Thai Cosmetics Ad

This commercial depicts a setting that is not typical of a cosmetics ad. A cosmetic ad usually features models and the plot of the narrative is quite predictable- women feeling unconfident and having problems with portraying the best side of them. However, this ad seeks to be different from the rest and uses vampires as the main characters. The idea of using horror in promoting cosmetics is really innovative. We see that after the vampires’ attack in the car, a group of men appeared shortly, and they are probably vampire slayers. This is also not typical of a cosmetics ad as male figures seldom appear in them. There is conflict as the vampire slayers first meet the old lady and the audience may think that the old lady will kill the men. However, much to the audience’s surprise, the old lady was killed instead (and perhaps in an amusing way).

A greater conflict appears next, as we see the men barging into a room where the female vampires are. Suspense is created momentarily as we see the female vampires ‘disappearing’. Up till this scene, the ad is still very much like a horror movie and the audience are unable to realise that it is a cosmetics ad. It is only when sunlight is shone on the vampires and one of the vampires “survived” by applying make-up that the audience realise the objective of the ad- To promote Mistine double powder that has high SPF (therefore protecting the vampires) and whitening effect (making the vampires look white/pale/whatever).

Various filming techniques are also used in this short commercial- use of long shorts and close ups (especially the close ups on the vampires as sunlight is shone on them), appropriate camera movement such as panning, and the music used also helps to enhance suspense and action. The use of colours like red and green reinforces the idea of blood and evil.