TV Drama Practise Exam Assessment

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,My Mark Shaikh Mark
Analysis,,,,,,,,,,,,13/20,,,,,13/20
Examples,,,,,,,,,,,12/20,,,,,13/20
Terminology,,,,,07/10,,,,,06/20
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Overall,,,,,,,,,,,,,,32/50,,,,,32/50
Level on average at: Level 2
Targets for improvement:

• Try to concentrate on all four areas equally
• Allow enough time to thoroughly work through each technical area
• Revise terminology, especially in the Sound/Music area
• Remember what is in the technical area, comment about all those things within it
• Always explain how

Hollyoaks deconstruction on the four areas

Hollyoaks deconstruction on Camera,Editing,Music and Mise en Scene (1.37-4.06)

Hollyoaks is a popular teen drama tv series which is on each weekday. It concentrates on everyday situations, but exaggerating them for effect. The techniques used for this are very subtle, but have a very polished effect when they are used, even if they aren't too noticeable.

During the beginning of this scene, we begin to consider what is going on, as a low angle medium shot is used, showing three people on the sofa. There is a huge contrast here though, as they are in black clothes, representing possibly a funeral, yet they have up-lifting, irish music being played in the background, and someone's legs dancing in the foreground of the shot. We instantly see the main character, Malachy, as he is in the middle of the frame, and his sister 'lindsy' who is the one dancing in this scene. The main focus during the beginning is on Lindsey dancing, a use of several cuts to different angle shots of the setting/room have been used here to emphasis on this, which possibly suggests that the music, and her dancing is being used to up-lift them from the funeral.

The music comes to a halt, as Chris appears. A quick zoom in of his mother is used, to emphasis on her reaction to his entrance to the scene. Before we even see him on the camera, we realise that he brings some negative atmosphere to the rest of the people there, as cuts are used to show people's reactions, and a sense of disgust, and feeling uneasy from him being there, as he is shown on the camera we see why. By the way he is dressed, we assume that he is a bisexual, as he is wearing bright red boots, up to his thighs. Apart from the boots, he is wearing make-up, and a white dressing gown, which helps back up the idea of him being a bisexual, and somewhat different to the others. His colours create this contrast also, as he is wearing bright red, whereas the others are in black and white, it makes him stand out, and show almost like he does not fit in here.

Many two shots are used to represent conversation within this scene. An effective 180 degree rule has also been used, keeping Chris on the left side of each conversation, emphasing that he is on his own, and they are all against him. Chris has now taken over Malachy's 'main character' position, as he is now the one in the centre frame.

Ambient sounds of the outside, such as the air blowing, birds singing and amplified clock 'ticking' had been used to signify a sense of realism, creating the tense atmosphere, and relating back to the contrast of emotions between Chris and the family in the scene.

As Chris is pushed out, Malachy is put back onto centre frame, as he begins to take a drink from his can of alcohol, the music returns, but a more calm type of music, then creating a sound bridge. It cuts onto Mercedes, as she begins to daydream, fantasising about a time she remembers she spent with Malachy. We realise this has become some 'flashback' as the camera editing has become black and white (monochromatic) and a deep focus pull onto the centre of the shot, of Mercedes and Malachy. It then fades back to her, and we see her reaction of regret, as she realises she is not there, but infact working in a pub.

These four techniques are quite small in terms of how obvious they are to see, which is why they are so effective in how they are used. In this clip, they have succeeded in creating a sense of contrast, in terms of Chris and his family, a sign of regret, as Mercedes had a flashback to a distant memory, and the editing, along with the sound enabled it to all loop together so it didn't seem out of place.

Sound&Music test Video

This is a video of what we made. We were given a video clip which has no sound at all, and we had to improvise on it with our own, considering what sounds should be included where, and the timing/flow of sound involved. I decided to upload it onto youtube, so that it can be viewed easier, and maybe receive some comments, as i wanted to see how well it worked out.

Analysis of Camerawork, Editing and Sound/Music in Heroes.

Heroes series 3: angels and monsters (1.00 – 4.06)
Clip from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00f3mq4

During just three minutes of a 41 minute episode of Heroes, i found it hard to write down my notes quick enough. They are very strong on the use of effects to create TV drama, everything they include is there for a reason.

It begins with some obvious special effects. As there is a long shot showing the woman jump off a bridge, it cuts away to a long shot, showing Nathan flying down to catch her, like he is superman. This is used because the programme is based on superheroes and special powers, so by using this man to catch the woman from falling, it makes him represent a real hero figure, as he saved her from dying.

As he then flies off into the distance, a black fade away is used, to switch to the next scene. A narrative voiceover is then introduced, as it begins the scene, a panned-zoom in onto the characters sleeping is used. The narrative voiceover is continued through several more scenes, to set the scene and atmosphere for the beginning of the episode.

In the first scene the narrative is used for, a clever special effect is used to make it look liek the character has teleported into the room. A switch of camera positions is used, from a close up to a medium shot, to show the different characters, and the other's reaction to the man teleporting into the room. As he is forced up against the wall, it cuts to a close-up of the other man, to then show how he is feeling, how angry he is to him, for some reason we will then find out later in the episode.

It then cuts to a girl sitting in her car. A medium shot is used to enable us to see her, and the weapon she is holding, so that a theme of mystery and suspicion can be created here, as she hides the weapon when a car drives past.

A cut to a black screen, which then slowly wipes out horizontally is used for the transition to the two chinese men holding a coffin. It cuts to a low angle beside the coffin, to show the chinese man and what he is doing. A cut to a high angle shot is used to represent the man's point of view, which shows us what is in a coffin. The man inside opens his eyes, and then lunges his arm out to grab the other man, as it then cuts to a low angle beside the coffin, to show the chinese man being grabbed by the throat. This is match on action as two camera shots have been used ot show an event from two views.

It then cuts again, taking the scene onto the woods, where a man is sitting on a rock, and looking towards a drug dealer further down. Eye-line match is used to show what he is looking at, but also what the person he is staring at is looking at. Nearly every character involved in this episode is included with this narrative.

It then uses a black horizontal wash out to transit onto the next scene, which is where the narrative ends, as a conversation is about to occur, returning to the character when the voiceover began. A close up is taken onto the door of the fridge, which is used to show the name of the episode, 'Chapter Five "Angels and Monsters" '. Shot reverse shot is then used to show what Nathan is doing behind the door. The camera is static, because as he closes the door an old man is behind it. This could then be that the close up of the fridge door was a point of view, as the old man is standing in the same position.

The 180 degree rule is used, as the old man and Nathan both stay on opposite sides as they have a conversation between eachother. A deep focus is used to concentrate on Nathan as the old man walks around him. Close-ups are then used on the two characters as they speak, but the 180 degree rule is still being used. As the old man finishes talking, Nathan turns around, to see his wife has then appeared. The camera shows this, by panning over as he turns around slowly, then cutting to an over the shoulder shot of the woman, tracking as she walks towards him. The 180 degree rule is still used, as the woman has replaced the old man.

As it then cuts onto the woods scene, all you can hear is the non-diagetic sounds of what you would expect to hear in the woods, with some music which could be considered as possible theme music, as throughout this clip it is played. The camera then pans, following the moving police car. It then cuts again to pan across as a man then walks. He stops, but the camera continues to move, zooming out from him. It cuts to a close over-the-shoulder shot, which then switches between the character opposite him also, representing the 180 degree rule for a conversation between the two characters. As the drug dealer pulls out his knife, the camera which was zoomed out, begins to zoom in, then cutting to an over the shoulder shot, for conversation again.

A cut has been used to then move onto the next scene, but it is not so noticeable as it is keeping the 180 degree rule still, but from one scene onto the other, to continue it. The mysterious theme music is still playing in the background, but again as in all of the scenes, the voices have been amplified, but this scene has an echo to the voices as they are in a big empty room. It then cuts, to a medium shot, panning to the centre of the two characters. This enables a focus on them both, to allow another character to appear into the shot in the distance. It then cuts, using the 180 degree rule to express the anger of the man as Sylar says something to him, and then switches behind him to show as he breaks Sylar's neck. Close-ups of the two men have been used to show their reactions to the breaking of Sylar's neck, obviously he is unconscious and it shows this, as it cuts to a close up of him lying on the floor, but the other man is still angry as his face expressions show this.

Hollyoaks Sound and Music clip

Identify how sound and music techniques are used in the Hollyoaks clip ‘Clare Tries To Kill Max’

This scene is very short, but several effective techniques of sound have been used to help in building the fast pace of panic, and to set the mood of being frightened and panicing.

Many sounds are amplified, possibly to make it seem more realistic, as these noises you would hear quite loud if it was yourself doing what the character is. For example, the heavy breathing has been amplified, as has the rustling of the leaves on the trees, and the rubble on the ground, it has all been made to sound louder so that it can be more realistic to the viewer. An important sound which was amplified was the sound of Tom hitting on the car window. This was also non-diagetic as it was not within the shot scene, and could be heard well. Therefore the importance of this sound is very significant, as the reaction to him hitting the car window creates panic to Max as he struggles to keep himself up in the water.

The noise of the water when Max dives in is created so that you feel as if you are in there with him. They took out the ambient sounds of the forest, so that it seemed more realistic, as if you were in the water I doubt you woul be able to hear much else but the water.

An instrumental dramatic piece of music is quietly played behind the scene for most of the beginning. This is used so that the pace can be built up slowly, and the forecoming events can be predicted. It then stops as Max managed to reach the surface, confronting Claire.

All sounds are muted except for an instrumental piece of music, which is played to change the focus of the scene onto Obie. This piece of music is asynchronous, as it sounds like it is a cheerful, uplifting piece of music, but the scene and situation is the opposite, as Max is drowning and Tom is stuck in the car. This music could be a sound motif, relating to Obie as he is saving Max from drowning. He is therefore the hero figure in this scene.

The main reason for applying the music and muting the character’s voices, the ambience, and the sound effects could be due to how it was meant to create drama, but now that Obie appears and runs to save Max, there is no need for it to still be included, as it would become invaluable to the rest of the scene. The reason for this, is that the drama has been created, the tension and pace have been built, now all that is needed is to watch the events which happen as Obie saves Max, so that it can be taken in, rather than having too much going on.

Shameless- Editing and Camera types

Shameless series 1 episode 5 – camera and editing techniques
"Explain how (to what effect) camerawork and editing are used in this excerpt."

During this scene of Shameless Steve confronts Frank as he find out that he has been having an affair with his girlfriend, Karen. The camera shots have been used to build up a sense of pace, in which it was quite fast, with all that was going on, and the quick cuts and transitions to each shot. Editing was used to help enhance the drama and tension between Steve and Frank, and also to bring more suspense to the scene.

The pace begins quite normal, with a tracking shot from behind Frank, and then panning from the side of him, following where he is walking. It then cuts to a point of view shot from the character in the car (Steve), which looks over to Frank, it then cuts back to in front of the car and Frank. This quick switch of shots is to represent the tension between these two characters, and to begin to build up the pace.

Pace is increased yet again, as match on action is used to emphasis the impact of the car crashing. It begins with a low angle underneath the van, then cuts away to a medium shot behind the car, to show the effect from the crash. It then cuts to a close up Frank’s face, to express his reaction of shock, as he notices Steve come out of the car. This is an eye line match shot, as it then switches to then look at what he is looking at, then zooms into Steve as he gets out of the car, walking up to Frank. The 180 degree rule is used here, as they are both on the opposite sides, the whole time.

As the fight begins, the editing starts to appear more, and the cuts are more frequent. Point of view shots are used a lot during the fight scene, to give it a sense of realism, to almost feel as if you are there. An eye worm’s view shot is used to represent Frank looking up at Steve as he is kicked.

It begins to switch between the four characters in the current part of the scene, and then uses a fish eye lens shot to almost spy in on Karen as she hides in her room, to show her reaction to what is going on outside with Frank and Steve, showing her panic as to what is going on.

Parallel action is used throughout the scene, to represent the events going on both in the house, and on the street. It is mainly used so that it can represent everyone’s reactions to the situation, and to what will happen next.

An effective white fade edit has been used twice in this scene. It is firstly used when Sheila says “I’m coming, Frank!” and then opens the door, in which white fade is used to switch cameras from the house to the fight, which is then a point of view shot, showing Frank getting beaten up. White fade is then used as a last punch is made onto Frank, the worms eye view shot is used, and then a punch is made directly in the same place as the camera is, which the white fade is used to switch camera again. As the fight is being broken up, it involves a master shot, as it switches to view the characters, and then switches to a medium shot, showing the characters and the setting.

After it is broken up, it cuts to a extreme close up of Frank’s face, this is used to show what has happened after the fight, as there is a lot of blood covered over his face. Point of view shot is then used, as Frank tells Sheila an excuse as to why Steve attacked him, which Frank looks over to Karen. We see her expression as she feels somewhat grief and regret from what did happen, and then walks off, as she doesn’t like the situation and hearing Frank lie about what happened.

Heroes Cheerleader Scene

Watching the Heroes programme was a first for me, but it gave me an in-sight to the techniques in which they use, and how actually, they are really effective. Though it is hard with Dramas to notice the effects of their camera shots, some were reasonably easy to figure.

For instance, at the opening of the scene, many camera shots were used together; Tracking/tilt/pan/focus, these were used to follow the movements of the character, and show how he Is somewhat confused/spaced out, as around him it is blurry. It then focuses onto the picture which it looks like he has painted, then going to the next scene with that character, so you begin to see that he then has some importance, almost him painting future events.

Tracking is used to follow the movement of a character, set behind him so that you can almost feel like you are there following him. It then zooms onto the cheerleader which he begins to look towards. This signifies that they have some connection between each other, and also that she is an important character.

There are several shots which jump, for instance close-ups, which were used to show their reactions to what others say, and their emotions, which from the scene are anger, and some sadness.

Close-ups of the car’s gear stick, the speedometer and the wheels have been used, to show how the car is in charge of the next set of events, and it’s importance in this scene.

Before the end, it shows a close-up of the cheerleader’s face, expressing her anger to what the man in the car has said, it then jumps to a long/reverse shot, to show the crash and impact of it.

A two shot, from the car’s bonnet has been used to show realism, and the conversation between each other. A focused profile shot is later used, to show how he is happy that he has upset her, and expressing how he has no regret for what he has done to her.

The use of a high angle long shot was used when they were in the stadium. This was really effective, as it showed how they were isolated, and to show the setting, of a dark stadium, just them two on their own.

I can therefore see that, in Heroes, they use a wide range of camera shots, all with a detailed meaning, which then creates a lot of drama to the viewer. The most effective shots in this scene were the high angle shots, and the close-ups, as they were used a lot, and seemed to be very effective in what their purpose was.