1984

In the year 1984, Apple launched a rather contriversial commercial, filled to the brim with symbolism and dual meaning; it was a playground for marketing analysists for over the next 20 years. The commercial was based off of George Orwell's utopian novel, "1984". It compares events in the novel, to the new release of the new "Macintosh" by Apple. Filmed to look like a movie trailer, it was one of the first advertising segments to be done in this style.
The conservative higher-ups at Apple hated it, and said it was too . However, unable to sell their prime spot during the superbowl, they were left witht no choice but to run the ad. What followed was an overwhelming response from the public, and media, who would not stop talking about it. Although it only aired once during the Superbowl, the media coverage recieved provided Apple with hours of free exposure.
Hoping to sell 10,000 computers within the 100 days, they sold 10,000 within the first 24 hours. Because of this ad, Apple was able to stay in market with the PC. By this point in time, the PC was becoming the dominant and more widely used than anything that Apple produced. This commercial, more or less saved them.
Browse for yourself, and your thoughts and comments are welcomed.

http://s153506479.onlinehome.us/1984.html



After you watch it:
By the way, they're British skinheads.

200 of them.

Valentines Day

I've never been a fan of Valentines Day. Nope, no matter what. I've been single for most of them. This year, while being in a relationship, I still hate it. Oh, last year I wasn't such a big fan either. It's the Hallmark moneymaker. Everyone must sent their signifigant other a token of love.

There's another thing that bothers me. "signifigant other" How do you define that term? What exactly is so signifigant about them? Someone signifigant in my life could be my cat. He's an other, and he's plays a signifigant part in my life. Well, he's not going to appreciate a Hallmark card. He would use roses for a litterbox and chocolate would kill him. Sorry- all the cliche gifts fail here.

The term signifigant other seems to be all encompasing, non-discriminatory, an completely PC. If you're married, dating, seeing, sleeping with, dating and never seeing, someone- every greeting card company and flower store wants to make sure they're addressing their target audience. It's so vague, it's impersonal. It's too general. During the holiday of love, isn't this the message we don't want to hear? We can't think of anything better to call that... that... person.

You can't please everyone all the time. Pick your target audience and go with it.
On ESPN, the commercials should fall along the lines of: "Your girlfriend will love the new NFL For dummies handbook! Complete with a box of chocolates!" On Spike "Send the woman you're sleeping with to the spa for the day! Then you can sleep with someone else, and she'll never know!" The History Chanel "Treat your wife to an elegant dinner while crusing on the magestic USS Illinois, a WWI battleship which was built in the early 1900's. This unique ship first set sai......." you get the point.

Whatever you do this V-Day, Enjoy. If you have someone to enjoy it with, even better. I don't mean to dampen anyones spirits. However the holiday seems absurd. If you REALLY love someone...why do you have to show it today? You have 364 other perfectly good days during the year to do so.

More ABSOLUTNESS.

Continuing on the ABSOLUT theme, this is my completed project for my Art Direction class. It took 24 layers in Photoshop to complete.

Sonata Arctica

Rachele and I ventured to Cleveland this weekend to see Sonata Arctica. As a metal band from Finland, not many people have heard of this obscure musical group. Nonetheless, it was an awesome performance. For your listening and viewing pleasure, here is a video of one of my favorite songs. Enjoy!

Wolf and Raven.

www.SonataArctica.info