Saturday 8 December 2012

MEST 2 Creating Media: Research and Planning

WATERLOO ROAD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXLLKMpAYg0&feature=g-hist

In the beginning of the two-minute-opening sequence the audience are encouraged to gaze at the character (woman). This is done by having an over-the-shoulder shot, whilst this is happening their is a medium-shot which is useful as we are able to see her facial expressions and body language at the same time. The way in which she is standing and the use of her body language connotes, that she has higher authority over the person she is talking to. Because she is standing up whilst he is sitting down, which connotes that she's taking control over the conversation more representing her as having a higher position than him. When the character (man) finished speaking to her he left opening the door and going out, whilst this happened a Match on action took place which was effective as for a moment we as the audience was in his point of view as we were seeing what he was seeing whilst he was opening the door. When this match on action takes place their is a medium-shot of the character which is effectual, as the audience are able to identify how he's feeling through his facial expressions and body language thus keeping the audience engaged as we are allowed to know how he's feeling.

Their is a range of shot/reverse shots as their is a lot of dialogue so it's important to have different types of shot as it keeps the audience engaged and sutured. Their is also a point when the 180 degree rule is broken as the father is speaking to his dad, this is perhaps done to confuse the audience and make them think what the outcome may be towards their conversation and that their not privledged in knowing it, which creates enigma codes as it leaves suspense. Therefore, to an extent breaking the 180 degree rule can also question the audience, as the cinematography is linked to the emotions the audience are expected to feel in a certain way. While the characters are conversing their is a medium-shot used, this is done to view their facial-expressions clearly and audience feel more engaged with them as we are understanding them more as a character which is beneficial. At the end of the two minute clip we see a long-shot of the school-kids, they are represented in a stereotypical way, what the audience are expected to see from them. As we are seeing their body language, which connotes several things how they dress, attitude, walking and style. We can also see the location which their in which is the school, as this reminds the audience we are in the setting

The lighting throughout the clip is key-lighting (most influential) this is effectual as it represents and depicts the programme of today's society, students and teachers in both positive and negative ways. Using this connotes the realness of the series, as filter lights are not used in here and low-key lighting. Which are usually used in areas that are non-factual or fiction based, we can therefore see that they are trying to in a sense convey a message to the audience. Moreover the key-lighting doesn't require adjustment for each of the different scenes which allows the production to complete the shooting in hours instead of days/months. However the drawback for this is that the use of key-lighting fails to add drama or meaning. So the directors have to take in consideration, that the facial-expressions and acting have to be more so important as they want to represent the series as 'reality.' The target audience can be a wide range of teachers as they would want to know how people think unsuccessful school's run and how a school is represented stereotypically. But with teenagers it could be the ones who attend and don't attend schools, as it is stereotypically showing bad guys and girls, good ones it has a wide range that would appeal to the audience

How I can take this into consideration? 
Depending on the ideas we will go with, if we go with the reality teen programme then their will be areas of key-lighting as it will make it more realistic. However because we went the audience to engage with our show, we prefer using low-key lighting to emphasise on the character and thus can affect the emotion on the audience. If we are doing a mysterious scene, and want to confuse our audience we can do things like break the 180 degree rule as it would impact more on the sense of confusion the audience will be feeling.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRb13xhKuXM&feature=g-hist

In the first scene their is a long-shot taking place whilst the characters are conversing, this is suitable as we can see the body- language of the diverse characters and their way of reaction. Also, the way they dress can impact the audience too as it brings out their personality from their character too. There is an area of shot/reverse shots as from the long-shot it goes to medium-shot of one of the characters whilst talking, and then when the other character is answering back their consists of an medium-shot of her this is used as the audience can tell her reaction towards her body-language 'getting her arms up.' This shot/reverse shot is consistent when the group of girls are conversing with each other as it keeps the audience engaged, and allows them to know some information. The 180 degree rule is also broken the reason being is, the subject their talking about is confusing as they are debating and questioning each other no one really knows the truth. Furthermore, as they are feeling a sense of tension and confusion they want to place the audience in the exact same position so by breaking the 180 degree rule cleverly confuses the audience's minds too.  On top of this a match-on-action takes place when the character opens and comes out this is done effectually however, it happens twice as the group of characters come back in noticing another girl so this is taken twice effectively.

Their is a medium-shot of the other character coming in whilst this is done, the sound becomes higher and higher. As the other group of girls are finding out if she can see or not, when they do they are slowly finding out and the sound is building up too. Finally when they do find out, the music is at it's loudest and we see the instant reaction of the other characters by having a close up of the eye as that is encouraged for the audience to gaze at. The use of sound building up and being loud creates enigma code, as it creates suspense for the audience and engages it with them because they want to find out if she can really see and the music rising helps the audience to get their answer. This is a form of parallel sound as it blends in with the scene, because it creates tension and suspense. At the end of the scene the sound stops with a thoughtful sound, as they have made up a solution but it's still a mysterious type of sound as the audience are not fully aware of their idea, this thus keeps them engaged as it being a cliff hanger to find out what will happen in the next episode. This is also digetic sound as it is in line with the narrative being foretold, and this is the type of sound the audience are expected to hear which is effective. 

The lighting in this clip is Low-key lighting as their are shadows, also because they are confused and are wondering if something is true the lighting goes in line with this as it's a darker atmosphere so all in all it works well together. This is a vital element in creating the chiaroscuro effect, it uses one key light. It's used in horror films etc but this series is seen as a type of film too which makes it more effective as it's a fictional story-line so they want to create that sense towards the audience. There's always problems to solutions in pretty little liars leaving cliff hangers which would want the audience to watch the next one. After this scene is finished, we move on too see an iconography of 'guns and knives' and this is seen as close-up also the camera is panning to the right as the audience see how many of them are their. This foreshadows to the audience as since they've seen this it will be the cause of someone's death  it's vital information that the audience is allowed to know before-hand. Moreover, the audience are privledged to know some information that the characters are not aware of, so they are just keen to know how they will find out and what they will do. The type of teens this programme would be aimed at is females aged 14-17, as it consists of teenagers mainly females who are dealing with their problems and finding out solutions. And this is what girls like as their is love involved too and a lot of cliff hangers. 

How can I take this into consideration?
If we take on board the fact that we want to do something mysterious or a fictional-programme we would definitely go ahead with low-key lighting as it will instantly make everything more effective as it would create shadows. It will also bring out the characters more, as the audience will also be more engaged in the series as it would create more sense of mystery etc. Also, what I have learnt is if their are a group of people talking we can make this effectual through cinematography by having shot/reverse shots to bring out the characters personality more. For example, mid-shot of someone who's really talkative as we can see a lot of their body-language too. 




The clip starts with a low-angle shot of a character's legs this is fetishised as we are encouraged to view it first, and we instantly realise that someone's running. And then their is a medium-shot of the character running while this is happening their is a tracking shot happening as we are allowed to follow the action. This is helpful as the audience are more engaged with the action being taken place, and also were in the characters shoes identification, as it feels like were running with her too away from the other character.  Also while this is happening their is hand-held camera being used, this is useful as the action becomes more 'shaky' and the action looks more so real. Their is also a high-angle shot of the two character's running this is suitable to use as we are able to see the location in which they are in. Also we can identify the two characters more as their is shot/reverse shot been taken place. Then the opening of the series starts and this is different as we'd usually see the opening title sequence begin first but we are allowed to see part of the scene first. The title sequence is linked deeply with the programme and teen audience as their is very fast shots of all of the characters and the sound fits in nicely with it as it's upbeat and their is high base, which the audience would preferably like. 

After the title sequence their is another low-angle shot of a character this time typing something on the computer and then their is a tilt going upwards to identify who the character is. Everyone is sitting down but when they slowly start to get up their is another use of tilt as the camera follows them getting up. Whilst this happens their is use of hand-held camera as they show all the different characters cheering, the camera is panning left-right. This is effectual to use as the audience feel happy too as everyone's cheering and thus brings the vibe. After this scene is finished the other scene begins by having a close-up shot of someone's photo in a room. Symbolising that it's someone else's room, and this may be a foreshadow as it could be significant later on. When the couple are doing their scene their is a hand-held camera again and the sound is upbeat as their is a sense of excitement between the two characters. From the beginning of the clip we saw the two characters running now we see the character finish running as their is a long-shot of her. Their is still hand-held camera being used as it makes it creates more tension and builds suspense for the audience. 

The sound is digetic and parallel in the beginning as the characters are running, building tension and nerves. Their is rocky-type sound also could be depicting the characters personality as she is wearing a bandanna, highlights, a lot of make-up a Goth look. Also it's a strong older man chasing her which goes in line with the sound too as he has a higher-authority over the teenager. When the title-sequence is shown it's a remix version of the original Eastenders making it more appealing to the teen audience making it more fast, upbeat and loud.  When the couple scene starts their is too an upbeat sound as it's representing excitement and fun between the young couple. When the last scene begins their is a lot of tension and suspense involved so the music is in-line with it as it wants the audience to feel nervous too. As their is no rocky-type or upbeat but it's slow and some music involved which allows the audience to engage too.  The lighting used is low-key lighting creating more shadows which makes it look more effectual and brings the sense of mystery and suspense to both the audience and the characters. This would target a wide range of teenagers from those who don't care about themselves to those who are educated but want to know how other teenagers act as they've never experienced it or don't socialise with that type.

What can I take on board from this? 
When we start our different scenes we could use low-angle shots of what the character is doing, for example if she's running we can have a low-angle shot from the legs. This is effectual as using different camera angles to start the scene gets the audience thinking and engages them as cinematography makes everything as a whole effectual and works well. The sound too is important, as the type we choose has to relate to the type of audience we want to broadcast it too as we would like their full attention and this will only be taken place if we take into consideration what type they prefer. Most use of hand-held camera in the series, we could use some areas of hand-held when running to create more action and a shaky effect this too will allow the audience, to be engaged and allow them to feel perhaps what the characters are feeling.  

90210  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZEPb-oab60&feature=g-hist

The series starts of with a previous-showing of the other series for the audience to remember what happened. This is effectual as the audience are privledged to view it as they may of forgotten. Also, while this is being shown their is a lot of fast shots and only show the main scenes the audience need to know. The first scene starts with an establishing shot of the location this is effective as it's a beautiful scenery and a nice scene to be shot of. Their is a long-shot of the couple kissing showing how excited they are to see one another, the camera then goes into a medium-shot of them expressing their love. After the scene their is a mid-shot of the same woman in class, so the audience realise she way day dreaming about the scene. Their is an area of hand-held camera as 'summers school's over' everyone is excited and running so the camera is panning from left-right depicting the excitement. When the students come out their is a tilt showing the different students coming out from lessons, representing instantly that the location is college and everyone has finished. Use of hand-held camera is affective as it broads out the excitement, and we see the titles are being bought up produced by etc. When they are driving in the car their is an effective use of establishing-shot and high angle of the tress and the whole road. This is useful as it's a method of allowing the audience to get engaged through the series, and make them feel happy too. The camera zooms out from one building and zooms in to another as they are travelling, this is beneficial for the audience as they feel they are with them travelling to in a sense. Then their is a establishing shot of the whole city and the sea zooming out in different areas they are going through, which helps the audience feel engaged.

The sound is very effective as in the beginning their is a romantic sound for the romantic scene being placed which makes the sound digetic and parallel. As it's going according to the scene being foretold. As the students are coming out the sound starts of as quiet but get's louder and louder when they come out and are really happy then their is 'woman's vocals' and goes in-line with the sound. This is useful as the audience are already expecting this, and as it's a narrative being shown if it was non-digetic sound it would ruin the series in a way as the audience will be really confused and angry as they wouldn't want that happening in a sense. The lighting too is in-line with the scene being shown as at the start their is low-key lighting being it an intense romantic scene creating shadows and having filter light is effective as it brings that vibe. But then throughout the scene their is key-lighting being placed as it's the most effective since it's a happy start and bringing out a positive attitude having this lighting brings it out more. Because, if they had low-key lighting when showing a very happy scene this would be binary opposition and confuse the audience. Also, it wouldn't look good to as the series is consistent so the lighting takes place depending on the type of scene being shown. The editing is continuous and very fast, commencing a lot of shots this is correctly done as it's a happy scene anyway and showing various of shots engages with the audience. This would appeal to boys and girls who are teenagers as the characters are teens, so they can relate to them as their are a lot of different personalities. And those who like having fun, exploring, doing something exciting and who are interested in relationships/love.

What can I learn from this? 
Locations are just as important then the narrative, actors, props etc. Because we can't have a scene in one location and the others in the same. If we want the audience to continuously be engaged, and watch it with full attention it's useful if we show a nice range of locations. Because locations impact too on the scene we show and showing it through different angles etc make it seem more so real and effective. 

FRIENDS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRLXxbE0i9Q&feature=g-hist

The clip starts of with characters conversing but we can't see one of them as their in the other room so the audience is allowed to only hear the voice. But then the character comes into the scene and their is a long-shot, which is useful as we can see her body-language and facial-expressions as before we weren't able to obviously see her. Their is an area of shot/reverse shot as the characters are constantly moving showing a medium-shot to long-shot continuously. Their is an over-the-shoulder shot too which is effective when one of the characters are speaking as the camera focuses on her using a medium-shot. This is continuous showing a mid-shot of the characters using fast cuts which is effective,as we are able to see who's talking.  Also using medium-shot to do this is helpful as the body-language expresses their character and emotions too which they are expressing. The other scene starts with an establishing shot at night of the location which depicts it is clearly night time now and were moving onto another scene, this is clear to the audience. The camera zooms in towards the outside of the house representing the scene is going to be inside their. Their is a conversation through the phone and their is shot/reverse shot between the two characters having a medium-shot of the two characters so were able to identify their emotions through facial-expressions and body-language. 

Their is no music used in this, but their is a an audience laughing in the scenes when its meant to be funny. This is advantageous as the audience watching when laughing laughs at the right time too. Or according to their personality they may not find it funny so having an audience laugh in their can bring the positive funny outlook towards things. And therefore enlighten the audience. The lighting is key-lighting as it is most brightest influential and brings out the character out more as the audience are able to identify it. Also as it's a comedy show, it wouldn't have low-key lighting because that would depict through a horror/thriller scene. So the lighting is in line with the type of scene it is. The editing is continuous as it smooths out over the discontinuity of the editing and establishes a coherence between the shots which is effective.And thus we were trying to make sense of one shot joining the next one. An example is we saw an exterior shot of the two characters conversing with each other and then we instantly see another shot of a woman on the phone. This depicts that at times the audience can have privledged information and thus notice that it's useful because it can be vital in the next. As the same character was conversing with the woman. Their is an area of fade out when moving on to the next scene, this is affective as the audience are well aware in advance too. And helps them engage into it as it makes it more engaging too. This appeals to teens- young-adults as it's a comedy serial and consists of young-adults acting in the programme. But this could too influence the teens by the way in which they deal with problems and solutions. Also as it's a comedy they wouldn't care with life as much, and wouldn't take into heart what people say. This is beneficial for people like who are shy, as they take in what people say but this shows to keep strong and take it as a joke and move on in a sense. 

Lessons learnt?
When editing we need to make it very clear when were going into the next scene as we don't want to risk confusing the audience, because we won't have their full attention and this won't be a success. So the whole programme in a whole should be clear enough, and all be presented effectively. That's why when filming we need to do it in advance, so we can take a lot of shots because when editing it won't be as hard to do it as we will have a lot of shots to work with which would be beneficial to us. Because we don't have to keep going back, but work with what we already have. This too means being organised as that's important because we don't want to ruin and miss out bits in our production, and want to please our audiences. 

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