Friday, 26 October 2012

Key Terms Glossary

Sound

Digetic sound: can be either on screen or off screen depending on whatever its source is within the frame or outside the frame.

Non-diegetic sound: is represented as coming from the a source outside story space. 

Soundtrack:
1. The narrow strip at one side of a movie film that carries the sound recording.
2.
a. The music that accompanies a movie.
b. A commercial recording of such music
Theme:
1. A topic of discourse or discussion.
2. A subject of artistic representation.
3. Music The principal melodic phrase in a composition, especially a melody forming the basis of a clip.

Tune: A sound; a note; a tone.
Incidental music:  is often "background" music, and adds atmosphere to the action. It may take the form of something as simple as a low, ominous tone suggesting an impending startling event or to enhance the depiction of a story-advancing sequence.
Sound effects (or audio effects):  are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasise artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media.
Ambient sound: or ambient audio means the background sounds which are present in a scene or location. Common ambient sounds include wind, water, birds, crowds, office noises, traffic, etc.
Dialogue: (sometimes spelled dialog in American English) is a literary and theatrical form consisting of a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more ("dia" means through or across) people.
Voice over: (also known as off-camera or off-stage commentary) is a production technique where a voice that is not part of the narrative (non-diegetic) is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations.

CAMERA SHOTS
Aerial Shot – A camera shot taken from an overhead position. Often used as an establishing shot.
Close Up – A head and shoulders shot often used to show expressions/emotions of a character. Also can be a shot of an object, filmed from close to the object or zoomed in to it, that reveals detail.
Extreme Close Up – A shot where a part of a face or body of a character fills the whole frame/dominates the frame. Also can be a shot of an object where only a small part of it dominates the frame.
Establishing Shot – A shot that establishes a scene, often giving ther viewer information about where the scene is set. Can be a close up shot (of a sign etc) but is often a wide/long shot and usually appears at the beginning of a scene.
Medium Shot – the framing of a subject from waist up.
Two Shot – A shot of two characters, possible engaging in conversation. Usually to signify/establish some sort of relationship
Point-Of-View Shot (POV) – Shows a view from the subject’s perspective. This shot is usually edited so that the viewer is aware who’s point of view it is.
Over the Shoulder Shot – looking from behind a character’s shoulder, at a subject. The character facing the subject usually occupies 1/3 of the frame but it depends on what meaning the director wants to create (for example, if the subject is an inferior character, the character facing them may take up more of the frame to emphaise this)
Overhead Shot – a type of camera shot in which the camera is positioned above the character, action or object being filmed.
Reaction Shot – a shot that shows the reaction of a character either to another character or an event within the sequence.

CAMERA ANGLES
Camera Angle – the position of the camera in relation to the subject of a shot. The camera might be at a high angle, a low angle or at eye level with what is being filmed.
High Angle – A camera angle that looks down upon a subject or object. Often used to make the subject or object appear small or vulnerable.
Low Angle – A camera angle that looks up at a subject or object. Often used to make the subject/object appear powerful/dominant.
Canted framing (or oblique) – camera angle that makes what is shot appear to be skewed or tilted.

CAMERA MOVEMENT
Pan – Where the camera pivots horizontally, either from right to left or left to right to reveal a set or setting. This can be used to give the viewer a panoramic view. Sometimes used to establish a scene.
Track - a shot whjere the camera follows a subject/object. The tracking shot can include smooth movements forward, backward, along the side of the subject, or on a curve but cannot include complex movement around a subject. ‘Track’ refers to rails in which a wheeled platform (which has the camera on it) sits on in order to carry out smooth movement.
Crane – A crane shot is sometimes used to signify the end of a scene/ programme /film. The effect is achieved by the camera being put onto a crane that can move upward.
Stedicam - A steadicam is a stabilising mount for a camera which mechanically isolates the operator's movement from the camera, allowing a very smooth shot even when the operator is moving quickly over an uneven surface. Informally, the word may also be used to refer to the combination of the mount and camera.
Tilt - where a camera scans a set or setting vertically (otherwise similar to a pan).
Zoom – Using a zoom lens to appear to be moving closer to (zoom in) or further away from (zoom out) a subject/object when in fact the camera may not move (so, strictly not camera movement). Can be used for dramatic effect.

EDITING
Editing – the stage in the film-making process in which sound and images are organised into an overall narrative.
Continuity Editing – the most common type of editing, which aims to create a sense of reality and time moving forward. Also nick named invisible editing referring to how the technique does not draw attention to the editing process.
Jump Cut – An abrupt, disorientating transitional device in the middle of a continuos shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and/or cut between two similar shots, usually done to create discontinuity for artistic effect.
Credits – the information at the beginning and end of a film, which gives details of cast and crew etc.
Cross Cutting – the editing technique of alternating, interweaving, or interspersing one narrative action (scene, sequence or event) with another – usually in different locations or places, thus combining the two: this editing technique usually suggests Parallel action (that takes place simultaneously). Often used to dramatically build tension and/or suspense in chase scenes or to compare two different scenes. Also known as inter-cutting or parallel editing
Cutaways – A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action. Object, or person (sometimes not part of the principle scene or main action), followed by a cutback to the original shot.
Freeze Frame – the effect of seemingly stopping a film in order to focus in on one event or element.
Eye-line Match – a type of edit which cuts from one character to what that character has been looking at.
Flashback – a scene or moment in a film in which the audience is shown an event that happened earlier in the film’s narrative.
Graphic Match – an edit effect in which two different objects of the same shape are dissolved from one into the other.
Juxtaposition – the placement of two (often opposed) images on either side of an edit to create an effect.
Linear Narrative – a style of storytelling in which events happen chronologically.
Montage Editing – the juxtaposition of seemingly unconnected images in order to create meaning.
Parallel Editing – a type of editing in which events in two locations are cut together, in order to imply a connection between the two sets of events.
Visual Effects - visual effects are usually used to alter previously-filmed elements by adding, removing or enhancing objects within the scene.
Match on Action - A shot that emphasises continuity of space and time by matching the action of the preceding shot with the continuation of the action. (For example a shot of a door opening after a shot of a close up of a character’s hand turning a door handle)

Sourced from: http://longroadtvdrama.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/tv-technical-terms-glossary.html 

Sunday, 14 October 2012

Roles and Jobs in a TV Drama

Drama Production Team

Those in the production roles are responsible for setting up and shooting every scene in the drama. Some of the people involved are listed below.
Producer
Producer
The producer, whether working in radio, TV or online, oversees the entire production and brings together all the different elements and people. The role also requires him or her to be across all the various stages of production.

Director
The director’s role is to take overall responsibility for the creative, visual and sound aspects of a production. Often there are first and second assistant directors, who are involved in preparing the filming schedule and ensuring everyone sticks to it. They also work to make sure the director has everything he or she needs to achieve the look and feel required.

Production Manager
Overseeing a production from start to finish, a production manager keeps a tight reign on the budget and organises all support facilities, including accommodation, catering and transport. He/she will also plan crews, equipment and facilities.
Script
Script Editor
The script editor works between the writer and the producer to make sure the story crosses from paper to the small screen effectively. He/she will ensure scripts are ready on time and help create the atmosphere the script is trying to get across.

Script Continuity
To ensure each scene continues on from the previous one smoothly it is up to those working in script continuity to keep on top of the filming. Maintaining scenery, wardrobe, lighting is all essential so that the final edit can be made accurately and seamlessly.

Production secretary
You’ll provide essential administrative support to the production team by fulfilling a wide variety of traditional secretarial duties.
Location on The Lost World
Location Manager
Responsible for finding locations and ensuring a hassle free filming session are the two principal roles of a location manager. He/she is also responsible for health and safety and dealing with owners and those who usually use the chosen location.

Researcher
Supporting the producer, you'll contribute ideas, contacts and sources, as well as interviewing possible contributors and writing briefings and reports. Although some areas require specialist knowledge, this can be an entry level role if you've got some appropriate experience.

RunnerAlthough you'd be the most junior member of the production team, you'll have the chance to get involved in all aspects of production, from photocopying to helping out with research. This is how a lot of people get their first break in the industry, as it's a common entry-level role.

Sourced from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/newtalent/drama/advice_production.shtml 

Representations of Social Groups

When researching this I came across a really useful powerpoint on slideshare so here is the link and it explains how gender is represented and several other social groups within society:

http://www.slideshare.net/graveneymedia/g322-common-representations-of-specific-social-groups