"I Wanna See You Be Brave"

We all listen to the radio when we're in the car. Every song that we hear changes the mood that we're in, such as a slow romantic song that makes us want to be loved or an up beat song that makes us want to dance. But there is a song that was on the radio that made my mood change to be strong and be myself. 

The song "Brave" by Sara Bareilles makes the audience want to get up and be themselves. The producers and writers, including Sara herself, of the song want the people that are listening to not be afraid to be themselves. The song targets people, mostly her fans, that are insecure and are afraid to show to people who they are.

"Say what you wanna say and let the words fall out honestly I wanna see you be brave." These lyrics stand out to me because it seems to be the message that the song is giving. the audience take in these words of wisdom and keep in mind through out their days that it's okay to "say what you wanna say" and be who you are. The song advertises that it's important to be brave because by doing that you also give others impression that they can do the same. 

A need that is being used in this song is the need to dominate. The song provides domination that allows the audience to gain power that was bundled up inside of them and to let it all out. Another need that is being used is the need for guidance. In the bridge she sings, "And since your history of silence, won't do you any good, did you think it would? Let your words be anything but empty. Why don't you tell them the truth?" Sara guides the listeners with these lyrics by telling them to be more open about themselves and express what they feel.

Techniques that are used are simple solutions and repetition. In order to have others hear what you have to say, the solution is that you have to conquer the fear of what others think and say whats on your mind. Throughout the song she continues to say "I just wanna see you" before the second verse and it sticks in our heads at the end when she says it again. The repetition of the lyrics lets us remember that it's great to be brave.

The song to me makes me change my perspective on things. It reminds me that it's good to have my opinion on and word on things and that it's better to leave things said than left unsaid. "Brave" is an up beat and powerful song that not only wants to make you sing along to its important message, but it also tells us that being yourself is the bravest thing of all. 

The Smell of Christmas

It's that time of the year again, and one of my favorite times of the year. With the smell of Christmas around the corner, presents are ready to be given to to the ones that we love. One product that most girls would love to have is anything Justin Bieber, including his fragrance. I'm not a huge fan of Justin Bieber but I do like his Christmas song "Mistletoe" which features his fragrance "Someday." The needs and techniques that is being used in the music video is the need for affiliation and testimonial technique.

When I heard about the song, I knew that a lot of girls would want to see the music video. As I watched this I noticed something that was the main focus for a couple of scenes. And it was focused on his fragrance. Honesty, I was't shocked to see this because every celebrity that has created a fragrance/makeup line or clothing line has introduced their product to the audience somehow. In this case he shows it in his music video. The technique that advertisers use is testimonial. Just like in the One Direction fragrance ad, a high charted celebrity endorsing his/her own product automatically gets fans to want their product. The audience is consumed by the fact that it is made by someone famous and aren't worried about the quality of it. The fact that a super famous celebrity is advertising his own product makes number 1 fans want to buy it.

In the music video, his perfume is being featured and has captured the attention of Justin Bieber and his leading lady. The girl is being adored by Justin when she begins to use the perfume. Advertisers use the need for affiliation for consumers to notice that if you buy and use this product, then you can gain a friend, or in this case a boyfriend. Any girl would die to have guy like Justin Bieber as a friend or a boyfriend and this helps advertisers get people like them to buy their product in order to get the attention from others like Justin. The music video appeals to mostly girls because majority of the fan base is girls. With the help of the video, the girls will notice the fragrance and have to get it for their Christmas present.

Advertisers are very clever to include a product that is made by a celebrity into one of their works. I know that many girls will enjoy finding that present under the Christmas tree and hopefully get something under the "Mistletoe" with the help of the fragrance.

Mooks and Midriffs

Majority of what we see on TV, and movies or celebrities and music videos contain mooks and midriffs, or also known as obnoxiousness and sex. These two factors have taken over our generation and has made influences on most of us. Even when we were very little, TV programs have been advertising this. In the documentary "Merchants of Cool," the people that were being interviewed or were researching found that the factors of obnoxiousness and sex have taken a huge step in our lives.

For my two years that I've been at McClatchy, I have noticed that there are some boys in the hallways that are mooks. When it's messing around in class or playing pranks these boys are most likely influenced by their surroundings which involve video

games or television. TV shows on MTV such as "Silent Library" and "Jackass" use these types of obnoxious actions. These men, or boys, do crazy and immature things such as riding in a grocery cart and crashing into the food stands. Another most recent group that do these stunts are You Tubers called the "Janoskians." These group of guys are in the same age groups as teenagers today. With over 1 million subscribers on their channel, teens find their pranks amusing and want to do these things. Because of the age, that is so close to ours, teens are wanting to do these obnoxious stunts as well. Producers or You Tubers of the have been thinking for years that the stereotype of teens is loud and crazy. Because of this, they have created shows that what they think teens crave for. They not only think we want obnoxiousness but also violence.

Not only do audiences like to see mooks, but they also like to see midriffs. Midriffs are occasionally girls that like to show off their assets. Many movies have these types of girls that are consumed by appearances and is seen not being afraid of showing off her sexuality. Mostly movies show midriffs for entertainment just like mooks. Producers have done this for years, thinking that the audience wants more of this because this is what generations have been watching for so long. If they stopped advertising this, then there wouldn't be much to watch. Our generation has grown to this characteristic because that is what we have known ever since we were very young. But it doesn't have to be in films or shows. Celebrities are the most common people that are midriffs.  Brittney Spears, who is having a comeback, is one of those celebrities who girls "idolize." What she advertises is that "Your body is your best asset. Flaunt your sexuality even if you don't understand it." This message is pointed to most girls out there. By watching them and movies, girls get the idea of doing the same thing, wanting to grow up faster.

Based on what I have seen in the documentary, this is what we have grown up with and all we know. These are the things that we want to see according to producers. If there weren't shows, movies, etc., then there wouldn't be much things to watch on TV and teens wouldn't be influenced to be a mook or midriff.

Standing Out in an Ad

While patiently waiting in the waiting room in the dentist office, I picked up the latest issue of People magazine and read through it front to back. There was an ad that I came across that reminded me of what we learned in Critical Thinking and that was the ad for the 2014 Corolla. This ad shows the need for autonomy and a technique that is being used is avante garde. 

The new corolla is traveling down the streets of a neighborhood This crowded environment is surrounding the new vehicle that has the people throwing their arms in the air and confetti coming down as the car is cruising down the streets. The car is the only vehicle that is being viewed and cared about by the people. Advertisers are doing this on purpose for consumers who read these magazines to see that it is the new vehicle that you can be the first to get and have others noticing you in. This is the need for autonomy.

If one person buys this product, then they would be the first to have it on the block, which shows the use of avante garde. The people on the block are wowed by the new car that someone had got and seem like they want to celebrate it. With the help of one person who buys their product, that person spreads the word of their new car and get to show it off to those who don't have it. 

Being the first person to buy a product and standing out from a crowded environment is what marketers want consumers to do. As they stand out, other people will be intrigued to know where they got it or what brand it is. This ad does not persuade me personally to buy this car because I know that there will be other cars that will be advertised just like this and try to do the same technique over again as they will in the future.

"Exquisitely Electric" Ad

In the November 2013 issue of Teen Vogue many ads are branded cosmetics that is known by almost every girl out there. One of these makeup brands is CoverGirl. The new print ad consists of the need of attention and a technique that is being used is glittering generalities.

The makeup on the model is "electric" with its exotic colors placed differently on the face than ordinary makeup would appear on a person. This way the ad would grab our attention  with its makeup. The makeup is also featured in movie "Hunger Games: Catching Fire," which is also a way to relate this to the need of attention. Because it is used in the movie, the make up has the attraction to others so they can have the makeup that the actors used.

The ad uses the technique glittering generalities by using the words "Exquisitely Electric," and a colorful model to make the audience want look like the people in "District 5," a place in the movie. This technique is to persuade the consumers to buy the product thinking they will have a beautiful "power look" that is "inspired by District 5." In the movie District 5 is full of wealth and beauty and with this makeup viewers would want to be apart of that place and be like the people in the movie. With the make up that was a feature in a popular film, this will make the product more appealing.

There are types of beauty everywhere in the world and one of these styles of makeup is one of them. To me, I think that the makeup is not as appealing but does fit in with setting in the movie. But since it was involved in something that is well known and popular, it makes consumers want to be interested in thinking of buying the product with its exquisitely electric look.