Media Deconstruction: My Little Pony

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is a staple in our house.  My daughter, although she is only a year old looks to watch this show with us.  Even though she is so young, my husband and I have decided that it is a show that conforms to the values we want our daughter to learn.  This alone makes us comfortable to watch it with her.  Overall the series is based on how important friendship is.  This particular episode is one of my favorite.  The focus is on how younger children often view their elders and how inaccurate that view is.  

1.) Who paid for the media?

This show is paid for by HASBRO 

3.)  What group is targeted by this media?

Target audience for this show is young girls between the ages of 3-7.  

4.) What about this media leads one to that conclusion?

The show is very happy, and very bright.  All the main characters are girls who are best friends.  There really are not any inviting parts of this show to a young boy the same age.

7.) What value(s) are reinforced?

One of the biggest values reinforced here was not to judge someone by their age.  Every episode of this show places an emphasis on an individual value.  It also places a focus on the importance of family regardless of their goofiness.

8.) What techniques of persuasion are used?

For this particular show this question is a little harder.  I think humor is the main technique used.  The show is meant to be serious yet funny enough to keep the attention of a young audience.  I also think that in some ways the plain-folk idea is used.  These ponies are nothing spectacular, nor famous (outside the show) and I think the down-to-earth story-lines reinforce this idea.

14.)  Is it closer to fantasy or reality?

Although this is an animated cartoon about talking ponies, I think it can be argued as either.  To me, this is closer to reality in the aspect that the story line is something that everyone goes through in their life.  It is something that can and does happen, although with living-breathing humans.

15.) Does it use stereotypes?

This particular episode is focused on the specific stereotype that older people are often embarrassing.  It is not until the end of the episode that Sweetie Bell realizes just how logical her Granny Smith is in her actions. 

In Class Media Deconstruction

Snuggies for Dogs Media Ad.  We chose this advertisement as a group because we thought it was cute.
http://medialiteracyproject.org/deconstructions/snuggie-dogs

1.  Who paid for the ad:  The makers of Snuggie.

2. Why does the company need to do the ad: To be able to see more of their product and to ensure that people know that the product exists.

3.  What group is targeted by this ad:  Dog owners particularly middle aged white women.

4.  What about the ad leads on to that conclusion: The ad itself contains dogs as well as several middle aged women using the product.


8.  What techniques of persuasion are used: Warm and fuzzy, explicit claims as well as plain folk.  The warm and fuzzy comes the dogs in the ad.  Pet always make people happy.  The explicit claims comes from showing how well the product works and the advantages that come from using the product.  The plain folk is based on non-celebrity, everyday people showing the use of the product.

14.  Is it closer to fantasy or reality:  It is much closer to reality.  People do in fact use this product for their dogs.

15.  Does it use stereotypes:  Yes.  This ad only shows women using the product assuming that men wouldn't want to use it.  I'm sure there are women out that that wouldn't use this product as well as many men who would.