HU121: Unit 5 Discussion Question

Discussion Question:

Select one scene or sequence from Rear Window and discuss how Hitchcock used mise-en-scene to create suspense in that scene or sequence. Describe the scene. How was it framed? Where were the characters placed in relation to the camera and to each other? Was it open or closed framed? Was there music or other sound effects? How did all these elements come together to create suspense (or humor, or fear, or sadness, etc)?

Discussion Answer:

The scene that instantly came my mind after reading from Rear Window for this discussion question was when Lisa and Stella are hunting around the courtyard garden and the Thornwell apartment for any evidence of Mrs. Hanna Thornwell. Lisa has enters into the Thornwell apartment through the window, after having no luck searching elsewhere with Stella and begins searching there. A closed frame shot is used, taken from afar, as if it was from Jeffs point of view. Their are no sounds effects in the scene and just the soft music being played the band in another apartment. As the suspense builds so does the music. Together all these elements heightened the anxiety being experienced by Jeff and Stella, who are watching from afar, as well as the fear being experienced by Lisa. 

MK230: Unit 5 - Discussion Question

Discussion Question:

Preview the advertising podcasts link in Unit 5. After listening to an advertising podcast, post a summary of the key points you learned from the podcast. Explain why you feel it is an important concept for advertisers and marketers. Be sure to identify the podcast you watched heard.

The Advertising Show

Discussion Answer:

I chose to listen to The Advertising Show, where they covered alot of topics but the part that interested me was the middle section of the program where they weren't doing an entertainment program. 

In the middle section discussed the current status and future of online video streaming. The discussion started with the 60% price increase with Netflix. Then evolved into a conversation about Hulu being for sale. They wrapped up the conversation, looking forward with Amazon, Apple, Google and Walmart's entering into the market as well.


It is important for advertisers to be aware of the status of this type of market because most of the service have advertising as a major part of the service, especially Hulu.

Links:

• Amazon Instant Video
• Apple iTunes & AppleTV
• Hulu
• Netflix
• Walmart Vudu

HU121: Unit 4 Discussion Question

Discussion Question:

North by Northwest is an espionage thriller about life in Cold War America. The Cold War ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of communist Russia (the USSR), but America has new enemies and faces new threats. Think of the films you have seen in the years since 9/11. Which of those films offers a plot structure and/or theme(s) similar to those of this week's assigned film?

Discussion Answer:

The only post 9/11 film that comes to my mind that is similar to North By Northwest is The Bourne Identity, which is the first in a series. What makes the films different is that Jason Bourne is suffering from severe amnesia and needs to find out who he ACTUALLY is as opposed to Roger Thornhill is searching for who he is SUPPOSED to be. In both films, our hero is being pursued my an opposing force and has a sexy companion on his journey. 

As I was writing the previous paragraph I realized that a very recent film, The Adjustment Bureau, is similar to North By Northwest. The basic plot is that we all have a specific path and we arent supposed to wander too far from it. If we do, our path needs to be "adjusted" back into place. The character of David Norris got inspired and decided to take his own path regardless. Great film! Other great mistaken identity films are DAVE, The Big Lebowski and The Great Dictator.

MK230: Unit 4 - Discussion Question

Discussion Question:

What is an ad that you have seen that had high reach? An ad with high frequency? An ad with both? Which influences you more - a high reach ad or a high frequency ad? Why?

Discussion Answer:

An ad that I have seen that has high reach is for semi truck awareness. It is prominently displayed in a major section along our major freeway I-15 and contains a shocking graphic of a semi hitting a car from behind. What makes the ad so spectacular is that it is done in three dimensions and kinda graphic (I will try to get a picture for everyone to check out). The only ads that I can really think of that have a high frequency are the GEICO Insurance ads. I am always either hearing them on the radio and online or seeing them on television. I even see them from time to time on billboards. Some are ok, but most tend to annoy me. Of the two types of ads, I would have to say that the high reach ads have more influence on me because if I see or hear things too much I tend to block them out.


GEICO Ad: ...Annoying.

HU121: Unit 3 - Assignment Questions

Assignment Questions:

1. Star Wars is, in many ways, a western set in outer space. Explain this statement. Use examples from the film to support your discussion.
2. Many of the actors in the film are British, especially those representing the Empire. Think about Britain's history. How are the former British Empire and the Empire in this film alike? (You may want to do some research on the British Navy.)
3. Who is the protagonist of this film, Luke or Hans Solo? Explain your answer.
4. Who is the antagonist in this film? Explain your answer.

Assignment Answers:

This Star Wars, more so than any of the ones, is very much indeed a western set in outer space. A few major examples of this are the numerous gunfights, a climatic showdown, and a damsel in distress. Also, much like westerns, the character's clothing illustrate which said side they are on, Luke in white and Darth Vader in black. Even Han's clothing with the evokes the old west. Another similar detail is that the cantina and is very much like a saloon.

There are many strong similarities between the Empire and the former British Empire, which include the vastness of their territories, a large group of soldiers and ships at each of their disposals, as well as each of their thirst for domination.

I believe that Luke is the protagonist in this film because as the story follows his journey, as an orphaned farm boy to Jedi warrior against a major enemy. 

A protagonist is also described as a hero and Luke saves Leah who has information which is used against the Empire in order to defeat them. The antagonist, a person or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters, in this film is the Empire led by Darth Vader. The Empire's Stormtroopers killed Luke's Aunt & Uncle, kidnapped Princess Leah, and destroyed her home planet. 

MK230: Unit 3 - Assignment

MK230 - Unit3: "Chicken of Sea" Case Study

Case Study Discussion Questions

1. Discuss the consumer decision making process for a product such as canned/packaged tuna and the response hierarchy model this is most likely to be applicable in the purchase of this product. 
2. Discuss the role integrated marketing communications plays in the marketing of canned/packaged tuna for a company such as Chicken of the Sea International. How might the company use the various IMC tools as part of its marketing program?
3. Discuss how Chicken of the Sea’s marketing personnel and advertising agency might evaluate the appropriateness of using Jessica Simpson as a spokesperson for the company and whether she is a good fit for the brand. 
4. Discuss the pros and cons of Chicken of the Sea International hiring Jessica Simpson as a spokesperson for the company.  Can the company afford to hire her and spend the money on TV advertising to use her effectively?
5. What would you do if you were Don George?  Would you recommend that the company hire Simpson as a spokesperson? Why or why not?

Case Study Discussion Answers

1. The consumers making process for a product such as canned/packaged tuna varies depending on previous exposure such as eating it as a child and growing up using it (regular use) or being introduced to via a commercial or ad and the consumer trying it out (trial). The response hierarchy model that is most likely to be applicable in the purchase of this product is the Innovation-Adoption Model. That model starts with awareness and proceeds into interest / evaluation, then trail and adoption.
2. After taking a look at the "Chicken Of The Sea" website, I see that they use numerous Integrated Marketing Communications. They have commercials on their YouTube channel, updates of all sorts on their twitter and a avatar creator on their website to Mer-Yourself. Each of these opinions covers a specific demographic and I believe create a great marketing strategy.
3. The marketing personnel and advertising agency might consider if attracting a younger crowd by using Jessica Simpson as a spokesperson would scare away older long-turn consumers. They might also consider how it will attract more of a male audience to their product.
4. Some "pros" of using Jessica Simpson as spokesperson are exposure to a younger demographic, at the time she was topical and because of her comments, she is linked to the product. Some cons are the older demographic will not be accepting of her, as well as her fame might run out  during the contracted time. I believe the company could afford to take the risk and spend the money effectively.
5. If were Don George I would recommend hiring Jessica Simpson because she was a very popular celebrity at the time and they already had a built in connect to her, I believe it would have be unwise not to bring her in to be a representative of the company.

Links: "Chicken Of The Sea"

Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube

HU121: Unit 3 - Discussion Questions

Discussion Question:

How are Han Solo and Ethan Edwards alike? How are they different? When Star Wars was released in 1977, audiences cheered for Han Solo. Do you think audiences rooted on Ethan Edwards when The Searchers was first released in 1956? Why or why not?

Discussion Answer:

Being asked to compare Ethan Edwards and Han Solo is an interesting situation because their films are technically different genres. That being said, Star Wars, according to creator George Lucas was modeled after the spaghetti westerns.

Ethan Edwards and Han Solo play by their own rules and are both excellent men to have on your side. The ways that they are different are the ways they handle things. Ethan is hard-nosed and very much a man in a mission. Han Solo, on the other hand, is driven strictly by money and is happy with just getting by and enjoying the ride.

I believe the audiences did root for Ethan Edwards when The Searchers was first released in 1956 because when a tragedy strikes a family, people want to get some type of justice (or revenge) back and Ethan went out and brought kidnapped Debbie home.