G322, Media Studies TV Drama. List of micro features using key terms and offering some typical usage in TV Drama

1. G322 TV Drama
Assessment Criteria
Getting the Marks

2. Assessment Objectives
‘The purpose of this exam is to assess candidates’ media textual analysis skills and their understanding of the concept of
representation using a short unseen moving image extract.’
Assessment Criteria
Students will demonstrate their understanding in the following ways:
 Explanation, analysis and argument (20 marks)
 Use of examples (20 marks)
 Use of terminology (10 marks)
Health Warning
 This booklet is intended to act as a generalised guide to how production techniques usually create meaning.
o It does not contain ‘the answers’ in a definitive or absolute way.
 When you watch the sequence and write your essay you must make detailed and specific reference to the text and you must be
flexible in your interpretation of techniques, sometimes a low angle shot does not automatically connote power & control but, given
a different context, can contribute to a representation of isolation and vulnerability.

3. Camera
Terminology Explanation (definition) Analysis (possible representational meaning)
Shots
establishing
shot
Shows where and when the action takes place. Establishes a clear sense of place / environment.
close-up
On a person, their face fills the frame.
On an object, the object fills the frame.
Draws attention to reactions / object of representational
importance
long shot On a person, feet to head are in frame. Places the person within the environment.
wide shot Lots of the scenery / peripheral detail is in frame
Gives sense of place (is often an establishing shot).
Is the character out of place?
two-shot Two characters are in frame at the same time.
Creates relationships, tensions (conflict) & we illustrates
differences
point of view
shot
The camera moves with the character, and is at eye-line
level
We are being asked to empathise with the character’s
experience.
Movement
pan or tilt Tilt, camera moves up / down. Pans = left / right
Follows significant actions / movements.
Tilt up from shoes to reveal whole person
track
The camera, on tracks, moves in a line through or across
the scene.
Creates a sense of speed
Slow reveal of place (can be voyeuristic)
Dolly (in /
out)
The camera moves toward or away from a subject. Creates / diminishes: tension / shock / anxiety
crane
A sweeping movement of the camera through the scene
(vertical and horizontal)
Dramatic place / exciting action.
Aerial Mounted on an aircraft, high above action Dramatic / panoramic sense of place
hand-held
The camera moves unsteadily as if held be a character in
motion
Disorientating and immersive.
Angle
high angle The camera is above the subject. Low status, submission, powerlessness
low angle The camera is below the subject High status, dominance, powerful
canted angle The camera is tilted at an angle Disorienting (something is wrong)
Composition
framing Positioning of objects within the frame. Significant relationships
depth of field The focus of objects behind / in front of the subject Shallow or deep. Importance / Significance
focus pulls Focus from fore ground to background or vica versa Draws us the unfolding events, reveals key info

4. Sound
Terminology Explanation (definition) Analysis (possible representational meaning)
Diegetic
dialogue
delivery
How the dialogue is delivered: Is an order, a
request, an interjection, a plea, a command..?
May connote a sense of status (relationship)
between characters.
accent
Clearly accented speech
Only really relevant for regional identity.
It may serve to identify the outsider from the
locals and connote difference.
tone
The tone of voice links with the delivery. Is it
sarcastic, curious, patronising, angry...?
Codes the emotion of the character and their
feelings towards a situation / event.
ambient / atmospheric The background noise of the scene.
Is very important in denoting the type of place
the characters are in.
perspective
This is used to draw our attention to dialogue or
atmosphere in the place.
Places the characters in a place with a particular
feel to it.
Non -
Diegetic
Effects sting
A sound which draws our attention to specific
event or reaction. Think horror films.
Underlines a character’s emotional response or
startles the audience.
Music
tempo The speed / pace of the music.
Heightens or diminishes tension. Emphasises
emotional reactions.
instruments The instruments used.
Can bring cultural meaning or can code feeling
of the place. Holiday, technology, work...
crescendos A climax in the music.
Will serve to highlight the climax in the scene
and guide audience response.
motif A piece of music used to introduce a character. Can illustrate the nature of the character.
Voice over
A narrator who comments on the action and the character’s
feelings towards the action (may be a character in the scene).
Can give us additional information or further
understand relationships between characters.
Can often be contrapuntal.

5. Mise-en-Scene
Terminology Explanation (definition) Analysis (possible representational meaning)
Costume
Hats & Shoes Hats and shoes. Really helpful in signifying jobs, status, attitude...
Uniforms Formal (jobs) and informal (social groups) Can help connote status, intimidate outsiders...
Cultural That has clear cultural roots
Can helpful for ethnicity and denotes people from
inside or outside a particular culture.
Quality Expensive / cheap / ordinary. Codes power / wealth / social standing...
Style
The period the costume comes
Fashionable?
Suggests social status and insider / outsider
Lighting
High Key No shadows
Don’t mention unless it acts as counterpoint to low
key
Low Key Deliberate shadows Mystery, duality, hidden danger...
Colour Obviously coloured lights Colours can carry lots of connotations...
Acting /
Performance
Expression Emotion revealed by the face (in close up) Reflects reaction / relationships
Body Language Movement / posture of characters How do they feel in the place
Make Up &
Hair
Scruffy or styled Physical condition or rough appearance Sense of style and physical condition
Prosthetics Injuries, supernatural, alien Dramatic sense of otherness or physical condition
Props
Cars Type of car Helpful in coding status, profession, attitude.
Held Objects Weapons, tools, narrative significance Power & authority, profession, status...
Setting
Location Type or place. Feel of place
Professional or family? Comfortable or tense?
Frantic or calm? Sophisticated or rough?
Furnishings Key objects of set Help contribute to feel of the location.

6. Editing
Terminology Explanation (definition) Analysis (possible representational meaning)
Cutting
Continuity Editing
Where the edit creates a logical sequence of narrative
action
Creates narrative meaning and constructs relationships
(conflicts) & cause with effect
Montage editing
A sequence of individual images which are not linked
by action
Compresses time.
Gives a snapshot sense of place.
Shot / Reverse Shot
Cutting between two characters, usually in
conversation
Creates relationships and links between elements in the
story.
Match on action
Cutting on an action that starts in shot A and
completes in shot B
Emphasises significant action / events / objects.
Jump Cut
Cutting into the same object and not moving the
camera by +30o
A disorientating edit, which encodes confusion or a
sudden realisation.
Cross Cutting
Cutting between two events happening at the same
time in different places
Often creates a sense of tension. Will the hero make it in
time or be caught out?
Speed The speed (rhythm) of the edit.
Intense action = fast pace
Calm action = slow pace
Eye-line Match
A character looks and the cut takes us to the object
they are looking at (usually in CU)
We see that the character sees, we know what the
character knows
Slow / Long Take
Attention stays with some characters more than
others
Positions the audience in relation to a character
Whose story is it?
Repetition of action
We see the same event from several different angles
in quick succession
Emphasising significant action, keeps up the pace.
Can emphasis skill / power
Transitions
Fade The sequence fades to black (or white) End of a episode
Dissolve
As the last shot of sequence A fades out the first shot
of sequence B fades in at the same time.
Creates links / relationships. Calm / dreamlike
Slow Motion Slowing down the action Emphasising significant action – stretches time.
Graphic Match
Two objects with similar shapes link the final shot of
sequence A and the first of sequence B
Creates links between objects significant in the story /
people / places
Post
Production
Special Effects An visual effects created on a computer
Deeper sense of the character’s abilities, thought
process, feelings.
Captions
Words which appear on the screen overlaying the
action. Typeface & animation are significant.
Adds information / content to the scene.