Local Attraction, the first episode of a webseries by Connor Hines, parodies the inherently awkward experience of going on a date with a stranger.
Inspired by Tinder -- which is loosely referred to as a dating app, but is more accurately a hook-up apparatus -- the episode centers around what appears to be the most uncomfortable date in the history of dating. Brooklyn-based blogger Maeve is matched with a handsome-yet-douchey Wall Street guy named Trent (because all Wall Street guys seem to be named Trent) on a dating app titled "Timber." The result is an awkwardly hilarious dating experience you wouldn't wish upon your greatest frenemy.
Trent (who is played by Hines), might make your heart skip a beat -- or your ovaries a-flutter -- upon first glance, but don't worry. The second he opens his mouth, all potential desire goes out the window.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Dating App Satire
- There is an opportunity to create more web series or content that parodies the world of online dating, providing humor and relatability to a common experience.
- Innovative Dating Apps
- We have an opportunity to create dating apps that are more about genuine connections instead of hookups, moving away from the standard ‘swipe-right’ model.
- Honest Branding for Dating Apps
- As the line between dating and hooking up becomes increasingly blurred, an honest approach to branding dating apps could connect them to their intended audiences more effectively.
Where This Applies
- Entertainment
- The entertainment industry could capitalize on the trend of dating app satire, creating content for audiences that find relatability in the awkward experience of using dating apps.
- Technology
- There's an opportunity for innovative dating apps to take advantage of the frustrations that come with dating app usage by providing more imaginative and effective ways of connecting people looking for genuine relationships.
- Marketing
- Honest marketing as an innovative approach to branding dating apps could have effects on the marketing strategies of other businesses as they seek to provide greater transparency to their audience.
