Shameless Camera Angles and Sound

As part of our media course we were asked to select a 5 minute TV Drama clip and analyse the different Sound features and camera angles used. I have picked the TV Drama of Shameless.

One of the camera angles used in Shameless is the extreme close up when the camera is showing the character face. This happens to draw in the audience and makes us feel what the character is feeling . In addition, it helps draw us in to the story and in this case makes us syphasize with the character who is visiting a grave yard to lay some flowers has someone he knew has just died after being knocked over by a card. Another shot that is used is the over the shoulder shot when two teenagers are sitting having a drink at a cafe. When the characters are talking we can see there surroundings behind them and this helps us to build up a image of the setting e.g. where they live and also because they are looking out for someone the camera focuses behind them as the person so that the audience sees the person they are looking for before them. This also makes the audience think why do they want to see and talk to this person? At the very beginning Frankie is on the screen and is talking and behind him we see different images of where he and his family live in Manchester. This is called an establishing shot as we learn from this where they live which is a Manchester estate. Also from the litter and the graffiti we get the impression that this might be quite a rough place to live. In the clip of Shameless that I watched we see the use of a two shot between two of the characters. Here the two shot shows shows that they are friends and the facial expression that the characters use in the two shot e.g smiling backs up. Also it shows that the two character are of similar status in the TV Drama because one does not dominate over the other. As well as different Camera angles and shots being used there is also a different range of sound features that are used to help tell the story of the TV Drama. At the beginning of the dialogue when Frankie is talking we hear some background music. This accompanies the TV Drama and helps set the scene. When one of the characters is having a flash back we see the shot of a watch accompanied with the sound of a watch ticking to indicate a passing of time. This is called selective sound because it is helping us as audience hear exactly what the character is hearing. In Shameless there are several places where pauses are used and this is helps create atmosphere.

Thanks for reading.

Downton Abby - Social Status and Camera Shots

As part of my media course I was asked to to watch a four minute clip of Dowton Abby and then pick out certain Camera Angles and Shots that were used.

At the beginning of the dialogue the camera showed a long shot of two women one who was dressed in black while the other one was dressed in grey. The grey women was shown as being closer to the camera as well as being closer to the the centre frame. This shows us that the women in grey is more upper class and more significant than the women in black. In Downton Abbey we saw two women sitting on the lawn with the mansion in the background. This is called a long shot and in this clip it is used to show us as the audience the setting of the scene and from that we get the impression that the two women who are in the shot are very important as the camera focuses on there conversation. In addition, we learn from the long shot that the butler who serves the two ladies there afternoon tea on the lawn is not as important and his from a working class as the camera only shows him briefly serving the ladies before switching to a mid shot of him walking back to the mansion. One of the most important characters that we saw in the 4 minute clip was the owner of the house. Also in Downton Abbey different angles are used when the Butler and the Chauffeur are talking . When the Butler is talking we see the camera angle go up to make the Butler look more important compared to the Chauffeur where the camera angle goes down to show that the Chauffeur is less important than the the Butler who is in a higher position within the house. This is in contrast to to when the owner and the butler are speaking as the buttler is always shown to the side of the shot compared with the owner who is nearly always in the middle which show that he is the most important person in the shot.


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Area Of Representation Exam

Hi guys,
Today blog is about Area's of Representation through the use of TV Drama.

Age
Depending on the type of program it will appeal to different people and age groups. Different people and there age groups are represented are represented in TV drama's because this increases the potential target audience. Different ages represent different types of people. In a programme designed for a younger audience you expect to see activities made for the younger audience for example relationships, drugs, drinking, 'partying' whereas in a older based program you might see things like doing a job, having a family e.t.c. A younger audience is might be expected to be naive, energetic and over confident where as an older target audience you would expect a more civil and polite attitude. An example of a counter type of representation would be the program Skins where the Adults are just as bad as the kids through there behaviour and the way they present themselves. 

Sexuality
A stereotypical gay character is where the character is always interested in fashion and is often camp. An audience expectation of males are where the male has a camp attitude.  A stereotypical image of a lesbian is that one person in the couple will be butch, short hair with a mainly attitude and while there will be someone who is very feminine who is interested in fashion. Certain types of programmes show these stereotypical attitudes in there scripts and this shows the discrimination that type of society experience is common.

Disability and Ability
Disability and ability can be shown in many ways in the media. In the recent Paralympics there was less media coverage than the main Olympics. This meant, that the Paralympics  constant breaks during the sporting events compared with the main Olympics which were uninterrupted. This shows that Disability and Ability can be portrayed in both positive and negative ways in the media. 

Social Class 
Social class is represented in TV in different ways. In certain TV programmes such as Downton Abbey show off types of people who are high up in society compared to programmes such as Misfits or Shameless which portray negative images through the way that the people in the programme act and are presented.

Gender
In lots of TV drama's for example Eastenders women can be presented as rich, snobby and even cleaning houses which is a type of stereotype. This is a contrast to men who are usually presented as tough, loud and even violent. An example of a female character from Eastenders would be Dot Cotton as she is like a gran to everyone on the show. This is through the way she is presented through her relationship with other characters.

Thank you for reading.

My Definition on Tv Drama

I think Tv Drama is a show which tries to tackle real life situations, but with more action and drama. As a result, it make's the show more enjoyable and less boring. Tv Dramas try to have every day problems in their shows but, they have lots of these problems that happen at the same time which doesn't reflect normal life where you don't usally experience lots of problems all at once.However, by having bits that are unrealistic and silly it makes them fun to watch and it can help people switch off from every day life for a few minutes.

Emmerdale

Skins

                                 

Shameless

Camera Angles and Shots

Hi guys,

Today I will be looking at different Camera Shots and Angles which are used in Tv Dama and the effect that it has on the auidence.

High Angles shots are usually angles which look down on a character. This can make the person or object seem small, vulnerable or insignificant. In Tv Drama camera angles can be used to convey the relationships that one character has with another for example a high angled shot on a character can make a character seem isolated or vulnerable. A high angled shot can make a character blend in with a setting like the one below.

A high angled shot

The extreme long shot is often used at the start of a Tv show or film usually to show the setting and the location rather than specific details for instance characters in the scene.

A extreme long shot - http://tayleejade.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/camera-shots/


The low angle shot can make things look bigger. It can be used in Tv Drama when they want to make someone look big and powerful.

A low angle shot

Another time of camera angle used in films and Tv Drama is the slanted angle shot which is used to show a object to the audience that another character in the drama might not be able to see.

A slanted angle shot - http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&thread_id=3144500




A Close Up Shot are used to show objects in detail. In Drama it is used to make the audience feel part of the moment. 

A close up shot - http://www.harrypotterfans.com/page/8/

Other shots that can be used in films and TV drama are listed below:

Medium shot = is usally from the persons head down and focues on the body of the person

Wide shot = Shows a lot of people e.g people in a gang

High angle shot = Creates different effects

Long shot = It is a shot from head to toe of a person

Two shot = Portrays the relationship between characters in the scene

Extreme close up = Focuses on the emotion of the character whilst the audience can't see what is happening in the rest of the frame e.g. can't hear the sound

Point of view shot = Shows how important a character is and helps establish status

Thanks for reading

Representation

Hi guys today I am writing a short blog on what my fellow classmates think the word representation means to them.

Lots of people went for the idea of the media and I think they did this as they felt that what we see and hear in the media influences our personal views on representation. An idea that I liked was someone who left there page blank and I think they did this to tell people that representation is what you make of it and that it can change depending on what different people opinions are. Some of the differences between people view on representation was that some people felt it as simple as writing the word representation while some people felt the need to think of major factors that influence people e.g. the media to help them form a view on representation. 

Thanks for reading.

Representation of famous people

Hi guys today I will be looking at certain famous people and what they have achieved in society.

Nelson Mandela
A black man who through determination has achieved equality for black people in South Africa and through his life has tackled key issues in South Africa including politics and racism. He fought for equal individual rights though protests and campaigned for freedom for black people through speeches.This wasn't all ways easy and he ended up in prison on a numerous occasions for speaking up for what he believed in. For years, he "cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons could live together in harmony and with equal opportunities." Years after he began his journey, Mandela became the first democratically black elected president of South Africa in 1994 and by doing he had achieved the fist steps off equality in South Africa.

Britney Spears 

A person who is best know through her music. Her most famous songs include 'Baby one more time' which was released in 1999. Britney became an international success, selling 13 million copies of "Baby" and 9 million of her sophomore album, "Oops!...I Did It Again", which was released in May off 2000. Spears is represented as determined. In January 2004, Britney got married to Jason Alexander. Unfortunately, the marriage was annulled just 55 hours after they had got married. Considering she is only 24 years old Spear has achieved a lot through her ambition and this is shown by the fact she is a young mother and international pop star at such a young age.

Madonna 

Madonna is represented by her ambition which has seen her sell over 300 million records and CDs to her fans worldwide. The 1980s was Madonna's most successful time and she dominated the music charts with a succession of multi-million-selling albums which has seen her become the most Successful Female Recording Artist of All Time. Madonna is also represented by her fashion and this has seen her influence her fans around the world with her fashion. Madonna takes her fashion so serious that she even has her own fashion company and has sold items ranging from sunglasses to clothes.

David Beckham                                                                                                                               David Beckham is seen as one of Britain's most iconic athletes whose name is also an elite global advertising brand. Despite his success Beckham is aware of what other people might think of him so he has taken the option of covering up his tattoos when playing football so that they don’t offend any one. He is represented as someone who has served the game of football well and has been awarded an OBE by the Queen. As well has his footballing ability Beckham his represented has someone who has a good body has he won the best male body in celebrity bodies and was also voted best dressed male by readers of the magazine Heat. 

I used the website http://www.imdb.com to help me find out interesting facts about these famous people.

Thank you for reading 

Tv drama

I have decided to do an analysis of Michael Stone aka Mickey Bricks as I really enjoyed watching the Final Hustle series.

Tv drama: Hustle

Genre of Tv drama: Police Procedural

Actor: Adrian Lester

Character Name: Michael Stone aka Mickey Bricks

Age: 36 through to 44 years old. (took age from first series in 2004 all the way through to the last series in 2012)

Costume: Usually wears a suit or casual clothes depending on the situation

Sum up his lifestyle in five words: Respected, Intelligent, Ambitious, Leader and Lonely

Friends include: Stacie Monroe, Albert Stoner, Eddie, Sean Kennedy and Danny Blue

Interests: To find a new Girl Friend and make money

Motivation in most situations: To make people that are greedy pay for what they have done but Michael Stone doesn't target people that are worse off than him

Love life: Not stable get's divorced because of his dishonest lifestyle

Problems in life: Can get quite violent as proven by two years in year for GBH

Key moment in the drama series/ show: When he masterminds a successful 10 millon pound steal from a Bahrain Business man called Wasem Madani

Predication for a future narratives: Michael Stone quits being a con artist and settles down with a new girlfriend but soon finds he misses being a con artist

How is the audience supposed to react to them? The audience is supposed to think how do they do this while switching off from the real world


I am now going to write the start of a script of a potential scene that my character could appear in in a future series. If people comment or like it I may decide to carry the scene on.

Setting = Restuarant Michael brings his new girlfriend out for a meal

Michael = Here we are

Lucy = This is nice thank you so much for bringing me here I love going here. (Lucy smiles at Michael who gives a nervous smile back.They walk in.)

Waiter = Here is your table

Lucy and Michael = Thanks

(They order there food)

Michael = What do you do for a living?

Lucy = I work in a hairdressers and in the past I worked as an accountant how about you? (Lucy is quite proud of what she has achieved) How about you?

Michael (looks at floor avoids eye contact) = Well I don't really work that much just the odd job here and there (Lucy believes him before the conversation moves on Michael is relieved and lets out a smile.)

(The door opens and in walks Michael gang who see him and head over to talk)

Albert = Hello Michael long time no see I see that you have company

Michael = Yes this is Lucy

Albert = Nice to meet you

Lucy = Same what brings you here?

Albert = Just here for a drink with a few friends anyway best be leaving you to it later Michael 

(Albert walks away)

Lucy = How do you know Albert?


Thanks for Reading