You need to write a close-textual analysis of six TV crime drama extracts. For each extract, focus on a different aspect of media language, and embed each one on your blog:
TV crime drama extract 1: Narrative and genre
How is the narrative and the crime drama genre communicated to the audience?
- The use of close up and reaction shots clearly display the facial expressions of the characters; adds more of a solemn tone. Able to see these expressions in much more detail, such as the tears rolling down their cheeks.
- The tense non-diegetic music makes the audience believe that there is a sombre narrative.
- The pace suddenly speeding up near the end of the clip clearly displays the crime genre. It could be an example of a jump scare due to the long silences and tenseness is then suddenly broken.
- The loss of dialogue when the character is being threatened with a knife emulates the crime drama genre and how not much needs to be said in order to illustrate a tense scene. The audience are anticipating some sort of end to this build up of tension, for example one of the characters being stabbed. However, they are met with suspense.
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.
- The clip depicts a boy watching over a scene below - through this we are able to see that he may be living in a rough area.
- The costumes of the characters - hoodies, casual clothes etc. also illustrate this.
- The car scene shows the 'hierarchy' or power difference between the men. The person holding the gun is the one with the power. The importance of this prop clearly is shown and may be a common theme within the following episodes of this series.
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?
- There is a lot of handheld camera shots throughout the clip, due to this this allows for the audience to feel a apart of the action/group. However, at some points the camera is shown the be from further away, as if it is hiding behind something. This could place the audience as a passer-by or someone eavesdropping.
- There are some moments where the camera is angled from a lower angle. This makes the character seem more daunting and may be highlighting the drugs which are the focal point of this scene.
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?
- The pace of the editing begins slow which adds an element of suspense.
- The creates more built up tension for when the sudden swift movements happen, induces a slight amount of fear into the audience as if we are the woman being threatened.
- This scene perfectly captures the audience attention using eyeline matches. As we see the man looking upwards the camera follows to the woman standing above him. The camera also tracks the weapon as it comes into the woman's hand and where it is pointed to.
Your new TV drama
Crime drama title: rock-a-bye baby
Tagline: Mum said to stay out of the woods
Streaming platform (note brief – streaming service, 12+ audience): Netflix
Logline – one sentence that sums up the whole TV drama series and hooks people in (25 words or fewer): A gripping crime drama with a coming of age twist.
Narrative arc – what happens in the overall series: A child kidnapping where a teenager witnesses it and has to prove their innocence.
Main protagonist – their motivation, conflicts etc.: Police don't believe the teenager and they feel as though they have to take it into their own hands.
Other characters, their narrative role and their audience appeal: The shocking factor of the child being kidnapped and the audience being on the same side as the teenager, almost as they are rooting for them throughout the series.
Target audience for your TV crime drama (note brief – 12+, older youth and adult viewers): age, gender, social class, psychographic groups etc.: Aimed at older youth due to the thriller/crime aspect, possibly aimed at explorers and aspirers, but is not specifically aimed at a particular psychographic.
Your extract
When would your extract appear in the drama (e.g. season 1 opening scene, cliffhanger scene at end of season finale etc.): Opening scene of episode 1, season 1
Setting (note brief – at least two locations): Forest area of a park and at a house
What will happen in your extract (note brief – identifiable narrative features, crime genre codes and conventions etc.): A clear crime will be shown but the coming of age element will be clear through the use of the teenage character.
3) Statement of intent
My crime drama will be called "Rock-a-bye baby," which will appear on Netflix. My three minute extract will be from the opening of the series (season 1, episode 1). The series is about an eery child kidnapping, which is witnessed by a teenage character who then has to prove themselves guilty and the only way they find to do this is to find the missing girl themselves.
I will meet the brief as I plan to film in both a forest in a park and at a house. Both genres will be clear due to the chilling atmosphere that will be created and the use of including a witness. Non-diegetic and diegetic sound will be key features of my piece as the non-diegetic music will make the scene of the child even more harrowing for the audience. Diegetic sound, such as leaves crunching or wind blowing allows for the audience to be nervous at the same time as the child. A range of camera shots will be used but I would like to particularly focus on lower and higher angle shots in order to show how isolated the child is with all the trees looming over her. I also would like to create a title sequence with multiple shots linking to investigation and kidnapping.
The audience I would like to aim this crime drama at is the older youth and young adults, due to the theme. Other genres this audience may enjoy are crime documentaries as this series would have a lot of investigation and mystery, not particularly shown in my three minute extract.
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