What narrative structures are evident in the first episode of lost? What effect does this have on the audience?
In the Season 1 Episode 1 of lost I can see that this TV Drama conveys a narrative structure. This is evident to me and the audience as we can see the structure of props, characters roles such as a hero this happens to be Jack, a donor, villain, dispatcher, false hero and princess. Although I haven’t come across all of these characters so far in this episode they commonly appear in films and TV dramas. In the opening scene it is clear to the audience that Jack is the hero as he tries his best to save peoples lives on the deserted island form which looks to be like a plain accident. Still from the first scene we came across two main helpers this was the life guard who was attempting to save a woman’s life who looked to be unconscious and there was a guy whose help was required to take care of a pregnant lady. These two were considered the main helpers because the camera was focused on them being helpers were as there were a number of helpers in the background helping each other. In the viewer eyes the pregnant lady could have the title of being the princes for the time being of what I have watched so far as she was the one who was saved from the hero not only that but he has currently saved her twice already and she seems to be his main concern.
In part 2 of episode 1 the narrative continues, the audience can tell this because it is the same scenario and the equilibrium hasn’t been disrupted. A suspected villain has now caught my attention. I came to this conclusion from the dialect that came from a Chinese man as me mentions not to worry about the others and the two of them must stick together. I also noticed that the guy was speaking in a different language this could show that he doesn’t want anyone to know what he is saying as he wants to keep himself low key this makes him look suspicious.
In part 3 of Episode 1 the narrative is still continuing as it hasn’t yet been disrupted. The use of a flash back helped the audience to see what had happened before the start of part 1. During the flash pack it showed the audience some relationship between some characters for example jack and the lady in orange. Seeing the flash back makes it clear to the audience as to how they all ended up on the deserted island, helping them to engage more to the TV drama. The structure of props hasn’t change much at all. Another helper has been identified; I make this out to be the girl who stitches up the hero’s (Jack) womb, after she has done this she continues to volunteer’s her help to search for a part of the plain.
In part 4 it is mainly about the three characters, Jack, Kate and Charley. At one point in the part charily and Kate are together having lost jack, Kate then strongly suggest to go back and try and find jack with or without charley. This shows hero behaviour. Whereas Kate and jack have shown the audience a sense of heroism Charley is showing that he could possibly be a false hero. A false hero is when someone is assuming the role of a hero. As I don’t have much evidence to go with that I’m not too sure at the moment but I think this because at first Charley was keen on coming to help. At times he portrays strange behaviour making him seem suspicious for example when he was in the toilet of the crashed plain, this causes the audience to think and try and predict what is going to happen and what Charley’s plan is from his behaviour.
Discuss the sound techniques used in the first episode of lost. What effect does this have on the audience?
In the first part of lost it opened with no- dialect. It was completely sound effects for about the first 2.30sec. Sound technique is used to convey feeling emotion can even tell a message this all to make the audience feel as certain way and to get them thinking.
To start off with the title sequence was short but catchy for those who watch Lost as was to hear a audio of the title sequence they was get that it is Lost because it is unique and snappy. To me it sound like a instrument where the dynamics go from quiet to loud and then quiet again. This builds up tension and makes it exciting. After the non- dialect part at the beginning when jack reaches the beach the audience can hear his heavy breathing this emphasises that he is out of breath from escaping from the rainforest. There are then really loud noises now including dialect of people screaming crying for help, this makes it clear to the audience that they are all in danger they are scared and their lives are at risk.
The noise of the plian engine makes it sound dangerous. In every scene there is dialect and background music/ sounds this makes the audience feel as if they are with the characters and a part of the drama. In part 2 at night, when everyone is beginning to relax the audience attention are drawn to a noise that is coming from the bushes, this builds up suspense fear. At this point the audience can hear the wind blowing the trees swaying birds and what sounds like a loud horn.
In part 3 you can hear heavy rain there is also suspense music in the background, as it is only the three of them in the rain forest looking for a part of the plain not knowing where to go makes it tense. The sound jack makes when he is pulling himself up shows the audience that it is hard and remind them that he is in pain as he is finding it hard to get up into the destroyed part of the plain. This shows struggle and determination.
In part 4 the sound of the rain and now thunder storm could be uses to create a sense of realism once again this can draw the audience in. when Kate is by herself in the rainforest screaming for the hero (Jack) this could make the audience feel sympathy for her as she is all alone and knowing that there is something dangerous out there that could kill her makes the audience wonder what is going to happen next. Non dialect sounds are used at this point when she starts to panic because he is hearing things then the volume of the music gets louder to build up tension and suspense, making the audience wonder what is around and behind her then the music is lowered when they see that it is only Charley. the technique of using the volume of sound, builds up tension and creates fear in the audience when the volume goes quieter they feel as sense of relief as it is nothing to worry about.
How is realism constructed in this episode of lost?
In the first part of lost realism is constructed through meis- en- scène. The sound give the effect that the audience are in the rain forest with jack as it sounds realistic and dramatic. The sound effects of birds and snakes in the background create a picture in the audience head that the animals are there.
The injuries that a number of the passengers have create a sense of realism because if a plain was to crash in real life everyone would be injured is some way, so the injuries conform to what would be expected if a plain was to crash. The characters bring a sense of realism as they are all real people. The fact they there clothes are all dirty and destroyed in some way shows realism as it relates to the plain accident. The props that are used in the first scene construct realism for example part of the plain, random pieces of luggage, this is all realistic because this is something that the audience could see happening in real life, it doesn’t all seem unrealistic.
Realism continues to be constructed through the rest of the episode. This is shown through camera angles and what the camera allows the audience to see this is can be done through panning, tracking, zooming, showing point of view shots, close ups etc. Shot reverse shot is used when Kate is stitching Jacks womb, while she is doing this they are having a conversation this is shown used shot reverse shot. This creates a sense of realism as the audience can see that the two of them are having a casual conversation. This is nothing out of the ordinary that’s what makes it realistic alongside dialect.
Once again realism is constructed; this is in part 3 or lost. This is shown when Jack, Kate and Charley are making their way through the front part of the plain they went to find. The setting is realistic; the audience can see this because it is raining making it hard for them to get inside the plain as it is slippery. The back ground music alongside the sound effects makes it tense and dramatic however still keeping that sense of realism. There are still passengers in the plain, these are the ones who died as they couldn’t escape this is realistic as the audience would expect all of them to survive. The fear in the three characters also brings a feel of realism.
Using these techniques makes it believable to the audience. The techniques that are selected to be used, how it is filmed and edited makes it very realistic this conforms to the expectations of TV drama. The situations, props, setting and background sound are used consistently to keep the constructing realism in Lost.
How does lost fit the conventions of a TV drama?
Lost fits the conventions of TV drama as it engages the audience and constructs realism. The narrative is interesting as shows the audience something that doesn’t happen every day but it is sowing a situation that could happen in reality and ways of trying to solve it is also portrayed. Lost portrays various conventions of a TV drama another one of them being the title sequence. Although the title sequence is short it is still catchy and contains mysterious music which will draw the audience in and be able recognised by regular views of Lost. All the title sequence is of the name of the program LOST capitalised to really stand on a black background as the font colour is white. The colour white could represent death and peace. The blurry vision and the zooming in at an angle once again build up tension.
Throughout the episodes of lost the same characters appear, this familiarises the audience and give them a sense of recognition, by keeping this consistent can help the audience to stay engaged and know what is going on. The camera angles and movement of the camera fit the conventions of TV drama. These techniques make it, more interesting for example close ups, close up enables the audience to see the characters facial expression giving them and idea of how they are feeling for example at the beginning when jack is laying down on the ground and he looks to the right to see what is there, this shows fear as he’s not sure what is around him. Camera movement, panning is used this is used so that the audience can see what’s going on in the scene allowing them to see more rather than if it was still. Point of view shot was used to make it seem like the audience is actually there viewing what the character can see. The point of view shot creates a sense of realism and. Having different scenes fit the conventions of TV drama. There were a number of different scenes used the showed the audience around the island. This makes the drama more interesting as there is more for them to see.
Lost continues to fit the conventions of TV drama throughout the episode. To me lost appeals to a variety off people as all the characters are different in this TV drama for example there is a doctor, lifesaver etc. I think the target audience is for teenagers and adults. In more detail people who enjoy mysteries and thrill. As I think this is the affect lost creates for the audience.
