Preliminary exercise: TV drama scene

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1) Choose at least three TV dramas similar to your concept and watch at least one scene from each. Make bullet-point notes on everything you watch, commenting on camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.

Euphoria 
  • Not particularly because of the narrative, but I chose this as one of my inspired dramas due to the camerawork and lighting
  • The movement of the camera is very "fluid" as if the audience is a part of the group
  • The lighting is colourful and conveys messages through this 

I May Destroy You 
  • This narrative has a key element that I would like to base my crime drama on
  • Plays with narrative strands and is in non-chronological order  
  • Setting is clearly in London - shown through the music and culture
  • The crime drama aspect can be hidden in the dark comedy at times in the series 
  • Heightened sound effects - this is layered together to give a very eerie soundtrack 
  • Sudden contrast between the loud music and silence 
  • Flashbacks during her day - unable to live her life without thinking back to the night where she got spiked  

2) Write a script for your TV drama scene. You'll find guidance for writing a script in the BBC Writers' Room (click on the Script Library to read real examples of professional TV scripts). Lay it out like a real script (see right) - it will add a level of professionalism to your production.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OPTL1UomEAgMLbRzMv0Z-7GJ1mpkuG6KcB-8kAHzCbc/edit?usp=sharing

3) Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing. These additional shots are often close-ups, cutaways, alternative angles or similar. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word to set out your shot list - you can find an example here. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i2QBnchoxlLPt9Mdum4oioy5eLmYKwoDyi0qfKQtH_E/edit?usp=sharing

4) Plan your mise-en-scene: what iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre? Plan your cast, costume, make-up, props, lighting and setting. For this preliminary task, use just one location to keep it simple.

The makeup will be a big factor into understanding the experience the character has gone through since the crime is not explicitly shown - a fake bruise on her face.
The colour of the lighting and low-key lighting will be used to convey an eerie atmosphere and the fear of the unknown for both the audience and the character.
The setting will clearly display where the character is (a house party) and so the dangers surrounding this will be clear. The non-diegetic music will also convey this message too.

5) Plan a shooting schedule that will ensure everything is filmed by the deadline. Include when, where, who is required and what shots you will complete at each time/location.

I plan to film during the half term with one of my friends playing the main character.
I would also like to film in the evening as the time of day will be a key factor in the mysterious and dangerous aspect of my video.

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