Representation Analysis

 The two advertisements that I watched were the ones on Tide and Axe. 

                                                    TIDE

When I first watched this advertisement, I did not think much about it. Then I watched it again and began to analyze what Tide was representing and the way that they were showing their product. I believe that the Tide advertisement was aimed more towards middle aged mothers. For example, mothers that have children, in which children can be pretty messy. In the way that the mother represents her daughter, she says how she is not dressed in pink and wears cargo and hoodies, in which she messy. Then goes on to advertise Tide to 'clean up the mess'. The advertisement represents how it is believed that women should dressed while advertising their product. This could be aimed towards middle class women that do laundry for their family. Many people that watch this will view it as a regular advertisement for a product in which encourages them to go buy Tide. In the advertisement as the mother said "all the stains are gone" is a way of other mothers to turn to tide when washing her daughter's clothing. By using a mother for the advertisement, other mothers that watch it will want to buy it because they can 'relate' to her. Yet what they don't realize is that the the the advertisement is representing how the mother believes her daughter is not dressed 'correctly' as a female. 

                                                   AXE

The Axe advertisement that I watched was clearly aimed towards young adult males, maybe in their 20s or 30s. It is clear that was the target audience because it demonstrated how if the young man used Axe he would attract all the ladies. It is also clear that in the advertisement all different kinds of women were running to the man, demonstrating he would attract all kinds of women just by his smell. In a different perspective, as a woman, the commercial seems to use women more as a 'reward' for their smell. Which may come off as disrespectful, as the way that they are represented for their bodies as they are all in bikinis. In a man's point of view this may get them  to want to buy Axe to attract these women. Of course this was targeted to men because they may view it as beneficial, but for women it comes off negatively. This could be towards any ethnicity although the man in the video seemed like a white American, any man that age who sees this could picture themselves using this product. Although this advertisement may attract buyers, it is objectifying women for their bodies, and how just by a smell they will run to a man. 

Effects that audiences are faced upon are that they encourage the them to buy their products, but can be viewed negatively for women. Although companies are only trying to advertise their products, the way that they do should be more careful as it could come off as offensive. Most people won't think much of  it rather than it relating to them which is more likely to go out and buy these products because they now see themselves using them. The way that they are represented should be more careful to not classify women for the standards on how they should appear. 

Identifying Horror Films

 

Horror films are the perfect movies to watch to build up anticipation and suspense. They leave an audience at the edge of their seats, wondering what is next to come. The thrills excite the audience and get them to continue watching.

    The typical target audience of horror films is around 15-25 year olds. Usually many teenagers as well as young adults take delight over thrills. Thrills tend to bring excitement to a younger audience over an older one. Horror films aim for groups of teenagers as well because usually teenagers tend to watch horror films and get scared all together. This gives the teenagers something to talk about and the foreshadowing of what is going to happen.   

Content- 

   Horror films tend to use physical and psychological violence to tell mysterious stories. These kinds of films have to build up suspense throughout the film to keep the audience entertained with what they are watching. Foreshadowing is used as a way to bring anticipation to the film. It builds up suspense and mystery to the story and indicates that something is going to happen next, so that the audience continues watching. This leaves the audience at the edge of their seats, the anticipation is what excites the audiences to continue watching. When using foreshadowing it is important to be careful with the way that it is used and whether it is being used correctly as well. 

Production-

    One production technique that must be used appropriately during a horror film would be a jump scare. The scare itself has to catch the audience off guard to truly get the thrill. They usually tend to happen in a quiet and subtle scene in which is interrupted by a loud moment of action. 

Another technique that is often used is using low lighting which creates a creepy and mysterious environment. Not only does it give a creepy sense to the environment, but typically, darkness makes people feel more ‘unsafe’ or at risk, if they can’t see they can’t be in control. Horror films also tend to use close up shots to focus on the character’s emotions, such as fear. As for the music, it is used to create a frightening or creepy atmosphere. These techniques all contribute to creating suspense and fear within the audience. 

Marketing- 

    Ways in which horror films are marketed are in different tactics used. Usually horror films all have a common plot, to make their a film unique the viewer has to feel a connection with what they are watching. Strong enough to want to watch the movie, which is why the marketing is important. Horror films tend to use mystery as a way to attract buyers. The trailers ending with something mysterious leaves the viewer curious as to what will happen next. Horror films also tend to get the viewer to feel some sort of attachment to the characters. By doing so, it gets the viewers to care about what will happen to these characters. These tactics used aim towards the targeted audience which is teenagers and young adults, which is an audience that enjoys the thrill. 

 

Sample

                                                    Hereditary (2018)- This movie is a supernatural horror film that is about what a family goes through after the grandmother's death. The family seems to be haunted and the daughter seems to be connected to the grandmother. Throughout the movie, there are disturbing and creepy moments that will leave the audience with curiosity having their attention until the end of the movie. It is clear that there is something off with the family after the grandmother's death. Secrets about their family history begin to come out and they begin to experience the emotional trauma passed through generations. This film has mysterious events that occur throughout the film which lead to the end which shows the ancestry of the family which ties it all up. The film itself is creepy as many unpleasant things occur, yet grabs the audience's attention.

Sample

                                                Don't Breathe (2016)- This is a film about three robbers who decide to go and rob a blind man's house. The man was supposedly an easy target for them, as he was blind, but did not turn out as they would have expected. These three robbers end up stuck in the house fighting for their lives. The blind man was capable of much more with the help of his dog and these three robbers struggled to fight back, being that this was also in the dark. They were also incapable of seeing very well as it was dark, creating suspense throughout the film. The darkness made it much more difficult for these robbers because they weren't in control anymore, they could not see well and the blind man knew what he was doing. Suspense is also created as the robbers cannot make much noise and can't even see, if they had made noise they could have been exposed to where they were in the house.

Other films:

Us (2019)

It (2017)

Insidious (2010)

 

The Conjuring (2013)

Hush (2016)

My Intorduction

 Hello! My name is Raffaella and I created this blog to be able to share my thoughts and connect with others online as well. This is a great way to provide information from my perspective.