Tuesday 27 September 2011

TV Drama: Analysising Sound: Apocalypse Clip

The sound used in the Apocalypse clip is mainly parallel sound, sounds that match the scenes mood and themes.
At the beginning of the clip sound is used solely to create atmosphere and portray setting, the sounds here are both digetic and non-digetic sounds, however, the sound here is also disorientated through editing which had made certain noises louder than others to overpower the noise made by the main set of characters.
The clip then moves on to use atmospheric music that synchronises with the mood and actions in the scene, a parallel sound.
Further on in the clip, many sound effects are used such as layered sounds which are added in as non-digetic sounds that emphasise certain actions in the scene, such as gun fire, marching soldiers and helicopters. These sounds are also used in the scene as disorientating sounds which cover certain elements of the conversation/dialogue to increase the scenes realism.
Music is also layered over the action and sounds later in the clip. The music used at one point contrapuntal music, as it is sound which does not add to the realism, it also contrasts the action in the scene playing glory and victorious music over sad, harsh war scenes. It creates a bias for the audience towards the army.

TV Drama: Character Representation Tessa Perkins

Tessa Perkins
Stereotyping is not a simple process and contains a number of assumptions that can be
challenged. Tessa Perkins (1979) identifies 5 such assumptions;
• Stereotypes are not always negative (e.g. 'The French are good cooks').
• They are not always about minority groups or the less powerful ( e.g. 'upper class twits').
• They can be held about one's own group.
• They are not rigid or unchanging ( e.g. the "cloth cap worker of the 1950's became the
1980's 'consumerist home-owner who holidays in Spain').
• They are not always false.

Stereotyping has tended to suggest that it is wrong to see people in catagories. Yet in the field
of social pyschology it has long been recognised that catagorisation is a fundamental process
necessary for humans to make sense of the world. Humans need to impose structure on events ,experiences and people.



EXAMPLES:


• Stereotypes are not always negative. 
In Waterloo Road the stereotype of teenage girls with bad family situations being more likely to become pregnant is used in vicky's storyline in series 7. This stereotype isnt necessarily true but 'bad family situations' can be a contributing factor to the likelyhood of them being in that situation. This clip shows the moments after she loses her baby, her only family, and her emotions, she wanted the baby because she had no family...


• They are not always about minority groups or the less powerful.


• They can be held about one's own group.

• They are not rigid or unchanging.


• They are not always false.






TV Drama: Character Representation

Character Representation


The seven areas of representation:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Ethnicity
  • Physical/Disability
  • Sexuality
  • Social Class
  • Regional Identity
Tessa Perkins' Assumptions: 

1. Stereotypes are always erroneous in content
I disagree, some stereotypes about smaller groups can be true, for example in Waterloo Road the stereotype of teenage girls with bad family situations being more likely to become pregnant is used in vicky's storyline in series 7. This stereotype isnt necessarily true but 'bad family situations' can be a contributing factor to the likelyhood of them being in that situation.

2. They are pejorative concepts
I agree with this statement as many stereotypes are built on a disapproval for another race, region, ethnicity, gender, age group etc. 

3. They are about groups with whom we have little or no social contact; by implication, therefore, they are not held about one's own group
I disagree with this point, many people who hold stereotypes may know people from those 'groups'. Also, whether you agree with it or not, most people are aware of how they are stereotyped or grouped, however, you may not place that stereotype on yourself. For example, teenagers can be viewed as troublemakers and shoplifters, as a teenager you are aware of this, and whether or not you fall into that group, you can see that the majority of shoplifting and troublemaking is done by teenagers and therefore the stereotype is possibly accurate.

4. They are about minority (or oppressed) groups
This is also false, stereotypes can be place on anybody from poor to rich, fat to thin and common to posh. For example, in Made in Chelsea, the show plays on the stereotype of rich people being posh, perfect and having great lives.

5. They are simple
Stereotypes are generally used by simple, narrow minded people, therefore I do believe that they are simple, basic and ignorant views. However, the stereotypes themselves can be complex ideas, for example their are many stereotypes around teenagers, such as they're lazy, irresponsible, troublemakers, they get involved with drink and drugs, they're dangerous drivers and they give into peer pressure, all these things make over all an opinion based on many reasons, no matter how true or bias they may be, that make up a complex argument for the stereotype.

6. They are rigid and do not change
Stereotypes can change, generally due to changes in society, for examples, after the student riots, students were stereotyped as violent and irresponsible. People can also make it known to the public that they do not want to be stereotyped and protest until people begin to change their minds, such as black people fighting for equality because they do not want to be treated as lower class citizens. 

7. They are not structurally reinforced
I agree with this statement as many stereotypes are built up with many reasons that cause someone to take a negative view of a group of people and these reasons can change. The reason for someone 'holding' a stereotype may also not be for all those reasons but just one or two, which they personally believe to be true.

8. The existence of contradictory stereotypes is evidence that they are erroneous, but of nothing else
Contradictory stereotypes can often prove stereotypes to be wrong or bias. However, i do not believe that all stereotypes are false, as stated in the first point, some stereotypes, generally those about smaller groups of people rather than an entire race, ethnicity or nationality, can be less bias and more truthful as well as based more on factual influences such as the news rather than a common opinion that may have originated from family, social or other media influences.

9. People either 'hold' stereotypes (believe them to be true) or do not
I disagree with this statement because people can have and understanding of a stereotype, where it comes from and why it's 'held' without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing with the stereotype. 

10. Because someone holds a stereotype of a group, his or her behaviour towards the group can be predicted
I think this can be true because if someone stereotypes someone as a lower class or lesser person to themselves, they are very likely to have little or no respect for them. However, this can also be untrue as many people 'hold' stereotypes against people and do not voice or act on upon them.

TV Drama: Prezi on Sound Types

Sunday 25 September 2011

TV Drama: Camera Movements

CAMERA MOVEMENTS:

Whip Pan



The whip pan is used here to emphasise the fast pace and vibe of the setting to the audience.

Pan Shot



The pan shot is used here to show the audience each characters individual reactions to their situation and surroundings.

Track Shot



The track shot is used here to emphasise the actions of the character, to show them running.

Zoom



The zoom is used here to focus in on the setting.

Ariel Shot



The Ariel Shot is used here to show the setting.

Crane Shot



The crane shot is used here to show setting, the street where the main characters live.

Over Head



The over head shot is used here to show the scene from directly above.

Hand-Held Shot



The hand-held shot is used here to show the scene from the characters point of view, so you see it 'through their eyes'.

Tilt Shot



The tilt shot is used here to create a high angle, this angle is often used to make the character appear to have a lower status.

Arc



The arc shot is used to show the characters situation, surroundings and emotions from many different angles.

Thursday 15 September 2011

TV Drama: Mise-En-Scene


The setting for this scene is a bonfire on the beach, you can see tell this because they are sitting on the sand and there is fire in the background. The dark lighting also shows the audience it is late evening/night time during this scene. The setting creates a relaxed, romantic atomsphere and mood between the characters.

The costumes suggest they are in a relaxed environment as both people are dressed very casually and therefore appear laid back. The girl is wearing a skirt, top and necklace, the basic outfit emphasises her personality and mood. This is the same for the man, the jeans and shirt are laid back, but the shirt shows he has a slightly more uptight or awkward presence.

The girl in this picture looks more laid back than the man. Her body language also shows more confidence. The man looks more awkward, showing us he is trying to impress. His body language, having his arm accross, blocking her back, also shows he isn't willing to let her in.

The lighting in this scene creates a close, romantic atmosphere. It also has a relaxed feel. This scene has low lighting, to create the mood. The key lighting comes from the fire on the left, there is little other lighting, except a light on them, from infront, to emphasise them.

The positioning in the frame puts emphasis on the two people by placing them centrally in the shot. This shows the audience they are the most important people in the scene. The placement of the fire also emphasises the setting, showing that the atmosphere and mood are important in the scene.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Glossary: Key Definitions

Dennotation: the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it.

Connotation: the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning: A possible connotation of 'home' is 'a place of warmth, comfort, and affection.'

Thursday 8 September 2011

Class Survey

Choice of Films: Class Survey Conclusion
During the class survey I found that most people watched mainly American films, this is most likely due to the fact that there are more American films made and they're made on a higher budget so therefore have better effects, technology and actors. This is also due to they're wider distribution areas. However, many people had also seen quite a few British film, these were generally comedies that have been successful in Britain because they are made to suit the British sense of humour.

Pros and Cons of Types of Viewing:
T.V.
Pros: You can record films of television so they can be watched whenever and several times, this and viewing live are free, on some t.v's you can pause it, and when its recorded you can also skip the adverts. There may be less noise.
Cons: It's on a smaller screen and fewer people, this may reduce the atmosphere and effect created by the film. Also, if you haven't recorded it and just watched it live you have to wait for the DVD release before you can see it again. The advert breaks can also effect the films connection with the audience, making it less impressive or effective.

Cinema
Pros: You have a big screen and better sound, it's also a shared experience which can add to the atmosphere and therefore effect of the film.
Cons: It's expensive, and the price for one viewing at the cinema is very similar to the price of the DVD which can watched many times. The amount of people can make it noisy, or block your view.

Downloads
Pros: You don't have to wait for DVD releases, it's free and you can share the film with friends etc.
Cons: Quality can be lower or impaired, you can't get subtitles, the connections can be slow.

DVD
Pros: You can keep it and therefore, watch it as many times as you like. The quality is good, you can share it with friends and DVD's often include extras and special features.
Cons: The discs can easily get damaged, lost or broken. DVD's also take up a lot of space to store them. They can be expensive, however watching is unlimited, making the price more worth while.

Glossary: Key Definitions

Production: The concept of the film is developed from idea, to script, to film, to editing.

Marketing: Publicity for the film in all countries of release to create interest/hype in the lead up to theatrical release.

Distribution: Supplying the product/film to cinemas in hardware/software.

Exhibition: Showing the film to audiences.