Merlin
Sound:
The clip has sound from the start, and it automatically signifies the mood of the scene to the viewer. There is the diegetic sound, of the crowd cheering and the swords clashing. This creates a verisimilitude of the scene, letting the viewer believe what is happening. The non-diegetic sound is the music in the background. It lets the viewer connote the atmosphere of the scene, it’s fast paced and up beat, which signifies the excitement from the crowd and the battle that’s taking place. This then lets the viewer know that it is a form of entertainment, rather than a battle to death.
As the knights end the fight, the non-diegetic sound changes, creating a slow, tense music. This connotes a change in atmosphere, as the two knights come face to face, the audience can understand the tension between the rivals. Over the top of the change in non-diegetic sound, is the diegetic sounds of heavy breathing from the knight, which signifies he has just come out of the battle, letting the viewer know the time of this scene.
The next scene is an establishing shot of the castle. There is the sound of birds and bells, which signifies a light mood to the day, and also signifies that it is in the morning of a new day, as stereotypically birds are heard in the morning, and bells are often rung during the midmorning.
Camera angles.
There is a lot of different camera angles throughout Merlin. In the fighting scene, there are lots of different close ups, which makes the scene more interesting as the viewer can pick up on small details, unlike if it the whole scene was in a long shot. It lets the director let the audience see what he wants them to see.
An interesting camera angle was between two flags, and the Knight walked down the middle towards the camera. It created a more interesting viewpoint than just a normal long shot. The scene between Author and the Knight was a shot reverse shot, between two camera angles, a close up of the knight, and a two shot including Merlin with Author. This signifies a close relationship between Author and Merlin, as his servant, Merlin wouldn’t be expected to be involved with the conversation, as the Knight doesn’t have his servant in the shot.
In the next scene, in Merlins room, the camera pans across all the objects that are being cleaned by magic, onto the main character, who is lying on his bed. This lets the audience see his room, and signifies who he is, as a servant, as it is a basic chamber room, without much decoration or fancy objects.
As Gaius comes in there is a series of camera angles such as a close up, to a long shot, then to a close up of merlin, and back to a long shot and ends on a close up of Gaius, this series of camera angles keeps the audience interested and gives a variety of shots.
Editing:
In Merlin, there is a lot of sword fights, and the editing creates the excitement and fast pace of the scenes. This is done with short takes, each one of a different angle. The variety creates a verisimilitude to the scene by creating an atmosphere; signified by shots of the crowd cheering, to a sword striking the armour and then the man falling down. A sense of victory is achieved by a slow motion effect; which signifies a defeat as the other knight falls to the ground.
Other editing been used throughout the clip, such as fast editing when Merlin dresses Author in his armor; shot reverse shot in conversations between characters and quite long takes through the scenes in which not much action happens, which signifies a more serious tone to the program.
Mise en Scene
There is a lot of mise en scene, as it is a period drama, so it is important to create a verisimilitude. This is done by outfits, such as the armor and the general clothing in which they wear, which can be linked with a medieval time period.
The town in which the setting is, is decorated with flags and candles, stone buildings and sandy roads help signify the correct time period. The rooms also have a medieval theme to suit the program, by having background detail such as candles & large wooden furniture. Th walls are cold stone walls as well, which signifies a castle, with chambers as rooms.
In the establishing shot, it is of a castle which signifies the type of place, a medieval castle, ad then as it cuts into the courtyard, the people connote the time period with their dress, and the things that they're doing, such as carrying stacks of twigs for fire wood. Another area of mise en scene is Lady Morgana, as she wears make-up, however make-up wouldn't of been around in that time, but when next to her servant, there is a clear signifier that she is superior, with her outfit and make-up.
