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? 

Extract 1: Criminal Minds: Criminal minds is a crime drama series which follows an elite group of FBI agents/ profilers who analyse the behaviour of America's most dangerous criminals and try to capture them before they strike again. The series usually follows a linear narrative pattern which features a beginning, middle and end. We can apply Todorov's equilibrium theory to this crime drama as in an episode it features an equilibrium, disequilibrium and at the end a new equilibrium. Criminal Minds usually has an episodic narrative meaning the disequilibrium/crime is solved by the end of the episode. We can also apply Levi-Strauss's theory of binary opposition to this crime drama as it portrays the good vs evil between the FBI agents and the criminals. The crime drama genre is communicated to the audience in many different ways through the use of props (guns, handcuffs, files on the criminals, FBI badges), many enigma codes such as keeping the audience in suspense by withholding information that the FBI agents know whilst the audience does not yet which leaves the audience to attempt to solve the case by themselves before the episode reveals the criminal at the end. We could apply Steve Neale's theory of repetition and difference to this crime drama as it follows many of the stereotypical conventions that are seen in crime drama's as well as the fact that it follows a linear narrative pattern which is very prominent in crime dramas. 

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.

Extract 2: Luther: Entrapment - Luther outsmarts Lucien Burgess - Luther - BBC - YouTube

C: In this extract we can see the criminal is wearing a black/dark jacket along with dark trousers which reflects the stereotypical crime drama conventions of criminals dressing in dark clothing to disguise themselves to blend in with their surroundings and appear less visible especially if they strike at night. Compared to the detective (Luther) who is seen wearing a suit with a white shirt, tie, brown blazer. This also reflects the stereotypical costume choice for detectives in crime dramas to portray them as professional, intelligent, serious and committed to their job.    

L: In this extract we can see the use of low-key lighting as it appears as though the scene is set in a basement or a secret area and the only light is either coming from the windows above or the LED light which is being used by the criminal in the first 30 seconds of the extract. Due to the light coming from the windows above we can see the use of Top lighting being used as that is light coming from above which is usually used to accentuate the features of a character. The use of low-key lighting is used to represent the crime drama conventions of using dark lighting to create suspense and fear in an audience. 

A: In this extract we can see that there's only 2 characters in shot here (the criminal and the detective.) Throughout the extract the detective maintains serious facial expressions and stands still in the same spot which portrays how he takes his job incredibly seriously and that the criminal has no way to run away now since the detective has caught him in the act. Compared to the detective, we can see the criminal is panicking due to the fact that he is pacing around the basement, moving further away from the detective then close again. We can also tell the criminal is frustrated that he has been caught due to him shouting and hitting the wall, kicking a box which all reflects the crime drama conventions of criminals being extremely aggressive and violent. 

M: In this extract, there is barely any use of makeup however, the criminal does have a small cut on his nose which could be to portray the fact that criminals are dangerous and violent humans. 

P: In this extract we see the props of a black duffel bag containing bleach, an LED light, a spray bottle and tissues. These props all reflect the stereotypical conventions of a criminal trying to cover up a crime scene, in this case the criminal is trying to get rid of any forensic evidence. 

S: In this extract we see the setting of a basement or possibly secret area due to the bland colour scheme of yellowish, cream walls, wires hanging out of the ceiling, chains hanging on the walls from the ceilings.  

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?

Extract 3: Killing Eve: You Should Never Tell A Psychopath They Are A Psychopath | Killing Eve - YouTube

In this extract, from the beginning we see the use of close-ups being used to show the characters facial expressions whilst they are talking. During their dialogue we also see the use of over the shoulder shots being used. During their dialogue we see the camera starts to zoom out of their faces to reveal more about their location (a home in a living room). We then see the use of medium- close ups as well to portray the location and setting and so that the audience can see that one of the characters has a file on the table. As the extract progresses, we see a close-up on the villain reaching out to hold the hand of the detective possibly to portray a romance happening between the two characters, immediately after that we see a close-up on a knife that the detective tries to grab but is stopped by the criminal which creates an enigma code for the audience. When the criminal has the detective up against the wall with a knife we see the use of a high angle being used to portray that the criminal has more power over the detective currently and that the detective is seen inferior to the criminal. 

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? 

Extract 4: Peaky Blinders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=37&v=nKN-VK0B-18&embeds_referring_euri=http%3A%2F%2Fmediamacguffin12.blogspot.com%2F&source_ve_path=MTM5MTE3LDI4NjY2&feature=emb_logo

In this extract we see the use of continuity editing where we follow the dialogue based on the characters speaking. We also see many straight cuts between the characters based on who is speaking. Throughout the extract the pace is slow until the moment when Tommy Shelby stands up and smashes one of the nuns glasses which is where the pace starts to speed up. During the scene where Tommy Shelby smashes the nuns glasses we also see match-on action as he takes her glasses off and the next minute they are broken. At the end of the extract we also see a jump-cut between the woman pulling her knife out and the next shot the knife is pointed at the nun. 

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

2) Planning: TV crime drama concept

Crime drama title: Family Lines

Tagline: Most people would go far to protect the ones that they love, but how far can you go?

Streaming platform: Netflix, ITV

Logline: 'Family Lines' unveils how even the people who appear close to you, can unexpectedly change to a complete stranger over their past.

Other successful TV dramas that are similar to yours: Sherlock, Only Murders in the Building, Stay Close.

Narrative arc: 17 year old Taylor Smith is determined to uncover her mothers (Inez Smith) dark past as she passed away due to a stroke when Taylor was 14. Along the journey, Taylor finds out her mother had a best friend when she was in her early 20s (Betty Evans) who was murdered yet the case was never solved but Taylor ends up finding out that Betty's boyfriend at the time (James Walker) murdered her and days after was seen with a new woman which was suspicious to Inez who was certain James was involved in this, as revenge Inez kills James and covers it all up and gets away with it and continued to live a normal life till her death. Taylor uncovers all of this and realises her mother isn't who she thought she was and is left in denial and betrayal after unveiling that her mother had completed a crime she never knew she would be capable of and that her whole childhood was lies.

Main protagonist – their motivation, conflicts etc: Taylor Smith: Uncovering her mothers dark past that was kept secret from everyone and realising her mother is not the person she thought she was.

Other characters, their narrative role and their audience appeal:

Betty Evans: Inez's Smith childhood best friend that has been murdered by James Walker.

Inez Smith: Taylor's mother who passed away due to a stroke when Taylor was 14 and is the centre revolving around Taylor's investigation.

James Walker: Betty Evans boyfriend who ends up murdering Betty as he cheated on her and found a new woman and never got caught with the crime until Inez kills him in spite of revenge for her best friend.

Target audience for your TV crime drama (note brief – 12+, older youth and adult viewers): age, gender, social class, psychographic groups etc.

Gender: All genders.

Age: 12-20

Social Class: Working class- middle class.

Psychographic group: Explorers, Mainstreamers.

Your extract

When would your extract appear in the drama:

Middle of episode 5- the final episode

Setting (note brief – at least two locations): My room (will reflect Taylor's bedroom), a park/lake where the murder scene takes place.

What will happen in your extract (note brief – identifiable narrative features, crime genre codes and conventions etc.):

Taylor will uncover the truth that her mother killed James in spite of revenge for her best friend Betty, this will also involve a flashback to the scene where Inez kills James and confronts him just before killing him to avenge her best friend in order to show the audience in perspective what Inez did and what is going through Taylor's mind in that moment. This reflects Todorov's equilibrium theory as we see a disequilibrium happening through the flashback but also a new equilibrium as Taylor has finally revealed and solved the mystery of her mothers dark past.

3) Statement of Intent

My TV crime drama will be called 'Family Lines'. It will appear on Netflix and ITV Hub as Netflix is an extremely popular streaming service among young people and ITV Hub as my crime drama will be set in the UK and ITV is a popular broadcaster and streaming service among the UK audience. My three minute extract will appear in the final episode during the middle of the episode. Overall, my crime drama will focus on Taylor Smith uncovering her mothers mysterious and secretive past and learning more and more about her and realising her mother isn't who she thought she was as she learns her mother killed another human. My TV crime drama plans to meet the brief as it will include 2 filming locations (Taylor's room and a park/lake where the murder scene happens), it will contain identifiable narrative features and genre codes of a murder mystery as it will feature enigma codes, low-key lighting, props of notebooks, post-it notes of a 'detective' trying to solve a case. In addition, it will feature non-diegetic sound of music in the background to set the scene as well as diegetic sound featuring the dialogue between Inez and James and even Foley sound of certain scenes. My TV crime drama will also feature many zoom in's to showcase any updates being made to Taylor's corkboard of her solving the murder mystery, medium close-ups of the characters faces, tracking shot to portray that we are following Taylor in this journey of her finding about her mothers dark past. I will communicate what is a flashback and what is not through the mise-en-scene Scenes shot between Inez and James will feature 90s old-fashioned clothing to represent these characters when they were young and scenes with Taylor will feature more modern clothing to represent the 21st century, as well as the lighting will be more low-key during the scene with Inez and James to represent the low quality camera in those days compared to scenes shot with Taylor. My TV crime drama will challenge stereotypes as instead of just a man committing a crime there is also a female character committing murder which is unexpected in TV crime dramas as usually the men are portrayed as the aggressive, bad natured, violent ones whereas in my drama it will be a female character performing such a violent act. However, it still reinforces stereotypes as a man still commits murder in my crime drama therefore I am still reinforcing certain stereotypes that can be seen in TV crime dramas. In my crime drama i will be subverting Laura Mulvey's and Judith Butler's theory of the male gaze and gender being seen as a 'performance' as the female character will be seen as 'violent' in my extract. My target audience is adults and older youth. My crime drama will bring audiences the pleasure of diversion and personal relationships with the protagonist. My audience will be able to watch my crime drama on any electrical device (phone, tablet,laptop) on the Netflix app or ITVX app. My TV listings magazine will be 'Total Film' which is a quarterly publication magazine covering issues relating to independent film and provides audiences with content such as interviews with directors and cast members. 

4) Ignite Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Xd3rHyy8jBga_nM7SRRZlgMFrG3D4Z6z1OwOa7r1czw/edit#slide=id.g27eb3b92ee9_0_63