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Format:
Single Camera 'Format' is where one camera is used when filming, meaning that their is just one view of the whole set. The difference between single-camera drama's and multi-camea drama's is just that during multi-camera drama filming there is more than one camera in use. Unlike single camera drama, where it is obviously one one. There is one main rule that is most important during the filming process of single camera drama's. This is called the 180 degree rule, where you cannot cross this line when filming otherwise it will become clear to the viewers that something doesn't look right, and in order for it to look realistic and like it is really happening as you're watching this rule must take place. Different kinds of drama's are done in various ways which when determines the format of it. Some short stories are done or told in one single format (a 'single' single-camera drama), and some are split into sections or episodes which are known as drama series and serials. The format of these also determines how successful they are from this, if it will actually continue further or not, being a 'continuing drama' also known as a simple 'drama series'. The 180 degree line rule IS so important because if it is crossed it will break the rule of continuity, and so the illusion viewers will be under that it is really happening will be disrupted. So to keep the realism of the program, keeping to the right side of the line rule is extremely important.
Below is a video that I found that help me come to terms with how this important rule, works.
Single Camera 'Format' is where one camera is used when filming, meaning that their is just one view of the whole set. The difference between single-camera drama's and multi-camea drama's is just that during multi-camera drama filming there is more than one camera in use. Unlike single camera drama, where it is obviously one one. There is one main rule that is most important during the filming process of single camera drama's. This is called the 180 degree rule, where you cannot cross this line when filming otherwise it will become clear to the viewers that something doesn't look right, and in order for it to look realistic and like it is really happening as you're watching this rule must take place. Different kinds of drama's are done in various ways which when determines the format of it. Some short stories are done or told in one single format (a 'single' single-camera drama), and some are split into sections or episodes which are known as drama series and serials. The format of these also determines how successful they are from this, if it will actually continue further or not, being a 'continuing drama' also known as a simple 'drama series'. The 180 degree line rule IS so important because if it is crossed it will break the rule of continuity, and so the illusion viewers will be under that it is really happening will be disrupted. So to keep the realism of the program, keeping to the right side of the line rule is extremely important.
Below is a video that I found that help me come to terms with how this important rule, works.
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The main Single-camera drama that I have chosen to do is Downon Abbey. It is a series, and it has been popular since it was first broadcast on ITV a couple of years ago. Other single camera dramas that I am going to look into are Hollyoaks, Holby City, CSI, Scrubs, and a historical/discovery themed Dramadoc.
The second Drama I have assessed is Hollyoaks. Hollyoaks is a single camera soap drama. It is broadcasted most weeknights at 6:30 which means that it is shown before the watershed so no real explicit footage is shown on the show. I then went on and watched Holby City, this show, unlike Hollyoaks is shown weeknights at 9pm, this is most likely due to the fact it is based within a hospital so a lot of blood and bodily parts are shown (something young children may find upsetting). The third single-camera drama I chose to watch was was a series drama called CSI. This show has expanded into different places of the world such as CSI: Miami.. This shows that throughout it's time of being on TV, it's popularity has only grown and this shows peoples interest into crime scene, as well as the production team succeeding in doing what they do best!
I understood that I also needed to do a single-camera drama with the genre of comedy. The show I chose for this category is Scrubs. I chose Scrubs because I often used to watch it, so I know the way that it runs in general.
To make sure I watched various shows to cover the different single-camera drama genres I also watched the discovery channel. PBS America: Killing Hilter. This is a docudrama about british troups attemping to kill Hitler. This channel often display shows of a similar topic for a whole week but this still does not count as a series drama, as each episode will have a different story line to it.
The second Drama I have assessed is Hollyoaks. Hollyoaks is a single camera soap drama. It is broadcasted most weeknights at 6:30 which means that it is shown before the watershed so no real explicit footage is shown on the show. I then went on and watched Holby City, this show, unlike Hollyoaks is shown weeknights at 9pm, this is most likely due to the fact it is based within a hospital so a lot of blood and bodily parts are shown (something young children may find upsetting). The third single-camera drama I chose to watch was was a series drama called CSI. This show has expanded into different places of the world such as CSI: Miami.. This shows that throughout it's time of being on TV, it's popularity has only grown and this shows peoples interest into crime scene, as well as the production team succeeding in doing what they do best!
I understood that I also needed to do a single-camera drama with the genre of comedy. The show I chose for this category is Scrubs. I chose Scrubs because I often used to watch it, so I know the way that it runs in general.
To make sure I watched various shows to cover the different single-camera drama genres I also watched the discovery channel. PBS America: Killing Hilter. This is a docudrama about british troups attemping to kill Hitler. This channel often display shows of a similar topic for a whole week but this still does not count as a series drama, as each episode will have a different story line to it.
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Genre:
Any film, or drama can be put into a specific category or 'genre'. Common and most popular genre's that appear appear on TV are genre's such as crime, supernatural, period, costume, medical, sic-fi, horror, fantasy and many more.
The genre that I would place Downton in would be costume. I think this is the case because the main reason you can tell it is not set at present is by the clothing and costumes that they wear. All of the other single-camera drama's that I have chosen are series, therefore, multi-strand. Apart from the historical/discovery Dramadoc's where they are single-strand, unless they are having a specific week where it is based on one topic. But even then they would all only be single-strand, only put together continuously over the space of a week.
Downton is a period drama which means that it continues every week following on from old stories, and beginning new ones.
Any film, or drama can be put into a specific category or 'genre'. Common and most popular genre's that appear appear on TV are genre's such as crime, supernatural, period, costume, medical, sic-fi, horror, fantasy and many more.
The genre that I would place Downton in would be costume. I think this is the case because the main reason you can tell it is not set at present is by the clothing and costumes that they wear. All of the other single-camera drama's that I have chosen are series, therefore, multi-strand. Apart from the historical/discovery Dramadoc's where they are single-strand, unless they are having a specific week where it is based on one topic. But even then they would all only be single-strand, only put together continuously over the space of a week.
Downton is a period drama which means that it continues every week following on from old stories, and beginning new ones.
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Hollyoaks is the complete other end of the scale. It is based in present time so it's modern and up to date. Because this soap is a single-camera drama, it makes it different to other soaps such as Eastenders as on set they will have multiple cameras set up at a time, which will reduce the need to film more than once or twice for re-takes. Throughout watching the episodes of I could tell that this was more of a 'young-persons' soap as they switched from stories very quickly, keeping the style of the show upbeat and contemporary.
The reason why I chose to watch Holby City was because it covered 2 different genres. This genres were medical and contemporary. By this I mean that the drama is set up to look like it is in a real hospital, when actually it would have been a studio or set that the crew members would of have to set up exactly like a real hospital, this would cost them a large amount of money. Not including all of the correct hospital facilities they'll have to get hold of such as the operation equipment, etc. It would be pointless if they didn't have these because, as viewers, it would be very unrealistic to watch.
The genre of CSI also covers 2 different genres. These being crime and contemporary. The show is modern, due to the nature of the theme because as crime investigators, they are having to keep up with the new modern technology, in order to solve their day-to-day working problems. They are very clever in how they develop the show from start, through to the end, as the episode I'm basing this assessment on began with a casual, laid back casino scene full of a buzzing atmosphere and happy faces. You're then to shortly find out that all is not what is seems; the undercover investigator is making his way through the casino for not just any old reason.
PBS America's general genre is via the History/Discovery channel so it is all documentaries. So this is the style of drama that it is. "Killing Hitler" is a scientific docudrama where a whole piece of the past has been re-enacted in order for us as the audience to understand from watching it on TV at home.
The reason why I chose to watch Holby City was because it covered 2 different genres. This genres were medical and contemporary. By this I mean that the drama is set up to look like it is in a real hospital, when actually it would have been a studio or set that the crew members would of have to set up exactly like a real hospital, this would cost them a large amount of money. Not including all of the correct hospital facilities they'll have to get hold of such as the operation equipment, etc. It would be pointless if they didn't have these because, as viewers, it would be very unrealistic to watch.
The genre of CSI also covers 2 different genres. These being crime and contemporary. The show is modern, due to the nature of the theme because as crime investigators, they are having to keep up with the new modern technology, in order to solve their day-to-day working problems. They are very clever in how they develop the show from start, through to the end, as the episode I'm basing this assessment on began with a casual, laid back casino scene full of a buzzing atmosphere and happy faces. You're then to shortly find out that all is not what is seems; the undercover investigator is making his way through the casino for not just any old reason.
PBS America's general genre is via the History/Discovery channel so it is all documentaries. So this is the style of drama that it is. "Killing Hitler" is a scientific docudrama where a whole piece of the past has been re-enacted in order for us as the audience to understand from watching it on TV at home.
Narrative structures:
There are plenty of different kinds of narrative structures when it comes to single-camera drama's. These include;
Linear: "sequential" - this is when stories flow in a chronological order, from beginning, to middle, and to an ending. This means that there are no flashbacks, everything happens (looks as if it is happening) in present time order. The good thing about linear structured drama's, is that it makes it very easy for the audience to understand what is going on, however it can also come across to be boring and predictable in what is going to happen next.
Non-linear: "non-sequential" - this is the opposite to linear; it does not flow in chronological order, and the plot is all over the place due to the concept that time - beginning, middle and end can be scatty. These kind of drama's usually include flashbacks and reverse narratives. The good thing about non-linear drama's is that it makes the audience think, and have to learn what went on in the past (with flashbacks helping and telling us) to what is happening as we watch it now in the present tense. But some viewers may find this a challenge as we, as an audience are used to things being told to us in a chronological way, which is very easy and straight forward to understand. So what is a flashback? A flashback is something that drama's insert into a program what has happened in the past-tense and presented in the present-tense.
Single-strand: This is when the narrative is focussed on one character in particular and their story. The advantage of a single-strand narrative is that it is easy to understand, however it can come across to be boring as other factors are not brought in to make it more interesting, so no potential "build up" is created.
Multi-strand: Different to single-strand, multi-strand stories are when there are more than one character and story involved. This way the story/stories can be told from more than one persons point of view.
Non-Realist: This is something that is quite obviously NOT believable regardless of how good and realistic they try and make it. A program like Doctor Who would represent this category as he is a "Time Lord" travelling through space, finding aliens and monsters he needs to conquer. Where as Realist: Is something that could in fact be true, or even a program that is based upon a true story, or a series of events that really did happen, as it cannot become more realistic than the truth.
Downton Abbey is a linear drama. This means that it is constantly flowing through, as if you are watching it happen.
Throughout the whole series there were single strand stories and multi-strand stories working alongside each other. As the weeks go on throughout the episodes the on-going series develop and become more of a well known story within the cast members.
A lot of the stories are made more of a secret and develop into a bigger problem as things were more frowned upon in the Edwardian era, of which it was set, so the narrative structures are going to be set according to the time and period the drama is meant to be in. Although, saying that, whilst watching the series I did notice and wonder if some of the use of language used would not be known at that period. An example of this, I found in the episode that I chose to do this piece of writing on, which was the finale, were the main female character said "I'm not on the market at the minute, I'm afraid" insinuating that she is unable to take part in any dating or a love affair. To me, that just seemed slightly too much of a modern and up to date quote. Each week, the episodes were left as an open ending, this means that they are able to continue the next chapter throughout the following weeks.
Even though this was the finale, it still continued to have an open ending. This was to show that there is more than likely going to be a following series in a couple of months time. So the ending of the finale was to begin a new story at the beginning of the next series.
There are plenty of different kinds of narrative structures when it comes to single-camera drama's. These include;
Linear: "sequential" - this is when stories flow in a chronological order, from beginning, to middle, and to an ending. This means that there are no flashbacks, everything happens (looks as if it is happening) in present time order. The good thing about linear structured drama's, is that it makes it very easy for the audience to understand what is going on, however it can also come across to be boring and predictable in what is going to happen next.
Non-linear: "non-sequential" - this is the opposite to linear; it does not flow in chronological order, and the plot is all over the place due to the concept that time - beginning, middle and end can be scatty. These kind of drama's usually include flashbacks and reverse narratives. The good thing about non-linear drama's is that it makes the audience think, and have to learn what went on in the past (with flashbacks helping and telling us) to what is happening as we watch it now in the present tense. But some viewers may find this a challenge as we, as an audience are used to things being told to us in a chronological way, which is very easy and straight forward to understand. So what is a flashback? A flashback is something that drama's insert into a program what has happened in the past-tense and presented in the present-tense.
Single-strand: This is when the narrative is focussed on one character in particular and their story. The advantage of a single-strand narrative is that it is easy to understand, however it can come across to be boring as other factors are not brought in to make it more interesting, so no potential "build up" is created.
Multi-strand: Different to single-strand, multi-strand stories are when there are more than one character and story involved. This way the story/stories can be told from more than one persons point of view.
Non-Realist: This is something that is quite obviously NOT believable regardless of how good and realistic they try and make it. A program like Doctor Who would represent this category as he is a "Time Lord" travelling through space, finding aliens and monsters he needs to conquer. Where as Realist: Is something that could in fact be true, or even a program that is based upon a true story, or a series of events that really did happen, as it cannot become more realistic than the truth.
Downton Abbey is a linear drama. This means that it is constantly flowing through, as if you are watching it happen.
Throughout the whole series there were single strand stories and multi-strand stories working alongside each other. As the weeks go on throughout the episodes the on-going series develop and become more of a well known story within the cast members.
A lot of the stories are made more of a secret and develop into a bigger problem as things were more frowned upon in the Edwardian era, of which it was set, so the narrative structures are going to be set according to the time and period the drama is meant to be in. Although, saying that, whilst watching the series I did notice and wonder if some of the use of language used would not be known at that period. An example of this, I found in the episode that I chose to do this piece of writing on, which was the finale, were the main female character said "I'm not on the market at the minute, I'm afraid" insinuating that she is unable to take part in any dating or a love affair. To me, that just seemed slightly too much of a modern and up to date quote. Each week, the episodes were left as an open ending, this means that they are able to continue the next chapter throughout the following weeks.
Even though this was the finale, it still continued to have an open ending. This was to show that there is more than likely going to be a following series in a couple of months time. So the ending of the finale was to begin a new story at the beginning of the next series.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/6/8/24688018/512625.jpg)
Similar to Downton, Hollyoaks the soap is a linear drama. It has single-strand stories as well as multi-strand stories. This means that the soap has varied on-going stories, that carry on from episode to episode, as well as quick stories that begin and end all within one episode. Although I would say that the majority of stories are multi-strand, because that is the whole point of a soap, that it has real life problems, that are on-going. Because Hollyoaks is a soap opera, it is suppose to feel like you are watching everyday life; you're believing it as it is happening. However, while I was watching the show there were a few things that I found "anti-realist". Anti-realist means that throughout a drama, there are scenes of surrealism to help to create the story, and help it to develop. Often using computer work, to make this happen and be successful. An example of this was when an actor was reading through a text, rather than doing a standard OTS shot of the phone, showing the content and who it was from the text was shown out in the open, floating next to the actor so we could see his face and body all at the same time as what he was reading WHILE reading it. As modern as this is, I feel like this ruins the whole idea of realism and believing what you see Similar to Downton Abbey, and many other soaps also, there are always open endings, this is necessary as the show wouldn't have any kind of continuity throughout drama's, and by having open endings it makes us, as an audience want to know what happens next.
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Holby City is a linear drama. Because of the genre/nature of the drama it is typical that their are multi-strand stories throughout each episode due to different emergencies coming in. From each multi-strand story, it creates a single-strand (individual) story. Mostly between 2 or 3 characters. As well as stories created by the emergency patients, there are also plenty of stories created by the working people (the actors) of the hospital, that are problems beyond being within the hospital wards. To make sure that the drama appears to be even more realistic, it is shown at 9pm (after the watershed) this means that they are able to show more "disturbing" (yet realistic) shots, of things like gushing blood, and body parts. However, as realistic as the show manages to come across and feel to be. There were also elements of surrealism during the episode I watched of Holby. By this I mean that they lose the sense of it being realistic and believable. In one scene 2 nurses were helping a patient sneak his dog into the hospital and were doing their best to keep him there. And the second was an extra (nurse) calling for a doctor and that he was urgently needed in theatre, and replied saying he'd be there in 5 minutes as he was dealing with another member of staff. Again, I believe that this is an unlikely situation as no doctor would risk a patients like, not even by 5 minutes.
Unlike all of the single camera drama's I have looked into, CSI is a non-linear drama. Because unlike the others CSI includes flashbacks in the episodes. This is really effective in a way that it helps you understand what the investigators are thinking without them literally having to speak it out. The drama is a series but each episode is another story, another problem. There are no multi-strand stories because of this. Due to that, unless purposely ended as a cliffhanger the drama is always a "case-closed" ending. The difference between a cliffhanger and a "case-closed" (closed ending) ending is this; a cliffhanger is when a drama ends but the story is undiscovered, leaving the audience in suspense until next time - whenever that may be. This is a good thing to put at the end of an episode because it keeps the viewers tuned in, and they are more than likely going to make sure they watch the next episode! It is also extremely effective when a cliffhanger is put at the end of a series, this means that the audience are held in suspense for a matter of weeks, or even unknown to when the series is coming back. It could even be months! Closed ending on the other hand is different, and in comparison to a cliffhanger, quite boring. The drama will come to a final ending, and the story will be complete and you will essentially know the answers to all of the questions that have developed throughout the series.
The most realistic structure of them all, is the "Killing Hitler" docudrama. The structure of this whole historical drama that has been put together for our own understanding and is non-linear; both with footage of real historians having a in depth discussing about the subject topic, and the way the actors re-act the footage make it easy for us to understand what the historians are actually speaking about. Like any scientific/historic program, there are neither open, or closed endings to the show. I believe that this may be because they cannot say for sure what the evidence they have is 100% correct, so it is more left open in the air and for us to decide and further investigation to be done.
Scrubs, is also a non-linear drama. This is also because they include flashbacks throughout the 30 minute show. Unlike CSI however, where flashbacks are as valuable as the actual 'present' footage, Scrubs flashbacks are used comically. Often the flashbacks are of people with no actual relevance to the scene. This works with the genre of the show, because of the random use of these flashbacks. Scrubs has single-strand stories, so each episode is something completely different. However, there are a few episodes where a story will run through 2, and possibly 3 episodes.
Scrubs - seeing as it is a comedy is anti-realist. For example for this would be the way the doctors are and how they speak to their patients. This would not take place in real life. Seeing as there are some multi-strand stories, the endings of scrubs (when this does take place) is sometimes is left in the air. Although, the majority of the episodes are closed endings; ready for a fresh plot for the next episode.
The most realistic structure of them all, is the "Killing Hitler" docudrama. The structure of this whole historical drama that has been put together for our own understanding and is non-linear; both with footage of real historians having a in depth discussing about the subject topic, and the way the actors re-act the footage make it easy for us to understand what the historians are actually speaking about. Like any scientific/historic program, there are neither open, or closed endings to the show. I believe that this may be because they cannot say for sure what the evidence they have is 100% correct, so it is more left open in the air and for us to decide and further investigation to be done.
Scrubs, is also a non-linear drama. This is also because they include flashbacks throughout the 30 minute show. Unlike CSI however, where flashbacks are as valuable as the actual 'present' footage, Scrubs flashbacks are used comically. Often the flashbacks are of people with no actual relevance to the scene. This works with the genre of the show, because of the random use of these flashbacks. Scrubs has single-strand stories, so each episode is something completely different. However, there are a few episodes where a story will run through 2, and possibly 3 episodes.
Scrubs - seeing as it is a comedy is anti-realist. For example for this would be the way the doctors are and how they speak to their patients. This would not take place in real life. Seeing as there are some multi-strand stories, the endings of scrubs (when this does take place) is sometimes is left in the air. Although, the majority of the episodes are closed endings; ready for a fresh plot for the next episode.
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Technical elements:
Lighting - Without the use of of specially controlled lighting, in any scene of a drama, the shot would look dull and boring. The type of lighting enhances the people or objects we're looking at on our screens. Each lighting set up creates their own specific mood, atmosphere, and aesthetics to the overall look of the drama. Without any source of light, it wouldn't even be possible to shoot any kind of drama or film! It is a necessity of the filming world.
The hardness or softness impacts the mood of a drama or film dramatically. Without having the correct lighting, to a specific theme we would be unaware of what emotions we should be feeling whilst watching it.
The location "Downton Abbey" where it is set is a very large, old fashioned manner/mansion. Because it is so big and grand, plenty of shadows are created and noticeable, so throughout the series there is plenty of High-Key Lighting, this source of lighting is very flattering, it uses a combination of soft and hard lighting, so you can clearly see everything Most important it fits the general theme and scene of Downton Abbey - a pleasant program. Seeing as it was set in the Edwardian era, there are no lamps outside either - or at least no lamps of which we know today. Even inside, there would probably only be oil lamps, placed around the mansion. Also, as suited to the obvious class differentiation, the lighting around the area of the servants working space is a lot darker. This shows how they most definitely are working below where all the open space windows and light is; as they are below the upper class.
Because there is also scenes of happiness, there is a use of soft diffused lighting used. This would have been created by a source at the front, as well as a source from the back that probably would have been even stronger, and one extra source elsewhere; also known as 3 point lighting. The occasional scenes where something a little frightening or concerning is happening, the lighting changes rather drastically to hard-key lighting. I think the drastic change of lighting emphasizes the fact that something bad is about to happen, so it draws the viewers into the scene.
Lighting - Without the use of of specially controlled lighting, in any scene of a drama, the shot would look dull and boring. The type of lighting enhances the people or objects we're looking at on our screens. Each lighting set up creates their own specific mood, atmosphere, and aesthetics to the overall look of the drama. Without any source of light, it wouldn't even be possible to shoot any kind of drama or film! It is a necessity of the filming world.
The hardness or softness impacts the mood of a drama or film dramatically. Without having the correct lighting, to a specific theme we would be unaware of what emotions we should be feeling whilst watching it.
The location "Downton Abbey" where it is set is a very large, old fashioned manner/mansion. Because it is so big and grand, plenty of shadows are created and noticeable, so throughout the series there is plenty of High-Key Lighting, this source of lighting is very flattering, it uses a combination of soft and hard lighting, so you can clearly see everything Most important it fits the general theme and scene of Downton Abbey - a pleasant program. Seeing as it was set in the Edwardian era, there are no lamps outside either - or at least no lamps of which we know today. Even inside, there would probably only be oil lamps, placed around the mansion. Also, as suited to the obvious class differentiation, the lighting around the area of the servants working space is a lot darker. This shows how they most definitely are working below where all the open space windows and light is; as they are below the upper class.
Because there is also scenes of happiness, there is a use of soft diffused lighting used. This would have been created by a source at the front, as well as a source from the back that probably would have been even stronger, and one extra source elsewhere; also known as 3 point lighting. The occasional scenes where something a little frightening or concerning is happening, the lighting changes rather drastically to hard-key lighting. I think the drastic change of lighting emphasizes the fact that something bad is about to happen, so it draws the viewers into the scene.
As the episode of Hollyoaks that I watched is mostly in broad daylight, and outside. I would say that because of this they are only really able to use the available light. Even the scenes where they are in the house, the actors are all facing the window where the light is shining in through. It has to be this way otherwise we would not be able to see them. On a bright sunny day, the shadow will be dark and the and the edges of actors and objects will be sharp because the sun has such a strong, intense light. However, if it was an overcast day, the shadowing would be much softer at the edges due to the clouds diffusing the intensity of the sun! During the episode of Hollyoaks I watched, it was a cloudy day which made the football match become easy to film, and look crisp to the eye of a viewer.
Some of the crew members may have even used reflectors to enhance the natural light if the general lighting is slightly more shadowy in that specific room of the house. If the lighting is just a little TOO dark to film they also could have used the three-point lighting. I noticed that this may happened during a close up in the kitchen scene. If this was in a studio it may not have had any windows for any available light to shine through. The reason why I thought that it may have been a possibility that they used this technique was because the light which was very much shining on the face of the actors was more of a yellowy-tint, and few shadows created around their faces. Just like I think that the kitchen scene may have been filmed in a studio, I have also concluded the same thing during watching Holby City in the "hospital", as not only did I notice that there wasn't many (if any) windows, the general light was very dim and orangey and not bright and sharp like if how it would be if it was real daylight. In some more scenes, where there was shots of just 1 possibly 2 people, there would be a desk lamp placed in the corner of the room. This gives a subtle affect on both lighting on the actor in the room and the shadows created by it, which in fact creates the mood. Just because the small lamp in the corner of the room creates a soft lighting effect, it does not always mean that the scene is happy. The scene of the episode I watched, was very different to this, with both lighting and camera shots working together as a close up of the actors softly lit face told the story in itself. By her expression giving away she was unhappy, the use of the close up quite literally homed in on that and it told a story to the audience, making us aware of the actors emotions and therefore ours, too.
Some of the crew members may have even used reflectors to enhance the natural light if the general lighting is slightly more shadowy in that specific room of the house. If the lighting is just a little TOO dark to film they also could have used the three-point lighting. I noticed that this may happened during a close up in the kitchen scene. If this was in a studio it may not have had any windows for any available light to shine through. The reason why I thought that it may have been a possibility that they used this technique was because the light which was very much shining on the face of the actors was more of a yellowy-tint, and few shadows created around their faces. Just like I think that the kitchen scene may have been filmed in a studio, I have also concluded the same thing during watching Holby City in the "hospital", as not only did I notice that there wasn't many (if any) windows, the general light was very dim and orangey and not bright and sharp like if how it would be if it was real daylight. In some more scenes, where there was shots of just 1 possibly 2 people, there would be a desk lamp placed in the corner of the room. This gives a subtle affect on both lighting on the actor in the room and the shadows created by it, which in fact creates the mood. Just because the small lamp in the corner of the room creates a soft lighting effect, it does not always mean that the scene is happy. The scene of the episode I watched, was very different to this, with both lighting and camera shots working together as a close up of the actors softly lit face told the story in itself. By her expression giving away she was unhappy, the use of the close up quite literally homed in on that and it told a story to the audience, making us aware of the actors emotions and therefore ours, too.
An example of outdoor lighting would be during the football game, from 6:05 - 10:57.
During the first part of the Crime Scene Investigation drama, it is evening and the general mood implied is to be dark, and in the nightlife. The lighting only coming from the computer screens they're looking at which (most probably as intended) creates a large amount of shadows on one side of the actors body. Simply from this it creates a mysterious mood.
The second scene is featured in a house (where a crime was committed) and they have made sure there is a desk lamp on, which just like the smaller room scenes in Holby makes the lighting low-key, which is hard lighting, as it enough for the viewers to tell who they're looking at when the actors play their parts.
The picture below is similar to what I mean. The lighting here is low-key and creates a sense of tension, from the use of hard lighting. There is enough light to be able to see them, however it is subtle enough for the audience to feel the correct mood. Although, here, it does appear that there may have been either another set of lighting shining against the actors, as well as the subtle ones behind them because it seems like that lighting behind them might cast too much shadowing in front of them, and of course the main part of the whole picture is laying in front of them. They could have also used reflectors as well if a whole new set of lighting was TOO bright, and may have ruined the mood set. Throughout the scenes of CSI there is a vast majority of hard key lighting this means that shadowing is created, possibly even silhouettes. By the extremes of this happening it makes us as viewers aware that we should feel worried, and get ready for something bad about to happen!
The second scene is featured in a house (where a crime was committed) and they have made sure there is a desk lamp on, which just like the smaller room scenes in Holby makes the lighting low-key, which is hard lighting, as it enough for the viewers to tell who they're looking at when the actors play their parts.
The picture below is similar to what I mean. The lighting here is low-key and creates a sense of tension, from the use of hard lighting. There is enough light to be able to see them, however it is subtle enough for the audience to feel the correct mood. Although, here, it does appear that there may have been either another set of lighting shining against the actors, as well as the subtle ones behind them because it seems like that lighting behind them might cast too much shadowing in front of them, and of course the main part of the whole picture is laying in front of them. They could have also used reflectors as well if a whole new set of lighting was TOO bright, and may have ruined the mood set. Throughout the scenes of CSI there is a vast majority of hard key lighting this means that shadowing is created, possibly even silhouettes. By the extremes of this happening it makes us as viewers aware that we should feel worried, and get ready for something bad about to happen!
To make sure that the acting was all real during the "Killing Hitler" documentary, and actually happening in the specific time set, the lighting in general is quite dull, they probably only had something like an oil lamp present then, and if that is not the source they used, then I'm sure that they would have been able to make something up of a dull lighting oppose to modern bright bulbs. This makes the shadows on the actors look dark and strong. This use of hard key lighting creates a sense of worry, making us understand the mood we should be feeling. If the lighting was bright throughout the whole program, we would hardly have an understanding as to which specific parts are important, and the parts where we need to understand to even understand further into the program! Throughout the whole of the re-enactment there are constantly a set of shadows created, making the mood feel anxious and tense. And so, making us as viewers aware of this, emotionally.
04:50-05:00 is a clear obvious example of the dim lighting that they use in order to set the mood, and the time of show.
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The set of Scrubs looks as if it is quite open, with wide windows and therefore available light able to creep through. This gives a sense of realism, as it looks like it's normal, day to day working life in a hospital. This makes the program feel more linear, as non-linear as it actually may be.
The picture on the left is a good example of the light source that Scrubs are able to have on their set. Comparing this the other medical show I looked at: Holby City, shows me that the two shows have a completely different style of lighting. Scrubs seemed to use the available light that their studio allowed them to have, and possibly using reflectors to help also. However, in more darker areas of their set, it seemed to me that there could have been a use of 3 point lighting. Especially when an actor on their own is being filmed. This shows me how different Holby and Scrubs are - even though they are both hospital based programmes. This splits the two genres far apart regardless that they share the same theme of having a hospital environment.
The picture on the left is a good example of the light source that Scrubs are able to have on their set. Comparing this the other medical show I looked at: Holby City, shows me that the two shows have a completely different style of lighting. Scrubs seemed to use the available light that their studio allowed them to have, and possibly using reflectors to help also. However, in more darker areas of their set, it seemed to me that there could have been a use of 3 point lighting. Especially when an actor on their own is being filmed. This shows me how different Holby and Scrubs are - even though they are both hospital based programmes. This splits the two genres far apart regardless that they share the same theme of having a hospital environment.
Sound and Music - I think that sound and music is really important during any drama or film. If we were to watch a scene which was completely silent we would have no idea how to feel. Out of all of the things that go towards a drama/film, I think that sound/music is most important and most connected to emotion happenings of a person. It is up to music to make us feel sad or happy. It is up to the use of perfected noise and sound effects when it comes to making us on edge and jumpy. Without sound we would have no emotions and nothing to follow through with during the process of watching a drama or a film.
There is a specific theme of music at the beginning of the drama Downton Abbey, and throughout. The instruments played, sound mostly strings and piano - of a higher key. Depending on which scene is playing, the mood of the music change. Such as an upbeat temp, or a lower scale key would suit perhaps an excitement mood, or even scared/anxious. The music is subtle, probably done by a classical orchestra, and creeps in among the dialog and movement of the actors. By the music doing this, it makes us, as the viewers, feel emotionally involved, and gain a better understanding as to whats going on. So, it develops our understanding of what is happening and he mood created. The sound here is non-diegetic. There is a use of sounds that come from the servants kitchen, and working space, of crashing plates and pots - general clanging about. These sounds would have been put over, and on in the editing. This makes it sound more crisp/sharp. The same thing would have happened in the finale episode when it is the Downton Bazaar and there is cheering and laughing in the background.
There is a specific theme of music at the beginning of the drama Downton Abbey, and throughout. The instruments played, sound mostly strings and piano - of a higher key. Depending on which scene is playing, the mood of the music change. Such as an upbeat temp, or a lower scale key would suit perhaps an excitement mood, or even scared/anxious. The music is subtle, probably done by a classical orchestra, and creeps in among the dialog and movement of the actors. By the music doing this, it makes us, as the viewers, feel emotionally involved, and gain a better understanding as to whats going on. So, it develops our understanding of what is happening and he mood created. The sound here is non-diegetic. There is a use of sounds that come from the servants kitchen, and working space, of crashing plates and pots - general clanging about. These sounds would have been put over, and on in the editing. This makes it sound more crisp/sharp. The same thing would have happened in the finale episode when it is the Downton Bazaar and there is cheering and laughing in the background.
Unfortunately, I was not able to find the episode of Downton that I watched and recorded on TV and even trying to find something online was difficult seeing as you have no pay now to watch episodes of Downton Abbey on ITV player, and youtube cannot display them. However I managed to find the most recent episode. It is not the episode I assessed but obviously, because it is the same show, it was set up in the same fashion. The link here is the episode I was able to get hold of: https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/downton-abbey/series-6/episode-9
starting on 05:11 and slightly on wards, you can here the sound of the music, and straight away you understand what era you are suppose to feel like you're in.
starting on 05:11 and slightly on wards, you can here the sound of the music, and straight away you understand what era you are suppose to feel like you're in.
Like any beginning to a soap or program, Hollyoaks has its own recognizable theme tune. Over time, the hollyoaks theme tune has become more and more upbeat and contemporary. Even though, it is now probably done using a computer, it sounds like the instrument that is being played is guitar. Because Hollyoaks is a moder soap, there is a set of songs that are put in at specific scenes throughout the show. All of these songs are known well and are in the recent music charts, and most of which are upbeat songs; making us feel energetic and excited as to what it going on! Again, this gives hollyoaks a modern and querky feel about it. The sound effects are important in any drama, similar to downton, the sound effects are slowly drifting in and out (this is non-diegetic sound) of the show. This helps viewers understand what is going on, and how you are meant to be feeling emotionally. Scenes from filming outside there may or may not have been traffic going by, but to create realism there has been traffic played over the filming, also known as a sound bridge. This is a good indication of continuity and discises the fact that it isn't really happening as you watch, which is the illusion, as viewers, we are under. This would have been done during post-production editing.
This is the episode I assessed and was able to find it online and display it, as I have done previously in the blog as well. From 06:03 is the song which is recently been number 1 in the charts.
Seeing as the general theme of Holby City is in and around a hospital, there is not much specific sound other than normal hospital murmurs, bleeping of the machinery and just the busy noise in the air. However, all of this non-diegetic sound would have been played over the footage during the editing process, known as a sound bridge to mask any obvious uncontinuity Different to all of the other single camera drama's I have been looking into, there is not any music used in specific circumstances such as slow/drastic music of someone passing away. I think that this is because the whole nature of the drama, is themed to that kind of category, and the actions and acting of the actors throughout is enough for you to know when we as viewers need to start to panic while watching. Although, in the passed I have watched episodes of Holby City where, each actor had their problems all ending badly towards the end of one episode and a slow piece of music was played out, as the different story lines faded out within each other. I think by them doing this only frequently it shows they do it when all the stories are kind of coming to an end and by this only happening occasionally you understand that it must be bad if a longer piece of music is being played.
Again, due to the episode I watched of this being so recent, it hasn't been able to be displayed anywhere online yet. However, the series is all very similar so I used the most recent one I could find.
Again, due to the episode I watched of this being so recent, it hasn't been able to be displayed anywhere online yet. However, the series is all very similar so I used the most recent one I could find.
Straight away, from 23 seconds and slightly on wards, until it disappears you can here the ringing of a typical hospital phone. This sound is non-diegetic and would have been put over the dialogue during editing.
Also, the same thing happens from 10:00, and forward a few seconds as well, when you can hear the general sound of the hospital communications.
Also, the same thing happens from 10:00, and forward a few seconds as well, when you can hear the general sound of the hospital communications.
A small clip on this episode, explains my point about occasional effective music on the show to create emotion; 2:28 - 3:05. I believe that the music in the first few seconds is playing in the actual ward for the small boy. However, it still creates the mood as it continues to play while fading through into another scene; and continuing the mood previously set in the first scene of the young boy and his girlfriend.
Just how you would expect a frantic crime scene show to be, the opening music to CSI is very loud and dramatic. Giving you a slight indication as to what kind of drama you're about to being to watch. Again, as it IS a crime scene show, they have eerie, slow pieces of music which creeps upon the scenes where we are meant to feel most scarce.
As "Killing Hitler" is a docudrama, it is important that viewers completely understand what is going on/about to happen next during a certain scene of acting. This is why they have a voice-over at the beginning of each scene, telling you the information of what the historians had just been discussing and what the next piece of acting hold. The fact that it is a voice-over makes this non-diegetic sound. They have also got a really good use of subtle music coming in at the time, and pace of the emotions we should be feeling which also helps the understanding of the viewer about the general plot. The clip below seems to be the best example, and the best section of the whole drama. For this section, it shows how the subtle music is used. Skipping to 5:34 - 05:45 where it begins to fade out once it gets to the realist part of the historians discussing their thoughts with each other. The type of eery music is upbeat enough to get the 'heart-racing' 'whats happening' mood coming across, which makes it enough to understand how we deal with it, by how we feel emotionally.
Sound is a very big part of Scrubs. It helps the viewers to understand when we should be laughing, and therefore it helps to create the mood. This sound however, is non-diegetic sound. The sound effects throughout this show, I would personally describe as "gimmicky" very "cheesy American" as American shows go. Throughout the show, it seems like the general instrument used to emphasize when we should laugh is a simple but effective strumming of a guitar. This sound is often used during the flashbacks. A voice-over is also often used during the flashbacks which makes it all more effective; having flashbacks, sound, and a person speaking. By this point you have been given enough hints to recognize that we all probably should be laughing by now.
This not not the episode I used to study, but it does show a good representation of what I am trying to explain. From 0:41 - 0:44 this is a flashback. To make sure that we understand it is a flashback it has a "swoosh" sort of sound effect to differentiate the two scenes supposedly switching. Meanwhile, when the flashback is actually being done there is a subtle piece of music played (non-diegetic sound) also used effectively, again so we come to the understanding that this is a flashback and not current tense. However, the mood of the flashback is tense, but this is not the same kind of theme of the sound of the music. This shows us that the noise/sound does not need to fit the mood in order to let the viewers understand that it is not current. In this case however, it isn't a flash"back" only a flash"forward", nevertheless the same principle applies.
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Camera shots -
A camera shot is the amount of visible space in one frame of the camera. The reason that we have and use camera shots are to demonstrate different aspects of the drama's setting, mood, theme, and the relationship between the characters. I would say that the relationship between the characters and the mood created by the camera shots are the most linked things, and the most important things when understanding a drama. By this I mean, the body language of two people's who are an item's relationship will be shown better through a shot of an intense close up oppose to a long shot. As you would be able to see how close their faces/bodies are together to touching each other (for example).
A camera shot is the amount of visible space in one frame of the camera. The reason that we have and use camera shots are to demonstrate different aspects of the drama's setting, mood, theme, and the relationship between the characters. I would say that the relationship between the characters and the mood created by the camera shots are the most linked things, and the most important things when understanding a drama. By this I mean, the body language of two people's who are an item's relationship will be shown better through a shot of an intense close up oppose to a long shot. As you would be able to see how close their faces/bodies are together to touching each other (for example).
Throughout the series of Downton Abbey, there are a couple of camera shots and types that become more prominent. These are close-ups; I believe that they do this so that the viewers feel like they're really there and involved with the deep conversations of the actors. I noticed that the close-ups are more regular when they are of single shots of the individual actors oppose to watching the conversation of the two together. This would be so you can really assess the actors emotional expressions singularly, focusing on one thing. The second shot that I noticed was common during the series was a medium shot, followed through by a long shot. This meant that we could get an insight to what is going on around the actors, within the scene, as well as the actors and the dialog happening on the shot. While doing this, often they had incorporated over-the-shoulder-shot. I think that it develops emotions, in this drama, mostly unhappy emotions - as they are still involving the other actor, to expand on emotions some more! Specifically, in the last episode: the finale, there was plenty of tracking. In the first scene there was a shot of the two main actors, going up the stairs (tracking shot) as well as it being of a slightly higher angle, which meant it eventually turned into a long shot (the higher the shot got, the more of their body were visible). I found this really effective because it felt like you were in front of them, following them through there house, listening and perhaps even included in there conversation.
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I really like it when drama's include the use of "depth of field" into there shots. Just like the one of Downton Abbey on the left here.
This was the Christmas episode, and during a scene where the female actor was beginning to feel distressed in by the information the actor. Obviously, her expressions tells enough of a story for the viewer to understand the mood created, and the mood passed on to us. But this was also helped by the shot time and the blurred background. It is a close up, which allows viewers to be really let into the use of her emotions. The use of depth of field allows us to concentrate purely on her emotional, upset facial expression. I also think that the fact that the object that has been blurred out is some kind of light source, it creates even more of a dramatic and emotional effect - simply because it's a contrast between something bright in the background which we usually refer to as happy, and the lack of happiness of the actresses face, which by the lights makes it seem much more unhappy than the look on her face, and the shot type alone.
This was the Christmas episode, and during a scene where the female actor was beginning to feel distressed in by the information the actor. Obviously, her expressions tells enough of a story for the viewer to understand the mood created, and the mood passed on to us. But this was also helped by the shot time and the blurred background. It is a close up, which allows viewers to be really let into the use of her emotions. The use of depth of field allows us to concentrate purely on her emotional, upset facial expression. I also think that the fact that the object that has been blurred out is some kind of light source, it creates even more of a dramatic and emotional effect - simply because it's a contrast between something bright in the background which we usually refer to as happy, and the lack of happiness of the actresses face, which by the lights makes it seem much more unhappy than the look on her face, and the shot type alone.
Like any program, to understand the plot, the way the shots are done determine your general understanding, I noticed throughout this specific episode of hollyoaks that there were plenty of tracking shots. I believe that this was to create realism, like you're really watching it as it happens such as the actors walking and talking. During conversations, in general the shots were OTS shots of MCU an CU's - this was effective as it made you, again, feel like you were really there and involved in the conversation. During some of the more tense scenes, close up panning shots would be used. This created two things; the type of character the actor was playing, and what he was up to. And secondly, the curiosity of the viewer while the camera is panning from left to right, with that thought of "what is going to happen next?" - so it built up tension for the viewers at home. This gets us all emotionally involved because of the tense atmosphere we can see on our screens, is transferred into our own feelings. This makes the way they have done the shot types successful in creating a specific mood type that we then develop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O3fOu6QHeY - 9:15 -2:27 this scene is the type of shot I was talking about, panning from left to right, making it all seem to be mysterious. As it continuous to pan from left to right, there is also a mixture of medium shots, to close up shots, which still allows you to feel concerned as the camera being behind a bars (which is a fence) creates freight as well. But because of the close up, it makes us as the audience understand who it is, and which parts are most important for us to grab hold of. This is really effective as the use of panning and two different shot types throughout that panning creates the mood of tension, as well as making sure we understand enough to know what is sort of going on. From the types of shots, we can also tell that this character is up to no good, which is then shown when it cuts from the actor behind the fence, to the actor at the football match.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O3fOu6QHeY - 9:15 -2:27 this scene is the type of shot I was talking about, panning from left to right, making it all seem to be mysterious. As it continuous to pan from left to right, there is also a mixture of medium shots, to close up shots, which still allows you to feel concerned as the camera being behind a bars (which is a fence) creates freight as well. But because of the close up, it makes us as the audience understand who it is, and which parts are most important for us to grab hold of. This is really effective as the use of panning and two different shot types throughout that panning creates the mood of tension, as well as making sure we understand enough to know what is sort of going on. From the types of shots, we can also tell that this character is up to no good, which is then shown when it cuts from the actor behind the fence, to the actor at the football match.
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This picture on the right is a good example of a tracking shot during the episode I watched of Hollyoaks. As you can see the actors walking towards the camera are staggered, this is done so that we, as an audience can understand and notice who is there, and if anyone who isn't, begin to contemplate 'why not?!'. I think that this makes the audience feel like they're one of those characters by the use of them walking towards the camera. It gives a sense of involvement, helping us to (even if we actually don't) feel like we understand the plot/scene.
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As Holby City is held within a hospital, this is a place where it is generally a very fast moving place to be. Because of this, the majority of shots were tracking shots, and also panning shots. These type of shots made you understand what a real hands-on hospital environment would be like. To begin with there is a wider variety of shot types from long shot, tracking, low angle shots, and simple close-ups. This is a good beginning and opening to the episode as it gives you a small incentive into each character and the mood given out by these sets the scene of what their busy day at work is going to hold.
From 12:35 - 12:54 shows a good example of how effective a tracking shot during a fast moving environment - how Holby City is in its hospital surroundings, so you can see all other nurses tending to the patience in the wards, the people on the head offices answering calls, etc. A tracking shot is also known as a dolly-shot because the piece of equipment used to hold the camera and move is called a dollywolly. This makes the shot smooth running, like you're the camera watching the come towards you. From the shot type, which in this case is a medium shot, you can come to some sort of conclusion, if you do not know already by the visible use of body language (such as how close together the two actors are walking). The use of body language can also help the viewers understand what mood is trying to be set. For this tracking clip, from what I felt, you're meant to understand that the female character is very headstrong, and knows her stuff and the male actor is almost trying to keep on top of things with her, and so even from that it shows the relationship between the two characters is almost quite similar to a father-daughter relationship. The older male is almost looking out for his younger female colleague.
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Throughout the docudrama of "Killing Hitler" the type of camera shots are very basic. I believe that this could be due to the fact that they have done quite a lot of fancy editing with these shots during post-production. Nevertheless, they are a lot of medium close-up's of different characters at a time. There are also a few shots where there is a use of the camera showing "depth of field" so you notice one clear object while the other is in focus and it then swaps over. By this happening, it shows that both objects are definitely linked into the story, and even possibly linked together but you're left hanging to find that out. This is different to any of the other genre shows I have been looking into. The occasional panning shot, also has music playing. The two of these combined made me (as an audience member) fully aware on the relationship of the characters and the mood set. Obviously, the mood set is understandable by the music, as this is dependent by the style of music put it. But also the lack of music played in a scene seemed to happen more often when it felt the characters didn't actually have a relationship, or at least, not yet. Whereas when it was the secretary and the main actor, you could understand they knew each other due to the increase in conversation and lack of sound or music.
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As Scrubs is based in a hospital, there are a lot of tracking and panning shots, as it follows the actors ("nurses and doctors") around their working place. Showing the natural busy environment they work in. This is similar to Holby City, which would make sense. Also, as there are one-on-one conversations, medium shots of over-the-shoulder conversations shots are used; helping us at home, as the viewers to feel like we are there with them, during their conversation.
In the episode that I watched, there is a "low angle shot" used when the actor is going round the hospital, it is clear that he is obviously meant to be holding the camera, but you're not meant to look into it that deeply, so it is almost like a POV shot, making you aware that we are only to concentrate on him and where he is taking 'us' ie: the camera. These use of shots are nothing without the body language of the actors which create the relationships that we can understand from just watching a few seconds of any episode of Scrubs. The picture above is a happy example of what I mean. As these two are best friends, you can most definitely tell this if you didn't know already from how close they are together, and the relaxed facial expressions on the two of them. I think that small things like that really help the viewers get a better idea of who is doing what, and why to create which mood. Scrubs is a comedy anyway, which is why the shot types are quite bland, as they make them humorous during editing when they mix up all the shot blends. Unlike some comedy shows, such as 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S', Scrubs does not have laughter sound occur each time you are SUPPOSED to laugh, this means there is more pressure for the actors emotions, and body language to be done correctly as well as the use of sound, and editing processes they use such as flashbacks to make it just as funny so you do not need any laughter prompts.
In the episode that I watched, there is a "low angle shot" used when the actor is going round the hospital, it is clear that he is obviously meant to be holding the camera, but you're not meant to look into it that deeply, so it is almost like a POV shot, making you aware that we are only to concentrate on him and where he is taking 'us' ie: the camera. These use of shots are nothing without the body language of the actors which create the relationships that we can understand from just watching a few seconds of any episode of Scrubs. The picture above is a happy example of what I mean. As these two are best friends, you can most definitely tell this if you didn't know already from how close they are together, and the relaxed facial expressions on the two of them. I think that small things like that really help the viewers get a better idea of who is doing what, and why to create which mood. Scrubs is a comedy anyway, which is why the shot types are quite bland, as they make them humorous during editing when they mix up all the shot blends. Unlike some comedy shows, such as 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S', Scrubs does not have laughter sound occur each time you are SUPPOSED to laugh, this means there is more pressure for the actors emotions, and body language to be done correctly as well as the use of sound, and editing processes they use such as flashbacks to make it just as funny so you do not need any laughter prompts.
From the very beginning of this clip (from the episode I watched for assessment) til 0:17 it straight away goes into a tracking shot. Walking in front of the two actors, shows that they are in the day to day job and are probably going to be the two characters who have an important part of this episode. This, as an introduction is important because if you'd never watched the show before you need to have some inkling as to who is a main character and who we should get to know oppose to who is not quite as important (at least in this episode).
Editing - I was watching, and rewinding back and forth through the hour and a half finale of Downton - concentrating purely on the editing. I found this most challenging; trying to pick out elements of certain types and kinds of editing. So, because it came across as very smooth, so I could barely tell any editing has been done. Because of this continuity/realist editing most likely would have been done. At more uncomfortable and awkward scenes of the drama, dissolve/lap dissolved editing had been used, to create a sense of tension and suspense of that specific scene or topic of scene. Towards the end of the series finale, as things started getting a little dramatic, there was a case of jump-cut editing put in there, again, this gave it some tension but of a more drastic and upbeat way.
As I was unable to get the footage of the episode I assessed, I was just looking to find something on the internet, and noticed how differently the editing of their trailers are done. The trailers use jump-cut editing and also montage editing to intrigue the viewer and keep them watching, it's also a way of producing a lot of information in a short amount of time.
As I was unable to get the footage of the episode I assessed, I was just looking to find something on the internet, and noticed how differently the editing of their trailers are done. The trailers use jump-cut editing and also montage editing to intrigue the viewer and keep them watching, it's also a way of producing a lot of information in a short amount of time.
Through close examination of watching the soap; Hollyoaks and the medical drama Holby City, and even CSI, I have already established that most drama's film so it is appeared to look like you're watching it as its happening, and so you believe it. I concluded that the type of editing that they must have done would be continuity/realist editing. It is an illusion created by rules such as the 180 degree rule line/line of action so that it is very accurate in looking like it is really happening right in front of us. I have been assessing throughout and I understand that as it is an upbeat style drama other "dramatic" editing could have taken place, such as fast cutting editing, crosscutting and even flashbacks; all of which would create suspension and hold a tense affect.
- However, whilst I was watching the documentary "Killing Hitler" I noticed that the editing during this was noticeably different to all of the other program's I have been looking into. There is a much wider range of editing process involved. This could be why the types of camera shots were very plain and straight forward, so that they could make it a lot more effective during the post-production. The different editing processes ranged from standard realistic cutting, to lap dissolve cuts, going from room to room, fading them into each other..it makes you understand that they two are linked together. At parts where there is a more violent scene, jump-cut editing had been used. This is to assure that the viewers know that hazards are about to happen on the screen, creating a sense of panic for the audience. As they have reconstructed what may have happened - montage ("footage") has been used to create realism; like they've got the original clip yet they haven't, it has just been reconstructed. However, there are pieces of real footage put within the documentary and you can tell this from two different things: the lack of quality within the picture and no voice-over or even music has been put in, so it shows that you should be looking at the footage and appreciate the fact its the original piece.
This is the same clip that I used earlier in my blog.
This time, it is to show what I mean by the various editing types. 02:18 - 03:19 shows the effect of lap-dissolve. This is effective because it is showing who and what; both sides of the story they are trying to portray.
This time, it is to show what I mean by the various editing types. 02:18 - 03:19 shows the effect of lap-dissolve. This is effective because it is showing who and what; both sides of the story they are trying to portray.
Throughout Scrubs, I felt as if the editing was kind of all over the place. It had a lot of little bits. By that I mean it included continuity editing, lap dissolve editing - into and out of flashbacks, also jump-cutting in and out of flashbacks. Sometimes even slow-motion when the use of flashbacks was include. The editing was all a bit random, although this did go well with the theme and genre of the show, which was comedy. It didn't really fit together very well but somehow when you watched it, unless you were looking for things, and concluded that it didn't really make sense in the editing world, (in my own opinion), it must have for us as viewers to follow it. Which in all fairness, means they actually did a good job during the editing process!
An example of the slow-motion editing is used in the clip from the episode I watched, to look at the show. From 0:32 - 0:38. By them doing it this way, it almost makes it feel like it could be a 'flashback' and most definitely feels like it isn't really happening. This works well because then it gives the "shock factor" that you really can't believe what just happened.