Assignment 3
For this assignment I have been asked to explain how
audiences understand TV programs and produce an online article. So we were asked to analyse a television show
of our choice and explain how audiences make sense of it and how they respond
to it.
I choose Prison Break.
“Prison Break is an American television serial drama created
by Paul Scheuring that was broadcast on Fox for four seasons, from 2005 until
2009. The series revolves around two brothers; one has been sentenced to death
for a crime he did not commit, and the other devises an elaborate plan to help
his brother escape prison.” - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison_Break
Target Audience
I have a choose prison break the American television series.
The Story revolves around a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did
not commit and his brother's elaborate plan to help him escape his death
sentence. Prison Break was filmed on location at Joliet Prison, Illinois.
Personally I think that target audience is 18+ males. This is because more
males are interested in action dramas there are more males in the cast then
women. I don’t think that the TV series has a sexual orientation it’s more
preference to the drama then the sexual orientation. I think the social class A
B C1, but sometimes show like prison break are just more down to preference.
Prison break isn’t really a family friendly show. Its more something someone
would watch when kids where in bed. The location is worldwide.
Analyse the codes that make meaning for the audience
The language used on prison break isn’t offensive although
with what goes on in the series you would believe it to be more offensive then
what it is, the characters stay clear of any bad language its informal mostly
through all of the series.
The narrative structure is multi strand because the narrator
focuses upon a group of people. Non-linear because the narrative does not
progress in a chronological order; Flashback are used and open because the
story line continues beyond the end of an episode.
The Characters dress as if they are in prison.
Naturalist lighting to being in a prison.
The background to prison break would be like. What sounds
would be there if they were in prison.
Camera work - was difficult for them to do. After watching
the behind the scenes, it goes on to explain how hard it was for the crew to
move the camera's in the "prison cells" as they were a small amount
of space and a big camera to fit in it.
Music plays an important role in the television show, Prison
Break. The music is played to anticipate something is about to happen giving
the watcher an insight into it and letting them know when an importance scene
or thing is going to happen.
Mise en scene - everything reflects prison life.
I believe that audience like prison break is because of the
twists in the story line, the Romance portrayed by a couple of character more
importantly Michael and Sarah. Also the way each characters story is presented
to the audience.
