I came across a list of censored/banned books the other day, and was wondering if they had one for other forms of media (radio/television etc.).
I found there are different kinds of censorship (moral, military, political, religious and corporate) but this was all for types of print. Hardly anything came up on visual media.
At the end of this post is a link to a list of banned book (one of several). Some of these books have been banned in the US, (but not by the government) by different groups. Some of these books are considered classics in the US, but what makes them bad to other countries/governments?
There is also a link to how advertisements are censored. So countries do not allow advertisements to target children. Its hard to imagine what is considered not to. Isn't that what most advertisement companies go for?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_banned_books
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_regulation
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Ad Deconstruction
This ad takes place in a present day, brightly lit store. A younger looking dad and his son are grocery shopping; but the dad won’t let his son get what he wants. As a result the kid starts throwing a fit. The kid escalates to screaming at the top of his lungs, kicking on the floor and grabbing things off the shelves; the dad does not make a huge effort to stop the boy. The camera focuses on the expressions of the other shoppers with special attention to the boy and the dad. A few frames are of those standing around watching the kid throw the fit (they look astonished). The little boy is show at different stages of the tantrum (throwing things and ending up on the floor) while the dad just watches. The dad appears annoyed that his kid is throwing a fit, and perhaps the fact he even has one in the first place.
The reason for the commercial comes at the end when the slogan “Use condoms” pops up and the logo for the ZanZoo condom company is shown. This ad is for a brand of condoms in Europe (it original aired in there) and is targeted towards younger, perhaps unmarried couples and/or teens. The unvoiced message or solution to a problem is to not become a parent before you are ready by using a condom. The company uses a kid throwing a tantrum to grab the audience’s attention (it grabbed the attention of the other shoppers!) and appeals to the fear of being embarrassed in public.
The ad is rather simple; the larger portion of it is the kid screaming and throwing his tantrum. The last few seconds is the spoken slogan for the condom “Fun, Sexy, Safe.” Keeping the language simple can make it easier for the viewer to concentrate on the message. What is not that obvious (unless you are familiar with that brand) is the slogan that appears in the logo: “One for 2.” Meaning the one condom will (hopefully) make two peoples lives a litter easier by not adding the stress of raising a kid. It is meant to make people think twice before having unprotected sex by giving them a shot of reality (who has not seen some kid, at some time, throw a tantrum in the store because they could not have their way?).
While doing this assignment I showed this ad to a few people, to get their opinions or reactions to it. The responses varied; a few gave me a reaction that I do not think the company intended. Some thought it was hysterical (like myself), others depressing, and others said they had seen commercials like it. In my opinion the ad was effective; it made you think and laugh at the same time. I mean, who wants to be the one to deal with a screaming kid like that? I know it is part of being a parent, but the dad didn't seem to care what his kid was doing. He just looked at the boy and hoped he would stop.
The reason for the commercial comes at the end when the slogan “Use condoms” pops up and the logo for the ZanZoo condom company is shown. This ad is for a brand of condoms in Europe (it original aired in there) and is targeted towards younger, perhaps unmarried couples and/or teens. The unvoiced message or solution to a problem is to not become a parent before you are ready by using a condom. The company uses a kid throwing a tantrum to grab the audience’s attention (it grabbed the attention of the other shoppers!) and appeals to the fear of being embarrassed in public.
The ad is rather simple; the larger portion of it is the kid screaming and throwing his tantrum. The last few seconds is the spoken slogan for the condom “Fun, Sexy, Safe.” Keeping the language simple can make it easier for the viewer to concentrate on the message. What is not that obvious (unless you are familiar with that brand) is the slogan that appears in the logo: “One for 2.” Meaning the one condom will (hopefully) make two peoples lives a litter easier by not adding the stress of raising a kid. It is meant to make people think twice before having unprotected sex by giving them a shot of reality (who has not seen some kid, at some time, throw a tantrum in the store because they could not have their way?).
While doing this assignment I showed this ad to a few people, to get their opinions or reactions to it. The responses varied; a few gave me a reaction that I do not think the company intended. Some thought it was hysterical (like myself), others depressing, and others said they had seen commercials like it. In my opinion the ad was effective; it made you think and laugh at the same time. I mean, who wants to be the one to deal with a screaming kid like that? I know it is part of being a parent, but the dad didn't seem to care what his kid was doing. He just looked at the boy and hoped he would stop.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
week one
The other night I was watching Across the Universe (to get over how depressing the film in class was). Such a brilliant movie, even if you don't like musicals. The writers of the movie knew what they were doing.
The clip I used is my favorite part. Who here has never thought of trying to slide down the bowling ally once in their life? Plus the music is catchy. If you watch closely, the actors/actresses step over the scratch line...You do that today and the thing buzzes at you!
The entire move is a collection of Beetles songs put together to tell a story, with references to others not used. (they left out the Yellow Submarine song!)
The use of different filming techniques, angles and other shots gave the movie a real 60's feel with the bright colors and special effects. Yay Hollywood!
Such an interesting time in US history; the 60s. Vietnam, Woodstock and hippies, new and different music (like the Beatles), television becoming more wide spread, protests, Nixon and John F. Kennedy, the Civil Rights Movement and MLK Jr... (and not in that order).
A very interesting time to live in for sure. The use of media became real evident at this time. The effects it had still show through to today. Ever seen the footage of the MLK and JFK assassination? Or the many marches that took place for peace? Even footage from the front lines can be viewed.
There is footage of WWII but it was not seen till after the fact. Television was not popular till after the war. But grandparents can remember watching the war and other events.
There is not a family in the country (unless they moved here after the fact) that does not have a story from then. Anyone ever ask?
Its a very interesting topic to discuss with that generation.
Makes you wonder what it would be like to live through it...
Anyways, if you haven't already, watch the movie. It's a good one.
The clip I used is my favorite part. Who here has never thought of trying to slide down the bowling ally once in their life? Plus the music is catchy. If you watch closely, the actors/actresses step over the scratch line...You do that today and the thing buzzes at you!
The entire move is a collection of Beetles songs put together to tell a story, with references to others not used. (they left out the Yellow Submarine song!)
The use of different filming techniques, angles and other shots gave the movie a real 60's feel with the bright colors and special effects. Yay Hollywood!
Such an interesting time in US history; the 60s. Vietnam, Woodstock and hippies, new and different music (like the Beatles), television becoming more wide spread, protests, Nixon and John F. Kennedy, the Civil Rights Movement and MLK Jr... (and not in that order).
A very interesting time to live in for sure. The use of media became real evident at this time. The effects it had still show through to today. Ever seen the footage of the MLK and JFK assassination? Or the many marches that took place for peace? Even footage from the front lines can be viewed.
There is footage of WWII but it was not seen till after the fact. Television was not popular till after the war. But grandparents can remember watching the war and other events.
There is not a family in the country (unless they moved here after the fact) that does not have a story from then. Anyone ever ask?
Its a very interesting topic to discuss with that generation.
Makes you wonder what it would be like to live through it...
Anyways, if you haven't already, watch the movie. It's a good one.
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