Page 202 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

PRODUCTION ELEMENTS

Data Analysis

Soliloquies. Shows that featured more than ten cast members or char-
acters tended to have more single-camera confessionals. These shows also
happened to be the competition-based shows. The soliloquies on these
shows tended to appear in the middle of sequences, where the soliloquies
on Program 4 tended to introduce segments.

Audio. The most common audio effect among all the programs was
the muting and overlapping of audio. Program 2 (Survivor) tended to
show many scenes with action muted but with an audio voiceover, while
the other programs tended to limit muting to ends of sequences where it
was used as a transition technique.

Music. Background music was used in all of the programs. Program
2 had music in the background for most of the on-screen action, while
the other programs used music only during certain sequences and, again,
for transitions.

Video. Program 4 (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) used graphics
frequently throughout the program. All programs used some form of
animation and colorization in the opening credits/introduction of the
program. Programs 2 and 3 (Big Brother) used infrared at least once.
Programs 1 (The Apprentice), 2 and 3 used motion control, the slowing
down or speeding up of images, at some point during the program.

Editing. Some editing was used in all of the programs. Program 2
had the most reaction shots of any of the programs. In all programs, the
more that was happening in the episode, that is, the more cast members,
competitions, and storylines, the more editing was used.

Conclusion

The techniques found in the study were often used in combination with
other techniques. In The Apprentice (Program 1), a sequence involv-
ing cast members is shown with inter-cutting reaction shots of specific
people. The original sound for this scene is muted and a voiceover of a
soliloquy is the primary audio track. The video of the soliloquy, with the
cast member’s name and occupation as text at the bottom of the screen,
is then inter-cut with the original sequence of close-ups and groups

187