IBDP English A – Film and Commercials

When preparing an IBDP textual analysis on a film or a commercial, several key factors should be kept in mind to ensure a comprehensive and insightful analysis:

Elements

Understanding the Commercial’s Purpose: Identify the commercial’s primary objective. Is it to promote a product, convey a social message, or build brand awareness? Understanding the commercial’s purpose will guide your analysis and help you assess how effectively it achieves its goals.

Audience and Context: Consider the intended audience and the context in which the commercial is presented. Analyze how the commercial addresses or appeals to its target audience and how it reflects or influences contemporary societal norms and values.

Mise en Scène: Examine the elements of mise en scène, including:

• Setting: Analyze how the setting contributes to the commercial’s message and mood.
• Lighting: Observe how lighting is used to create atmosphere, highlight key elements, or convey emotion.
• Costumes and Props: Consider how costumes and props contribute to character development and thematic elements.

Camera Angles and Shots: Pay attention to how different camera angles (e.g., bird’s eye view, high angle, low angle, worm’s eye view) are used to influence the audience’s perception of the characters and their actions. Each angle can alter the narrative’s emphasis and emotional impact.

Sound Design: Analyze both diegetic and non-diegetic sounds:

• Diegetic Sounds: These are natural sounds within the commercial’s world (e.g., dialogue, environmental noises). Consider how these sounds contribute to realism and immersion.
• Non-Diegetic Sounds: These include music, voiceovers, and sound effects added in post-production. Evaluate how these sounds enhance the emotional tone and support the commercial’s message.

Montage and Editing: Look at how the commercial uses montage and editing techniques to structure the narrative and highlight key moments. Consider how transitions between scenes, the pace of editing, and the sequence of shots contribute to the overall storytelling.

Themes and Messages: Identify the central themes and messages of the commercial. Analyze how the various cinematic elements work together to reinforce these themes and convey the intended message.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: Assess how the commercial’s techniques affect the viewer’s emotions and psychological response. Reflect on how effectively the commercial engages the audience and elicits the desired emotional reactions.

Cultural and Social Implications: Consider how the commercial reflects or addresses cultural and social issues. Analyze whether it incorporates diverse representations and how it might resonate with or challenge different cultural or social perspectives.

Critical Reflection: Reflect on the effectiveness of the commercial’s use of cinematic techniques. Consider whether the commercial successfully communicates its message and achieves its intended impact. Discuss any strengths or weaknesses you observe in its execution.