Infomercials. Shoot me.





I’ve spent most of the morning watching infomercials. Generating ideas for the first commercials I’ll be shooting over the next month. Infomercials have a visual language all of their own. It’s interesting to watch something that was created for the sole purpose of selling a product. All artistry that could exist has be extracted, which ironically gives it a uniqueness that could be considered an art form onto itself. Did I mention I’m on my 3rd pot of coffee?

Infomercials are made to present info in a way where there’s no possibility of confusion on what the product is, what it does, and how easy it is to get. Every element (visual or audio) is exaggerated and repeated to infinity to drive every selling point home. Basically, they’re made so if you were either DEAF or BLIND you could still understand completely what’s going on. They sound like radio commercials and look like Bill Hick’s worst nightmare realized.

Here’s a few perfect examples; that are both repulsive and fascinating:
(I didn’t embed the videos because they play automatically and that drives me crazy!)
The Snuggie
Scoop n Grind
Pedi Pistol (note: gross toes!)
Egg Genie

 
 
 
  • http://www.johnlacey.com John Lacey

    The only thing more baffling than the infomercials are the products being sold themselves. (I wonder for example who woke up one day and said, “I know what’s missing from my life – my blankets need arms!”)

    Have you seen the Slap Chop remix featuring Vince?

  • Joe

    that remix is hilarious.

    I often say to myself “if only there was a product to combine my passion for food with my love for slapping…”

  • don

    Joe, i’ve seen the other infomercels, but not seen the scoopn grind one. Did you see that on tv lately or just find on web?

    donmeggoner282

  • Joe

    Online. I found this list of infomercials and links to their sites:
    http://www.infomercials-tv.com/

    There’s some really crazy crap out there!

    Joe