Becky: Research into Camera techniques and representation in period dramas.

 During our group meeting, we all decided to do additional research about specific topics; mine was to collect research about common camera techniques (shots and movement) and representation of the characters in period’s dramas such as The Tudors. I did this by gathering primary information, by watching the first episode of each of these three period dramas:

1. The Tudors,
2. Pride and Prejudice,
3. Emma.

The Tudors

The Tudor’s opening was upbeat and fast paced, which was the affect of a successful combination of tracking and panning. It gave me the impression that I was witnessing a hunt between two rivals; two groups of men. As well as this, to highlight how fast they were moving to their target, there were many close ups of their lower limbs including feet whilst they were walking. In the first three minuets of this episode, a wide range of shots were used, the most common ones that were used were long and medium shots as well as close ups.

Through out the program, I realised that the majority of the camera shots, showing the characters were medium shots (torso upwards) and long shots. They may have decided to use medium shots, to draws the viewer’s attention to the conservation and facial reactions of the characters, also it prevents them from getting distracted from the activities happing around the main situation. They used long shots to show the location to the viewers also to magnify how grand the buildings were.  Eye line matching were often used to  allow the viewers to see what the character they are following is seeing; this potentially can make the viewers feel more involved and connected to the situation in the program.

To show authority as well as vulnerability and power, a vast amount of dominant and submissive shots were used. Dominant shots enhance the character’s power, by making them look more grand and important. On the other hand, submissive shots create the opposite affect; it makes the character look vulnerable and weak. Often, the male characters in The Tudors had higher authority and control over the women; they were considered more significant and powerful than the Female characters.

I noticed that the characters facial expressions and reactions were enhanced, often by zooming in; by zooming in the viewers attention is drawn to the emotion on their face, also it highlight the importance of reactions and may give a clue to the connection between each group of people e.g. a negative reaction or expression may show hatred towards the person they are looking at, which may suggest they are enemies.

Pride and Prejudice.

The first two minuets of this period drama differs from ‘The Tudors’ as the pace is slower and more relaxed, also the camera angle is slightly tilted upwards to give a dominant affect, this gave the impression that this lady (which is the main attraction on the opening scene) is very important and powerful. However this dominant shot may be enhancing her positive emotion instead.

Through out this episode I noticed that a variety of camera shots were used such as over the shoulder shot and medium shot. The most common one that was used was the medium shot, especially when conversations were taking place. The over the shoulder shot often influences the viewers to feel like someone else is following that specific character, or can potentially make them feel that they are looking over the character’s shoulder themselves.

During this episode, a lot of zooming techniques were used to draw the viewer’s attention to a certain object or activity, similar to ‘The Tudors’. As well as this, frequently slow panning was used; this differs to The Tudors as the majority of their panning was fast, as their entire piece had a faster pace.

Emma

This period drama opening differed to the other two, as it opened with a gathering of people celebrating and dancing. However through out all of the chosen period dramas, there were many gatherings in grand buildings, this highlighted how wealthy the main characters were; also it enhanced their authority and importance.

Similar to both previous dramas, medium shots and zooming techniques were often used for important affects such as drawing the viewers to an important object or situation.

I realised that through out this episode that the pace varied which differs from The Tudors, as The Tudors pace was mainly fast and upbeat.  

The majority of the male characters in this drama had a great amount of power and authority; this was enhanced by dominant shots and posture.

In each period drama that I decided to base my research on, there were many similarities in the representation and activities that were in them. In each one, the male characters were dominant and had the most control and power, where as the female characters were often vulnerable and didn’t have the equal amount of importance as the male characters, this may be because each era these dramas were based on, were before women’s rights and equality between both genders were acknowledged. I also noticed that there was a clear difference between wealthy and poor people by the distinctive difference in their clothing and accommodation. However the main character’s age didn’t vary as there were only two groups, young adults and the elderly.