It Was Fine.

Working on this video was a blast! We wanted to go with the concept of "Carr's Worst Nightmare", so we decided to focus on the miscommunication that frequently occurs while text messaging. Depending on the use of punctuation, capitals, etc., written text on a screen can be interpreted completely differently than it would be meant using spoken language.

To make the movie, Nate used a video camera to record us. We recorded the audio separately, and then Nate directed us to get the video images for the final product. We worked hard to ensure that there was adequate light in my apartment, which is where we filmed. We also struggled with my creaky wood floors, which make noise every time a person simply shifts their weight. Once we tweaked these factors, I think the filming went smoothly.

The process of filming was fun. We were all on the same page in terms of what we were looking to accomplish through the mini-movie, and enjoyed reciting the lines and figuring out aesthetically what looked the best on film (aka me standing on the couch to hug Sasha). We made sure that there were multiple shots for Nate to choose from during the final editing process. Overall it was a cool experience, and I think we got our message across in the final product.

Image Source: mobileguerilla.com

Is it really THAT easy being green?

Thesis: You can still drive an SUV and be environmentally friendly!

This ad targets our limbic (emotional) brain with music and images of adorable Kermit the Frog. He makes us reminisce about our childhood while we watch him get into silly outdoors adventures, which are all the more entertaining considering he's a puppet.

This ad represents an epistemological shift because it is a video (word to image).

A technological shift is present because we are viewing this ad on a computer - digital video.

This ad displays an economic shift because clearly Ford purchased the rights to use little Kermit in their commercial.

5 Facts/Claims:

1. It is difficult to ride your bike around

2. It's not that easy being "green" without drastically changing your lifestyle

3. Wait.. is easy being "green"!!!

4. You can drive an SUV and still have people think your being an environmentalist

5. The Ford Escape Hybrid has 36 MPG

Reality Construction: What are the trade offs you ask? Well, although this advertisement is promoting the ecologically conscious Ford Escape Hybrid, it does not mention the fact that regardless of whether it is a hybrid or not, driving an SUV still has higher emissions than non-SUVs. It also fails to mention how the hell the truck got on the mountain top...

Value Messages: Escape, nature, adventure, risk.

Ownership: Uhhh.... I'm guessing Ford.

Emotional Transfer: Being outdoorsy is cool but also tiring and strenuous! I think this commercial is ridiculous considering they show Kermit partaking in an actual zero impact activity (bike riding) in the beginning, then suggest replacing it with driving an SUV, AND puppets cannot rock climb! However I cannot deny the cuteness.

Symbols: Green = Environmentally Friendly

Big Lie: Driving this car makes your outdoorsy and environmentally friendly - NOT! Try taking the bus, riding your bike, or walking...

Hyperbole: IT IS EASY BEING GREEN!

Simple Solutions: You can help fight climate change without changing your lifestyle.

Humor: Who doesn't think Kermit kayaking and rock climbing is silly and adorable?

Nostalgia: Think of your childhood, does Sesame Street cross your mind? If it doesn't it should.

Warm Fuzzies: Little Kermit running around the woods.

Timing: Kermit struggles through the outdoors until FINALLY finding peace and serenity in the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Image Source: http://www.yenra.com/

Media Memoir

As a child I had many experiences with media. I would watch TV while I ate my breakfast, play Pocahontas and Barbie games on my brother’s old school computer, listen to music with my friends and dance in my room, and read before bed. My brother and I would fight over the radio stations in the car, until finally my mom or dad would shut both of us down and put on a classic rock station. My mom would play records from the 60 and 70s in our living room and we would all embarrassingly dance around, even with my [at the time] pre-teen brother trying to switch the music to an MC Hammer cassette tape. When I was ten years old I learned how to navigate AOL, and created my own screen name and profile, filled with little smiley faces and “<3”s.

One of my most distinct memories from childhood is having my parents read me books. After dinner or before bed we always read something together. My mom would read me things like Junie B. Jones and my favorite Disney stories, while my dad would usually come in my room before bed and tell me an imaginative, elaborate, probably inappropriate for my age story. The concept of stories without visual images was so appealing to me, but I often desired a clearer picture on things. I would ask my mom things like, “What do you think Junie looks like?” She would tell me what we knew from the book- she had brown hair and freckles, but sometimes it was not enough for me. I needed a visual affirmation of what I was imagining in my head.

That brings me to the other distinct memory of my media experiences as a child, television. At my house in New Jersey, the TV was almost always on (and still is). I would wake up and eat my breakfast in front of an old television in the kitchen. At night we would unwind in the living room by watching a show. When I was very young I would spend all night waiting for Rugrats to come on Nickelodeon, then as I got a little older it was the Brady Bunch (I was a little odd).

Television was something comfortable and consistent in my life, but I never preferred it to playing outside. When I was a child I was far more durable then I am today, and rain, shine, or snowstorm I would be in the front or back yard finding something to get myself into with my neighbors. Still, when the sun went down it was always the same thing- shower/bath, then TV. It was a way to relax yet fill time, and in many ways it still is for me. Although I hardly ever watch television these days, when I do I cannot deny that it feels nice (mostly because that means I do not have anything else to be doing).

Media has played a huge part in my childhood, just as it does today. It was a significant part of my life from the time I was a baby and throughout my development. In many ways I feel like through music and books it has helped contribute to my creative and unique nature, while its other forms I often blame for my sometimes scattered thoughts and anxiety. Regardless of how often I want to blame it for certain qualities, I cannot deny the pleasure it offers as well. Whether I like it or not, it is and was and will be.

Image Sources: artsjournal.com, goodreads.com

Normal? Probably not.

My name is Carly Greenman and I am originally from Mendham, New Jersey. I moved to Burlington three years ago to attend UVM, where I am now studying Environmental Studies and Women's Health. I grew up with a love for a few distinct things- animals, music, nature, and fashion. I was a quite complex child as you may be able to gather from my list of interests. I stopped allowing my parents to dress me at the tender age of one, where I refused to wear anything but my own outfit concoctions. As I mentioned, I was very into the natural world, and loved nothing more than to play outside. Thus, there were multiple occurrences of me climbing trees, running through the woods, etc., in princess dresses and eccentric hats. As I grew up not much changed (except maybe my fashion sense improved). I came to Burlington because it embodied my many diverse interests, and wanted a liberal education while maintaining a university feel. I currently work at Stella, a boutique on Church Street with the most fabulous collection of shoes, clothing, and accessories. We support "fashion with compassion", and have many environmental cottons and fair-traded jewelry. I work with a great group of ladies who make the work hours more enjoyable. Best of all - we are a local business (yay!). So, it looks like I have managed to combine my interests after all.

I also have a beautiful rabbit named Gimley. She loves to play outdoors and was raised unconventionally (out of the cage). People often find it strange that we have a rabbit hopping around our apartment, but for my roommates and I its totally normal. I know what your thinking - and YES, she is litter trained (no poo poos around my clean apartment!). Gim is very spoiled, and enjoys 2 organic salads per day in addition to her hay (she eats better than I do...). She also loves to cuddle, and has a strange infatuation with my roommate's fuzzy rug. Normal? Definitely not. Cute? Absolutely! Gimley was going to have her own Facebook page, but as her mother I decided that she was too classy to put her whole life out in the open like that. But on MY Facebook page I will be sure to post some pictures of her upcoming Halloween costume....

Anybody who knows me knows that I am ABSOLUTELY obsessed with Phish.

Image Source: Personal Photographs.