Research Blog

   The Commercial I will be filming will be a highlight of Fort Lauderdale High School. In this blog, I will list the conventions and codes that are often used in school commercials. School commercials consist of a variety of Mis En Scene.  The locations of these types of film always include in-school or classroom scenes; This consists of school cafeteria's, football fields, classrooms, computer labs, and gyms. In the commercials, students wear school appropriate clothing or uniform; Some students even wear prop glasses to give off a vibe of intelligence. Teachers placed in school commercials are often seen teaching with a stick that they use to bring attention to the board. Scenes shot in the cafeteria will include different foods, students milling around the room, standing in lunch lines, or eating.
Other props included in these commercials include desks, lunch tables, school supplies such as paper and pencils, and sports gear.
   There are a variety of sounds and editing techniques that fall into school commercials. This includes digetic sounds such as two actors/students having a conversation, the topic based on the school. Soundtracks used in these commercials often contain upbeat and energetic music with voice-overs explaining the different pin-points of their school. Jump cuts are often added into these commercials. An example of this would be a cut of students leaving the cafeteria to sitting in class. Inserts are also very common. Pictures that are often inserted include awards and contrasting locations within the school such as, the culinary arts room and the media center. Eyeline matches show the audience the point of view of different actors within the commercial.
   There are also many different camera angles and movements used throughout school commercials. Establishing shots are used to introduce the school as well a different locations such as a football field. Tracking shots are use to film the actors as they walk to class. High angle shots film students sitting at their desks and attentively watching the board. Zooms are used very often to focus on a body of text or even actors within the commercial. 2-shots and 3-shots show students talking in pairs and groups on lunch breaks. Point of View shots are used to highlight the school through the eyes of an actor. There a variety of other camera shots, angles, and movements used within school commercials.