L01 Task,1 2, 3 and 4

1: DEFINE and EXPLAIN the differences between series, serials and single dramas, with examples. (Give up to5 examples; how many episodes/ seasons/ audience figures?)

A Series is a program that has a set number of episodes and though the story of the program may continue in to the next series, there is an end to it meaning it finishes. A series can have 5 or more episodes. Some Examples of a series include Britain’s got talent, Being Human, doctor who, shameless and the X factor.

“X Factor” is a series because it comes to an end eventually it has only a number of episodes in its series. Furthermore the x factor has a predictable plot and is a realist program. The X Factor has 292 episodes and it has 9 series.  The X Factor is an interactive multimedia television program as it interacts with its audience by allowing them to call and vote for their favourite artist. The targeted audience of X Factor is families as they tend to watch the show more than anyone else.

“Doctor Who” is a TV series because it has a string of episodes that eventually finish altogether thus making it a series. Furthermore Doctor Who is based on an anti-realist plot because it is based upon a fantasy as its storyline consists of robots, aliens and mythological creatures. The characters used in the Doctor Who are anti-realist. Doctor Who has 790 episodes and it has 7 series since 2005.

The program “Being Human” is a series because it has only a few episodes in its series all of off which come to an end. Also the program then restarts with a second series with a new storyline different to the previous episodes making it a series. Being Human is anti-realist and it gives human beings fictional features such as the abilities to fly and have super strength. Being Human has had 5 series which consist of 31 episodes.

The program “Britain’s Got Talent” is a series because it has only got a set amount of episodes and it eventually comes to an end. The program "Britain's Got Talent" is an interactive multimedia television program as it interacts with its audience by allowing them to call and vote for their favourite artist. The program "Britain's Got Talent" has got 6 series and consists of 74 episodes since 2005.

Serial

A serial is where there are only a few episodes of a program and it is only broadcasts once. A series is based upon a book or an event and it reflects real life. An example of this can be a drama or a documentary because it is a one off. A serial is based upon a book or an event, which has occurred.

An example of a serial is “Jack the Ripper” because it is a one off special based upon an event, which occurred sometime before making it a serial. Also this is a serial because it appeared only once on television. "Jack the Ripper" is about a serial killer/ mass murderer who could not be identified at the time when he committed these killings. This one of serial identifies who he was and how he got away with the killings. 

Another example of a serial is: “My Murder” which was a one of program based on event which happened to be a murder. This is a serial because it is one off, it is based on a true story and it is based upon an event making it a serial. My Murder is a serial because it appears only once on television. My Murder is about a teenage boy being brutally murdered by youths for no reason what’s so ever. The program reveals how the murder happened and what happened leading up to the murder.

Another example of a serial is “killing Osama Bin Laden” which is a one off special based upon an event. This is a serial because it is one off, it is based on a true story and it is based upon an event making it a serial. This is a serial as it only appears once on television. This program reveals how Bin Laden was killed and how the US government planned his murder.

Single Drama

A single drama is normally a “one off special” that is broadcasts once and is never repeated. Traditionally the drama reflects real life An example of this can be a Christmas special because it is a one off and it is the time of year majority of people are at home watching TV. A Christmas special is a single drama because it is a one off and it is never repeated. Another example of a single drama is when TV programs of the past that are finished make a one off special of the program due to a special occasion. This is a single drama because it is a one off and it never repeated.

2: DISCUSS the Single Camera and Multi Camera Formats
(Define the single camera format and the multiple-camera format. List the advantages of the single camera and the multiple-camera formats. Give some examples of the two formats in action. Explain when and why might they be used)

Single camera format

Single camera is when you make production using the single-camera setup meaning the production only uses one camera. Each of the various shots and camera angles is taken using the same camera, which is moved and reset to get each shot or new angle. The shot can be changed by, stopping the actors and moving the camera to a different position and starting the action again. The lighting setup is typically changed for each camera setup.

The way single camera production works is that you use just one camera no more to record a production and for every shot you change your camera angle and lighting. Single camera production is used to shoot various shots the director will shoot scene 1, 2, 3 and 7 and then put the shots together with scenes 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 to make it look like a fluent scene. Also single camera production is mainly used in films; they are not used live broadcasts.

The genres that use single camera are mainly documentaries and films, which are shot just with the one camera to record their scene. This is mainly because in documentaries and films there are many different scenes that are set in a different place. Also some dramas and music videos use the single camera to shoot their production. By using the single camera it gives the director more control over the shots that are taken. The techniques that are used in single camera production are: the production is filmed in a 180° line which is a particular technique that most directors use. A fake imaginary line is drawn between the two characters and the camera is moved to a particular side because otherwise the characters don’t feel like they are connected when the audience watches it, if the camera was to stray the other side of the line it would look like the characters are talking to someone else which would ruin the flow of the film.

The advantages of single camera techniques are that the director has more control over the shots that are taken. Also it is cheaper than using multi-camera for obvious reasons because with single camera you just have to pay for the one camera where else with multi camera you have to pay for a lot of cameras. The disadvantages are that you only get one angle meaning you have to cut the scene up to change camera angles, which is time consuming. An example of a film that uses single camera techniques is the Amazing spider man. This uses single camera techniques at certain parts of the film.

 Multi camera format

Multi camera is when you make a production using multiple cameras. The way it is filmed is that you have multiple cameras recording an event or programme simultaneously. The recording of the program does not stop until it has finished. Multi cameras are mainly used to film live events such as talk shows, live programs or sport events such as football. They are used mainly in live events to capture every moment that is happening. In multi camera several cameras or more —either film or professional video cameras—are employed on the set and simultaneously record or broadcast a scene.

The advantages of multi camera are: it captures every moment that is happening in the live event, it provides a variety of different camera angles because there are a lot of cameras in different areas. The disadvantages of multi camera are that it is very costly because there are a lot of cameras being used to record the event. Also it is very costly because you have to pay more camera men to record the event. The genres that use multi camera are mainly live events such as football matches. This is because there are a lot of things going on at once in a football match so multiple cameras are needed to capture every moment and every angle from the match. Also some series use multi camera such as the x factor which use multi camera for their live shows to capture every moment that occurs within the show.

3: DEFINE the conventions of each genre e.g. period; drama; crime; soap opera; comedy, then clear give examples. (Give up to 3 examples; do they challenge or conform to the conventions of the genre?)

East Enders

A soap opera is an on-going drama, which is presented, in serial format. A soap opera appears on television on a day-to-day basis meaning it is broadcast every day throughout the year. A soap opera has a narrative, which runs through every episode. A soap opera is a realist fictional program that is based on true events. The storyline of a soap opera is based on real life situations and it is usually filmed in a house or set.

East Enders is a Soap Opera because it is a realist program that is based on true events. It is a fictional drama because the story's told are based upon real life situations that occur in real life.it is soap because it is filmed in a house or on a set. Another reason why East Enders is a soap opera is because it is continuous all year round consisting of different story lines. Another reason why it is a soap opera is because of the props, the clothing is modern, the scenes are modern and the items such as watches and rings worn are modern.

Doctor Who

A sci-fi is a program based upon fiction with the use of imagination, science and technology.  A sci-fi can be set in the present day and the future; it is usually set in a parallel universe. A Sci-fi usually involves a different universe, time travel, space travel and unusual technology. A sci- fi uses mythological creatures such as aliens in its storyline.

Doctor who is sci-fi because it is set in present day but it can also be set in the future. Also it is a sci-fi because it has mythological creatures such as aliens in the program. It is a sci-fi because it is an ant-realist program as it is based upon a fantasy and it is based upon unrealistic events involving real life relationships. Also Doctor who is a Sci fi because of the props used in the program, props such as futuristic spaceships, giant buildings, futuristic items such as lasers are used in the program making the program a Sci fi one in genre. Doctor Who is a Sci fi because supernatural creatures are used in the program along with spaceships making the program a Sci fi.

CSI

A crime drama consists of an investigation in to a murder, killing or a robbery. A crime drama involves a criminal committing some sort of felon and police or detectives who are then going to solve a case and catch the criminal. The props that are used in a crime drama are weapons and police stations.

CSI is a crime-drama because it has got criminal activity; it consists of criminals trying to do violent actions such as murder and robbery. Also it is a crime drama because it consists of detectives that attempt to solve a case such as murder. It is a crime drama because there are weapons used such as guns and knives.it is a criminal drama because it has murder involved in which the program carries out an investigation in to it for it to be solved. Also it is a crime drama due to the props used because weapons are used police stations are used mysterious buildings or houses are used and also police officers are used.

My Name Is Earl

A sitcom is a comedy drama based upon a set of characters. A sitcom is set in a home or workplace based upon a fictional storyline. A sitcom consists of a variety of actors and it uses modern day props such as clothing, housing and lighting. A sitcom consists of a range of amusing events happening within the storyline.

My Name is Earl is a situation comedy because it consists of a fictional story. My Name Is Earl is a sitcom because it is set in an urban setting and mainly filmed in an apartment. Also it is a comedy sitcom because it consists of a variety of actors. The program itself uses modern day props such as clothing housing and lighting. Also it is a situation comedy because it is full of different types of characters with different personalities which happen to do and be involved in amusing events. It’s a situation comedy due to the storyline as it consists of different amusing events happening in every episode.

Merlin

A fantasy is a program, which is fictional, and it is based upon imagination. A fantasy usually consists of an imaginary world, which has mythological creatures like dragons in its plot. A fantasy consists of witchcraft, sorcerous and wizards. The themes and plot are based upon imagination.

Merlin is a period fantasy because it set in a time period, which no longer exists. It is a fantasy because it is anti-realist because it is based upon imagination. Also it is a fantasy because the story line is based upon made up events. It is a fantasy because the props that are used are of a time period from the past. Props such as swords shields and armour of the time period are used making it a fantasy. The clothing used in the program is of the time period old clothing is used making it a fantasy. Merlin involves magic and other supernatural events making it a fantasy.

4: Compare and contrast the narrative styles and structure of Doctor Who and Eastenders.
(E.g. linear/ sequential; non-linear/ non-sequential; flashback; realist or anti-realist; restricted or unrestricted; open or closed endings)

East Enders

“East Enders” is a realist program because it is based on real life events; it is based in the east end of London. It is a soap, which consists of 4 narrative stories going on at once. The program itself is linear because it is structured and put together in a sequence making it flow. The props theory does not apply to East Enders because there is more than one storyline going on at one time therefore the prop theory does not apply to it. East Enders is subjective narrative and objective narrative, it is subjective narrative because the audience knows what’s happening and the audience knows what the character is feeling. An example of this is Michael because the audience can see what he is going through and what he is feeling quite clearly, it is not hidden away from the audience making it subjective narrative. It is objective narrative because in some parts of the program the audience does not know what’s going on. East Enders is restrictive because we can see what the characters are going through. In East Enders there are 4 storylines going at once, so when the scene changes so does the storyline because it moves from one characters story to another. East Enders uses Todorovs theory because it is set in a house and it is calm.

Doctor Who

“Doctor Who” is a TV series, which is based on an anti-realist plot because it is based upon a fantasy. Doctor who uses the props theory because the doctor is the hero, the helper is Rory/ Amy, the villains are Daleks, the dispatcher is the prime minister and the damsel in distress is Oswin. Doctor who is an anti-realist program however there are scenes, which are realist such as the human relationships. The disequilibrium is when they all get kidnapped and the recognition is when they speak to the prime minister. “Doctor who” is objective narrative from Oswin’s viewpoint because the audience does not know what’s going on. However it is also subjective narrative because near the end we see what the doctor sees. “Doctor Who” is a nonlinear program because it uses flashbacks and it is not in a sequence. “Doctor Who” has 2 main storylines going on at once.

Comparing and contrasting

Doctor who and East Enders the differences between “Doctor Who” and “East Enders” are: “Doctor Who” is an anti-realist TV series because it is based upon a fantasy where else “East Enders” is a realist program because it is based on real life events. East Enders uses Todorovs theory because it is set in a house and it is calm, whereas “Doctor who” uses the props theory because the doctor is the hero, the helper is Rory/ Amy, the villains are Daleks, the dispatcher is the prime minister and the damsel in distress is Oswin. Doctor who consists of 2 storylines going on at once and East Enders consist of 4v storylines going on at once. East Enders is linear because it is structured in a sequence whereas Doctor Who is non-linear because it does not flow in a sequence and it has flashbacks. The similarities are that both programs use subjective and objective narratives because they both consist of scenes where the audience knows what’s happening and know what the character is feeling to where the audience does not know what is happening and finds out about a situation same time as the character. Another similarity is that programs have a narrative and both of them tell a story.