Camera Work - Heroes Excerpt: Casino Scene

The scene begins with a close-up of the roulette wheel, this shows the setting, being a casino, and the main theme of the scene, being the roulette table. The camera then tilts and tracks forward towards the main characters. This transition is then followed by a medium two-shot; this shows how the conversation between the two characters is important. A slight zoom is then used on the chips to show the significance of them. Returning back to the two main characters, close-ups are used individually. This is used to display the emotions of the characters, one emotion being anticipation and the other being panic. A low-angle shot is then used to give the view as if you were the character. One of the main characters then begin to use his power, because of this there is a zoom up on his face, this shows the importance and the power in which he holds. A jump cut is then used to focus more on his face to show the intense concentration. The next shot used is a deep focus shot to a focus pull. This allows us to view the frozen roulette wheel then the frozen, floating ball. This shot is then repeated which represents its importance. Tracking and panning shots are then used to emphasis the special power and effects used. To finish, a two-shot close-up is used to how the main characters emotions. One character showing a shocked emotion and one character displaying a feeling of self-disappointment.

How Is Camerawork Used In This Excerpt of ‘Shameless’?

The excerpt begins with a high-shot of Marty. Marty is sat in a dark room by himself with nothing but street lights shining through the window. The high-shot is used to show the isolation and anxiety that his body language is displaying. This then jumps into a medium close-up. By doing this it shows the anger in Marty’s face. Marty’s mother then returns home with her new boyfriend in his car. Marty is visibly not happy.

When the car pulls up to the house, a long shot is used to establish the setting. There is then a two-shot close-up of the two characters in the car. This shows the intense conversation and flirting between the two characters. The camera then tracks the car, as it moves into a nearby alleyway, to show the significance of the characters and also takes the focus off Marty. However, the focus is soon back on Marty and a static shot is then used and as Marty rushes pass the camera, leaving the house. The urgency and determination is visible from the speed and expression on Marty’s face. He then walks briskly towards the parked car, a moving tilted shot is used to show the importance of the petrol canister that Marty is carrying. The camera view then jumps to under the vehicle. This is a low level shot and is positioned under the characters. This shot is used to show the danger that the characters in the car are facing and the threat that is approaching in the darkness.

As Marty pours the petrol all over the vehicle, the characters are shocked at this action, fling open the doors and rush out of the car. The camera then jumps to Marty again, as he produces a lighter and threatens to set the car on fire. This medium shot shows Marty’s angst, the state of mind and instability. There are then several two-shots and over-the-shoulder shots as the 3 characters argue and discuss the situation, with the lighter in constant view in the foreground to display the danger and power in which it holds.

As neighbours begin to gather, medium shots are used to show the frantic and concerned emotions of them all. A master shot is then used. This shot is used continuously through out this section of the scene to show the setting and the tense atmosphere surrounding the scene. Frank Gallagher, another main character, then comes onto the scene. He is holding a lit cigarette. After some over-the-shoulder shots, as Marty and Frank have a conversation, there is a close-up of the cigarette as Frank drops it on the ground. This shot is used to show the importance of the cigarette and adds to the narrative and tension. As fuel ignites and traces its way to the car, the boyfriend turns to face the vehicle in despair. The camera pans from the boyfriends shocked expression to the show the burning vehicle.

TV Drama Analysis

Name of Drama - Coranation Street

Broadcaster - ITV

Time of Broadcast - 7:30pm

Camera shots, Angles, Movement and Composition - voyeristic shot, close-up and medium shots, panning, eye level shots, longshots and medium, close-ups and over the shoulder shots.

Editing(Transitions, Effects, Match on Action, Pace etc) - movement in camera to show emotion, fast editing.

Sound, Music and Dialogue -still, all dialogue, background sound-traffic

Mise en Scene(Lighting, Set Design, Costume, Props, Colour Scheme etc) - representation in clothing set is designed like reality, natural lighting

What Makes a TV Drama?

- Multi-narrative
- Cliff hangers
- Twists in the stories

- Characters – particular characters which are easily identifiable – simple
- Stories – they all tell stories and often end happily
- Set in familiar backdrops e.g. homes, schools, police stations – mostly studios and outside locations too
- Verisimilitude – creating a sense of reality
- Camera work – medium shots, 2shots, over the shoulder shots, voyeuristic shots, close ups
- Stories told through the dialogue
- Music that punctuates the action
- Easily identifiable sub-genre e.g. police cars in a crime drama

What Is TV Drama?

Soaps
- Hollyoaks
- Coronation Street
- Eastenders

US – Way of Life
- Ugly Betty
- Desperate Housewives
- Sex & The City

Comedy
- Scrubs
- Friends
- Big Bang Theory

Expensive
- 24
- Reaper
- Lost
- Heroes
- Skins


Genre – types
Sub Genre – types in types

Media Concepts

Media language isn’t just language, it’s lighting, framing, editing, angles, sound etc

Form and style is a structure. Dialogue, effects and editing.

Convention – ingredients that form the structure.

Signification – everything means something. Colours, outfits, location etc. The SIGNIFIER. We tend to assume all signs are agreed.

Representation – how things are shown, how we want people to see things. Perception of reality.

Audiences – target audience. Does the media create the audience, or does the audience create the media?

Creativity – Ideas from personal experience into a structure.

In this blog, I will be analysing TV dramas such as "Hollyoaks", "Eastenders" and "Skins".

I will mainly be focusing on "Skins".