Sound
The idea that Dr. Who is set in the future is portrayed in many ways. On of the ways sound is used is as diegetic background noise, to show what they experience as everyday life. This includes futuristic sounds during 'time travel', and also the sound of a boat horn to show one of the unidentified objects as being a boat. In scenes featuring the main dinner party, happy christmas music is played, mainly of string instruments to add to the relaxed atmosphere, which not only adds to the scene in focus, but contrasts the mood of the party with the mood of what is happening elsewhere on the 'ship'. In scenes where the plot is tenser, the music drastically changes to add to the suspense, and unpredictability of a futuristic world that we are not familiar with. This music has an eerie feel to it, building on the darkness tension of the scene.
Editing
As most scenes in dramas consist of conversations, mainly between two people, in order to keep the feel of realism, continuity must be kept at all times. This is even more important in futuristic and sci-fi programs as they need to be as believable as possible and have a naturalistic feel so that the audience can almost accept the world as normal. Continuity is kept in conversations through quick and clean cuts between shots, in time with the conversation so that the audience do not miss any character's emotions through their face, or reactions to their surroundings.
Special editing effects are used to add to the sci-fi feel of the program, as the main character comes and goes by a blue telephone box. To show this happening transitions are used to make the telephone box slowly appear and disappear.
Editing
As most scenes in dramas consist of conversations, mainly between two people, in order to keep the feel of realism, continuity must be kept at all times. This is even more important in futuristic and sci-fi programs as they need to be as believable as possible and have a naturalistic feel so that the audience can almost accept the world as normal. Continuity is kept in conversations through quick and clean cuts between shots, in time with the conversation so that the audience do not miss any character's emotions through their face, or reactions to their surroundings.
Special editing effects are used to add to the sci-fi feel of the program, as the main character comes and goes by a blue telephone box. To show this happening transitions are used to make the telephone box slowly appear and disappear.
Lots of editing work is used in particular shots, such as one showing the 'titanic' sailing in space above earth. Shots like these can be done entirely by computer graphics or by superimposing an image on the ship onto an image of the earth.
Editing is also used to show different perspectives, such as in one particular shot where space is being viewed through binoculars, the edge of the screen shows the shape of binoculars, as to give the audience the idea that they themselves are now the character, looking through the binoculars.
Mise en Scene
To show that the program is set in the future, futuristic style set and props are used in portrayal. For example, in certain scenes there are lots of buttons and wires in the background, reflecting the sci-fi element.
Mise en Scene
To show that the program is set in the future, futuristic style set and props are used in portrayal. For example, in certain scenes there are lots of buttons and wires in the background, reflecting the sci-fi element.
At the dinner party, the elegance and social class of the people involved are shown through colour pallettes and the clothes that they wear.
The men are seen to be wearing very smart suits, whilst the women wear ball gowns, all of rich, deep colours such as gold, red and purple. This same colour pallette is also used for the decor of the room in which the party takes place, such as a deep red for the carpet. When a scene is taking place involving the captain of the ship, darker colours are used to add to the uncertain and myseterious feel, the main colours that are used here are blues and greys.
To show the innocence of the character played by Kylie Minogue, she is styled with not much makeup and with her hair tied back. This shows the audience that she is a gentle character, and does not have anything to hide.
Camera Work
The use of camera work can be used to emphasise particular moments in the episode. One of the scenes where this is used is in the cabin. The difference between the main captain, and the younger member of staff is used through camera shots. To show the awkwardness and nervousness of the younger captain, long shots are used so that most of his body is in the frame, and the audience can see and recognise the awkward body language that he is using. However, to contrast this, close ups are used of the older captain, so that the audience can see his stern features, his emotions, and confidence through his facial expressions.
In conversations, over the shoulder shots are often used so that the audience have a clear view of a characters face when he or she is talking, and are able to recognise the emotions portrayed.
At the dinner party where the doctor subtly causes a scene behind him at the party, the camera is positioned accordingly, so that we are able to see the doctor's face and calmness, whilst over his shoulder also seeing the hysteria behind him. The focus is also shifted between the two events to show which we should be looking at at which particular moment.
