preliminary exercise

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.

1) Top boy- clip stef and ZT get back on mails:

 

the mise en scene of the nice cars (from the money they made through drugs). The empty petrol station suggesting that it is late at night so no pedestrians will see to help them. The costuming of the tracksuits and the bally (face masks) being used as it is an typical UK road man/gangster costuming which builds the British culture feeling. The props of guns being used and pulled out builds up tension as the audience as on edge waiting to see if someone will get injured. The mid shots during the fit to show multiple people fighting then the close up when they are speaking to show the facial expression clearly build up more intensity furthermore the tense non dietetic sound builds up more intensity. Intense fighting to begin with. Shot reverse shot as they speak. Variety of other shots. Stef gets the bat and decides to hit the other guys leg to prove a point. POV shot. Non diegetic sound as they get back into the car.   

2) power- ghost gets Tommy out of jail:

The mise en scene of the court law room and the costuming of the jumpsuit that Tommy is wearing, the judges outfit and the lawyers wearing the professional clothing. The evidence being pulled out on the paper makes the audience feel more included. The intense music gives a intense build up until the audience hear the verdict. The close up shots of the facial expressions show how the characters are feeling. Diegetic sound of dialogue between the judge and lawyer. Variety of shots to show each and every one of their facial expressions. For and against arguments between two lawyers. Tommy gets released. Shot while Tommy leaves to meet Ghost. Over the shoulder shot while they have a conversation. 

3) snowfall - Franklin kills Andre:

there is over the shoulder shots to show the intensity between the dispute between both characters. The music stops and then he gets shot there is a build up using non diegetic sound. The gun being held in his hand pointing down could make the audience anxious. Shot reverse shot as they have a conversation. Eerie non diegetic sound in the background as they speak. Acts as if he is leaving at the end but ends up shooting Andre. 1 location while editing.  

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.

1 EXT. sitting on a bench in a park

  Idris gets a call from his shot

Idris

"Yo"

Shot

"Yo where you at bro"

Idris

"I'm at that bench you know the one yh"

shot

"That bench, aight sn luv"

Idris

"sn luv bro"

Idris is no longer on the phone and continues to wait on the bench for his shot.

2 EXT. Shot arrives and picks up from Idris.

Shot

"Yo bro"

Idris

"Oh shit, yo what you saying"

"What did you transfer me yh?"

Shot

"Of course bro"

Idris

"Sn bro, Sn bro"

Shot

"luv bro"

 They part ways. 

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. 

Shot No.	Shot	Filmed?
1	Establishing shot of Idris on the bench	yes
2	Extreme close up on the phone call	yes
3	Medium shot on him as he speaks	yes
4	shot reverse shot as they have a conversation	yes
5	medium shot as he walks towards Idris	yes
6	medium shot when they meet and talk	yes
7	Extreme close up on the drug hand over	yes
8	Medium shot when they say bye and part ways	yes
9	Over the shoulder/tracking shot while the shot walks away	yes
10	Over the shoulder/tracking shot while Idris walks away	yes

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.

Cast: Idris (protagonist), Shot

Costume: Tracksuit, Puffer jacket

Make-up: No makeup for this scene

Props: IPhone, Herbs in a plastic bag, bally

Lighting: Natural lighting from outside depending on what time this is shot

Setting: Park bench 

MY FILM:

crime drama project