Nearly every American owns a vehicle and drives it every single day.  Even though it is illegal, many people choose to break the law and drive under the influence of an illegal substance.  Marijuana has caused many fatal car wrecks around the world. Marijuana impairs your perceptions, thoughts, and actions.  This commercial, developed by Taika Waititi for the New Zealand Transport Agency, called "Blazed" first hit the internet on September 13 and is still a very popular ad to this day with over more than two million, three hundred thousand views on Youtube.  This commercial uses realism, dull black and white color, and children's perspectives to portray how driving under the influence of marijuana is unsafe and can be the cause of inappropriate behavior. Not only this, but can also set a bad example for others around. 

Parents have a strong influence on their children whether it is a good influence or a bad one.  In this commercial, these three children use a realistic viewpoint to brag about their dads and how they drive under the influence of marijuana.  The two male kids sitting in the front of the car go back and forth, switching seats, imitating their fathers driving habits while "blazed."  From the audiences view, we are stunned to see how these children already know what marijuana is at their age. When I was around that age I barely knew what a cigarette was.  At the beginning of this commercial, the two male children repeat the line "When my dads been blazing, he drives like this."  Using this line in particular, it shows us how these children have noticed bad habits of 
their fathers and could possibly in the future repeat their actions.  Situations like this happen every single day,  not only with marijuana, but also other illegal substances.  Realism from a child's point of view, in this commercial, sets a negative attitude on marijuana and operating a vehicle while "blazed". 

Color scheme has a huge impact on the way the audience views any commercial.  Taika Waititi choses to use a black and white color scheme in "blazed" to appeal to the viewers emotional side.  This color scheme is used to make the viewer focus more on the impact of the words being said rather than the actions being presented, even though the actions in this commercial have an impact to.  Bright colors normally give off a more lively/pleasant mood while more dull colors give off more of a melancholy mood.  Black and white color scheme in "Blazed" sets the tone for how driving high can only lead to a negative outcome.

A Child, to most, is a symbol of innocence and progression. Using a child's point of view in this commercial is crucial in appealing to the viewers soft side.  As Americans, children are our prized possessions and we want nothing more than the best for them and for them to succeed in life; never would we want them to do anything illegal or harmful to themselves or others.  These children in this commercial see it as a good thing that their dads get high and drive, completely the opposite of what we want our children believing and growing up doing.  While watching "blazed," we think to ourselves, "what if this was my child?" which is exactly what Taika Waititi wants us to think.  Using a child's perspective especially has a strong influence on those parents who do smoke marijuana around their kids and drive illegally. It'll make you come to your senses and think "is this the lifestyle I want my children to end up having?"  Taika Waititi wants these thoughts to stick in the audiences head and run through it continuously as they watch the commercial.  Perspective is a key ingredient in a commercial that can really grab the viewers attention.

As shown above, the commercial "blazed," developed by Taika Waititi for the New Zealand Transport Agency, shows us how smoking marijuana and driving is not only illegal, but also a bad influence on children, through the use of realism, dull black and white color, and children's perspectives.  In South Carolina, marijuana is illegal and charges can be brought on you for being in possession of it or under the influence of it.  However, not every state in the U.S. considers marijuana to be an illegal substance.  Children do not deserve to be raised around any illegal substance.  The Commercial "Blazed" sets a perfect example for those around the world. 

