Existing Product Research

The Big Bang Theory

The establishing shot is a medium shot presenting three characters, two whom are sitting down and one standing pouring juice into cups. This connotes that the women standing is the waitress which is also evident from her costume of a waitress. The costumes the man and women are wearing can be identified as casual, from this it can show that they are at a low-brow restaurant, which is relatively cheap. This also produces a binary opposition to the man’s job and the place to which he is eating. The man is a well paid physicist, yet he eats at a cheap restaurant. However, this can also connote that he is a stingy character that does not want to spend a lot on his girlfriend. The man is using a prop, which is a mobile device, to present that he is bored or uninterested. The next shot is an over shoulder shot of the man, looking straight at the women sitting down. This makes us see through the man’s point of view, who is still utilizing the mobile device. Then there is an over shoulder shot the women facing the man. This presents a scene of dialogue. The setting is of a restaurant, this is evident from the plates of food. From this I can connote that the man and women are on a date. The fact that the man is using his mobile device creates an enigma code of is there a problem between the man and women? High-Key lighting is used in the opening scene to make the dinner date look more realistic and depict the dim lit scene of a restaurant. There is evidence of the key light and back light being used in the scene as the main protagonists can be seen more clearly, and there presentation is more rounded. The filler lights helps counteract any shadows that may appear on the characters faces, so this helps to show more definition in there facial expressions. There is non-diegetic laughter sounds placed in right after there has been a joke or incident. The sound is parallel to the scene as it comes right after punch lines, however the sound of laughter actually being placed in contradicts how real the scene is, and also creates an enigma code for the audience about who is laughing? 

Youngers

The opening scene is from the first series and its first episode. The name of the program hints to the age and gender of the characters. The age can be between 14-24 plus, and the gender can be identified as mainly teenage males that use slang. The use of slang is standard to teenagers, and thus the name of the show ‘Youngers’. The purpose of the show could be that it is a medium to which the stereotypical view of teenagers can be changed, and the view of teenagers can be presented to the critics.

The establishing shot is an extreme close up of a microphone being put on a stand, this can connote that the protagonist is a singer or is related to the music industry. Also, I connote that the name of the show can be that the protagonist is a ‘younger’ in the music industry, and is taking his first step into the business. Then there is an extreme close up of head phones being put on. This connotes the protagonist is about to sing, an enigma code is created on what genre of music he is related to? Furthermore, a stereotype is also created that the protagonist is a young black male, so he is likely to rap or grime. Diegetic music is played from the start, which is evident from the shot of the sound boards and the second character sitting in front of a computer hooked up to the sound boards. The pace of the music is slow at first but picks up as the shots move on. There is an extreme close up of the protagonist kissing a pendent on his chain; this prop produces a religious side of the character presenting him as a contrast of modern day teenagers that have lost faith and belief in God.  As the protagonist starts to sing, he begins to use hand gestures, this connotes he is having fun singing, portraying it as a passion. The protagonist is cut off by his friend’s mother; this helps the young audience identify themselves with the protagonist, as they may have been in the same position as the protagonist. The shot of his mother is a low angle shot which puts her in power, and present her in charge and a higher authority.  

Some Girls

The title of the program is called ‘Some Girls’, from this I can connote that the show is most likely female orientated and based on a group of them. There age is likely to be teenagers. The first ideas of this show may come up as the stereotypical life of girls and the troubles the go through in high school, like make-up, boys and puberty.

    

The establishing shot is shows a title of some girls in a pixel filled screen, this use of special effects present an enigma code of what is the connection between the screen and the girls. There is a straight cut to four girls in sporty costumes. The fact that there are four girls, helps portray them as the main protagonists, furthermore I can connote that they contrast from the view of stereotypical girls, as they prefer avoiding physical activity but these four girls break the norm and are in a football team. The coach’s costume is of a tracksuits and jumper, this also breaks another stereotype that most P.E teachers are male, but in this case it’s a female. The character of the coach is presented as competitive as she is hands on in her teaching, and is also disciplined evident from the shouting.  Also, the setting is of a football pitch which adds to the fact that they are on a sports team. The prop of a football identifies that they are in a football team.  

Becoming human

The name of the show is ‘Becoming Human’ this gives an idea of that the show may revolve around supernatural creatures/events. This gives the genre of horror, drama, and/or thriller. The establishing shot is the camera panning up to the protagonists. This connotes that he is symbolically rising from an event/incident that may have happened. The next shot is a shot/reverse/shot of the protagonist’s face, which shows his facial expression, that present that he is dreading the return to school. The reverse shot is of school, this implies that he has a problem with school, and is like an outside. The shot goes back to his face which shows, a more serious facial expressions presenting that he is ready to face all the problems. The shot fades out into his stomach and fades back in to his back and moves to a tracking shot, this shot is really effective in moving the scene on. There is a close up of the protagonists face, he blinks and there is effective use of special effects as his eyes go black and monster like, this establishes the fact that he is a the supernatural creature that is becoming human. The stereotypical vampire is known not to come out in daytime, as he will burn to ashes; however this breaks down the stereotypical view of vampires being unable to walk in daytime. This is a smooth flow and transition. Once it fades in non-diegetic, with a pan shot around him to present he is alone, and out of the social groups.  

How I met your mother

The name of the show is ‘How I met your mother’ has a humorous name, and gives an essence of comedy, and a flashback based show. This connotes it is being told by the father and he is narrating it to his children. Furthermore, I can connote that the show will be start off in the future.   

The establishing shot is a bird’s eye view panning shot of a modern city. From this I can connote that the narrative, when in the past is set in this city, which looks like an American city like New York. As the panning shot continues, a voiceover starts making it sound like an actual fairytale. There is a straight cut to the main protagonist eating food in a bowl. There is backlight which creates shadow, and this is counteracted by filler lights, which enables the audience to see the protagonist’s blank facial expressions. The scene is interpreted with a straight cut to two teens sitting on a sofa, with the year ‘2038’. This connotes that these are the protagonist’s children, and we have come back to the present. The boy on the right has a change of body language, he starts off with calm, laid back posture, but then it explodes into him moving forward, and him swearing, and being censored out. This connotes he is filled with rage at his father. The boy’s sister also reacts in the same way and is also censored out. This shows that they both are enraged by their father and want to leave. The children start shouting and screaming, this connotes the character of the children as disrespectful and insolent.  There is a prop of a mug which has ‘world’s greatest dad’ on it, this contrast to their feelings of their father.