Watching a Tv Show called Twin Peaks
Very Surreal, goes from serious to bizarre, has scenes that dont seem to make sense but add a disjointed sense to the show.
Genre - Postmodern TV/Subversive/experimental in a mainstream context
Whats the difference between experimental and conventional?
are there different types of experimentation in different genres of television?
what mode of critical analysis can we define experimental?
Aired on ABC- a primarily soap opera and sitcoms channel, change of tone for ABC
What can define experimental
challenges or subverts genre codes and conventions
innovations in stylistic presentation (Mise-en-Scene, Editing etc)
Innovations in Narrative (story happens in reverse)
Conventional
Linear Narrative
episodic series or continuous
Genre-Specific codes and conventions
Format (HollyWood Style)
Classic or stereotypical characters
Experimental
Non-Linear or fragmented narrative
Hybrid Format
Hybrid or Multi Genre
Innovative or Unusual
Unconventional Characters or ones that do not relate to a specific expectations of behaviour
Conventional Narrative Formats
Episodic Series - long running, 13 episodes in a series on average, prime time, self contained series, and closed revolution within each show.
Continuous Serial - Soap Opera - Traditionally daytime, open ended storylines to entince audience to come back.
Mini Series - Short Run Drama - (more than six hours in two or more parts) which combine the closed resolution of the episodic series which ongoing multi arc strands of the soap opera.
Sequential Series - similar to a episodic series with a narrative arc strands of a soap opera ending episodes with a cliffhanger.
Twin Peaks Narrative Format
First Season was a short 8 hour run similar to episodic serial or miniseries
episodically threaded narrative and cliffhanger finale of the sequential series.
Open Ended multi/character /multi plot lines of the continuous serial or soap opera
Genre Hybridity
Episodic
Forensic Rationality
central detective character
crime resolution and narrative closure
Soap Genre
continuing
emotional melodrama
multiple character arcs
crime may take weeks,months, years to be solved.
Supernatural/Horror
Demonic Possession
Native American Folklore
Post Modernism
Ideology Disruptive
deonctructs form, often in a playful way
may use elements of high and low culture
Mise En Scene
Pacific northwest small town setting (Rather than big city)
Costumes, Make up and set design evoke 1950 (although set in a contemporary timeframe)
Camera work
filmed in long or wide shots
Action held longer thann usual where it starts to become uncomfortable.
Sound and Music
Heavy use of both original and soundtrack music and surreal ambient sounds
music is used for heightened emotional effect.
Extra Diegetic Dramatic Elements
The red room extra dimensional location first seen in agent coopers dream.
BOB - Demonic Entitiy
Invitation To Love - fake soap opera seen briefly every episode of first series.
Acting and Character
features many conventional dramatic archetypes: Invesigator, sheriff, corrupt businessman.
Influence on other TV Dramas
northern exposure - quirky fish out of water show
X Files - FBI investigating the supernatural
Lost and Fringe - Surreal Sci-Fi and supernatural elements ; Fractured Timelines
The Sopranos - Tony Sopranos dream sequences
No comments:
Post a Comment