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Textual Analysis and Representation

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Focus on TV Drama

For this section of the exam you must be prepared to analyse and discuss technical aspects of the language and conventions of the moving image medium in relation to TV Drama in order to discuss the representation of individuals, groups, events or places:

1. CAMERA SHOTS, ANGLE, MOVEMENT & COMPOSITION.

SHOTS:

• establishing shot
• master shot
• close-up
• mid-shot
• long shot
• wide shot
• two-shot
• aerial shot
• point of view
• over the shoulder shot
• variations of the above.

  ANGLE:

• high angle
• low angle
• canted angle
  

  MOVEMENT:

• pan
• tilt
• track
• dolly
• crane
• steadicam
• hand-held
• zoom/reverse zoom

  COMPOSITION:

• framing
• rule of thirds
• depth of field – deep and shallow focus, focus pulls.
• 30 degree rule
• 180 degree rule (crossing the line).
  

2. EDITING. Includes transition of image and sound – continuity and non-continuity systems.

CUTTING:

• cut
• shot/reverse shot
• eyeline match
• graphic match
• action match
• jump cut
• crosscutting
• parallel editing
• cutaway
• insert

  OTHER TRANSITIONS:

• dissolve
• fade-in
• fade-out
• wipe
• superimposition
• long take
• short take
• slow motion
• ellipsis and expansion of time
• post-production visual effects

3. SOUND

• diegetic and non-diegetic sound
• synchronous/asynchronous sound
• sound effects
• sound motif
• sound bridge
• dialogue
• voiceover
• mode of address/direct address
• sound mixing
• sound perspective

4. MISE-EN-SCENE

PRODUCTION DESIGN:

• production design
• location
• studio
• set design
• costume and make-up
• properties

LIGHTING:

• colour design

Not all these aspects will be covered to the same degree of detail, but are to be treated as appropriate to the unseen extract.

You should also discuss how technical elements create SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIONS of individuals, groups, events or places and help to articulate specific messages and values that have social significance. Particular areas of representation that MIGHT be chosen are:

Gender, Age, Ethnicity, Sexuality, Class & status, Physical ability / disability, Regional identity.