Above the Influence

In High School and College, there are three main things that people might think about as a student: grades, relationships, and parties. Some people may have their priorities straight when they enter school, but a lot of people may not be on track. When not on track, it could lead to dangerous things such as alcohol and/or drugs. One of the leading causes of teenage drinking is peer pressure, and this happens more often than someone might think. An Above the Influence commercial shows a person what the effects of peer pressure are. An Above the Influence commercial named “Sick” was one that definitely caught my eye. I think this commercial is very effective, especially since there is no talking among people in the commercial. When I think of an effective commercial, I think of a commercial I can relate to and one that draws my full attention. Even though there is no talking, I think this commercial may be even more effective and it may get the point across easier and with sounds and images instead of conversation. With the use of visual and audio effects, this commercial is very effective towards individuals and really draws them in to what is happening.
The visual effects in this commercial are what make it so effective. There is a girl that walks into the bathroom and leans over the toilet. The girl looks very sad and exhausted, and it has to be from drinking or whatever else. After she throws up once it shows pictures of her and her friends in the toilet; then she throws up again and it has trophies and prize possessions of hers. Also everything in the room is black and white except the girl’s shirt and her memories in the toilet, most likely to show the importance of these items. It is very unique that a commercial doesn’t have any conversation, but that’s exactly what this commercial is. No one is talking, but talking is not needed to show the importance of what is going on in the scene. The only words that show up on the screen are, “You’re not the only thing getting wasted.” The importance of these seven words are emphasized solely by what happened in the commercial. These words just reiterate the whole meaning of the commercial itself. The last piece of visual effect is the Above the Influence symbol; it is simply a circle with an arrow pointing upwards. This symbol is very plain, but it is so recognizable. The effect of this commercial shows people, specifically teenagers, what peer pressure and drinking itself can lead to. Not only does it show what it can do to you in one night, it can also potentially ruin your future and change you as a person.
An effective commercial is one that draws my attention and is something I stand for. This “Sick,” Above the Influence commercial does just that. With its visual effects and powerful words, I am able to understand the meaning of what is happening and the stance they are trying to take.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIU2UXUlFyM

Gazelle Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60fKOexHNUg

In the Gazelle commercial, it discusses how people can get money for their old phones. People send their old phones to Gazelle and get money for them. They can use this money to go towards buying the new iPhone. Society wants has caused this commercial to happen. Some of what the society wants are to look at attractive people, to have things be simple, to have things be done fast, to have newer things, to get free features, and to get money for their old things. Even though the commercial meets what society wants, the argument is not strong.

Due to what society wants, one of the effects is gazelle has decided to put an attractive women as their spokesperson to smile and be enthusiastic in their commercial. The second effect is gazelle states that it is simple multiple times throughout the commercial. Even though they say it is simple, they never really go into detail as to what makes it simple. The third effect is gazelle states that when people ship out their phones, people will get their money fast. The fourth effect is gazelle states that people can get the new iPhone with the money they get from their old phones. The fifth effect is gazelle offers free shipping. The final effect is gazelle provides this service because they know people want to get money for their old electronics. Some of the effects are successful, but the commercials argument lacked key information.

I think this commercial is unsuccessful. Even though gazelle takes into consideration what society wants, they don’t go into details about how to use their service. They say that it is simple but they don’t say what is simple about the process. They also don’t say how fast you are going to get your money. The commercial only relates to people that want to buy the new iPhone. Not everyone wants to buy the new iPhone. In the commercial they say that they will give you more money for your phone than you think, but they don’t give a price range of how much costumers could get for their phones.

The Next Generation Makeup

The cosmetic industry is constantly growing the meet the demands of women for the best makeup. The makeup is divided into different types and colors for each specific brand. With the wide variety of choices that each claim to be the most effective, which makeup is one supposed to choose? Advertising and commercials play a huge role in convincing women which makeup truly is the best. The Covergirl commercial for Natureluxe foundation and Lipperfection creates eye-catching visuals, intriguing audio, and a desire to be beautiful.

Effective visuals are what can make or break a sale on a particular product. In this Covergirl commercial, the setting has a clean and classic look with only Taylor Swift modeling at the beginning. She is featured in a long gold gown, and switches back and forth in between shots to a similar, shorter gold gown. The subtle switch is to appeal to both the younger generation of women, and the older, more conservative generation. Close up shots of the Natureluxe Foundation are also incorporated so the viewers know what to look for when at the store. Once introducing the Lipperfection line of makeup, the numerous amount of colors available are all shown to please the variety of color demands by women. A close up of Taylor Swift’s lips while wearing Lipperfection are able to show the promised more beautiful lips in 7 days. These visuals help make a better picture of the true effect that the makeup will have on an individual and create and lasting image in the viewers mind to remember Natureluxe and Lipperfection while shopping in the future.

Sounds are not always the most recognizable element to a commercial because it is a visual form of persuasion, but it will establish the mood and help to promote the product. The background music is upbeat and bubbly, which accurately corresponds with Taylor Swift’s personality. While describing the products, her tone stays happy and joyful to encourage the difference that this makeup could make in your life as a positive aspect. She also asks the question “ The next generation of beautiful. Whats next? YOU!” to the audience so they will engage in the commercial. To catch the attention of consumers for Lipperfection and Natureluxe, sound becomes a huge factor.

Everyone woman or girl has the desire to be beautiful, and Covergirl knows exactly how to target that goal. By using Taylor Swift, a gorgeous teen idol, the viewer gets a sense that they could be as beautiful as her too. Many guys are obsessed with Taylor Swift, so young girls would especially have the eagerness to buy this makeup. She encourages the women to become “The next generation of beautiful” with using this makeup. Taylor Swift is always active in her music career and the proposal from her for a “light as air feel” foundation is easily believable. Though the argument made by Taylor Swift will be convincing towards many consumers, it is considered a fallacy. In reality, Taylor Swift is just an expert in music, not makeup products. Covergirl knows how to reach out to a particular audience with advertising a desired positive effect of the makeup.

Natureluxe Foundation and Lipperfection were successfully presented by Covergirl with captivating images, engaging audio, and the result of become beautiful. All of these elements make a convincing argument for viewers to actually believe. Even with all the different makeup lines, Covergirl Natureluxe Foundation and Lipperfection are able to stand out and be demanded by consumers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swFJRDbyEoY

This Dr. Pepper commercial starts of with a manly soldier telling ladies that this movie is not for their entertainment. After he lands into his seat of the jeep he informs that Dr. Pepper Ten only has ten “manly” calories. He finishes off his drink then throws it to set off a trap for motorcycle riders after them. Next he somehow has another Dr. Pepper in his hand and says, “It’s Not for Women”. When I see this commercial I think it’s sexist, has a stereotype of what a man is, and portrays how women can’t be interested in the same things as men.

The idea of Sexism comes from the discrimination that was shown throughout. The stereotypes these men are displaying are that women are too feminine. They think women are too lazy and would only rather enjoy their “lady drinks”. What do these men consider “lady drinks” anyway? Also that women only like chick flick movies. I think the creators of this commercial are trying to get peoples attention by offending half of the population. Another idea that could be there purpose of this commercial is to get heterosexual women thinking this is the soda for their husband. It’s only got ten “manly” calories and maybe their husband will start to lose weight, or these men may really think this way is very sexist. This commercial is sexist because of what these men are portraying what is defined as manly and women don’t have the ability to do these things. The message that is presented to us the viewers is women are not allowed to do anything manly includes sodas.

In the commercial there are also many stereotypes about men and what is manly. Fighting snakes and riding jeeps in the jungle is what apparently men do; well manly men anyway. What is manly to me is men who have strong arms and confidence, but aren’t cocky about it. The guys in the commercial are the cocky strong men and that’s not attractive or manly. Of course for the commercial they have to be cocky to really get their point across that Dr. Pepper ten is for men. Men just like to keep up their macho tough guy image. Today being 2011 I wouldn’t have expected this kind of commercial to be aired.

The men are portraying that women aren’t interested in the same things as men. This is not true definitely in this century. Since women are not afraid to be who they are and do the things that they like. At the end of the commercial saying “It’s not for women” could be purposed towards a couple of ways. It could be for the obvious reason women should not buy this product. Or the message could be the wife should think “this is a manly drink, so I should buy it for my husband.” This is bringing America back to the forties when men were superior and women were supposed to take care of their man.

This commercial is sexist, has a stereotype of what a man is, and portrays how women can’t be interested in the same things as men. To fix this commercial they could have promote how manly Dr. Pepper ten but, not put down women and their rights. An example of this would be of when he referenced women drinking their lady drinks. The sexism described is discriminating women to market the manliness of this drink and this should be observed as offensive.

(LADY DRINK)

http://www.pakladies.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/pink-lady.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iuG1OpnHP8