Activity 2.4
Some perfect examples of an ad that shows a strong narrative are
the Apple vs. PC commercials. As mentioned in the reading, Propp suggests that
ads also “build a sense of character as like real people”. There are only two
distinct characters in the commercial, one being an older man, as “PC” and the
other, a younger man, as “Mac”. All the commercials begin and sort of just
stops. In the beginning, the commercial automatically construct the characters
by distinguishing who is “PC” and who is “Mac”. The story and plot is built up
in relation to the actual products being sold, a Microsoft Windows PC computer
versus an Apple Mac computer. The narrative and script in the advertisement is
very straightforward. The characters imply who is, what Propp calls, the “hero”
who carries the plot. The older individual, who plays “PC”, implies that PC
computers are outdated and functions with many problems. Where as the younger
individual, who plays “Mac”, suggests the Mac computers are new, simple and
intelligent. Since this is a commercial developed by Apple, the hero is Mac. In
addition, the ads always consist of an issue that PC is dealing with. On the
other hand, Mac is always portrayed as a character with no issues. There is
never a solution in this ad that solves any problem. It stops on a note that exploits
the lacking abilities of a PC computer, yet still suggests to audience that the
solution, in fact, lies in the Apple Mac computer product itself.
Activity 2.6
I do believe that the style of the animation influences the content. First, the animation in The Simpsons are 3-Dimentional. The movements are more realistic and there is more volume and depth in the animations. On the other hand, South Park is closer to a 2-Dimentional animation style. The characters look flat and the movements are fast and sharp. With The Simpsons' style of animation there are more possibilities for different kinds stories and plots. The characters are able to do certain movements in a more expressive way like actual humans can do, such as putting arms around someone or wrapping fingers around a hammer. Where as South Park animations show very stiff movements and very limited capacity for exaggerations. The Simpsons and South Park tell stories that are humorous but share a different sense of humor. The Simpsons cover stories about everyday life, such as family, jobs and school. South Park, on the other hand, has narratives tease or mocks certain situations in the news, whether it relates to politics or celebrities. Now in terms of big, marketed, animated movies such as The Incredibles, it has a large capacity to cover any kind of story and plot. The narratives in movies with this quality animation has greater possibilities to tell a wider range of stories due to its life-like portrayals and voices of Hollywood actors.
Activity 2.6
I do believe that the style of the animation influences the content. First, the animation in The Simpsons are 3-Dimentional. The movements are more realistic and there is more volume and depth in the animations. On the other hand, South Park is closer to a 2-Dimentional animation style. The characters look flat and the movements are fast and sharp. With The Simpsons' style of animation there are more possibilities for different kinds stories and plots. The characters are able to do certain movements in a more expressive way like actual humans can do, such as putting arms around someone or wrapping fingers around a hammer. Where as South Park animations show very stiff movements and very limited capacity for exaggerations. The Simpsons and South Park tell stories that are humorous but share a different sense of humor. The Simpsons cover stories about everyday life, such as family, jobs and school. South Park, on the other hand, has narratives tease or mocks certain situations in the news, whether it relates to politics or celebrities. Now in terms of big, marketed, animated movies such as The Incredibles, it has a large capacity to cover any kind of story and plot. The narratives in movies with this quality animation has greater possibilities to tell a wider range of stories due to its life-like portrayals and voices of Hollywood actors.
