My entire blog has been dedicated to discussing both short and long films. However, I would like to take this entry to discuss the cinematography of a TV show. In my eyes, a TV series is nothing but an extended film broken up into countless parts. Or numerous short films strung together to tell one story. In short, a TV show is more or less a movie with much more flexability than a film alone.
The Office, aired on NBC, is by far one of the greatest half-hour comedy series ever made (with the exception of Friends of course...nothing can beat that). The premise of this show is a group of people who are all co-workers at a Paper distributing company called Dunder Mifflin. Starring Steve Carell as the ignorant, hillariously stupid and pathetic manager, the show is filmed as if it were a reality show. Of course the whole thing is scripted, however in the show each character is aware the camera is in the room, they can each have confessions on the events, and unlike shows where it is not reality based they can look directly at the camera and talk. Because this show is meant to be understood that it is a psuedo-reality show, the cinematography elements have a little different roll than for example a drama or thriller. The camera can and should follow certain characters for extended periods of time. In addition, the camera can cut multiple times but it is understood everything is happening simultaneously because it is a day at 'the office'.
Another aspect of a tv series that is very similar to that of a movie is the casting. The cast will make or break a show, as it will a film. In my opinion, this is the second best cast tv series ever, in the history of the entire world (with the exception of Friends which will always rank first). These characters are supposed to be regular, normal (abnormal), run-of-the-mill, common office workers. None of the characters should be a stunning Hollywood face because that renders the show unbelievable. Between Dwight Schrute played by Rainn Wilson, Pam Beesly played by Jenna Fischer, Jim Halpert played by Jon Krasinski, and Toby Flenderson played by Paul Leiberstein to name a FEW of the unbelievably structured cast, the show leaves the viewer in fits of laughter believing that these are the events that truly happen daily at any given office.
Although Steve Carell may be a big name, he is perfect for the role of Michael Scott, ignorant boss of a paper company. He is stupid, inappropriate, hillarious, and makes the audience feel uncomfortable that people have to work in an office with him, all of which Steve Carell executes perfectly. In fact, I can think of no better actor who could improve the performance of Carell's.
The show is meant to be funny. However, there is no live audience that laughs on cue. In this way, whenever we the viewers laugh it is because we truly think the show is funny. This is called dead-pan comedy. We laugh at the awkwardness, we laugh at the ignorance, and we laugh at the fact that this is supposed to be a professional work-place when there is no work getting done. This dead-pan brand of comedy is used frequently in big films, however I think this show utilizes the advantages more than any other movie I've seen. This is only enhanced by the fact that the actor's know there is a camera, however they also 'think' they are at work alone.
One of the main differences between a tv series and a movie, is that a tv series has time to establish character relationships and allow the audience much more information about the characters before we fall in love with one. Unlike a movie, as the viewer we know we have maybe two hours to find, understand, and love the hero that is being portrayed. In my opinion, the best ongoing struggle throughout the entire series is Jim v Dwight. Dwight Schrute is my favorite character in the entire show. He is absolutely hysterical. In fact, he may be one of the best actor's I have seen in a long time. The entire series plays Dwight and Jim as rivals. The first episode shows Dwight finding his stapler in a molded Jello form. "Ugh, Jim's putting my stuff in jello again." And thus begins the entertaining conflict between the co-workers.
That is but a brief glimpse of the thousands of hillarious moments between Dwight and Jim. This show is amazing. Although movies have a completley different structure obviously, there are many elements shared by both types of filmed entertainment.
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