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Global Homer-ization

       Globalization is the process of increasing interconnectedness among nations, cultures, and people. In the context of RTF 305, globalization refers to interconnectedness among nations due to the social effects of shared media consumption.

       “Cultural imperialism” is the domination of one culture over another through the distribution of media. Cultural imperialism reflects the imbalance of power among nations because more powerful nations tend to have more influence over less powerful nations.

       Take for example the global syndication of the popular show, “The Simpsons.” “The Simpsons,” an American television show, has aired in over 90 countries and in over 45 different languages. Influences from the show can be seen all across the world. In Argentina, The Simpsons Movie was the highest grossing movie of 2007. Simpsons art and restaurants can be found in many places on the streets of Buenos Aires. There is even a Duff Brewery facing a pending lawsuit from the FOX Corporation in Buenos Aires.

Screen from Morgan Spurlock's "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: In 3D! On Ice!"

WIll a Canned Beverage Really Fix The World's Evils?

       The Pepsi One “People” Commercial released in 2010 features music by the Black Eyed Peas, a grid of several different screens; each containing a unique, culturally diverse person holding up poster boards that come together to depict an earth-like sphere, and messages such as “I care about people.” The narrator goes on to ask “What do you care about?” The narrator introduces the “Pepsi Refresh Project” that gives millions to “refresh the world.”

       This advertisement for Pepsi One ties the product to a more powerful and meaningful movement. Other broad yet positive concepts like unity, progress and equality are incorporated into the commercial as well. The ad is highly stylized and “hip.”
The appeal that most applies to this ad is style. Characteristics of style include hyperbole and fantastic claims. Hyperbole is exaggeration and fantastic claims are unrealistic or fantasy-like assertions implied about the product.

       The Pepsi One ad exemplifies hyperbole and fantastic claims for many reasons. For one, if you listen closely to the lyrics of the song, you can hear hyperbole. The song says “The continent is called Pangea,” implying that humans are somehow unified on a single metaphorical “Pangea.” Clearly, the present state of the world does not fit this in a literal or even metaphorical sense. The song coaxes everyone to simply “Forget about all that evil” and unite. We of course know that forgetting about all evil is unrealistic. Furthermore, different definitions of evil exist. Some might even say that corporate advertising is evil-- in which case, Pepsi is in trouble. The final statement that “Every Pepsi refreshes the world” is clearly an exaggeration. Even though Pepsi is putting money toward good causes, it is not realistic to believe that simply buying a Pepsi will “refresh” the evils of the world.  Even while this is true, it is easy to see how the way the ad is presented can be effective for many people who view it.

The Royal Tenenbaums: A Three Act Movie

       Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums follows the Three-Act or “Hollywood” Structure. I will focus on the protagonist, Royal Tenenbaum, his descisions, and the results of his decisions.

       Act One: The film is introduced with a narrator explaining the history of the members of the Tenenbaum family and how their relationship with Royal Tenenbaum has fallen apart. The “plot point” of the first act occurs when Royal decides to tell his wife he has stomach cancer in an attempt to stop her possible marriage with Henry and reconnect with his family. This decision asks the question; “How will Royal's lie affect his relationship with his estranged family?”

       Act Two: The conflict occurs when Henry discovers that Royal is lying about his stomach cancer. The plot point occurs when Royal decides to leave the family after this discovery. This complicates Royal's relationship with his family and escalates the steaks. Royal is no longer trying to get back together with his wife. He simply wants to be a part of his own family.

 

       Act Three: Eventually, Royal Decides he wants Etheline and Henry to be together and officially divorces Etheline. Before the wedding, Royal saves Ari and Uzi, his grandsons, from a car that crashes into the house. Royal's son and father of the boys, Chas, improves a bitter relationship with his father by thanking him. Royal also buys a dalamation for the family to replace one lost in the crash. This serves as a resolution for Royal, who dies soon after. The family attends his funeral.

Back to Normal: Plowing to a Mini-Resoltuon

       According to Colton Tain's lecture, characteristics of TV sitcoms include “mini-resolutions.” In the sitcom genre, mini-resolutions often come at the end of an episode. This structure of a sitcom episode is often made so that a conflict can arise and be resolved within the episode and everything can “return to normal” within twenty-two minutes. This set-up allows viewers to miss episodes without having to worry about much continuity.

       Examples of mini-resolutions in sitcoms are easy to find. The animated sitcom “The Simpsons” has used mini-resolutions of some kind for virtually every episodes. Because of this, plot progression between episodes is little to none. The famous episode “Mr. Plow” can be used as an example:

 "Call Mr Plow,
That's my name,
That name again is Mr Plow"

       In the episode, Homer buys a truck with an attached snow plow to compete with Barney's snow plow business. He makes a television commercial and sees success very quickly. He is even given the key to the city. Barney, who is jealous, tries to trick Homer into plowing off the peak of a mountain. His plan backfires when he himself gets trapped. Homer rescues Barney and they resolve their differences. The mini-resolution begins when they agree to merge their plow businesses, claiming that "When two best friends work together not even God himself can stop them!". This angers God, who causes a heat wave that melts the snow in Springfield. This puts both of them out of business, and things return to normal.

Connotative Power in "Pulp Fiction" Shots

Eye Level Shots
(Neutral Power)

Vincent and Jules are having a power neutral conversation in this shot.

Vincent has a quick-witted power neutral conversation with Mia. (Shot 1)

(Shot 2)

Vincent and Jules are introduced in this power neutral identification shot.

High Angle Shots
(takes power away)

This shot shows Mia's loss of power after a drug overdose.

This shot shows the profound loss of power of Butch and Marsellus after having been knocked out and tied-up by a shop owner.

Low Angle Shots
(gives power)

In this shot, power is given to Jules as he intimidates Brett.

Power is given to Butch in this shot as he prepares for a boxing match.

Power is given to Vincent over Mia as he attempts to save her life with an injection of adrenaline after she overdoses.

 

Power is given to Ringo as he wields a gun in Jules' face during a hold up.

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