Notes Preparing for Tv Drama Exam

Terminology: (10 Marks)
Masculinity
Femininity
Gender
Representation
Infer Meaning
Composition
Dominant
Subordinate
Low Angle
High Angle
Status
Stereotype

4 Groups of Analysis:
Mise-en-scene - concentrate on clothing and props but little exploration of lighting.
Camera - identify camera shots/angles/position, link this to construction of representation.
Editing - discuss 180 degree rule and continuity editing, shot reverse shot, diss the pace of editing to represent age.
Sound - dialogue, clear distinction between diegetic and non-diegetic sound, address use of music in more detail-tempo, pace, sound bridges and link specifically to representation.

Look at how short drama sequences employ a variety of technical and symbolic elements at a micro level to create representations at the macro level.

4 Step Framework of Analysis:
Step 1: Look for significance of Gender in:
- Character (what is their role?)
- Behaviour
- Story (what are they doing here?)
Step 2: Relationship of power
- (who is subordinate, who is dominant, how does this tie in with gender?)
Step 3: Difference
- how are they represented as opposites
Step 4: Look for if they are re-enforcing or challenging stereotypes
- are they acting how we would expect this group to act.

Social Groups:
Sexuality
Gender
Ethnicity
Social Class
Region
Disability
Age

Technical Areas: Gender

The shot used in this photo is a medium close up although the women is looking up at the man therefore giving the impression that this is a masculine shot and he holds the authority. The focus is being brought onto the male character again showing his authority. The fact the man is taller and looking down on the woman giving the assumption he is masculine as well as the fact due to him being taller he holds the frame due to being a very big part of the composition.

The woman in this still is shown to be the masculine character as she is the focus of the STILL and she is composed to be the main part of the frame that the audience is drawn to this is also due to the fact the men are looking at her. The woman has a stern look on her face which normally resembles a mans expression so this also adds to the fact she is the masculine character. The man in this still to the left is dressed very smartly and holding a hat which normally is a sign of a man being respectful and men in this time normally dressed smart as they were the ones who went to work so this gives the assumption he is also a masculine character.

This still has a very intimate composition

Disabilities in TV Drama's

PLANNING A LESSON

BREAKING BAD

WALT JR

Questions:

How would you describe Walt Jr's personality?

Do you see Walt Jr as attractive?

How do you think AMC have portrayed a character with his disabilities?

Do you think he has been portrayed negatively or positively?

Do you think it emasculates him as a character?

...has cerebral palsy, manifested speech difficulties and impaired motor control for which he uses crutches.

British Star Vs American Star Vs Australian

DOCTOR WHO

Doctor Who is a British Tv Sci-Fi drama which has been airing on screens since 1963, is shows the adventures of a time travelling alien adventurer and his companions trying to save the world from tragedies. Doctor Who as a character has had 11 actors play the magnificent role and is about to take on its 12th. Even so this character always sticks to the same dynamics when is comes to the overall image and representation of the character. Doctor Who is portrayed to be a very intelligent, spontaneous adventurer who is incredibly brave. As it is an adventurous drama a lot of the scenes are very fast paced and masculine in the way they are presented. The Doctor is always a prominent figure in the composition of every shot due to being the protagonist.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

This TV drama is an American show about a character called Ted Mosby searching for the woman of his dreams in NYC with the help of his 4 best friends. Ted is portrayed in this drama to be a very nice settled man just trying to find a place in which he belongs. Ted is shown in many cases to be spontaneous and indecisive. Mainly the shots you see him in are close ups when he is frustrated or happy but a full body distanced shot when he is engaged in thoughts. When ted is in frame with other characters he is mainly composed into the middle of the shot and this represents how he is the main character of this show and all plots lead back to him.

WENTWORTH PRISON

This is an Austrailan TV drama set in the modern day and centres on Bea Smith's earl days in prison. Bea Smith is in prison due to the attempted murder of her husband and of course this sounds terribly bad but Bea only did this to protect her daughter from the horrors that he as a husband and father inflicted onto the family by beating and raping Bea on a regular basis. This is the first thing that is revealed in the first episode of the series so this portrays Bea to be a very protective mother who is willing to go to all lengths to protect her daughter although this of course shows that Bea has a dark violent side to her. Whilst in prison we see as an audience Bea slowly adapt into the life of a cell mate in cell block H and even whilst in prison she trys to do all she can to make sure her daughter Debbie is as safe as she can be but we see when Debbie is killed that Bea completely unravel and spiral out of control as she has no one to protect and nothing to live for, she attempts to kill herself but fails due to her cell mates saving her and then the series ends in her killing Jac's the ring leader that is feared by all in Wentworth, this then leaving the conspiracy of Bea being the new feared by all character in the next series.

Definition of a Tv Drama

Tv dramas are generally scripted to reflectthe life of their intended audience, and primarily being broadcasted in a series, the audience tends to grow with the characters and feel like they can relate to the issues on screen. Content will generally always be realistic and applicable to real life situations.

Eastenders

MASOOD

• Gay son which is against his religion
• Postman
• Muslim
• Business (Indian restaurant)
• Long shot, medium long shot, medium close up
• Had young girl fall in love with him whilst he was married
• Marriage ended
• Wears silver chain
• Comfy jumper
• Quite boring looking
• Got a temper when pushed
• Loving Carol
• Hindi accent
• Whipped by his wife
• He's a silent hero
• A victim
• Sympathy
• Has 3 sons
• 1 daughter
• Religious but not strongly religious
• Not very wealthy

Research: How are disabled people shown in Tv dramas?

Glee 'Arty'

Artie Abrams is a fictional character from the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. The character is portrayed by actor Kevin McHale, and has appeared in Glee from its pilot episode, first broadcast on May 19, 2009. He is a guitarist and paraplegic manual wheelchair user, who is a member of the glee club at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, where the show is set. Artie uses a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury he received in a car crash at the age of eight. His story lines have seen him accept his disability, pine for the affections of fellow New Directions members, and dabble in film directing.

Breaking Bad 'Walter Jr'

Walter Hartwell "Flynn" White, Jr. (played by RJ Mitte) is Walter and Skyler's teenage son and Holly's older brother. He has cerebral palsy, as manifested in speech difficulties and impaired motor control, for which he uses crutches. His father's absences and bizarre behavior lead them to grow apart, leading Walter Jr. to have his friends teach him to drive and his wanting to be called "Flynn".