Ngaruiya N Phillip (08-0419) Critique on Tahidi High

Episode 6
The camera shots are taken in precision. The close up shot is mostly used to depict the characters emotions. We get to feel what they are experiencing and we relate to it. There’s also the medium shot that is taken on characters when they are addressing a point. This is done professionally and there isn’t a lot of head room misused. It enables a good production.
Camera movements are used too such as tilting up and down. This is used to show the full object or subject. This movement makes us feel like we are in the position of the characters eyes as he/she looks at the other character from head to toe. We get a connection with this kind of shot.
In this episode, OJ gets his results and he’s discouraged and saddened by the fact that he didn’t perform well in his exams. The themes brought out in this episode are those of education and its importance, the aspect of respect as well as those of power and authority as shown by Mrs. Morgan, the school’s principal.
Lighting is done in perfection and no shadows appear to be cast especially in scenes done in-doors.

Episode 7
The camera movements are defined in this episode. Panning is used on a character when they are walking and the shot used in assimilation with this movement is a wide shot, this gives the whole view of the subject. There’s also the zooming in, which is normally used when the program begins, in the signature tune as the camera zooms in on the schools logo/emblem.
Over the shoulder shot is used on a subject when they are having a face to face conversation with each other.
The sound and lighting are perfectly laid out though at times we get to hear the sound projecting to the background especially when the setting is in a closed room.
In this episode, the theme of authority and respect and subordination is brought out. O.J. and his friend had tried to initiate a strike but didn’t succeed as the administration found out. Sound and lighting are done well.

Episode 8
In this episode there’s the use of suspense and anxiety/tension. Omosh, a subordinate staff in the school is trying to do experiments meant for other students when an explosion occurs. This not only scares the other students but also us the viewers who are left wondering what that could be.
Movements such as tilt up-down are used and this is what gives us the answer to our question on the explosion. The fact that the tilt starts from down and slowly progresses up heightens the tension and this comes to a denouement when we find out its Omosh as the tar that splash on his face is evident.
Lighting is perfect and it chimes in with the mood of the setting in the scene.

Episode 9
Shots are well used in relation to the mood and the theme being brought out. For instance, in this episode, a close up of Mr. Tembo is used to show his reactions when two students disguising as parents walk into his office and especially when they threaten to pull out a gun. There’s also the double medium shot of the two students. This shot that pairs them together seems to depict oneness or corporation in something together especially now that they are in this disguising business together.

Episode 10
In this episode, there is the use of a close up that didn’t appear suitable for that scene. A close up is used to show Shish passing a small piece of paper to her friend during exams in the classroom. To depict this idea properly, a long shot would have been appropriate especially from the front of the class. This shows they are in a class of many students and they are trying to do it secretly to avoid being caught. Because if someone was to walk in and start watching at this scene they would think the two were in class alone but a long shot shows this clearly.
A close up is used on the teacher as he walks from the staffroom and from the look in his face we see his moods as being low, like something must have been pestering him.


Ngaruiya N Phillip (08-0419)