Format

A format is the way that something is set up or arranged. So for this, it would be the way TV
programmes are shown to an audience so whether it is a series, serial...
A series: It is a weekly or daily program, generally with the same cast, and with a continuing story.
That arent specific genre and they are a mix of narratives. For example: Sherlock is generally a
closed narrative so it has a certain events that need to happen in each episode, its a realists as it
deal with real life crime and real life events for example Dr John Watson falling in love and getting
married, its crime drama, and its a series as it an allotted amount of events, as well as Cliff Hanger
ending this leaves the audience wanting more from the production; so the audience will tune in next
series to see the outcome of the cliff hanger. The cliff hanger in Sherlock is when we see Sherlock
catapult himself off a roof, and we dont know whether Sherlock is dead or alive and if he is alive
how he survived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l963C4HKL0
You see the cliff-hanger that Sherlock season 2 ends with, I feel it works greatly as you genuinely see
a body fall for the roof of a building which makes this whole thing more realistic for the audience,
then towards the end in the programme you see Sherlock watch over Dr John Watson visiting his
grave, this ignites the audiences interest in tuning in to watching the next season to see how
Sherlock survived think it was clever how the producers structured this as it still showed Sherlock
having the power and being the dominant force between the stereotypical duo, by one the camera
shot of Sherlock looking upon a smaller John Watson and the lighting slightly the fact that Sherlock
in the taking over the majority of the camera and is in the dark showing a both secretive and power.
American Horror Story: is a horror genre including witches, Ghost and Asylum patients, in whole it is
a closed narrative as each series has a specific topic but in each episode it is a mix of both open and
close narrative. Its a series because they are set up with in different seasons of the year. But the cliff
hangers at the end of the majority of episodes keep the audience interested to watch until the very
end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXA8nB6DVoM
You can see that there is many dilemma in this clip, but it has demonstrated that actually there is
many things unanswered within the series and that there is lots of complications. So audiences
would continue to tune in to just see the outcome of those unanswered questions within the
programme, so it automatically motivates the audience to watch.
The general conventions of a series, often depends on the genre of said series. For instance a
sitcoms conventions would be: location/situation- you would generally have a main location where
all of the characters based such as a work place or school. Small amount of characters- which the
base the whole production would be set around. Stereotypical- they try to make it more realistic
whilst capturing a comedic side of the production, so taking stereotypes allows the audience . Closed
narrative- set events are meant to happen in each episode but there are characterises and events
that continue throughout the series.
A serial: is a program such as soap opera. It comes on every week without fail all year round, so
programmes such as EastEnders, Hollyoaks, and Coronation Street. Its a continual storyline that
involves a large amount of cast (compared to sitcoms with their with individual storylines and
events. Within each episodes you would have multiple character storylines which shows the
audience a multitude of events. Serials generally deal with real life events, so depending on

characters and their age they may deal with different storyline for instance, in EastEnders, Abi being
18 is having to deal with going to university and possibly leaving her long-term boyfriend behind. In
comparison of age wise, Dot has to deal with her husband having bad health problems and being in a
home.
Some main conventions of serial programmes are:
Location is key generally they have a main meeting point that most characters will have a scene in
and it is a main point in the location for the program for instance EastEnders. Another conventions is
that soap operas strive for realism within each of their episodes, from location to the costumes that
the actors wear. Within a soap they try to maintain a cliff hanger ending to keep their audience
motivated to watch the nest episode to see what happened with the cliff hanger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l5gXImhIe4
This just shows the amount of storylines and the filming that would go in a serial, as it would play/air
throughout the majority of the week.
Single drama; is a one off production/ TV programme that can consist of different narratives, and
endings but generally because they are only previewed once with no other episodes after it they
have a closed ending. Theses are very rare

Genres
Genre is categories, it categorizes things such as TV programmes and films, depending on their
content. There is a wide range of genres in the media some of them are: Romance, Horror, Comedy,
and Documentary, there are many others; some come under the category of sub genres. Sub Genres
are another category that come under some of the main Genres such as: Horror Documentary (My
Amityville Horror) or Romance Comedy (Friends). It could even be more specific than theses
example, for instance under the horror category you could have Paranormal Reality which would be
programmes such as Most haunted.
Period genre is where a TV programme or Film is set with a certain period of time, it is a sub-genre
to drama. Within this genre you have certain conventions such as: Elaborate costumes to create the
mise en scene in the production, for example in pride of prejudice you can see the dresses that the
girls wear when dancing with the men, they are modest, to the fall and only revealing skin in the
higher chest area/ neck this just plays to those of stereotypes of the period in which it was set in.
There was various camera movements, but think these play more the that of the plot within the
production, the main theme is love between two character and when having a close up of their faces
allows the3 audiences to have a clear view of how the characters are feeling, they also have a lot of
mid shots and establishing shot these are generally showing the characters scenery and putting
them in the habitat to show those two characters blossom in that place, this also shows the culture
of the period in which they are in due to the fact that during that time, marriages were arranged and
generally they would meet over dancing to get acquainted to one another, so with the camera work
it gives the audience the insider view as it shows the culture and how other during the time and in
the production would perceive it as well as being a part of the romance, with getting up close to the
characters. With lighting, it keeps it at a very calm tone which demonstrates the time period, that
actually the main source of light would be candles so it portrays that but at the same time the

greater light is on the main characters singling them out slightly. Period Dramas are often part of a
series such as Downton Abbey, there are only 9 episodes per series and generally contains a set of
historical events. A period drama also typically follows a linear narrative, that meaning it follows a
chronological sequence with time. Camera movements and lighting would have possibly changed
slightly especially within this genre, as they are trying to make a realistic representation of the time
period. With Camera techniques I think that most period dramas try to keep them reasonably
simplistic to mirror the idea that actually in those times technology was in it early stages, but
eventually this should all depend on the time era in which it is set as to how they all change and
what camera movements are best to portray the characteristic of the time period by how the
production is seen by the audience. For example, the camera movements in the downton abbey clip
below just demonstrate some of the main shots, such as a panning shot of the manor in which they
live in, its a simple, yet effective it instantly grasps the audience and display the type of lifestyle the
characters live; it also shows the power of the Manor which in turn gives the characters in the
production more stanza and power. Commonly during this time there was a distinct hierarchy and
the camera movement showed this in the way how that actually there would be a slight up shot to
the main characters, who live in the house, and they the servants would generally have a gown shot
on them which showed them to be smaller and less powerful. But the majority of main characters
will have their individual storyline so among those the hierarchy of shot may change slightly, you can
slightly see it in the clip below, when the maid runs they do an up shot which shows her to be the
most important but only at that point. Lighting within this piece is quite obvious. So downstairs in
the servant courters you have quite a dingy and dark atmosphere but upstairs you have a very bright
and light atmosphere, it displays the difference between characters in the production clearly.
Personally, I feel that actually for the time period Downton Abby clearly represents the stereotypes
of the time period, whilst with the camera work and editing creates more a deeper effect on the
programme, like the idea of hierarchy and the overall presentation of where they live and who each
character is; it greatly realistic making it easier for the audience to respond and understand it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lpgesehOjI
You can see their costumes and the way that they talk, as well as the location being a prestigious
Manor. It creates a realistic version of what it would have been like within this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV3rQSIoCHw

You can see their costumes and the way that they talk, as well as the location being a large Manor,
as well as the highiarchy in the clip..
Crime genre is where TV programmes or films are based around the actions of a criminal
masterminds. Some of their conventions would be, dark lighting to convey generally the morbid
deeply plotted storyline, it gives the audience the feeling of fear and that the situation is unclear or
unresolved as they are still in the dark. Fast paced editing is commonly used within this genre to
convey speed and distress, it shows urgency to figure out the crime. Camera shot can show many
different things with crime drama, the most used one would be close up and mid shots, they
emphasis crimes as to how bad they are though facial expressions and how each character is
perceived though the characters. Most crime dramas such as Sherlock plays to the stereotypes of a
detective and side kick, that they generally come in pairs and help each other through out crimes,
but one is always more dominate than the other.

Soap opera is a TV program that is played the majority of the week, its generally about half an hour,
it has a continuing story, there is a set of events that will happen over time and each episode but
most episodes end in an open ending as the episodes will continue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex_88VqYPk8
Comedy genre is a TV program that is created with an intention to make the audience laugh. Within
this genre there is a large amount of sub-genre, for instance sitcoms (situation comedies) which is TV
programmes such as the inbetweeners that is based in a school and about a group of outcast kids;
and others such as RomCom (Romantic Comedy). Convention of comedy is the stereotypical nature
of each character for instance in inbetweeners you can see that in the will as he is posed as the nerd
character with his brief case and blazer. Closed narrative, which means in each episode they have a
set of events which meant to happen. You can see this in this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqr8yPipfJ8
The immediate sarcasm from the characters voice over instantly creates the comedic scene. It makes
the whole production, light hearted, and also begins with the stereotype which immediately plays to
the comedy conventions. Personally, for people my age (16-19yr old) it very easy to relate to this
due to the fact that actually we are going through similar thinks to what the characters are going
through and can grasp easier on the jokes and stereotypes that are within this programme and clip.
Its extremely realistic from the mise en scene point of view from:, using a proper school uniform
and, an actual school. The camera work is single camera which allows more freedom within the
programme and makes it feel more natural to the audience, as well as mirroring the possible lifestyle
that the main characters lead: unpredictable, energetic, and educational. The lighting and editing
make it all seem realistic, for example the lighting it natural and bright no sense of mood created
other than the realism of a day within a school, and editing wise, it simplistic in the way that the
camera moves in such a natural way making everything flow and seem more flawless and just
complete the realism. I think in some sense with the amount of stereotypes used this hindered the
realism of the piece as its at the point where to the audience it can be predictable, for example wills
story of his parents divorcing and him having to transfer to public school. Though this does happen
and still remains believable to the audience, its just can be an overplayed stereotype.

Narrative
A linear Narrative is when a programme/ series/ film follows the story in chronological order. So the
story is shown in a straight line, so follow the time sequence in which these events happen so the
exposition that being the Audience seeing the characters and getting to know the location, then you
have the. For example Finding Nemo, follows a linear narrative, and it also has a closed narrative.
Firstly the audience see the

A non-linear narrative is when the programme/series/ film do not follow the chronological order in
which the events happen. So go from the end of the story to the beginning. This is used to make the
audience to connect with the characters more. The life and tale of Benjamin button, has a non-linear
narrative as we watch a mans life kind of being reversed, in the sense of age. He was born an old

man, and dies a baby so the sequence of his life is in chronological order but his actual state and
appearance is in reverse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqeqaweXBV0
Titanic, you start with seeing the main character years after the sinking, and then she retells the
events. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCy5WQ9S4c0
Flashbacks are when in the narrative takes the audience back to a different period of time, its
generally to reminisce about certain events. This also helps the audience to understand certain
things in with the events going on around them. For example, How I Met Your Mother it was based
all around flashbacks. In this story a Father tells his children the story of how he met their mother, so
it takes the audience back in time and showing the events that led up to him meeting their mother. I
think this was an interesting way to lead a flash back as it doesnt really appear as a flashback it
stuns the audience, it continues for longer than most flashback also which is interesting (lasting up
to 30 minutes). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOe4_kdqsmU
Forrest Gump, was a lovely example of how a flashback could have such an effect. It starts with
Forrest telling strangers his story, then as he tells it to you, there are interlude of flash backs
demonstrating the events he is describing. Then towards the end, you gradually fall into reality.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPIEn0M8su0
This is when the storyline could actually happen in real life and are believable. So Programmes such
as The Big Bang Theory, and films such as The Boy in the stripped pyjamas show this greatly.
The big bang theory, is realism as it shows a group friends who share a common love of science,
enjoy certain and share their love lives. The realism is important and well done in this, as they do
things that everyone does on a daily basis but with a comedic level to it, it also shows the audience
different perspectives in life from the differences between penny and Lenard. Critically, this is a
good representation of realism as most people could relate to their situation, this shown in this
clip...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzhG9580bTs
The boy in the striped pyjamas, is easier as a realist film because it is actually based on fact. The film
is based in World War 2, and the Nazi camps; it allows the audience to be very quickly emotionally
effected because there is truth behind the story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ypMp0s5Hiw
This is when the events in a film or programme cannot happen in real life, so this is things such as
Harry Potter and Marvel Superheros.
With Harry Potter, you have children attending a School for witchcraft and wizardry. This would be
seen as Anti-Realist as there is no such thing as magic, to an audience how they did it was good. The
target audience for this movie was younger years such as 10-15 but could also be focused on those
of an older generation, i feel the way anti-realism was captured in this movie allowed the younger
generation to dream a little more to be like their favourite character or have their powers and
allowed them to feel more connected to the characters and their lives.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EC2tmFVNN
Marvel is very similar again to that of harry potter but still is an Anti-realist production because of
the capabilities of their main characters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqkR0SwFN_4
This is when it an end doesnt really and truly end. It could end in a cliff-hanger, this makes the
audience want more and want to know what happens to the characters in the film or programme. A
closed ending is when it has a proper ending.

Technical
There is a variety of pros and cons of both Single camera and Multi camera filming with in aspects
such as
Problems with the camera
Certain problems with single camera filming is that actually you will be handling the camera more
whilst filming so it can be seen as more shaky and less focused, rather than with Multi camera
because it is stationary and easier to handle. You can see this in Blair witch project which shows a
group of adult go to a Forrest which is meant to be haunted, they handle their own camera work
which in turn makes the whole film seems better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wANrj1BSIss
Sound, There would be more background noise from using the camera as you may move your finger
and it would picked up but the speakers as well as back ground noise but that all plays to the pros of
realism within a pieces as well as it being possible to edit out. Meanwhile, with Multi camera filming
it just makes the cameras easier to handle so there wouldnt have to be people necessarily handling
the way they would have to in single camera and you wouldnt have as much noise in the
background because noise would be regulated.
Lighting, single camera improvise with natural lighting as it would be difficult to bring lighting that
would be used within sets to other locations so they try to keep it as practical as possible but at the
same time that is where editing come in handy because if they needed to they could edit the lighting
that way, this makes it slightly more work. In comparisons, in a multi camera production there would
be set lighting, so the effect is already created.
Editing, for single camera techniques will be longer to edit as you would have to edit sound and
more of the clips because of shaking and more background noise, there is more room to edit to
create effect that possible multi camera as well. where as in Multi camera the sound would be
position well to get the right shots and sound would be good, as well as the lighting as the set is
souly created to give the production or TV programme the lighting, sound and scenery it needed.
Building a scene, for single camera techniques you dont have a set, which creates more diversity in
your production, that actually you could just go to any location and film there as you wouldnt need
such important or dramatic equipment to create an effect, single camera does rely on editing for a
lot of it work. Whereas in multi camera, a set is built around the camera which makes the location

permanent, so they create the effect with lights automatically so there isnt as much need for
editing. See with multi camera you build the scene instantly and just create what your mind had
chosen, in a sense this could be scene as more freedom due to the fact of creating what you want,
but at that the same time it doesnt apply to that of realism, that is were single camera techniques
have the upper hand.
Building Story Because of the freedom with single camera, it creates more depth in a storyline. You
can defiantly with the technical side of any production impact the whole overall viewing of the
film/programme, with the lighting editing and audio sides of thing you could create an atmosphere
which wasnt at there when filming, it is powerful to think what impact just the technical side has on
the audience, its not just the acting. By: Camera angles, Location, Characters.
How I would use sound, lighting and editing to help me fully depends on the genre and event of the
production. For example, if it was horror I would use dark lighting to convey the idea of horror and
fear, to really draw in the audience and make them feel the horror just by looking at the setting and
lighting. Editing it would depend on the specific part, i would do slow cuts and close ups, slow cuts
would create more anticipation and suspense, but as it go to the main part i would do quick cuts to
show to the distress of the characters. The finally camera work, i would use a lot of mid shots and
close ups as, mid shot can display clearly would is happening and still capture the fear of the
characters as well as with close ups the audience get more chance to read the body language off of
the charcacters so they can see the fear shown on their faces. For example in Luther, With lighting in
Luther, it a middle ground between dark and light. It's still dark in the idea that it still conveys certain
ideas of who is the evil one and the fact that it is a crime they are in, but on the other hand the light
shows the realism within the piece. It being mid day and it being light, it just shows to the audience
that crime goes on everywhere and at any time instead of playing to the stereotypical dark lighting
in tries to make the production more relatable and realistic for the audience. The camera work uses
mainly close ups, other the shoulder shots, and mid shot. Close up, it's shows the characters
emotion, you see this in the clip when Luther detective is stood at the elevator we first see the a
shoot on the number increasing on the elevator, then we have a close up of Luther face, it shows
both fear and recognition for what is going to happen.
The over shoulder within this clip was always from the good guy (detective) and to the criminal. It
firstly gives the idea of power as the camera shows the detective always looking down at the
criminal, this could also show good from bad/right from wrong, displaying subtly to the audience
who the real criminal is as well as showing a contrast in the people and how they actually are (good
or evil). For example in this clip you see the when Luther moves to the side of the lift as the girl walks
out of the lift, when she goes to the front door the camera pans behind Luther in a slight down shot
from Luther's shoulder demonstrated the other character being smaller than him. But at the same
point it can be used to show to establish what's happening, so for instance you see Luther on the
bridge and you see the evil character coming towards Luther so it shows what's happening and
establishes their location.
Mid shots also demonstrate the emotion of the characters and the body language of what's going
on. You can again see this on the bridge when you have Luther and the women, they establish the
shot and events with a mid shot then either you close ups, over the shoulder or even shot-reverseshots, shot-reverse-shot are when they go from the difference positions the characters where
standing in to create the effect of a conversation.

But at the same time its not a main single camera drama, it has elements which comply with a single
camera drama as you can see how the camera with move freely and create movement, and just
creating realism over all.
The editing was key, as they again didn't necessarily conform to the stereotypes in the fact that they
don't particularly use fast pace cutting or slow pace cutting they created a very moderate pace to
the editing which again makes it realistic, but when I fine makes the scenes seem faster is the
background music it mirrors the events happening on screen and increase tensions at certain point
by the pace and the volume, so when Luther is at knife point the music volume gets higher and
faster.
Personally I would have shot a crime drama like this myself, as to the audience is greatly realistic
with editing/lighting/and camera work being very simplistic but at the same time creating the
anticipation needed to make the audience feel and understand what is going on in the production.
Thought I do feel that actually they possibly should have played a little bit more stereotypes
especially with the fast paced editing this would increase the tension with in the programme make
the audience more suspenseful and grasp the drama of the events happening within it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1M51PhL-0c