Both
of these public information videos use various codes and conventions in order
to have an impact and create emotional response within the viewing audience.
Both videos have a powerful message behind the storyline in aid to inform the
audience about the serious consequences of speeding. The first public information
video called “Richard didn’t want to die” shows a middle age man in a serious
collision, he didn’t wear his seatbelt and
he ended up dying due to the severe impact of the cars colliding. In the first
video the audience are positioned with the man within the car in order to
create an emotional response, when we see his rips piercing his heart. The
close up of the camera physically creates a shocking experience, as well as the
non-diegetic voiceover explains the severity of the accident. The use of slow
motion adds to the sense of realism created by the visual effects of the
accident. The video is encoded with meaning as it highlights the importance of
wearing a seatbelt moreover the codes work together to highlight the seriousness
and importance of the video.
In the second video “It’s 30 for a reason” the establishing shot positions us with the young girl lying unconscious at the side of the road, an immediate sense of fear comes upon the viewing audience as we are unsure if the child is still alive. The voice over of the young girl allows the audience to empathise with the child and also heightens the emotional tension. Music begins to play as the child bones come back into place; this creates a dramatic effect to engage the interest of the audience. As her body is dragged back into the road where she was hit, a diegetic sound of a gasp of air reassures the audience which creating a sense of relief. The screen blacks out as the statistic “Hit me at 30mph, 80% of people live” fades in, it backs up the purpose of the video whilst reinforcing the central message.