Textual Analysis: Power

Camera Angles:

Camera angles and movements combine to create a sequence of images usually assembled one after another to create something which is known as a film, documentary, TV drama etc. These angles are usually carefully thought out before being implied because if used properly, have significant meanings. For example a long-shot can be taken from as much as a quarter of a mile away, and is generally used as a scene-setting, establishing shot. It normally shows an exterior, the outside of a building, or a landscape, and is often used to show scenes of thrilling action in a war film or disaster movie.

There are various camera shots from different angles used in this clip from ‘Power’, denoting various ideas and themes. At one specific point in the extract, a close-up is used when a long, golden gun is pointed directly at a woman, slowly edging towards her mouth. This is extremely effective because the golden gun denotes ‘Power’ and ‘Strength’. The close-up is of the gun inserted into the woman’s mouth. This shows that the gun is far more superior to the woman and that she has no escape from imminent death. From this the audience understand that certain individuals in this TV drama have exclusive authority.

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The shot above is a mid-shot. The mid shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. Medium shots show the subjects' facial expressions in the context of their body language. As we can see the male above is feeling and looking as if he’s in a melancholic state. As mentioned before mid-shot’s like this are extremely effective because they capture all the emotion in the scene. Powerful dramas such as ‘Power’, usually make the audience feel emotional and a scene like this could spur on members of the audience to feel upset as well. This is what makes some dramas stand out from the rest-interaction with the audience.

Editing:

Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, and many other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate and complete work. Editing is a skill which is vital in any entertainment production. Without productions could fall to pieces and could leave blatant mistakes and holes which would eventually degrade the whole piece of production altogether.

 



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The piece of editing used above is an exceptional example. We see the main character ‘Ghost’ standing and looking above New York City. This is used to express his dominance over the city as if he is the ruler or even as if he’s the most powerful man in the city. This antagonist doesn’t care about the justice system and uses he’s sheer power and use of money to dominate everyone who goes against him.

During post-production this mirror effect is used to show Ghosts two sided personality. On one hand he’s a big time drug dealer who doesn’t care for anyone but those close ones around him and experts his money over everyone who are not on good terms with him. But on the other hand he’s this proud, well-established individual who is widely loved and accepted by the community-them not knowing of his other profession and dark side effectively.

This use of editing is used during the opening titles of the TV drama explaining who he is and what he’s about before anything actually takes place. ‘Actions speak louder than words’.

Sound:

Sound” refers to everything we hear in a movie — words, sound effects, and music. Sound is used in film to heighten a mood, provide us with information about the location of a scene, advance the plot, and tell us about the characters in the story. There are two categories of sound in film: Diegetic and Non-Diegetic.

Diegetic sound. Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film: voices of characters. Sounds made by objects in the story. Music represented as coming from instruments in the story space.

Non-diegetic sound. Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action: narrator's commentary. Sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect. Mood music.

Synchronous sound is sound that is matched to certain movements occurring in the scene-when footsteps correspond to feet walking.

At the beginning of the drama whilst the opening titles are going on rap music is being played in the background. This is useful because it connotes that the programme includes themes of violence and a state of maybe even ‘togetherness’ usually associated between friends and family within the black race.

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