Product Research

Charmed

In charmed, the opening sequence, there is a variety of many different aspects of media used within it, such as cinematography, editing and sound. Firstly in the opening scene, it shows all the different characters and they are shown with the many different colours. As the scene slowly begins, there is a man, who seems to be evil comes in front of the camera, and the fact that he is wearing black connotes the message of evilness and danger or even death. Behind him there are two other characters which are shown and these seems to be of lower authority as they are wearing a different costume in comparison to the first guy, as they are wearing armoured wear. From this we could gather that they are the bodyguards, or the protagonists slave of some kind. 

Following this there is a scene in which an additional man is introduced and he seems to be scared and is hiding . He appears to be some kind of unknown person as his actions connote he does not want to be scene. When he eventually gets up when the others have walked past he has a stick in his hand bangs it on the floor and a man appears, this shows that he is able to do magic and appears to be a magician.

There is a lot of cinematography that has been used within the scene, firstly when the scene opens; they all appear to be in a dungeon as there has been a high angle shot used in order to convey this. From the angle that this has been shot it shows us that the one we see first ie the one dressed in black has some sort of high authority and connotes the message that he could be leader as there are others walking behind him. Continuously to this there has been a shot which shows exactly what both the actors look likes and what their expressions are. In order to engage and show the audience exactly what is going on, a point of view shot has been used. This shows exactly what the protagonist is looking at. In addition to this, when the men are passing the man that appears to be hiding another point of view shot has been used and this shows the guards/slaves walking past and gives us the idea that they are looking for him. Finally the last shot is the tracking shot which shows him being taken to the one who appears to be the master in the scene. When the conversation is going on the repetitive shot reverse shots are used in order to show both of them when they are talking.

In this scene a lot editing has been used and this brings more and more tension within the scene and also brings an enigma code to the scene too. To begin with, the straight cuts that have been used in each scene help to link each scene to another. In addition to this the different straight cuts that have been used within scene help to show each of the shots in a consecutive order, which, when editing is known as continuity editing. Finally in the end of the scene, were the man is being dragged across the room, the straight cuts that are used, builds tension up, and for the audience builds a lot of tension up. Going back to the start of the clip, there is a fade that has been used and this helps in order to create more of an evil and dark atmosphere.

90210

The first shot which has been created has been done with the use of a low angle shot of the Beverly hills’ sign. This connotes fame and connotes that the it is going to be shot there. The fast pace editing that has been used, shows from shot to shot, the different areas. Alongside these shots there is also a parallel song which has been played which is completely in sync with the music. Following each shot, we as an audience see a series of different shots from the different Hollywood Signs to the Expensive things there, for example the cars which run across the road. The different cars that are shown, connotes that the area is of a very high standard and is glamorous. As soon as the singer begins to sing we then see a shot, which appears to be done with the use of a Hollywood Crane Shot as it is panning across. The song which is being used in the background creates a good transaction when it comes to showing one shot, then another as it goes well to what they show in each one.

There are two main characters which are introduced in a car with these adults who appear to be the parents. As the teenage boy is sat in the car he says the words ‘This Sucks’, this is a typical stereotype, as this is what most teenagers say.  Having had driven in a dirty family car, connotes that the family is not of a high class family as shown in Beverly Hills previously, but are much more of a middle class one, which creates a contrast to the setting, as it shows much more of a glamorous area, however those that all live there do not all live up to the high standards shown. As there are palm trees, clear skies and clean buildings, this portrays even more of the fact that it is a glamorous and rich area, creating even more of a contrast between the family that have just arrived and the place they are living in, showing a lower sort of status. In addition to this they all appear to dress like a normal family, in comparison to those that live in Beverly Hills. Towards the end of the opening scene, we are then informed why they have moved there, as stated ‘Grandma is getting old’, this connotes that the family are very considerate, kind and very family orientated.

Friends

When friends begins, the opening scene shows two characters both conversing with each other. In addition to this, as the audience, we can also hear another person’s voice, however cannot see who it is. The scene itself begins with a long shot, which is of the first character. The first character appears to be looking down and making no eye contact with the camera whatsoever. The fact that we are unable to see who the third person is, that is talking, this creates an enigma code, and for those that are watching, makes us want to know who and where the voice is coming from. When the second character comes into the scene, a long shot has been used. This allows us as the audience to see both the facial expressions and the body language of her. Attention is brought as she begins to talk really fast to the other character, and this again creates a type of enigma code, as it makes us want to know what is going on and why she is talking so fast. This automatically creates tension as it makes us think that something may be about to happen. A medium shot has then been used to show the characters. Alongside this, a shot reverse shot has been used so we can see both the characters whom are presents facial expressions and the way they are acting.

Within the scene firstly there is key lighting being used, and this is what allows us as the audience to see each and every characters facial expression, and their movements in detail. Editing has also been used in order to create intensity in the scene, for example fast cuts have been used. The main action in this scene is dialogue, and this is when the characters are conversing, however non diagetic sound were used in order to allow us as the audience to hear the noises of the audience laughing, those that are present at the time of shooting. These sounds have been used very well as they are parallel and are only used when the audience supposedly should find something funny.

Vampire Diaries                                    

As the scene begins, there have been a few dramatic shadows which have been created, with the use of low key lighting. Following this there has been a non diagetic over voice that has been used before the characters have been introduced the scene. The first line that has been spoken is ‘over a century I have lived in secret’, this shows that he is not like the rest on earth, however is immortal. It is this which makes the audience straight away jump to the conclusion that he is an alien/vampire, etc. These lines spoken following the setting of the woods being shown were it is very gloomy and dark, creates a type of enigma code, as it makes those that are watching wonder what it is and what is about to happen. In order to show fully that a car is being driven throughout the words, there has been a crane shot used, and a lot of straight cut edits have also been used.

There is a smooth transaction created in order to show the relationship between each of the shots that have been created by using a sound bridge after the non diagetic noice (over voise) stops speaking, and the music of the car is then heard. This creates a build up until the shot of inside the car is shown of the couple together in the car. A moment of tense is then created, when fog begins to appear and when out of it, the woman then shouts. Following this, medium shots are used alot in order to show both of the characters faces in terror after hitting the man.

Checking for whether a pulse was present or not, the male character feels nothing of the man that has fallen. The ring is then brought attention to, and creates and shows importance to it. As he3 is trying to help the old man, a quick movement is made and the audience is shown fangs being dug into the male’s neck. The female in the car, is left not knowing what has just happened, and gets out of the car. The female is then scared as she cannot see the male she was within the car and her facial expression become more and more distinct and connotes more and more of the message that she is scarred. All of a sudden when the drop of the body on the car is heard along with blood marks on his neck, she runs away and with the use of a point of view tracking shot we can see that the vampire is going after the woman now. Finally a fade is used in order to jump from one shot to the Title of Vampire Diaries.

Pretty Little Liars

As the scene opens, a medium shot has been used in order to show all the characters whom are present. This also allows us as the audience in order to see the different body and facial expressions and connotes exactly who is saying what. After this, a close up has then been used in order to show that the female whom is talking’s speech is very important and so that attention is brought to her and we know that she is of high authority and is the main character in that moment. We are also able to see her facial expressions as she speaks. Whilst having the conversation with the person who appears to be her friend, an over the shoulder shot has been used. After she has said what she has, the camera is then put onto her other friend whom is then speaking, a shot reverse shot is used in order to show both of the characters throughout the conversation, and this also connotes that the topic of which they are discussing is important.

Following this, the camera then goes back into a medium shot of all the girls that were present there. Panning is used to show back and fourth of the girls that are standing together and then of the girl who is standing there alone. Again, when the girl begins to talk, whom has her hair tied up, a close up shot was used in order to show her facial expressions, and again to show importance towards what she is about to say. As soon as the bell rings, a long shot has then been used as they all exit the toilets. Whilst walking, the girls see two ladies, and as soon as they do, they appear to quickly jump back into the toilets. As the women are talking a long shot has been used in order to show what they’re facial expressions are like and were they are. Lastly a medium shot has been used to show the way the girls begin to panic and the way they are reacting.