Group Planning: Decision

Name:

After alot of debating, we decided to go with 'The Bargroves'.

Channmel: BBC One
Time: 18:30

The reason that we decided to be on the BBC was to compete with Hollyoaks. As Hollyoaks is usually on at 18:30 Monday to Friday,

Our Group Roles:
Me (seb): Storyboards, Shot List, Camera
David: Location Photo's, Music
Dalian: Storylines, Editing
Philip: Project Manager

Group Planning: Our Pitch and Feedback

As we hadn't really planned much at the time of the pitch, we were really badly prepared.  To begin the pitch, we outlined each other’s individual roles for the duration of the project and mentioned the channel and time that we would like our show to be aired (18:30, BBC).

We assigned each group member a section to explain about our soap during our pitch.

Me: Soap name and channel, our individual roles (editing, filming etc.)

Dalian: Target audience and editing specifications

David: Location photos and specific music

Philip: What characters we have in mind.

Feedback:

The feedback we received was mainly based on the planning of our soap as we were so un-prepared. At the time of the pitch we were still missing a name and a lot of research into why we wanted to be on the BBC at that particular time. We were also told that we should think about including other characters of different genders, ethnicities, locations etc. as we only had the bare minimum.

Group Planning: Filming Schedule

Group Planning: Shot List

Group Planning: Individual Roles

To begin the project we had to, as a group, assaign ourselves with roles we would be capable of doing successfully. Once we had decided on the roles we would have we needed to set about the planning stages of the project. Before we could do this we had to gather what we felt would be enough potential actors to be sure we could create the right look for our trailer. As each individual had his own role to play in the creation of the trailer it should have been easy to get through the planning and begin filming. However, one of our group members (Philip Gatward) didn't seem interested in helping out with the planning side of the project which meant that it took longer than anticipated.

Group Roles;
Seb: Cameraman, Storyboard, Shotlist, Assistant Editor
Dalian: Director, Main Editor, Storylines
David: Location Photo's, Music
Philip: Actor and Project Manager

Actors;
Mark Read
Edward Tyrell
Alexander Doyle
Philip Gatward
Philips Mum and Dad

Group Planning: Storyboard

Location Photos

The following images are different locations we chose to use during our planning phase. The reason we chose them is because they seemed to remind us of the types of places that young people would go and hang out. We have also been given permission to film in and around the Pig 'N' Falcon pub which is in the town. We are yet to decide if we need extra locations as the areas we currently have should be sufficient.

Soap Trailer Notes (Lessons 1 and 2)

Job Roles:
Seb: storyboards, shotlists, filming
David: location photo's, music
Dalian: storyline, lead editor
Philip: project manager (camera hire, get actors), director

Storyline ideas; (Dalian)
Drugs - St Neots town bridge (undrrneath and stairs) including a Chase
Relationships between characters - one idea of old person with young person made by Philip.
Market - bad market deals

Locations:
St Noets Town Bridge
Pub??
Cafe Nero (communal area)
St Noets Market (dodgy dealer)

Lesson Notes (16/10/2012) - What makes a good soap?

Media Lesson: Tuesday 16^th October 2012

Coursework:

·         Trailer for a new soap

·         TV listings magazine cover; including our soap

·         Poster: (Take more photo’s than we need!)

What makes a successful soap trailer?

·         Action

·         New / Different characters

·         An unanswered question to drag audience in

·         Fast paced – faster than you would see in the actual episodes

·         Controversial storylines

·         Theme tune – want the audience to link something to your program

·         Channel and time

·         Titles (inter titles)

·         Voiceover

The trailer should last for around 30 seconds to 1 minute.

The voiceover should be clear and give the information we see on the screen.

Eastenders ‘Sharon’s Back!’ and ‘Branning Week’ trailers:

·         Shots and clips from actual show – includes diegetic sound

·         Turbulence – shows the effect the character would have when they return

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-Scene:

Mise-en-Scene is very important to the success of soaps. The Mise-en-Scene will help add to the realism and drag the audience in as the show wouldn’t look like some cheap, low budget program made to fill gaps in the TV listings. In all soaps, the Mise-en-Scene is paid a lot of attention as you can see in the image of the Rovers pub from Coronation Street.
Within the Mise-en-Scene, there is a lot of iconography (things we would associate with the place we see). For example, in the pub we would see beer glasses, mats, a bell, beer tabs (pully things) etc…

  

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - Soaps as open narratives

Soaps as open narratives:

In soaps, there is always more than one story happening at once. These stories would be continuous and occasionally leave the odd cliff-hanger at the end of an episode. Once one of these stories ends, new ones often containing different characters begin. Saving the characters from boring the audience.  Using an open narrative with soaps allow the writers to drag a story out for many episodes building the story to gain interest from the public.

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - Settings in soaps

Settings in soaps:

Soaps are usually filmed in comfortable; familiar places which make the audience relax and feel comfortable watching. Example of these settings can be seen in nearly every soap on TV and include the Queen Vic in Eastenders, The Rovers in Coronation Street and there are also public houses on Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and others. As well as pubs the programme is filmed inside the characters houses which again help to make the audience feel comfortable watching.

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - How audience theories can be applied to soaps

How audience theories can be applied to soaps:

Vladimir Propp-

Vladimir Propp’s is a Russian man who studied Russian folk tales. His theory revolves around character functions (hero / adversary). As character functions can change rapidly in soaps it can be applied. For example, Phil Mitchel from Eastenders can be seen as both good and bad as he will either be in trouble or helping somebody. Vladimir Propps theory can be seen regularly in soaps as having a hero and villain can add to the drama.


Barthes (The Enigma Code)-

Barthes’ theory revolves around signs and our understanding of them (semiotics). Both side of this theory can be applied and seen within soaps as the Enigma Code is seen when something is happening with the used of  prop e.g. gun, or some kind of weapon. An example would be seen in an Emmerdale extract where a rough looking, quite trampy man (villain) is seen with a dog and we are forced to assume the worst in that somebody is going to be attacked. The Enigma Code would be the one which is most commonly applied to soaps as it is the one which causes the confusion as to who done something. A recent example of this would be in Eastenders with Kat Slater having an affair. It is seen as a puzzle for the audience to work out for themselves.

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - Uses and Gratifications

Uses and Gratifications-

Instead of researching what the media do to the audience, this approach studies what the audience does with the media. This approach also takes account of people’s personalities and personal needs.  

Strengths: As the audience is seen as active, and reasonably intelligent, life experience is generally regarded as more influential than experiences of the media. The pleasures that the media offers the audience are not regarded as negative.

Weaknesses: Too much optimism about ‘power’ and ‘choices’ of an active audience can distract us from the power certain texts have, or the influence that media institutions and ownership may have on texts and understandings.

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - Camerawork, Editing and Sound

Camera work, Editing and Sound:

Camerawork-
In British soaps that camerawork used is usually very simple consisting of close-ups, mid shots, long shots, S-R-S etc. as it makes it much easier to follow. Another reason as to why they use simple shots is that it becomes much easier for them to express the characters emotions and the tension between them. An example of this can be seen in many soap extracts as it is used on a daily basis.

Editing-
In soaps we rarely see fast cuts that help increase the pace of the show like we would in a film. This is because, like camerawork, they try to make the program as simple to follow as possible for us the audience. An editing technique that is used frequently in the majority of soaps is a shot-reverse-shot (S-R-S) as it helps us understand that two or more characters are involved in a conversation.

Sound-
The sound that is used in soaps is usually diegetic. This is because the programmes revolve around the speech of the characters. In soaps we see/hear a sound bridge on a regular basis. A sound bridge is where we hear speech before we see the character talking. It is usually used so that we the audience are aware that they are talking about the same topic.

Blog work to be done by 16th Oct - Male and Female Representation

Male and Female representations:

Females-
In British soaps, females are represented in a non-stereotypical way. They can usually be seen with the role of a matriarch (powerful woman). They are seen wearing smart clothes with a clean and tidy appearance. This means that the female gender is the dominant one. An example of this would be Kat Slater as she is usually in charge of both her relationships and the Queen Vic public house. As well as being represented as powerful through their image, they are also powerful through their sexuality. As a female Kat, or any other powerful woman, is usually able to manipulate and control the male gender.  

Males-
As it is the female gender that is represented as being powerful, males are represented as being the weaker gender. This can be seen best in Eastenders as Alfie Moon is a kind person and kat (his wife) takes advantage of that and usually disappoints him by doing something she shouldn’t. I.e. having an affair.
Because of these representations British soaps are very un-stereotypical as it would usually be the male who is the patriarch (dominant character).

Blog Work to be done by 16th Oct - Soap Readings

Soap Readings:

Dominant-
A dominant reading of soaps are when us, the audience, believe everything we see. An example would be us believing that the stories shown are possible and can be seen to the same standards in ‘real’ life.

Opposite-
Opposite readings are the opposite. We, the audience, completely disagree with the stories / storylines used within the soaps. An example would be somebody believing that the stories are too far-fetched and unrealistic.

Negotiated-
Negotiated readings of soaps are when we both agree and disagree with the stories being shown on the shows. An example of this would be us agreeing with the storylines but then disagreeing with the extent the story goes to.

Media Homework (26/09/2012) - Positive and negative aspects of soaps

Media Studies Homework – Positive and Negative aspects of soaps (Page 149)

POSITIVE:

Soaps reflect the society in which we live and encourage us to reflect on our own lives and attitudes.

An example of this would be the affair involving Kat in Eastenders. During this story it is revealed that she has had an affair with an unknown person and we see the effects it has on Alfie. Because of this we see the harm it can cause people an can make people re-think what they are doing.

Soaps are hugely popular because they are relevant to the lives of the audience.

An example of this can be seen in Eastenders’ story-line where Lola becomes a teenage mother and is constantly visited by people representing social services. This relates too many of the viewers as they themselves may have had some trouble with social services.

Soap scriptwriting is very skilled, gripping audiences and leading to conversations about soap events in our daily lives.

An example of very skilled soap writing which generates conversations can be seen in Coronation Street. It is the story of the old police woman beating her husband on several occasions and has recently lead to them believing their new born baby had been injured.

Soaps reflect social issues in a topical, challenging and responsible way, maintaining a balance between drama and realism.

An example of this can again be seen in Eastenders during the Ian Beale story. Through several months he went missing later to be found living on the streets. This backs up the point as although he is on the streets there is some drama to it as he went from a successful business man to nothing within a matter of weeks.

Soaps deal with issues such as euthanasia and homosexuality in a responsible and positive way, leading us to be more enlightened in our views.

An example can be seen during an Eastenders story involving Christian and Syed. During this story Syed is disowned by his family as it goes against his religion but after explain their reasons as to why they were together his family accepted them back.

Soap acting is at times very good, and some of the best television drama can be found in this genre.

Ian Beale. During his recent story (living as a tram on the streets) he is made to look terrified about being back at home around friends and family.

NEGATIVE:

Because soaps are “easy viewing” they do not demand any intellectual activity on the part of the viewer.

In most soap’s the story lines are kept simple so that the audience don’t become confused and lose interest.

Soaps trivialise social issues

An example of this point is during the story involving Kat and Ronnie’s baby a while back. During this story, Kats baby is kidnapped after Ronnie’s died of cot death.  Because of this story Eastenders received many complaints as the viewer’s found it hard to watch which lead to the producers cutting the story down to deal with the complaints.

Soaps are ridiculously far-fetched, with an incredible number of incidents constantly happening to a small number of people within a small community.

An example of this point can be seen during a storyline on Coronation Street. During this story line Tommy is put into all kinds of situations including and car crash, being conned by his own dad, being in debt, losing his friends and his girlfriend becoming a surrogate to earn the money he owes people.

Because soaps are on several times a week and there are many of them, they encourage TV addiction. People should be doing more worthwhile things with their spare time.  

An example of soaps being on several times a week can be seen on nearly all of them as they seem to be a daily thing. The best example of soaps encouraging TV addiction is Eastenders as they are trying to hook people during their long running story about Kat’s affair with an unknown man.

The tabloid press focus so heavily on events in soaps that people lose sight of the distinction between reality and television, characters and actors/ actresses.  

An example of this is the Olympic storyline with Billy Mitchell running with the torch in Eastenders. As this was filmed live as the torched actually passed through London, the viewers may have been interested in whether he was actually running with the torch or if it was all staged but still shot live.  

Lesson Notes (11/09/2012) - Narrative Conventions and Theories

Open and Closed Narratives

Open would leave a cliffhanger and run on-and-on

Closed narrative would be a film and have an end

Multi-Stranded Narratives:

• 3 or 4 strands running at once
• They are useful as it can give the audience a break from a overused set of actors

4 Narrative Theories

Todorov: Beginning, Middle and an End... Equalibrium, Disruption, Attempt to repair, New Equalibrium

Propp: (Russian Guy) - Studied Russian folktails:

Character Functions-

• Hero and Adversiary
• Prize or Princess
• False Hero

Character functions change in soaps - Phil Mitchell can be seen as both good and bad

Barthes:

Semiotirs, meaning of signs and our understanding of them

• Action Code - Something happening - Gun etc...
• Enigma Code -Puzzle, Clue, Something your not sure about. Used alot in films.

Levi-Strauss:

Binary Opposistions (Rural / Urban, Good / Evil) more applicable to films

Settings, Representation, Mise-en-scene and Narratives

Setting:

Familiar Places (Communities, Local Pub etc...)

Representation - Stereotypes

• Archetype (Superman)
• Smart - Blazer, Trousers to show authority

Mise-en-scene:

• Props
• Low Key Lighting
• Pub - Iconography

The three sections from a Emmerdale extract

Setting:

• Familiar Place - Local Pub, Work Place
• Anger Management Class - Calm Colours, Relaxing

Representation:

• Archetype -  Man with the dog. (Bad person - Ugly, Bald, Wrinkles) Relates to Levi Strauss theory

Mise-en-scene:

• Low Key Lighting within the local pub
• Props (iconography) Bell, Beer Mats, Beer Glasses etc... (Pub)

 Narrative:

•  Anger management - Sold Car - Child not being at school (Multi-Stranded Narrative)

Action Code Narrative:

• The villian having a dog. We assume he is going to attack

Lesson Notes (06/09/2012) - Soaps

Soaps:

1. Eastenders
2. Coronation Street
3. Emerdale
4. Hollyoaks
5. Home and Away
6. Neighbours

My opinion of soaps:
In my opinion, soaps are a waste of time that are over dramatic in that there is always something extreme happening.

How Eastenders helped the audience catch up with recent events;

1. Charlie listed out loud all of the things that have been happening within his family
2. They make the personalities of the actors clear
3. They always call people by there names
4. There are elements of relationships between eachother

Camerawork:

1. Uses a lot of close ups, which help the audience see the emotions and tension surrounding the actors.
2. They use a lot of two shots to show communication

Editing:

1. Shot Reverse Shot to show some communication
2. They use simple things to add to the realism

Sound:

1. Cockney accent which helps us to determine the location
2. All diagetic sound (speech)
3. Sound Bridge - Hear it before you see it

Locations:

1. Familiar - community
2. Church

Soaps are serial drama's which dont end
A series will end eventually

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