'My Boy Jack' - Notes

Editing

• Fade to close-up of watch implies that time is important to context/against them
• Cross-cutting used to switch between father and son
• Fast cuts on his father to emphasise his rush
• Long cuts on the protagonist to show slow and tense mood
• Shot-reverse-shot - in room/show clear conversation
• Continuity editing - chronological/show time passing
• Eyeline match for protagonist when viewing letters - experience his view
• Super impose used - letters he is seeing/experience his view/audience informed of his impaired vision & also at the beginning credits to set the scene (1914)
• Parallel editing - show two different events
• Cutaway to watch again - not necessary but emphasises that the element of time is still important
• Elipsis - don't see the father walk around/speeds up the action

Audience

• Primary audience - older audience/relate to war times/setting of the story appeal to them (1914)
• Message - that if not born into high class family during that time it was difficult to earn a high-rank
• Big star/recognisable actor 'Daniel Radcliffe' appeals to a mass audience - even draws in a younger audience because implies high production budget therefore a more probably chance that it is a good quality drama
• Also represents the change in values since 1914 to modern day i.e. discriminated in what he is applying for because he wears glasses

Dialogue

• Short formal conversation/posh dialect to match characters/relationships not strong
• Use of last names show position

Sound

• Diegetic sound for clock
• Sound bridge - clock and music
• Syncronym sound for car
• Parallel sound - it is up-tempo/jolly music with the man's mood
• Non-diegetic sound of string instruments

TV Drama

• Genre - historical/music costume and props contribute to this genre
• Stereotypical that boys watch it than girls
• Daniel Radcliffe appeals as he is a high class actor

Characters and Programme

• Daniel familiar & other actors
• Characters are well educated - respect but one is presented as snoobish
• Style realistic as it is based on true story
• Character are white-british
• Jack less important because of his Father's job

Narrative Sequences

• Clock ticking - narrative time (appears twice to reinforce this)
• Characters experience along with time
• D.R. shows high value
• Shots are parallel time but not linked
• One-off production drama

Back Story

• Drama premiere set in 1914 suggested by car style
• Language and tone suggest it too - older english/more defined
• Non-fiction characters suggest good representation of rich class

Mise-en-scene

• Setting countryside  (green & warmth) and Manorhouse reinforce the time (1914)
• Polished and shiny statue on car shows the wealth
• Open green field - space and more freedom in life/can afford better living standards
• Clock traditional to time period
• Bright sunny day reflects mood in contrast to nervous boy in dull room
• Clothing- formal suits & uniform - shows rank

Camera

• First shot is wide shot establishing scene
• Extreme-close up of seconds hand on watch - belongs to King/he doesn't want to be kept waiting
• Close-ups of car and driver -  of the wheel turning to show speed
• Mid-shot of car statue - represent high status
• Close-up of protagonist's eyes to show disadvantage
• Bird's eye view showing protagonist handing paper along with other applicants/shows they are equal
• Long-shot emphasises the long wait
• Hand-held camera - audience has eye-line with D.R. to empathise with him/unsteady camera shows uncertainty
• Mid-shots add realism as it is eye level
• Long shot of corridor & car
• Over-the-shoulder and mid-angle to show conversation (question Father's rank but shocked at it)
• High angle suggest authority

Representation

•  Shows change in times - lower class find it hard to enter upper-class jobs
• Average suit on protagnoist - lower class in contrast to the uniformed character with medals (clear high rank)