Discuss the ways in which gender is represented in the clip with reference to camera shots and movements, editing, mise-en-scene and sound

In the extract from The hour gender has been represented in many ways, women and men have a different but similar impression and these are shown through camera shots and movements, editing, mise –en-scene and sound.

In the hour women are represented in two ways, one of them being they take charge and are hard workers, having an important role in the extract and in their job, but in the end all classes of women worship the men. In the opening scene it begins with a slow tilt from darkness, then showing a newspaper and then a mid-shot of a women typing on a type writer. The tilt going up to her face represents the highness of her job. This immediately shows her as an independent woman who is work orientated and a hard worker. We know she must be high up in what she works as because she is in an office by herself, so she has her own office. The mid shot focuses on her typing as shows the audience that she is working hard. She is wearing jewellery which shows that she is quite wealthy, this also backs up the point that she works hard to get her money.  An over the shoulder shot is soon after used by this you can see all the people working for her running around as she demands people to do as she says. The classy up beat non-digetic music represents her gender as it goes with the pace of her walking, it makes her seem in charge as she marches around as if she owns the place. She is dressed in a bright blue dress which is tight fitting this shows her sophisticated look and she stands out as everyone needs her because she knows the ins and outs of the job. Women are also represented poorly as the class changes, there is a clip where the women is waiting outside in the cold for the men, it is cold and dark outside as it is a night setting and you can see rain on the car, also the sign on the wall said OPEN LATE. The women are willing to go going out and wait in the cold and rain to wait for men, representing they worship the men. Also later on in the clip there is three girls waiting to assist the man giving him what he would like. They all run after him offering him food and drink. 

Men however are represented in a different way, as well as women they show they are in charge of what is going on, however have dominance over the women. In the first minute there is any men to be seen, this represents of the importance of there job that they are not the ones running after people but in the office doing the more important things, well that is what the audience thinks. One clip following is a cut in close up of the men pouring alcohol out and laughing having a cigarette  this represents how relaxed then men are as then cross cutting was used to show the enjoyment of men having back to the camera scene of people working hard. This backs up the fact that the men are being lazy rather than responsible as they are able to relax unlike the women. The next clip shows the man lying down in his arm chair, the non-digetic sound cuts off as she walks into the room of the man laying down, this represents the importance of men as it just focuses on him and his voice rather than any other distractions. As TV presenter turns up late this shows that he doesn't care because he knows people will be nice to him still. As he enters the building, women are constantly throwing themselves at him offering for help, this show the desirable and attractiveness he has towards women. a mid shot or long shot is shown at him usually within the extract so we are able to see that he is holding a cigarette and in a suit, the fact that he can run around with a cigarette shows he is important because he knows no one will question him.

In conclusion this shows that women are in charge up until the head man arrives, the men still have dominance over the women. The women are the hard workers however. This is all shown through mise-en-scene, editing, sound, and camera shots and movements.

Discuss the way in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound and Mise-en-scene to construct representations of relationships.

In the extract from the TV drama, cutting it relationships are represented in various ways, however the two main types of relationships are how close the couple are and the other main type of representation used to show relationship is secrecy. Contrasting from a loving, warm hearted relationship, to a closed and hidden background to the other side of the relationship. These are all shown through Mise-en-scene, editing, sound and camera shots.

The relationship of the couple seems to be very close and this is shown clearly in the opening scene to the extract. Opening with a mid shot, so the audience have a clear view of the couple as they sit in the back of a taxie. They both look very pleased, as the women leans her head on man smiling, this shows that she is comfortable with him and happy to have his shoulder for hard times. As he then leans into kiss her hand. The mid shot shows both of their expression and this is what the audience wants to see as this shows that they are happy and able to comfort one another, showing signs of how close they are. The next clip follows on straight from that shot is a cut-in of the womens hand reaching out to her husbands hand, the camera focuses on her wedding ring then to his. Through this we see the commitment in their relationship as they are married to one another and willing to spend the rest of their life with each other shows that they are so what 'soulmates', a special bond between them. The camera movement used from her hand to his was pan, the camera slowly moved from right to left showing both wedding rings. The slowness of the camera represents the steady long life they will be living together, as it focuses on the marriage they have. It represents there long future ahead of them. As she is in the hospital talking to the doctor cross paneling is used between her in the hospital and her husband sitting waiting outside, this represents although they are apart they are still thinking of each other and with each other in there minds, and this shows that they think of each other a lot because of there close relationship. In the same seen there is non digetic sound which is a love song, this represents how the couple are in love and this shows the close bond they have.

The other way relationship is shown in the extract is secrecy. Although the opening cab scene does show the closeness of there relationship, it also shows secrecy as they have a conversation about there relationship going well this time round, this shows secrecy as the audience have no idea what they're talking about, and this represents the past hidden relationship only the couple know about. During this conversation cross paneling closeups are being used to show the expressions on each other faces, as they both listen to one another they are looking away from each other not showing there real emotions, this shows they are trying to hide there emotions from one another for some reason. A bit later on when the women is sitting in the doctors room, the non digetic music covers over what the doctor is actually telling the women, this represents that either something bad has happened that she doesn't want the audience or anyone to know or it could be a lead up to a good surprise. This builds tension up for the audience and too have to wait and see what is going on. This is also a build up to when she has to tell her husband the secret not even he knows. Slow motion is used with a tilt camera moment, as the doctor is closer the private, confidential files that everyone wants to be revealed. The slow motion is building the tension on to emphasize how long everyone has actually been waiting to find out the secret. The tilt of the camera could represent her death as if the files could be life threatening and she would be going to heaven. This is also another secret she could be hiding. The doctors office is a very confidential place so this again represents the secrecy being held throughout the extract as we are not aloud to know. 

Over all, their relationship was split between the closeness between them and the secrecy shared between them. And this is all shown by mise-en-scene, editing, sound and camera shots and movements. They are all important as each other in this extract as they all suited for a specific effects.

Analysing camerawork in a documentry

Minutes from 3:17 to 8:17.
1. Camera shots which were used in this documentary:

• Point of view shot- Used various of times throughout documentary.
• Cut away- From going from real life clips back to Katie being interviewed.
• Pan- Moving along with what Katie is doing.
• Crane- Angle of footage.
• Zoom- Into picture s of katie.
• Cine-verite- footage of inncident.
• Framing- Into picture.

2. Does the camerawork add to the authenticity of the documentary?

Yes, it creates sympathy for Katie, involving slow movements of the camera, zooms into before and after pictures. Creates audience to feel and understand how brave she actually has been.

3. Does the documentary draw your attenion to the presence of the camera operator or does it attempt to conceal it?

The majority of the camera operater is very conceal as there is only slight movements. But certain things like zooming into picture is there to draw attention to what has happened.

Analysing camerwork in an action clip

This is the action sequence I used to answer my questions...

1. The types of camera shots used in this is:

• Point of view shot- when the women is looking at James bond. The camera glances at her then him.
• A cutaway- when James bong gets to the top of the digger.
• Pan- When filming James Bond run across the digger.
• Tilt- When he first steps onto the digger.
• Dolly shot- When the women is in the car being filmed.
• Zoom- When digger goes into train, only slightly.
• Depth of field- Digger and train.
• Hand held- When James Bond is working the digger.
• Steadi cam- Used variously throughout clip.

2. The importance of the setting and action was emphasised by the camera movement because it shows you certain things that even the actor may not know to create tension, and not knowing what will happen. Make it seem more realistic, for example when the hand held camera shot is used you feel like you are looking in and can feel what is going on. 

3. The effect of the camera shot choice is that it can make you feel like you are there and doing everything with them, because you have such a perfect view of everything. Make the audience feel alot more involved because you can see more that the actor and if not that then the same. It can build suspense and create the mood and setting. It tells you what is going on and where it is all happening. 

Discuss the way in which Some Girls uses camera shots, editing, sound and mise en scene to construct representations of generations.

The extract I will be looking at is an extract from Some Girls. The story is about a group of 4 teenagers who are best friends. Who are finding themselves and helping one another through the typical teenage life. In this extract Viva (one of the main friends is the main character). It is a comedy series. The extract includes split generation, one being the teenagers, and the other being adults (parents). This is what i will be looking about, generation.

(Sorry this paragraph includes both editing and camera shots)
The beginning of the extract is mostly made up of closeups and extreme close ups, this shows what the typical life of a teenager must involve, putting on makeup, doing hair, on their mobile. It is all a vital roll in showing the audience that there is already a clear division of teenage generation. The very fast wipes and fast cutting movements of the camera represents the fast lifestyles the teenagers are living in and how quickly there moods are changing from going closeup of one of the friends dramatically crying to then a mid shot of them jumping and dancing to the music. Where as as soon as the first adult is brought into the extract, it automatically shows the audience who is boss. As there the camera moves from a two shot back to over the shoulder shot. Using fast cutting movements showing the girls automatically go in a orderly fashion line and then immediately follow the teachers instructions. This automatically represents that adults are in control and although we have seen the girls as free living and doing as they please, when an adult is involved they follow instructions.Then as Viva finds out news she is very unhappy with, she storms out of the house, a 4 shot is used here showing Viva moody teenager face. As her dad sits on the floor with her brother playing video games. And the step mum relaxing. This represents the matureness that Viva has thinking she is able to move out but then the same shot with her father sitting there with no care, like he is the teenager. 

Mise en scene is used at the beginning of the extract as she applies her make up, doing her hair and putting on her uniform. We do not see Viva without her school uniform on and if we do she is wearing her pe kit. She has prefect badges on her blazer and this shows how responisible she really is even in the first 20 seconds we know this. So we know she is mature for her age. As she is doing her hair and makeup it shows that she cares about her appearence as she always has her hair perfect aswell. This shows that she takes pride in how she looks being a typical teenage girly girl. The extract begins with the sun hitting her face in the mirror, this lighting shows that it is the morning and she has prioritys in life to want to go to school, this is then backed up with when she says 'Noway will you catch me having a baby. Soon as i've finished sixth form i'll be off to uni'. This represents that she wants to aim higher than the rest of generation as overs are having babies at her age but she wants more than that. Also as she packs her banana in the morning she then hands it to the young mum because she hasnt had food. This represents that she should be the mum as she is paying the role of a mother, shows she is sensible and caring. Comparing all that to how her father is. Our first insight of him he is sitting down on a big one seater sofa, which should show he is 'man of the house' and makes all the rules. However we see other wise, as he is lounging back on the chair, wearing no shoes, jeans, and a opened shirt with a vest underneath. This should represent the responsible working adult however as we see he is playing a game on his mobile phone we think other wise. Viva says to him 'Would it kill you to make me a snack already' sounding very demanding, but his response was'I'm not prepared to take that rest' not even glancing at Viva. This shows that her and her father have almost swapped roles, as he is acting like he is the teenager slouching on the sofa whilst playing a game. And Viva comes in and puts her school bad on the work top to show she's had a day of work. However the Vivas step mum walks in with her floral dressing gown on and sits on the sofa demanding her to do things. This shows that her step mum is higher than her and as she is also Viva PE teacher as the warm up shes telling them what to do which shows her higher status in society.

Sound plays an important role in this extract to represent the generation differences. As the extract begins with an up beat, fast, energetic and modern song. This shows that the teenagers are very fun and energetic towards life, and don't want to do anything but party, as the song is a up beat dancy song. Video game noises are used as Viva walks in and out of her house, these noises back up the fact that he father is playing video games and not being responsible for what he has to do. The noises are loud so it shows how he uses them to block out noise and how stuck into the game he is rather than caring and taking interest in his own daughter. There is a long classical note used as Viva's step mum takes her towel off her head, almost like it is a sexual part of the film to show her attractiveness and importance. However it end with a short sudden noise to surprise the audience that it is in fact not a beautiful lovely step mum but a old teacher from her school. Putting sound into this bit shows the importance of her that she get her own little bit in the extract. It is then followed by with a song called 'Fuck you' this represents her mood and how she is a teenager, she is  not young and cannot use swear words, she thinks of her self being mature and responsible enough to use them. This also show her anger toward the other generation because the power of the older generation has led to her having to move out. 

What roles or jobs are there in TV drama?

Director- The person take overall responsibility for the creative, visual and sound aspects of a production.
Producer- oversees the entire production and brings together all the different elements and people.
Production manager- The person who manages the production budget and schedule.
Script editor- The script editor works between the writer and the producer to make sure the story crosses from paper to the small screen effectively.
Script continuity- To ensure each scene continues on from the previous one smoothly it is up to those working in script continuity to keep on top of the filming.
Researcher- Supporting the producer, you'll contribute ideas, contacts and sources, as well as interviewing possible contributors and writing briefings and reports.
Runner- Usually the first break in the TV industry, simply run around helping people with things like helping out with production, photocopying, any little things that need to be doing are done by the runner.
Make up artist- Although makeup artist may not seem like a huge deal in TV dramas, they can hold a huge role in making the drama as realistic as possible. Creating the right image for the character, and even make up to show injury's, illnesses (how the character is feeling).
Stylists- Stylists dress the characters in the correct clothing to show their characters personality, this gives the audience a good idea what the character is like before even speaking.
Prompt- If you forget your like the person is there to show you what you have to say.
Actors- Plays the roles of the characters.

Exam

Compare the way two TV dramas construct representation of gender.

All TV dramas have different characters shown to the audience in different ways, whether they are a humorous character or where just an evil manipulative character, the characters personality and how they are represented to the audience can vary very much in TV dramas to create the scene. The two TV dramas I will be looking at are Hustle and The killing. Both show large differences but again similarities to show the representation of the gender in the TV drama.

Camera shot play a key part of any type of TV to show the audience who is being watched and maybe why. In the TV drama Hustle the drama begins with a medium close up of the man Dexter, showing the glorious gold surrounding him in his large office. A stereotypical women ‘Blonde and blue eyes’ struts in but only to be able to hear her footsteps to but the camera is still on Dexter. This shows that the her as a stereotypical woman in heels, ready for business, but won’t show her as it leave the audience in suspense in who is making their way to the desk. A cut in extreme close up of the business card saying ‘Gold Hard Cash’ is shown for about 3 seconds, then the camera slowly makes its way up to the ‘sexy blonde’s’ face. The slow movement of the character represents the sexual attraction Dexter has towards women that come to his office as he pays a lot of interest towards her and delicately looks up the top half of her body and finally her face is revealed. Once the woman’s face is revealed the camera is automatically put back on Dexter, a medium close up with his wide eyes showing, as the camera hovers backwards and forwards/ zooming in and out. This represents almost a cartoon figure of a man finding an attractive lady very appealing. As If eyes are about to fall out. The camera then being put back on the women as she knows Dexter is attracted to her, she using her looks at her potential and raising her eye brows, the camera is on a medium close up. This is to show the audience how attractive she really is so they can understand the reaction of Dexter. He then goes into a fantasy dream where the camera shot is a point of view shot, this is as if Dexter is watching over her as she rolls around in the ruffled silky gold fabric. This shot represents the how men are supposedly higher up than women but is as the images of her are repeated next to each other with her smiling at the camera, it shows that the attractive women has taken Dexter’s gold and won her status over his. Her smiling represents she knows how easily she can get Dexter wrapped round her little finger. The scene ends in a medium close up shot of both characters separately, and then a mid-shot of the other women. This represents the power of the stereo typical beautiful women can use their looks to overcome other women’s status’ to get where they want in life. As the other woman chucks her pen down it shows she has no competition against her purely because she has no way of beating her.

However in the other TV drama I looked at similar/ or the same camera shots were used but in very different ways. In The Killing the camera view begins with a point of view shot, this is used almost the whole way through the clip. Unlike Hustle which point of view shot was used as a man fantasying over the women and the women taking charge knowing her looks are at her advantage to win her job. The Killing’s point of view shot is to set the eerie atmosphere, that someone or something is watching her; leading tension the whole way through the clip. The beginning of the clips begins with a mid-shot point of view as the women looks very confused in what exactly is going to happen. The camera slowly moves backwards as she walks. The slow movements of the camera represent the danger she is letting herself in for. The next shot is a wide shot this but the camera is angle on the floor looking up at her through the hanging meat. This represents that trouble is on its way, as something is looking through dead meat in a point of view shot, but her not looking over at the camera, therefore she is unable to see the person. This shows the advantage the other person has compared to the woman. Almost as if she should be crying out for help by this point. The angle being focused below her represents her being higher up and fierce in what is going to happen next. As the shot moves to a behind shoulder shot, of the trolley being shoved at her, this shows the strength of the other person has as she was almost knocked over it. But then again as she pushing the trolley aside and with even more strength, show the anger of her at this point. She behind shoulder shot is used whilst running as the camera shakes from side to side to create the effect to the audience that they are running behind, almost part of the chase. The clear shot of the man dressed in all black and showing that she cannot catch up with him shows that men are dominating and she is struggling as a woman. As they make their way into the club a point of view shot is done to show the panic of the search to find this man. But the extreme close up of other people’s faces in the club represent the loosing of the women. But as she continues and a mid-shot of the mysterious man dressed in black shows that she is catching up and winning her higher dependence over the man. As she continues to run a what looks like an abandoned part of the club and wide shot of the women down a corridor is shown. The shot emphasises the how long the corridor actually is and this represents the emphasis of the chance of her winning over the man. However the extreme close up cut in of the black door handle, as she find a door to go through, creates the tension of the scene. Creating the audience to think ‘has she finally found him’. The camera is on the handle for about 3-5 seconds, this creates tensions to what could be lurking behind the door. The shot represents how long she may have long to live, or how long she has until she has caught the hooded man. The shot with wide shot with both characters in show the man in standing higher up than the women. As he hits her round the head, the camera hasn’t moved, and she falls to the ground. The camera shot again doesn’t move. This shows that the man has won the chase, and he is more dominant than the women. It represents no matter what’s reinforced earlier on men will always have high ground/ be more dominant than women in society.

Something else that is important in TV dramas is mise en scene. This includes the characters, what they wear, what makeup etc. In the hustle Dexter the man is shown as a typical cockney business man. His fake cockney accent represents he has tried hard to get where he is today. Maybe suggesting when he was younger he was not a typical ‘ladies’ man’ and wasn’t accepted by the people he knew. So now he is a ‘try hard’ putting on a strong cockney accent to fit his business character, which he thinks would be more appealing for women. He wears a purple Shirt with gold tie, with quite a few gold accessories on him e.g. earring, ring, watch.  This represents his wealth, however the clashing in colours of purple and gold represent the clashing of his cheap looking (covered in cheap looking gold jewellery e.g. watch, ring, earring.) to what his business actually is, he earns a lot of money but what he wear clashes being he looks cheap (identity and business clashes). He is also bald which doesn’t seem very appealing to women at all; this could show the ageing of himself. With a grey/black beard on his chin. His shows he’s not as young as he makes out by going after younger women. He has no respect for women really, as he hasn’t even spoke to the attractive women Emma. Yet he pays a lot of interest for her. However with the other women in office he doesn’t even look at her when he asks for a cup of tea. Is demanding and rude.  

 

Ciara Singleton, Unfinished.               

How are social groups represented in a music video?

How are social groups represented in a music video? 

In the media social groups can be represented in many different ways, through text, images, the clothes they wear, their behaviour. But in music video's all of this can be seen at once, the few minutes that they are being filmed. The music industry is very big, therefore there are various of different types of styles of music to suit the particular/certain audience the band, singer etc want to attract. So, social groups are formed in music videos. This could be shown through class, race or gender. 

One social group which we as a audience see alot of in music videos are, Rappers. The men are represented as rich 'pimps' covered in head to toe gold and diamonds. They are represented as irresistible to women although they have little respect for the women. They show that they are irresistible by the showing the wealthy side to their lifestyle, filming their music videos in big mansions, with glass and crystal expensive furniture, and girls prancing round it nothing more than just their underwear. They are stereotypically usually known for being black gangster rappers. And if they are not in their huge million dollar houses, they are simply in the streets of rough rural areas of America; from where the majority have originated from. This represents the violent and criminal sides of the rappers, showing the audience that they are tough. They are represented as gang cultures when the music videos are set out on the streets. Usually wearing extremely baggy clothing, (jeans low down, trainers, and t-shirt and hoodie with chains). What they wear really show the audience what they are representing, as they are not from a rich high achieving background the majority of the time but have worked their way up to the top but still stay loyal and represent their home towns by filming their music videos there. 

Women can be represented very differently depending on who is in the video with them. If women aren't actually artists and are simply just models in the background, they are represented as a piece of meat for the male side of the audience to drool over. As they prance around in their underwear, they are being represented as sex objects and in a very derogatory manor. This is for people to be attracted and listen to the song and could end up really liking the video. Not only is it what the women do in the music videos but its is also the lyrics of the music video, they have raunchy lyrics and the women are they support what the music is saying as they use their body and face to attract men. e.g. in the video Strip by Chris Brown, he sings about girls in a sexual way but the women are represented as backing up what he is saying and represented as an easy target.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SUC8vTEYYg

However in some other music videos women are shown as very independent inspirational women, who are role models for teenagers, and women in today's society. Showing the complete opposite to what the other women in the other video's such as rap video's as i was just previously talking about. Some music videos can be very inspirational and show people what is right. In these music videos women are represented as a modern day women, independent and capable to do everything herself, working hard to get what she want and what she deserves. Helping others around them. E.g. Beyonce Knowles new single I was here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i41qWJ6QjPI
The video begins with a title showing how Beyonce wants to inspire people around her, and then as she walk onto the huge stay whilst millions of fans scream for her apperence, the light hight lights her curvaceous body,  this represents her as a real women who is showing how women should be, the light shining on her creates the idea that she is the perfect role model. She stand up right and strong to show her dignity. The music video is not just on her but on others who are suffering around the world, this really emphasises the fact that she represents kindness and selfless. She also sings with a strong powerful voice to show the power of the lyrics that affects the rest of the world. The camera flashes on the audience from time to time to show that she has infatuated the audience. 

Another type of sterotype is rock bands. Rock bands are represented as a living life to the full and not caring about anything but 'sex, drugs and rock and roll'. The music video usually consists of just simply the band, lights, and the stage with a excited enthusiastic crowd. The grungy rough, covered in tattoo's appearence, represents the rebelious lifestyle they live. They are represented as just to have fun and live life drinking and parting. They are not represented as the most wanted lifestyle for parents wanting the children to live, however all teenages want to living life like there's no tomorrow. The stomping around, heading banging, and the violent strums to the guitar and bangs on the drums, represents the aggressiveness and anger being let out through their music. The lighting on the stage with just no scenery but the instuments and wires running across the stay for techinical reason represent the simpleness of their music, using only music to entertain their audience. E.g. Reckless by You me at six. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmrmencS8GM&feature=relmfu

Audience Theories

Over the course of the past century or so, media analysts have developed several effects models, ie theoretical explanations of how humans ingest the information transmitted by the media texts and how this might influence (or not) their behaviour. 

1. The Hypodermic Needle Model
   This was the first attempt of audience theories and was suggested from around the 1920's. Attempting to explain how mass audience might react to mass media. It suggests the audience passively recieve the information transmitted via a media text, with any attempt on their part to process or challenge the data. This theory was developed in an age where the mass media was fairly new- radio and cinema were less than two decades old. Governments had just discovered the power of advertising to communicate a message, and produced propaganda to try and sway people to their way of thinking.
   
   Basically, the hypodermic needle model suggests that the information from a text passes into mass consciouness of the audience unmediated, ie the experience, intelligence and opinion of an individual are not relevant to the reception of the text. The theory suggests that as an audience are passive and heterogeneous ( a diverse in character or context). This is still quoted during moral panics by parent, politicians and pressure groups and is used to explain why certain groups in society should not be exposed to certain media texts, because they will watch certain things (e.g. sexual or violent behaviour) and will act it out themselves.
   It is almost like a needle (media) is being pushed and the poisonous contagious substance (what we see, read etc in media) into our head so we copy and repeat this in today's society.
   
   
2. Two-step Flow
   Paul Lazarsfeld, Benard Berelson, and Hazel Gaudet analysed the voters decision making processes during 1940's presidential election campaign and published their results in a paper called The People's Choice. Their findings suggested that the information does not flow directly from the text into the audiences minds but is filtered through 'opinion leaders' who then communicate it to their less active associates, over whom they influence. This diminished the power of the media in the eyes of the researchers, and caused them to conclude the social factors were also important in the way in which audiences interpreted texts, this is also known as limited effects paradigm.
3. Uses & Gratification
   Explained earlier on in blog.
4. Reception Theory
   In the 1980's and 1990's a lot of work was done on the way individuals received and interpreted text, and how their individual circumstances (gender, class, age, ethnicity) affected their reading.
   Encoding- Putting meaning into something
   Decoding- Working out the meaning of something.
   This work was based on Stuart Hall's encoding/ decoding model of the relationship between text audience- the text is encoded by the producer and decoded by the audience, and there may be major differences between two different readings of the same code. However, by using recognised codes and conventions, and bt drawing upon audience expectations relating to aspects such as genre and use of the star, the producers can position the audience and thus crate a certain amount of agreement on what the code means, This is known as preferred reading.

Conventions of a TV drama

What set of rules, codes and formulae does TV drama follow?

• Scripted, fictional narrative.
• Central characters.
• Often continuous story lines.
• Often familiar settings.
• Key themes.
• Verisimilitude (relatable, realistic settings, characters and story lines).
• Could be a one-off/ special, mini series, serial.
• Serials can be progressive story lines, continuing from week to week and developing across a series, or can be self contained each episode, despite featuring the same characters and settings.
• Distinctive style of directing/ shooting.

Shot Types

Extreme Wide Shot (EWS):
The view is so far from the subject that he isn't visible. Often used as an establishing shot. 

Very Wide Shot (VWS):
The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing him in his environment.

Wide Shot (WS):
The subject takes up the full frame, or at least as much as comfortably possible.
AKA: long shot, full shot.

Mid Shot (MS):
Shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject.

Medium Close Up (MCU):Half way between a MS and a CU. 

Close Up (CU):
A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.

Extreme Close Up (ECU):
The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail.

Cut-In:
Shows some (other part of the subject in detail).

Cutaway (CA):
A shot of something other than the subject.

Two-shot:
A shot of two people, framed similarly to mid shot.

Why do audiences enjoy watching crime dramas?

Why do audiences enjoy watching crime dramas?
People watch crime dramas for various reasons, simply because they find them entertaining, and relaxing way to spend there evenings. But there are other reasons such as; some people like to have thrills in there life, and that is what their lives are focused on, but also there are people who dont have enough thrills in their life, so they watch crime dramas for vicarious thrills. So that they dont have to live their life like that but get a thrill of watching someone else doing it. Or simply just because they would like a quiet night in watching tv, but dont want to be watching something boring but want to be kept on the edge of their seats. 

People may use crime dramas as a escape from their own lives. Going into their own little world trying to solve the mystery of the unknown events and in that hour or so can forget about anything on their minds, problems and their daily routines.

Also some of the audience could watch crime dramas for personal relationship, for example elderly people who do not have the strong relationships they used to have, therefore their lives have been focused around the crime dramas, interacting with the characters through the story going on. Because they are lonely and dont see their family as much or even at all. The crime dramas could be a way of having a relationships, feeling that watching the drama weekly could make them feel as if they know the characters and are part of their lives. And then not feel as lonely.

Personal identity could be formed by the audience, they may watch the crime dramas to see what is right and what is wrong. Finding out the conciquences of crime these days. They may also be doing crimes themself, and see what they are doing wrong and dont want to end up like the people in the crime dramas. They reflect their own personal life into the crime dramas and learn their moral behaviour and values. Seeing what is important in life.

Some people may watch crime dramas to show the difference in crime from what crime used to be to todays e.g.
Inspector George set in the 1960's is a more of a comedy friendly banter, between the police officers. They are dressed very smart and organised. 
However in more modern crime drama Good Cop, it is set around 2011. I found that it has a more rural approach to it with starting with a dull, dark setting with police sirens going off in the background showing the todays crime close up with inspectors have lack of respect for eachother. Looking down on people lower down in the job with no friendship bond. They are all casual and not very responsible. Where as in Inspector George the two inspectors had a close family, father and son bond, having respect to on another no matter how high up they are in the police industry. 

This shows that people may watch crime dramas to compare the difference in crime through out the UK in the last 50 years. Some people may prefer to watch more of a sutal crime drama e.g. like elderly people so therefore they may prefer to watch older crime dramas like Inspector George. But they also may watch newer dramas to show what is going on in the world these days as they may not be fully aware. It can help people to be more street wise, aware what actually could happen.

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Uses and Gratifications Theory 

During the 1960's were the first generation to experience and grow up with television. Then media theorist realized that audiences made the decisions on what they have watched on television. Although we are all do this subconsciously, as we are all individuals, we all consume texts in different ways and for different reasons.

In 1948 Lasswell suggested that media texts had the following functions for individuals and society:

• Surveillance
• Correlation
• Entertainment
• Cultural transmission 

Then in 1974 researchers Blulmer and Katz expanded this theory and published their own theory. Stating that individual might choose and use text for the following purposes...

Uses and Gratification 

• Diversion- Getting away for day to day life problems and routines.
• Personal relationships- Using media for emotional and other interactions. E.g. substituting soap operas for family life.
• Personal Identity- Finding something that relates to you in the texts, learning behaviour  and values from texts.
• Surveillance- Information which can be helpful and useful for day to day use in life. E.g. Weather reports.

T.V Scheduling

Dramas series are very popular in UK and any where else in the world. Dramas have formed a very important part in the schedule. As many top-rated programmes are from the genre drama. So a wide proportion of the TV guides are scheduled to drama soaps, series etc. As dramas can be a good family entertainment as well as addictive company in people day to day lives.

One-off dramas are usually quite rare now, but producers a one off drama when they feel it is appropriate E.g. 'Dirty War' after the terrorist attacks in London. They are usually scheduled on TV during the anniversary of important things that have happened in the past, e.g. 9/11. Also they are usually on at late evenings, from 7-10pm. Purely because they are usually on more important situations that have accured. Therefore they have more of a adult viewing.

Drama series are a regular genre found on Television at the moment, purely because they are a weekly set of episodes. They are usually scheduled through out the day, however most likely to be found early afternoon and on wards. This is because once every one has come home from a days work, school, college etc, they can sit back and relax watching weekly/daily entertainment. However more rural programmes, these are usually scripted to be set in early afternoon, for more elderly adults because that would be the time they would be sat down watching TV. Dramas series have an audience which varies very widely. Usually from early teens right up to 80's. Mainly people who don't have as much on as someone who has a work filled lifestyle and are very busy. It can be quite a family audience. I think teenagers from 13 right up to 19 years of age, might be a big percentage of the viewings because it is part of the daily life to have dramas and ciaos, so they can relate to the episodes on. 

A helpful website for media dramas...
http://www.slideshare.net/jontowlson/tv-drama-formats

Examples T.V drama

These are some T.V drama genres I have researched...

• Soap opera-
A soap opera is a T.V or radio drama series of typically day to day events of characters living in the same place.
E.g. EastEnders, Hollyoaks, Coronation Street.

• Costume/period drama- A costume/period drama is a T.V or film production which is set in a particular time period, where characters dress up and use props to fit the time period.
  E.g. Downton Abbey, Robin Hood, Emma.
  
• medical/emergency-
  A medical/emergency dramas is a T.V programme which is sent purely around helping and saving the lives of people in and out of hospitals.
  Casualty, Doctors, Holby city.
  
• Literary adaptions-
  Literary adaptions dramas are an adaption of a novel to a drama.
  The only way is Essex, To kill a mocking bird, Sin city.
  
• Crime drama-
  Crime dramas are dramas which focus on the lives of criminals, what happens in court rooms, and police stations. Based on crime scenes.
  The bill, Heartbeat, Sherlock.
  
• Contemporary melodrama-
  Contemporary melodramas are T.V programmes which have exaggerated stories, characters and situations.
  E.g. Lemon la vida loca, Glee, 90210.
  
• Comedy drama-
  A comedy drama combines the elements of comedy and drama. So that the programme has both humorous and sometimes serious content in it.
  E.g. Misfits, Shameless, Beaver Falls.
  
• Sci-fi /fantasy-
  Sci-fi/fantasy dramas are a genre which focus on the supernatural world, dealing with imaginary and futuristic stories.
  E.g. Doctor Who, Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

• Spy drama-
  Spy dramas are a mixture of action and thriller genres. Deals with a fictional stories but putting them in a realistic situations.
  E.g. Spooks, Hunted, Spy kids.