In 1961 Coronation Street was very different to how it is nowadays. The conventions have virtually stayed the same, but the way they've been perceived has changed. When watching an extract from an episode from 1961 I can find some of the conventions of a soap.
The beginning shows the titles in black and white. This was because in the 60's there was only black and white television. The start shows us a brick wall with the sign 'Coronation Street' on and on the left hand side we can start to see a street. The obvious divide is almost a metaphor for the divide in society. The theme tune is very dramatic and has has a range of pitches to change the dynamics, adding to the genre of what the television programe is, being a drama. This could be a good thing but it also shows us how much technology has imporved in the last 20 odd years.
When the episode is on we can visually see that the camera technology wasn't as well developed because the panning movements on the camera are not very smooth like they are today.
The beginning shows the titles in black and white. This was because in the 60's there was only black and white television. The start shows us a brick wall with the sign 'Coronation Street' on and on the left hand side we can start to see a street. The obvious divide is almost a metaphor for the divide in society. The theme tune is very dramatic and has has a range of pitches to change the dynamics, adding to the genre of what the television programe is, being a drama. This could be a good thing but it also shows us how much technology has imporved in the last 20 odd years.
When the episode is on we can visually see that the camera technology wasn't as well developed because the panning movements on the camera are not very smooth like they are today.
When viewing the shots of the people they're all talking over one another within the scenes and they are all shot together in one camera shot. This makes them shown as equals and connotes collective identity. When showing collective identity it creates us into feeling like they're all equal and are all as important as each other. This is very useful when shooting arguments as it shows that both sides have valid points however in modern days we wouldn't necessarily use it for everyday use, instead we would change camera angles and shot distances to perhaps make one side of the argument seem more correct than another.
In one scene, some of the characters are having an argument in the street, and the camera pans to the small lady in the middle of the disagreement looking up at her from a low camera angle. This tells the audience that even though shes shorter than the other woman that she can still be intimidating.
As the confliction between the two woman proceeds we see an establishing shot of the whole street. With lots of people on one side and only the single woman on the other. This as a code tells us that lots of people are on her side and no-one else is on the other side. It also persuades the audience to want to be on the side with lots of people, and single that character out from the rest.
Carrying on into 1979 the technology begins to develop. We start to see establishing shots in the title sequence opening credits, this sets the scene and tells the audience where its set. It also shows a little bit more about the town/village its set in and the envirnment, such as a middle class working street set in the north of England. In the title sequence we see a shot of lots of houses all the same. This tells the audience that everyone in that village are equal and no-one is better off than others. There is no individuality between characters but also the street looks like its never ending. The set doesn't look particularly nice so this shows that the town could be in slight poverty or working class. The similarity of all the small houses expresses just how many people are living in the working class at that time in the north of England.
The high angle of the cat connotes loneliness and not having much. There's a grey sky which could convey no hope, or escape for those living and working there. In one shot we see one lonely bush this shows us that not much grows here, and they are in an area of factories. It can also be used as a metaphor to show us that not many people come out of living in poverty.
The high angle of the cat connotes loneliness and not having much. There's a grey sky which could convey no hope, or escape for those living and working there. In one shot we see one lonely bush this shows us that not much grows here, and they are in an area of factories. It can also be used as a metaphor to show us that not many people come out of living in poverty.
Coronation Street are starting to realise the importance of camera shots and movements, you can see that they have used film conventions as an influence to film the soap. In the opening scene there isn't much noise which helps build tension and makes us feel as if the man isn't supposed to be there. The man is creeping around, the way an actor moves can have a big influence on the audience. For example the man picks up a book and flicks through it which shows us he is interested in what he has picked up, also showing that it could possibly not be his. When the scared old man in his pajamas enters we feel his fear as he is in a venerable place. The most venerable place for an old citizen would be in their house when they least expect it. The man hasn't said or done anything vicious although by him lighting a cigarette we understand he can be quite rebellious, and thier to cause trouble or harm to the man he has startled.
As the years go on and technology improves we start to see massive improvements in the quality of image and the drama of a scene has become more dramatic and audience engaging to watch. All the conventions have stayed resonably equal but they use alot more camera and editing conventions in modern days soaps. What producers get away with nowadays with story lines and all the possibilities of special effects has certianly made the soaps and dramas more engaging to watch.
