dangerous!" But my outlook completely changed, I really felt bad for the guy. He was just trying to lie down somewhere that he would be out of the way, and then a group of college kids come and make fun of him.
Media can be a good thing.
Media educates, stirs discussion, and raises awareness.
One example is the book Under the Overpass. This book was a requirement for the freshmen, and it was thoroughly discussed in our College Experience class. There was also a chapel service where the author, Mike Yankoski, came to speak. Some background on the book: Mike and his buddy Sam lived on the streets for six months to understand what being homeless meant to its entirety. I read the book, and afterward my perception of homelessness was really changed. I had more compassion, for sure, and I wanted to do something to help.
A friend of mine is going to school up in Wisconsin. One night her and some friends were running around town, and afterwards she put up pictures of the night. They went rock climbing and out to eat, but before going back to the campus they walked around downtown. One of the pictures was of one of the guy's lying next to a homeless man who was rolled up in a sleeping bag on a stoop. The caption read something like, "random homeless man." And there were comments after it saying the homeless guy just pulled his sleeping bag up over his head and that it was so funny.
Before reading Mike Yankoski's book my first reaction would have been, "That so dangerous!" But my outlook completely changed, I really felt bad for the guy. He was just trying to lie down somewhere that he would be out of the way, and then a group of college kids come and make fun of him.
Media can be a good thing.
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