Revision Recap
1. Start
the response as if you’re replying to a letter (or an email, if that’s the form
the brief in the exam takes) – and try to remember to sigh it when it’s
finished.
2. When you discuss the ideas for your show
and the storyline, you will need to say
a.
how
your show uses an ENIGMA CODE – i.e. how it sets up a problem to be solved or
an issue to be resolved – probably pre-titles, like CSI or the first episode of The Killing –
this will act as a hook for the audience.
b.
how it fits elements of Todorov’s narrative
theory – but suggest that you say how
there are a series of disruptions (e.g. putting a character in peril, like a
cliff-hanger) and states of equilibrium throughout the episode in order to
engage the audience so they continue to watch to see how things are resolved.
c.
how
it fits Levi-Strauss’ ideas about binary opposition. Remember, the idea is that conflict drives
narrative.
d.
you
should reference other shows you have seen or know about
3. When you discuss the two or three major
characters
a.
refer
to aspects of characters you have seen in other shows, especially those who
have been critical or commercial successes.
b.
Think
about the representational issues – try to have a strong female character or
character from an ethnic minority – although there are some good examples, they
do tend to be marginalised on television.
c.
you
could briefly refer to the other characters
d.
explain how they can fit into Propp’s character
theory – you may have to merge some of his ideas and you may not be able to fit
all types.
4. Remember that this is a popular genre across the age ranges, although its primary audience is often male, as reflected in the fact that the majority of the shows feature male lead characters. Not only are there many sub-genres (series that involve legal proceedings, like Silk or the historically set Garrow's Law; series that concentrate on forensics like Silent Witness or CSI; private detective series like Sherlock; series about criminals, like The Sopranos; series that take a broader look at law and order, politics and society, like The Wire) but there are also hybrid series that mix genres, like the paranormal investigations of The X-Files, or the comedy of A Thin Blue Line, or spy series like Spooks.
5. The timing of the show’s broadcast is important and the intention is that it should appeal to and be suitable for a family audience. This doesn’t mean no violence, just be aware that it should not be gratuitous. Guidelines state that the earlier in the evening a programme is placed, the more suitable it should be for children to watch without an older person. Programmes in later pre-watershed slots may not be suitable for the youngest children or for children to watch without an older person.
6. Therefore, you need to explain that crime shows have been criticised for too much violence and the possible harmful effect on vulnerable viewers, so you have toned down any violent content, EVEN THOUGH, LIKE MEDIA ACADEMICS LIKE DAVID BUCKINGHAMAND DAVID GAUNTLETT, YOU BELIEVE THAT
AUDIENCES ARE ACTIVE VIEWERS, ABLE TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO DEAL WITH
PROBLEMATIC MATERIAL.
5. The timing of the show’s broadcast is important and the intention is that it should appeal to and be suitable for a family audience. This doesn’t mean no violence, just be aware that it should not be gratuitous. Guidelines state that the earlier in the evening a programme is placed, the more suitable it should be for children to watch without an older person. Programmes in later pre-watershed slots may not be suitable for the youngest children or for children to watch without an older person.
6. Therefore, you need to explain that crime shows have been criticised for too much violence and the possible harmful effect on vulnerable viewers, so you have toned down any violent content, EVEN THOUGH, LIKE MEDIA ACADEMICS LIKE DAVID BUCKINGHAM
7. You must make sure that you have no more
than three long shots in the storyboards and ensure that the images you draw
match your shot description. You ought to have at least one high or low shot so
you can explain the significance of the camera angle. If you look at the editing
on the Scott and Bailey trailer, you’ll notice that straight cuts have been
used, but don’t shy away from using a dissolve to imply the passing of time.
You ought to increase the pace of the editing (i.e. make the shots shorter)
when you have an action sequence – and explain this. You’ll need one shot with
the show’s title and a logo for the Crime Channel.
8. Make it easier for the examiner: number
your shorts; put in the timings, camera angles AND distances
and any kind of explanation as
to why you’ve chosen that particular angle/distance and DON ’T FORGET
MISE-EN-SCENE!!!!
/ 9. Sound – crescendo = build-up of
sound/music so the audience can anticipate something happening; sforzando =
sudden sound to shock or emphasise a scream or some diegetic noise. Diegetic =
sound that comes from a source within the sequence; non-diegetic = sound
imposed on the sequence. If you want music, think how tempo of the music can
enhance the excitement of the scene. Remember: major key music usually
relate to love, hope, joy and pleasure while minor keys relate to mostly
gloomy, sad and anxious emotions. You won’t have to pick actual music, but you
could explain it in terms of the mood you want to convey – or you could stick
with fast-paced music to enhance a chase/action scene…
10. I
can’t stress enough how vital it is to look at a couple of websites – for CSI
and Sherlock, for example – to see how they are used to promote the shows. Look at various features, especially the
interactive ones that are used to engage the audience and give them a sense of
ownership so they will be more engaged and more likely to watch the show. Suggest
a twitter-style forum page. Look at the way they have links to social
networking sites – and check these out a home, because you will need to know
how they work. Look at the gimmicks these sites use –
clues about the show; information about the characters’ backgrounds; virtual
tours around locations; interviews etc etc.
11. In
terms of promotion, consider how the Crime Channel will have its own website,
which will have a link to the website for your show, which could have links to other
Crime Channel shows, so you are constantly cross-promoting each other.
12. Think
about uploading the trailer to Youtube.
Levi-Strauss and Binary Opposition – the basics: http://heworthgcsemediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/action-adventure-and-binary-oppositions.html
Propp – the basics: http://heworthgcsemediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/action-adventure-and-character.html
Todorov – the basics: http://heworthgcsemediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/action-adventure-and-narrative.html
Websites and marketing: Check out this site and steal ideas
liberally: http://www.tubbygaijin.co.uk/movies-tv/bbcs-sherlock-viral-marketing/
Language of websites – make sure you use the correct terminology!
•
Home page – the main /
first page
•
Branding – the logos,
images, graphics and colour-scheme which create the recognisable image of the
website / institution.
•
Above the fold – what
you can see on the webpage without scrolling down
•
Banner – a horizontal
section of the webpage, often with additional information or advertisements
•
Sidebars – a
horizontal section of the site, usually at the side of the page, often
containing separate or additional content.
•
Banner ads / scrolling
ads – adverts in banner form. Scrolling banners contain moving information.
•
Frame – an area for
specific content. A website will have several frames, each for different
content.
•
Grid – the layout of
the frames on the page, similar to the columns in a newspaper, but are more
adaptable.
•
Links – allow you to
navigate between different pages on this website, and to link to other sites.
•
Flash content – moving
image content such as film footage and animations.
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