Evaluation

Evaluation

Script

I have created a 10 page script on a new TV series which I have named “Liabilities” set around adolescent, working class boys with the narrative describing them coming across a meteor and gaining powers from it.

I conducted 5 different drafts of my script with it getting better after each draft. I improved it from research I had done along the way. I used a variety of sources in able to make my script as professional as it could be. The sources I used were as follows: The Internet, a questionnaire, focus group and already present TV scripts all of which had significant impacts on my final outcome.

When using the internet I learnt key guidelines I had to stick by in order for it to have the correct discourse markers like you’d expect a professional script to have. I learnt that all scripts use the font: “Courier” and the standard size is “12pt” which I applied within my 4^th Draft to make the format of my script look professional. The reason behind why scripts use “Courier” and in the size of “12pt” is because it was the standard font used by all typewriters. I also learnt that the script requires certain indents to indicate whether it’s a change in scene, which protagonist is speaking, scene heading etc an example of this is that for a character’s name the indent has to be “Indent: Left: 2.0" Right: 0.0" Width: 4.0" which I implemented within my 4^th draft.

I learnt from the use of already present scripts such as “Being Human – Episode 1, Series 1” that they contain a variety of scene transitions in order to help the narrative flow as well as having various different plot lines running simultaneously. I learnt this and I tried to implement simultaneous plot lines discreetly via the use of stage directions and minor dialogue such as “Josh:(Aggressively)Well I’m going with or without you.” which has connotations that he is in it for himself and doesn’t need the others, which I could later develop into a huge plotline of betrayal.

I also learnt from my internet research that every scene should be wrote on the script as a scene heading with a brief narrative description below it to set the scene which then has a transition underneath to introduce the coming scene. I also learnt from internet research that after every new character there needs a description of what they come across as with their name in capitals such as “SCOTT a slim, tall boy wearing a heavy coat, strolls across the room” which I implemented in my 4^th draft.

When I conducted my focus group with around 5 of my peers, they helped me build my believability of my characters so that if this show was to air it would fit with at least one of the 4 main gratifications which would be to “relate” for the viewers due to how they dress for example.

 

Another way in which I helped develop my script was via the use of making my own questionnaire which I then gave out to several people in order to get quick and easy feedback. By doing this it helped develop the actual idea I had, it helped suggest that my series would be best fitted being indexical with both a fantasy, action and comedy genre and this is how I came up with the idea for three teenage protagonists in order to create a comedic effect.

The questionnaire also helped me specify who my target audience would be, it came out that this series would appeal to both genders from a working class background (like the protagonists themselves) and that by having the comedy within the script i.e.  “If I didn’t know any better it seems like you have got a keen interest with big, dark holes…” which is stereotypical of a teenage male to make euphemisms about sexual oriented subjects which again helps build the believability of my characters themselves. 

Another thing I learnt is that due to it being a male orientated TV drama I had to incorporate something in order to attract a female audience, I did this via the use of brief character description e.g. “SCOTT (a tall thin boy in his late teens clearly shown by his jumper)” which means that he can appeal to the stereotype that some girls go for and can act as the female gaze within the show if it was to air.

DVD Cover

When I decided to put together both my DVD cover and Poster I did so with most things in mind with actual reasoning on why they were placed where they were.

Firstly with the DVD cover, the dominant signifier of the text is the image of the individual looking into the distance. With the individual being in a hood it promotes the enigma of whether this person is a villain (Like in Propp’s character scheme) and is stalking what is ahead or whether he is a ‘hero’ and watching over the city. I chose to have no anchorage supporting this as there is no preferred meaning and instead I want the viewer to have their own unique connotations when they look at this text.

The title “LIABILITIES” has been done in a long narrow, linear font in a grey, eroded font, which appeals to a more masculine audience. I chose to aim it mainly towards a masculine audience (more so than a female) as the 3 protagonists are male themselves and share what the stereotype of young adolescent boys are which is: to have ‘banter’, swear a lot and insult each other.

The use of the dress code of mainly hoodies helps put across the preferred meaning that this text is aimed more around a working class background who are seen to wear hoodies the most. By it being set in a working class background via the dress code it helps the audience ‘relate’ to the text which means the text will be more gripping and will entice a larger viewing base.

When editing the cover’s contrast I chose to do so it brings out the light in the top left corner which has connotations of either a sun or even a meteor (like my narrative possessive). However if the viewer has an oppositional reading of the text it has an anchorage in the bottom right-hand corner which looks very similar to what meteor ore veins would look like i.e. glowing and red which indicates the bright light in the top left corner is actually a meteor.

I chose to put the age certificate of my text at a “15” as after doing some thorough internet research I learnt that in a 15 there is: strong violence, frequent strong language, portrayals of sexual activity, references to sexual violence, discriminator language or behaviour and drug taking. All of which are within my script and the narrative of my show especially the use of frequent strong language, strong violence and drug taking which help reinforce the stereotypical representation of the youth within the media.

The use of the tag line “Our Last Hope” helps reinforce that this text is within the genre of action which when put alongside the use of the meteor ore on the ground and the bright light it suggests that this can be classed as an action/fantasy text which I originally aimed to do.

Poster

When creating my poster I had most things in mind in order to provoke specific responses from the viewer.

Firstly the dominant signifier of the poster itself is the image of the town’s skyline which has another reference towards a meteor (which was also on my DVD cover) which helps determine that it is within the ‘fantasy’ genre. The placing of the meteor itself is heading towards the “9:00pm” start time which has connotations that it is “on its way to channel 4” due to it hurdling towards the channel 4 icon and people may view it as “its nearly there” in reference to it being on people’s TV screens.

I chose to put the Channel 4 Icon on the poster as it further promotes that this text will be displayed on Channel 4. I chose to put my text on Channel 4 as it is very similar to other stimulus texts already on Channel 4 such as “The Inbetweeners” which had 4 all male protagonists which is very similar to my show itself. Other shows such as “Shameless” which is on Channel 4 is a working background text very similar to my text as well.

I chose to put it at a 9:00pm start time as it is after the watershed which it needs to be due to it being an age 15 rated text. By putting my show after the watershed it means that younger audiences such as children will not be susceptible to the qualities that my text possesses which is strong violence, excessive use of strong language and occasional drug use which are all at some point within my show’s narrative.

By the font of the poster being eroded it further reinforces that it is actually “Our Last Hope” and the effect of it being eroded has connotations of many people have tried before them and failed which helps foreshadow the narrative of my text.

By my poster being landscape I would display it on billboards due to the mass audience it would reach. Due to the simplicity of the poster itself such as just when it starts, the name of the text and a reference to an outside source where there is more information, further reinforces that it would be best on a billboard due to drivers and passers-by only having a few seconds to scan read my poster and gain the important information they need and avoiding having to scan read through unnecessary text.