Superbowl Ads, authenticity, and the shape of storytelling

Kurt Vonnegut on the shape of storytelling

As promised, here's the brief video of author Kurt Vonnegut describing the classic shape of every story. It's funny, visual, and authentic. And easy to remember.

And as you recall, last night's class was all about the Super Bowl ads. What did you take away from the conversation? I'd like to know in one simple sentence (use the comments link, please)

And you might be interested to learn that the conversation over the Chevy Super Bowl ad is taking place in a larger arena than our humble little class. Here are a few links to articles in yesterday's New York Times. One, two, and three.

Questions or comments? Please use the comments link so that all can participate.
Byron and Alan 

Comments

[Lindsay Smith]

I found the time spent on the superbowl ads was valuable because I was able to take away things we discussed in class and bring them up in another class since we were discussing the super bowl ads as well. The main point or idea that I got from both discussions is that these ads do a lot to try to appeal to people's ideals or core values as well as interests, but more on a psychological and emotional level. Successful ads are all trying to strike the right chords with the targeted audience and make an impression of some sort.

[Angela Maschio]

I thought it was beneficial to watch the Superbowl ads in class. While I watched the game and commercials on Sunday, I did not think about the meaning behind each commercial. After watching them again and analyzing their meanings and goals, I have a better understanding of the purposes of some ads and I can see how certain companies target certain audiences.

[Alysen]

I always saw the commercials as enjoyment and laughter. But after watching and discussing them it really helped me to understand what they were trying to do and how they got your attention. In addition, I didn't realize how many of these commercials, and probably many more, get your attention but other things like music, or a famous actor from a movie. Most if not all, get your attention because you associate it with something you remember or like. It was very interesting.

[Margaret Olen]

In several of my classes, we have been watching and discussing different aspects of the super bowl ads. I enjoyed taking yet another look at something different through the eyes of a "designer". It was interesting to me how each and every super bowl ad (as well as every commercial we see daily) have a specific target audience, and a specific target goal/feeling they want viewers to experience. Being a normal, everyday TV viewer, you don't always pick apart and analyze the messages behind commercials and advertisements - I was impressed to discover how much effort is actually put in to making these ads the "famous super bowl" ads that they are.

[Hannah Vine]

I found watching and analyzing the Superbowl commercials surprisingly enlightening. Observing and discussing how each used varying angles to appeal in different ways to differing demographics was quite intriguing. We often overlook the significance of commercials and the strange power they have over us and our in class discussion really made me think about the different strategies and how much actually goes into these commercials. It was also really interesting to see how it affected people in class. The polls we took were very interesting in that we all tended to lean in similar directions suggesting a successful targeting of our particular demographic.

[syerra eickmeyer]

well in one simple sentence i would say that the Superbowl ads are definitely effective at getting talks like ours rolling and the people that make them really put a lot of time money and effort into the ad so that it will reach lots of people and make their name stand out among the rest of the competition.