Week 3- Full Analysis

Full Analysis

For my full analysis I have decided to focus on the character of Rick Grimes, from the American TV Drama The Walking Dead, which I happen to enjoy a lot. It is also worth noting that I will be focusing on the television character of Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, and not the comic book character of Rick Grimes.

Sound

The sound used throughout The Walking Dead is complex, using a soundtrack full of lots of dramatic music which connotates the danger and intensity of the scenes which take  place in the show. On the other hand, for Rick's character there has been some parts of the soundtrack which reflect his leadership skills and control of the group he leads but mainly the soundtrack is used to show the overall situation. There is no voice-over for Rick and instead his sound is used through his dialogue. His dialogue is usually based around survival of himself and the group and again, the dialogue connotates him as the leader. This conforms to the male stereotype that all men are powerful and dominant.

Editing

The editing used for Rick and for the whole show, for the most part, is continuity editing and this is used to show the events of the apocalypse as they go along from start, when we find Rick in a hospital bed, to current day events of the series. However, there has been some usage of montage editing in some episodes to show the events of Rick and co fighting off a large group of zombies or surviving day to day for a time for example. The editing technique of fade out has been used in the show and for Rick several times before. Usually it has been used after showing a dramatic or massive turning point in the storyline. The use of it leaves the audience on the edge of their seats and makes the events that have just transpired before the fade out have a larger lasting impact on the audience.

Mise En Scene 

The costume for Rick has changed between different series' of the show. In the first series he wore a sheriff attire, which he wore because he was a sheriff before the apocalypse and obviously finding new attire was not high up on his list of priorities. Also, this attire connotates that Rick is a significant character and that he is a leader. However, he also has worn a very fitted look and this connotates that he is a wise character. The body language of Rick changes between situation throughout the show however his body language increasingly becomes one of a tall, upright man as he emerges into the leader of the group. Much like, his body language, his facial expressions change between situation. For example, when confronted by a horde of zombies Rick has very concerned facial expressions. But, as Rick tries to lead the group, more and more his facial expressions become more friendly and thoughtful. This connotates that he is trying to reassure his group and be the leader. The setting of the show and where Rick is changes a lot because of the situations he is put in. However, this ever changing setting show's us the apocalyptic situation and connotates the danger ever-present to Rick. Also, in series 2, Rick finds safe haven on a farm for a long while. This setting is more friendly and connotates that they are safer than they would be in the outside world.

Cinematography 

Much like the other micro aspects I have looked at, there is differing uses of cinematography used to show the different situations which Rick gets himself into. This includes high angle shots to show he is vulnerable when faced in troubling situations like facing a horde of zombies and when his character has emotional problems. However, there is a general theme for Rick. Mainly, Rick is represented as being powerful and a leader. This is shown through the use of low angle shots which connotates Rick as being a leader of men and being dominant. This conforms to the male stereotype that all men are leaders and are dominant. For Rick, there is also a large use of close ups to portray his emotions in varying circumstances. However, there is also a nice use of long shots to show the background (usually displaying a large amount of zombies or abandoned area). Notably, there is an iconic long shot from the first series which shows Rick on horseback riding into an abandoned city. 

Overall, Rick is displayed as a character who is a leader and acts on his morals but he is emotional and questions his character through the use of varying techniques through the 4 micro aspects.

Week 2 Homework- Cinematography

0:13- The female character is represented as being the more dominant in the relationship. This is shown by the over the shoulder shot which shows the relationship between the two. This subverts to the female stereotype that women are the less dominant one in relationships and that they are more fragile.

0:15- The male character is presented also as being the more dominant or at least putting on a show of false dominance. This is shown by the low angle shot which connotates him as being more powerful and dominant. This conforms to the male stereotype that men are more powerful and dominant than women. I believe that this maybe indicating his false show of dominance though, dialogue also suggests this, as this is contradictory to the last point about the female character.

1:12- In this shot there seems to be a point to make about both characters already mentioned above.
Firstly, the male seems to have now stopped trying to show his 'false' dominance and is now represented as being the inferior one and the less dominant in the relationship. This is shown by the high angle shot which connotates him as being less powerful and more vulnerable. This subverts to the male stereotype that men are more dominant than women. However, also involved in this shot is the woman who is represented as being more dominant here also. This is shown by her lingering figure in the background and the shot which seems to be a low angle shot to her. This subverts to the stereotype that women are less dominant than men.

1:45- The male character is represented as being powerful. This is shown by the low angle shot which connotates that he is powerful and dominant. This conforms to the stereotype that men are dominant and powerful. However his facial expression shown by the mid shot contradicts this as he is seemingly worried/doubtful. This subverts to the stereotype that women are the gender who are more easily worried.

2:56- The same male character is shown as being vulnerable at this point. This is shown by the high angle shot which connotates that he is vulnerable and scared. This subverts to the stereotype that men do not get scared/ women are more vulnerable.

Miss's blogspot: cbscasmediatvdrama.blogspot.co.uk

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Analyzing TV Crime Drama clip H/W

H/W
Analyzing TV Crime Drama clip

The following clip is from the TV Crime Drama 'Law and Order UK'.

0:13:  Denote- Two detectives walking away from their police cars dressed in formal attire at what looks to be near a river.
Connote- The detectives are smart, organised and focused because of the clothing they are wearing. Their body language and posture of standing tall connotates that they are ready for whatever might be thrown at them and that they are confident in their own abilities. Their facial expressions connotate that they are concerned with the upcoming situation and are focused on what may come. The setting which is quite gloomy and dark connotates that something bad is about to/has happened and also connotates a possible incoming danger.

0:18: Denote- Skeleton washed up ashore.
Connote- The skeleton washed up connotates danger and obviously, that a murder has taken place. The setting of where the skeleton is also connotates the dark nature of this murder due to the gloominess of the weather and area.

0:22: Denote- A close up of an upset woman almost being brought to tears.
Connote- This close up connotates that the woman has suffered a possible loss or sadness. Due to the context this connotates that the woman has had someone close to her murdered. Also, her facial expression connotates that she will go through depression due to her loss and is not taking this news well also.

0:52: Denote- A member of the team drinking outside, looks to be like he has been drinking fairly heavily.
Connote- This connotates that he may be depressed which also connotates that the case may be going badly. Also, his body language (hunched over) connotates that he is in a mood where he couldn't care about anything. His costume connotates that he was on the case (formal attire) but may have been driven to this drinking because of the case.

1:56: Denote- A close-up of one of the detectives (played by Bradley Walsh) with glasses on and a suit talking to someone that we cannot see in the shot.
Connote- This connotates that a serious discussion is taking place due to the stern facial expressions that the detective is displaying. Also, this connotates that the detective is interrogating a suspect.

2:20: Denote: A man getting thrown by one of the detectives.
Connote- This connotates that the man has done something wrong/committed a crime. Also, the costume of the man who is getting thrown connotates that he is a worker (possibly in construction) and therefore not 'well-off'' and does not have a lot of money. The man's facial expression connotates that he is scared and angry that he has been caught by the detective.

2:35: Denote: One of the characters in the 'law' side of things speaking in court.
Connote- The characters' facial expression connotates that the conversation between him and the other person is getting more heated. Also, the setting of the court room connotates that a crime has taken place and that the 'squad' are trying to bring that person to justice.