- Explain the metaphor of “wag the dog.” What does the title of the film suggest?
A dog is smarter than it’s tail. If the tail were smarter it would wag the dog. The metaphor is that the tail wags the dog, meaning that the tail: the media is smarter that the dog: society.
- Who is Mr. Fix-it? What does he do?
Robert DeNiro is Mr. Fix-it. His character deals with the media for the President and making sure everything looks good to the public.
- What is the significance of the producer’s house being larger than the White House? What message does that relay?
The producer has more power than the president. There is one scene when the producer puts the president on hold, meaning that he was in charge the “BIG” guy.
- Explain the significance of: We remember the slogans, but we don’t remember the war” in terms of media’s effectiveness.
People never remember the actual war but it is in the media so it has a powerful impact.
- Explain the significance of “of course there’s a war; I’m seeing it on TV” in terms of media’s effectiveness.
Everything we see on TV we believe and trust.
- Who seems more powerful, the producer or the president? Why?
The producer. There is never a time we see the president throughout the film, and the producer has more say entirely.
- The merchandising of products such as the “303 Burger” which Schuman “ate” behind enemy lines is often reflected in our society today. Provide 3 examples of this type of merchandising.
When Burger King, McDonalds, and any other fast food restaurants include some type of toy with a movie of sorts. Also sports drinks connecting with athletes and promotions from them.
- Why do you think people follow the “shoes trend?” Can you think of trends like that in our society?
People followed it because everyone else was doing it and that is the way society does it. When everyone else is doing it, things like the LIVESTRONG bracelets or KONY 2012, everyone joined in.
- Find examples of how Wag the Dog demonstrates the following four principles of media: Media construct reality, media present ideology & value messages, commercial interests, code and conventions.
Media Construct Reality: Everyone believes what he or she sees on TV
Media Present ideology and value messages: Not trusting media and questioning it
Commercial interests: All the items that are product placements. Cars, food, and other items
Code and conventions: The patriotic music and background of it all.
10. How was the NEWS media portrayed and what current examples do you know of in our society?
The news media was portrayed poorly. This was done by the film’s characters saying lines like “it’s on TV it must be true” in a way that we as viewers know it is false. This made the audience want to question the media, making it seem like the news media is negative. I don’t know any current examples in today’s society, but then again the news may be lying to me on a daily basis. So therefore, I am more cautious at what I take in from listening to the news.
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