Blue Velvet opening scene

Analyse this opening sequence. Watch closely...

Who is David Lynch?

Discuss the following;

• 
  
• Editing
• 
  
• Sound
• 
  
• Mise-en-scene
• 
  
• Use of the camera

Mind map an opening sequence of your own and start to prepare storyboards.  

Every shot counts.

Textual analysis (TV Drama)

Starter activity

Discuss the following trailer for a TV Drama starting its sixth series on Sunday.

Apply the key concept of representation.

You are going to analyse this sequence from a TV Drama. Apply the learning from previous classes and use subject specific terminology to de-construct the sequence. Your response will form your initial assessment.

Here are some guidelines from the exam board, OCR, on what you need to cover;

Use of the camera

• Shots: establishing shot, master shot, close-up, mid-shot, long shot, wide shot, two-shot, aerial shot, point of view shot, over the shoulder shot, and variations of these. • Angle: high angle, low angle, canted angle. • Movement: pan, tilt, track, dolly, crane, steadicam, hand-held, zoom, reverse zoom. • Composition: framing, rule of thirds, depth of field – deep and shallow focus, focus pulls.

Editing

Includes transition of image and sound – continuity and non-continuity systems. • Cutting: shot/reverse shot, eyeline match, graphic match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel editing, cutaway; insert. • Other transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe, superimposition, long take, short take, slow motion, ellipsis and expansion of time, post-production, visual effects.

Sound

Diegetic and non-diegetic sound; synchronous/asynchronous sound; sound effects; sound motif, sound bridge, dialogue, voiceover, mode of address/direct address, sound mixing, sound perspective. • Soundtrack: score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient sound.

Mise-en-scene

Production design: location, studio, set design, costume and make-up, properties. • Lighting; colour design. 

Consider the concept of representation in relation to this extract from the British TV drama 'Spooks'

Here is a link to another extract used by OCR for an exam in the past.  Candidates were asked to discuss the issue of representation of physical ability.

Mission Impossible opening sequence

Spectre

Analyse the trailer using your knowledge of terminology.

Focus on;

camera angles
use of the camera
shot types
diegetic sound
non-diegetic sound
editing
special effects
narrative
mise-en-scene

Representation issues in Taylor Swift's video for 'Wildest Dreams'

Watch the video to see if you can identify any issues with representation in this music video.

Now click on this link to read this article to gain an understanding of the controversy surrrounding this music video

Guardian article

Write a blog entry as research for your production

Front pages August 2015 (Migrant/ Refugee Crisis)

Pick one of these front pages and offer an analysis.