LO1: Compare and Contrast Single Camera Productions

Hennah Ashraf

Compare and Contrast Single Camera Productions

Introduction

During this assignment, I will be analysing two different types of single camera production, one of which is Doctor Who and the other is Eastenders. I will be analysing the conventions and structure of each in further detail as well as comparing it against one another. 

Doctor Who is a British science fiction programme for television, which is broadcasted on BBC One. The entire concept of this programme is based upon a time-travelling, humanoid alien, referred to as 'Doctor Who.' But on the other hand, Eastenders is based upon relationships, status and class, as like most other soaps. However, it is also broadcasted on BBC One.  

Doctor Who

Doctor Who is played by the actor Matt Smith, who took on this role after David Tennants resignation. The story is based around him and how he time-travels into space while fighting enemies, to save civilisations, help ordinary people and to solve between the right and wrongs in space. On his journey, through his TARDIS (time travelling machine) he has many companions who help him defeat the villains and evil characters within the series. Following from this, I will be writing about a particular Doctor Who episode and the elements which is contained. The video which I am going to analyse is below:

At the beginning of this epsiode, there was a very appealing opening exposition, which created a contract with the viewer. During the opening, there was a flashback which showed an objective view of an event, which means that this specific episode is a non linear, however proceeding this, there is a linear sequential. Information was given to us at the same time as the story flow and the introduction to the characters, which implies that this is a restricted narrative. Alongside this, there was also non diegetic sounds used to set atmosphere, also known as background music. The non diegetic sounds did not overtake the speakers volume, which was good, unlike in some situations where it is hard for the audience to hear the actors dialogue, as the audio levels are louder.

Nonetheless, there were also diegetic sounds of crackling and fizzy lighting to synchronise the actions on screen. This made the production seem more realistic and easier to believe. At the same time were we able to see different type of shots, such as a medium shot which showed us the Doctors puzzled face. From this we are able to empathise the struggle the Doctor is going through. Another situation where another type of shot was used was when the Doctor was kidnapped and brought into a huge room where there were inactive Darleks. For this scene, there was a use of an establishing shot which shows us the location and setting of the scenario.

Other shots which are also shown within this science fiction drama, is the use of close ups. Close ups were used to show the Prime Minister of the Daleks, which was also a Dalek. On the close up, we as the audience feel a sense of uncomfort as well as feeling sick and disgusted by the character. Most of the monsters and fictional characters within this episode were ugly and horrifying to look at. They created an unpleasant feel and therefore made us as the audience turn against them. We seen them as villains with an evil character. Alongside this, night vision mode was also used to see a subjective view from the Doctors view, during the darkness.

In this episode, we are able to tell that it has a linear structure as it is in the form of a diary. For example, whenever there is a new day within this episode it is illustrated by a phrase saying "day 363 of xxxx (characters name)." As it is in a diary type of format it is also in chronological order, as diary events are recorded in order, which supports the fact that this is an example of a linear series after a non-linear start,  

A variety of close ups have also been shot to show the fear on Rory's face which implies that he is worried, despite the fact that he is also alone, trying to battle against the Darleks which have been activated and are  trying to exterminate the humans, as in Rory, Amy and Doctor Who. Within this scene, they also show an establishing shot of where the battle between Rory and the Daleks was taking place, so that we are able to learn that it is a closed environment and that there are hardly any escape routes. The environment is dark, which imples a scary, full of danger and fearful atmosphere, which also builds the suspense. Slow steady hand held cameras have also been used to show the creepiness and rather alarming situation. making it more realistic. By doing this we as an audience feel that we have stepped into the characters shoes, hence feeling their emotions.

However the episode also shows a subjective viewpoint from Amy's side and how she see's the dead people with the Daleks. But as the episode continue we realise that this is not actually the case and that it is an illusion. Though, towards the end we hear non-diegetic sounds which make us feel sympathetic towards the characters. Yet again, towards the end we have a subjective view, but this time from Oswin's viewpoint. This is when she looks through the Daleks' machine to see the Doctor. Also, slightly earlier from this, we also see a subjective view from her, when she looks into the oven when baking her souffles. Apart from these few times, the majority of the episode is from an objetive viewpoint.

At the point, where we find out that Oswin is also a Dalek, the episode turns from unrestricted to restricted. This is because all along we have been made to assume that Oswin is in need for help as her spaceship crashed however the real case is that she is in fact a Dalek, who the Doctor cannot help. On the other hand, even though this is a science fiction production and everything is almost made up, it can still be argued that there are elements of realism within it.

For example, the relationship between Amy and Rory is real, as they are two souls who love each other, which is a part of human characteristics. We learn to love. Another realist action in this episode is also at the very beginning, when Amy is on a photoshoot. Most women want to look good, if not, then feel good, but only few can achieve their dreams. Amy's career is a model, just like the women we see on magazine covers, hence being realistic.

Propps theory includes a hero, a helper, a villain, a dispatcher, a donor and a damsel in distress. By looking at Doctor Who we can clearly see that Propps theory has been used and that there are some main characters within it. The cast of Doctor Who according to Propps theory is stated below: 

• Hero : Doctor Who
• Helper: Amy
• Villain: Darlek
• Dispatcher: Prime Minister of the Darleks
• Donor: Oswin
• Damsel in Distress: Oswin

Todorov's theory has also been followed within this episode. For example this single episode has an equilibrium, disequilibrium, recognition, reparation and a new equilibrium. The segments which have been noted above have all been covered within Doctor Who and below I have outlined the specific sections:

Equilibrium: 

1. Rory  and Amy living  a normal life, as Amy is at a photoshoot.
2. The hate between Doctor Who and the Darleks, which is another realistic point, which hasn't been covered earlier. 

Disequilibrium: 

1. Kidnapping of Rory, Amy and the Doctor. 

Recognition:

1. Doctor Who in the ship, fighting the Darleks.

Reparation: 

1. Doctor going into the spaceship to help.
2. Amy and Rory reconciliate as Rory swaps his watch with Amy's so that their love does not subtract and so Amy does not die. This is another realist approach.

New equilibrium:

1. Everyone is back home again, the Darleks have been defeated and the relationships have settled once again.

Eastenders

On the other hand, Eastenders is a soap. Eastenders is a narrative series of episodes, which contain both restricted and unrestricted elements. However it is a linear narrative as it tells many stories, which are happening on a particular day, in order. All the situations acted within this soap reflect real life problems, hence making it realistic and believable. Unlike Doctor Who, Eastenders has many characters for diffferent problems, however majoirty of the time the characters are from the previous episodes. There are only some main characters in Doctor Who and the rest keep changing, but in Eastenders there are the same characters throughout, unless there is an introduction to a new character. When there is an introduction to a new character, it most likely is to create another twist in the series and make it more interesting for the audience to watch.

Majority of the dilemmas within this series are due to factors such as drinking and break ups. The storylines which this soap is generally based upon is on relationships, sexuality, disability and age. When relationships come to a holt, a lot of drama is caused by this and this is what makes Eastenders one of the most popular television programmes, watched in Britain. It contains a huge amount of real elements which the common man/woman in society is bound to face. Current storylines within Eastenders are about Syed's homosexuality and financial crisis, Abbie's friends are very influential and her parents are very protective towards her,  Micheal is causing a scene because of his break up with his wife whereas Phil Mitchell and Fat Boy are having problems regarding the pub. All of the above named problems are spoken about in day to day life, which shows that it can be related to the wider society. As many people are able to watch this and associate with their lives, as well as escape from it, it makes it a loved programme. Individiuals who suffer from similar problems can feel at ease as they are not the only one's who are in a similar problem.

Conficts and dilemmas within this soap create tension between the characters, which are a result from stress. When the conflict between the characters on screen increase, we as an audience feel more interested in the programme; it causes gossip and coercion, which society, especially women love. Some special cases of when things turn to heat up are when actors are drunk and misbehave or accidentally say something which they shouldn't have and then pay the price later. 

In all of the episodes we are able to hear diegetic sounds of sighs, thuds and actors clearing their throat, which sychronises with the actions on the screen. Non diegetic sounds are also used to set the atmosphere. Non diegetic sound is most commonly used within arguements, as the agression increases the volume of the music increases which increased the tension of the matter. 

A lot of the scenes within this is taken from an objective viewpoint. This is because there are many narratives within a single episode and it can sometimes be quite difficult to follow the storyline when your not directly looking at the actor on-screen. In a single episode of Eastenders, I counted four storylines in total; two main and two sub-stories. For each different scenario, different types of camera shots are used. For example, close ups were used to show the facial expressions of confused looking faces as well as showing us the body language. From the body language we are able to figure out whether the person is in a good, bad, carefree or worried mood and so forth. It also helps to define the subject better. 

Medium shots were used to show the innocence of the Micheal's daughters movements, despite his harshness towards her. By using a medium to a close up shot of the baby, we felt more sympathetic towards her as she looked naive and vulnerable. When the director wants us to feel a certain way about a specific character, he uses different types of shots to give differnet characters a different appearance. A number of times, medium shots were used to show group conversations between two or more characters. By doing this we are, once again, able to see their body language and the environment which they are sitting in and who with. If each time the camera shot had just a single actor in the scene, then it would be quite hard to understand who he/she is talking too. Therefore by using a medium shot we are able to see at least two characters within the scene. 

Establishing shots have been used to set the location, for example one of the main places where Eastenders is shot, is at the market in Albert Square.  Conversations between two people include many other people and shot, shot reverse shot and an over shoulder shot are used to record the action and conversation between the two actors. Unlike Doctor Who, Eastenders has a few locations, from which the camera moves from place to place. Doctor Who is likely to have two to four different locations, Eastenders could have as many as six. Some of the locations in Eastenders are the pub, Syeds house, Micheals office, the pub, Albert Square and many more.  As the situations changes, the location of the place also changes, to comply with the actions.

Some of the main storylines of a particulare episode of Eastenders are:

1. Abbie and her family.

Abbies parents think that her friends are influencing her negative attitude and rather than concentrating on school work, she spends her time hanging out doing nothing.

2. Syed and his family.

Syed and his homosexual partner are having some financial difficulties and despite his partner trying to make his parents understand about his and Syed's relationship, there is something else which is stressing Syed out.

3. Micheal and Rozy's conflict.

Micheal is going through some hard times as his wife has just left him with his baby daughter and Roxy is trying to help him, but Micheal starts aguing with Roxy to, for interferring in his personal matters.

4. Mr Mitchell and Fat Boy.

Mr Mitchell has recently became the owner of the pub and Fat Boy, is hating the fact that Phil is not a good owner and Phil is stressed.

Similarities Between Doctor Who and Eastenders:

The similarities between the two television programmes which I have discussed earlier, have been outlined below:

• Both use diegetic and non diegetic sounds to synchronise with what is going on in the scene, as well as sounds to set the atmoshphere and mood.
• Both use a variety of shots to show conversations (medium shots) and closes up to show facial expressions.
• Use of darkness. The darkness used in Doctor Who implies fear, danger and the feeling of being afraid, whereas Eastenders implies a painful, hurtful, depressed feeling for characters like Micheal.
• Both use an objective narrative approach and both have restricted and unrestricted naratives. In Doctor Who, we find out that Oswin is actually a Dalek too, however towards the end. Whereas, in Eastenders you know what is going on in some storlines and for others you don't know and you have to wait for actors to reveal it to us. This can sometimes be quite confusing for people who are watching an Eastenders episode for the first time, as they are very likely to not know what is going on.
• Both programmes contain realist behaviours. Amy and Rory have the bonding of love and break ups and Amy is on a photo shoot, like most models. On the other hand Eastenders is based around the family and contains elements such as relationship problems and dilemmas and stereotypes applied by society.
• Finally they both are examples of a series.

Differences Between Doctor Who and Eastenders:

On the other hand, there are also some differences between the two programmes. The differences are stated below:

• Doctor Who has only one storyline in each episode, whereas Eastenders has many story lines all within one episode, which makes it quite hard to follow.
• Doctor Who is  non sequential as there is a flashback right at the very beginning but Eastenders is linear throughout. The stories in Eastenders are shot and followed in order, from day to night.
• Doctor Who is a science fiction programme whereas Eastenders is a soap, set in a real environment with real characters. But, Doctor Who is set in outer space with aliens and untrue characters and elements.
• Also Doctor Who has a fictional storyline and Eastenders does not, as it is based on day-to-day problems and experiences in society.
• Finally, problems are usually solved by the end of the episode for Doctor Who, whereas in Eastenders there is very likely to be a cliffhanger ending.