Introductory Task

This advert for Alton Towers' 'The Smiler' would have been created by Alton Towers, the advertising company they use and possibly the creators of the ride.

There is a distinctive classic fairground music in the background throughout the advert which instantly tells the viewer that it's advertising a ride. The music also increases in pace as the ride is going, which could be seen as symbolism for a person's heart rate when riding The Smiler. A cartoon effect is used on the ride and start of the advert this makes the idea of the ride or the experience is unreal. The way the advert uses bright and flashing lights in the advert suggests hypnotism and the face of the man and boy at the end of the ride also further's this, as their facial expression is fake, or 'unreal'.  The whole advert has a feel of hypnotism which makes the advert seem that it could be hypnotising you to go on the ride. Brief digetic sound is used when the man says 'join us' and 'we belong to the smiler'. The fact that this what is he says means that the ride is the main focus but also they have used short, simple phrases to portray the idea of once you've ridden it, you belong to the ride and that is the only ride you will be interested in.

Younger audiences, such as under 12, might not take the ride so seriously due to the cartoon effect and therefore want to ride it and then are scared or don't enjoy it if they do. The use of bright colours draws the attention of younger children and teenagers, making it clear that this ride is designed for people that are more looking for thrills/something to occupy them or just simply have more time. Some adults make consider the advert slightly silly, as to them the idea of cartoons and silly faces have long outgrown them.

The advert address the point of view of people that almost live roller-coasters, as to them it's full of adrenaline and the way the advert states at the end 'worlds first 14 looping roller-coaster' suggest that they are trying to draw the attention of those which live for the ultimate thrills. The fact the ride is in Alton Towers makes the advert recognisable to most people who live in England, stating that the people who go on this ride are most likely to be in a normal family setting. As they would probably go on a family trip there and the older child would enjoy this ride.

The message of this advert is purely just advertising Alton Towers and their new ride 'The Smiler'. To those who know Pleasurewood Hills as well, could possibly see this advert as Alton Tower's new card for the competition for No.1 theme park.