Week 3 TV Show Task

Anybody like Malcom in the Middle?

Well I do, so I chose to watch an episode of the silly sitcom to provide stimulus for the task alluded to during the lecture. I'm going to give an explanation of the following off screen questions which are answered by on-screen methods. During this episode of Malcom in the Middle:

Who? - A close up shot of Francais is used, identifying him standing up and speaking to his fellow military school students about a hunger strike. He can be seen from the waist up to his head.

What? - The opening scene of the show sees Hal under the kitchen sink, fixing the pipes with a spanner, because he resents the amount of money that the professionals charge to fix things. A midshot is used and he can be seen lying down on his back, with the entire sink, above and below, in clear vision, with the back of Lois' head also in the shot.

Where? - A long shot is used at the beginning of the scene where Malcom goes to hospital to set the scenario. This scenario is a hosptial ward, as there are teddy bears, beds, curtains and a counter/reception desk all in the shot. The family are also visible huddled around Malcom's bed.

When? - A scene is set in the morning, as is clearly displayed by a wide shot of the family sitting around a dining table with many helpings of scrambled eggs and bacon infront of them. A window is in the top right corner of the shot and an early morning sky can be seen.

How? - A scene begins with several close ups of the military cadet's hands on their stomachs, then followed by a wide shot covering a few cadets lying on the floor. They are groaning and these shots are designed to display their hunger strike (the event) taking place.

Why? - A close up of Hal's face is used to answer this question, as his face is red and dripping with beads of sweat. He is in the hosptial ward, and this shot is designed to explain that he is terrified to be there, nervous and anxious.

Well that just about nails it, an interesting task and a solid new concept learned.