In-Class Tutorial: Space, Balance and the Rule of Thirds

We were asked to find examples within commercials of the following:

1. compositions with Asymmetric and Symmetric balance and provide evidence for each within the composition. 2. effective use of Rule of Thirds in compositions and provide evidence within the composition.3. Classical spatial construction and provide evidence within the composition.

This coca-cola commercial is a great example numerous compositional devices: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR3u3JECL7k

At 0:05 The commercial gives of a beautiful shot of a tree line and a cabin. This is an example of Asymmetric balance. The left side of the screen is dominated by the white of the snow.

At 0:07 the foot prints in the snow lead up to the vending machine. The lines of the vending machine meet with the lines created by the footprints creating an example of classical spatial construction.

At 0:17 we see the classical style spatial construction in the bench and the lines that meet and draw our eyes towards the tiny snowman in the centre of the shot. The background trees also act as lines to draw our eyes downwards.

We have numerous examples of Symmetric balance within this commercial. At 0:12, the footprints in the snow are framed by trees on both side and create a beautifully symmetrical shot. Again at 0:22 the couple walking in the snow are again framed by trees on both sides.

The next commercial I chose is a commercial for Volkswagen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0

We open up the commercial with a shot of a hallway. Up pans the camera to reveal a child dressed as Darth Vader walking down the hall towards the camera. Not only does the hallway frame the character in symmetric balance, but the lines of the floor and the lines on the walls are an example of Classical spatial construction.

At 0:14 seconds we have Vader standing in the frame of the rule of thirds. The dog in the shot also fits in the the bottom of the rule of thirds frame.