Sound in TV Drama Analysis

• Throughout most of the clip, there is absence of soundtrack which creates a feeling of awkwardness as there is only silence
• In the dialogue, the characters do not always finish their sentences which shows that they themselves are uncomfatable with the situation and draws attention to the boys disability.
• Sound effects -  The locking of the door highlights the boy's nervousness, there was most probably a microphone on set to amplify the sound so the audience and character could hear it, we cut to a reaction shot of the boy after the sound effect takes place, obviously showing that he has heard it.
• The scene of the father in the car, sounds represent his feelings of anxiety and protectiveness for his son. Firsty he turns on the radio which plays completely inappropriate music, then we have sounds of the electric windows and him moving his chair back and forth.
• At the end of that scene there is a sound bridge, the music continues into the next scene
• The music is slow and quite sad which emphazizes pity on the disabled character . The main instrument used is a harmonica which does create a very depressing noice

Editing

• There is an eye line match which creates some awkwardness when handing over the money. 
• When she asks we see her look at both characters as if she does not know who exactly to ask. Here there are shots of all three of them including one of the father looking quite clueless until his son tells him what to do.
• When he does ask for it, the father has to look for the envelope where there is an awkward silence while he is going through the bag.
• Action match shot as the father takes his son out of the wheelchair and another where he puts him down on to the bed.
• Shot reverse shots draw attention to feeling of vulnerability, 180 degree rule is used.
• The pace slows down towards the end of the clip and each take becomes longer which creates an uncomfortable feeling.  
• There is a shot of the father looking up at the building, then a shot of the building itself which is saying he is feeling anxious and protective for his son.
• While he is in the car there are jump cuts which causes discontinuity. This further suggests that he is nervous for his son.
• Then there is cross cutting back into the building which implies it was all taking place simultaneously
• The editing privileges the master shot where it shows the girl on top, establishing that she is in control of the situation.   

Camera analysis of "Monarch of the Glen" clip

• First scene - Dolly shot so we can see the characters and the tools they are using, we see that they are all middle aged men who are all experienced at their work
• Second scene - Starts from a middle shot of Amy to an over shoulder shot. The medium shot allows us to see clearly what clothes Amy is wearing which helps establish her age.
• When she is in the car, the close up is necessary to show her confusion on how to drive it.
• A wide shot is used to establish a new location and to, of course, show the damage done to both cars.
• As with Amy, a mid-shot is used on the teacher to show his costume suggesting his age, and perhaps profession.
• Camera pans up and down between Paul and Amy which shows the differences between the characters, such as the height which can suggest authority or intimidation.
•  Throughout the argument between Paul and Amy, the camera is always on Amy's eye level as if the audience is in Amy's position which makes us understand more what she is feeling. The camera position also causes the audience to really see the height and age difference between the two.
• Now that the camera is on Amy's eye level, it may change the audiences attitude towards her. At first we see her lying that she can drive a car but immediately after she crashes and we find out she is in trouble, we go straight down to her level which might make us feel sympathy for her.
• In the scene in her bedroom, the camera tilts down to her bed and shows her possessions including magazines, teddy bears, further suggesting her age. We then see a goodbye note she has written and the camera pans to the right to reveal another.
• Then there is the view into her room from outside in which the camera slowly tilts down to reveal that she has escaped through a window. The fact she has escaped through a window tells the audience that she has run away.

Mise en Scene Analysis

How does the Mise en scene help construct the representation of age?


Costume

• Younger characters wearing casual clothing.
• Head master is shown with old fashion clothes - tweed jacked, v neck jumper and striped tie - makes him look like the classic strict teacher.
• Older characters seen to be dressing less casual, perhaps their work clothes.

Props

• Brandy - Stereotype of older, maybe upper class, person.
• Magazines, teddy bears, decorations round her mirror and notes with childlike writing in Amy's room may suggest immaturity, however does have photographs around her room which seems like something of an ordinary teenager. 
• Through the montage sequences, we see the men using tools of labor which suggests they are very experienced in working on the farm.

Body language

• When confronted by her teacher, Amy has a infantile reaction to it and goes to hide behind Paul, like a child would do with their parents.
• The argument between Paul and Amy is a typical one between an adult and teenager. Paul points out his finger while he punishes her and puts his hands on his hips when he tells her to leave. Amy then tantrums by throwing her arms in the air and storming out of the room. 

Settings/Location

• The office - Old fashioned and dark, is almost completely made up of wooden surfaces and uses low key lighting which causes it to look gloomy. This highly suggests it belongs to a middle aged person and obviously not to a teenager or even a young adult.

Stereotype of 'Cop' show - "Life on Mars"

In this clip from the UK series of "Life on Mars", the stereotypical police officer is shown through the character of Gene Hunt. Hunt represents the 'bad cop' that is seen in most police dramas. In the first few seconds of the video, he is shown to be aggressive by grabbing the criminal and threatening him while Sam Tyler, who represents the more good cop, tries to hold him back. Hunt is usually ordering and impatient especially when danger surrounds him or his colleagues, so this does mean he cares and isn't completely without compassion. He is never seen to be scared or nervous, even in the gravest of situations, as when Tyler tries to defuse the bomb Hunt just calls out "No rush Tyler!" This also shows that he is not concerned that Tyler is nervous and is not worried about putting him off.

Media: Key Concepts

Exam:
Part A: Media Language, Representation
Part B: Audience, Institution

Part A:
Media Language

• Cinematography
• Editing
• Sound
• Mise en Scene (everything in the scene)

Representation

• Age
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Sexuality
• Regional Identity
• Ability/Disability
• Class/Social Status

Part B: Studying the relationship between the people who produce, distribute and exhibit films.