What I liked
Audio-Video and graphic depictions of classic Advertising tropes.
The professor’s boundless enthusiasm, the “magic realism” multiverse moments, especially the twin perfect house wife caricatures.
Advertising deconstruction, especially the “Stainless Steel” promotional ad.
Cory’s costuming, especially the 50’s perfect wife dresses.
The entire content developed for performance and produced with intense attention to detail.
What I didn't like
The students were weak as a group,…though there were moments. And as I slept on that observation I realized how weak their personas really are in a world of confusion and misdirection. I believe this “apparent” weakness in performance could be augmented by better elocution or just miking them outright. Their roles are a depiction of the results of “mind control” in the world we now know so it would be great to see their character arc’s more deeply developed and effectively expressed.
My overall impression
MS 499: Advertising and the Social Construction of Gender
Tight well performed and produced satirical critique of the underpinnings that has shaped modern societal dysfunction. With the sword of humor classic culturally designed marketing conventions are deconstructed by the highly motivated college teacher as if experiencing a revelation. What occurs in “the room” amongst barely functional students, distracted by their own self entitlement, importance, involvement plus the ubiquitous computerized “device”, counters the frustratingly futile attempt this inspired professor attempts to launch. But through “magic realism” the fabricated advertising personalities take control setting everyone, into a state of wonderment, confusion, and moments of epiphany.
Very fun Show… with awesome performances! It really looks at so many aspects of our continuing dysfunctional world with the perfect antidote…humor! And thank you for all of the amazing work you all did.
I hope it is received well in the world. MS 499 would a great streaming show concept on Apple investigating the issues that are overtaking all levels of our lives. The elephant in the room isn’t the manipulative practices of advertising as much as the ongoing results portrayed by a lethargic, mentally exhausted array of young adults waiting for some commonsense truth to appear through the haze of fakery and distractions assaulting their lives.
If this story could continue, I would love to see the developmental arc of the self-involved, overly self-righteous, confused, and distracted students that the protagonist professor so valiantly attempts to connect with.
Favorite performances are Dina Cataldi the most exuberant professor I would have loved to have a class from and Cory Comeaux-Soto who was the humor glue that took the entire show into another orbit of “multiverse” entertainment fun.
Well Done All!
And your costuming was truly fun to see. Those dresses were terrific!
