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.