Brief
Every time you watch a TV programme, draw a sketch of the opening scene. This could be any type of programme. You will have to be very quick as usually this first shot only lasts for a couple of seconds, but this is all part of the exercise – you will need to work from memory after the scene cuts to another shot. Try to put as much detail as you can in each drawing of the opening scene.
Keep doing this until you have collection of around 20 drawings made from different programmes and of different places. Lay these out on a table and examine them. Ask yourself the following questions of the five drawings you find interesting:
- Where is this place, and what does it suggest about what we are about to watch?
- When are we? In the past, present, or the future?
- Is this scene set during the day or night?
- What is the weather like?
- What are they telling you about the nature or content of the programme?
- Are they establishing a mood or a certain sensibility?
Keep hold of your favourite drawing as you will be using this again in the next exercise.
Sketches
I aimed to select a variety of programmes/films for this exercise so it was very convenient having access to streaming services such as the BBC iPlayer and All4. I found it really challenging to make the initial sketch within such a short amount of time along with trying to memorise as much of the scene as possible so I could add more details afterwards, as suggested in the brief. I found the scenes with buildings in the hardest to reflect in a sketch.
The proportions and positions were not right in the sketches as everything became squashed in the frames, which I possibly should not have drawn in this instance, but I managed to get the overall sense of the setting. I was quite surprised at the volume of detail I was able to remember from each scene, although I admit I did have to rewatch some of the scenes as they only lasted for the blink of an eye.
The challenge I experienced during this exercise demonstrated the need to continue increasing the time I commit to sketching and drawing a wide variety of sources.
All 20 of the sketches can be seen below.
Looking Closer at Five Drawings
I then selected five of the drawings to consider in more depth, I opted for those that were not too similar.
Where is this place, and what does it suggest about what we are about to watch?
It is in the middle of a large body of water and it suggests the story is set on the boat.
When are we? In the past, present, or the future?
It is difficult to establish the period exactly, but it is quite a modern looking military ship, so most likely it is set in the present day.
Is this scene set during the day or night?
The sun can be seen reflecting on the water so it is set during the daytime.
What is the weather like?
The sky is visible at the end of the opening shot and it appeared to be sunny with no rain present.
What are they telling you about the nature or content of the programme?
The setting of the boat in the opening shot implies that it is isolated at sea and therefore so are the crew.
Are they establishing a mood or a certain sensibility?
Again, I felt it established a mood of isolation and the camera panning over the sea before reaching the boat reinforces the sense that, although military ships are generally huge, the surrounding body of water is vast in comparison and perhaps it is being implied that there is no easy escape for those on board?
Where is this place, and what does it suggest about what we are about to watch?
It appears to be in US as a 1950s style, American car is being driven on the right-hand side of the road. The car appears in the shot over the horizon, which suggest the occupant/s of the car will be the focus of what is about to be watched.
When are we? In the past, present, or the future?
The fact that the car is from the 1950s and it is filmed in black and white suggest that it is set in 1950s.
Is this scene set during the day or night?
The scene is set during the day.
What is the weather like?
It appears to be slightly cloudy.
What are they telling you about the nature or content of the programme?
The programme is a period piece and will be based on (or feature) the occupant/s of the car.
Are they establishing a mood or a certain sensibility?
I felt there is a sense of building anticipation to see where the car is going and who the driver is. This is added to by the style of filming, e.g. black and white and set in the 1950s.
Where is this place, and what does it suggest about what we are about to watch?
It is set in an office and there appears to be a meeting going on between two members of staff in a separate partition and their positions imply that the person facing us is in charge of the other. It suggests that we are about to watch these two having a conversation.
When are we? In the past, present, or the future?
As there are standard, modern computers/photocopiers and present-day office wear, it appears to be set in the present day.
Is this scene set during the day or night?
Although the scene is set indoors with artificial light, being an office-based location one would assume it is during the day (also the window in the backgound showed this to be true).
What is the weather like?
It appears to be partially cloudy.
What are they telling you about the nature or content of the programme?
The positioning of the camera suggests it is possibly ‘eavesdropping’ on what is taking place, like a fly-on-the wall. Additionally, the programme appears to be based on people and their interactions.
Are they establishing a mood or a certain sensibility?
At this point in the programme, if the viewer had no prior knowledge of the content, it appears to be a fly-on-the-wall documentary based in an office setting.
Where is this place, and what does it suggest about what we are about to watch?
It appears to be a park/public garden with a hilltop view over a town/city (the buildings look American in style). The couple are not sitting tightly together on the bench and their postures suggest there is may be some tension between them – she looking to the right. The scene suggests perhaps they have gone to the park to get away from the hustle and bustle of life to have a discussion. Or they could just be co-workers on their lunch break.
When are we? In the past, present, or the future?
The setting and clothes of the characters implies it is set in the present.
Is this scene set during the day or night?
The scene is set during the day.
What is the weather like?
It is cloudy.
What are they telling you about the nature or content of the programme?
It seems that the couple in the opening shot are the main focus of the story and the scene is establishing the setting for the relationship between them.
Are they establishing a mood or a certain sensibility?
By showing the backs of the couple in the opening scene, it establishes the viewer’s interest their story, making them wait to see who the character are and why they are sitting there. There is an anticipation to see how the scene unfolds between them. It also is quite an ordinary situation and setting so the viewer can relate right from the beginning of the film.
Where is this place, and what does it suggest about what we are about to watch?
It appears to be an isolated mansion set in the country. It suggests that the residents of the house are a long way from other people.
When are we? In the past, present, or the future?
It is not possible to tell from the opening shot as only the house, which is not modern, is present. This could suggest there is a historical influence in the story.
Is this scene set during the day or night?
It is set during the day.
What is the weather like?
Everything is shrouded in thick fog/mist. The shot is framed by bare trees on either side and there is some residue snow on the roof of the mansion, which suggests it is winter.
What are they telling you about the nature or content of the programme?
It is suggested that the occupants of the house are the focus of the story and the atmosphere generated implies that there may be some spooky/ghostly activity about to unfold.
Are they establishing a mood or a certain sensibility?
The elements of this opening scene clearly establish a spooky atmosphere.