Monday 29 November 2010

Pro's and Cons of Possible Locations

Classroom
Pro- Realistic for type of programme. Obviously recognisable to audience.
Con -  Possibly some classrooms lack in space so could be a little difficuilt to film.

Stairs
Pro - Wide space easy to film. accessable from many different angles and perspectives. Realistic for type of programme.
Con -  Can get busy between lessons which will lead to crowding. Also students interfeering with equipment could be an issue.

Corridor
Pro - Some corridors offer a wide open space enabling different angles to be filmed. Realistic. long shots are wasily filmed due to long corridors adding effect.
Con - Like the stairs, the corridors do get busy during lesson changes.


Diner
Pro - Wide space enabling many different angles. Different to a normal canteen. Retro feel.
Con - Lunchtimes get busy so filming would be tricky. Also students may interfeer with equipment.


Hall
Pro - Massive space enabling many angles. Added bonus of the stage meaning that high angle and canted angle shots could be achieved. Authentic and recognisable to the audience. Great for assembly shots.
Con - could possibly get an echo due to the size of the room.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Research and Planning - Summary of All The Opening Titles

Having looked at 3 opening sequences, I now have a better understanding of the conventions, these being:-

Conventions Of Opening Sequences To Children's TV Drama's
  • The use of bright colours ( In most cases)
  • Bold font used for the shows title
  • Title is shown on screen for a considerable time.
  • Characters are introduced - Usually from a mid shot or close up perspective so the viewer can easily recognise them in the programme.
  • The use of up beat music - Captures the attention of the intended audience.
  • Animation used ( Mainly in shows aimed at younger children)
  • Gives clues to setting to the show.( If not show you)

Research And Planning - Analysis of Byker Grove Opening Titles 1989

Byker Grove was a children's TV drama that ran from 1989 - 2006 for 18 series on both BBC1 and the CBBC Channel. The show is set in the Byker District of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

These titles are slightly different to the other two I have looked at in that they seem to be aimed at the older teenagers rather than children/young teenagers. This is evidenced by the `Earthy` colour used and the basic structure.

The titles are based around a moving backdrop of Newcastle from the air. Although the camera is high up this is good in that the viewer can gage an impression of where the show is set.
The immediate difference with these titles is that the programmes name is on screen for the entire sequence. This is unusual but it does give the viewer time to read it.

Also the characters are introduced differently. They are seen individually jumping on to the screen, in time with the spoken words. On "Byker" the character appears and then on "Grove" they fade out ,each in silhouette.
The use of silhouette is another unusual technique to use in a children's drama but one I feel that would appeal to the audience watching.

During the titles editing techniques have been used to good effect. The letter `O` flashes and then increases in size at different points during the sequence. This would catch the viewers attention and would strongly appeal to children.
Another technique used is to have different objects go from the top right hand side of the screen across the top and down to the bottom including a shoe, a dog and a boxing glove. This is done through animation.
The opening titles don't have a song attached to it like Tracy Beaker but it does use the repetition of the shows title. This is effective as it is catchy and again, like Tracy Beaker, something that would `stick` in your head as it emphasised throughout the opening sequence.

A similarity between Byker Grove and the other examples I have researched is that all 3 have up beat and quite `funky` music. This would appeal to the intended audiences and make them want to continue watching the programme and is a common convention of children's TV dramas.

Byker Grove Opening Titles 1989

Research And Planning - Analysis of Tracy Beaker Series 5 Opening Titles.

Tracy Beaker was a children's TV drama adapted from a novel written by Jacqueline Wilson.
The show ran from 2002 - 2006 over 5 series on both BBC1 and the CBBC Channel, followed in 2010 by Tracy Beaker Returns.

The titles are produced mainly using animation interacting with real life characters.This represents the style of the programme which in each episode shows a combination of real life action and animated segments for Tracy's dreams and made up stories. It is an unusual format but one that I feel is very effective for the genre and audience.
The colours used are extremely bright and vibrant constantly changing on screen and giving a wide range of intense colour. This would appeal directly to children watching and would draw them into the programme.

The music is up beat and modern but unlike Grange Hill it uses a song from half way through to the end of the sequence. It is sung and written by Keisha White and is catchy and would `stick` in your head.

The two main characters ( Tracy and Justine) are shown in real life doodling on cardboard cut outs of each other,using a mixture of close ups and mid shots.This represents the rivalry between them throughout the series.
Similarly, the other characters are seen in animated form playing around the children's home where the series is set. They are later seen in real life in a boys Vs girls tug of war. They are shown in mid shots and are all in focus so are easily recognised.
The camera shots and editing techniques are very quick and sharp but this doesn't distract from the flow of the sequence.
The last shot of all the characters finds them in an animated heap with Tracy in the middle, depicting her as the central character.
The shows title drops down over the heap and is constructed in bold bubble writting, of varying colours, which would appeal strongly to the intended audience. This is followed by the authors name and that of the illustrator, which does infact correspond to the 1978 Grange Hill titles which showed the programmes creator.

Tracy Beaker Series 5 Titles

Research And Planning - Analysis of Grange Hill Opening Titles 2001

Having already looked at the original titles for Grange Hill I decided to look at newer versions as a means of comparison.

One major difference is the music used to accompany the titles. It is still up beat but uses a variation on the original `Bell` at the end of the titles and has been given an up to date modern makeover ( almost as if the programme has grown up a bit) which would be more appealing to the target audience.

Also the intended audience seems to have changed slightly focusing more on teenagers. This could have been a change made by the producer in order to widen their audience or it could have been a directive from the BBC itself.

The second noticable difference is the format and style of the titles. This version uses block colours, mostly different shades of blue and purple ( possibly leaning a little more towards the male viewer) and as they blend well the chosen colours are `easy on the eye`.
By this era the comic strip style was dropped and the characters were shown in real life as apposed to animated.

We see the characters moving across the screen holding giant letters from the shows title. Some are seen slightly out of focus and from a mid shot distance, whereas other characters are using the letters in a functional way. I.e as a table for a keyboard or to put a book on and are seen in both close up shots and further away.

One similarity is that both versions end with the shows title on screen for 3-4 seconds and in quite bold font. From my research I have found that this trait is a common convention used across the board for children's TV dramas. This enables children watching to fully absorb the title and prepare them for the programme itself.
The 2001 version is in a `funky` style and placed in a jagard arrangement which is in keeping with the modern edge.

Grange Hill - 2001 Titles

Tuesday 2 November 2010

Research And Planning - Analysis of Grange Hill Titles 1978

Grange Hill was a long running children's drama spanning 30 Years. The show was broadcast primarily on BBC1 but later series were repeated on the CBBC Channel. It was shown during the recognised viewing times for the target audience ( Between 4 and 5pm)

The format of the opening titles are presented in the style of a comic, showing a series of images representing different aspects of a typical school day from running for the bus in the morning to lessons in the afternoon. This `comic book` style would appeal to the intended audience as the `comic` is something they would relate to at that time (1978).

One obvious convention of the genre is the use of bright colours ( Predominately the primary colours) throughout the opening titles, which immediatly catches the audiences eye.
Another convention of the opening sequence to a children's TV drama is to introduce the main characters.
Although the characters in Grange Hill are played by real people, in the opening titles they are shown in a cartoon format incorporating a wide range of editing techniques and camera movements as transitions between the frames. ( almost like a storyboard). At each section of the title sequence new characters are introduced and the frame is on screen for a short time but long enough for the viewer to recognise who they are. Also a commom trait is to use a combination of close up and mid shots to enable the children watching to easily identify the main characters.

BBC Grange Hill 1st intro 1978