Continuity Task Evaluation

1. Explain the story of your video.

In the video, both characters are sitting at a table; one of them (Megan) asks for a pair of scissors to cut an image from a magazine.  The character who is asked agrees (Hugo) and recklessly throws the scissors directly through the girl's hand.  Megan screams at the top of her voice and Hugo curses, realizing the damage that was done. 

2. How did you attempt to create 'narrative flow' (continuity)?
We tried to create continuity by abiding to by the 180 degree rule, so the conversation seemed as if both characters were looking at the same thing.  The use of the establishing shot at the beginning of the video was used to increase the audience's sense of place as well.  Finally, an eyeline match was established throughout, making it seem as if both characters were looking at each other.

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

No, we did not achieve full continuity.  The lighting change can be noticed between shot 2 and 3.  This makes it seem as if the shot was at another time or in a different setting, making it seem slightly confusing for the viewer.  The 'jump cut' created was an attempt of a match on action.  This failed as the 30 degree rule was violated.

4. In hindsight, what would you do differently to improve the narrative flow of your video and tell your story more effectively?
To improve narrative flow, including a master shot with both characters would be good for the audience, as it would give them a better view as to what is going on, besides from just the establishing shot.   This also may apply to the constant use of mostly mid-shots and close ups; a greater variety of shots would also solve the problem of the audience's spacial awareness.  Finally, re-shooting shots 3 and 4 would rid of the lighting change as well as rectify the match on action.

Reflection on Practical: TV Drama Still

The second shot in the storyboard (which became the still below).

• For this practical, it was decided collectively to conform to the 'western' sub-genre.  This would make up a series of 4 TV Drama stills.  Ideas concerning genre signifiers of the western theme were taken into account, as well as shot types and locations which we could use in order to encode information for the audience.  A storyboard was then developed which was constantly referred back to during the production process. 

A shot of both characters looking into the horizon.

• The medium long shot captures both a cowboy and a cowgirl standing in the shade of a tree in front of a saloon. The man is pointing forward, as they appear to be witnessing the horizon ahead.  Natural lighting was used to convey the active and outdoor lifestyle of those in the 'wild west'.  In reference to mise-en-scène, the characters take up the middle third of the frame, implying that their role or actions is somewhat significant to the events which my unfold.  The shot features genre signifiers in the form of props, for example the pistol in the man's pocket or the traditional cowboy hats they're both wearing.

• From this shot, I wanted the audience to feel as if there was a connection between the characters in the frame.  However, I also wanted to create a subtle sense of juxtaposition between the female character, who appears possibly cold and uninterested with the male protagonist who seems thrilled and invested in what is in the distance.  Therefore this shot attempts to capture what could be an equilibrium or the beginning of a disruption within a narrative.

• In relation to Barthes' narrative codes, the shot is meant to provoke the audience to ask themselves what exactly the two characters are looking at and why they have different reactions towards the subject; this would be the enigma code.  In this shot, I was also trying to communicate the idea of deception. One could possibly connote from this shot, due to the cowgirl's  facial expression being similar to a 'poker-face', as it comes across as solitary and unreadable.  This would be classed underneath the semic code, as the audience or viewer would have to infer this information.  In the still, the female character is symbolic of a femme-fatale, who possibly causes the downfall the male protagonist next to her.  The symbolism which is encoded in the still would belong under Barthes' symbolic code.                                                                                
• I would say that the props and costume were successful in this shot, as they worked well in being genre signifiers; they explicitly portrayed what we were attempting to get across.  In contrast, if I was to repeat the activity, I would focus on changing the shot type.  Instead of a medium long shot, I would make it a two-shot as it would focus more on the expressions the characters have on their faces, enhancing their symbolism.

TV Drama Still Analysis

The still from the crime-drama 'Gotham' portrays the character, Edward Nygma's maniacal sigh of relief after succeeding in committing his first murder.  The character is captured in a close-up shot, dominating the frame with his body, suggesting that he is exuding confidence as he accepts and embraces the new, insane path which comes after murder.  The knife which he is staring at is stained in blood, as well as central of the frame.  This may connote that the idea of blood-lust and violence are going to have roles within the character's future or may simply represent the importance of his act.  The character's costume and hairstyle are rather 'out of place' which contrasts with his large glasses, which we commonly relate to intellectuals.  The still distorts the perceptions most of the audience would have of intellectuals and provides them with a bleaker and more gruesome image of what one could be like.