Special Topic Post-- "Fotoshop by Adobe" Parody

Women in today’s society are constantly judged by their looks. They are expected to have flawless skin, luscious locks, and perfect bodies—when in reality, that just isn't attainable. Television, advertisements, magazines, and all other forms of media are displaying an unrealistic representation of what women should look like. Photoshop and airbrushing in every advertisement can completely change a woman’s appearance. Today’s technology can completely transform a woman’s body and face more than you could even imagine. Take for example the “Evolution” video marketed by Dove. The video shows how someone can renovate a woman’s face to make her look entirely different and unrecognizable. It’s such a shame that woman of today feel that they have to live up to this false image of “beauty.”

Winterman’s “What Would a Real-Life Barbie Look Like?”, Postrel’s “The Truth About Beauty”, and Sharp’s “Onslaught: Dove vs. Axe” articles we read this week were very interesting and led me to do some of my own research on these topics. I found “Fotoshop by Adobé” from http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2012/01/13/fotoshop-by-adobe-parodies-beauty-product-ads/. This video is a parody that mocks beauty advertisement commercials who claim to completely transform some part of your body or face through a new science formula. The video is somewhat comical, although it is extremely true.

            Jesse Rosten, the filmmaker, creates her own beauty advertisement commercial in which she is selling an imaginary product called “Fotoshop”. This product is intended to be ‘photoshop’—which is the actual invention that transforms these women in the advertisements. Technology is what changes the women in the media, not the beauty product they are trying to sell you. No miracle drug or beauty product is capable of the transformations that these actresses and models appear to have undergone because it isn't possible without surgery. They make it seem as if a simple cream or makeup or brush can make you look perfect and flawless.

             The parody opens up with stating that ‘Fotoshop” is the new revolution in beauty capable of making a new you—but perfected. It shows how “Fotoshop” is a miracle product that can give you the “look of your dreams”. It shows how actual Photoshop can adjust your body size, remove wrinkles, increase your eyelash length, brighten your eyes, adjust your racial skin tone, remove blemishes, create fuller lips, whiten your teeth, and adjust your hair color. It mimics the exact techniques and methods real beauty commercials do by showing how the product works. It describes the “science” behind the formula that allows the product to work. The average person doesn't even pay attention to what’s actually being said. If the advertisement uses big “scientific” words with an enlarged close-up view of the scientific process, the gullible women of today’s society will believe it.  In reality they have no clue what is meant or what is actually being said or described. They claim that this product will instantaneously erase your blemishes, which is not humanly possible without surgery. The video is very sarcastic which shows how ridiculous beauty product commercials can be. One of the actresses even shouts out “My skin feels like plastic!”, perhaps referring to all of the plastic surgeries women undergo today in attempt to create a “perfect body”. Possibly the funniest part was when this parody was mocking the “Covergirl” commercial by stating “There’s only one way to look like a real covergirl” which claims to be the most natural makeup. It also has an effective slogan which mocks “Maybe It’s Maybelline”. Watch the video to find out! It will have you laughing in no time.

            It’s so outrageous how “perfect” is the aim for most teenage and adult women. What is perfect anyway? And would you really want to be perfect? I feel that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If the media would stop portraying these unrealistic and fake representations of women, maybe women wouldn't feel that they have to live up to the false images of celebrities and models. The best line from this parody was “You don’t have to rely on a healthy body image or self-respect anymore.” This statement is incredibly true. Women are constantly being objectified and used as sex toys or for sexual purposes to sell products.   Self-respect is history. Half of the women today follow no morals just to fit into society. Also, being healthy isn't a concern anymore—being skinny and abnormally thin is. Natural is beauty!

http://vimeo.com/34813864