This is a video clip of a man named Juan Mann who went around giving free hugs at a mall in Australia. He experienced a lot of resistance for just offering free hugs to those who wanted. Free hugs were even banned, but people really supported the cause. Juan's simple idea really blossomed into something much bigger than he could have imagined. This was one of the first Youtube videos to get millions of views and Free Hugs have spread around the world.
The lyrics in the song, All the Same by Sick Puppies, correspond well with the "Free Hugs" video. In the beginning of the video the lyrics "I don't mind where you come from as long as you come to me" relate to free hugs. This is because in the video Juan gives a "free hug" to people he doesn't know and it didn't matter who they were or where they came from. Also this video appeals to a wide audience because everyone likes getting hugs. Another thing is that this video is based on a true story and generally people are interested in things that actually happened and that could be another reason why this video appeals to a wide audience.
ReplyDeleteThe video starts off with It's a true story, and a clips of a man holding a "FREE HUGS" sign at the mall. I noticed at first the video started off as black and white, and then once someone gave Juan the first hug, it instantly turned to color. Possibly representing mood change, from sad to happy. It's amazing what one hug can do to someone's mood. When your down, or even just happy a moment where you just embrace someone else completely changes your mood. It allows that person to know that you are there for them and your right by their side. Also, his one hug spread to others doing the same thing with other people just showed how one person can cause such a great change.
ReplyDeleteAlong with what Marissa pointed out with the color change from sad to happy once Juan received his first hug, it also gave the audience of how much a simple act can change. The purpose of this video was to show how a person in everyday life can create great change. The video does this by showing how Juan's petition grew greatly in size even though it was such a simple act. The music playing along with the video is able to inspire and pump up the audience while the petition size grew.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly this is the first video presented which does not attempt the sell something or market a company. As mentioned previously the song "All the Same" fits well with this video because of the shifting tone. As Juan gets the first hug the mood shifts and becomes more upbeat which corrisponds with the up and coming change in the video.
ReplyDeleteGoing along with what Kim said about how a small act can cause great change, it is also implying that a small act of kindness can do great things. This video is encouraging acts of kindness and compassion because we live in a world of continuing separation because of different cultures, races, and even just opinions. This video intends to bring people back together through hugs.
ReplyDeletegoing off what mitch said, i too think it is interesting that this is the first commercial that is not trying to sell something. The commercial goes along with the music very well. The music starts off slow and so does the hugging. As more and more hugs start to happen, the music picks up and becomes faster and more upbeat. I found this interesting that so many people rejected him in the beginning and at the end he had more than 10,000 signatures on a petition. It's a very simple thing but even if you went up to hug this guy as a joke, you would be smiling and laughing and it would have made your day better. Just like everyone else has said, it's interesting how one small thing can make a big impact.
ReplyDeleteThe major contrast in this vedio is the phlegmatic attitude and passion that is ignited.A man whose sole mission is to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.The first hug with an old lady breaks the ice, more and more people join this activity.The tune of this vedio is gradually brighten up. From a little warm hug to those extravagant gesture(people running to others for hug), people are gradually involved and enjoy this activity.Actually, in this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.Can you imagine that you are Juan Mann offering free hugs to strangers? Will you give up once you are resisted? This vedio shows that once you break the barrier you will be enbraced with kindness, which is indeed a precious thing that touches your heart.
ReplyDeletePlease forgive me if I sound heartless playing devil's advocate, but am I the only one who finds this campaign and this plea a little creepy? I am sure Juan means well and sure people feel loved through physical touch, but from a stranger?? In our world today we, unfortunately, have to be cautious about people's intentions, especially when it comes to physical touch. It is slightly disturbing that the music playing is by Sick Puppies, does no no else think that name is weird? Read the lyrics, they could be interpreted to be sweet and loving but they could also be interpreted to be holding someone in captivity and never freeing them. I do not really think that Juan Mann is going around with bad intentions, I just wanted to point out that, if analyzed, there could be another side to this story.
ReplyDeleteI think the main purpose of this clips is to inspire audiences to be friendly and be admirable to others, even strangers.the aim of FREE HUG is to break the block between people. At the beginning, the man who hold a sign seems pretty awkward, since no one want to give him a hug. but later, more and more people become willing to get a free hug. Also, its song match the content of the clips very well. and I think this clips may be a ad of public service organization. and it aims to inspire people to create a harmonious society.
ReplyDeleteThis commercial is different from previous commercials we had seen. This ad doesn't aim at selling any stuff; it is more like a public service announcement. I agree with Rui that the commercial is encouraging people to be more friendly and care more about each other. Apparently, the creator of the commercial noticed the increasingly widespread phenomenon that people have become apathy. The ad uses black and white background and the sad song to invoke audiences' sympathy.
ReplyDeleteIn the video “free hugs”, the producer perfectly input the elements to create the contrast along the lines. Slow music, dark color, and Juan all by himself, which created a sad atmosphere, and then the music went up and more and more people started to join the crew. The video was made to appeal more and more people to be more open to others and the progress in the video well developed audience’s heart to be warm and happy. The music named “All the same”, perfectly matched the thesis, that all of us are the same, and maybe all we need from others, is just a hug. The true story with successful arrangement is why the video is so welcome to the audience.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to clarify that this isn't a commercial, it's a youtube clip.
ReplyDeleteWhat i find most interesting about this video how a small, simple thing this guys does brightens up peoples day. All he is doing is holding a sign that says free hugs but yet after the hug the people seem happy. At first he wasn't getting any hugs but once the first one came, they all rolled in. And what is interesting about the first person who gave the hug was an old lady. The elder got the hug ball rolling as if to smble that our younger generation follows the older one.
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ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Holly and am also going to play devil's advocate. I think that Juan's campaign has good intentions and he is trying to portray the message to be friendly to everyone, no matter who they are or what background they come from. But in all reality, I think he is creepy. If I was walking on the street and saw a man holding up a sign that said "free hugs" I would instantly think he's a pedophile. Maybe this says something about what society has become? We are all skeptical and instantly think the worse and maybe this video is trying to show us that we need to open up more and become more trusting and friendly. However, when it comes to not getting raped and kidnapped, I think you need to think realistically. And realistically, to a random stranger, Juan looks like creepy.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it is not surprising that so many people originally denied his offer for a free hug. If I saw a man I didn't know I would not walk up to him and hug him. Many people point out how a simple thing can brighten a day or make a person's problems not as bad. In my opinion, if a hug from a stranger fixes your problems, then your problems are not very significant. The only reason people began to hug the guy in the first place was because it was in a highly populated area. I'm not saying I think this guy has bad intentions because he appears to be very gentle, but I can see why many people would be spectacle and why the free hugs were banned. Also, good for Juan for persisting at what he believes in, even if he could be doing better things.
ReplyDeleteas most of the class noticed and mentioned, the video was not an advertisement to sell something. This in itself was interesting to, because you have to think of why the video was made and what message they are trying to deliver. As most of the class also said the message is about upbeat,the positive of all the same song, and the great aspect of FREE HUGS!!!!!! I loved the way the video photographer uses the changing tones in the music as the attitude towards free hugs of the surrounding people change. I also think the use of adding color when the video get cheery with a lot of hugs was a great addition, because of the brighter mood you felt because of both the added color and added cheer from bunches upon bunches of FREE HUGSSSSS!!!!!!!
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DeleteThis video shows the great effect that random acts of kindness have, and inspires us all to engage in random acts of kindness for the betterment of our communities. It's clear that many people in the public are in need of hugs. It's an easy exchange that costs no money. Basically what this video means is that you need to be selfless and help out your friends and strangers you don't even know and expect nothing in return. That's the way it should be. If everyone lived selfless and helped each other out then the world would be a much better place to live and everyone could be at peace with one another. Anything from giving a random hug to visiting seniors at the retirement home, its those selfless acts that bring happiness to people.
ReplyDeleteIf someone i didn't know came up to me and offered me a hug i would most likely say no just like the first people did in this video. Most people though do find happiness from something as simple as a hug, as stated above. The old woman starting the cycle of hugs shows that we really do learn things from our elders and they get passed on to us. We follow their example no matter how much young kids think this isn't true.
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