Media Test rewrite- #1

B.
1. Media constructs reality

This Cadillac car advertisement show two males driving in the car, who are both white, attractive. This shows an idealistic version of reality because it represents the "american dream" and the pursuit of happiness. From seeing this advertisement you can conclude that you have to be male to drive this car, you have to be white, attractive and wealthy. This is advertisement is clearly marketing to be with this look or who has these qualities. It implies that you must look a certain way to be suit to drive this car, when in reality barely anyone will fit this exact profile. But by using this version of reality it shows people that by buying a Cadillac car, you could fit this profile like this advertisement (wealthy, good looking, well dressed). The men in the Cadillac look like they are driving quickly and look like they are off to some social event (dinner, club, party). They look like they have somewhere to go, and are not going to sit at home, being bored, and accomplishing nothing. This gives people the idea that this car will make you "cool".

2. Media contain value messages

This advertisement contains value images or messages in ways of the good life. In the ad, the car has two men sitting in it, therefore audiences assume that they are either both single males because of the lack of family, wife or girlfriend in the car along with them or that these two men are a couple, promoting gay relationships which would widen there target audience. This ad also contains messages of the good life because the men in the car are both white, attractive, well dressed wealthy looking men, which symbolizes that the person owning or driving this car will contain these attributed.

Blog #3- Sports Commercials Chart

	AD #1 Lance Armstrong Nike	AD #2 Kevin Garnett and Kevin Crowe Gatorade	AD #3 Nike women’s Volleyball	AD #4 Ladanian Tomlinson & Troy Polamalu Nike
Gender	Male	Male	Women	Male
Income	High (wealthy)	Middle-High	Middle-High	Middle
Age	25-40	20+	15+	Children + (6+)
Education	Elementary, High school, University/college	Elementary, High school	Elementary, High school, University/college	Elementary, High school
Rural/Urban	Rural	Urban	Urban	Rural/Urban
Overall description of target audience	Healthy, in shape/fit males, who enjoy adventure and physical activity	Athletes of all variation, who have overcome adversity in sports, and athletes who are driven to success	Young girls and women. Uses lots of color and pink and young pretty girls to appeal to target audience	Fans of football, and aspiring athletes (football players): children, teenagers etc.

Lance Armstrong Nike- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CbQOLqZ8IA&feature=related

Kevin Garnett and Kevin Crowe Gatorade- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrOCBcrwljo

Nike Women Volleyball- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQyktdDw0bg&feature=related

Ladanian Tomlinson & Troy Polamalu Nike "Fate"- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlXRengzZoc

Blog #2- Trends and Fads of popular culture

    Trends and fads, change all the time. Trends and fads are things that are popular one day and "so last year" the next, most people feel this is because they believe people in our society are always searching for that next best thing. They believe that we are always look for which celebrities the coolest, which hairstyle is the best or which website will be taking over our lives next;that it has nothing to do with the content of the music or the kind of website, it's about whatever everyone else using, watching or listening too. An example of trends and fads being based on what everyone else views as cool or in, is the popular reality television show Jersey Shore. Jersey Shore is an MTV reality show that follows eight young adults as they move into a summer house to indulge in everything Seaside Heights (one of the most popular summer hot spots) has to offer. Jersey Shore uncovers sometimes surprising, often hilarious and usually over-the-top personalities as they juggle work, love, nightlife, friendship and the drama that arises. Jersey shore isn't a show that communicates to your desires, hopes and fears but something popular because everyone thinks so, its the cool thing to watch and I believe its a show that will meet its end after a short while. 




     Other then trends and fads being things that are the coolest new thing and are popular because EVERYONE ELSE is using, watching or listening to it, it has also been suggested that trends and fads are things that communicate to the desires, fears, and hopes of the dominant North American culture. It is very much true, people watch movies, watch television, listen to music and read up on celebrities because it gives them a sense of something that is different then the usual. Television, movies and music let audiences think, imagine and dream of the possibilities. For example, love stories and love songs let audiences believe that there can be a "happy ending" around the corner for everyone. Or horror/thriller movies give people a rush of adrenaline and a sense of danger that they crave. Artists like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift are popular, because they sing songs that apply to so many peoples desires, hopes and fears. They are pop artists who sing about love, heartbreak, rejection and friendship! Love and friendship are both things that people desire, and heartbreak and rejection are both very common fears in everyone in so many different situations, because face it everyone wants to be liked or loved one way or another and not brought down by the people or things they care about. Therefore, so many people can relate to their music which is a reason why these young artists have become so popular so fast.


     It's difficult to determine whether fads and trends are just based on what's cool or how the content relates to the audiences. Either way, we know that soon other artists, celebrities, music genres, movies and television shows will arise and become the new hottest thing. Until then i will enjoy watching the cast of Jersey Shore GTL and continue jamming out to taylor swift in my living room!