Editing in TV Dramas

Editing determines how shots are joined. We can consider the transitions and relations from shot to shot, from scene to scene and throughout the film as a whole. while a clean break from one shot to another is described as a 'cut', we can be far more specific about the kind of cuts and other transitions that join shots together.

Axis Match: The angle of the camera in realation to the object remains the same from shot to shot.

Cross-cut: Editing that alternates shots of two areas of action occuring in two different places, usually simultaneously, and which are often related.

Direction Match: The direction of a person or object is consistent across the cut.

Dissolve: Shot A gradually disappears and Shot B gradually appears in its place with a momentary superimposition of the two.

Duration and Pacing: The duration and rhythm of shots and scenes.

Eye-line match: A cut in which two characters in different shots appear to look at each other because of the direction of their glances.

Fade-in: A gradual lightening of the image from black to light.

Fade-out: A gradual darkening of the image to black.

Graphic match: Any juxtaposition of graphically similar images.

Iris-in: Image gradually revealed from blackness through expanding circle of light.

Iris-out: Reverse of Iris-in.

Jump cut: A break or jump in time, cause by removing a section of a shot and then splicing together what remains of it, on-screen the result is often jerky.

Movement match: An action begun in one shot is continued or completed in the next shot.

Parallel cut: Editing that aternates shots of two or more areas of action occurring in two different places, usually simultaneously, tha often run together later in the narrative.

Straight cut: Two shots joined together with no obvious continuity device.

Wipe: One image is gradually replaced by another at a boundary that moves across the frame. this boundary is often a straight line, which moves vertically across the screen (but may also take other directions and shapes).

For editing we looked at a period drama called Rome. Period Dramas use similar conventions to Literary adapted dramas:

• Based on a famous historical event or literary fiction.
• High profile cast.
• historical figures as recognisable characters and character types, e.g. Dashing Hero, Beautiful Heroine, Cruel Villain, Helpless Victim, etc.
• Big Budget for expensive locations, cast and post-productive effects.
• An easily recognizable period and authenticity.
• Largely historically accurate - through foregrounding spectacle.
• Entertaining subject matter often involving romance and/or conflict.
• Comfortable historical 'distance' from the drama of the past.
• Pro-filmic camerawork, editing and use of sound.
• Formal or achaic speech for authenticity.

Rome did not follow some of these conventions which i think they should because it changed the effect on the audience.
Firstly the speech was modern use swear words which took away the authenticity and style of the period and in my opinion the camerawork was not professional, framing was confusing, the continuity rule was broken which interrupted the flow of the drama and the 180 degree rule was broken, also the eye-line match did not correspond to where each character was meant to be looking at.
All these mistakes confuse the audiences and make it difficult to understand the situation and what is going on.

Mise-En-Scene in TV Dramas

Mise-En-Scene refers to everything that is staged before the camera.

Acting and figure movement:

• Characteristics
• Gestures, Expressions and Body language
• Choreography within the shot, scene and frame

Colour and Tone:

• Film Stocks, Developing processes, Tinting
• Intensity and texture of colour and contrast.
• Tone sharp, grainy, modulated.
• Natural/Artificial colours
• Black & White/Sepia/Negative - effects e.t.c

Costumes and Make Up:

• Cultural, Economic, Political Connotations of clothing and make up

Lighting:

• Harsch, Hard, Soft, Diffused, Tinted
• Naturalistic/Artificial lighting
• Creates a mood/atmosphere
  

High-key lighting:

• Bright illumination
• Few or no shadows
• Minimum contrast

Low-key lighting:

• Dim, dark lighting effect

Setting:

• Location
  
• Period and Place
• Landscapes and architecture

Three-point lighting:

• A common set up using three directions of light on a scene: from behind the subjects (backlighting).
• From one bright source (key light).
• From a dimmer source opposite the key light (fill light).

For Mise-en-scene we looked at a literary adaptation of Bleak House by Charles Dickens.

The Conventions of Literary Adaptations:

• High profile cast
• Basic character type, hero, villain e.t.c
• Big Budget for expensive location and cast
• Authenticity, recognizable period
• Largely historical accurate
• Entertaining plot
• Professional film - complicated camerawork
• Formal authentic dialogue

These conventions are followed in many dramas I have seen and will be followed in the future it gives a realistic feel and genuine atmosphere.

Camerawork in TV Dramas

The position and movement of the camera are critical in determining not only what we see, but how we see it.

For Camerawork we looked at the Drama conventions in Hospital Dramas.
We mainly looked at Holby City and Casualty, throughout the conventions below are mostly followed but with adjustments to seperate each drama from its 'rival'.

Characters - STEREOTYPES, Good, Bad, Lesbian/Gay, Black, Emotional, Comedian, Strict older experienced surgeon, Junior cocky, Helpful, Sleeparound.

Narratives - Public Health and the treatment of illness, workplace incidents relationships between doctors or patients

Camerawork - Basic, open framing, busy atmosphere, mostly Mid Shots and Close Ups.

Mise-en-scene - Authentic hospital setting, costumes and props e.g. surgical equipment, 'blues' (clothing that surgeons wear in theatre) e.t.c, lighting, colour design.

Sound - Machinery, conversations in background, diegetic. sound motifs, sound bridges, ambient sounds.

Music - Non-diegetic and diegetic, iconic theme music at begining and end, atmospheric music, emphasizing emotion and events.

In all hospital dramas you can understand that nurses are unappreciated and under payed, also in every episode there is a life threatening situation in a patients life which creates drama and keeps the audience engaged.