How is camerawork used in this excerpt of ‘Shameless’?

Two shots and deep focus shots are used first of all to show the main character in the foreground but also two other characters having a private conversation in the background. A medium-close up is then used to show a conversation. A high angle-shot shows isolation of a character which is then followed by a jump into a medium close up to show the anger of the character.
A tracking shot and a long shot are used for significance and to show the setting for the audience. The camera is hand-held to make the scene seem more realistic and to connect the viewers to the characters.
The camera is static with a character running towards the camera to show urgency and speed. The camera then moves with the character with tracking and establishing shots which then tilt down to show what the character is holding. A pan is then used to follow the character and follows the car. A low level shot is used to imply a threat. This technique is commonly used in horror films to show danger. This shot also shows the perspective of the people in the car.
A jumping and unsteady shot is used next to follow the petrol and to show the character’s state of mind and his instability.
An over the shoulder shot is used to show the importance of the character in the foreground and fast cutting is then used to show a sense of danger. Two shots and medium close ups are used regularly after this but they always return to the master shot to show where people are and what they’re doing.
A close up is then used of the lighter to show the importance and the danger. This is followed by and extreme close up using a central frame which continues to show the danger and it also shows the peak of tension. A close up is used again but this time of the cigarette to show the importance and that it will have something to do with the narrative. A pan shot then follows where the character is looking and finally a series of medium close ups are used to show the emotions of the characters.
Throughout this scene, most of the shots are medium close ups or two shots and the camera is mostly hand held. This is typical of Shameless and also many other TV Dramas.

Initial Analysis of Corrie (group discussion)

Camera shots, angle, movement and composition: Voyeuristic following conversation. Close-ups of speaking characters. Voyeuristic through window. Medium shot for dialogue. Panning as character looks for phone. Eye level shots- connection with character. Over the shoulder for conversation. Long shots. Medium long of all characters. Medium close up for speaking.
Editing: Move to close ups for reaction. Moves to phone- importance. Fast editing to match the personality of the character.
Sound, music and dialogue: Still and bland. Focus stays on dialogue. Traffic- outside. Amplified sound of cleaning a window.
Mise en scene: Character is represented by costume/clothing. Everyday, normal to represent reality. Natural lighting- ambiance.

Initial Analysis of Hollyoaks

Camera shots, angle, movement & composition: Panning shot following character. Wide, panned shot of character. Close-up of character's face. Over the shoulder shot during conversation between characters.
Editing: Panning shot continues into a circle, edit as full circle ends. Slow and soft to match mood of characters.
Sound, music & dialogue: Slow, sad music to match feelings of character. Dialogue muffled as the character is feeling upset, heard as if it was the character listening.
Mise en scene: Low lights, set in flat of important character, shirt and tie for police officer- important/serious.

Ingredients Of TV Drama

Something goes wrong.

Suspense - Cliffhanger.

Characters - Particular kinds of characters that are easily identifiable - makes them simple/accessible.

Stories - They all tell a story & often (but not always) end happily.

The stories are told against familiar backdrops e.g. homes, police stations. A lot of these are created in studios or sets. Most dramas also use outside locations to create particular effects.

Versimilitude - Creating a sense of reality.

Camerawork - Particular kinds of shots e.g. medium shots, 2 shots, over the shoulder shots, voyeuristic shots, close-ups for emotions.

Stories told through the dialogue.

Music that punctuates the actions.

Easily identifiable subgenre e.g. police cars in crime dramas.

What Is TV Drama?

US Dramas: Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Sex And The City.
Soaps: Hollyoaks, Eastenders, Corrie, Emmerdale.
UK Way Of Life: Skins, Shameless.
Expensive: Reaper, Heroes, Lost.
Hospital Drama: Casualty, Holby City.
Comedy: My Name Is Earl, The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Scrubs.

Media Concepts.

Media Language: Lighting, Framing, Camera Angles, Editing, Mise En Scene, Props, Sound & Music.

Form & Style: Structured. Structure of form and style. Style is important.

Convention: Ingredients to form structure.

Signification: Series of signs. Everything carries a meaning. Signifier - recognised signs. Assume that all signs are agreed upon. Signs open to interpretation.

Representation: How people/themes/images want to be seen. Seen in certain ways. Difference between reality and created reality.

Audiences: Mass media - need audience. More particular audiences. Target audience. What comes first - media create audience or audience create media?

Introduction

In this blog I will be commenting on TV dramas such as 'Eastenders', 'Hollyoaks' and 'Corrie'. I will be focusing mainly on 'Heroes'. Throughout the course I will be commenting on: Camerawork, Editing, Sound & Music and Mise En Scene.