Exam practice (Dr. Who and X-Factor)

Example question and answer

Analyse how mis-en-scene is used to create meaning in a media product you have studied. (12)

In the Doctor Who episode, the Power of Three, mis-en-scene plays an important role in establishing a sense of character and mood. For example, in terms of costume, the Doctor is represented as a character who holds a position of authority. This is demonstrated through his old-fashioned, formal appearance. He wears a bow-tie, blue/grey shirt and tweed jacket which transcends the ages. The Doctors appearance creates a sense of timelessness, which reflects the fact that the show has been running since 1963. Successive Doctors have worn similar attire since the shows inception. Rick Altman states that audiences consume media for different reasons; one of these is emotional pleasure. The doctors antiquated dress code trigger feelings of nostalgia in the audience, making us feel a sense of fondness and identification with his character. 

Orange opening sentence/ introduction of text

Red example

Green evidence

Blue explication

Black linking to theory

X-Factor

Camera angles:

• High angle - makes her seem inferior at the start and not important
• Low angle - makes her the centre of attention
• Eye level shot as if speaking to her face to face. Creates meaning and sympathy towards her

Shot types:

• fade in at the start
• Really quick cuts of her - fast paced
• Extreme close ups - zooming into her emotions - lot at the start of the song
• Shot reverse shots (her and judge)
• Extreme long shots of the location
• Difference between extreme long shots and close ups 
• Fades for her memories - her grandad - makes us as an audience feel sympathy towards her and creates a feeling of desperation for us to want her to succeed
• Her perspective of peeping onto the stage and seeing the judges
• Zoom into judge to catch emotions

Movements

• Zoom movement from a long shot into her face
• Tracking shots over the audience
• Movement of her walking up the stairs to the side-stage
• Crane shot over the stage
• Following shot of her onto the stage

Analyse how camera is used to create meaning in a media product you have studied (12)

In the audition of X-Factor participant, Ella Henderson, the shot types used plays a vital role in understanding her character and being able to sympathise with her. For example, in the lead up to the actual audition, very fast paced cuts are used to show her in different lights. The quickness of the cuts could emphasise how much the audition means to her and her nervousness and uncertainty of the performance she is about to display. In addition, within these fast paced cuts are images of her and her grandfather. A fade is used within these shots to imply how lost she is without him and creates meaning behind her character. This makes us as an audience feel sympathetic towards her and creates a feeling of desperation for us to want her to succeed. The shot types used when portraying her appearance are close up shots which are used to demonstrate her exact emotions in the lead up to her act. The use of the close ups brings us closer to her and once again creates the feeling of sympathy - making her a very likeable character. 

Furthermore, camera movements are instrumental in creating meaning behind the performance. The use of zooms from an extreme long shot to a close up of Ella Henderson illustrates the importance of her character and highlights the passion she has for singing through her emotions. Another movement of a tracking shot following Ella to the stage depicts the nervousness she felt and the intimidating audience and judges ready on the other side. This gives the audience a perception of what it is like to be her and as the audience have already sympathised with Ella and understand her background, it creates a feeling of discomfort worrying for her. The X-Factor is a television programme that creates futures for contestants which makes the performance more meaningful and important, allowing the audience to connect with her on a different scale. 

Despite the importance of the shot types and camera movements, the use of camera angles is just as pivotal when creating meaning for Ella Henderson. For example, the use of an eye level shot brings us close to Ella and makes us as an audience feel as if we are there next to her. This enables the audience to feel and empathise with her emotions. An eye level shot and POV shot was used when focusing on the stage. Ella looks through a gap in a shutter on the side of the stage, which captures sight of the audience and judges. By seeing this from the perspective of Ella, it allows the audience to see exactly what she is and creates a sense of understanding of her current intimidating position. Not many acts show the exact perspective of the participant so by doing this, it makes the audience feel an extra connection with her and feel differently about her to any other singer.