2. ‘Missed’
Missed is a 5 minute single drama based in London, made by Guy Ducker. (genre)
Missed is a linear drama as all the events take place in chronological order, is a realist drama as it is naturally lit
giving it a normal and realistic feel to it, and it contains long scenes with few cuts so the audience can able to focus
on the dialogue easier. The ending is closed as the story is brought together when we discover Emma isn’t actually
alive.
This drama appeals to all as the realistic feel can reach everyone as it’s about the loss of a loved one and how easily
they can disappear. However I would say its aimed more at adults of either sex about 30-40 as this is similar to the
actors age and it’s based around business/office workers, who have their own jobs and problems helping audiences
relate to them.
3. Technical structures
Camera techniques
Lots of different techniques are used within ‘Missed’ this helps keep audiences entertained and keeps them from
loosing interest. The beginning establishing shot allows the audiences to gather where the story is set and the
people involved. We can see its work related as everyone within the first scene is wearing a suit, busy street is
shown and a train passes which is typical of London. Mid-shots are used to show the main character and give some
detail into his life, we see he wears a suit, has a laptop so we know he’ll most likely work in this area as he looks
very relaxed and at home doing work in this environment. Once his collage enters the café another mid-shot is used
to show similarities between the two men, as they both wear suits. Throughout their convocation a range of
camera shots are used; eye level shots are used so we the audience feel as if we’re watching and involved in the
story, which helps us to sympathise with the characters. Point of view shots are used again to help us sympathise
and get a feel of the story from the main characters eyes. No close ups/extreme close ups are used which I feel
would be a good idea for this drama as emotions play a heavy part. However only close mid-shots are used to
portray the characters emotions. The 180 degree rule is used through all the time we see the main character and
Emma talking which makes sure the audiences attention isn't thrown and it kept on the convocation, however these
long shots are kept interesting by the use of camera tracking around the characters and to perhaps create an idea of
unsteadiness with the characters and the relationship between the two. Towards the end of their convocation the
characters are shown by themselves creating distance between them. After these shots a wide shot is used to show
the main character sat by him self, facing an empty chair showing, he’s still coming to terms with the loss of Emma
and the chair left out could symbolise he’s waiting for her to come back.
4. Mise en scene
The mise en scene within the frames relates to the work/business man story, making the main characters look
more average so audiences find it easier to relate to them. All the shots are somewhere were audiences will be
easy to associate with such as city environment and the café. The three main characters all show visual
relations such as they all wear very similar clothing (suits black and white) However the next day the main
character wears all black which has connotations of death and loss. Emma is shown to have bought a drink
from the café making her seem more realistic and believable. The 2 nd picture shows how the window frame
creates a barrier between the two, perhaps showing a living/dead difference
5. Lighting
The beginning establishing shot uses ambient lighting, meaning the light that is all ready present before filming
took place. This creates a sense of realism, the scene is dim showing its going to be a realism drama as for
example the shot hasn’t been edited to look brighter and happier as that would not fit with the conventions of
realist films. The lighting within this drama stays rather steady and similar throughout, when we see shot of the
main character and Emma he appears to have more of a shadow cast on his face and the scene uses slightly
lower ley lighting, showing a subtle change which all audiences might not pick up on. This low-key lighting
remains after Emma has gone showing that there has been a change similar to the lighting subtle but can have
affects on few, as other characters are shown to be happily continue their lives while the main characters
struggles to do so with his.
6. Sound
The opening establishing shot opens with the noise of a train and café noises which easily allows the audience
to grasp where the following events will take place. Interruptions within the first few lines of dialogue help
show that the story, the characters lives and the lives of the audiences will all have interruptions which we
have to deal with. When the news of Emma’s death reaches the main character sad/sympathetic music is
played (non-degetic) this helps us understand how the main character is feeling and how he felt about Emma.
There is a fade which contains a ‘sound bridge’ into the next scene helping to link the two. This scene opens
with similar train and café noises to the original opening of the drama. Mysterious music is played when the
main character sees Emma, showing this isn’t reality and something is wrong. When we see the two characters
out side together the mysterious music is still being played and we don’t hear all of their dialogue, we hear key
words such as “What?” and “Died?” showing the story is mainly based on disbelief and death.
7. Sound
The opening establishing shot opens with the noise of a train and café noises which easily allows the audience
to grasp where the following events will take place. Interruptions within the first few lines of dialogue help
show that the story, the characters lives and the lives of the audiences will all have interruptions which we
have to deal with. When the news of Emma’s death reaches the main character sad/sympathetic music is
played (non-degetic) this helps us understand how the main character is feeling and how he felt about Emma.
There is a fade which contains a ‘sound bridge’ into the next scene helping to link the two. This scene opens
with similar train and café noises to the original opening of the drama. Mysterious music is played when the
main character sees Emma, showing this isn’t reality and something is wrong. When we see the two characters
out side together the mysterious music is still being played and we don’t hear all of their dialogue, we hear key
words such as “What?” and “Died?” showing the story is mainly based on disbelief and death.