1) Choose at least three TV dramas similar to your concept and watch at least one scene from each. Make bullet-point notes on everything you watch, commenting on camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.
The scene uses high and low angles between the suspect and detective to position the suspect as vulnerable and inferior to the detective communicating that the detective has the power over the suspect during this scene. As the scene unfolds we see the use of over-the-shoulder shots being used to portray the dialogue between the suspect and the detective. The suspect communicates to the audience as 'dangerous' or suspicious due to the use of mise-en-scene of his costume such as his tattoos, his cropped sleeved cargo vest, his stubbed beard and the possible burn marks on his forehead all communicate that he is a potential threat in the show. The detective wearing a shirt with a tie connotes the conventions of a detective in a crime drama which is to see them as intelligent and professional in their role. There is diegetic sound of the dialogue and foley sound such as the chair scraping against the floor. However, there is also non-diegetic sound of tense music slowly building up to the moment in climax where the detective starts hitting the suspect.
The scene uses over-the-shoulder shots as well to establish the dialogue between the characters who are finding out the murder. The scene also uses a zoom in into the characters faces to so that we can get close-ups of their faces when they realise who committed the murder. The mise-en-scene of the antagonist/murderer is her dressed in all black clothing attire which communicates that she is the villain and that she is the murderer. There is diegetic sound of the dialogue as well as non-diegetic sound of the music that is building up the the moment the main characters realise that their friend is in danger with the murderer. We also see the extract ending on an enigma code as we see the friend who's in danger nose bleed which connotes that the character is in danger and threatened by the murderer.
3. Stay Close 0:39-1:02
The scene opens up with 2 abnormally happy characters who are dressed smart in bright colours which subverts the stereotype of villains/antagonist dressing in dark clothing or the idea that they try to disguise themselves, we hear diegetic sound of the dialogue between the character who is being harassed and the two twins, then when the scene cuts to the victim being punched, non-diegetic sound starts playing of tense music which is an example of parallel sound as the music matches the act that happens in this scene. In this scene we see shot-reverse-shot being used whilst the characters are in the middle of dialogue. We then get an over-the-shoulder shot when we see one of the twins heading towards the victim to punch them as if to position the audience in the same position as the victim.
2) Write a script for your TV drama scene. You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional TV scripts). Lay it out like a real script (see right) - it will add a level of professionalism to your production.
INT. EMPTY GARAGE
James sits tied to a chair whilst Inez silhouette enters the garage.
James
What do you want from me?
Inez slides a photo of Betty onto the table.
Inez
I know you killed her.
James
You heard the police, it wasn't me she killed herself.
Inez
Stop lying to me James, I know you did it, you think I didn't see how you treated her. How you became bored of her,left her out in the dark like she was nothing.
James
Listen, just because it didn't work out between us doesn't mean I would kill her, I didn't do it, I swear. She probably went crazy after our breakup being the mad woman that she was.
James starts coughing up due to drinking water that's been poisoned.
Inez
Oh no, I apologise if tap water isn't your cup of tea.
James
You…… psycho……
Inez
I'm a what, sorry could you say that again I couldn't hear you the first time.
James
You're…… a……
Inez
Someone can't get their words out, it's okay James, sweet dreams in hell.
Inez drags his lifeless body away.
3) Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here.
Shot No. | Shot | Filmed? |
1 | Close-up of water pouring into cup | yes |
2 | Slow zoom out whilst water is pouring | yes |
3 | Cut to birds eye view shot of water being poured into cup | yes |
4 | Back to the slow zoom out of water being poured out | yes |
5 | Medium shot of James waking up | yes |
6 | First person medium shot of the glass of water being taken away | yes |
7 | Pedestal shot to show James tied up | yes |
8 | Close-up birds eye view shot of water droplets in glass | yes |
9 | Medium shot of James taking the glass of water | yes |
10 | Match on action of James taking the glass of water and drinking it | yes |
| Shot No. | Shot | Filmed? |
11 | Tracking shot of James drinking the water | yes |
12 | First person shot of Inez opening the door to the garage | yes |
13 | Medium shot of James hearing the door slamming shut | yes |
14 | Wide shot of picture of Betty being slid onto the table | yes |
15 | Slow zoom in on the picture of Betty | yes |
| | |
4) Plan your mise-en-scene: what iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. For this preliminary task, use just one location to keep it simple.
Cast members in scene: Inez and James
Costume: Inez- flare jeans (popular in the 1990s), biker jacket. James- baggy jeans,windbreaker.
Make-up: Only Inez will wear light, feminine make-up in this scene.
Props: Photo of Betty which Inez will show to James during the interrogation scene.
Lighting: Low-key lighting to establish the crime drama conventions, back lighting to create a silhouette of Inez whilst she's talking to James.
Setting: Empty garage setting.
5) Plan a shooting schedule that will ensure everything is filmed by the deadline. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location.
When: Tuesday around 6pm
Where: In my garden that I've constructed to look like a garage.
Who: Me playing the role of Inez, my brother playing the role of James.
Preliminary Exercise Link:
Comments
Post a Comment