Media over the month of September

 WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER!

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  BRAINROT 

I've consumed a LOT of TikTok's including those strangely addictive Chinese kid/bunny/frog edits. This month, I realized my For You Page has been fully taken over by the "kid with the bunny and frog" TikTok's. At first, I thought they were just goofy little clips with cute animals... but after what we learned in class, I can see how technical techniques are being used to hook me. For example, the videos use rapid editing and jump cuts to keep attention before I even think about scrolling away. The bright color saturation of the frog, bunny, and kid's outfits make the clips pop visually (almost like a cartoon). The producers (or whoever is editing these) also use upbeat non-diegetic music that doesn't always match the video, which creates humor through contrast. It's basically editing designed to keep me watching even though half the time I don't know what's going on. It's also a good example of global media flow: these are Chinese-origin TikTok's, but the algorithm pushes them worldwide. Even without understanding the language or context, the visual humor, quick pacing, and expressive animals communicate universally.

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TV-SHOWS 

Watching My Little Pony reminded me how animation style and color palettes communicate meaning. Each pony is designed with distinct color schemes and shapes that match their personalities, Twilight Sparkle's purples and blues emphasize wisdom, while Rainbow Dash's bold rainbow colors convey energy and confidence. The show also uses camera framing and shot types (even though it's animated) to guide audience emotion. For example, when characters learn a moral lesson, the camera often uses a slow zoom-in to highlight sincerity. The upbeat non-diegetic theme music reinforces the message of optimism and friendship. It's a perfect example of media aimed at younger audiences but layered with technical codes that appeal to all ages.

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Music

This song uses instrumentation and vocal tone to express deep emotion. The soft acoustic guitar and steady rhythm create a sense of intimacy, while Pujols' heartfelt vocals carry vulnerability. From a media studies perspective, the production choices like slight reverb on his voice, make the performance sound more emotional and authentic, as if it's echoing in a personal space. If you look at the music video (or live performances), lighting techniques often focus a spotlight on the singer, isolating him visually to emphasize sincerity. The combination of technical elements makes the listener feel like the message ("I'll always love you") is directed right at them, showing how producers use audio-visual tools to deepen audience connection.