Tv Drama Mind-Map

TV Drama Exam Commentary – Good Exam Responses

TV Drama Exam Commentary – Good Exam Responses

At the beginning of both commentaries’ emphasis is put on how the candidate needs to focus on ‘specific case study material’. The Examiner looks for an English like approach in that it is well structured and has ‘fluency’. As well as this it asks you to look beneath the surface of what is shown to you and look at what the director intends us to think both subconsciously and consciously with the use of camera shots, mise-en-scene, editing and sound and not just list camera shots and techniques ‘superficially’. However it differs from English in such that it is very important to structure your response chronologically. Also it isn’t important to bother with ‘Long introductions’ as they are ‘unnecessary for this question. The best responses got straight on with the analysis.’ Another important thing is to have background research as it helps candidates to pick up on particular techniques used by directors. Editing appears to be one of the weaker points of all candidates so an effort must be made on that aspect as it is just as important in setting up ‘perspective’ in the chosen scene. The phrase ‘Jump cut’ is a specific example of an editing technique that was ‘wildly misused’. Sound is similar to editing in that it is a subtle way of altering the audience’s perspective of a character. It is extremely important to use correct terminology as this shows the examiner confidence and clear understanding.

Mood Board

Fimling Techniques/Rules

Match - on - Action is where a character is filmed from alternate angles completing the same movement.

Shot/Reverse Shot is usually used in a conversation between two people where the camera uses a mix of over the shoulder and POV shots switching between characters as they speak

The 180 degree rule is when you are filming and you ca only film form 1 half otherwise if you switched to the other side it would to the audience as if the characters were suddenly facing the other way. A good example of this is a football match where you can only film from one side or it would look like the teams have switched sides.