Continuity task Evaluation

1. Explain the story of your video

Our video is about a girl who sees a boy in a magazine that she wants to cut out because she thinks he is gorgeous. She asks her friend Hugo to pass her the pair of scissors that he is holding, however he accidentally throws them too hard and they cut right through her hand. 

2. How did you attempt to create 'narrative flow' (continuity)

Because we were not allowed to edit the video, we tried to create continuity by holding our positions when the camera was paused. We would then resume action when we filmed the next shot. This was very difficult as some of the positions were hard to hold and we had to stay still for long periods of time. We also tried to use some of the rules of continuity by keeping an eye line match. This meant that me and Hugo had to keep looking at each other throughout the whole filming process. 

3. Did you achieve full continuity? If not, why not?

We were unable to achieve full continuity in the video. There were too many visible pauses between the shots where we didn't start speaking straight away. This means that the scene doesn't flow seamlessly as it is clear that the shots are separate.

4. In hindsight, what would you do differently to improve the narrative flow of your video and tell your story more effectively? 

If I had the opportunity to film the video again, i would take the rules of continuity into account more when thinking about what shots to film. If we had a master shot, the scene might have ran slightly smoother. I would also want to film in a better lit space as the lighting on both the characters looks very different and so it almost looks like the shots were filmed in different places.

Reflection on Practical: TV Drama Still

Final Still Image

The completed storyboard

To prepare for our photography practical, my group had to decide on a certain genre of TV Drama that we wanted to signify in our still images. We eventually chose the 'western' genre.  

We then discussed the typical codes and conventions of the western genre. For example, we knew that western dramas are usually set in abandoned, dessert settings or saloons. We also talked about the typical narratives of western dramas, which usually include shoot-outs, drinking, smoking and lots of crime. 

Talking about the appropriate conventions helped us to decide on the costumes that we would need to wear and the props that we would need to use in the shoot. it also really helped us to visualise the narrative moments that we would try and portray in the stills. 

My still is a MS of a man playing an old, wooden piano. He is wearing a checkered shirt, a leather waistcoat and a cowboy hat. This is a genre signifier for the audience as this outfit is typical of cowboys in western shows. Furthermore, the cigar and whiskey bottle props are used to anchor the western genre as men used to drink and smoke quite heavily in the late 19th century.

From the bold highkey lighting we can infer that this character is  possibly dangerous. This can also be connoted from the way that the character is positioned facing away from the camera. Furthermore, because we cannot see his face, we can assume as an audience that he is quite mysterious. 

I intended for the audience to recognise the typical iconography of the western genre. I was attempting to create a narrative moment in a saloon with a cowboy playing the piano. The dark and intense lighting connote that the character is dark and dangerous and this could set up certain enigmas for the character as we wonder if he could be a potential antagonist.

I am really happy with the location that we used and the piano that we were able to access. I feel like this really helped with signifying the genre to the audience. Furthermore, the mis-en-scene really connoted the genre to the audience as the costume and props are really recognisable as western props. 

Overall, I am really happy with the way that the shot looks. However, if i were to repeat this activity, i would reposition the piano in such a way that the door on the right was not in the shot. The juxtaposition of the old, grand piano and the bright blue door ruins the consistancy of the old western feel to the image. Additionally, I would frame the shot from a lower angle to make the character seem more powerful.

TV Drama Still Analysis

Queen Elizabeth from 'The Crown'

Queen Elizabeth dominates the centre third of the image, instantly asserting her authority and signifying to the audience that she is an important character. Additionally, she stands directly in-front of everybody else in the shot to suggest that she is the most powerful character. This strong, powerful female lead is both shocking and intriguing to the audience, as women in the 1950's were typically presented as passive and weak. However in this still, the Queen is purposefully standing in the foreground to connote that she has the most authority. This is refreshing for the modern day audience as the show is not conforming to old stereotypes and presenting women in a positive light. The way the light falls directly onto the Queen, leaving the other characters submerged in darkness, further connotes her superiority as she demands the audiences attention.

Contrary to this point, the Queen also conforms to certain negative stereotypes as she is wearing an extravagant silk and fur outfit, with her hair neatly pinned back and lots of make-up on. This could be suggesting that women are very materialistic and self-obsessed. However, the directors may have purposefully made this decision to conform to the conventions of costume drama. This makes the show more realistic so that it is easier for the audience to believe and relate to.