Discuss the ways in which the extract creates representations of gender and lifestyle.

Holly oaks is a TV drama based around the loves and lives of the inhabitants of this area, it focuses on the younger age group from teenage life to the lives of the 20’s and 30 year old category also. This soap through mise en scene, camera, sound and editing techniques conveys issues that could seem quite deviant in society today through drama, and in this essay I am going to focus on how Gender and lifestyle is represented.

Firstly setting is established, a long shot of a lady whom is referred to as Bernadette is partaking in river dancing, this long shot we get a full view of what is happening in the mise on scene. It denotes to the viewer a front living room of an ordinary semi-detached or terrace house; we see a sofa, curtains, netting on the windows, things in which are normal within a household, this instantly tells us of the lifestyle and class of these people, it suggests that they are working to middle class.

The use of diegetic sound is important within this extract as it connotes the cultural back ground, it suggests that these people are of an Irish heritage and they show this through the traditional river dancing which is a typical Irish dance. This is representative of lifestyle as this shows the different cultures that may be living within one society as holly oaks is based in Chester.

The camera shot changes between the river dancer ‘ Bernadette’ to a medium shot of the three grievers whom are sat on the sofa, one an middle age-elderly lady who seems to be revelling in the river dance and this suggests that she is quite proud as she leans over to the other 2 characters in order to promote this excellence, even though they both seem rather disinterested as there posture is slack, and there responses to questions are merely grunts, this is connoted because the character of Bernadette as achieved something that is initially quite classy and of cultural importance she is valued for showing this as a sign of respect for someone who has died. The lady is dressed all in black as would be the attire for a situation such as this, but we can tell of her class by the way she I sat, she seems of quite an aristocratic background as she is sat with her legs neatly crossed, her hands over her knees and she is prominently enjoying the entertainment she is receiving. We see Bernadette’s legs dance across the fore ground; this enables the viewer to keep in touch of the type of cultural background these people come from. Camera shot cuts to a two shot of Malachy and another women whom are sitting having a more private conversation that is irrelevant to the situation itself.

The diegetic sound is also important as the Irish music suddenly begins to fade and this could be quite ironic to what is coming up next. We next see a series of two shots, along with a head shot of the women who seemed extremely joyous by the river dancing in which had just taken place, the camera does a short and fast zoom in closer to the woman’s face in order for the viewer to recognised the shock that has covered her face. We then see another series of two shots that are used for use to see the looks and shock of the other people inside the room. Through these shot types we can see here how certain people within society looks down on gay/bi-sexual relationships and people whom cross dress because they feel the need to do this as it makes them feel better with in them selves. Are all of societal views focused on the negative outcome of not conforming to what they deem correct?

We then jump to a direct long shot of Chris, just like the one we see of Bernadette, this is a master shot so that we can re-establish what is going on in the scene. We see the rest of the company looking at him, mise en scene through Chris’s costume denotes red lipstick long red socks and a white jumpsuit, this resembles something Kylie Monogue wore in her ‘cant get you out of my head’ music video. The costume is white which contrasts with the rest of the company as they are dressed in black in sign of respect. This is suggestive of Chris's non-conformity in character. The use of the Kylie Monogue attire also gives a sense of peoples cultural knowledge that the viewer has as lifestyle within today’s society is very much influenced by sexual representations within the media view point of characters such as her, everyone knows who she is.

‘I’m a cross dresser’ he exclaims as we cut back to the mastershot view of the whole lounge area staring at him in disbelief, the people in the room seem quite disgusted by this which suggests how the elder generation, such as the middle age women of whom seems extremely shocked by this announcement aren’t as excepting of things such as bi-sexual and gay relationships. As being homosexual is more accepted within today’s society than say the 20th century societal views. This is also represented through the different reactions of characters in this extract, the people of a more younger generation seem more angered about the fact they didn’t know, such as the young girl who ran away crying clearly upset as she had some form of relationship with the bi-sexual cross dresser, and also Bernadette who claims that Chris is selfish for releasing this information on a day that is not about him. This is representative of the more open lifestyle that people in modern day society live, things are genuinely more open when its come to things such as sex. Gender issues are more blurred and as things are becoming more obsolete within society. The fading away of the Irish music at this moment in time is also suggestive of his disrespect for his father, the cultural references throughout the scene suggest his father was in touch with his nationality and the fading of the music suggests Chris’s disrespect for it.

A sound bridge is used as a form of transition between the cut into the next scene, the backing soundtrack is non diegetic and the music plays quite sad balled music; something in which you would listen to when you go through heartbreak. We then see a close up shot of Mercedes, whom is quite a flamboyant female character, her use of costume and makeup accentuates her female sexuality. Use of editing is relevant here as a cross fade is used with quite a blurry effect; this is a useful effect as the lighting and colour changes to a colourless screen. This technique is used in order to give a sense of what is happening on screen not being realistic within the versilamilitude. Mercedes is imagining what life use to be like with Malachy. This is representative of gender and life style as it is suggestive of women’s delicate role in the image of love, and it is also representative of the drama in which happens in everyday life such as romance, and break ups.

Analysis (Camera, sound and editing) Skins series two last episode: Sid and Tony steal Chris’s coffin.

A two shot is used so that we can see the dialogue between the two men in suits taking place. The two-shot is also put in place so that we can the setting, in which is a front room and the men are placed in front of a window, now behind the window we can see the action of Tony and Sid stealing their friend Chris’s coffin from the men and the point of this shot is so that we can see what is happening, but the men can not, we can see this sort of dramatic irony taking place on screen, just because this shot type has been used. The fact that this shot type has been used in this situation also means that’s the camera doesn’t need to move about therefore it remains static, it doesn’t move at all because we can see all the action that is taking place in one straight shot.
The music that is used at this moment is non-diegetic. We here violins being played and the music is very soft and very slow, and quite relaxing, this music is quite synchronous with the scene as the men are sat drinking tea and talking, it matches there lets say; peaceful state of mind, but again this music is quite ironic as to what is going on in the background because if they new they would not be in a peaceful state of mind.
Editing is very slow at this point; the takes are long, so editing is very slow paced, there is not much action-taking place. Editing changes suddenly when and is extremely fast pace with the transition into the next scene, when the men realise that the coffin has been taking. We see a series of quick shots and close ups of speeding cars going in different directions; it is almost a blur on the screen.
Music all so changes from slow, quiet classical music to fast upbeat loud ambient sound with this scene change. This change in music carries on when we see the car driving around, and it is used to create a more dramatic effect to the action that is taking place.
At this point we see a long shot of a red car, with a coffin sat on top, and then it cuts up to a close up to Tony sitting in the car. This cut to a close up is used in order for the audience to recognise that Tony is sat in the red car with the coffin on top. Many point of view shots from the angle of Tony and Sid so that we can see passers by looking at the car, it has a coffin on top and obviously this seems strange to people. Many tracking shots are used so that we can follow the car and they are used to establish that the car is moving away with Chris’s body. The action then cuts to a two shot, so that we can see a dialogue-taking place between Tony and Sid taking place in the car. Whilst dialogue is taking place, the background music quietens so that the audience get more of a sense of the ambient sound of cars and other background noise, and this is used not only so that we can hear the conversation better, but also so that the viewer know that they are on a busy road and also to make the scene have a much more realistic feel.
When we get a two shot of Tony and Sid, we see a car following in the background, this is the same technique in which is used at the beginning so that we can see an action going on in the background in which will inevitably effect the characters in the foreground. Fast pace music begins when the car behind beeps, so that we can tell that something dramatic and eventful is about to take place. The shot cuts to a close up of Tony’s feel on the gas pedal when starting the car, meaning the car is speeding up and therefore action is about to take place as the fast pacey music starts as soon as he does this. At the end of this particular action, the car chase, we get a close up of a foot breaking and the music stopping, letting the viewer know that the action has stopped. Music stops when action stops and this is a technique in which is used to cut tension
Amplified sounds of the car screeching when moving around a corner are also used, this is useful as it makes the scene more dramatic and it does this because we when we hear this it makes the audience more aware of what is happening, plus it is an extremely harsh sound which gives the feel of danger, and therefore more drama.
Non-diegetic sound is used when we hear the wheels are rubbing against the floor, this makes the viewer aware that the car will soon be in the action on screen. When we finally see Tony’s car on the screen again, suddenly the fast pacey music begins, it is almost a sound motif for the car and it also suggests action is about to begin again.
We also see a series of different shot types throughout the car chase, such as point of view shots so that we can get an awareness of what is going on from Sid and Tony’s point of view, we get more of an awareness of the danger they are in at this point as they are going reasonably fast in a car. The camera often stays static when the cars are whizzing past, and this gives the scene an element of speed.
Throughout the whole scene we see a lot of cuts, this is a fast pace sequence, there are many different shots with in a few seconds such as when the camera flicks from looking at one car, to the other to see the different positions they are in. We also get lots of match on action shots taking place such as when the cars turn a sharp corner or for example when we see the car disappear down the steps and then we get a head on view of the car coming towards the camera. We also get a long shot to the side of the car coming down the steps, and this enables the audience to see the coffin on top of the car bumping up and down and this brings an element of comedy to the scene, as it is quite a funny thing to watch, skins is a drama in which has an element of comedy in it, so this is extremely useful.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=pfDSLf9MAKQ

How are the techniques of sound and music used for effect in Hollyoaks

In this excerpt of Hollyoaks sound techniques are used in order to mainly build tension. It helps with the build up of tension through use of many different techniques such as amplifying certain sounds for more dramatic effects. An example of this is at the beginning of the excerpt when we here certain deigetic noises being amplified, such as the sound of the leaves rustling, this creates a build up of tension as we know they are in the forest and this could potentially be a place for danger, this amplified sound makes the audience aware that they are in a slightly dangerous situation, it is useful for dramatic effect. Max’s voice is also amplified during this excerpt, we hear him shout for Tom. This technique is used for effect because it instantly makes the audience more aware of Max’s fear at this moment in time, it also makes it knows that Tom is in a dangerous situation, this is technique is useful for a build up of tension here as yet again it makes us aware of a dangerous situation.

Diegetic and amplified sounds are also used when we see Max fall into the water, the splash is extremely amplified and we also here in detailed the sounds of the bubbles, the use of sound being amplified here adds to the tension that wants to be created, it also adds to the danger, it almost makes the audience seem as though they are in the situation themselves, because a close up of the water is shown on screen at the same moment we here the amplified splash, it makes it all seem much more realistic to the viewer.

The use of non-diegetic sound is also used for effect during this excerpt as after every time someone shouts or after a realisation that something dangerous has happened, we hear the sound of trumpets playing, now this sound is quite high pitched and actually quite jumpy, and at this moment in time it is exactly how the excerpt wants people to feel. You cannot see the trumpets playing, they are not actually part of the scene but the fact that you can hear them is still a factor needed within the scene as it useful to create a sense of drama. This music also gets faster and louder through out the scene to add to this build of tension. The sound of trumpets is also quite a creepy sound, it is quite alert, and this represents how the character of Max and Obe are feeling when you hear it. It is not necessarily a sound you here when you see a character which his up to no good.

Throughout the whole scene the music is generally quite synchronous, it doesn’t tend to sound out of place for example when Max is in the water and we see him trying to stay afloat the music isn’t light, calm or happy, it is generally quite fast, loud and very dramatic again building an extreme amount of tension when we hear it. The music then goes quite calm and sad when Max’s ‘death’ is apparent to the viewer. It is quite sad and reminiscent to suit what has gone on within the action. When action is happening the music generally goes quite fact to keep the audience attentive and to know that what is happening is eventful until we meet a dramatic climax in which the music has been building up to. We also see contrast when the action turns to sadness when the dramatic event has happened, such as Max’s apparent death here.

Sound Motifs are also used to full effect during this scene as when we see the character of Clare stood above Max and watching him drown, the sound of trumpets stop and the music changes to quite dark and weary music when we see her, this tells us even more so that this character is bad. The music establishes the fact that she is a character you should be quite afraid of within this excerpt, it establishes on top of what is scene on screen. It seems like when ever you see this character the music will change, making it a motif for the character of Clare. You will see that this type of music disappears when Clare has been punched, her sound motif disappears and the weary music stops. This therefore means that the characters within the scene are no longer in any danger as this character has been knocked out and cannot harm anyone, there fore her motif stops.

How are Camera techniques and editing used in this screened excerpt of shameless

A long shot of Frank is used, from behind to enable the audience to see his location, the fact that he is walking forward and with another person, it also lets us see his state, he is drunk and the long shot lets us see him staggering about. The long shot used here also lets us see a car moving slowly and up close to Frank on the road, it enables the audience to see that the car is following him. It the cuts to a point of view shot from the view of the person driving the car, this shot reinforces the idea that Frank, the character in this scene, is being followed. A tracking shot of Frank is then used in order to track his and the cars journey, because both of these are in the picture we therefore know something is going to happen.

As the car speeds up more point of view shots from the car driver are used to again reinforce the fact that the car is following Frank, but this time they are used to make it more understandable that the car is actually trying to hit him, when this happens as the car swerves it speeds toward the van, a match on action shot is used here to show the car speeding toward the van, and hitting it. A long shot is then used to enable the viewer to see what has happened.

Close ups are used also, firstly of Franks face so that it portrays his shock after what has happened, and also editing is used here; an eye line match is used to after we get a close up of franks face to show his shock, he is looking at something, we then see what he is looking at, his son Phillip, this reinforces also the look on Franks face.

Pace steadily builds up as Phillip the fight begins, cuts get shorter. The fast pacing here is used in order to show the audience that a lot is going on, also to keep the audiences attention as this is an important part of the story.

When the fight builds up, quick cuts to other characters that are not actually where the fight is taken place are put in. These are mainly medium close ups. These are used to show what other people are feeling; such as we see a medium close up of Sheila looking gout the house window in shock. It also establishes their location, such as these characters are witnessing the fight from the house. A fish eye shot is also used when we cut to other characters, and this is used so that the audience can get a look into Karen’s state of mind at this point she is confused and the fish eye shot shows this as the room is out of focus and unsteady, it represents her state of mind.

The camera seems as though it has become handheld when the fight begins, it is unsteady throughout, this creates a more realistic charm to the scene, it is almost like the viewer is there and also it creates the element of danger, the camera is unsteady there for things in the scene are unsteady. The camera then becomes steady one again when the main drama is over.

Many high angle shots are used in this scene, one reason is so that we can see that frank and Lip are fighting on the floor, this enables the viewer to see properly what exactly is happening, also we see a lot of high angle shots aimed at frank, this is to show that his level of moral is extremely low throughout this scene.

An extreme close up is used to show the viewer the state of franks face from what Phillip as done to him, it also give the scene more of an element of violence, we see blood all over the screen and somebody pressing a tissue on it to mop it up, we instantly no this scene is taking place after the fight. The fight has ended. A zoom out shot is also used here after the close up, so that we can see whom else is in the room and so that the rest of the scene can rake place. Editing is also used in this scene. We see an eye line match from frank toward Karen, and obviously the audience know why he is looking at her at this point, he can’t say anything because of the situation between the three characters.

How is Camera work used in this exerpt of Heroes

Firstly, the scene begins with a low angle shot looking down upon a character in a distorted vision, the character here seems out of the norm, the camera is held in tilted angles to show this characters confusion. Unsteady zooms are also initiated in this shot to put this to more dramatic effect. Tracking shots are used to follow the character so that we get into view a focus of a girl. This transition has slight effect of the super natural, which is why it used; to make the audience aware that what is happening is out of the ordinary.

We then zoom into a high angle, long shot of a girl, this is used to make the girl seem quite superior it is used so that the audience know that this character is dominant in the scene and has some sort of significance throughout.

We then see a close up of the girl’s hand on the stick shift; we instantly know that the girl is in charge here. She is in control of the car and the close up lets the audience recognise this instantly.
We then move on to see another close up, this time of a single wheel, this is significant so that we can see the speed of the car. We can see that it is going at a dangerous speed and that the scene could pose danger. Again, we see another close up. We see a close up of the speed inside the car so that this establishes the fact the car is going at a dangerous speed. All of these close ups have been put in place so that we know that this is a high speed seen we see them together, telling us about the high speed and seeing these all together builds up dramatic effect within the scene.

Two shots of the two passengers are used, switching between both characters when they speak. This is to enable us to see the conversation-taking place and also the switch in transaction creates a divide between the two characters. They are in a confrontation and for them not to be in the same frame a lot creates an air in which they are thinking in separate ways. Profile shots from the side are used to create the effect that the characters again are seeing things from a different viewpoint. The girl is facing forward and the boy is looking at her face.

A long shot of the car is then used so that we can see the whole disaster occurring and the damage that has been done to the car.
A low angle view of the car at the of the scene is also put in place, this again is to enable the viewer to see properly what has happened. Its is also used to give us a sense that the people in the car are hurt, a sense of death is there, we are looking down on them because of the state they are currently in.

How is camera work used in this excerpt of shameless?

The start of this scene begins with a deep focus shot with the character of Marty sitting in the foreground of the shot. This is in place to make the audience aware that the scenes concentration will be on this character. The shot also enables a sense of depth within the room the scene is taking place, so that you are able to witness a more private conversation-taking place in the background.
The scene then changes setting and closes in on a two shot, medium close up, this change in camera shot is so that we can see the different environment, in which a conversation begins to take place and also so that we can see in more detail, the conversation taking place between the two characters.
The next shot takes place in a room, with a high angle shot looking down on Marty. This is created to make the character that is alone in the room look even more isolated. The high angle shot is used in order to create the realisation that the character may be feeling quite low, hence us, the audience looking down upon him in this shot. This shot then jumps into a medium shot of Marty’s face, along with a loud noise in the background. The shot and loud noise go hand in hand here as it emphasises the characters anger at this moment in time.
The scene then shows a long shot of a car, in which the camera tracks. This suggests that there is a character of significance inside the car as the camera follows it. We then move on to a two shot of the two people inside the car, looking through the front screen, this is purely intact to show us the two characters that the camera is tracking and what they are doing, just so we know what is going on. The camera view then zooms out into a long shot, so we can see the environment that the events are taking place, so, basically to establish the fact it is being set in a council estate.
We then flick back to the scene inside the house in which Marty is, we see him running towards the camera, the camera here is static. The camera is in a static position as it creates a sense of urgency and also a sense of speed because he is running and the camera is staying focused and still. A repeat shot of where the static shot takes place then shows Fiona in the same place, this is to reinforce the fact that Marty has left and people don’t know about it.
A tilt shot is used to show the viewers Marty’s whole profile, and also to show us what he is carrying, and that danger is soon to come as it shows us he is carrying petrol therefore a threat of danger in enforced, this will capture the audience and creates more tension within the scene. The camera pans along the car yet again, and then jumps to a low levels shot, from beneath of the car from the audience’s point of view. This is to convey something similar to a horror film and to enable the audience to see the feet of the threat that is approaching. The camera view then seems handheld when we see the character pouring petrol over the car, the camera is unsteady here and this could to portray the characters unstable state of mind, or even to represent the tension and un control of the other characters in the scene over what is about to happen.
An over the shoulder shot tends to be used from now on. An over the shoulder shot is used firstly with the fire from the lighter dancing in the middle, between the characters, again this is put into place to reinforce the sense of danger. Also a series of two shits are put into place two show all the different characters reactions and feelings to what is going on throughout the drama. Medium close ups and master shots are also used between this scene to establish the setting once again, and also the positions of where everything is. We then move on to an extremely detailed close up of the lighter, this is to reinforce the impact and tension of the danger that may be approaching, another close up of Frank Gallagher’s cigarette falling into the petrol trail is used to show the importance of this happening, such as, the car exploding, in which is what everyone was trying to prevent from happening. After this dramatic event has taken place a series two shots are shown in order to see how people are feeling about the event that has taken place.
In conclusion, this scene of shameless, tends to use many two shots and medium to create the effect of being able to see how people feel and to be able to get an idea of the conversations and themes that are taking place during this scene. Use of high angle shots are used to make certain charecters seem isolated throughout the scene. Long shots and tilt shots are also used in order for the audience to see the whole picture, such as to enable us to see what the charecter was holding and what its significance meant and created for the rest of the scene. Alsoof long shots were used to reistablish the environment in which the scene was taking place, a council estate, and this is of course is what the whole programme is based around

Rebecca Scanlon

Genre and sub drama.

Dramas tend to be dived into different genres and sub dramas these include:

• Teen dramas: Often in place for teenage enjoyment, in which teeneagers can empathise with the issues taking place on screen. Programmes such as skins fall into this category.
• Soap operas: Your everday programmes in which arent set in a series, they are ongoing, such as eastenders
• Costume dramas: Often linked to classic novels or plays
• Docu dramas: Often document real events, they have a certain focus to them such as politically for example.
• Medical dramas: Along the lines of casualty and holby city, usually set in a hospital with a soap opera feel, with different stories and traumas taking place.
• Crime scene dramas: Along the lines of the bill, in which is set in a police station with different crim scenes, stories and traumas taking place, and we see how the charecters deal with it.

What is TV Drama

There is an extremely wide variety of TV Drama, and they fall under many different categories such as dramas in which you will watch on a daily bases, such as; Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. Also dramas which come in series, or are on your screens weekly including; One Tree Hill and skins, these dramas seem to vary in audience, you'll find more of a teenage audience viewing programmes such as skins. Whereas a wider range of audience will be viewing daily programmes like eastenders. Tv drama is something in which keeps the audience involved and engaged in order for them to tune into the programma on a regular basis. It is also a prgramme in which viewers can relate to in there everyday lives.

Media Concepts

Media Language i will be considering:

• Framing:
• Editing:
• Lighting: How different lights, sahdows are used to create a dynamic. Such as dark lighting creates mystery.
• Mise en Scene: Whatis in the full picture and why is it there?
• Sound: What effet certain sounds have.
• Representation: How things are presented through camera shots, type, mise en scene and so on.
• Audience : Who the drama is aimed at.

I will also be considering other things such as the form, style, structure, conventions and significance.

Introduction to TV Drama

This blog is in place in order to concentrate on different aspects of TV Drama. I'm going to look at how editing, framing, mise en scene, camera angles, lighting and more are used to represent how certain TV dramas are presented. It is also in place in oreder to study the many different types of tv drama from teenage dramas to daily soaps and put in place what i have learnt about camera shots and angles ect and learn why they have been put in place for different represatations; such as racial issues, drugs and basically how these problems are presented through film.
Here is a clip from skins in which i will do a short deconstruction:

This piece starts off with a high angle shot. Looking up towards what seems to be some kinds of Goldly figure in the window, with also extremely loud piano music playing along side this picture. We then see a black outline of a man in front of this, this is used to represent, through God being a very powerful figure and also the high angle shot put in place it may represent the importance of this character within the scene, or as this is the first episode of the new series.
Many static shots are used through out the scene to show the characters movements throughout, to generate there speed through there dancing, also many medium shots and close ups are used to enable the audience to see the character in which this scene in particular is focusing on.
The characters seem to stay low down during the scene, as much of the dancing takes place close to the floor. The camera is low down so that we can have a sense of communication between the characters and to also, see the detail of the dancing. The lighting is very dark throughout; to of course o along with the music of the dance, it seems quite loud, gothic and powerful.