Task 4 - Narrative Structure, Camera Angles, Camera shots and movement

Eastenders is a soap opera; it is played 4 times a week. The narrative of Eastenders has a constant change; in each episode there will be a main storyline with sub stories intercrossing. For example Michael and Roxy’s storyline in realizing his depression towards his baby daughter left in his care. This is surrounded by other events such as Max concern on his daughter friends and their influence. 

On the other hand Doctor Who is a science fiction based genre; it has two main narratives the Doctor and his sidekick. Sometime it may look at the opposing sides story e.g. Oswin journey.

Within Doctor who each of the episodes are presented and has its own plot and ending however sometimes there will be a running theme that will build and develop to the last episode. What does however change is either the doctor or his sidekicks, the doctor changes through a transformation that will in turn introduces a new actor to replace the doctor, in addition as time progresses the journey with the sidekicks come to end and a new sidekick is introduced.

On the other hand Eastenders will have main characters and sub characters. For example from the clip you are able to see that the main characters within this narrative is Michael, Roxy and the baby and alongside Christian and Said and Danny. The sub characters of this clip for example are Max and his conflict with his daughter, in addition to business matters with Jack and Michelle and a final sub plot of Phil and his depressions with Roxy inter-crossing to different storylines. In addition Eastenders contains realism as it reflects real life situations such as families, affairs, work etc. Whereas Doctor Who is anti realist as it is fantasy and is based on an alien time lord who visits earth in a mission to save mankind. However it does hold some elements of realism through the use of relationships i.e. Rory and Amy’s relationship on earth away from the doctor. 

Eastenders is restricted as we are only provided with what the characters are seeing and going through, however there are clues that are implemented to create questioning in what could happen next for example in the clip you see said meeting a re-accruing customer whom is in the financial department and from the guilt he expresses we are able to see something will may take place with the two characters.  In the series Doctors who we are able to see it is also has restricted viewpoint, this is down to the fact that we are only provided to see what the doctor sees, this meaning that we are not provided a lot of information. This as a whole for both Eastenders and Doctor allows a mystery to be created and questioning to what may come. Furthermore Doctor Who has a mixture of being Objective and subjective, this is show in the clip above. It has this mixture down to the fact that in that the presentation is objective from Oswins's Viewpoint then towards the end it becomes subjective as we are able to see it from doctor's Viewpoint showing Oswin as a darlek. Whereas in contrast Eastenders is just objective, we are always only shown from the character viewpoint and it mainly guessing throughout. 

Overall Eastenders has open ending and at times within the episodes it has close endings but looking at the clip presented you are able to see that Christian and Said story is left with a cliffhanger and a solution as he is provided with money for his financial problems but also we are left at a cliffhanger for what will happen between Said and Danny. In addition we are able to see the reason for Michael angry and frustration this creating an end to the plot of the episode but will have an on-going plot.  In contrast Doctor who may also have both this being that some of the episodes may be left as to be continued therefore meaning they require 2 episodes to conclude in close ending. Overall each episode will have an ending but sometimes within Doctor who it will give signs for an overall ending for example last year's episodes looks at the re-occurring theme of the crack in the wall.

Prop's Theory within doctor who is presents this being that within this clip we are able to see that the villain is the Darleks in the camps and the Hero whom is Doctor Who, the Helper is both his sidekicks Rory and Amy Pond, the Done is the Tardis, The dispatcher is the Darleks Prime Minister, and the damsel in distress in Oswin and can also be seen as the helper as she pulls down the force filed for the doctor in this particular episode.  In contrast the Prop's theory in Eastenders does apply but changes within each episodes as the actors characteristics may change and they could then be the hero in one episode and a villain in the next.

Todorov's theory is present this down to the fact that in both it includes an equilibrium, disruption that causes the disequilibrium, Recognition and then this is followed by a new state of peace and harmony to allow the new equilibrium to bring the chaos to an end.Within Eastenders the equilibrium starts in the house with a calm atmosphere. Then the disruption which causes the disequilibrium with said being stressed out, Michael being angry and Phil getting inpatient with the delivery problems. The recognition this being that from the clip said is having financial problems, Phil is very lonely and depressed and Michael is depressed and frustrated that the child is left behind. And what end the chaos is that Phil is buying new wallpaper and he is reminded that his loneliness cannot be covered by changes like this, Said is provided with the money by his mother and Phil stops his angry and frustration by drinking and informing Roxy of his problems. Doctor who on the other hand begins its equilibrium with Amy in a photo shoot and the reflection of the Doctors defeat, this element of Amy and Rory's relationship at the photo shoot brings elements of realism. In addition to this it then moves to the disequilibrium where they are all kidnapped. It then moves to them recognizing the situation they are in from the prime minster informing them and the chaos ends with oswin bringing down the force field for them to get back in safety. 

Camera Shots and Movement

Within music videos there are a range of shots and angles used, this includes extreme wide shots, long shots, medium shows, Close up and extreme close ups.

The shots used are used for different reasons, this being that the extreme long shot is mainly used to show and establish the setting or location of the production. In addition the use of long shots are used to show the scene in the full this will allow a better feel for the audience and create an atmosphere for the setting used.  The mid shots are used to show the artist being filmed and have focus on them and what they are doing this can be used for example when recording them when they are showing their musical abilities as you will able to see the musical object and the artist. The use of close up is used to express emotion and allow better connection between the audience and viewers. Furthermore extreme close ups allow specifically to show feeling and create more awareness to it for example a close up of the eye dropping a tear creates more emphasis in the pain that someone is going through and creates better understanding.

Camera Angles

Within music Videos there is use of camera angles and these include, Bird’s eye View, High Angle, Eye level, Low angle, canted angle also known as oblique.

The use of Birds Eye View is used to create and establish the location; in addition the high angle shots are used to establish shots or give a better feel to the atmosphere, or even create focus to a specific element. Eye level shots are used to show the artists face, and allow a better connection to be made between the audience and artist. And finally a low angle shots is often used to allow things to appeal larger or more important I.e. the shot that shows people and focuses on them.