Friday, 7 May 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
Kate Harwood on youth audiences
Kate Harwood on Youth Audiences
As Kate Is being interviewed she is talking about what the youth audience wants from a TV drama. She explains that we don’t necessarily want something that casts only young actors, but a drama which conveys realism and a sense of personalisation towards the audience. For example she states that the younger audience enjoys the character Dot Cotton from Eastenders because we strive to have that ‘crazy grandma character in our lives’ and this is entertaining for a range of audiences, including youth audience.
Personally I agree with the comments she makes about the fact that we don’t watch as much TV Drama as perhaps an older audience does, because we have access to other Medias such as the internet and DVDs. However, a big number of channels use this to their advantage and possibly encourage the younger audience to use other Medias such as the internet, more than they would usually, to watch a programme via Iplayer for example. Particular stations that do this a lot are Channel 4/ E4 and BBC Three.
Another point to make is that she states the Skins audience is quite old. This was something that surprised me as a big majority of the Skins cast are of a young age and I assumed this would narrow the appeal to a younger audience. Perhaps the way to look at this information is that the older audience want to be reminded of their youth and enjoy the interpretations they have of young people today.
Although I know of many of my friends enjoying the programme, personally I don’t like the way that the characters are portrayed in the show. I feel that the whole storyline is fantasized with the characters taking drugs and having sex every five minutes that perhaps the producers are trying to convey this attitude as being true. There are many articles in the media about problems with youth such as; teen pregnancy, drugs, eating disorders and so on, but the way that they cover the issues in the programme I feel are very unrealistic and inappropriate.
Overall I feel that TV Dramas such as Eastenders and HollyOaks, have elements of realism within them which the Youth audience can relate to but programmes such as skins are very misinterpreted and represent today’s youth as being reckless and uncontrollable. Not all of us are so bad.
As Kate Is being interviewed she is talking about what the youth audience wants from a TV drama. She explains that we don’t necessarily want something that casts only young actors, but a drama which conveys realism and a sense of personalisation towards the audience. For example she states that the younger audience enjoys the character Dot Cotton from Eastenders because we strive to have that ‘crazy grandma character in our lives’ and this is entertaining for a range of audiences, including youth audience.
Personally I agree with the comments she makes about the fact that we don’t watch as much TV Drama as perhaps an older audience does, because we have access to other Medias such as the internet and DVDs. However, a big number of channels use this to their advantage and possibly encourage the younger audience to use other Medias such as the internet, more than they would usually, to watch a programme via Iplayer for example. Particular stations that do this a lot are Channel 4/ E4 and BBC Three.
Another point to make is that she states the Skins audience is quite old. This was something that surprised me as a big majority of the Skins cast are of a young age and I assumed this would narrow the appeal to a younger audience. Perhaps the way to look at this information is that the older audience want to be reminded of their youth and enjoy the interpretations they have of young people today.
Although I know of many of my friends enjoying the programme, personally I don’t like the way that the characters are portrayed in the show. I feel that the whole storyline is fantasized with the characters taking drugs and having sex every five minutes that perhaps the producers are trying to convey this attitude as being true. There are many articles in the media about problems with youth such as; teen pregnancy, drugs, eating disorders and so on, but the way that they cover the issues in the programme I feel are very unrealistic and inappropriate.
Overall I feel that TV Dramas such as Eastenders and HollyOaks, have elements of realism within them which the Youth audience can relate to but programmes such as skins are very misinterpreted and represent today’s youth as being reckless and uncontrollable. Not all of us are so bad.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Cutting It Scene
Cutting It
Camera Shots and Angles
· Close- up
· Medium close-up
· High Angle
· Slow motion
· Shot/Reverse/Shot
· Over shoulder
· Tracking
The ‘Tragic end’ scene in Cutting it shows alot of camera diversity to express emotion within the scene. The scene consists of two characters –Gavin and Allie,
The shots show the intimacy of their relationship and issues which have progressed over the series.
The opening shot shows the two characters in the back of a cab, it is a medium close up and this is used to illustrate the itimacy between them both.
The camera then cuts from one character to another (close-up, shot/reverse/shot) to reveal what reactions and opinons are lead by each character.
This then builds up tension for the audience as we discover something serious is taking place.
The way in which the camera angles express a characters feelings are through close-up angles of body language. For example,
when Gav is waiting for Allie in the consultants room, he starts playing with his wedding ring. This then shows the audience his anxiety for his wife,
making us think that she is potentially in ill health or that the couple are in great anticipation waiting to hear the results of a ‘miracle pregnancy’ perhaps.
The outcome of this tension build up will always result in an extremity of either love or loss. The way in which the scene is edited communicates this.
Another good example of a camera shot is when Allie is in the consultants room. Although this cut is very short, its very effective in expressing the anticipation and
anxiety, both characters have over Allie’s results. The opening shot is an over shoulder view of the doctors hand closing the chart of Allie’s results.
This illustrates that maybe ‘an old book is closed’ so the outcome of this will result in new beginings or that maybe Allie really is ill and has no hope for the future.
In the consultants room there is also another shot from a high angle as if we (the audience) are looking down on Allie and the doctor almost as if we were judging them like
a god or a higher power.
The final sequences in the scene show the end of Gav’s waiting, with people in the background moving in slow motion, like time has stopped. The sound in the
clip is getting louder and then Allie appears. The camera shot then uses tracking to follow her movement. This then follows by a shot/reverse/shot on Gav’s reaction
to her entrance. The cutting in the final sequences build up tension by flicking back to each character, which then fastens the pace. When Allie annonces the results
she steps out onto the road, this shot is very interesting because it takes the audience by surprise, then the camera turns to Gavs reaction and a very loud heartbeat
builds tension to his reaction.
Camera Shots and Angles
· Close- up
· Medium close-up
· High Angle
· Slow motion
· Shot/Reverse/Shot
· Over shoulder
· Tracking
The ‘Tragic end’ scene in Cutting it shows alot of camera diversity to express emotion within the scene. The scene consists of two characters –Gavin and Allie,
The shots show the intimacy of their relationship and issues which have progressed over the series.
The opening shot shows the two characters in the back of a cab, it is a medium close up and this is used to illustrate the itimacy between them both.
The camera then cuts from one character to another (close-up, shot/reverse/shot) to reveal what reactions and opinons are lead by each character.
This then builds up tension for the audience as we discover something serious is taking place.
The way in which the camera angles express a characters feelings are through close-up angles of body language. For example,
when Gav is waiting for Allie in the consultants room, he starts playing with his wedding ring. This then shows the audience his anxiety for his wife,
making us think that she is potentially in ill health or that the couple are in great anticipation waiting to hear the results of a ‘miracle pregnancy’ perhaps.
The outcome of this tension build up will always result in an extremity of either love or loss. The way in which the scene is edited communicates this.
Another good example of a camera shot is when Allie is in the consultants room. Although this cut is very short, its very effective in expressing the anticipation and
anxiety, both characters have over Allie’s results. The opening shot is an over shoulder view of the doctors hand closing the chart of Allie’s results.
This illustrates that maybe ‘an old book is closed’ so the outcome of this will result in new beginings or that maybe Allie really is ill and has no hope for the future.
In the consultants room there is also another shot from a high angle as if we (the audience) are looking down on Allie and the doctor almost as if we were judging them like
a god or a higher power.
The final sequences in the scene show the end of Gav’s waiting, with people in the background moving in slow motion, like time has stopped. The sound in the
clip is getting louder and then Allie appears. The camera shot then uses tracking to follow her movement. This then follows by a shot/reverse/shot on Gav’s reaction
to her entrance. The cutting in the final sequences build up tension by flicking back to each character, which then fastens the pace. When Allie annonces the results
she steps out onto the road, this shot is very interesting because it takes the audience by surprise, then the camera turns to Gavs reaction and a very loud heartbeat
builds tension to his reaction.
Criminal Justice scene
TV Drama
Analysing sequences in Criminal justice series one
How are the characters in the ‘prison scene’ portrayed with the usage of cinematography and mise-en-scene?
The prison scene of criminal justice features three main characters to introduce the audience to the sequences of the series.
These characters are; Freddie Graham (gang leader), Ben (main character) and Hooch (Ben’s cellmate).
Freddie Graham’s character is clearly portrayed as the gang leader in the scene- his voice is deep and unnerving when he is talking to Ben.
As Freddie is talking about the phone, he is holding it in his hand and twisting it around anxiously showing Ben his frustration and reasons for being angry.
The other characters around him are following Freddie, showing his dominance in the scene whilst laughing at Ben getting beaten up.
The camera shots illustrate this scene well as high angles show Freddie’s dominance as he towers over Ben, who is very scrawny and small holding his head down throughout. This represents the strengths and weaknesses between characters.
Props are also an effective element in the scene as Freddie sits down to watch Ben getting beaten up by one of his gang members.
The rest of the men are behind him and this represent’s Freddie’s character to be some sort of king in the prison.
There are over the shoulder shots, and shot reverse shots, to illustrate the character’s reactions when Ben is being confronted.
When this progresses into a fight, the camera follows the gang member who is beating up Ben using a tracking shot which builds up
the tension of the scene. When punches are thrown the camera uses rapid shots from a number of angles so the audience can have an insight at
the surrounding area. A long shot is also used in the scene to show the audience the policeman at the back of the room, of who is doing nothing
to help Ben’s situation. After the fight scene the camera uses a close up shot on the policemen and they are claiming to have seen ‘nothing’.
Analysing sequences in Criminal justice series one
How are the characters in the ‘prison scene’ portrayed with the usage of cinematography and mise-en-scene?
The prison scene of criminal justice features three main characters to introduce the audience to the sequences of the series.
These characters are; Freddie Graham (gang leader), Ben (main character) and Hooch (Ben’s cellmate).
Freddie Graham’s character is clearly portrayed as the gang leader in the scene- his voice is deep and unnerving when he is talking to Ben.
As Freddie is talking about the phone, he is holding it in his hand and twisting it around anxiously showing Ben his frustration and reasons for being angry.
The other characters around him are following Freddie, showing his dominance in the scene whilst laughing at Ben getting beaten up.
The camera shots illustrate this scene well as high angles show Freddie’s dominance as he towers over Ben, who is very scrawny and small holding his head down throughout. This represents the strengths and weaknesses between characters.
Props are also an effective element in the scene as Freddie sits down to watch Ben getting beaten up by one of his gang members.
The rest of the men are behind him and this represent’s Freddie’s character to be some sort of king in the prison.
There are over the shoulder shots, and shot reverse shots, to illustrate the character’s reactions when Ben is being confronted.
When this progresses into a fight, the camera follows the gang member who is beating up Ben using a tracking shot which builds up
the tension of the scene. When punches are thrown the camera uses rapid shots from a number of angles so the audience can have an insight at
the surrounding area. A long shot is also used in the scene to show the audience the policeman at the back of the room, of who is doing nothing
to help Ben’s situation. After the fight scene the camera uses a close up shot on the policemen and they are claiming to have seen ‘nothing’.
My favourite Dramas
TV Drama’s
My TV Drama’s;
· Dexter
· NCIS
· Eastenders
Dexter
Dexter is an American television drama series that airs on the premium channel Showtime. (UK ITV 1) Set in Miami,
the series centers on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a covert serial killer governed by a strict moral code who works for the Miami Metro Police
Department as a blood spatter analyst. This TV drama is typically aimed at older teenagers and most men from the age of 20 onwards.
NCIS
NCIS (promoted as Navy NCIS in season one), aka Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service or NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service,
is a police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts
criminal investigations involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The concept and characters were initially introduced in a two-part episode of the CBS series JAG (JAG episodes 8.20 and 8.21). The show, a spin-off from JAG,
premiered on September 23, 2003 on CBS and, to date, has aired six full seasons, and has gone into syndicated reruns on USA Network, Sleuth, and Ion Television.
As of 2008, Donald Bellisario, who created JAG, as well as the well-known series Magnum, P.I. and Quantum Leap, is co-creator and executive producer of NCIS.
This TV drama would typically be aimed at teenagers and mostly men, perhaps men that are in their late thirties as they may be able to relate to the characters.
Also, people who have a great deal of interest in criminology and forensics.
Eastenders
EastEnders is a long-running, popular and award-winning television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985.
It currently ranks as one of the most watched shows in the United Kingdom. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people
who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End of London. The series primarily centres around the residents of Albert Square,
a Victorian square of terraced houses, and its neighbouring streets, namely Bridge Street, Turpin Road and George Street, and which encompasses a pub,
street market, night club, community centre, cafe and various small businesses, in addition to a park and allotments.
The series was originally screened as two half-hour episodes per week. Today, four episodes are broadcast each week on BBC One (each episode is repeated
on BBC Three at 22:00) and an omnibus edition screens on Sunday afternoons. It is one of the UK's highest-rated programmes, often appearing near or at the top
of the week's BARB ratings. Within eight months of its launch, it reached the number one spot in the ratings, and has remained, almost consistently, among the top-rated
TV programmes in Britain ever since. The average audience share for an episode is currently between 35% and 45%. Created by producer Julia Smith and script editor
Tony Holland, EastEnders has remained a significant programme in terms of the BBC's success and audience share, and also in the history of British television drama,
tackling many controversial and taboo issues previously unseen on mainstream television in the UK. The audience for this show is very varied as the characters range
from young children to OAPS. This means that the interest in the show is very great as the audience can relate to the characters and the story lines put across as the
have controversial issues.
My TV Drama’s;
· Dexter
· NCIS
· Eastenders
Dexter
Dexter is an American television drama series that airs on the premium channel Showtime. (UK ITV 1) Set in Miami,
the series centers on Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a covert serial killer governed by a strict moral code who works for the Miami Metro Police
Department as a blood spatter analyst. This TV drama is typically aimed at older teenagers and most men from the age of 20 onwards.
NCIS
NCIS (promoted as Navy NCIS in season one), aka Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service or NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service,
is a police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts
criminal investigations involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The concept and characters were initially introduced in a two-part episode of the CBS series JAG (JAG episodes 8.20 and 8.21). The show, a spin-off from JAG,
premiered on September 23, 2003 on CBS and, to date, has aired six full seasons, and has gone into syndicated reruns on USA Network, Sleuth, and Ion Television.
As of 2008, Donald Bellisario, who created JAG, as well as the well-known series Magnum, P.I. and Quantum Leap, is co-creator and executive producer of NCIS.
This TV drama would typically be aimed at teenagers and mostly men, perhaps men that are in their late thirties as they may be able to relate to the characters.
Also, people who have a great deal of interest in criminology and forensics.
Eastenders
EastEnders is a long-running, popular and award-winning television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985.
It currently ranks as one of the most watched shows in the United Kingdom. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people
who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End of London. The series primarily centres around the residents of Albert Square,
a Victorian square of terraced houses, and its neighbouring streets, namely Bridge Street, Turpin Road and George Street, and which encompasses a pub,
street market, night club, community centre, cafe and various small businesses, in addition to a park and allotments.
The series was originally screened as two half-hour episodes per week. Today, four episodes are broadcast each week on BBC One (each episode is repeated
on BBC Three at 22:00) and an omnibus edition screens on Sunday afternoons. It is one of the UK's highest-rated programmes, often appearing near or at the top
of the week's BARB ratings. Within eight months of its launch, it reached the number one spot in the ratings, and has remained, almost consistently, among the top-rated
TV programmes in Britain ever since. The average audience share for an episode is currently between 35% and 45%. Created by producer Julia Smith and script editor
Tony Holland, EastEnders has remained a significant programme in terms of the BBC's success and audience share, and also in the history of British television drama,
tackling many controversial and taboo issues previously unseen on mainstream television in the UK. The audience for this show is very varied as the characters range
from young children to OAPS. This means that the interest in the show is very great as the audience can relate to the characters and the story lines put across as the
have controversial issues.
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