The first piece that I've chosen is the 6 Feet Under from digital kitchen.
i. There are several types of major signs that appear in this piece. The most predominant type of sign signifies death and the acts surrounding death. These signs are symbols. Example of these symbols are the raven (associated with the idea of imminent death), the views of the coffin and the cemetery. The box drawn under the tree at the end of the piece is a sign that represents the idea of someone being buried after they die. The piece also presents signs that provoke specific emotions. An example is the hands that break apart in the beginning. They symbolize the ending or split of a relationship. The conclusion that can be formed is that this relationship has been broken because a death has occurred.
ii. The paradigm used in the piece surrounded the concept of death. The piece appears to also use the paradigm of realism and appealing to emotions. This is all done through the work of the imagery in the piece.
iii. The denotative message in the piece tells a story of someone who has died. It goes from the person being alive, to in the morgue, in a coffin, and then finally buried at the cemetery.
iv. The connotative message of the piece is the contrast formed between life and death and the emotions it can provoke. This is demonstrated in the piece through the imagery of the separating hands and also the views of the photographs sitting on the table.
v. The most prevalent myth I noticed was the imagery of the raven. Although I do not know the origin of this myth, it is believed that ravens are a sign of death. I have heard before that seeing a raven means death is coming soon.
vi. The piece did not use any verbal language. It did however have printed language. The printed language included the actor's names as well as the title of the show it is for. The text was effective in that it fit in with the scene. For example, the text after the hands separate fell apart in fragments. It was if to say that death makes everything fall apart.
vii. The purpose of this piece is to be an introduction for the show 6 Feet Under. You can get the idea that the show is about death and perhaps one main person that has died and the events surrounding her death.
viii. The demographic for this piece would definitely be an older, more mature demographic. Perhaps these people have experienced some form of loss or death. The piece did successfully advertise to this demographic because it presents symbols that are all signs of death. Death is a complicated topic that children might have a hard time dealing with. The symbols themselves also took some interpretation (the flowers and the raven) that a younger audience might not associate with any meaning.
ix. The piece substantiated the brand in that it was a concise piece that portrayed a strong use of symbols that all pertained to the issue of death. Every detail, down to the music, presents the audience with a sense of foreboding. The images were all simple, yet effectively got complicated points across.
Hillmancurtis Girls Against Boys
i. The paradigm that was used in the conceptualization of this piece was the ideas of individuals being brought together as a band. All the guys the piece presented were separate but yet together.
ii. One of the symbols the piece presented was the contrast between the split screen that portrayed two guys talking (often at the same time) and the full screen that only showed one guy at one time. This visual symbol was used to emphasize the individuals among the group. It was also utilized to emphasis or point out specific points while each guy was talking.
iii. The denotative meaning of this piece was to interview a band, Boys Against Girls, about how and why they produce the type of music they do.
iv. The connotative meaning of the piece was to demonstrate how different individuals come together to cultivate one idea and more specifically, one sound.
v. I did not see any myths that were being portrayed in the piece. Perhaps a myth can be seen in the name of the band-boys Against Girls. It has always been a trivial myth that there is a war between the sexes.
vi. The piece appeared to use unofficial language in that it often had two people talking simultaneously. I found that it was not effective because you often lost what each person was saying. It was hard to keep the momentum of interest going. It was difficult to understand what they wanted you to know.
vii. The purpose of this piece was to interview Boys Against Girls and present the different individuals that make up the band.
viii. The targeted demographic of this piece would be people who are into music and the bands behind the music. It was effective in that it introduced each band member and briefly discussed how they came to find the sound for the band. It was ineffective in that it was hard to understand. It would be perhaps for a geographic made up of teenagers and older.
ix. I feel the piece did not represent the brand very well. It was a little confusing having two people speaking at the same time. It gives the brand a "messy' and "unordered" feel. Both of these are not attractive qualities you want (traditionally) for a brand.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Blog 5 Rob
I chose the Addkit Design Movement video and the Waytion Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
What are the major signs in the piece and what do they signify and why?
Addkit
In the Addkit video, it is broken down into three parts. The parts are the design movement, Peoples Design Front, and Design Sells. Each portion has it own signs, while following its own one sign throughout. The design movement section have line on the wall that signify movement. The Peoples Design Front uses two faces to denote people in design. The sign is the vast quantity that appears. Design Sells, uses a car to show their portion. The signifies money and power because it is big. Throughout the piece there is target in each section. The sign would suggest that this is the target of what we want to do, laterally.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The major sign in the piece are the puppets, the picture with the people, and the stylized background. The puppets denote a feeling of the old time. They are clearly cartoon, which make the viewer think this is about the cartoons. The background give the image of a stage. The picture shows people from the network that is being described. They are frame with which would mean the important people in the network.
What paradigm was used in the conceptualization of the piece?
Addkit
The paradigm that was used is modern style. The images shown are clean and simple. The show the viewer what is going on with explaining much. Its unique perspective of the way design can work.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The paradigm that was used was the old style puppets shows. The music and tone of the setting give the feeling of the older styles. The music switches the mind later in the pice but the old feeling is still there.
What are major symbols used in the piece and why do you think they were used?
Addkit
The target can be a symbol. The target is played with throughout the whole piece. It is a rather arbitrary shape in the piece. A target grabs attention with control it. I think they used it because it wasn’t used to explain the piece just to hold your attention.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
They used the spiral throughout the entire piece. It adds to the piece. It makes the piece feel more childlike or fairy tale ish.
What was the piece’s denotative message?
Addkit
This how design functions. Movement people money
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The kids choice.
What was the piece’s connotative message?
Addkit
We associate clean, music, money with the piece.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
We associate theater, puppets, story, night with the piece
What myth(s) were at work in the piece and how do you know?
Addkit
The American dream is what they describe: movements, people, money, power. The basic form of the American dream is work hard get paid. Hence movements, people, money, power.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
Life is a stage. The myth examines the thought that the world around you is the way the world functions. The piece shows the stage to be the kid’s world.
Did the piece use official or unofficial language? Was it affective?
Addkit
Official language, it speak to us. It was affective. With even reading the word the viewer gets a sense that Addkit is part of the dream.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
Unofficial language, it speak to us through image and sound. The effectiveness is match only by the demographic that is was shooting for, children. The language speaks to kids.
What was the purpose of the piece?
Addkit
The purpose of the piece was the sell there brand to people. It doesn’t explain what they are but the fact is that exaclt what you want in a promo video.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The purpose of the piece was was to sell the Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards. It is what they want the viewer to watch. The show makes the commercial about the puppet stage. The stage is Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards.
What was the intended demographic of the piece? Did the piece successfully target that demographic? How did it accomplish this or why did it fail?
Addkit
The demographic was 20s- 30s because it was sell design not a product. Although the piece has movment and feel that teens would ultimately get as well. I think they accomplish their goal. The design make the viewer want to find out more bout this company and that is what they want.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The demographic is children. The setting of the piece makes kids want to watch the show. It successfully target the demographic. It accomplishes it through the use the old meets new. It wants the viewer to feel the switch, like this is where you belong.
How do you feel the piece substantiated brand?
Addkit
Addkit is design. Clean basic design that has meaning. I think that the brand substantiated the brand. The brand is design and that is what they want to get to the viewer.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The brand is a kid’s network, just for kids. The fact that is that piece supports the child. The piece substantiates brand by making it seem that the children choose who’s of the stage.
What are the major signs in the piece and what do they signify and why?
Addkit
In the Addkit video, it is broken down into three parts. The parts are the design movement, Peoples Design Front, and Design Sells. Each portion has it own signs, while following its own one sign throughout. The design movement section have line on the wall that signify movement. The Peoples Design Front uses two faces to denote people in design. The sign is the vast quantity that appears. Design Sells, uses a car to show their portion. The signifies money and power because it is big. Throughout the piece there is target in each section. The sign would suggest that this is the target of what we want to do, laterally.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The major sign in the piece are the puppets, the picture with the people, and the stylized background. The puppets denote a feeling of the old time. They are clearly cartoon, which make the viewer think this is about the cartoons. The background give the image of a stage. The picture shows people from the network that is being described. They are frame with which would mean the important people in the network.
What paradigm was used in the conceptualization of the piece?
Addkit
The paradigm that was used is modern style. The images shown are clean and simple. The show the viewer what is going on with explaining much. Its unique perspective of the way design can work.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The paradigm that was used was the old style puppets shows. The music and tone of the setting give the feeling of the older styles. The music switches the mind later in the pice but the old feeling is still there.
What are major symbols used in the piece and why do you think they were used?
Addkit
The target can be a symbol. The target is played with throughout the whole piece. It is a rather arbitrary shape in the piece. A target grabs attention with control it. I think they used it because it wasn’t used to explain the piece just to hold your attention.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
They used the spiral throughout the entire piece. It adds to the piece. It makes the piece feel more childlike or fairy tale ish.
What was the piece’s denotative message?
Addkit
This how design functions. Movement people money
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The kids choice.
What was the piece’s connotative message?
Addkit
We associate clean, music, money with the piece.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
We associate theater, puppets, story, night with the piece
What myth(s) were at work in the piece and how do you know?
Addkit
The American dream is what they describe: movements, people, money, power. The basic form of the American dream is work hard get paid. Hence movements, people, money, power.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
Life is a stage. The myth examines the thought that the world around you is the way the world functions. The piece shows the stage to be the kid’s world.
Did the piece use official or unofficial language? Was it affective?
Addkit
Official language, it speak to us. It was affective. With even reading the word the viewer gets a sense that Addkit is part of the dream.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
Unofficial language, it speak to us through image and sound. The effectiveness is match only by the demographic that is was shooting for, children. The language speaks to kids.
What was the purpose of the piece?
Addkit
The purpose of the piece was the sell there brand to people. It doesn’t explain what they are but the fact is that exaclt what you want in a promo video.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The purpose of the piece was was to sell the Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards. It is what they want the viewer to watch. The show makes the commercial about the puppet stage. The stage is Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards.
What was the intended demographic of the piece? Did the piece successfully target that demographic? How did it accomplish this or why did it fail?
Addkit
The demographic was 20s- 30s because it was sell design not a product. Although the piece has movment and feel that teens would ultimately get as well. I think they accomplish their goal. The design make the viewer want to find out more bout this company and that is what they want.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The demographic is children. The setting of the piece makes kids want to watch the show. It successfully target the demographic. It accomplishes it through the use the old meets new. It wants the viewer to feel the switch, like this is where you belong.
How do you feel the piece substantiated brand?
Addkit
Addkit is design. Clean basic design that has meaning. I think that the brand substantiated the brand. The brand is design and that is what they want to get to the viewer.
Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards
The brand is a kid’s network, just for kids. The fact that is that piece supports the child. The piece substantiates brand by making it seem that the children choose who’s of the stage.
Blog 5 - Samuel Wilson
FOREIGN OFFICE MTV A-CUT
What are the major signs in the piece and what do they signify and why?
The stars used in the typography signify the 70s. The colors also signify the 70s. The aesthetic choice resembles Grand Theft Auto. By the aesthetic choice I mean the silhouetted aspect of the 3D. The 3D itself signifies the in-game graphics where the silhouetted style resembles the cover art for GTA games. The choice of apparel brings gangster fashion to mind.
What paradigm was used in the conceptualization of the piece?
The paradigm used was the fashion and idealized life of African American gangsters. Also, the Grand Theft Auto series of games was used in conceptualizing this piece.
What are major symbols used in the piece and why do you think they were used?
The Hummer 2 shown is a symbol of living “large.” It has been modified to make it larger and more powerful than a stock Hummer 2. This was used make the driver seem “badass” and living the idealized life. It is a status symbol.
The particular style of motorcycle shown is a symbol of owning the road. The driver may not be as rich as the H2 driver but he is equally as “badass” in his own rights. It is a status symbol as well.
The typography and color choice together is a symbol of the 70s. This was used to symbolize the idealized pop-culture lifestyle of the 70s which is glamorized in this ad.
What was the piece’s denotative message?
Buy these shoes. They have style.
What was the piece’s connotative message?
If you buy these shoes you will be fast, badass, rich, gangster, stylish, and have women. These shoes are made for this lifestyle and these are the rewards that will come to you if you wear these shoes. Many different stereo-typical lifestyles of African Americans are shown. All the lifestyles that are shown are the ones that are glamorized on MTV, BET, movies, and in music. It does not show lifestyle of the majority of African Americans; just the few and the rich. This in turn connotes that these shoes will make you like the men shown in this ad.
What myth(s) were at work in the piece and how do you know?
The myth of the gangster lifestyle was at work in this piece. Signifiers such as the clothes the people wore, the vehicles they drove, the violence they partook in; all come together to make up the gangster lifestyle.
Did the piece use official or unofficial language? Was it affective?
This piece uses unofficial language. It is effective to reach its target market. The dialect is used often by African Americans that see the gangster/hip-hop lifestyle as ideal.
What was the purpose of the piece?
The purpose of this piece was to advertise the new Nike Shox Neo line of shoes in a glamorous way.
What was the intended demographic of the piece? Did the piece successfully target that demographic? How did it accomplish this or why did it fail?
The intended demographic of the piece was young African American males and other young males who idealize the African American gangster culture. The young males are likely to be between the ages of 14 to 28. Yes this peace successfully hit its demographic target by combining a number of different aspects such as resembling video games, idealizing violence and money, glamorizing the gangster lifestyle, and using effective music and voiceover.
How do you feel the piece substantiated brand?
This peace was very effective in establishing a brand identity for this line of shoes. The identity comes across as “this shoe is a necessary component of the gangster lifestyle.” Throughout the piece, the camera identifies the shoes on the characters. One scene the camera has a close-up of someone walking with these shoes. Other scenes have the characters wearing the shoes, but the shoes are slightly large on the characters to give the shoes emphasis. Also the camera angle is low to the ground which adds even more emphasis on the shoes. Throughout the piece you see shoes without knowing it is a shoe ad to the very end. The piece leads you to associate this brand of shoe with this lifestyle.
WAYTION NICKELODEON KIDS CHOICE AWARDS
What are the major signs in the piece and what do they signify and why?
The major signs in the Nickelodeon piece is the portraits and the amusement park picture at the end.
What paradigm was used in the conceptualization of the piece?
The paradigm used in the piece is a marionette stage.
What are major symbols used in the piece and why do you think they were used?
The major symbols are the frames of the portraits. They were used to signify the starts of the Nickolodeon Choice Awards. The carousel and the tent used are also symbols. They were used to symbolize that Nickelodeon and the Choice Awards are fun.
What was the piece’s denotative message?
Its denotative message is that you will see the actor stars in this show and that it will be fun to watch.
What was the piece’s connotative message
Its connotative message is that it is more than just a show. The marionettes break loose of their strings which signifies freedom. From the cameras perspective the viewer gets pulled on stage which signifies more than just watching the show. You, the viewer, gets to participate in the show. The aesthetics of the piece also connotes a fairy tale world.
What myth(s) were at work in the piece and how do you know?
The myth shown is one of a fairy tale world. This is shown by the style of the artwork which is cartoony yet reminiscent of artwork depicted in fairy tale stories. Also there is a man in the moon which is associated to “the cow jumped over the moon.” The girl sitting on the moon could also be associated with Dreamworks Pictures’ logo with the boy fishing from the moon. There are also stars flying around which only happens with the magic wands in the fairy tales.
Did the piece use official or unofficial language? Was it affective?
This piece used hardly any language at all. However the music has a singer making a few noises that are close to words. This would be unofficial language. It works well to highlight the whimsical nature of this piece. The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards text on the logo at the end is official language which works fine to show what the piece is promoting.
What was the purpose of the piece?
The purpose of this piece is to set the mood of the Kids Choice Awards and to introduce the show.
What was the intended demographic of the piece? Did the piece successfully target that demographic? How did it accomplish this or why did it fail?
Intended audience is 8 through 15 year olds. The piece successfully targeted the demographic by creating a playful atmosphere. It is a piece that would keeps kids attention or grab their attention.
How do you feel the piece substantiated brand?
This piece reflects Nickelodeon’s brand by being playful and unusual. It takes on aspects of the tv shows Nickelodeon airs.
What are the major signs in the piece and what do they signify and why?
The stars used in the typography signify the 70s. The colors also signify the 70s. The aesthetic choice resembles Grand Theft Auto. By the aesthetic choice I mean the silhouetted aspect of the 3D. The 3D itself signifies the in-game graphics where the silhouetted style resembles the cover art for GTA games. The choice of apparel brings gangster fashion to mind.
What paradigm was used in the conceptualization of the piece?
The paradigm used was the fashion and idealized life of African American gangsters. Also, the Grand Theft Auto series of games was used in conceptualizing this piece.
What are major symbols used in the piece and why do you think they were used?
The Hummer 2 shown is a symbol of living “large.” It has been modified to make it larger and more powerful than a stock Hummer 2. This was used make the driver seem “badass” and living the idealized life. It is a status symbol.
The particular style of motorcycle shown is a symbol of owning the road. The driver may not be as rich as the H2 driver but he is equally as “badass” in his own rights. It is a status symbol as well.
The typography and color choice together is a symbol of the 70s. This was used to symbolize the idealized pop-culture lifestyle of the 70s which is glamorized in this ad.
What was the piece’s denotative message?
Buy these shoes. They have style.
What was the piece’s connotative message?
If you buy these shoes you will be fast, badass, rich, gangster, stylish, and have women. These shoes are made for this lifestyle and these are the rewards that will come to you if you wear these shoes. Many different stereo-typical lifestyles of African Americans are shown. All the lifestyles that are shown are the ones that are glamorized on MTV, BET, movies, and in music. It does not show lifestyle of the majority of African Americans; just the few and the rich. This in turn connotes that these shoes will make you like the men shown in this ad.
What myth(s) were at work in the piece and how do you know?
The myth of the gangster lifestyle was at work in this piece. Signifiers such as the clothes the people wore, the vehicles they drove, the violence they partook in; all come together to make up the gangster lifestyle.
Did the piece use official or unofficial language? Was it affective?
This piece uses unofficial language. It is effective to reach its target market. The dialect is used often by African Americans that see the gangster/hip-hop lifestyle as ideal.
What was the purpose of the piece?
The purpose of this piece was to advertise the new Nike Shox Neo line of shoes in a glamorous way.
What was the intended demographic of the piece? Did the piece successfully target that demographic? How did it accomplish this or why did it fail?
The intended demographic of the piece was young African American males and other young males who idealize the African American gangster culture. The young males are likely to be between the ages of 14 to 28. Yes this peace successfully hit its demographic target by combining a number of different aspects such as resembling video games, idealizing violence and money, glamorizing the gangster lifestyle, and using effective music and voiceover.
How do you feel the piece substantiated brand?
This peace was very effective in establishing a brand identity for this line of shoes. The identity comes across as “this shoe is a necessary component of the gangster lifestyle.” Throughout the piece, the camera identifies the shoes on the characters. One scene the camera has a close-up of someone walking with these shoes. Other scenes have the characters wearing the shoes, but the shoes are slightly large on the characters to give the shoes emphasis. Also the camera angle is low to the ground which adds even more emphasis on the shoes. Throughout the piece you see shoes without knowing it is a shoe ad to the very end. The piece leads you to associate this brand of shoe with this lifestyle.
WAYTION NICKELODEON KIDS CHOICE AWARDS
What are the major signs in the piece and what do they signify and why?
The major signs in the Nickelodeon piece is the portraits and the amusement park picture at the end.
What paradigm was used in the conceptualization of the piece?
The paradigm used in the piece is a marionette stage.
What are major symbols used in the piece and why do you think they were used?
The major symbols are the frames of the portraits. They were used to signify the starts of the Nickolodeon Choice Awards. The carousel and the tent used are also symbols. They were used to symbolize that Nickelodeon and the Choice Awards are fun.
What was the piece’s denotative message?
Its denotative message is that you will see the actor stars in this show and that it will be fun to watch.
What was the piece’s connotative message
Its connotative message is that it is more than just a show. The marionettes break loose of their strings which signifies freedom. From the cameras perspective the viewer gets pulled on stage which signifies more than just watching the show. You, the viewer, gets to participate in the show. The aesthetics of the piece also connotes a fairy tale world.
What myth(s) were at work in the piece and how do you know?
The myth shown is one of a fairy tale world. This is shown by the style of the artwork which is cartoony yet reminiscent of artwork depicted in fairy tale stories. Also there is a man in the moon which is associated to “the cow jumped over the moon.” The girl sitting on the moon could also be associated with Dreamworks Pictures’ logo with the boy fishing from the moon. There are also stars flying around which only happens with the magic wands in the fairy tales.
Did the piece use official or unofficial language? Was it affective?
This piece used hardly any language at all. However the music has a singer making a few noises that are close to words. This would be unofficial language. It works well to highlight the whimsical nature of this piece. The Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards text on the logo at the end is official language which works fine to show what the piece is promoting.
What was the purpose of the piece?
The purpose of this piece is to set the mood of the Kids Choice Awards and to introduce the show.
What was the intended demographic of the piece? Did the piece successfully target that demographic? How did it accomplish this or why did it fail?
Intended audience is 8 through 15 year olds. The piece successfully targeted the demographic by creating a playful atmosphere. It is a piece that would keeps kids attention or grab their attention.
How do you feel the piece substantiated brand?
This piece reflects Nickelodeon’s brand by being playful and unusual. It takes on aspects of the tv shows Nickelodeon airs.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Final Countdown - Blog 5
Troika Design Group – Sportscenter
The design campaign investigates all facets of the stereotypical male, and his perceived interests pooled together. The power of this sign as an index is its multi-faceted approach. While the brand is defined for a Sports Show, the introductory animation closely resembles the pistons and gears of an engine, another “typical” activity for a male to be infatuated with. As the flaming red sphere travels through these gears, sparks of electricity travel through the air, creating a visual display of explosions that excite any steroid-driven fiend. The paradigm of the piece assumes the general truth of what it means to be a socially accepted male in contemporary society, which entails fast speed, blistering countdowns, brushed metal, pistons, and explosions. The countdown animation practically explodes across the vast majority of the screen, capitalizing on a male’s anxiety in the final minutes of a close game. The flaming sphere guides the camera throughout the intro, representing this strength-driven, testosterone-fueled mass of energy, found at the core of any sports bar or summer BBQ. It is hard to define a literal denotative message of this piece, as there are no literal references to anything sports-related in the entire series of animations, aside from the sports logos or game footage provided and contained within the design identity. The connotative message, on the other hand, provides multiple associations, as stated above, for what it means to be a typical sports fan, by defining the masculine qualities inherent in each one of them. While sportscenter has a literal meaning of “a show about sports,” its implied meaning defines the core psyche of the modern adrenaline man. The myth is the stereotype. Assumptions are being made as to what a man is, what defines him, and then generalizes this assumption as the sole type of sports fan. Other than segment titles, the design uses unofficial language to drive the motions. The purpose of this design is to foster the excitement created at a sports event through competition, and harness it through a sports channel, while not directly using any sports imagery whatsoever, and instead define what it means to be a fan in other ways. I feel it has definitely reached its intended demographic of men 14-35 with these assumptions and generalizations about masculinity. The brand is substantiated and enforced with every right-wing definition of what it means to be a man in society that there has ever been.
Digital Kitchen – 6 Feet Under
The visual imagery of the 6 Feet Under introduction provides several indexical symbols for a conceptualization of death. This imagery transcends both the literal realms as well as cultural and societal. This is represented in many ways, such as time-lapse photography of plants dying, preparing a body for burial, passing tombstones, medical equipment, and a crow flying through some of the scenes. The paradigm of this piece defines the beauty in the classical morbid, evaluating death as an elegant conclusion to life. The major symbols used are the lone tree in the field, a black crow, a corpse, a bouquet of dying flowers, and a mortician/gravedigger. These elements define the visual representations of death in culture. These symbols/subjects, although cliché in their reference to death, are instead portrayed in a beautiful light, challenging the perceptions of this taboo topic. The intro’s denotative message is the literal presentation of actors who appear in the show, Six Feet Under. The text is harmonized with the footage, and incorporated to serve more of a subtle purpose. The connotative message as implied above, is to present imagery associated with the dark and depressing concept of death, but in a new way. The piece provides a sort of whimsical beauty to this otherwise morbidly portrayed event. I believe that the myths were to take typical means of identifying the act of dying to give a general idea about the concept of the show. The designers themselves challenge this very myth by reversing the preconceived notions about death. It combines the official language required by HBO for presenting the actor’s names, but then uses unofficial language to communicate the ideas behind death, the stereotypical figures associated with it, and the literal process from death to burial. The purpose, in my opinion, is to showcase the absolute beauty of death, a concept rarely tested or examined. The intended demographic of the piece is a bit older, which also goes hand in hand with the content of the show. The basis of Six Feet Under is the daily lives of 2 morticians, so I would make an educated guess that this attracts a demographic of 24-60. I believe that the solid design of Digital Kitchen accompanies the beautiful video and acting of many HBO series. The piece substantiated brand through a multiple-faceted approach to defining visual definitions of the concept of death, and then portraying them in a positively gorgeous light. The introduction serves as quite possibly the best interest-building promotion for a show I have ever seen. It would hold its weight as a solid piece with or without the show behind it.
Blog #5 - wendy meyer
The first motion graphic i chose was the encore presentation. Right off the bat, there are four icons at the beginning. The icon R, signifies that the piece is r-rated, a headphones icon signifies stereo sound, a little box, indicates closed captioning, and the symbol ESP signifies that it can be dubbed in Spanish. Other icons are the individual movie star faces shown throughout the intro. In the middle of the presentation, Rock Hudson is introduced as Rock- the undefeated, but if i were to analyze this, the word rock could mean a stone, not a name. In this situation, i could easily associate the word for the stone, not the name. At the end, the word law appears, then a cowboy is shown, and then the word outlaw appears. So by the placement of the words, is it assumed that the cowboy is the law, not the outlaw?
I believe the paradigm used is the visual images of familiar movie star faces to promote Encore.
The denotative message is Encore has a variety of shows available to enjoy, and the connotative message is that because Encore has a variety of shows, this intrigues the viewer to watch.
The myth is the cowboy is the outlaw, because when one pictures what an outlaw is, the image of a cowboy springs to mind.
I think the piece used both official and unofficial language. We, as the viewer, are not sure what to think of the cowboy - is he the law, or the outlaw, and, in that sense it is unofficial language. To actually use words is considered the official language. All in all, i do think it was affective both ways.
The purpose of the piece was to promote encore westerns, as well as other genres. The intended demographic is men and women adults, and i think the piece was successful in targeting its demographic. Men like westerns, women like cowboys - it is successful.
The second motion graphic i am analyzing is the velvet medien design e city.
The beginning shows a graphic that looks like a computer networking design, which i think is shown to display that we all are connected by computer networks. There is also symbols that look like a different language, which means that people who speak different languages can connect to others around the world.
Different shapes are used within the design which can symbolize geometry, which connects mathematician's to the world. This graphic symbolizes that everyone is connected.
All the different shapes are the pattern used in the concept of this piece.
This piece has a hard denotative message. It seems that it is all implied through the images that we are all connected.
The myth is that without technology, it is harder to communicate and connect with one another.
This piece definitely used unofficial language, and it was affective. The purpose was to show that we are all connected.
I think the demographic is geared towards the age at which a person realizes they can make their own decisions all the way through adulthood. Yes, this piece did target its demographic. Considering that this piece is purely visual with no English words, one must be able to recognize the metaphors within it.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
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