Lovemarks

A while ago we watched a PBS movie that talked about advertising. In the movie it talked about Lovemarks. I remember watching it and then telling myself to go and look it up on the internet. Well, even though it's a few weeks later I finally did and I found it really interesting. The point behind Lovemarks is to create a relationship between the audience and the product. I had never thought about this before. They say that brands and products alone don't appeal to people as well anymore. We know that all laundry detergents get clothes clean. All cars will get us from point A to point B. Why do we choose particular brands over others. 

I was reminded of Lovemarks while watching the movie Kramer vs. Kramer. Billy (the son) is shopping with his father Ted. Ted is just grabbing products off the shelves, not paying attention to the brand. Billy stops his father and tells hims which ones are the "right" ones to buy because his mother used to buy those brands. Billy didn't exactly know the brands but he knew it was the pink dish soap that was the right one and the orange box of laundry detergent. They were the right ones because his mommy used them. Those particular products were his connection to his mother, The whole concept of Lovemarks. The website quotes, "Take a brand away and people will find a replacement. Take a Lovemark away and people will protest its absence. Lovemarks are a relationship, not a mere transaction. You don’t just buy Lovemarks, you embrace them passionately. That’s why you never want to let go." I believe Billy's wouldn't let his father buy a different brand because it was a connection between him and his mother who had abandoned them. 

Kramer vs. Kramer

Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 oscar winning movie about a father facing the difficulties of his wife leaving him and raising his son in a time when men were primarily responsible for "bringing home the bacon." The movie starts off with Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep) kissing her son, Billy (Justin Henry), good night and then packing her suitcase. She waits anciously for her husband to return home. When Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) arrives home after staying late at work, he enters and ignores Joanna's frantic announcement that she is leaving him. His reaction of paying little attention to Joanna demonstrates the frustration that she has had to put up with for 8 years and why she is leaving him.

Ted makes an astonishing transition from the workaholic distant father into a parent that has taken on the role of both father and mother while balancing his work and personal life. After Ted learns to juggle work, life, and the gender role reversal, Joanna returns claiming she has grown and in the midst of her self discovery adventure, she believes she is now capable of raising their son. Ted's world is shattered, he is not going to give in without a fight. He knows his chances are slim. During the chaos, Ted loses his job because his new life was affecting his duties. He is determined to find another job in 24 ours on Christmas Eve. He is able to find a job that is a lower position and less money. His bold speech in his interview about how it is a one time deal. He is overqualified, willing to take a pay cut, but they must hire him now, not tomorrow, not in a few weeks, now. The gamble he took by those demands exemplifies his determination and will to keep his son. He is no longer thinking of himself and his own benefits, everything he does is for the good of his son. 

When the battle in court begins they are both aware that it will ruthless. The attorney makes it clear to Ted that in order for him to get custody of Billy, he will have to discredit Joanna and make her appear as an unfit mother. During Joanna's cross examination, she is bombarded with accusations of failing in all her relationships. She is distraught on the stand, one can see her emotion and pain. She looks over at Ted, seeing how hurt she is, he smiles and nods to her assuring her that she did not fail in their relationship. Even though they are battling each other for their son, the sincerity and compassion towards each other is apparent. 

Two scenes that I believe show the transition of time and the growth of Ted best are the scenes where he is making french toast with Billy. Everyone knows how to make french toast. The audience is able to connect and understand Ted better by seeing his struggle to make Billy French Toast for the first time. He took the simple things for granted. It was appropriate that the last meal that was shown with Ted and Billy together was them making French Toast. Instead of the chaos it once was, they have grown and matured together. It shows they have learned to take care of not only themselves but each other. 

The performances of Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman are memorable and demonstrate their awe-inspiring talents. The movie was nominated for 9 oscars and won 5, including: Best Actor (Dustin Hoffman); Best Actress (Meryl Streep); Best Director and Writing based on another medium (Robert Benton); and Best Picture (Stanley R. Jaffe). It also has received several other awards

Robert Benton did a wonderful job of writing and directing the movie. He was able to capture the human emotion involved with abandonment, custody battles, and in the end, doing what is best for the child. Joanna's decision to allow Ted to keep Billy even though she won custody illustrates how compassion, selflessness, and love prevail even when it hurts.

What news is really about!

Hail Tim Robbins!

I recently read the transcript of Tim Robbins' speech to the National Press Club and I have to say HALLELUJAH! He talks a lot about politics and the war but I think there are some key notes in his speech that should be pointed out. 

Media today is a major power house and most people don't realize the impact and manipulation it has. Robbins notes, "Every day, the air waves are filled with warnings, veiled and unveiled threats, spewed invective and hatred directed at any voice of dissent." He was speaking about how he and Susan Sarandon were scrutinized and black listed for speaking out against the war in Iraq. Anyone that opposes the actions of the government were attacked. After the tragedy of 9/11, the nation should have united! Instead the only thing that the media encouraged was hatred and division of people. 

Another interesting note he made was, "We need leaders, not pragmatists that cower before the spin zones of former entertainment journalists." I've never thought about it before, but looking at it closer, the government is greatly influenced by the media. They know that media holds the power over the people! It's corny, but it kind of reminds me of the days back in high school. The school nerd kisses butt to the popular athlete. Even though he knows he has the brains, it's the popular kid that controls the school and what everyone thinks. You can see the influence of the media in the recent election campaigns. The media pushed for Sen. Hillary Clinton to back out of the race in June. (read about it here) Our government may have some control over the media, but untimely it is the media that will lead their political demise.

I believe that Tim Robbins' speech was a good wake up call for anyone that listened. Hopefully, the media will take note and use their power for the greater good! 

Battle Prejudice With Humor

I recently watched some episodes of the popular Canadian show Little House On The Prairie and was asked if the show would be successful in the US. That is a tough question to predict. The show tackles racism against Muslims and makes humor of it. The show is written from the insiders view. It follows Muslims that are located in a small prairie town in Canada (the equivalent to a small "hick" town out of the US) and makes fun of people's preconceived notions that all Muslims are terrorists. Although many people are sensitive to the subject, I do believe the show will draw a large audience in the US. 

Why? Racism, prejudice, and stereotypes are already a humorous topic in the US. Every stand up comic in the US (and other countries for that matter) has already poked at racism in their routine and earned a lot of success for it. Many movies are known for their satirizing of prejudice and stereotypes like Borat, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, Not Another Teen Movie, and Blazing Saddles, just to name a few. Television shows have already earned a big audience by pushing the envelope with racism, like Family Guy, South Park, The Simpsons, and Mad TV. Little Mosque On The Prairie doesn't use comedy in the same context as the other examples. Instead, it makes fun of peoples stupidity in believing stereotypes in a light hearted way. Sure there will be people who speak out against it, there is always someone or some organization that will protest the content of a particular movie, tv show, book, etc. I believe their overreaction to these things creates a mountain out of a molehill. Sure, people need to have sensitivity to certain people and situations, but even more so, they need to have a sense of humor!

Water for Elephants

Our history and many other countries are guilty of placing value on individuals based on their looks, skills, intelligence, or even the family from which they are born. For instance, in India their culture is based on a caste system, which is still evident today regardless of efforts to modernize them. Although it is unspoken of, social classes still exist today in many different environments. No matter how advanced a country, community, or even business may be, there is inevitably a quite social class system. Author Sara Gruen examines social classes in her novel Water for Elephants. The story is about the social classes of a traveling circus in the 1930's, as well as in the present day. The book highlights the cruel treatment of lower classes and the importance of one's worth based on their social class status.

The main character and narrator, ninety-three year old Jacob Jankowski, reminisces about his old days of traveling with The Bencini Brothers Most Spectacular Show On Earth. As a young man Jacob experiences a tragic loss. He decides to run away from it all and he jumps on a train passing by. Unaware its a traveling circus train, Jacob was on a train that will forever change his life. From the moment that Jacob jumps the train the social classes are evident. He begins as a stowaway on the verge of being thrown off the train. He is nothing more than a bum, or "rube", to everyone, the lowest of social classes, not fit to be part of them, but he eventually befriends the right people and reveals his background, which in return moves him up to higher social classes. As he spends more time with the traveling circus, he realizes the many different social classes there are.

The train that Jacob jumped aboard was the Flying Squadron of the Benzini Brothers. This train housed the lowest people of the social classes. Code names were given to the worker of each class to distinguish who they are. Jacob was regarded as a "first of may," meaning he was new and had to earn everyone's respect. His job in the beginning distinguishes his place on the social ladder. He is shoveling animal droppings and filling any small job that has to be done. After he encounters the big boss Uncle Al and August and reveals to them that he is a veterinarian, he becomes part of the working class, also known as "roustabouts." His housing quarters characterized his status among the social classes. Jacob quotes, "There's a clear hierarchy: the closer to the back, the more impressive the quarters. Uncle Al himself climbs from a car right in front of the caboose. I can't help but notice that Kinko and I are the human occupants closest to the engine." The performers, also referred to as "kinkers," and bosses are the top of the social class and are treated as such. Kinko is a unique victim of the social structre. He is classified as a performer and doesn't want anything to do with the lower classes. However, he is a dwarf and is treated as the bottom class of the performers. That is why he is located in the front of the train with Jacob. Eating areas are also designated to people due to their social class. Tables draped with cloth and flowers are assigned to the performer and bosses. Bare tables stacked end to end on the opposite side of the train are set up for the lower class. 

As Jacob slowly moved up the social ladder he was treated with more respect and earned more privileges. He was first forced to sleep in the corner on a moldy old blanket. After he proved himself with the animals the blanket was replaced with a bed roll and blankets. He eventually is befriended by August and is invited to eat with them at the upper class table. This becomes Jacob's assigned seat. One morning he decides to eat with Walter because he wants to avoid Marlena and August. Walter stops him and says, "You can't. Everyone has assigned spots. Besides, you'd be coming down in the world." Walter's reaction to Jacob's decision proves that once someone has established their class, that is where they belong. If they don't accept it or don't act accordingly, they risk being out casted by the group. Some of the other privileges Jacob receives includes going into town to clubs and restaurants, nicer clothes, and liquor.

When Jacob grows old in the present day he is still subject to the mistreatment and stereotypes of social classes. His social status is lowered once again. He is forced to live in a nursing home because his children consider him a burden. The nursing home also treats Jacob poorly, like he is a burden to them as well. His requests are ignored and when does not act accordingly, he is given pills by the doctors so he will behave. Even his food is decided for him. He has no rights or privileges in this class structure of doctors, nurses, and patients.  

It seems that no matter what, people are doomed to be classified in social structures. Every age, gender, nationality, or occupation, in every environment or community, are subject to some sort of class that either grants them benefits or mistreats them. Classifying people is a form of discrimination. Society will never change unless people become more empathetic and welcoming of different people. Knowledge of different cultures, societies, beliefs, and personalities will open doors to a peaceful and fair world. 

So it's ok for media to cry wolf?

We all know too well the story of Timmy crying wolf. Making up stories for attention, seeing what havoc he can stir up. There's supposed to be a moral to the story right? Well, not everyone has picked up on that. The news media seems to think that it's still alright today. William Randolph Hearst was scrutinized many years ago for coining "yellow journalism." We are supposed to be beyond that now days. We have a moral and ethic code to follow for all journalist, right? One thing that keep reappearing in the media is that association of scarves with terrorism. This is driving me crazy! Since when has Rachel Ray been a terrorist? A Dunkin Donuts campaign showed her wearing a silk scarf around her neck and it has now lead to a media frenzy questioning and suspecting her of supporting terrorism. Now apparently it's not OK to wear scarves for fashion or religious beliefs because YOU SUPPORT TERRORISM. I read an article recently about how two muslim women that were Obama supporters were asked to not sit directly behind him in front of the cameras because of their headscarves. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also falls victim because she work a floral scarf on her head while visiting Syria. I think many people agree that this has gotten out of hand. It is ridiculous to stereotype and the media is having a field day with it. They are falsely associating people with terrorism for what, rating and profit! It's almost amazing how they are able to pull stuff out of thin air. We all know what happens in the end to Timmy that cried wolf. Hopefully the news media and journalist that report this crap will succumb to the same fate.