Beaver Falls analysis (S01E01 6:55-11:55)
Beaver Falls uses different aspects in order to appeal to its target audience. The target audience is young people aged 15-30. This can be seen from the use of a representation of paradigms within the show. Different aspects of Mise en scene contribute to the appeal of the show. Firstly, the setting of an American ‘summer camp’ located in a beautiful rural American setting, benefits the show as it brings a large amount of appeal with it, as due to its beauty and signified tranquility.It is presented as a desirable location for the audience to want to visit. This appeal is furthered by the means by which the characters got to this location (by working as camp workers), which is a realistic and common method of young British people visiting America. This creates a sense of realism and perhaps some are able to relate to it, which benefits the programme as a drama, as it creates a greater sense of escapism. Another aspect of Mise En scene which creates more appeal to the target audience, is their choice of clothes. The character of ‘Flynn’ is shown wearing ’trendy’ or 'fashionable' clothing. This makes the programme seem more desirable, as it appeals to the target audience in a materialistic sense. The character of ‘Barry’ is wearing a t shirt with a comedic slogan on it. This connotes to the audience that the show will have comedy aspects, which makes the show more desirable, as whilst it is a drama, the element of comedy within it causes the show to distance itself from reality somewhat, which adds to the sense of escapism within the programme. Finally the character ‘Adil’, who is shown to be wearing an England football shirt, helps to create and emphasize a sense of sympathy and support for the characters, as they are portrayed as being outsiders and somewhat alienated due to the fact that they are the only British characters amongst an ensemble of Americans. This generates support for the characters, as they come across as being somewhat the ‘underdogs’ in the situation.
The use of no 'non diegetic' music in the sequence, helps to create a greater focus of the events in which the characters are taking part in. The use of quiet 'diegetic '(and upbeat ‘party') music in the background in the instances of the characters of ‘Flynn’ and ‘Barry’, signify that these two characters are in an exciting environment, in which the audience can assume they will provide a comic relief and light hearted element to the programme. In contrast, the use of no 'diegetic' music in the segment featuring solely the character of Adil, tied in with the dramatic nature and content of the segment, (in which Adil is shown to be concerned over his apparent collapsed love life), both amplifies the dramatic element of the segment, in creating focus on the drama, and not lifting the mood through music, and creates anchorage in the dramatic aspect of the programme. The lighting is used in conjunction with the sound, as in both Flynn and Barry’s segment, the lighting is kept very high key to signify their overall pleasant experience, whereas in Adils segment the lighting shifts to a slightly lower key to again play across a more serious and dramatic narrative for the character. These multiple dimensions within the programme, cause the experiences of the characters to appear more diverse and interesting, which ultimately makes the show more appealing to the audience.
The shots in the sequence are predominately either medium close ups/ medium shots and OTS shots. Both of these types of shots are used for the same purpose. They are used when the characters are interacting with other characters in order to show their body language, facial expressions and reactions in interacting with the other characters of the show. This connotes the significance of interactions of a flirtatious manner within the show, which further anchors the programme in the drama bracket. Long shots are also used in order to show a change in mood within a scene within the segment. The majority of editing within the segment is' shot reverse shot' editing. This type of editing supports and emphasises the importance of conversations and creates a greater amount of ‘flow’ in conversations, and immerses the audience to a greater extent.
In conclusion, the multiple aspects of this show helps it to successfully immerse the audience in a dramatic fashion, but still add comedic and light hearted elements, in order to create a greater sense of escapism within the show. The syntagm of the show in which we see events play out in the logical sequence, fits in with the conventions of a typical drama.
Sources:
http://www.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/180x200_eps/b/beaver_falls_episode_0101.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-cxfWr2JkWs662wYrmLQg2M6Sf4OKXgDp9j9zhKkehUwMsmh_2NPqoMUGZ3MyJYGQUQcVBxlH8Ac5gwNgbOjPbTQFygvqTT8AsfBhAxN2xgpQEFxhAnw0COpXK9dHUMTsJYcSc2bcAc/s400/Beaver+Falls.jpg
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