Summer Project: Coursework Planning

 Summer Project: Coursework Planning

1) a. Narrative and genre: it is a revelation scene where Lord Asriel and Mrs Coulter discuss the fear they have inflicted upon the children of their world and the destruction they have caused. Mrs Coulter is Lyra's mother and has created machines capable of tearing children apart by separating them from their Daemons. Lyra's father informs her that it is not right and needs to be ended. It fits the fantasy genre due to the mention of multiple worlds, as well as Daemons and angels. The narrative is communicated through the dialogue between both characters. 

Technical codes: many shots are used to represent Lord Asriel's superiority and Mrs Coulter's inferiority. A low shot is used to depict the former's power over her, and to show him as the stronger person in this situation. Mrs Coulter is shown using a high shot to show that she does not have the upper hand in the situation. Furthermore, fantasy music is used to exemplify Astriel's words. The music is eerie and mysterious, which fits the genre very well. The lighting is dim, which reinforces the idea that it is a mysterious setting, as the words revolve around a fantasy world and seem quite enigmatic. The setting also reinforces this because it is a place in which a non-fantasy show may not take place in — the background and props represent the fantasy genre. It is very mysterious and contains a large structure which may be an aspect of multiple worlds.

Representations: stereotypes are reinforced in the clip. Lord Asriel has the upper hand and is shown to be stronger, more powerful and much more fierce. He also seems to control Mrs Coulter by getting very close to her and speaking very loudly. This represents sexist stereotypes, but it also delves deeper into a good vs evil understanding. While the man seems to control the woman, it's also a conversation about children being tortured and being turned into hollow versions of themselves without parts of their souls. Lord Asriel tries to convince Mrs Coulter that what they are doing is wrong, and in the process reinforces sexist stereotypes. 

b. Narrative and genre: it is a scene involving a ghost, a healer, and two magicians. Prue and Piper are two magicians who prioritise saving the innocent, and ask the doctor to help them, by explaining the situation with demons and ghosts. However, they have no time to react when the evil ghost attacks them, leading to Prue's death. The narrative is communicated through makeup and the setting, which involves the characters being attacked and falling in heaps of blood. This shows an action or fantasy genre, as the main theme is magic and involves a spirit or demon. 

Technical codes: camera shots consist of low shots to demonstrate the girls' meekness. They are shown to be overpowered by the villains and have less power compared to the doctor. Furthermore, it further reinforces their strength to save people, and being hurt in the quest to do so.

Representations: the women are shown to be considered unintelligent by the doctor, which may be a sexist stereotype, but can also demonstrate that magic is completely unbelievable. However, it can be said that if the women were men, the doctor may have been more inclined to believe them. Furthermore, the girls are young(er) compared to him, so he may be less inclined to take them seriously because of this. 

c. Narrative and genre: it involves a woman being kidnapped for being suspected to have revealed a secret. The group in charge seem to be villains. The fantasy genre is reinforced because of the light that is emitted from Alina when the man cuts her arm. 
Technical codes: the camera shots that are used show The Darkling as a powerful figure, who is obviously superior to the girl. A low shot shows him to be larger and much stronger, which communicates his superiority and greatness compared to her. A high shot is used to show that she is much weaker and less powerful than him.

Representations: the stereotypes of sexism seem to persist because the man is seen to be much stronger. By portraying the girl as weak and frail, it reinforces stereotypes that men dominate women. The girl is seen to be weak because the man is stronger, more powerful and in control. Furthermore, being under his mercy repeats the notion of the patriarchy and may communicate that women are inferior to men in some aspects.

2) Title: The Odds In Your Favour.

Logline: Donald's return sparks new tensions — creating a suspenseful return and alarm in its wake. 
Other similar successful TV dramas: His Dark Materials.

Narrative – the main storyline in the TV drama: it will involve two scenes that are cut with each other, involving a running scene and an argument scene. The argument scene will appear to flash through the protagonist's mind as they run, communicating a sense of distress and anxiety. There will be a notion of good vs evil, which will fit the conventions of a typical fantasy drama, and involve suspense and non-diegetic sound to reinforce this.

Genre – how the TV drama fits the fantasy genre: it will involve a conversation about tensions in the world, signifying fantasy because of a totalitarian society. There will be mentions of a dictator called Donald, and his threat on the lives of the characters. One of the characters will defend him and ridicule the other character because they don't believe the threat is imminent. Both characters will be women, and there will be mentions of internalised sexism because of the dictator's position and values.

Narrative disruption – developing the narrative and the audience learning about the characters or story: the characters will argue with one another and discuss the dictator's position of power — the second character will be against his overarching tyranny, but the first will be in favour of him. This will reveal points about the world the characters live in and its threat, as well as the state of the dictatorship.

Information about the two settings that you are using and why you have chosen them: the first setting will be the past representation — it will be a dimly lit place where the characters argue. It will be used because it is the private space on which tensions about the world are discussed, and where they are seen to be emotionally exhausted. The second scene will be in the open air, where the second character is running, anxious and exhausted. It will be much cooler and slightly brighter, emphasising the juxtaposition between the two settings. The second setting is the present, where the character thinks about what has happened.
Information about the main character: they are the protagonist and live in a dystopian world in which they are heavily controlled. Due to this, they live in a constant state of tyranny and disruption. They are brave-hearted and rebellious.

Costume or props required for filming: a tripod/stand.
Aiming the product at the specified family target audience: the characters are young, and can relate to teenagers or young adults. Furthermore, it will not be too scary and is appropriate for all audiences.

Statement of intent (draft):

My fantasy drama clip will be aimed at a family audience because of the age of characters, which will be relatively young, so that young people can relate to them. I want my characters to be conveyed in a way that is realistic, empathetic and relatable, and I will do this by making them strong, fierce, and three-dimensional. The characters will have strong incentives and deep impressions about the society they live in — a totalitarian one — which makes them seem strong-willed and motivated. These characters do not have the same beliefs, but they are both relatable because of their strength and deep motivation to change things, in different ways. My characters will be both females, so that sexism can be represented in their society. I will demonstrate that the way that the patriarchy takes control of these women and rules them because of who they are. I also want there to be a theme of constant anxiety to demonstrate the way that young people suffer from constant stress. Furthermore, I want my characters to represent typical struggles of society that can be applied to a dictator's society. I want there to be subverted stereotypes of women and camera shots that show the facial expressions of my characters, so that they demonstrate the anxiety that the society gives to them. I want their society to represent the struggles of this one in a more exemplified light, so that they are understood by the audience.