How sound and music techniques are used in the 'Hollyoaks' clip

There are many ambient background sounds used in Hollyoaks, for example bird song, which supports the setting of a forest and helps create the natural sounds that you would here if u were in a forest to make it seem realistic.

Sounds have also been amplified in the scene for example the sound of rustling leaves when Max is running which is amplified so the audience can hear exactly what it is like for Max and it also reinforces the natural sounds of the setting. Another amplified sound which can be heard at the beginning of the scene is Max breathing heavily which reinforces the urgency and panic the character is feeling. The sound in the water of the splash when Max jumps into the water and the bubbles under the water have also been amplified, so the audience hears from the characters point of view under the water.

A few notes of non diegetic music is played when Max shouts for Tom. Using dramatic sounding music helps the audience to feel what the character is feeling about the situation.

The sounds of Tom hitting the window have been muffled so that the audience hears them from the characters outside point of view, as this is where the cameras are and the audience is also looking into the car.

Then when Max goes under the water calm music is played which does match Max’s slow motions under the water but when it cuts to people on the side of the lake the same music is still playing and then the music becomes asynchronous and doesn’t seem to fit what is happening in the scene as the pace of the scene changes. When the words start in the music it has a slow pace and a sad feel to it which does match Max under the water and Tom hitting the car window almost in slow motion. The music also plays over the credits which normally doesn’t happen this is to keep the slow pace and make it seem more emotional for the audience watching.

How is camerawork used in extracts from 'Heroes'?

In the casino scene in Heroes it starts with a tilt up and tracking forward shot. This establishes setting as well as characters. It tilts up from a roulette table, establishing the setting as a casino and tracks forward to show the audience where the characters are.

A medium, two shot is used to show the two characters in conversation, when they are talking together. However this changes when the characters differ in opinions and close ups are used of each individual character to show this divide.

An extreme close up of a casino chip keeps the story moving forward as the audience can see what the characters are doing.

It then cuts to a low angle shot of the female dealer at the casino. This gives her a sense of authority and the audience gets a sense of what it is like from the characters point of view. A jump cut to a close up of the face focuses the audience, so they can see the detail and the concentration.

A deep focus shot of them gambling shifts and pulls focus to the roulette table in the foreground allowing the audience to see all of the setting. When the special effect of stopping time is used in the casino, panning, tracking and tilts are used to follow the character which means that the audience can see more of the special effect, it also exaggerates the movement through the stillness. Time is then started again and the two characters are still in disagreement. As one character is happy he won the money, whilst the other knows it was not luck and so are still in separate shots. However when they are in agreement again they are in the two shot again. This shows that the shots which are sued in this part of the scene are used to help show their feelings.
The cheerleader scene starts with the camera tracking a man who has just woken up showing his confusion through the movement of the camera and canted camera angles, with blurred edges. This shows the distortion and confusion the character is feeling.

It then cuts to the cheerleader who is walking and being tracked by the camera as she is an important character.

The car scene uses two shots, looking into the car to see both characters as they are having a conversation. Extreme close ups of the gear stick changing gear show the audience that the car is increasing speed.

A profile shot is used looking through the car window. It shows one face in focus and the other who is not talking not in focus to make sure the audience is looking at the right thing.

The scene ends with a close up of the man in the cars face just before the crash to make sure the audience sees his reaction. Then there is a shot of the car crashing into a wall from a high angle shot looking down on the car like the audience are watching them distanced from the action it also allows the audience to see the surrounding areas which are deserted.

How is camerawork used in this extract of 'shameless'

Shameless uses many types of camera angles and shots to create certain effects that focus the audience on the important characters and storylines in the programme. For example, in the opening shot there is a deep focus shot with Marty in the foreground and two people talking in the background. All the characters are in focus but Marty is at the front of the shot, showing that he is an important character. Where as at the back two people are talking separate from Marty showing the secretive, important conversation they are having. This is then followed by a medium, close up shot of this conversation that shows the intensity.

It then cuts to a high angle, long shot looking down on Marty in his bedroom on his own. This shows his isolation and almost looks like a CCTV angle, as we are watching him, it also shows his isolation and emotions as he is in a dark room on his own. Which tells the audience that he is upset and thinking about something. This then jumps to a close up of Marty which shows the emotion on his face, to let the audience see what he is feeling.

It then jumps to a close up of a tracking shot which is following a car, keeping it in the centre of the shot, this lets the audience know that the people in that car are important to the storyline, when the audience does not know who is in the car yet.

The audiences focus is then taken back to Marty who walks straight passed the camera, to shows the speed and urgency of where he is going. It then cuts to another shot of Marty walking along a street the camera, then tilts down to his hand to focus the audience on what he is carrying, which is petrol. This is followed by a low angle shot under the car showing Marty approach. This is a danger shot and also tells the audience that they are not on Marty’s side as the camera is on the other side to him. The shots then start to jump from medium shot to close ups, which shows the instability of Marty and tension that is mounting in this situation.

An over the shoulder shot is also used looking over Marty’s shoulder showing the lighter in his hand which adds to the danger as the audience knows what could happen if he drops it. Two shots are used to show the conversation between people who are there and a master shot is used to show the growing number of people that have come to see what is going on. This is followed by a close up of the lighter being taken off him and then a close up of the dropped cigarette, which shows the narrative developing and focuses the audience on the threat.

Finally, there is a shot of the car in flames, as the owner of the car looks over at it on fire the camera pans across with him showing how distressed and angry he is about the situation.