Nostalgia promotes psychological well-being
When people wax nostalgic, they become happier. For example, in the laboratory, when people are asked to reflect on experiences, objects, or songs from the past that they are nostalgic about, positive mood increases. This makes sense because when we analyze the content of people's nostalgic episodes we find that they are mostly positive. It is true that nostalgia can be bittersweet (happiness with a tinge of sadness). However, the net result is positive. Nostalgia simply makes people happy. Nostalgia is more than just a mood boost though. It also increases self-esteem and perceptions of meaning in life. This explains the championship game story phenomenon. Many nostalgic experiences are connected to personal accomplishments and momentous life events. Life is not one great success after another. Our daily existence can often be tedious and sometimes depressing. Using nostalgia, we can inject some meaning and excitement into life. Nostalgia involves conjuring up the experiences that stick out as worthwhile and fulfilling.
Nostalgia fosters feelings of belongingness
Nostalgia isn't just about the self. It is also about our relationships. When people engage in nostalgia, they feel more connected to others. For example, our studies find that most nostalgic episodes are social and having people engage in nostalgia makes them feel close to and loved by others. The past experiences, objects, movies, and music we love are often anchored in social contexts and thus remind us that we are able to form and maintain relationships and that people do care about us.
So when are we most nostalgic?
Based on the research I just described, it may not come as a surprise that people turn to nostalgia in situations that cause negative mood, loneliness, and life meaninglessness. Marketing and consumer research demonstrates that nostalgia can be directly induced by providing consumers with products they are nostalgic for (e.g., 80s-inspired clothing, music, and toys). However, it is when we are psychologically vulnerable or threatened that we naturally turn to nostalgia. So next time you feel a little down and alone, try nostalgia. It may be just what the doctor ordered. And don't be ashamed of keeping that championship game story in heavy rotation or the fact that you just dropped half of your monthly rent for prime Bon Jovi tickets. You may be reaping the psychological rewards of being in touch with your past.
Source: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/death-love-sex-magic/200908/nostalgia-is-good-medicine
Monday, 19 September 2011
Concept: Nostalgia - Advertising
The power of nostalgia in advertising
Marketing experts tell us again and again that the key to sales is to make a connection to the customer. Clearly it’s easier and faster to co-opt our fond memories than create a brand new positive association with your product. Two giants of advertising, Pepsi and Coke, appear to be masters at tapping into our fake nostalgia with many of their commercials vividly displaying their generational history. At its heart, their message is “Remember way back when you were young? Well, we were there with you”.
As we age our nostalgic yearnings grow, making us more receptive to advertisers and marketers use of what researchers call "a longing for positive memories from the past." In addition to time's arrow, this desire for nostalgia is further intensified by society's present circumstance of receding predictability and opportunity. While science is still struggling to unravel the neuro-dynamics of nostalgia, studies have identified some nostalgic cues that can be exploited and how images and sounds from the past can create favorable attitudes about products. Despite being obvious, this strategy taps into something fundamental about the human mind and consciousness. Every time we remember a past event it not only evokes the earlier memory, but can re-cast the past into a more pleasing "remembered" version. Memory, thinking and feeling are an active, shaping process.
What makes us nostalgic?
The music, cars and movies you identified with when you were young stick with you throughout your life. Take music, recordings that were released when we were teenagers or young adults, are locked into our memories forever, to release a flood of vivid memories and emotions when replayed, especially in ads. For example, people who were 23 in 1964, when the Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," will turn 70 this year, are a prime target for nostalgic marketing appeals.
(The feeling of nostalgia varies from age to age therefore advertisers need to think of new and innovative ways of appealing to a broad target market.)
For marketers, the key is finding the right music and images, which do not even need to directly relate to their products, as long as warm feelings are stirred up. It is the emotion generated from that good feeling that influences people's evaluation of the advertised offer. Recollection provides context and context impacts on how we evaluate things. Moreover, nostalgia can make us feel that not so much time has passed between then and now, making us feel young(er) again and that we still have a long ways to go and have the time to make it "there." Nostalgia telescopes time and brings it more under our emotional orchestration.
Marketing experts tell us again and again that the key to sales is to make a connection to the customer. Clearly it’s easier and faster to co-opt our fond memories than create a brand new positive association with your product. Two giants of advertising, Pepsi and Coke, appear to be masters at tapping into our fake nostalgia with many of their commercials vividly displaying their generational history. At its heart, their message is “Remember way back when you were young? Well, we were there with you”.
As we age our nostalgic yearnings grow, making us more receptive to advertisers and marketers use of what researchers call "a longing for positive memories from the past." In addition to time's arrow, this desire for nostalgia is further intensified by society's present circumstance of receding predictability and opportunity. While science is still struggling to unravel the neuro-dynamics of nostalgia, studies have identified some nostalgic cues that can be exploited and how images and sounds from the past can create favorable attitudes about products. Despite being obvious, this strategy taps into something fundamental about the human mind and consciousness. Every time we remember a past event it not only evokes the earlier memory, but can re-cast the past into a more pleasing "remembered" version. Memory, thinking and feeling are an active, shaping process.
What makes us nostalgic?
The music, cars and movies you identified with when you were young stick with you throughout your life. Take music, recordings that were released when we were teenagers or young adults, are locked into our memories forever, to release a flood of vivid memories and emotions when replayed, especially in ads. For example, people who were 23 in 1964, when the Beatles appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," will turn 70 this year, are a prime target for nostalgic marketing appeals.
(The feeling of nostalgia varies from age to age therefore advertisers need to think of new and innovative ways of appealing to a broad target market.)
For marketers, the key is finding the right music and images, which do not even need to directly relate to their products, as long as warm feelings are stirred up. It is the emotion generated from that good feeling that influences people's evaluation of the advertised offer. Recollection provides context and context impacts on how we evaluate things. Moreover, nostalgia can make us feel that not so much time has passed between then and now, making us feel young(er) again and that we still have a long ways to go and have the time to make it "there." Nostalgia telescopes time and brings it more under our emotional orchestration.
Places: Cinema - Primary Research
How often do you go the cinema a month?
Do you watch 3D films?
Sophie Wilson
1) Would usually go about 3/4 times a month, bit of a film geek :D
2) Not all that keen on 3D...seems like it's milking the corporate cash cow a bit too much.
Beth Yates
1) I used to go to the cinema about once a month with orange wednesdays cause it was cheap, but i haven't been in ages.
2) Some 3D films are awesome but others are pants- depends on how the films made- the best way to see one by far is the imax.
Lisa Whitaker
1) Probably five times a year.
2) Watched Transformers in 3D(because it was Isaac's Bday) which was pretty amazing, will have been pick and chose cos costs more!
Matt Tucker
1) once in the past 2 years.
2) not yet but planning on doing so some time soon.
Kirsty Alderson
1) once a month at least
2) im not keen on 3D films because the glasses irritate me with having to wear them over my normal glasses & its expensive!
Max Gregory
1) I very rarely go to the cinema
2) 3D films are great
Do you watch 3D films?
Sophie Wilson
1) Would usually go about 3/4 times a month, bit of a film geek :D
2) Not all that keen on 3D...seems like it's milking the corporate cash cow a bit too much.
Beth Yates
1) I used to go to the cinema about once a month with orange wednesdays cause it was cheap, but i haven't been in ages.
2) Some 3D films are awesome but others are pants- depends on how the films made- the best way to see one by far is the imax.
Lisa Whitaker
1) Probably five times a year.
2) Watched Transformers in 3D(because it was Isaac's Bday) which was pretty amazing, will have been pick and chose cos costs more!
Matt Tucker
1) once in the past 2 years.
2) not yet but planning on doing so some time soon.
Kirsty Alderson
1) once a month at least
2) im not keen on 3D films because the glasses irritate me with having to wear them over my normal glasses & its expensive!
Max Gregory
1) I very rarely go to the cinema
2) 3D films are great
Friday, 16 September 2011
Places: Cinema - 3D
Definition courtesy of Wikipedia
A 3-D (three-dimensional) film or S3D (stereoscopic 3D) film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception. Derived from stereoscopic photography, a regular motion picture camera system is used to record the images as seen from two perspectives (or computer-generated imagery generates the two perspectives in post-production), and special projection hardware and/or eyewear are used to provide the illusion of depth when viewing the film. 3-D films are not limited to feature film theatrical releases; television broadcasts and direct-to-video films have also incorporated similar methods, primarily for marketing purposes.
Anaglyph (red and cyan glasses)
Anaglyph images were the earliest method of presenting theatrical 3-D, and the one most commonly associated with stereoscopy by the public at large, mostly because of non theatrical 3D media such as comic books and 3D TV broadcasts, where polarization is not practical. They were made popular because of the ease of their production and exhibition.
In an anaglyph, the two images are superimposed in an additive light setting through two filters, one red and one cyan. In a subtractive light setting, the two images are printed in the same complementary colors on white paper. Glasses with colored filters in each eye separate the appropriate images by canceling the filter color out and rendering the complementary color black.
The new era of 3D
In a stereoscopic motion picture, two images are projected superimposed onto the same screen through different polarizing filters. The viewer wears low-cost eyeglasses which also contain a pair of polarizing filters oriented differently (clockwise/counterclockwise with circular polarization or at 90 degree angles, usually 45 and 135 degrees, with linear polarization). As each filter passes only that light which is similarly polarized and blocks the light polarized differently, each eye sees a different image. This is used to produce a three-dimensional effect by projecting the same scene into both eyes, but depicted from slightly different perspectives.
Since no head tracking is involved, the entire audience can view the stereoscopic images at the same time. Additionally, since both lenses have the same color, people with one dominant eye (amblyopia), where one eye is used more, are able to see the 3D effect, previously negated by the separation of the two colors.
Christopher Nolan criticised the comparison of apparent '2D films' with emerging '3D films': "I think it's a misnomer to call it 3D versus 2D. The whole point of cinematic imagery is it's three dimensional... You know 95% of our depth cues come from occlusion, resolution, color and so forth, so the idea of calling a 2D movie a '2D movie' is a little misleading."
Why I think 3D films are good
In my opinion, 3D films immerse you even moreso into the film and despite the gimmicky and cliche tactics used by film makers (such as a hand 'coming out of the screen') the effect is usually subtle but engaging. As the 3D glasses reduce the brightness slightly, it may work better with some movies than others therefore it changes with whatever 3D movie you see.
A 3-D (three-dimensional) film or S3D (stereoscopic 3D) film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception. Derived from stereoscopic photography, a regular motion picture camera system is used to record the images as seen from two perspectives (or computer-generated imagery generates the two perspectives in post-production), and special projection hardware and/or eyewear are used to provide the illusion of depth when viewing the film. 3-D films are not limited to feature film theatrical releases; television broadcasts and direct-to-video films have also incorporated similar methods, primarily for marketing purposes.
Anaglyph (red and cyan glasses)
Anaglyph images were the earliest method of presenting theatrical 3-D, and the one most commonly associated with stereoscopy by the public at large, mostly because of non theatrical 3D media such as comic books and 3D TV broadcasts, where polarization is not practical. They were made popular because of the ease of their production and exhibition.
In an anaglyph, the two images are superimposed in an additive light setting through two filters, one red and one cyan. In a subtractive light setting, the two images are printed in the same complementary colors on white paper. Glasses with colored filters in each eye separate the appropriate images by canceling the filter color out and rendering the complementary color black.
The new era of 3D
In a stereoscopic motion picture, two images are projected superimposed onto the same screen through different polarizing filters. The viewer wears low-cost eyeglasses which also contain a pair of polarizing filters oriented differently (clockwise/counterclockwise with circular polarization or at 90 degree angles, usually 45 and 135 degrees, with linear polarization). As each filter passes only that light which is similarly polarized and blocks the light polarized differently, each eye sees a different image. This is used to produce a three-dimensional effect by projecting the same scene into both eyes, but depicted from slightly different perspectives.
Since no head tracking is involved, the entire audience can view the stereoscopic images at the same time. Additionally, since both lenses have the same color, people with one dominant eye (amblyopia), where one eye is used more, are able to see the 3D effect, previously negated by the separation of the two colors.
Christopher Nolan criticised the comparison of apparent '2D films' with emerging '3D films': "I think it's a misnomer to call it 3D versus 2D. The whole point of cinematic imagery is it's three dimensional... You know 95% of our depth cues come from occlusion, resolution, color and so forth, so the idea of calling a 2D movie a '2D movie' is a little misleading."
Why I think 3D films are good
In my opinion, 3D films immerse you even moreso into the film and despite the gimmicky and cliche tactics used by film makers (such as a hand 'coming out of the screen') the effect is usually subtle but engaging. As the 3D glasses reduce the brightness slightly, it may work better with some movies than others therefore it changes with whatever 3D movie you see.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Concept: Nostalgia - What makes you nostalgic?
In order to gather evidence that 'Nostalgia' is infact, good, I set about asking as many people as possible, what makes them nostalgic. I had many positive responses, with people discovering childhood memories that they have never recalled before.
The following was posted on my Tumblr blog:
Kath Warburton
Kim & Jessie - M83 reminds me of last autumn/winter
Electric heater reminds me of my nana' house
shevketdesigninspiration
Music I used to listen to when I was young, or looking through my photo albums ( not Facebook photo albums, the real ones )
Christina Massam
Gardeny/sheddy smells make me nostalgic. And the smell of fresh mint, and a certain bird call but I don't know which bird makes it, but whenever I hear or smell these things I always think of my great Grandad, and how Emily and I would play in his Garden while he would do the Garden work.
maxplusmira
carousels
7sobm
Original transformers movie & the cheesy music that went with it, small footballs, david beckham, toy story, screams of kids at playgrounds, ps1, home alone, tom and jerry, non alcoholic beer, flake 99, getting up early in the morning to watch tv, first nike jacket, steps, spice girls lol, school dinners, custard & apple crumble, school uniforms, colour blue. All i can think off the top of my head!
Sophie Wilson
The smell of roses reminds me of home
crazymadsad
some specific smells. some songs that will bring you back at a very specific moment. movies you used to watch as kids and you watch back now.
emits
old photos, old sweets, pokemon cards, toys and dinosaurs (cos i lived in that era obviously lol
Beth Yates
songs definitely! when i hear really cheesy bad songs from the nineties i'm always like 'god i remember this coming out!' then i feel seriously old haha :D and theres certain songs that make me think of specific events aswell - like the time warp from the rocky horror show, me and some friends started singing it in the middle of a random street in new york while on a school trip :D it was pitch black and the teachers were lost and i always remember these 2 guys pulling up in a car and having a right giggle at us :D
Kirsty Cave
febreeze apple spice reminds me of home and in a way comforts me (bit weird lol) and songs always remind me of things, i heard lou bega's mambo number 5 on the way back to leeds today and it just reminded me of being a kid :) really cheered me up
James Flanagan
The smell of perfume on my pillow after she has left.
Lisa Whitaker
I have got a glass jug that was my Gran's and I think of homemade Apple pie and cream and her kitchen every time I use it!
lisaverdin
christmas, disney, old sweets, the smell of cut grass
pillaidesign
Music and food
luciamorettidesign
Autumn
linutile
tv shows or movies that are about High School or 90s tv shows I used to watch as a kid
The following was posted on my Tumblr blog:
Kath Warburton
Kim & Jessie - M83 reminds me of last autumn/winter
Electric heater reminds me of my nana' house
shevketdesigninspiration
Music I used to listen to when I was young, or looking through my photo albums ( not Facebook photo albums, the real ones )
Christina Massam
Gardeny/sheddy smells make me nostalgic. And the smell of fresh mint, and a certain bird call but I don't know which bird makes it, but whenever I hear or smell these things I always think of my great Grandad, and how Emily and I would play in his Garden while he would do the Garden work.
maxplusmira
carousels
7sobm
Original transformers movie & the cheesy music that went with it, small footballs, david beckham, toy story, screams of kids at playgrounds, ps1, home alone, tom and jerry, non alcoholic beer, flake 99, getting up early in the morning to watch tv, first nike jacket, steps, spice girls lol, school dinners, custard & apple crumble, school uniforms, colour blue. All i can think off the top of my head!
Sophie Wilson
The smell of roses reminds me of home
crazymadsad
some specific smells. some songs that will bring you back at a very specific moment. movies you used to watch as kids and you watch back now.
emits
old photos, old sweets, pokemon cards, toys and dinosaurs (cos i lived in that era obviously lol
Beth Yates
songs definitely! when i hear really cheesy bad songs from the nineties i'm always like 'god i remember this coming out!' then i feel seriously old haha :D and theres certain songs that make me think of specific events aswell - like the time warp from the rocky horror show, me and some friends started singing it in the middle of a random street in new york while on a school trip :D it was pitch black and the teachers were lost and i always remember these 2 guys pulling up in a car and having a right giggle at us :D
Kirsty Cave
febreeze apple spice reminds me of home and in a way comforts me (bit weird lol) and songs always remind me of things, i heard lou bega's mambo number 5 on the way back to leeds today and it just reminded me of being a kid :) really cheered me up
James Flanagan
The smell of perfume on my pillow after she has left.
Lisa Whitaker
I have got a glass jug that was my Gran's and I think of homemade Apple pie and cream and her kitchen every time I use it!
lisaverdin
christmas, disney, old sweets, the smell of cut grass
pillaidesign
Music and food
luciamorettidesign
Autumn
linutile
tv shows or movies that are about High School or 90s tv shows I used to watch as a kid
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Places: Cinema - Box Office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket. The term is frequently used, especially in the context of the film industry, as a synonym for the amount of business a particular production, such as a film or theatre show, receives. The term can also mean factors which may influence this amount, as in the phrases "good box office" and "bad box office"
Highest grossing films
All of the films from the top 10 (excluding Titanic) were released in the last 10 years and 3 of these in 2011. There have been many reports that cinema-goers are on the decline due to the growing popularity of HD television sets and HD and Blu-ray DVDs and the increase in ticket prices. However, it is clear to see that it is the complete opposite.
Rank
 |
Title
|
Worldwide gross
|
Year
|
Ref
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
$2,782,275,172
| |||
2
|
$1,843,201,268
| |||
3
|
$1,321,104,684
| |||
4
|
$1,119,110,941
| |||
5
|
$1,115,800,077
| |||
6
|
$1,066,179,725
| |||
7
|
$1,063,171,911
| |||
8
|
$1,039,418,960
| |||
9
|
$1,024,299,904
| |||
10
|
$1,001,921,825
|
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