The Truman Show
Truman Burbank is a fictional character in the movie, The Truman Show. He was born and resided in Seahaven for most of his life. He lived what he though to be a normal life and got along quite well with everyone. However, he came to realize something was not quite right with his life and discovered his life was a television show. Despite his original thoughts, and some compelling evidence, Truman’s life was fictional.
There is no denying that there was some very real aspects of Truman’s life. He is a real man who was born, just like any other child. He grew up in Seahaven and had very real experiences like childhood, high school, marriage. He even was lucky enough to have a high school sweetheart. He had a real attraction to Sylvia and real feelings toward his wife, family, friends, and co-workers/ neighbors. All of the material objects around him were real. He had a real house, real car, real clothes, and he had a job. He developed a wonderful personality and was able to get along with everyone and establish a deep relationship with his wife and best friend. His daily routine was also very real. He woke up, got dressed, worked then came home to the wife. He went through real struggles, including how he felt about the idea of having a baby. Another very real part of Truman’s life was his fear of water. His father drowned when he was a young boy and it terrified him for a good portion of his life. Truman had real experiences that would make his life seem as though it was not a television show.
Although Truman’s life seemed to be normal, there are many points supporting the fiction side. Truman lived on an "island" in a giant dome. His entire life, up to the point of escape was lived on a giant set and filmed. He was sheltered from many things by the people who surrounded him. They were always protecting him to ensure he was safe and above all that he never found out that his life was a show. His father’s death was a sham. The producer made it this way so that Truman became afraid of the water and would never leave the island. Everyone around him was merely actors. His best friend was fed lines by the producer to make it seem as though he cared. His own wife was chosen for him by the producers when he was still in high school. Everything around him was a set up. Product placement played a huge roll in the show because it was their way of funding. Everything on the show could be bought on the internet and products were constantly being flashed in front of the cameras for the audience members. One day Truman sat in his car and watched people perform the same task over and over again. A man with flowers was appearing roughly every ten minutes, because he was simply walking around the block. When Truman started to realize that something wasn’t right, he still couldn’t leave because disasters kept popping up everywhere, preventing him from leaving. There was a forest fire, a power plant leak, and a traffic jam all dedicated to keeping him on the island for the sake of the show.
Despite some very real things in Truman’s life and the fact that he believed he lived a normal and healthy life for so long, doesn’t change the fact that his life was fiction. None of Truman’s friends were really his friends. His wife didn’t actually love him, and his father never died. His life was a televison show, broadcasted to entertain others’ lives. His life itself was real, but everything in it wasn’t. The only genuine connection he ever had was with Sylvia and she was taken away. Truman’s life was all fiction. He can’t really call his life real when he lived in a dome, on a fake island, went to a fake job and had a fake marriage. When Truman did discover the truth, he left. He walked out on his so-called life because he knew it wasn’t real. Truman’s life was fiction and even he believed so, after finding out the truth.
There are many points for both sides, to determine if Truman’s life was real or fiction. It would make a very compelling argument. He was born and had real experiences, but was surrounded by phony things and people. He didn’t have any true friends, and his wife didn’t love him. Truman’s life was fiction.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Blog entry 8
The Truman Show
Truman Burbank is a fictional character in the movie, The Truman Show. He was born and resided in Seahaven for most of his life. He lived what he though to be a normal life and got along quite well with everyone. However, he came to realize something was not quite right with his life and discovered his life was a television show. Despite his original thoughts, and some compelling evidence, Truman’s life was fictional.
There is no denying that there was some very real aspects of Truman’s life. He is a real man who was born, just like any other child. He grew up in Seahaven and had very real experiences like childhood, high school, marriage. He even was lucky enough to have a high school sweetheart. He had a real attraction to Sylvia and real feelings toward his wife, family, friends, and co-workers/ neighbors. All of the material objects around him were real. He had a real house, real car, real clothes, and he had a job. He developed a wonderful personality and was able to get along with everyone and establish a deep relationship with his wife and best friend. His daily routine was also very real. He woke up, got dressed, worked then came home to the wife. He went through real struggles, including how he felt about the idea of having a baby. Another very real part of Truman’s life was his fear of water. His father drowned when he was a young boy and it terrified him for a good portion of his life. Truman had real experiences that would make his life seem as though it was not a television show.
Although Truman’s life seemed to be normal, there are many points supporting the fiction side. Truman lived on an "island" in a giant dome. His entire life, up to the point of escape was lived on a giant set and filmed. He was sheltered from many things by the people who surrounded him. They were always protecting him to ensure he was safe and above all that he never found out that his life was a show. His father’s death was a sham. The producer made it this way so that Truman became afraid of the water and would never leave the island. Everyone around him was merely actors. His best friend was fed lines by the producer to make it seem as though he cared. His own wife was chosen for him by the producers when he was still in high school. Everything around him was a set up. Product placement played a huge roll in the show because it was their way of funding. Everything on the show could be bought on the internet and products were constantly being flashed in front of the cameras for the audience members. One day Truman sat in his car and watched people perform the same task over and over again. A man with flowers was appearing roughly every ten minutes, because he was simply walking around the block. When Truman started to realize that something wasn’t right, he still couldn’t leave because disasters kept popping up everywhere, preventing him from leaving. There was a forest fire, a power plant leak, and a traffic jam all dedicated to keeping him on the island for the sake of the show.
Despite some very real things in Truman’s life and the fact that he believed he lived a normal and healthy life for so long, doesn’t change the fact that his life was fiction. None of Truman’s friends were really his friends. His wife didn’t actually love him, and his father never died. His life was a televison show, broadcasted to entertain others’ lives. His life itself was real, but everything in it wasn’t. The only genuine connection he ever had was with Sylvia and she was taken away. Truman’s life was all fiction. He can’t really call his life real when he lived in a dome, on a fake island, went to a fake job and had a fake marriage. When Truman did discover the truth, he left. He walked out on his so-called life because he knew it wasn’t real. Truman’s life was fiction and even he believed so, after finding out the truth.
There are many points for both sides, to determine if Truman’s life was real or fiction. It would make a very compelling argument. He was born and had real experiences, but was surrounded by phony things and people. He didn’t have any true friends, and his wife didn’t love him. Truman’s life was fiction.
Truman Burbank is a fictional character in the movie, The Truman Show. He was born and resided in Seahaven for most of his life. He lived what he though to be a normal life and got along quite well with everyone. However, he came to realize something was not quite right with his life and discovered his life was a television show. Despite his original thoughts, and some compelling evidence, Truman’s life was fictional.
There is no denying that there was some very real aspects of Truman’s life. He is a real man who was born, just like any other child. He grew up in Seahaven and had very real experiences like childhood, high school, marriage. He even was lucky enough to have a high school sweetheart. He had a real attraction to Sylvia and real feelings toward his wife, family, friends, and co-workers/ neighbors. All of the material objects around him were real. He had a real house, real car, real clothes, and he had a job. He developed a wonderful personality and was able to get along with everyone and establish a deep relationship with his wife and best friend. His daily routine was also very real. He woke up, got dressed, worked then came home to the wife. He went through real struggles, including how he felt about the idea of having a baby. Another very real part of Truman’s life was his fear of water. His father drowned when he was a young boy and it terrified him for a good portion of his life. Truman had real experiences that would make his life seem as though it was not a television show.
Although Truman’s life seemed to be normal, there are many points supporting the fiction side. Truman lived on an "island" in a giant dome. His entire life, up to the point of escape was lived on a giant set and filmed. He was sheltered from many things by the people who surrounded him. They were always protecting him to ensure he was safe and above all that he never found out that his life was a show. His father’s death was a sham. The producer made it this way so that Truman became afraid of the water and would never leave the island. Everyone around him was merely actors. His best friend was fed lines by the producer to make it seem as though he cared. His own wife was chosen for him by the producers when he was still in high school. Everything around him was a set up. Product placement played a huge roll in the show because it was their way of funding. Everything on the show could be bought on the internet and products were constantly being flashed in front of the cameras for the audience members. One day Truman sat in his car and watched people perform the same task over and over again. A man with flowers was appearing roughly every ten minutes, because he was simply walking around the block. When Truman started to realize that something wasn’t right, he still couldn’t leave because disasters kept popping up everywhere, preventing him from leaving. There was a forest fire, a power plant leak, and a traffic jam all dedicated to keeping him on the island for the sake of the show.
Despite some very real things in Truman’s life and the fact that he believed he lived a normal and healthy life for so long, doesn’t change the fact that his life was fiction. None of Truman’s friends were really his friends. His wife didn’t actually love him, and his father never died. His life was a televison show, broadcasted to entertain others’ lives. His life itself was real, but everything in it wasn’t. The only genuine connection he ever had was with Sylvia and she was taken away. Truman’s life was all fiction. He can’t really call his life real when he lived in a dome, on a fake island, went to a fake job and had a fake marriage. When Truman did discover the truth, he left. He walked out on his so-called life because he knew it wasn’t real. Truman’s life was fiction and even he believed so, after finding out the truth.
There are many points for both sides, to determine if Truman’s life was real or fiction. It would make a very compelling argument. He was born and had real experiences, but was surrounded by phony things and people. He didn’t have any true friends, and his wife didn’t love him. Truman’s life was fiction.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Sixth Blog
I think if I had to choose the best school trip ever, it would be missing a day to shop at Vaughn Mills. The trip was great. I really enjoyed the freedom, to be able to walk around the mall freely without anyone worrying we were going to get lost or do something we shouldn't. It is definitely the greatestn mall I have ever been too! There were a lot of stores I didn't know, but most were ones I had shopped in before. However, the stores were all much larger in Vaughn Mills. It was a lot of fun walking around in stires I always shop in, simply because thy were bigger and contained more stuff to look at. I also really enjoyed the food court. I have never had a dining experience in such an interesting place as the Vaughn Mills food court. It was interesting to look around and see a giant fork and spoon while eating my lunch. I even learned some new things. I learned that the mall is designed so that it is like an "8", and it is divided into six different neighbourhoods. I didn't particularily enjoy the prices of things. Because it is an outlet mall, it really should have cheaper prices. Then it would be even more worth while to go to because you would have a better chance of affording things.
The presentation was very short and sweet. However, in that short time learned that the mall is only one floor, it is divided into six neighbourhoods, and is shaped like a race track. The neighbourhoods were really neat to walk through because it took you through city, to a smaller community, eventually to lakes, then back to fashion. The outdoorsy section had stores like Bass Pro Shop, and City had stores like Lasenza and H&M. The various stores have strategies to attract a certain audience. Stores for men had suits and stores for teens girls had upbeat music playing and crazy manniquins on display. After walknig through the entire mall, I noticed it doesn't have a Sears, Zellers, or WalMart, like most malls do. If I were to make the mall more appealing I would put a Zellers, or Sears in it, because many people sjop at those stores so it would bring in more customers.
The presentation was very short and sweet. However, in that short time learned that the mall is only one floor, it is divided into six neighbourhoods, and is shaped like a race track. The neighbourhoods were really neat to walk through because it took you through city, to a smaller community, eventually to lakes, then back to fashion. The outdoorsy section had stores like Bass Pro Shop, and City had stores like Lasenza and H&M. The various stores have strategies to attract a certain audience. Stores for men had suits and stores for teens girls had upbeat music playing and crazy manniquins on display. After walknig through the entire mall, I noticed it doesn't have a Sears, Zellers, or WalMart, like most malls do. If I were to make the mall more appealing I would put a Zellers, or Sears in it, because many people sjop at those stores so it would bring in more customers.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Blog Numba 5
Most people tend to shop in stores they are familar with and that are close to home. However, seeing your favorite celebrity in a certain store could persuade you to shop there as well. Having a celebrity shop at or even endorse a certain store can really help the business out. Many people tend to idolize celebrities, and seeing them buying certain products makes their fans want teh product too. After seeing a celebrity with a Roots bag, you might want one too, giving Roots more business simply because a celebrity shops there. It is the same for actual endoresments too. Wathcing a commercial for ProActive with Jessica Simpson will make people with acne want to buy it because if a celebrity uses it, it must work. However, some people are not fond of celebrities being used to boost business. Some people think that it is unfair to use the celebrities to endorse their store or product. Ross said, "They're pimping these people out far too much." They believe that "selling out" is out dated and the retailers shouldn't depend on the celebrities so much to promote them. Celebrities only became part of the "business plan and business model," because retailers found it a great way to profit. Retailers invite celebrities to their store and let the paparazzi know so that they can be photographed with their merchandise. They also leak gossip about celebrities shopping in their stores so that the public will be intrigued and wish to shop there as well.
I think that it is ridiculous how much people idolize celebrities. They are jsut people. When I hear about a celebrity shopping here or there it doesn't impact me. I don't need to dress like the celebrities because it won't change who I am. Sometimes when watching a show or movie and I see an outfit I like I'll comment on it, but I don't demand to know where they bought it from so that I can rush out and buy it. I buy clothes that I find attractive, not because Angelina Jolie was wearing something similar. I buy food that tastes good to me, not food that Adam Brody was eating. Celebrities do not really have an impact on me as a consumer.
I think that it is ridiculous how much people idolize celebrities. They are jsut people. When I hear about a celebrity shopping here or there it doesn't impact me. I don't need to dress like the celebrities because it won't change who I am. Sometimes when watching a show or movie and I see an outfit I like I'll comment on it, but I don't demand to know where they bought it from so that I can rush out and buy it. I buy clothes that I find attractive, not because Angelina Jolie was wearing something similar. I buy food that tastes good to me, not food that Adam Brody was eating. Celebrities do not really have an impact on me as a consumer.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Media Blog #4
Earlier this week we did an activity tha included our memories and had to appropriately label a slogn with it's product. The page was fron and back, full of little jingles and slogans. We worked in pairs to see how many we could get correct. I was parners with Steph and we did not do a very good job. We knew most of the slogans and picture it in our heads, but were having difficulties remembering what the advertisement was actually for. The ones that we were able to identify, was thanks to the catchy jingles that were played specifically to make you remember. We knew Gilette, Staples, Milk, KFC, as well as a few more. However, the majority of the page was either left blank, or we guessed because we really had no idea what the product was.
I was always aware of how much advertising there is, but I never truly realized it's complete affects on me. I can usually tell when there are hidden advertisements in shows or movies, and of course there are those silly jingles used so that the viewers will never forget the product. But, I suppose I thought I was a little more immune to it then I really am. During the slogan activity I realized how easy advertisers make it to remember them. Some of the jingles were a little older, and yet I could clearly see the commercial in my head and instintly knew the product it belonged with. I now know that I am not impervious to advertising.
I was always aware of how much advertising there is, but I never truly realized it's complete affects on me. I can usually tell when there are hidden advertisements in shows or movies, and of course there are those silly jingles used so that the viewers will never forget the product. But, I suppose I thought I was a little more immune to it then I really am. During the slogan activity I realized how easy advertisers make it to remember them. Some of the jingles were a little older, and yet I could clearly see the commercial in my head and instintly knew the product it belonged with. I now know that I am not impervious to advertising.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Enrty #3
A) I am very loyal to Urban Planet clothing. Their clothing is quite comfortable as well as affordable. I have jeans, shirts, sweaters, and shoes from Urban Planet. They are all comfortable and were inexpensive to buy. I am also loyal to Virgin Mobile. I am on my second phone and both of them have been on the Virgin Mobile network. Another brand I am loyal to is Pepsi. I will not drink Coca Cola, because it would be like betraying Pepsi. It tastes delicious and hits the spot. Urban Planet is very affordable, and comfy to wear. Virgin Mobile is the only network I've ever been on, and Pepsi is tasty. That is why I am loyal to these brands.
B) Three products that I use and are not particular about the brands are: socks, candy, and hair products. The lack of brand names is not important for these products as long as they get the job done. I do not care what my socks are as long as they are comfortable and last for a decent amount of time before being completely destroyed and no longer useful. Candy is candy, no matter who makes it. I love going to the Bulk Barn, and buying up tons of different candies!! As lnog as it tastes good, I don't care what it is. Hair products are good if they can manage my hair. More often than not I just buy hair ties from the Dollar store because I go through so many. My hair is hard to manage and so I do not think it matters waht I buy, as long as it can keep my hair back.
C) No, my loyalties not changed since discussing brands. I was not loayl to many brands to begin with, so my loyalties are the same as they ahve always been. However, I am more aware of how much people to depend on brands and what tehy are willnig to pay for "better" quality items due to the label.
B) Three products that I use and are not particular about the brands are: socks, candy, and hair products. The lack of brand names is not important for these products as long as they get the job done. I do not care what my socks are as long as they are comfortable and last for a decent amount of time before being completely destroyed and no longer useful. Candy is candy, no matter who makes it. I love going to the Bulk Barn, and buying up tons of different candies!! As lnog as it tastes good, I don't care what it is. Hair products are good if they can manage my hair. More often than not I just buy hair ties from the Dollar store because I go through so many. My hair is hard to manage and so I do not think it matters waht I buy, as long as it can keep my hair back.
C) No, my loyalties not changed since discussing brands. I was not loayl to many brands to begin with, so my loyalties are the same as they ahve always been. However, I am more aware of how much people to depend on brands and what tehy are willnig to pay for "better" quality items due to the label.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Entry #2
In the past week we have observed how much product placement there really is in our everday lives. It's made me more aware of the products in movies and television shows that I watch on a regular basis. Advertisers are very meticulous with the placement of their products. They put childish products in children's shows, and adolescnet products in teeange shows.
Both, direct and hidden advertisment are very effective. However, I believe that hidden product placement is much more effective. Direct advertisments are things like commercials and billboards. They get their message across but when a commercial is played over and over again it bombards the viewers until they eventually tune it out. Hidden product placement is more effective because the viewers are not necessarliy aware that they are being subjected to advertiements. If a teenager is watching a show and their favourite character uses a virgin mobile cell phone, they will want to get one too, thinking it will make them like that character. However, they probably don't realize that is the advertisers intention. Earlier this week we took a look at a scene from "Wayne's World," that had many products. One of those products was for doritos chips. After seeing Wayne eat them, it made me crave them. Hidden product placement in movies and televivision is a more effective wway of advertising then direct advertisement.
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