Summer Project: coursework planning

1) Research: TV crime drama extract analysis 

TV crime drama extract 1: Narrative and genre
How is the narrative and the crime drama genre communicated to the audience?

"You Were The Only One Who Pointed!" | Monk - YouTube

Narrative: In this scene the disequilibrium (Todorov) is being solved, reaching a new equilibrium as Monk, who is the detective (hero - Propps seven spheres of action) has solved the case with the help of Sharona (doner). A clear binary opposition (Levi-strauss) is created showing a good vs bad side as the villain is surrounded with all the other characters surrounding him in a circle. This creates a feeling of interrogation. The genre of crime is portrayed through the repetition of the flashbacks of what happened and why the murder took place resulting in it being solved. At the end of the clip the man is shot which creates Barthes action codes due to the gun shot and raises enigma codes as to why the man has been shot.

TV crime drama extract 2: Mise-en-scene
What do you notice about the use of mise-en-scene to create meanings for the audience? Think CLAMPS.

"This is not an archeological dig, this is a crime scene!" | Law & Order - YouTube    from 00:00-01:22

C: The main two characters are wearing suits whilst the rest of the characters are wearing unforms and police jackets. The conveys a power dynamic to the audience showing how the people wearing suits are the higher rank detectives whilst the others are working under them and their department.
L: Natural lighting is used. Use of high key lighting brightens up the setting.
A: The man wearing the khaki coloured suit is walking around the place with other people following and talking to him. This portrays how he is incharge.
M: None
P: Use of plastic bags, pens, notebooks and gloves show key conventions of a crime scene/drama.
S: Crime scene - key convention of a crime drama.

TV crime drama extract 3: Camerawork
Here you are looking for particular camera shots and movement. E.g. Are close-ups used to show the reaction of key characters to the audience? How are establishing shots used?

Tom's Interrogation Scene | DRAMATIC David Tennant Acting | Deadwater Fell - YouTube

At the beginning of the scene a establishing shot is used to show the setting of the interrogation room. The camera shots constantly changes showing both sides of the characters. The camera also has subtle pans creating a sense nervousness reflecting the tension of the interview and how Tom is feeling. It creates a feeling of unease for the audience. The camera also tilts in angles constructing low angles to give the audience a feeling of being in the room too. The 180 degree rule also shows creates the binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) of the two sides of the characters, further reinforced by the over-the-shoulder-shot. The close-up shots capture the feelings of the characters, further creating the atmosphere. 

TV crime drama extract 4: Editing
Analyse pace, transitions, number of shots and juxtaposition e.g. eyeline matches. How is editing used to create meanings for the audience? 

Entrapment - Luther outsmarts Lucien Burgess - Luther - BBC - YouTube

There a range of shots with match on action editing which is very fast paced. This pace creates tension for the audience as they looking at what Lucien is trying to find and cover. The pace suddenly changes to slow when a jump cut shows juxtaposition between Luther and his suspect. There a bunch of eyeline matches to show what  Lucien is looking at. This is followed by a range of cuts, constantly changing between Luther and Lucien.

TV crime drama extract 5: Sound
Analyse both diegetic and non-diegetic sound in the extract - music, dialogue, voiceover, SFX, background or foley sound.

The scene starts of with light music (non-diegetic) which stops and goes straight into dialogue (diegetic). The music then starts again as Jake comes to a sudden realisation of how to solve the murder. As the conversation become more intense with both Jake and Phillip answering to each other, the pace and volume of the music also increases but stops eventually when Phillip finishes his confession. As the police hear this, a piece of music plays which gives the sense of victory starts to play. The music throughout is parallel to what the scene is. The sound of the door, papers and chairs is also enhanced to make the audience feel like they are there (Foley sound).

2) Planning: TV crime drama concept, 3) Statement of Intent

Shared document.

4) Ignite presentation

Shared slides.


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