Globalization is the process of differing cultures and nations increasingly having more common threads.
A great example of how my version of globalization connects with hybridity is America's anime culture. The basis of this American culture is the Japanese-based goods imported for this country, most predominatly anime (Japanese cartoons) and manga (Japanese comic books). These normally separated cultures have blended due to easier product flow between the two countries and since the countries capitalist systems are similar.
Continuing with this anime culture in mind, films from Studio Ghibli (most notably Spirited Away), are able to reach American audiences due to the high demand of anime material from this large hybrid anime culture. These films are also able to make this jump due to increasing globalization.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
#10 Sex Sells: Axe and the Dirty Balls commercial
With commercials, advertisers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable and Axe is no exception. The ad (viewable in its long version below) shows two women using Axe products to clean "balls". Although, in reality, they are just cleaning various recreational balls, the ad is clearly sexual innuendo. Due to this type of sensationalism, Axe has created a commercial that is simultaneously lewd and memorable.
The appeal of sex is an old one and the basis for the phrase "sex sells." Usually with the sex appeal, more emphasis is placed on sexual situations rather that the product. The thought then becomes that using the product that is being "advertised" that the user can also receive sexual attention. This appeal is almost always geared towards males.
This ad by Axe is no different. Here, the two female hosts were clearly casted for their attractiveness, one of which even has a British accent. These beautiful women then proceed to clean off dirty balls, almost always in pairs. Following the initial demonstration, members of the audience bring down their "dirty balls" to be washed. The ad uses the appeal of sex to create an impression due to its sensationalism created by its use of extended innuendo. However, one aspect that this ad does that most ads of the same appeal fail to do is adding emphasis on the product by having the brand name in the background and the repetition of the action.
The appeal of sex is an old one and the basis for the phrase "sex sells." Usually with the sex appeal, more emphasis is placed on sexual situations rather that the product. The thought then becomes that using the product that is being "advertised" that the user can also receive sexual attention. This appeal is almost always geared towards males.
This ad by Axe is no different. Here, the two female hosts were clearly casted for their attractiveness, one of which even has a British accent. These beautiful women then proceed to clean off dirty balls, almost always in pairs. Following the initial demonstration, members of the audience bring down their "dirty balls" to be washed. The ad uses the appeal of sex to create an impression due to its sensationalism created by its use of extended innuendo. However, one aspect that this ad does that most ads of the same appeal fail to do is adding emphasis on the product by having the brand name in the background and the repetition of the action.
#9 Willy Wonka: a movie in 3 acts
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (dir. Mel Stuart) fits nicely within the 3 Act structure as described by Prof. Ramirez-Berg. The first act, the introduction, simply introduces Charlie Bucket as a poor student whose family barely makes ends meet. This also establishes the mystery behind the factory with the strange Tinker saying "Up the airy mountain, down the rushy glen, we daren't go a hunting, for fear of little men. You see, nobody ever goes in... and nobody ever comes out." The acts ends with the beginning of the Golden Ticket hunt. The complication for Charlie is that there are only seven tickets and he doesn't have the financial means to by the chocolate that the ticket is to be found in.
During the hunt for the Golden Tickets, we are introduced to the other characters and the action quickly escalates as each ticket is found. Charlie, who only wants to find one of these tickets, is mostly unable to get any chocolates due to his family's low income. In a lucky break, Charlie finds a coin on the ground, buys two chocolates, and finds the last Golden Ticket. Plot point #2 is this action in combination with the confrontation by Mr. Slugworth who offers Charlie a large sum of money for a sample of the Everlasting Gobstopper.
Finally, in the last act, the winners are taken on a tour of the factory. The action is progressed by each child being naughty and caught by Wonka's strange punishments. When only Charlie is left and is told by Wonka to just leave, he returns a sample of the Everlasting Gobstopper that was given earlier in the tour. Excited, Wonka tell Charlie, at the climax of the movie, that he must take over the factory and continue to make his candy his way.
During the hunt for the Golden Tickets, we are introduced to the other characters and the action quickly escalates as each ticket is found. Charlie, who only wants to find one of these tickets, is mostly unable to get any chocolates due to his family's low income. In a lucky break, Charlie finds a coin on the ground, buys two chocolates, and finds the last Golden Ticket. Plot point #2 is this action in combination with the confrontation by Mr. Slugworth who offers Charlie a large sum of money for a sample of the Everlasting Gobstopper.
Finally, in the last act, the winners are taken on a tour of the factory. The action is progressed by each child being naughty and caught by Wonka's strange punishments. When only Charlie is left and is told by Wonka to just leave, he returns a sample of the Everlasting Gobstopper that was given earlier in the tour. Excited, Wonka tell Charlie, at the climax of the movie, that he must take over the factory and continue to make his candy his way.
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