Formulas

If you look back at any wolf movie or show you would see that they all share the same concept. The formulas used in this show are romance, good vs. evil, and battle.

Teen wolf and many other wolf show has all followed the same romance line. It is always a young girl who is desired from the “creature” and eventually falls deeply in love with one another. The two eventually would find themselves in obstacles that are thrown in their way due to the different lives they live.  In this series Scott and Alison has many hurdles, the biggest one they face is that Alison’s parents are werewolf hunters. This is used because people love romance.

The second formula that would be found are good vs. bad. In the series there are bad wolves against other good wolves that fight constantly during the episodes. There would not be a great show if there were not two different sides fighting against each other. Battles take place on every episode. This formula is put in to keep the audience attention, keeping them excited on wants going to happen next.

I believe that a lot of shows must follow some type of romance and action. There is no such thing as a movie that does not have a protagonist and antagonist. People love to have heroes in there show and characters that they could relate to. It would suck to have a movie/show that does not have a heroic character.  The same way with romance, producers use this formula to engage with their audience so that it can be more realistic to them.

Assignment 1-3-2

The article Res Emptito Ergo Sum: Fashion and Commodity Fetishism, in Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic, is about a woman named Becky Bloomwood who replaces her human interaction and social life by spending large amounts of money on material things. Becky’s obsessive shopping habit soon gets her into a huge financial debt crisis. She does not acknowledge her shopping problem instead she ignores the bank letters and creditors and continues spending money. Living beyond her needs, she still does not care enough to minimize her shopping addiction.

Becky only goes shopping to make herself feel happy. She believes that this is the only thing that can make her feel good, loved, and that she has accomplished something in life.  Becky substitutes relationships with material artifacts, ”the tingly feeling a girl experiences when a good- looking young man gives her an appreciative glance is the feeling Becky gets when she sees the window displays at a store.”(Ghosh, 2013) Becky has attached herself to these items as if they interact with her like another human can. Jean Baudrillard argues why Becky may have these problems and soon labeled as a “shopaholic”. He states that “the ideal of consumption is founded on the substitution of the active relationship between human beings by a personalized relationship to objects.”(Ghosh, 2013) Sometimes she will notice that her spending gets out of control, but on the other hand, if she thinks about cutting back she will feel guilty.

These designer products have restricted her from social interactions. Becky’s life becomes possessed by these items. Jean points out that there’s a “myth of Woman” that was created by social media. Magazines always use subtle messages on how a woman should look when it comes to material things and body. He argues that” Becky has already been trained into subscribing to the ideal of Woman, and the advertisements in the magazines…. which will enable her to achieve her desired image.”(Ghosh, 2013) Becky finally came to realization and got a stable job to help her pay off some of the debt.

The author’s main point of this article is to show what kind of effect shopping has on some people. Becky was so out of control with her shopping habits, she went out of touch with reality. Ghosh has clearly and concisely described in detail the affects out of control spending can have on an individual.  This article is very well put together. I think that this is an important article especially because, those who are shopaholics. It is good for those who are because; it can give them insight on what they are doing.  It can prevent them from going on the wrong path of self-destruction and can look towards a different outlet to find self-worth instead of looking for happiness through fashionable artifacts.

 References

Ghosh, S. (2013). Res emptito sum: Fashion and commodity fetishism in Sophie Kinsella’s confessions of a shopaholic. 46(2), 378-393.

Analysis 3: Heroes and the Cult of the Celebrity

The theory that seems to apply to my popular culture topic (Teen Wolf) is Omega Wolf, Scott. I believe that Scott is the hero in the show.  He fights bad spirits that control some of his high school friends from killing themselves or anyone else. Scott continues to protect his close friends and relatives from the wrong group like the wolf hunters and various creatures. Everyone knows him for his courageousness and strengths. He has been put into many situations where he had to be selfless by putting others before himself.  Scott has all of the characteristics of what a hero is and what a hero is not, that is why I think Scott is the hero in the series.

In every television show I believe there has to be a hero.  There has to be that one person that everyone goes to for answers, support, and protection. The characteristics of Scott gave him the title, hero.  As a fan I would have thought the Alpha would have been the hero since he is “suppose” to be the leader of the group. Within the series Scott has his own cult that idolizes him for what he represents. Everyone wants to join his pack and do what he is capable of.  Who knows that maybe one day Scott will challenge his Alpha for the title, I think he should.

The insights that I have gained from Teen Wolf, is the difference between a celebrity “hero” and regular heroes. I feel that celebrities do certain things for themselves, not all but some. For example they seek the attention and none of their acts came normally. A true hero does things for others not wanting anything in return and all of their characteristics developed naturally. Scott portrays what a real hero is. Like I said previously a hero is someone who does not do things for themselves, is courageous, and strong (mentally and physically).

Writing Analysis 1-4-3 Stereotypes and Rituals

In the show "Teen Wolf" there is a few theories that are made up of rituals and stereotypes. There are a lot of rituals that take place during every full moon all of the wolves are allowed to hunt and at that moment they gain their full potential. Another ritual that takes place is for an Omega to kill their Alpha in order for them to take title of Alpha. If the Omega Wolf wins that fight he/she now has to find a new pack to lead. While having a title of the Alpha they have their own ritual to perform by choice. He could join a pack of nothing but other Alpha Wolves, but in order to do so he would have to kill off his very own pack of Omegas. For example: Derrick (Alpha) will have to kill his pack that is made up of close friends and family.

A few stereotypes these wolves have to deal with are people thinking they are all killers, nothing but harry beastly animals, and that they howl at every full moon. Although some of the wolves on the show are killers not all of them are. Some of them only kill when necessary like when it comes to protecting their pack and family from the danger that surrounds them daily, just like we would do when it comes to our own families. None of the wolves are just wolves, every single wolf was born as a human they became a part of the wolves when bitten. In the show "Teen Wolf" Derrick and Scott (the two main wolves) laugh at the fact that people think they howl whenever there is a full moon. That is a famous stereotype they deal with daily.

This show is a huge success in popular culture; it attracts teens to young adults or anyone who enjoys watching science fiction. I like how the show makes it in today's day in age. It creates more interest for me to watch it verses a show that becomes too mythological. I think that is why people enjoy watching "Teen Wolf".

Populare Icons from past to present

The 3 popular icons that I have chose are Justin Bieber, Marilyn Monroe, and Barney. All 3 has had their share in fame and being iconic to someone at some point of time.

Justin Bieber started his career when he was 14 years old and over the years he has grown into a huge icon for teenage girls across the world. His popularity is sky high, when the name "Justin" is mentioned people immediately think of Justin Bieber. This past weekend my little sister and her best friend Hayley went to his concert at Nationwide. They both were telling me how "beautiful" and "sexy" he was and that they cried their eyes out with happy tears lol! I believe that this is just the beginning of his long successful career.

Marilyn Monroe will forever be an icon. She is one of Hollywood's first seductive actresses. Marilyn Monroe received a lot of attention from the sex appeal she gave to her audiences. Marilyn is definitely a sex icon she was also Hugh Hefner's first Playboy bunny. She brought sexy to the industry, for sure. One thing that I love about her is that she did not care what others thought, she lived her life care free... she was all about having fun! Sad that her life ended so soon.

Barney and Friends was a huge part of my life growing up as a child. The show aired in 1991, one year before I was born. I remember watching this show on PBS every morning with my mom. My mom told me that my very first word was not just a word, but I few words which was the barney theme song... "I love you, you love me....." that should tell you how much of a big deal barney was to me. In the young world Barney and his friends are a huge icon. Along with my parents help Barney taught me manners, ABC's, and 123's! He was my second teacher. I still have all the tapes that now my niece and nephews enjoy. The show is still successfully airing on PBS.