There are many stereotypes on the North and South of England and also the views that the people from the areas have on each other. Over the course of the scene stereotypes are mainly matched but on the odd occasion are reversed. The south was a richer area and still is than the north and it was strange for a family to move from the south to north. This scene explores the views of different character types and how they react to certain situations. The mise en scene is an accurate account on how it was such as dirty rag clothing and dark dirty alleyways for the north and nice clothing and luxury homes for the south.
The scene starts with a couple arguing that the audience immediately identifies as being husband and wife. The wife seems to be upset that they have moved from where they were. The title North and South makes it clear to the audience that it is about the difference between life in the North and life in the South. The man is very apologetic and says 'I had no choice' The camera angles used show the man looking down on the woman and the woman looking up on the man because in that time period men were more superior than women. This keeps with the mise en scene and the time period well. The woman steps back into the darkness to signify her end to the argument and emphasises the possible darkness that living in the area may lead them to. The audience sees that this family are quite rich and live in luxury with good quality paintings all around the house.
The scene in the luxury house then moves onto dark alleyways amongst the working class in dirty rags this juxtaposes with the luxury house and emphasises the difference between classes. The woman that is walking down the alleyways is the daughter of the couple in the first scene. The audience knows this because of the slight glance they had of her in the first scene in the house. As she walks non-digetic sound of her reading a letter is read. The voice over is a good way of giving the audience an understanding of what is going on in the scene and also a bit of background information. It also tells you that she is educated that she can read and write and enforces the idea of the 'rich south' The letter reads that she could get used to life 'up North' and 'the people seem nice'. Just as that is read a big flock of men on their break come rushing down the stairs that she is on. She is pushed and assaulted and seems very shocked. The men all grab at her to try and steal from her and clips of action are missed out in this to make the scene more frantic for the audience. During this there are quick shots of the men's legs at a low angle which makes it seem like a stampede and the woman small and venerable. This enforces the stereotype of the North of how they are rowdy, poor and will do anything for money such as stealing. The stereotype is then reversed when a man pushes the others away and gives her back her money. She is very grateful to the man for protecting her and offers him a tip for his services. To her and the audiences surprise he refuses the tip which reverses the stereotype of the people from the north tyring to get money in any way. The scene ends on a high angle open shot when she is free from the stampede which connotes freedom again and her relief.
Overall this extract is split up well into North and South. where it starts with the rich side the southerners life and then moves onto the rough and poor north area. It's ironic that although the south are the richer but are most upset and the north seem happy with life and get on with it.
Showing posts with label G322A Tv Drama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label G322A Tv Drama. Show all posts
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Friday, 3 April 2009
How does Bleak House create tension ?
How does Bleak house create tension?
The TV series Bleak house uses a variety of different techniques to create tension. Camera angles and editing techniques can make the audience feel a certain way.
In a scene I watched I found they used a lot of clever camera angles to make the audience feel like they shouldn’t be there. Filming lots of depth of field shots with always something in the foreground makes the audience feel as if they are ‘hiding’ and ‘spying’ on a conversation. For example the shots of the corner of a table which gets in the way of the shot. This way you can never see the whole image of his face which adds to mystery and tension.
It is also used to show a characters feeling and reaction. For example there is a shot which is used at the start to show other characters entry into the room. At the same time in the foreground of the shot is the woman. This way the audience can then see the expression on her face as they walk in. The audience can immediately judge her feelings towards these characters. The same shot is used to involve the character in the conversation and the audience are aware she is listening in.
Dramatic sounds are used in the editing process to add drama to the scene. Computer generated sounds are played in loud to frighten an audience and this adds tension. For example when the character notices a name on the letter the quick camera shots of her face and the letter with the added sound create a scary effect. There are also added sounds leading up to the woman collapsing. First there is a heartbeat which builds up the scene and the audience know something is going to happen. Then just before she falls the sound is muffled and effects are put on the audio again adding to the tension. When the woman eventually collapses there is a sound of her head hitting the ground makes more realistic and to make the audience feel the action more.
Other editing effects such as slow motion can emphasise the feeling of a character. For example towards the end of the scene a slow motion effect is put on the character that is displayed as being bad or evil. This allows the audience to capture his evil look thus create more tension.
There is also an added tint to the shots featuring this character to make the audience more aware of who is good and who is bad. There is then added tension immediately when the audience see the tinted effect.
Clever use of composition at the beginning of the scene adds to the darkness of the bad character. It makes sure that there is a dark shadow covering most of his face, again adding to the idea of never getting a clear image of this character. This creates a scary image of the character and immediately represents his evilness, adding to the tension.
In the next scene it immediately begins with quick shots and loud noises which scares the audience and creates tension. A character shouts at another telling him ‘You’ll be out on the streets’ which makes the audience feel for the character who seems scared. It shows him then in his room where he counts money clips are missed out which speeds up the piece and misses out action. This creates a frantic atmosphere and adds tension.
The TV series Bleak house uses a variety of different techniques to create tension. Camera angles and editing techniques can make the audience feel a certain way.
In a scene I watched I found they used a lot of clever camera angles to make the audience feel like they shouldn’t be there. Filming lots of depth of field shots with always something in the foreground makes the audience feel as if they are ‘hiding’ and ‘spying’ on a conversation. For example the shots of the corner of a table which gets in the way of the shot. This way you can never see the whole image of his face which adds to mystery and tension.
It is also used to show a characters feeling and reaction. For example there is a shot which is used at the start to show other characters entry into the room. At the same time in the foreground of the shot is the woman. This way the audience can then see the expression on her face as they walk in. The audience can immediately judge her feelings towards these characters. The same shot is used to involve the character in the conversation and the audience are aware she is listening in.
Dramatic sounds are used in the editing process to add drama to the scene. Computer generated sounds are played in loud to frighten an audience and this adds tension. For example when the character notices a name on the letter the quick camera shots of her face and the letter with the added sound create a scary effect. There are also added sounds leading up to the woman collapsing. First there is a heartbeat which builds up the scene and the audience know something is going to happen. Then just before she falls the sound is muffled and effects are put on the audio again adding to the tension. When the woman eventually collapses there is a sound of her head hitting the ground makes more realistic and to make the audience feel the action more.
Other editing effects such as slow motion can emphasise the feeling of a character. For example towards the end of the scene a slow motion effect is put on the character that is displayed as being bad or evil. This allows the audience to capture his evil look thus create more tension.
There is also an added tint to the shots featuring this character to make the audience more aware of who is good and who is bad. There is then added tension immediately when the audience see the tinted effect.
Clever use of composition at the beginning of the scene adds to the darkness of the bad character. It makes sure that there is a dark shadow covering most of his face, again adding to the idea of never getting a clear image of this character. This creates a scary image of the character and immediately represents his evilness, adding to the tension.
In the next scene it immediately begins with quick shots and loud noises which scares the audience and creates tension. A character shouts at another telling him ‘You’ll be out on the streets’ which makes the audience feel for the character who seems scared. It shows him then in his room where he counts money clips are missed out which speeds up the piece and misses out action. This creates a frantic atmosphere and adds tension.
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
What is the balance of realism and drama in particular soaps ?
All 'soaps' have to maintain a high level of realism and drama throughout their shows. The main focus points for the creators is to keep a good balance between the two points. There needs to be a high level of drama happening throughout an episode to keep the audience hooked and to make it interesting. However they need to balance this with the realism. Realism is the way of keeping it as realistic as possible so that audiences can relate to it. Having to much Drama and not enough realism makes a show become unreal and rejects the conventions of a 'soap'
A popular show like Eastenders always keeps a high level of drama and has sometimes over the past been criticised because of its unrealistic approach to modern day live. This includes the 'shooting of Phil' and 'Max being buried alive'. Eastenders tries to keep high action such as the Shooting of Phil after the drama attracted over 19 million viewers and became the biggest soap success. However when Max was buried alive there was a huge negative impact and Eastenders had to apologise to its viewers after many complaints. Eastenders takes place at 8.30pm which is before the 'watershed' and having a character 'drugged and buried alive' was found not suitable by many viewers.
Overall, successful soaps find a good balance and occasionally throw in a high drama event to attract many viewers which can cause a positive or negative effect as proved by Eastenders.
A popular show like Eastenders always keeps a high level of drama and has sometimes over the past been criticised because of its unrealistic approach to modern day live. This includes the 'shooting of Phil' and 'Max being buried alive'. Eastenders tries to keep high action such as the Shooting of Phil after the drama attracted over 19 million viewers and became the biggest soap success. However when Max was buried alive there was a huge negative impact and Eastenders had to apologise to its viewers after many complaints. Eastenders takes place at 8.30pm which is before the 'watershed' and having a character 'drugged and buried alive' was found not suitable by many viewers.
Overall, successful soaps find a good balance and occasionally throw in a high drama event to attract many viewers which can cause a positive or negative effect as proved by Eastenders.
Monday, 2 March 2009
Representation of youths in Skins
The Tv drama Skins is aimed at an audience of the similar age to the characters. Therefore the representation of youths isn't negative or over blown but realistic. For example when Tony is on the phone to friends he swears on regular occasions, ' Yours are fucking funny'. However when he speaks to Sid's Dad he is polite. This shows the respect that is shown towards adults. This is generally a strong representation of today's youths. Sid's Dad however is shown as a bad example by swearing at Sid straight after. This shows that some of the characters are possibly influenced by bad parenting. The start of the scene shows Tony playing his music very loud in the morning which angers his Dad. He also swears a lot such as 'Every fucking morning' and the language and anger represents the stress of having a teenager.
Tony is shown walking and talking on his mobile. which shows he has no time to sit and chat, this shows the fast pace of life that teenagers lead. Panning and tracking shots also add to the pace by following him wherever he goes.
Tony is shown walking and talking on his mobile. which shows he has no time to sit and chat, this shows the fast pace of life that teenagers lead. Panning and tracking shots also add to the pace by following him wherever he goes.
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Wednesday, 18 February 2009
Teen Drama Character profiles
'Nerdy Guy'
Stereotypes of a Nerd
Sid
Sid's appearance allows the audience to immediately seen his character as being 'nerdy'. The glasses and the hat and the stereotypes of a 'nerd'. Throughout the clip his role as the nerd is enforced by the audience finding out he is a virgin. This is also frowned upon by his friends. Normally nerds are associated with being clever and focused on the work. Sid however is completely the opposite and sleeps in regularly and hands in poor work. This adds to Sid's negatives and is felt sorry for by audiences. Sid being a virgin makes outcasts him from the group at times especially from Tony. The clip also shows his messy room which shows he is not an organised person reversing the geek stereotype. Throughout the show you can see that he matches the stereotype to being socially awkward with girls. However it is reversed by the fact he has a big group of close friends.
Popular Guy
Stereo Types of Popular Guy
Tony
Tony immediately seems like the leader of the group and is the first one up in the morning to call everyone. Calling each character while trying to arrange help for Sid. this adds to his role as a leader in the group. Throughout the opening clip he is the main focus and the camera follows him wherever he goes connoting his importance. He also tries lots of different things to get Sid 'laid', asking his own girlfriend to help out. He matches well to the stereotypes as you can see his confidence. Throughout the show he is also popular with girls which and his confidence makes people idolise him. This is what the show wants and works effectively
The images I have selected enforce the stereotypes even more. Sid has his glasses and his hat on and doesn't have a good pose for a photo. Whereas Tony seems confident with his arms folded and well groomed. This is how the show emphasises the audiencences opinons on the characters.
Stereotypes of a Nerd
- Clever
- Glasses
- Computers
- Virgin
- Socially awkward
Sid
Sid's appearance allows the audience to immediately seen his character as being 'nerdy'. The glasses and the hat and the stereotypes of a 'nerd'. Throughout the clip his role as the nerd is enforced by the audience finding out he is a virgin. This is also frowned upon by his friends. Normally nerds are associated with being clever and focused on the work. Sid however is completely the opposite and sleeps in regularly and hands in poor work. This adds to Sid's negatives and is felt sorry for by audiences. Sid being a virgin makes outcasts him from the group at times especially from Tony. The clip also shows his messy room which shows he is not an organised person reversing the geek stereotype. Throughout the show you can see that he matches the stereotype to being socially awkward with girls. However it is reversed by the fact he has a big group of close friends.
Popular Guy
Stereo Types of Popular Guy
- Good Looking
- 'Know All'
- Clever
- Popular
- Confident
Tony
Tony immediately seems like the leader of the group and is the first one up in the morning to call everyone. Calling each character while trying to arrange help for Sid. this adds to his role as a leader in the group. Throughout the opening clip he is the main focus and the camera follows him wherever he goes connoting his importance. He also tries lots of different things to get Sid 'laid', asking his own girlfriend to help out. He matches well to the stereotypes as you can see his confidence. Throughout the show he is also popular with girls which and his confidence makes people idolise him. This is what the show wants and works effectively
The images I have selected enforce the stereotypes even more. Sid has his glasses and his hat on and doesn't have a good pose for a photo. Whereas Tony seems confident with his arms folded and well groomed. This is how the show emphasises the audiencences opinons on the characters.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Comparision of Opening titles
'Hollyoaks and Coronation Street'
CS = Coronation Street (just in case you didn't know :D)
The opening tittles to Hollyoaks have small clips of all the characters that feature in the show. This gives you no introduction to where it is based but just focusing on the characters. Different characters have longer sections and you can immediately judge them on there poses and clothing. Completely the opposite is Coronation Street which is showing you all of the location and no characters. It Shows different angles of an old Town which the audience knows the action will happen. The Old Town with cobbled streets and terraced housing is an iconic location because you know it will be based up north.
Hollyoaks has quite fast pace music which goes with the quick transitions between all the characters. Which fits with the show as it is mainly made for the younger generation featuring a young cast who are all fit and active. CS however has a slow pace theme which goes well with the shots of the set with slow transitions. This goes with the show because it is mainly an older cast and is a much slower pace show.
Special effects in the Hollyoaks start are used in many of the transitions of differ net colours flashing across and the screen sliding to the side. This shows the variety of the show and how there are lots of different story lines. In CS there are no special effects used just simple transitions between each one. This shows that there may not be great special effects used in the actual show as it is based on real life and they want to keep it as real as possible.
Coronation street however uses lots of different shot types and every shot in the opening sequence has a different type of movement. Panning across and up, zooming in and out feature in each shot to keep the credits interesting. Hollyoaks also uses different shot types that move around and towards the characters to create close ups of the faces and help with creating interesting transitions. CS shots are all long shots from low and high angles.
Hollyoaks have a special transition from the titles to the show through the to O's in the word Hollyoaks. There is also the male and female simple on the O which shows the audience that the show could be heavily about relationships and sexuality. The colours of pink and blue are used on each which are stereotypical colours for male and female. Where again CS just keep it simple and just fade to the action.
Overall Hollyoaks has a faster pace opening titles and uses much more effects where as CS uses simple but effective shots with no effects, using smooth transitions into the show. The music pace is much different but they booth fit well with the pace of the actual show. Hollyoaks also uses just characters and shows no set or any clip of location and CS shows you the location and places but has no characters. They booth are very different pieces but unlike many opening titles don't use any clips from original shows in the titles. They both have filmed separate clips to use in the titles. This keeps the surprise of what is in the show.
CS = Coronation Street (just in case you didn't know :D)
The opening tittles to Hollyoaks have small clips of all the characters that feature in the show. This gives you no introduction to where it is based but just focusing on the characters. Different characters have longer sections and you can immediately judge them on there poses and clothing. Completely the opposite is Coronation Street which is showing you all of the location and no characters. It Shows different angles of an old Town which the audience knows the action will happen. The Old Town with cobbled streets and terraced housing is an iconic location because you know it will be based up north.
Hollyoaks has quite fast pace music which goes with the quick transitions between all the characters. Which fits with the show as it is mainly made for the younger generation featuring a young cast who are all fit and active. CS however has a slow pace theme which goes well with the shots of the set with slow transitions. This goes with the show because it is mainly an older cast and is a much slower pace show.
Special effects in the Hollyoaks start are used in many of the transitions of differ net colours flashing across and the screen sliding to the side. This shows the variety of the show and how there are lots of different story lines. In CS there are no special effects used just simple transitions between each one. This shows that there may not be great special effects used in the actual show as it is based on real life and they want to keep it as real as possible.
Coronation street however uses lots of different shot types and every shot in the opening sequence has a different type of movement. Panning across and up, zooming in and out feature in each shot to keep the credits interesting. Hollyoaks also uses different shot types that move around and towards the characters to create close ups of the faces and help with creating interesting transitions. CS shots are all long shots from low and high angles.
Hollyoaks have a special transition from the titles to the show through the to O's in the word Hollyoaks. There is also the male and female simple on the O which shows the audience that the show could be heavily about relationships and sexuality. The colours of pink and blue are used on each which are stereotypical colours for male and female. Where again CS just keep it simple and just fade to the action.
Overall Hollyoaks has a faster pace opening titles and uses much more effects where as CS uses simple but effective shots with no effects, using smooth transitions into the show. The music pace is much different but they booth fit well with the pace of the actual show. Hollyoaks also uses just characters and shows no set or any clip of location and CS shows you the location and places but has no characters. They booth are very different pieces but unlike many opening titles don't use any clips from original shows in the titles. They both have filmed separate clips to use in the titles. This keeps the surprise of what is in the show.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Max's Death Analysis
Analysis for a scene from 'Hollyoaks' where a character max dies just after his marriage.
The clip starts with a toy figure with a parachute flying across the screen with Tom (the boy) running after it. It cuts to Max looking at a car and Tom in the road. (Max knows that the driver (Nile)This makes the audience aware of the drama about to happen. The soundtrack over the top is similar to something from 'Casualty' or 'Holby City' which make sounds that simulate machines used in hospitals. This then suggests a hospital before the drama even happens.
Quick shots between Tom, Max and Niall links the 3 well and creates panic and makes the audience expect something big to happen. Max runs into the road to push Tom onto the curb before he gets run over. By pushing Tom out of the road you see Max stumble back into the road and get hit by the speeding car. This is the huge drama that the audience has been waiting for. Just after the crash you see the toy figure land on the ground hitting his head on the curb which relates to whats happened to Max.
The next few shots are in slow motion as if everything has slowed down. OB his friend runs over towards him and Niall slowly stumbles out of the car with the camera from a birds eye view slowly spinning round as if he is disorientated as you would be after a crash. This creates a more involved feeling for the audience. He then runs towards Max who is being clutched by the road side by his 'best mate' OB again this is in slow motion as if no one knows what to do, until OB shouts 'Phone an ambulance now' and everything is back to normal speed. This shows OB is taking control of the situation and is determined to save his best friend.
He holds him on the road side and the use of the 180 rule in the conversation between the two. OB is calm and optimistic as you have to be in these situation especially with a small child around but Max starts to his last words as if he knows he is going to die. Saying 'tell Steph it was the best day of his life' the irony is that he ended up dying on the best day of his life. He also says how he loves him (OB) to the response of 'What, listen don't be gay' as if he can't believe that this is happening and doesn't want to believe it. Trying to joke of the situation as if its not happening. The true male response to if a friend said that. Tom's crying adds to the sadness and makes the audience feel sorry for the boy who is confused and scared.
The music then changes to nice calming music when Steph enters. At first she isn't sure it is Max but then runs in shouting 'No he's not' and then the next few clips are in slow motion again but also muted. This is a good effect and increases the slowness and devastation that people are feeling. The music is playing but you can see Steph screaming and OB, Steph and Tom are all crying. Max's head is left resting on Steph's white dress and shows peace and innocence as it is perfectly aligned around him. In the background is Niall on the floor with his head in his hands wearing black which is a dark colour of crime
It then zooms out and pans up towards the sky, as if his soul is going up to heaven after he dies. There is also a little short recorded clip from the wedding in remembrance showing you the sweet and Innocent character he is. this then fades to black which creates the ending and the ending of his life.
The clip starts with a toy figure with a parachute flying across the screen with Tom (the boy) running after it. It cuts to Max looking at a car and Tom in the road. (Max knows that the driver (Nile)This makes the audience aware of the drama about to happen. The soundtrack over the top is similar to something from 'Casualty' or 'Holby City' which make sounds that simulate machines used in hospitals. This then suggests a hospital before the drama even happens.
Quick shots between Tom, Max and Niall links the 3 well and creates panic and makes the audience expect something big to happen. Max runs into the road to push Tom onto the curb before he gets run over. By pushing Tom out of the road you see Max stumble back into the road and get hit by the speeding car. This is the huge drama that the audience has been waiting for. Just after the crash you see the toy figure land on the ground hitting his head on the curb which relates to whats happened to Max.
The next few shots are in slow motion as if everything has slowed down. OB his friend runs over towards him and Niall slowly stumbles out of the car with the camera from a birds eye view slowly spinning round as if he is disorientated as you would be after a crash. This creates a more involved feeling for the audience. He then runs towards Max who is being clutched by the road side by his 'best mate' OB again this is in slow motion as if no one knows what to do, until OB shouts 'Phone an ambulance now' and everything is back to normal speed. This shows OB is taking control of the situation and is determined to save his best friend.
He holds him on the road side and the use of the 180 rule in the conversation between the two. OB is calm and optimistic as you have to be in these situation especially with a small child around but Max starts to his last words as if he knows he is going to die. Saying 'tell Steph it was the best day of his life' the irony is that he ended up dying on the best day of his life. He also says how he loves him (OB) to the response of 'What, listen don't be gay' as if he can't believe that this is happening and doesn't want to believe it. Trying to joke of the situation as if its not happening. The true male response to if a friend said that. Tom's crying adds to the sadness and makes the audience feel sorry for the boy who is confused and scared.
The music then changes to nice calming music when Steph enters. At first she isn't sure it is Max but then runs in shouting 'No he's not' and then the next few clips are in slow motion again but also muted. This is a good effect and increases the slowness and devastation that people are feeling. The music is playing but you can see Steph screaming and OB, Steph and Tom are all crying. Max's head is left resting on Steph's white dress and shows peace and innocence as it is perfectly aligned around him. In the background is Niall on the floor with his head in his hands wearing black which is a dark colour of crime
It then zooms out and pans up towards the sky, as if his soul is going up to heaven after he dies. There is also a little short recorded clip from the wedding in remembrance showing you the sweet and Innocent character he is. this then fades to black which creates the ending and the ending of his life.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Tv Drama
Verisimilitude = The appearance of being true, this can be the characters, props, settings, camera shot or clothes. Like for example in 'Eastenders' opening shot to an episode. In a kitchen with children in uniform ready to go to school, making a mess. Its not a perfectly tidy house with perfect children. it's reality and this is good use of verisimilitude stressful time for many parents in the morning with children. Reality which happens in real life.
There are many different types of TV drama such as :
Examples
There are many different types of TV drama such as :
- Crime
- Hospital
- Soap
- Teen
- Period
- Sci-Fi
Period Drama
Sci Fi Drama
Crime
Examples
- Spooks
- Crime Scene Investigation
- Criminal Justice
- Wallander
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