TV Drama technical terms

Having marked your essays I think it is time to revise some technical terms and key vocabulary needed for Section A in particular

Here are some definitions of the key words... Please use this handout when writing your essays for class to ensure you are using the correct terms and that you spell them correctly!

Tv drama tech terms handout

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Editing - what am I looking for ?!

People are getting a bit worried about this area. Do not pre-occupy yourself looking for complicated editing techniques - the likely hood is that the extract will use very simple cuts, etc. Instead, consider the following: 

You must look to see how the following are manipulated:

•        Pace
•        Manipulation of time
•        Perspective/point of view
•        Control of narrative

Also consider the hierarchy between the characters. Who is the main focus of the sequence? You can work this out by looking at:

•        Relative screen time
•        Number of MCU or CU shots
•        Eyeline shots
•        Reaction shots
•        Control of shot/reverse shot
•        Motivated cutting

Make sure you use the term "cut" or "cutting" in a sentence when explaining the transition between shots rather than any other terms. For example: 

"We have a series of quick cuts between the protagonist, James, shot in Close Up and the women that surround him, that in contrast are framed in Medium Close Up." 

which is better than: 

"We flick between James and the woman that surround him who are in Medium Shots." 

"We jump to different shots of James and the girls next to him."

Analysis of a TV Extract

Using your notes from lesson you should answer one of the following questions:

 

TEACHERS

Answer the question below, with detailed reference to specific examples from the extract only. 

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of age using the following:

• Camera shots, angles, movement and composition 
• Editing 
• Sound 
• Mise-en-scène

OR

SHAMELESS

Answer the question below, with detailed reference to specific examples from the extract only. 

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of class/status using the following:

• Camera shots, angles, movement and composition 
• Editing 
• Sound 
• Mise-en-scène

First Analysis

Discuss the representation of AGE within the sequence from Skins, with reference to the use of:
Camerawork
Sound
Editing
Mise-en-scene.

Editing Techniques Explained For Dummies

Here are the examples from last year for your editing techniques task - enjoy!

Editing - Cutting

Here is the presentation from the lesson. See below the movie clips used.

Editing cutting

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VIDEO CLIPS FROM WITHIN THE POWERPOINT (and a few extras from Bond!):

Shot reverse shot




(from 00:20 - 01:05)


Action Match






Graphic Match




Insert Edit




Cutaway

 


Parallel Editing






 Jump Cut

 

Key Terminology - Editing

This is the key terminology you should be aware of:

EDITING
•Cutting: shot/reverse shot, eyeline match, graphic match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel editing, cutaway; insert.
•Other transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe, superimposition, long take, short take, slow motion, ellipsis and expansion of time, post-production, visual effects.

Textual Analysis Task

Here is the work from the lesson on Monday 17th February 

Discuss the ways in which the following are used in this extract from Pirates of The Caribbean:

• Camera Angle, shot, movement and position
• Mise-en-scene
• Sound

Consider the ways in which character, relationships, gender, age and status are enhanced through the technical elements

Your finished essay should be handed in after half term

Sound in opening of"Life on Mars"

In the lesson we discused the opening of Life on Mars, Series 1, episode 1, Here are some of the key points mentioned:

The use of music to create tension in the opening titles. The sound is almost "mechanical". This contrasts to the softer string instruments used in the score that are used when Sam and  Mia are talking later in the extract - this gives a sense of romance and emotion to the dialogue.

The strong use of diegetic sound - doors closing, sirens, the banging are prominent in the soundtrack (over amplification).

The use of non-diegetic sound (under scoring) to create tension and atmosphere throughout.

The use of asynchronous sound after the car accident to enhance the feeling of him going into a "dream like state".. well... a coma, anyway. These include heartbeat, medical operation sound effects, sirens, voices, distorted iPod sound and a sound effect that is representative of a defibrillator.

The use of music - Life on Mars - gives the 70s context and also has other meanings. There is a sound bridge as the music moves from non-diegetic to diegetic (car stereo) helps to bring us into the reality.

If you can, watch again and see how the sound works with the visuals to create meaning to the audience. How does it make you feel watching it?



This clip below shows the immediate impact of the accident and afterwards, including the sound bridge!

Sound - an overview

The two key sound terms you must be able to identify are: 

•Diegetic - that which “naturally” occurs in a scene

•Non-diegetic - that which is added for the viewer

Remember  that virtually all sound in a movie/TV programme has been deliberately put there, since most of the soundtrack has been compiled from a number of different sources, or just simply re-recorded 

The following video clips will give you a little insight into the work that goes into creating sound in movies in particular. You are not required to know the ins and outs of all of this but rather this is for your information and interest. Its really fascinating (i think so anyway) to see the level of detail that goes into making film sound. Of course TV has a much quicker turn around but they still use many of these techniques. 




SOUND DESIGN FOR KING KONG

Sound effects are recorded by technicians in the Foley Studio, using a wide number of techniques....

Sound effects editing and design: 

Dialogue often has to be replaced (ADR) - 

The score is often a vital storytelling technique: 

And of course the real work goes in when you mix it all together !

Key terminology - Sound

You need to ensure you understand the following key terms and include an explanation in your notes: 

Diegetic and non-diegetic sound; synchronous/asynchronous sound; sound effects; sound motif, sound bridge, dialogue, voiceover, mode of address/direct address, sound mixing, sound perspective.

Soundtrack: score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient sound.

There are examples of each in the Life on Mars extract and in the work that is to follow.

Mise-en-scene analysis

Using the pictures below you need to analyse FOUR of the screen grabs in terms of Mise-en-scene. What is the connotation of the SETTING, COSTUME, LIGHTING, MAKE-UP, PROPS and EXPRESSION?

Key terminology - Mise-en-scene

This is the key terminology that you should be aware of :

MISE-EN-SCENE

Production design: Location, studio, set design, costume & makeup, properties (props)

Lighting; colour design

Mise-en-scene and Lighting

This is the presentation from the lesson:

Mise en scene

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Camera Movement

Some examples of Camera Movement are set out below but make sure you refer to the key terminology post  as you must make sure you understand them all. 


Tracking


The tracking shot - this can come in several forms, from behind, in-front or sideways (when it’s known as crabbing) It is known as a tracking shot from the use of train type tracks to run a camera smoothly - look for the tracks in use in the clip below

In the clip below there are two different examples of tracking (once Bond gets out of the helicopter) 

This is an example of "Crabbing"

In the past, tracking shots would have been done exclusively with tracks or a “dolly”, a wheelmounted camera, but now steadicam is used extensively, a hand-held gyroscopically balanced camera which moves smoothly - you can see a steadicam in the clip below: 

Panning

This is when the camera rotates from left to right from a fixed position

Remember there are a number of different effects that camera movement can have on the audience. Your job is work out why the director/cinematographer has opted for a particular choice of movement. Is there a reason to Zoom in rather than track forward?


In the clip below see if you can identify a range of shot types, angles and camera movement. Furthermore what effect do the range of these shots have on you as the audience. The opening shot is an excellent example of a crane shot

Key terminology: Camera shots, angle, movement and composition

You should be able to identify and understand the following key terms: 

Camera Shots, Angle, Movement and Composition

 Shots: establishing shot, master shot, close-up, mid-shot, long shot, wide shot, two-shot, aerial shot, point of view shot, over the   shoulder shot, and variations of these.

 Angle: high angle, low angle, canted angle. 

 Movement: pan, tilt, track, dolly, crane, steadicam, hand-held, zoom, reverse zoom. 

 Composition: framing, rule of thirds, depth of field – deep and shallow focus, focus pulls.

Basic shot types & angles

In the presentation below you can see examples of the basic shot types that you will need to identify in the exam. Remember its about WHY they are used and the effect they have on the audience that is important.

Basic shot types & angles

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About this Unit - What the Exam Board says

This is what is written in the OCR Specification about the written exam and in particular SECTION A: 


The purpose of these units is first to assess candidates’ media textual analysis skills and their understanding of the concept of representation using a short unseen moving image extract (AO1, AO2); second to assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of media institutions and their production processes, distribution strategies, use of technologies and related issues concerning audience reception and consumption of media texts (AO1, AO2):

The examination is two hours (including 30 minutes for viewing and making notes on the moving image extract) and candidates are required to answer two compulsory questions. The unit is marked out of a total of 100, with each question marked out of 50.

There are two sections to this paper: Section A: Textual Analysis and Representation (50 marks) Section B: Institutions and Audiences (50 marks)


Section A: Textual Analysis and Representation

An ‘unseen’ moving image extract with one compulsory question dealing with textual analysis of various technical aspects of the languages and conventions of moving image media. Candidates will be asked to link this analysis with a discussion of some aspect of representation within the sequence.

The moving image extract will be provided by OCR in DVD format, with full instructions for the administration of the examination, viewing conditions and note-making time. Centres must prepare candidates in advance of the examination, using a range of examples from texts from the genre stated below, to demonstrate textual analysis of all of the following technical areas of moving image language and conventions in relation to the unseen extract:

 Camera Angle, Shot, Movement and Composition
 Mise-en-Scène
 Editing
 Sound

The focus of study for Section A is the use of technical aspects of the moving image medium to create meaning for an audience, focussing on the creation of representations of specific social types, groups, events or places within the extract. It is not necessary to study the history of the genre specified. Centres should use examples of the genre specified with their candidates to prepare them for undertaking unseen textual analysis.

For examination in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012:

The unseen moving image extract will be four to five minutes long and will be from the following genre:

TV Drama

The sequence will be taken from a contemporary British one-off or series or serial drama programme.