Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Unit 1 - Research techniques
Task 1(P1, M1, D1)
Market research
Market research is a very important part of researching the media. Audience data is collected to get an overview impression of the public. This enables producers to target a certain audience and appeal directly to them this is called audience awareness. The product reach is how far the product spreads, who it ‘reaches’. Audience profiling is way to categorize certain audience, be it by age gender race or any other relevant category. Barb, is a company that collects this sort of data, Barb helps Media Company’s by collecting data that helps them appeal to the right people.
Here is some data that BARB collected on the 7th of the 9th 2008
They also collets consumer behavior data, which describes the viewing behavior of the audience; when they watch TV and what they watch is all very important in the understating off the audience. Another thing that the producers use to help them is the audience attitudes, which is the audience’s reaction to the product. A company called, the British Market Research Bureau,2 collect this information. One of the most important aspects of research is competitor analysis. It is essential to gather information on the competitors so that you know what they are doing, and can do something different or better. Advertising is the backbone of any product, it is what gets the product into the public eye, and so researching it is obviously very important. The placement of advertisements is very important, be it on billboards, on TV in films or anywhere else where a product can be advertised. Theses places need to be looked into to see how many people will view them and what impact they will have. The effects of the advertising may differ from place to place.
Task 2(P1, M1, D1)
Production Research
To make a successful product, the producer will need to research into a lot of different aspects of producing their product. Such as the content, the stuff that make up the whole of the final product. Research into content involves speaking to the audience, finding out what they want from the production, also looking at other products of the same type to see how they did things. This helps as then you have an idea of what the audience want and what they expect from a show off this type. Also, the other thing behind making a successful production would be the resources. Fist of all, a production needs people. People to operate behind the scenes, personnel, are just as important as the people on camera, talent. The personnel operate everything from the audio to the camera work, and researching into the personnel is important as the producer need to know who is going to be operation the equipment behind there production. The talent are the people who are appear on the production, the presenters, the guests and anyone else who appears on the final production. Research into these people is essential as these are the people who will make or break the production. Auditioning is the main way to gather information on possible talent. For everything to work, you need to take into account the cost of everything. Everything from equipment to personal, from locations to advertising all costs something. If the cost of a production exceeds the funding then the production cannot continue, the production will not be viable. This brings me onto the next point of product research, is the product even viable? Is it possible to travel to a foreign county? In a giant blockbuster movie production yes, but in a student made production, not really. Last but certainly not least, is placement. Where are you going to show your product? Will it be an Internet broadcast, or a late night TV show? Audience is very important to incorporate into the placement of your product, if your product is aimed at teenagers, it will not be placed in the early morning slot, as stereotypically, teenagers tend to stay in bed until the afternoon.
Unit 2 - Pre Production techniques
Understand requirements for production;
Be able to obtain resources for production;
Be able to apply production logistics;
Unit 7 - Understanding the TV & Film Industries
Task 1(P1, M1, D1)
Technologies
“I hate television. I hate it as much as peanuts.
But I can't stop eating peanuts.”
Orson Welles
Orson Welles was onto something. That something is what I believe most television is based on, the fact that the TV industries can put anything in front of the public’s faces and they will eat it up, no matter how terrible or how bias it gets. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the odd bit of television, a lot of the things on can be a great laugh, or quite educational. But I think that you need to know what to pay attention to, know not to believe everything, so not become one of the ‘mindless masses’ so to speak.
The TV industries produce a lot of material that people are subjected to. Paying for a TV license grants the public five main channels. These are; BBC 1, BBC 3, BBC 3, Channel 4 and channel 5, these are what’s known as analogue or terrestrial television. Although soon, analogue TV will be no more when the switch over to digital happens some time before 2012. The ‘Emily Moor’ transmitter that provides TV for my region will be switched over in 2011. (1) Although, that does not mean we will have to go out and subscribe to satellite TV with some company such as Sky or Virgin Media as Freeview boxes are become a lot cheaper and lot better. Freeview gives access to many more channels such as Dave, Film4, CBBC and channels like channel 4 + 1 and E4. According to the Freeview website (2) you get “up to 48 digital TV channels and 24 radio stations”. Also, considering the ever growing technology in the industry, Freeview have now brought out Freeview +(3) which keeps Freeview up there with the ‘big boys’ of television (Sky+, Virgin Plus) This service is provided by a company called DTV services, and it is run by its share holders, guess who they are… BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITV and Arqiva! The same people whose TV channels it provides.
However, if you would like to subscribe to satellite TV there is always that option. Satellite TV works by sending transmissions from satellites rather than from ground transmitters, and provides unlimited signals, compared to terrestrial which has a limited band.(4) There are a lot of satellite TV providers; two of the major ones are Sky and Virgin TV (Formerly NTL). Theses satellite services provide a lot more channels than Freeview and also various features such as TV guides and reminders. As mentioned before, more expensive satellite packages, such as Sky+, have the ability to record, rewind and pause live TV. This is a great step in the way we watch television as now there will be not ‘set’ time to watch a certain show, also advertising could be I trouble with the ability to skip the adverts. According to an OFCOM survey (5), 85% of British homes now have satellite TV, this show how the public have evolved from the 1930’s to today. It also shows how the public like to have an interactive service, not just a few channels, but hundreds of channels that have the ability to get involved with. Programs such as Big Brother and The X Factor use this need for interactivity amazingly well. They give the audience what they want (according to the uses and gratification theory) but also give the audience control over the shows, voting out/in who they want; this gives audience a sense of belonging. Also, music channels use the idea of interactivity to get audience to watch that channel, they get the audience involved by letting them choose what song they want on, Playboy TV has a similar idea, but on a more ‘adult’ level. It seems to me that the public love to be in the spotlight, they love the idea that what they do matters to the shows that they are watching, although this is not always the case (6), and TV industries milk this idea.
To mirror the advancing technology with our ‘information super highway’ television has had to move in other directions, such as Internet TV (iTV). There are hundreds of ways to watch TV on the internet, some free other not. The BBC’s ‘BBC iPlayer’ lets users watch “the last 7 days of BBC TV & Radio.”(7)This is a great service that not only let you catch missed programs but watch older ones and download the episodes to watch whenever you like, I believe that this is the future of internet TV and considering many channels now have these online services, such as Channels 4’s 4OD (8), free internet TV is the way forward for the internet TV industries. Other services such as Hulu and Zattoo are services that let users stream programs and films to their PC’s.
This new burst of technology means that audience are now becoming more diverse, more broken down, this makes it a lot harder for TV Industries to target the ‘mass audience’ as it is now becoming less ‘mass’. Today’s generation of Kids will not be seen sat in front of the television any more, they are on the internet. Unlike previous generations who were TV obsessed. So, what does this mean to the TV industries whose sole purpose is to get people to watch? Change the programming? Or reach out to those kids who sit on their computers all day? Internet advertising is already there, but not nearly as obviously and persistent than on TV. So I believe soon the industries will try to take over the internet as well as our front rooms. Another point about the changing audiences is do the same theory’s about the mass audience apply? Taking the uses and gratification theory, its states that every audience need four things; Information, entertainment, personal relationships and personal identity. Can these be applied to modern technologies such as the internet? With so much information on the internet the first of the four is a definite yes, but not all of the information on the internet is true, but then again neither is the information on TV. There are thousands of ways to be entertained through the internet, be it iTV, online games, or social networking. Social networking brings me on to the next point; personal relationships are made easier and a lot broader using websites such as Myspace and Facebook. Also, talking to friends is now free quick and easy with such programs as MSN and other instant messengers. But there are danger, the internet is full of millions of people that can take on anonymous identities or a completely different one. So it is very dangers trying to meet people online. The last point of the U&H theory is where I think that it gets difficult. With the millions of people on the internet, it is very easy to be influence by the wrong people, if you identify with the wrong people online it could have serious repercussion in the real world. So, I believe that this theory can be applied to modern technology, but we need to go about it a little safer and look at it in a different way, a way that doesn’t take everything for granted and looks before leaping.
(1) - http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/(2) - http://www.freeview.co.uk/
(3) - http://www.freeview.co.uk/freeview/Services/Freeview
(4) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_television#Technology
(5) - http://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/cm/cmrnr08/uksummary.pdf
(6) - http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7150000/newsid_7152200/7152223.stm
(7) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/
(8)- http://www.channel4.com/watch_online/
Task 2(P1, M1, D1)
BBC Case Study
The BBC Coat of arms and its motto:
"Nation shall speak peace unto Nation"
“The BBC is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world. Its mission is to enrich people's lives with programmes that inform, educate and entertain.”
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/purpose/what.shtml
Task 2:
That quote is taken directly from the BBC’s website. It outlines the main goals of the BBC that have been in place since its formation on the on the 18th October 1922, they seek to inform, educate and entertain the British public. The BBC is a public funded cooperation, which means it is paid out of our TV licenses. This also means it needs to cater for everyone and that it has no commercials, which most TV companies rely on for revenue.(1) It uses it income to provide a Varity of services ranging from TV to radio and even onto the internet. It broadcasts 8 national TV channels plus regional programming, 10 national radio stations (2), 40 local radio stations. This graph shows the percentage of the license fee revenue which is spent on each area of the BBC:
From the graph we can see the many areas of the BBC and the extensive amount of technologies that it is currently using. We can see the standard TV channels, BBC 1 & 3, which have been broadcasting since 2 November 1936, and 20 April 1964 respectively, are the main focuses on the BBC. Quite surprisingly new media such as interactive TV and the BBC website only use 4% of the funds together. This brings me onto the main point of this case study. What technologies do the BBC currently use? And what are they expending? What are they looking into?
In the begging of the BBC, it launched its primary channel BBC one, originally know as the BBC Television Service. BBC one has an annual budget of £840 million, which makes up 34% of the BBC’s funding and is provided by our TV license fees. The channel was named Channel of the Year at the 2007 Broadcast Awards (3). Britain’s first broadcast, however was not made on this channel it was made seven years before its launch by a company called Baird Television, It used the BBC’s transmitter located in London to broadcast a close up of one person as this is all the bandwidth could handle at this time (4). Jump on seventy six years and the BBC is broadcasting every single day on many TV channels, radios and the internet. Today, the BBC is thriving. It is the UK’s only public service company and is the main strength of British TV, the BBC is British TV. Some statistics from BARB on the most watched programs of 2007 are:
1. EastEnders 14,830,000
2. Doctor Who 13,310,000
3. The Vicar of Dibley 13,080,000
4. Concert for Diana 12,220,000
5. Strictly Come Dancing 12,090,000
All of which were broadcast first on BBC One. This shows that as a company the BBC is the leading television company and will continue to grow, but where too? With new developments in the media becoming a lot more frequent and the technology is becoming more advanced, it only makes sense for the BBC to expand upon these new forms of media.
Digital TV is now taking over the television stage, as analogue will soon be switched completely over to digital (6). So the BBC have many digital only channels such as BBC3, BBC HD, CBBC and several others. Theses channels are only available on a digital service, so once the switch other happens the BBC can expect many new viewers for these channels.
With the internet being used a lot more to access media, the BBC have the ‘BBCiPlayer’ service (7), which lets anyone watch, listen to and browse all of the content that the BBC has broadcast, from TV shows to radio podcasts, all can be found on the iPLayer service. Although, with the internet becoming one of the most used mediums, in fact according to http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm internet net use worldwide has gone up from 360,985,492 in 2002 to 1,463,632,361 in 2008! Plus that websites also states that Europe makes up 26.3% of the world’s internet users. It would seem that the internet will soon become as, if not more popular than the TV. (8)
Referring to the graph about the BBC’s revenue, it states that only 3% of its revenue is being spent on bbc.co.uk, which I think will start to go up in the coming years.
In conclusion, I believe that the BBC are doing brilliantly, they have been for the past 80 (Almost) years and will continue to grow into the new media with investments in internet media and digital television as I believe that this is the way TV is heading, and wherever TV goes the BBC must follow!
(1) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC(2) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/purpose/what.shtml
(3) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_One
(4) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_One
(5) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_One#Programming
(6) - http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/
(7) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/
(8) - http://www.internetworldstats.com/stats.htm
Task 3 (P1, M1, D1)
Funding
Funding to the TV industry is what Fuel is to a car, It cannot run without it. Everything in the industry had a cost attached to it, and the money that pays for the costs is funding. Where does this money come from? There are several ways that the TV Industry is funded, including PSB and commercial.
PSB stands for public service broadcasting. This means the public pay the channels funding, through the TV license that has to be paid by anyone with a TV, and in return the channel has to cater for the entire public, no matter how niche the audience is. If there is an audience for a program, it is shown. Though this also means that they are not bound by viewing figures, which is the case in commercial broadcasting. The BBC was the first and is the largest PSB funded company in the world. The BBC’s director general, Lord Reith, introduced the BBC’s mission, which it to "inform, educate and entertain" and this introduced many of the concepts now define PSB in the UK (1). Also, the UK TV license money helps to fund the other three channels that are available through analogue viewing. ITV, Channel 4 and channel 5, although being commercial stations, are partially funded by the PSB as they are crucial to UK TV viewing and provide alternative to the BBC. Although, with advancements in technology and TV viewing has become a lot easier using the internet and digital viewing, the BBC have been criticized as they provide services that could be provided by commercial stations, such as the BBC’s online ‘iPlayer’. They claim that this distorts the market making it difficult for commercial stations to function.(2) However people that defend the BBC say that it is essential for the BBC to branch off into new directions in this ever advancing age. I can see this having a greater affect on PBC in the future, considering that technology is going to keep getting better, and there will be more pressure upon the BBC.
Ed Richards, The Chief Executive of regulation guru’s, Ofcom has this to say on the future of PSB;
“[PSB] Is a tradition that has helped make the UK broadcasting industry among the strongest in the world. Today, our challenge is to ensure that this strong tradition continues and adapts to a fast paced and constantly changing digital media environment.” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bFD2lGzExM)
This brings me onto commercial funding. This is where the industries are broadcasting for profit. This is a lot more popular in the US than the UK, and is the prominent type of funding for the US(3). This is due to the capitalist state the US is. Usually, funding in commercial broadcasting is brought in from advertisements or commercials, hence commercial broadcasting. This means that the TV channels are paid to advertise certain companies or products during the broadcast and that if the program does not have enough viewers to provide sufficient advertisement it will not be continued. It is for this reason that the BBC has the advantage of being able to broadcast what they wish, as long as there is an audience, and not be bound by corporations. Although, just like PSB, commercial advertising has had a lot of criticism due to the seemingly less quality programming and the high adverts to programs ratio.
Another way that TV in funded is through subscription to companies such as Sky and Virgin. These companies provide quality services to the audience who pay a monthly fee that can cost from £15 to around £100. The higher end prices included such advantages as HD viewing and Rewinding, Pausing and recording of TV (4). One other way that digital services earn funding is through encouraging subscribers to pay for other services. On demand movies and games can be used through most digital services. Also such things as program catch-up and other on-demand programs can be paid for. Although, with the ability to record any program or film at a touch at the button, I think that On demand will soon be a useless service. On the other hand; Pay per View is very similar to on demand and it is a great way to gain funding. The audience pays a one off or monthly fee for certain events such as Sporting Events (Football games, The Superbowl, Boxing, WWF) or adult viewing, the big American company HBO started as a subscription for soft adult films. Sky and Virgin are the biggest digital providers for the UK; in the US however Dish Network and DirecTV are the equivalent (5). With the advancement in internet technology subscription to TV on the internet is now becoming quite popular(6). Companies like BT and Tiscali are capitalizing on this opportunity and are providing online subscriptions for around £30(7). It works just as broadband would work; the company installs the set top box as well as the connecting broadband, which provides the service.
Sponsoring a program or series is another way both the industry and corporations makes their money. When a company sponsors a program, it shows the product/company before and after the program continues after the break. Companies tend to sponsor programs with a certain audience profile, ones that tend to match theirs as to advertise to the people who will be interested in the product. Home makeover shows for example are commonly sponsored by DIY stores and gadget shows by companies such as apple. This maximized the chance of the adverts attracting the audience and sparking their interest so that they desire the product and take action in buying it.
Lastly, Product placement is a technique that puts products into the film or program, hence giving it great advertising. It is illegal in the UK but is used at every opportunity in the US. Imagine the advantage of a big star vehicle sporting a pair of Addidas Trainers in the next Hollywood blockbuster; everyone would want to have the same pair. In spite of the fact that the companies are blatantly using an entertainment medium to sell products, it work exceptionally well.
(1) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_service_broadcasting_in_the_United_Kingdom
(2) - http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2006/may/18/broadcasting.digitalmedia
(3) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_television
(4) - http://www.sky.com/portal/site/skycom/skyproducts/skytv/pricesandpackages
(5) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_television#United_States
(6) - http://www.internetnews.com/stats/article.php/3640731
(7) - http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/tv/tv_subs.shtml
Task 4 (P1, M1, D1)
Presentation
7.2 - Job Roles
Within the media there are many, many job roles. All requiring a specific set of skills or abilities, ranging from creative jobs such as concept artist, finical roles like the sales agent and literally thousands more, that come under several profiles;
Accounts
Art Department
Camera
Casting
Catering
Construction
Costume
Direction
Distribution
Editing and Post-Production
Exhibition
Hair and Make-up
Health and Safety
Lighting
Locations
Music
Performing
Post Production Sound
Production Sound
Production Office
Props
Publicity/Stills
Script
Transport
Below I have created a few charts to show several creative departments in the making of a film.
Task 1 (P1, M1, D1)
Organizational Charts
A composer creates the original music that is to be used within the film. One of the main responsibilities is to get theme of the music right music for the film, the right music for the directors vision. They need to decided what music suits the scene; upbeat, happy, fast music for a family film or low pitch, slow and heavy beats to create a tense atmosphere for a thriller.
Composers need to have a wide range of skills to be able to produce a variety of different themes and genres. They need to be able to turn the directors vision into music, meet deadlines and work under the pressure of the whole musical score of the film on their shoulders. It is important for a composer to have an understanding of how music and sound effect the visual aspect of the film and how the technical aspects of film making may effect the music.
Musical training is essential to being a composer as they have to be able to adapt to different styles and still deliver.
A Script reader is trained to analysis a script. Working for public funded companies such as the UK FIlm Council and are trusted readers or editors, or they can be hired by screen writers to analysis their script before submitting it to a producer. They produce a coverage report of the script, which contains:
· Log-line
· Premise
· Synopsis
· Tone and Genre
· Comments
· Summary and verdict
This report contains several comments and criticisms that help the screen writer create a stronger narrative and an overall better script. Scrip readers are required to have and extensive knowledge of how a scrip it constructed, what makes a professional screenplay. Also, they must have the ability to organize thier ideas so that screen writers can apply them easily.
Runners are the first step into the film industry. Shane Meadows and Kevin Smith, both successful directors, started out as runners. The job itself can vary from movie to movie from scene to scene, depending on what the director(s) need. Making cups of tea or transporting messages are some of the more menial tasks, whereas other tasks such as looking after the cast and assembling/arranging props may be simple but could effect filming in great and sometimes unseen ways. For these reasons Floor Runners are required to be very organized and be able to complete tasks quickly and effectively. Also the correct attitude is required, taking on tasks with enthusiasm and a smile is essential.
Although no formal qualifications are required to become a runner, experience in the field is highly regarded. Working in school productions, previous menial employment or other experience that uses the skills used in the job gives potential runners a head start.
Non-Creative Jobs
Employment Types
Shift work - Working in a shift means working at set times of the day for a set period of time. People who work in shifts are usually people who work in 24 hour professions, such as catering or drivers, as one person cannot work the full 24 hours, so they work in shifts.
Fixed term - A fixed term contract. Working for a certain time, such as during the development of a film, then not working again for a long period of time.
Office hours - Regular hours, ‘9 to 5’. People working these hours are involved in the financial or non creative side. They work departments such as accounts.
Freelance - Freelance workers take work when its offered and work for themselves. A freelance cameraman for example would be asked by a producer to film a certain production.
Irregular pattern - This means that people working on irregular patterns can be called out at any time, such as actors. They may need to be ready to film at any point during the day.
Hourly rates - Paid by the hour.
Piece work - Paid by how many ‘pieces’ of work are produced.
Job Role Interview
I took on the role of a Floor Runner in the media, and discussed what was involved in my job.
I took on the role of a Floor Runner in the media, and discussed what was involved in my job.
Unit 21 - Single Camera Techniques
Camera Techniques
Shooting methods can be split into two categories, Single Camera or Multi Camera setups. The former, as the name suggests, is filming using only one Camera, whilst the latter is filming using several different cameras simultaneously.
At first, single camera production was the only way, due to the fact that technology at the time did not offer a way to utilise multiple cameras. Thus single camera shooting was seen as a restriction, rather than a creative decision.[1] Although more time consuming (thus more expensive), using a single camera set up gives the film makers much more control over the production as it allowing them to concentrate on just one shot. Also, using a single camera set up adds a sense of realism to the production; it puts the audience in the place of the cameraman. The camera shot seems more real as it is constant, as if being viewed in 1st person, not cutting between several static cameras.
Multi-Camera setups are a cheaper, quicker and do not rely on one shot to sell the scene which is created by editing together the several shots. This method can be used when filming fast paced action or a very spectacular scene. Quick cutting between different cameras in action scenes adds a sense of speed and urgency to the scene. Spectacular scenes, such as expensive pyrotechnics, are shot with multiple cameras so that none of the effect is lost, having multiple cameras lets the film makers decide which shot captured the effect best, or if they want shots from different angles of the effect. Also, multi camera setups are used on live sets. The cameras are set up on rigs around the studio. Camera men film certain parts of the show and the producer switches live from one camera to another. This brings me on to mention the limitation of sets when using a multi camera set up. With a single camera you are not constrained in any way, shooting on location is easy. However, a multi camera set up requires a extensive array of rigs to control the camera shots, this limits locations to indoor settings or sets.
I recently went to see the new Quentin Tarantino film ‘Inglorious Bastards’. This is a perfect example of a director who uses single camera techniques at their best. Tarantino is known for his ability to really capture the audience, single camera techniques are one tool he uses. The opening scene involves a conversation between a French Farmer and a Nazi Officer, who his hunting for ‘enemies of the state’, the tension that is built up through already conceived ideas of Nazi’s and the overall tone of the conversation is aided by the use of a single camera shot throughout, which pans below the floor boards to revel a Jewish family taking refuge. The reason I mention this scene is that the atmosphere and expert mise en scene couples with the use of the single camera method to create such deep tension and tear jerking emotion, without the use of any star vehicles or spectacular effects.
An example of a multi camera set up would be a live situation such as a football game. Cameras are placed surround the pitch, more than one at certain high action areas such as near the goal posts. While the game is on, a producer will control what camera too feed to the public. The benefits are obvious and undeniable when it comes to using multiple cameras during a live game as no one has any way of knowing what is going to happen. However, this does put a lot more pressure on the producer as they really need to be on the ball.
Task 2 (P1, M1, D1)
Single Camera Drama
Single camera dramas are separated into several categories, primarily; Series, serials and single dramas. A Series is a program that continues on average for 7 to 10 Series’ that contain a number of episodes. Doctor Who, with its seemingly endless number of series (today it is at it’s 30thseries and its 753rd episode) and Shameless are two examples of a successful series. A serial however is just like a series, however it has a set number of ‘parts’ and the program ends after that. ‘The Quatermass Experiment’ [is] ‘one of the oldest surviving pieces of BBC television drama.’ This BBC serial ran for 6, 30 minute episodes and gained great success. [1] Today, high quality serials are still being produced which the likes of ‘Harpers Island’ a successful American crime drama and Dead Set which was a 5 part horror serial. Single Dramas are one off programs, rather like films.
To elaborate on my example; Doctor who is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running science fiction series show in the world.[2] It was originally broadcast in 1963 and the newest series is scheduled for 2010. Doctor who is a perfect example for describing a series, it’s episodes all have their own stories and it has been on since well before I was born as still shows no sign of stopping.
Dead Set was broadcast on E4 on the 27 October 2008 and ended on Halloween night. This BAFTA nominated program ran for 5 hour long episodes which introduced a horde of Zombies to the Big Brother house. This excellent combination of an existing famous TV show and a gory zombie feature brought E4 just fewer than 1.5 Million viewers and an 8.3% total audience share.[3] The fact that the narrative took place over all 5 episodes and that Dead Set ended for good on the 31st is a great example of the compressions between a Serial Drama and a Series.
An example of another highly successful series is ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’. This crime drama follows a group an elite forensics team as they solve crimes in Las Vegas. This series was broadcast on the 9th June 2001 in the UK and the upcoming 10th series, which will be broadcast on Channel 5, is due for 2010.[4]The narrative arch for each episode is a different case that the team have to solve, each episode ending in with the criminal in jail and the case closed.
The one off Docudrama, The Road to Guantanamo was aired on the 9th of March 2006. Its emotional insight into the lives of detainees at the ‘detention’ (concentration) camp at Guantanamo, Cuba opened the eyes of many to the sick, barbarous and un-lawful treatment of the people who are held there. It won the Prix Italia [5] and a Silver Bear at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival. [6]
Narrative Structures
Narrative structures are the way that the story is told. Using different techniques, directors can deliver a narrative in many different ways. Fight Club is a seminal film within the media industry. Its complex narrative structures put audience in and a difficult position, where they don’t really know what is going on. At first glance fight club seems to have a sequential narrative, however it is being told from the restrictive point of view of the main character in
the form of a flashback. As the film goes on the audience are subjected to the main characters mental
subjectivity and the narrative structures begin to blur as even the character is confused about the structure of his own life. The film deals with realists themes of insomnia and schizophrenia yet, due to the subjective narration and restricted plot, they audience get an almost anti-realist reading. It is obvious that Fight Club purposefully breaks the conventions of narrative structure, this is emphasised by the change of pattern throug
hout the film. At the start, it seems the point of the story is Jack’s goal of getting out of the typical rat race life that he is in, and getting over his insomnia. However, as the story progresses it turns into an investigative story as Jack try’s to figure out what is going on, when this ends the true purpose of the story is revealed as Jack has undertaken a meta physical journey. Another point is that Propp’s theory is played about within Fight Club. The main character is set up as a Damsel, the one who needs help. Tyler is set up as a hero who brings Jack out of his dead end life style however as the film progresses, Tyler becomes the antagonist (Who then turns out to be part of Jacks imagination). These narrative structures all work together to break existing conventions, in an attempt to get the audience engaged. Also, they are used to put across the main characters confused feelings.
A contrasting narrative would be the story of the first Star Wars film: A New Hope as the narrative structures of this film are clear, concise and stick to the conventions of narrative. Almost instantly the audience are introduced to the villain, damsel, hero and several companion characters, a prime example of Propp’s theory. The use of typical conventions gives the audience a sense of knowing, and this helps the director sell the genre. The unrestrictive narrative lets the audience see what all sides are doing. They see Darth Vader (the antagonist) hunting for the Droids, which Luke (Our protagonist) has just bought. Fear of the inevitable fate of Luke puts the audience at the edge of their seat. The story is the journey of Luke Skywalkers path to becoming a Jedi, a physical as well as meta-physical journey is undertaken by the Protagonist. A sense of attachment is created with the hero, which is heightened by the film being open ended (No surprise when you consider the 2 sequels and 3 prequels)
Task 4 (P1, M1, D1)
Camera, light, sound and editing
The re-enacted clip from seven demonstrates how camera techniques, lighting, sound and editing to deliver an effective scene that anchors the feelings of a character. Firstly, the camera techniques are used to set the scene with a long establishing shot. A close up shows the girls tears, connoting her sadness. Extended signification suggests that there is something wrong, creating an enigma. The lighting is high key which gives the scene a surreal feel but also contrasts with the feelings of the character. It works well to highlight the change from colour to black and white.
The enigma is played upon with use of black and white flashbacks. The choice to use black and white represents the flashbacks separation from reality. The use of non-diegetic sound during theses scenes is also distorted, furthering the surreal connotations.
Task 5 (P1, M1, D1)
Audience
Audience
The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people. ~Karl Marx
In 1920, the first commercial radio station was opened.[1] The golden age of radio had hit its peak with 22 Million American homes with a radio by 1935 .[2] After World War II the new demand for luxury that was denied during the war opened the flood gates for television.[3] During this era, media was limited to the newspaper, the small number of radio stations and even smaller number of television stations. Audiences then were easy to capture due to this mass audience and their fascination with new technology. Today 99% of people (in the US) have a TV in their house, and on average spend 9 years stuck to its screen (based on a 65 year life). The 1990’s saw the explosion that is known as the Internet, and today a quarter of the earth use it. [4]
With this continued advancement media is literally forced into every single area off life as access to it becomes incredibly easy, people have the ability to watch/play/read/ what they want, where they want, when they want, how they want and even if they don’t want. This leaves audiences diversified and much harder to target by producers and advertisers.
“Every day new technology is tearing down old ways of doing business, in the process it is driving us away from a mass media where news and entertainment was centrally controlled.” Rupert Murdoch (Obviously upset about his loss of power can control)
There is no question about the vast rate at which Humans consume media. Yet the way in which they do it is amazingly varied; Independent news groups can broadcast over the internet giving people a different point of view. A phone can store thousands of songs, browse the internet, watch TV and play games making it impossible to be targeted due to the difference sources of media. Sky’s ads can be paused, then fast-forwarded, on their own technology. It’s a wonder why advertisers pay them. However due to this the corporations are forced to up their monopolisation and attempt to capture the advancing technology which is hopefully going to stay one step ahead of them.
[1]- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_broadcasting
[2] - http://www.cybercollege.com/frtv/frtv018.htm
[3]- http://www.tvhistory.tv/1946-1949.htm
[4]- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet
Task 6 (P1, M1, D1)
Audience profiling
http://www.thinkbox.tv/server/show/nav.914
Task 7 (P1, M1, D1)
Production; Equipment and Persons
Audience profiling
Below is a chart that profiles certain audiences via social staus. Click to view larger.
http://www.thinkbox.tv/server/show/nav.914From the infomation contained in that chart is is easy to see the diverce audience that now spans todays media. We can see that the more upper class male citizens are much more consirned with more high brow or intellectuall media, programs such as Question Time and Broadsheet newspapers. Compared too amles of a lower class who focus more on sport and reality TV. In my opinon, this sheads a little light on the British class divede. Richer folk spend alot more time consirned about the way the world is whilst the poorer people would rather have that all taken care off whilst they sit and watch shows that make thier lives a little more bareable. Quite convient for the upper classes.
However, whilst similar the lines between women of differnet classes are slightly more blury when it comes to media. Partialy beause house wives are common throughout the class system and this creates and audience off women at home with children, regardless of class. However, when it comes to reading ABC1 women are rarely read the news paper whilst C2DE women tend to read The Sun newspaper, although it's only for entertainment. Again all women enjoy reading magazines, with more upper class women reading beauty mags rather than gosip and celebraty mags that C2ED women seem to prefer.
However, whilst similar the lines between women of differnet classes are slightly more blury when it comes to media. Partialy beause house wives are common throughout the class system and this creates and audience off women at home with children, regardless of class. However, when it comes to reading ABC1 women are rarely read the news paper whilst C2DE women tend to read The Sun newspaper, although it's only for entertainment. Again all women enjoy reading magazines, with more upper class women reading beauty mags rather than gosip and celebraty mags that C2ED women seem to prefer.
Production; Equipment and Persons
Task 7 – Production; Equipment and Persons
People
When producing content for the screen, many things have to be taken into consideration before hand. Who? What? Where and when are all essential in producing quality footage. Now I will create a short report on the equipment and software we will be using, also the people and places involved.
First of all, we need to put faces into the production. We are working in teams of three (Me, Eddie Lawson and Curtis Pearson), so naturally we will make up the actors. As there are four characters in our production, one person will need to take up the role of ‘The Ninja’ whilst taking the part of ‘Gangster 1’ in another scene. The remaining members of our team will play two other characters, ‘Boss and Gangster 2’. The garage door featured in the last scene is not automatic so we will need a stagehand to open the garage door from the outside as too create the last scene.
Equipment
Once everything and everyone is in place, we need technical equipment to record the production. For filming, school will provide a Panasonic AG-DVX100B video camera. This camera has several
features that we will take advantage off, such as ‘Edge enhancement for easy focusing’ which will be a great advantage when filming quick actions scenes, ‘Precision wide-angle Leica Dicomar lens with Servo/Manual Zoom’ is another feature that will allow our film to have greater quality and control over shots, plus a firewire connection is essential to connect to the Mac computers in school.[1] Theses are just a few features that make the AG-DVX100B a brilliant piece of kit for our needs. As well as the video, we will need to record the audio separately to ensure a high quality of sounds. For this, school will provide an Edirol R-09HR, Wave/Mp3 recorder, this fantastic piece of equipment records high quality audio with its high-sensitivity stereo condenser microphone. It compact and light weight build makes it great for taking out and about whilst filming.[2]
Software
Once the production is filmed we will need to edit it into the final product. For this, two main programs were used. iMovie HD Mac’s prime video editing software. We used this to import the footage, cut it down to the best takes and put it in sequence. iMovie was adequate for simple editing, however for a more extensive array of effects and greater control over the editing processes, Adobe After Effects was used. This program has a much more wide range of footage manipulation effects when compared to iMovie, it also gives the user much more control over how the effects are used and applied to the footage. Unfortunately, the overall quality of the footage will be lessened with the transfer between different programs, however it is a small price to pay
[2] - http://www.amazon.com/Edirol-R-09HR-High-Resolution-WAVE-Recorder/dp/B0016MLUKU
Task 8 (P1, M1, D1)
Proposal
Objective: Below is the proposal for a short film that aimed to use a simple, obvious narrative of a chase too create enigma, action and demonstrate the advanced editing software, Adobe Aftereffects. This will be achieved through the use of varied conventions, some typical and some broken, this will add to the enigma as well as help portray the action.
Setting: The majority of the scenes are in a shadowy, disused garage. The chase scene is set in a forest, which isn’t as safe as it seems.
Time Duration:
Description: Overall, the film is about ‘The Suitcase’ and the attempts of one suspiciously shady individual to get a hold of it. As the film pans out, the audience realise that this man is in fact in complete control of the situation, playing both sides of the coin. The film is made up of four distinct parts, comprised of several scenes. Firstly, a slow paced interrogation scene will set the scene and explain the situation, these shots will use low key lighting too add to the shady and mysterious feel. Plus, the camera will be directly on the character in the chair, deliberately cutting out any distinguishing features of the ‘Boss’, adding even more to the enigma.
A fast past chase scene makes up the action and is put together using a variety of camera shots. Two tracking shots, cut into each other at a fast pace will signify the chase. The shot of the Ninja running will feature fast paced music and a shaky camera, whilst the shots of the gangster making his way through the forest unknowingly will use a still shot, with very slow, peaceful music, This juxtaposition is used to add a sense of tension, also the contrasting music and nature of the characters offers a level of comedy. The final scene returns to the opening location, only this time with a new Gangster in the chair. The final scene is highly emotive, and uses edited lighting to portray that. As the ‘boss’ leaves the scene, high key lighting signifies his accomplishment.
This short film is also an attempt at using advanced editing software. Two major effects were used, one to highlight the Ninja Sword and another in the final scene to enhance the lighting. These effects give the production an air of professional editing, as well as offering experience.
Remarks:
· The identity of neither the Ninja or the Boss is never revealed
· The contents of ‘The Suitcase’ are never revealed; this is done as homage to Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ in which a similar suitcase is used and never revealed.
Proposed Sequence Sample of Events:
1. Opening flashback that introduced the ninja and his target, loud heartbeat, black and white, heavy on distortion effects to connote that everything not necessarily as it seems.
2. First interrogation scene, Character being asked about ‘The Suitcase’ by the unidentified ‘Boss’, who has him killed by the Ninja.
3. Wide shot of field, Ninja appears as if out of nowhere and runs towards Camera
4. Two tracking shots quickly cutting between each other fast and slow paced juxtaposed.
5. POV shot, the Ninja watches his target approach
6. Panning shot that end up at low angle shot of Ninja. Pans from the suitcase on the floor, up the Gangsters body to reveal the Ninja in a tree above who draws his sword.
7. Second interrogation scene, this time with the Gangster from the previous scene who has obviously been attacked, the Boss had him killed by the Ninja, at this point it should be obvious that the Boss had been controlling the Ninja as well as the Gangsters, all too his own gain.
8. The Boss proceeds out of the Garage, suitcase in hand.
Closing screen shots: Logo fades in and out leaving only the title behind, credits roll.
Task 9 (P1, M1, D1)
Storyboard
Production Schedule
Task 11 (P1, M1, D1)
Risk Assesment
Task 12 (P1, M1, D1)
Evaluation
Our purpose with La Valise was too produce a short film that paid homage to several genres such as Film noir and suspense/thriller. We tried to achieve this through effective use of costume, effects and shots. Secondly, we wanted to use narrative tools to tell a story that got the audience to think. Personally, I feel that the overall purpose was achieved, in that we successfully applied conventions that signify genre. Also, in my own opinion I felt that the way we presented the narrative successfully gave feelings of enigma and suspense. Unfortunately, I knew what the story was so I could not give a unbiased opinion on weather the narrative was perceived that way to an audience.
Once we gathered some feedback from our audience, I felt that the narrative (or the way that it was presented) confused the audience, which achieved the goal of making them think, but in an oppositional way to what we wanted. On the other hand, I think that this could be avoided in future with better acting and more explanative dialogue, because as it stands the dialogue is a key point that I feel was let down with our team’s poor acting skills. Nether the less, Praise was given to the cinematography and the audio used in the production. This was always a main focus point of the production, with narrative taking a back seat. I believe this is obvious from feedback we received.
Whilst producing our short film, the issues of representation were not taken into account as we were not aiming to give out a message. However, in hide sight I believe that the characters involved stuck to existing expectations of how such characters are portrayed, such as a Ninja being a fast, nimble assassin. The music played a huge part in connoting the mood of a scene. An example would be the chase scene which was characterised by the juxtaposed music beds. Another would be the last scene which has The Boss leaving the scene, with suitcase in hand. The use of a very emotive music bed added a layer of atmosphere to the final scene which helps connote the mood of The Boss.
Locations were just as important. The interrogation scenes took place in a garage and was shot too make it look a lot smaller that it was, this was too connote the gritty, dark and mysterious mood that we wanted from the scenes. For the chance scene it was important to have a wide space, and for the two characters to be isolated. The wood that we filmed in was perfect. Also, this gave us the advantage of using a more exotic location, when compared to previous productions and the surrounding area.
As previously mentioned the dialogue was an essential part of progressing the narrative and I feel as though it was let down through acting, however it was appropriate and gave a sense of character, through The Boss character having much more authoritative dialogue, and with the other Gangsters having more broken and fearful speech, as if threatened. If the acting was improved then this would have been much more effective. Lastly, the look and feel of the production mirrored the genre that we wanted to play homage too, for example the interrogation scenes were purposefully filming in low key lighting and edited to be B&W in an attempt to emulate the look of Film Noir, which was backed up by the costumes used. However, as we wanted to play around with the conventions of genre, not all the film was shot in this way, and by the end colour seems to fade back into the screen, signifying the ending and good fortune for The Boss.
As our aim was to play homage to different genres whilst still having a sense of uniqueness about the production, we had to take into account the conventions that are typical of genres such as Film Noir and Thriller/suspense. Things such as low key lighting and Black and white effect were used to emulate the look of film noir. Whereas the emphasis on music bed to connote the mood and quick action are typical of the thriller genre. All of theses things were used within our production and I believe that the cinematography and key elements would have been very similar in a professional product. The use of enigma was a very key aspect in our production. This was put to use through several aspects such as a non-chronological narrative and not showing The Boss’s face. I think that this helped enforce the aspects of suspense that we tried to apply, as well as enhance the audience experience. Although, I think that the non-chronological narrative was one of the main reasons some people were confused. Those, coupled with bad acting, were the only faults that brought about the confusion. As our production was a short film, we didn’t have enough space to establish characters or a multi strand narrative, both of which would have been applied if we had more screen time to work with as they can be applied to add more enigma and genre conventions.
Personally, I feel that this production has given me a few new skills, such as better camera controlling skills as for the final shot I had to pan and track, whilst making sure to get the suitcase in shot. It was difficult and involved several takes, but I feel achieved with the final product. As a team we are used to working together so everyone pulled their weight and listened to each other. However, as time constraints were becoming an increasing issue I feel that without me pushing the team then we wouldn’t have completed the product in time. In the end, each member played a key role and the final product would not have been possible without everyone working together the way we did.
For our next production I think that we need to focus a lot more on believable acting and effective story telling, as this is what let this last production down. It would be a consideration to involve a wider team as to gather more skills and the possibility of better acting. Apart from that, I feel that we were very successful with the production, and the final product is something I have pride in, which means a lot to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)