Wednesday 23 October 2013

Commentary for Desperate Housewives Style Drama

Commentary for "Desperate Housewives" Style Drama
Opening begins with a 'Birds'-Eye-View'/Establishing Shot of an unnamed city skyline in black and white as colored onomatopoeia text make a rhythmic  and catchy tune of the sounds, or a specific jazz song is playing while the colored onomatopoeia text still pops up now and again. The purpose of the shot(s) being black and white is so that specific colored objects that relate to the characters stand out. Note: Majority of shots are in black and white. The second shot is a wide shot of a bar (well-lit) as patrons (mostly men, middle class) are trying to have an enjoyable time as the camera slowly pans to the right. The purpose of having these men middle class and rowdy in this shot is to make these minor background characters relatable and to fit the stereotype that men can be irresponsible and amusement seeking. Aside from colored text of onomatopoeia still noticeable, one male person is colored or highlighted pink and the black and white sky turns blue and a multicolored rainbow can be seen without anyone taking notice. The reason for these bright colors on these objects is to convey one of my characters' sexual orientation in the story; although his clothing is quite similar to the background characters, his sexuality makes him stand out.
The third shot is a mid shot of a private study (well lit), the camera is positioned at the bottom right corner of the desk so we can clearly see the neatly place objects on the desk such as a computer, a family picture, etc. What becomes noticeable is that their is a smart looking suit and an emblem of a specific school colored in a dark blue, but their is also a bright blue apron which is reminiscent of a 1950's housewife apron hanging at the far top right with the suit. This is again hinting to one of my characters in the plot of this drama, a divorced husband who now not only takes on the role of being a working father but also juggles the tasks of his previous wife. The onomatopoeia sounds/words of a fire alarm activates as the camera zooms in on an opening door.
The fourth shot is in a familiar yet different area, a fixed/stationary camera angle of a man sitting on a sofa, watching television or presumably ignoring his wife and five noisy children amongst the chaotic noise and filthy surroundings of toys and bills in this almost-dimly-lit-room. The audience should notice that a police officers cap and a fire arm is lying on the floor, this would intended to hint that even though this man has a position of authority in society, he lacks authority and the responsibility which comes with it in his own home.
The camera is no longer stationary and turns a 90 degree angle of where the man is sitting into a POV and then zooms in amongst the static of the television screen which finally becomes the fourth shot, a mid-shot-birds'-eye-view of a poorly lit room. Here we can see a man sleeping over his desk which is cluttered with artistic materials bottles of wine colored in red (empty or not), lady magazines but their clothing and make-up revolving around the color palette of red and finally a piece of artwork of a split bleeding heart in red. The disorganized work desk could reflect on the person and his life, the stereotype of men and alcohol can be seen by the highlighted wine bottles as well as the idea of men being sleazy and desiring women materialistically or lustfully can be shown by the magazines. But with the color of red being known for symbolizing strength, passions and so on clearly being shown here, the main focus is the severed heart painting symbolizing the character here is missing something meaningful. The character himself sleeping over the desk has disheveled clothing, and appears that he wept a great deal.
The camera then zooms in to the painting until the only thing that can be seen is the color red, the camera pans out from the red to a new shot, a red button, as the camera continues to pan out we see that the red button is one of the eyes of a sad stuffed rabbit toy on a table located the left side. The only source of light is from a distant open room at the top right of the shot, time appears to pass as the walls peel, dust collects, the rabbit now has a red blood stain on the now-blue-button, the onomatopoeia is that of arguing parents, weeping, sounds of punching. The sounds grow louder, distorted, the camera zooms in to the bright room, almost going beyond and finally silence; the title soon appears in bold and black as a colored setting finally emerges from the brightness, the street where our characters reside.







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