Christmas Advert Task One

 Waitrose & Partners Christmas advert 2021

Waitrose takes a different approach to the generic Christmas theme, instead, flipping it on Its head and having the comedic element of surprise. You don't expect what happens in it, as you would any normal advert. In the Waitrose ad, starring Ashley Jensen, It wastes no time showing that they believe Christmas is about food, as in the immediate ten seconds of the video, Ashley picks up food off of someone's plate next to her and tells the audience: "-But It's not the best part about Christmas, this is." Followed by a remix of jingle bells, composed by BMG Production Music. The Ad very clearly demonstrates that It's about food, having the only speaking person be Ashley, the Camera focuses on her at every taken angle, and makes it so that the food is the main character. For example, one of the scenes shows Ashley selling Heston's Pies off as her own, even doing so in front of Heston Blumenthal. All of the food that was displayed in the advert is available at Waitrose & Partners. The Acting demonstrated by Ashley shows that she really loves the food and is almost obsessive over it, going to lengths as while she's watching a Christmas movie, a carved turkey appears on screen and she becomes almost bewitched by it. 

John Lewis & Partners Christmas Advert 2021

John Lewis takes a much different approach than waitrose. They don't use dialogue primarily but instead use music, as a way to drag their audience in and get focused on the advert. They include a child to give the story a family like essence, Sort of relating to how children's imagination can be incredible including their creativity. The advert follows a child finding an alien friend, as they bond and spend time with each other during the Christmas season, the child can be seen watching tv and eating mince pies with their new found friend. Already playing with the heartstrings of the audience watching as they become slightly invested in the story, with the soundtrack playing in the background as the story climaxes with the electric in the house flickering, as the boy realises his friend is leaving, the advert ending with the alien kissing his cheek, and flying off, the ship being a star to a large tree in the distance. The story plays with the audiences feelings, using the music in the scenes to build tension. Where as with the waitrose ad, it uses surprise comedy and constant product placement to display. John lewis doesn't advertise specific items like the waitrose ad, instead it advertises their entire brand, and has gained notoriety for their high quality Christmas adverts. Waitrose on the other hand, uses the Christmas season to advertise common Christmas related food, such as mince pies, turkey and other foods. They recognise the fact that everyone is in need of food for Christmas dinner and boxing day, and so they fill the advert with product placement, yet John Lewis makes a heart warming story to promote their whole brand, making the consumer believe that if you shop there, maybe you too, will have a magical Christmas experience.