Response #3

These two videos utilize two different techniques that convey their own messages that are both similar and different about television. While Boomerang uses sound distortion through echoes to portray the idea that words can form connections and associations through apprehension and comprehension. I was fascinated by the Nancy Holt’s profound diction explaining her thoughts and how the “words bounce,” which is kind of how a boomerang works. Repetition was also another main technique that helped emphasize the influence of sound within the film. It sounded as if another woman was talking right after her, like when a little kid tries to mockingly repeat everything you say. It also sounds like the echo you can experience when you are on a cell phone when the reception is not the greatest. Words that have an interesting pronunciation, such as “boomeranging” or “mirror reflection,” are repeated as a means of emphasizing their interesting effect on the echoes. I find it extremely interesting that when they have technical difficulties with the sound, she stops because it is not how the video is supposed to be executed so it sounds uncanny. However, usually when there is an echo in the speaker’s mic or on the television in general, we consider it to be a problem that we try and fix—so the reverse is actually happening. There was a strong focus on pronunciation and the reflection of words on television and through sound. Random logos that changed color also appeared within the video which were rather annoying because it took up most of the screen so it could indicate the clashes viewers encounter when dealing with both words presented on television and the ones recited on television. This could be like the way news is presented, rather than being presented on the screen, it is told to us by reporters.
Television Delivers People displays another technique that allows messages to be portrayed through television, which is through simply presenting words to the viewer. This video reminded me of a teleprompter that is used for actors, hosts, or reporters who need to just read off words and convey them in different manners. Since the words are just scrolling down and being displayed, it is up to the viewer to interpret the tone and feelings being implied by Serra. Words are grouped into one sentence at a time and speak in first and third person, which is rather interesting because it personifies the television into participating in the message intended for the viewer. I was also interested in the way Serra included the corporate aspects of television and how corporations have responsibilities and non-responsibilities to the public. Another component to this video was the music. I thought the music was rather entertaining because it was upbeat and pleasant, which reminded me of messages appearing on T.V. when networks have something brief to say, like the emergency test message (but on a lighter note). The music sounded like it came from a movie and this video was only the introduction to the actual presentation or the ending credits.
In the end, I think that although each video demonstrates different techniques, they both demonstrate how sound can alter your perception of what is being presented. In Television Delivers People, the music establishes a more pleasant mood in reading the sentences about the serious sides of television. Boomerang focuses on the special effects of using echoes in setting up a subconscious thought that could represent our own thoughts when watching T.V..