Language and Angle of the article:
Mode of address is the tone in which
something is said, this changes with the type of audience it is targeting at.
The Last Post is a TV drama, the purpose of this is to entertain the audience,
it has a older ABC1 target audience, this is because they will need disposable
in order to buy a TV to watch it. This uses elaborate codes, this is because
the target audience is older and there for will understand the language used, I
can see the audience is older as the programme is broadcasted after 9 pm and it
has mature narratives. Whereas Jurassic Park is targeted at a younger audience
and so restricted codes are used for the, for example “He had to leave early to
be with his daughter” this is easy for the audience to understand so that they
know what is happening in the narrative and so enjoy the film more. This film
is used to entertain the audience, this is seen through music inserted
throughout, this keeps the audience interested in the film and also builds on
impact as it is a thriller/ action. The mode of address for all my scripts are
peer to peer, this is especially shown in the radio script as it is more of a
chatty format “So how’s the start of your week Anne” this fits with the
entertaining purpose of the radio programme as it make the audience feel like
they are friends with the presenters. However a documentary TV programme such
as blue planet uses teacher to pupil mode of address, this is because the
presenter is teaching the audience about topic which they may not know, for
example in Blue Planet David Attenborough gives facts about the ocean and their
inhabitants “The ocean seemingly limitless cover 70% of our planet, and yet
they are still least explored” this is used as they audience use documentaries
to be entertained and informed so expect this from the genre of the programme.
Like Jurassic Park this DJ radio script uses restricted codes, this is because
targets a wide audience of people, from different places, ages and backgrounds,
this means the language used needs to be easily understood, this language code
is also used because of the chatty format.
Format and layout
Scripts such as TV and film have the same format whereas
radio and game scripts are different. TV and film scripts use a Courier size 12, this is a distinct
font for scripts as it is easy to read, they use central text again to make it
easier to read. The radio DJ script uses a slightly different format, with the
same font although different layout, this script uses the DJ’s name on the left
hand side and the text on the right.
A game script is very different from all
of these, this is formatted in a flow chart, and this is used because it shows
all different decisions which can be made as part of the game with ‘yes’ ‘no’
options. Screenplays such as TV and Film have character descriptions
so that they can get into character and deliver the lines as that character.
They can also be used to let other characters know how they should be
interacting with the character. These scripts are used by the producer,
director, Actor and the crew, this is because they need to know where and what
the character is saying at each point while shooting. With Game scripts the
game maker will use the flowchart to assemble the game options. As Radio scripts
have a lot of sound effect directions they are used by the presenters to tell
they when to put it specific sound effects for example ‘SFX: News Background
sound effects (soft)’ which is important if they are broadcasting live. Game scripts feature a synopsis this is to tell the producer
what will happen in the game and the storyline in order to fulfil this when
making the game, this isn’t used in other scripts as other ones are not solely
made off the script/flowchart. Stage directions are used on film and TV
scripts, this is because the actors need to know where they are going and when,
stage directions are important as a certain action can add to the meaning of
the scene. An example of stage direction is from Jurassic park script ‘the
whole thing shivers as GROWLS and SNAPS come from inside. Everyone moves back.’
This direction adds to the meaning as it shows everyone is scared of the
creature coming out of the bush. Sounds effects on all these scripts as shown
as SFX, then followed by what sounds effect needs to be used, this is
important for post-production in film as the editors need to know when and
where to put the sound effects in.
Three Act Structure
The Three act structure an old storytelling format, Act 1 is
setup, Act 2 is confrontation and Act 3 is resolution. Act 1 introduces the
setting and characters, defining the reasoning and logic of the story. Act 2 is
when the conflict is established and the rise on tension. Act 3 is the climax
and resolution of the situation leaving the characters with a new sense of who
they are.
Film scripts use this structure to create the storyline.
This was mainly seen in older films such as Charlie and the chocolate family,
in Act 1: Charlie is seen from a poor family hoping for something good to
happen when he finds the golden ticket, Act 2: all the children want to Wonker
prize at the end so are fighting to impress him, Act 3: all other contestants
are eliminated from trying so hard and Charlie gets the special prize. Although
some recent films do still use this structure such as Witness, in Act 1: The main
characters (Rachel, Samuel and john Book) are introduced, Rachel is Samuels
mother and Book is a detective, Samuel witnesses a murder, Act2: The Police
man, Mcfee is found by Book to be the killer and come after Rachel, Samuel and
Book as they go on the run, Act 3: Mcfee surrenders leaving Samuel and Rachel
to go back to their normal life.
Style
A single strand narrative is when the protagonist is the
main focus of the story with only little focus on minor character or the
antagonist, an example of this can be found in the Superman film as he is the
main focus of the entire film. Whereas a Multi strand narrative can have two or
more groups of characters at once, this creates a more interesting narrative as
the audience has to concentrate on more than one strand and how they interact
together, this can be seen through videogame narratives.
A linear narrative is written in a sequential manner, this
is used in a lot of film, TV and Video games as it flows logically which can
keep the audience focused on a specific story or topic in order to understand
it properly. Although non-linear narratives can also be used in film, this is
when the narrative is un-sequential, this can be used to draw in the audience
and make them focus on the film more to get them to understand it. Films use
flackbacks/forwards and non-chronological order is used to create a non-linear narrative.
