TV Extract analysis

Hey guys, today I have analysed the first 5 minutes of casualty. 

From 00.36 to approx. 05.36

TV Extract analysis- Casualty

Camera shots and movements

This extract as a wide range of different shots and movements. This is because to create more panic and suspense, especially as most of it is set in a hospital. Panning movements are used quite a lot to establish a scene and to follow a character around. For example, right at the start of the extract, the scene is a established by panning from the shot of the reception desk to the front of it showing three of the characters.

A shot that is rarely used is the over the shoulder shot. In this extract, it is used to establish pride from the characters; when a carrot juice factory is in production and the owner and maybe the manager (does not really specify) look out onto this scene. Also, the dialogue helps to imply of this pride.

The Eye level shot is used a fair amount too to show a conversation between two characters. For example, at the start, the woman has a conversation to the man about going in the ambulance. The camera switches back and forth between the characters at an eye level height. The movement of zooming in and out is quite common to focus in on characters and out to the surroundings. The owner of the factory is shot from the front and the camera gradually zooms in. Another technique I noticed was focusing on the background and out of focusing the foreground. This is only used once when in the harvest festival rehearsal, the children look back at a photo with their friend, Bobby who is absent. This draws attention to the picture and emphasises on the children longing for him to be there.

The duration of the shots is normally shorter when dealing with a casualty. This is used when two characters are in the supermarket; the durations are long and this makes this part of the scene calm. However, when a shop assistant falls, the durations become quicker, creating more panic and suspense.

Mise en scene

This technique is not used very much but there are a few scenes that use it. Costumes and props are used in the factory production scene: like factory equipment, hair nets and white coats. Costumes and props are also used in the ambulance scene: fluorescent jackets, special emergency packs, portable loos and fake blood. The final example is in the house, the typical kitchen: table, clothes piled everywhere, woman dressed in casual clothes. Mise en scene helps to produce a scene to seem realistic which is definitely needed in this show because it’s a drama.

Editing

Two main techniques are used: 180 degree rule and match on action. The 180 degree rule is used to make the viewer only concentrate on the people in the shot which emphasises on the importance of the conversation. This is used at the start when the woman is explaining to the man about how he needs to help out in an ambulance.

This is also used when a meeting is shown between the carrot juice company and some investors. It does not show the rest of the room, making the side being focused important. Match on action is used in two scenes: in the hospital and the supermarket. When in the hospital scene, it’s used in a conversation between the man and the woman. It goes from an eye level shot to a group shot with the receptionist. This signifies that the receptionist is going to get involved in this conversation. In the supermarket, the women shop for lunch, having a conversation which darts back and forth between each other.

Sound

Ambient sound is used a good number of times to set the atmosphere of the location. For instance, hospital noises like the murmuring of voices are used. Another example is in the ambulance where the siren is used. Contrapuntal sound is used rarely, only in one scene. In the kitchen scene, the mother has an argument over the phone with her husband while happy music is being played on the radio. This signifies a sense of distortion of the mood of this scene which could confuse the viewer. And finally, sound bridge is used to link up two scenes with no bumps from the change of location. This is achieved by children singing the harvest song in school which is lengthened out to the next scene where Bobby is singing the same song. This connotes the sense of Bobby missing being at school.   

Hope this is helpful!

Emily x