📝TV Criticism Unit 4 – Television Aesthetics and Style

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Mise-en-scène encompasses all visual elements within a frame, including set design, lighting, costumes, and actor positioning
• Cinematography involves camera techniques such as shot composition, camera angles, and camera movement to convey meaning and emotion
• Editing is the process of selecting, arranging, and combining shots to create a coherent narrative flow and rhythm
  • Continuity editing maintains spatial and temporal coherence between shots (shot-reverse-shot, eyeline match)
  • Montage editing juxtaposes shots to create associations, convey passage of time, or evoke emotions (cross-cutting, Soviet montage)
• Diegetic sound originates from within the story world and is audible to the characters (dialogue, sound effects)
• Non-diegetic sound comes from outside the story world and is only heard by the audience (soundtrack, score, voiceover narration)
• Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of the television screen (4:3 for standard definition, 16:9 for high definition)
• Color palette refers to the dominant colors used in a scene or throughout a series to create a specific mood or atmosphere (muted colors in crime dramas, vibrant colors in comedies)

Evolution of TV Aesthetics

• Early television (1940s-1950s) was characterized by live broadcasts, limited camera movement, and theatrical staging due to technical constraints
• Multi-camera setup became popular in the 1960s, allowing for more dynamic visual storytelling and the rise of the sitcom genre (I Love Lucy)
• Single-camera setup gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, enabling more cinematic techniques and location shooting (Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice)
• Cable television in the 1990s and 2000s introduced more complex narratives, anti-heroes, and experimental aesthetics (The Sopranos, Breaking Bad)
  • Premium cable channels (HBO, Showtime) pushed boundaries with explicit content and high production values
• Streaming services in the 2010s have further expanded the possibilities of television aesthetics with non-linear storytelling, binge-watching, and interactive elements (Black Mirror: Bandersnatch)
• High-definition and 4K resolution have enhanced the visual quality and detail of television productions, allowing for more immersive experiences
• Widescreen aspect ratios (16:9) have become the standard, providing a more cinematic look and feel to television shows

Visual Elements and Composition

• Framing refers to the arrangement of subjects and objects within the boundaries of the screen, creating visual hierarchy and guiding viewer attention
• Shot sizes convey different levels of intimacy and emotional impact (close-ups for intense moments, wide shots for establishing context)
  • Extreme close-up: Tight framing of a specific detail or facial feature
  • Medium shot: Frames characters from the waist up, often used for dialogue scenes
  • Long shot: Shows the entire body of a character or a broad view of the setting
• Camera angles can suggest power dynamics, psychological states, or subjective perspectives (high angle for vulnerability, low angle for dominance)
• Depth of field is the range of distance within a shot that appears in focus, used to direct attention or create visual contrast (shallow depth of field for isolating subjects)
• Lighting techniques shape the mood, atmosphere, and emotional tone of a scene (high-key lighting for comedy, low-key lighting for drama)
  • Three-point lighting is a standard setup consisting of a key light, fill light, and back light to create depth and dimensionality
• Color grading is the process of adjusting the color and tonal balance of the image in post-production to achieve a desired look or style (desaturated colors for a gritty aesthetic)

Sound Design and Music

• Sound effects enhance the realism and immersion of the story world, providing auditory cues and feedback (footsteps, door slams, gunshots)
• Foley artists create synchronized sound effects in post-production to replace or supplement production audio (walking sounds, clothing rustles)
• Dialogue mixing ensures that spoken lines are clear, intelligible, and balanced with other audio elements
• Background noise and ambience establish the sonic environment and create a sense of place (city traffic, nature sounds)
• Music can establish the emotional tone, pace, and atmosphere of a scene or sequence (suspenseful score for tension, upbeat pop songs for levity)
  • Leitmotifs are recurring musical themes associated with specific characters, places, or ideas (Game of Thrones' character themes)
• Soundtrack choices can reflect the time period, cultural context, or narrative themes of the series (period-accurate songs in Mad Men)
• Silence and the absence of sound can be used for dramatic effect, creating tension, anticipation, or a sense of emptiness

Narrative Techniques in TV

• Episodic structure presents self-contained stories within each episode, with limited character development and serialized elements (procedural dramas, sitcoms)
• Serialized structure features ongoing storylines and character arcs that unfold across multiple episodes or seasons (soap operas, prime-time dramas)
  • Cliffhangers are used to create suspense and anticipation between episodes or seasons
• Non-linear storytelling disrupts the chronological order of events, using flashbacks, flash-forwards, or parallel timelines (Lost, Westworld)
• Ensemble casts allow for multiple intersecting storylines and character perspectives (Game of Thrones, Orange Is the New Black)
• Voiceover narration provides insight into a character's thoughts, feelings, or backstory (Dexter, Jane the Virgin)
• Unreliable narrators can mislead or deceive the audience, creating plot twists and revelations (Mr. Robot)
• Breaking the fourth wall involves characters directly addressing or acknowledging the audience, breaking the illusion of the story world (Fleabag)

Genre-Specific Stylistic Approaches

• Sitcoms often employ a multi-camera setup, laugh tracks, and exaggerated performances to emphasize comedic moments (Friends, The Big Bang Theory)
• Crime dramas and police procedurals use gritty, realistic aesthetics, handheld camera work, and desaturated color palettes to convey a sense of authenticity (The Wire, True Detective)
• Science fiction and fantasy series incorporate visual effects, elaborate set designs, and world-building elements to create immersive, imaginative environments (Stranger Things, Westworld)
  • CGI (computer-generated imagery) is used extensively to create creatures, environments, and spectacular events
• Period dramas pay meticulous attention to historical accuracy in costumes, sets, and props to transport audiences to a specific time and place (Downton Abbey, The Crown)
• Anthology series present self-contained stories with different characters and settings each season or episode, allowing for diverse stylistic approaches (Black Mirror, American Horror Story)
• Reality TV and documentary-style series often use handheld cameras, confessional interviews, and fly-on-the-wall observation to create a sense of authenticity and intimacy (Survivor, The Office)

Technological Influences on TV Style

• Advancements in camera technology, such as smaller, more portable cameras and drones, have expanded the possibilities for creative shot compositions and camera movements
• Digital cinematography has largely replaced film, providing greater flexibility in post-production, color grading, and visual effects integration
• Streaming platforms have enabled higher budget productions, as they are not constrained by traditional television broadcast standards and practices
  • Binge-watching has influenced narrative pacing and structure, with more cliffhangers and serialized storytelling to encourage continuous viewing
• Virtual production techniques, such as LED walls and real-time rendering, allow for more seamless integration of live-action and computer-generated elements (The Mandalorian)
• Dolby Vision and HDR (High Dynamic Range) expand the range of colors and contrast displayed on compatible devices, enhancing the visual impact of shows
• Surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos create a more immersive audio experience, with precise placement of sound effects and music in a three-dimensional space
• Social media and second-screen experiences have influenced the way shows are designed and consumed, with easter eggs, fan engagement, and real-time reactions shaping the viewing experience

Analyzing TV Aesthetics: Case Studies

• Breaking Bad's cinematography and color palette evolve throughout the series, reflecting the protagonist's moral descent and the show's thematic darkness
  • The use of time-lapse photography and montages conveys the passage of time and the characters' meticulous process of drug production
• Mad Men's period-accurate production design, costumes, and music transport audiences to the 1960s and provide commentary on the era's social and cultural norms
  • The show's visual style, with its symmetric compositions and slow-paced editing, reflects the characters' controlled façades and the restraint of the time
• The Handmaid's Tale employs a muted, desaturated color palette to convey the oppressive atmosphere of the dystopian society, with occasional bursts of vivid red symbolizing the handmaids' subjugation and resistance
  • The use of extreme close-ups and shallow depth of field creates a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia, mirroring the characters' emotional states
• Atlanta experiments with surreal, dreamlike sequences and non-linear storytelling to explore themes of race, identity, and the African-American experience
  • The show's visual style, with its unconventional framing and ethereal lighting, reflects the characters' psychological states and the blurred lines between reality and perception
• Chernobyl's desaturated, almost monochromatic color scheme and stark lighting create a sense of dread and authenticity, immersing viewers in the grim reality of the nuclear disaster
  • The use of handheld camera work and naturalistic performances adds to the documentary-like feel of the series, emphasizing the human cost of the tragedy