Learning Objective: Session 1

To be able to analyze a crime drama by identifying appropriate codes and

conventions

Key ConceptsSome of the things we will be studying

Media Language Institution Representation AudienceCharacter types American VS British

dramasAre crime dramas realistic?

How is this achieved or not?

Demographics

Setting When and where they are broadcast

Has recent ‘issues’ be incorporated into the

storyline (i.e. knife crime)

Why do audiences enjoy crime drama?

Narrative (Theory) Cost of production values Good cop VS Bad Cop What experiences does the viewing offer?

Style: Misé en scene Commercial environment Gender and Race and their relationship with other

characters

Audience positioning- which character we

sympathise and identify with

Themes Digital era and viewing patterns- how does the

distributor then promote?

Non-contemporary VS contemporary to see how representations and social

attitudes have changed.

Relationship between audience and media text (Uses and Gratifications)

DVD sales Upheld dominant values that crime is bad. Is this subverted anywhere?

What are the codes and conventions?Conflict-filled relationship between protagonist and authority

Distinctive theme tunes set tone or hint at atmosphere

Sometimes feature disposable secondary characters as well as transient characters

Side-kicks who provide a stable norm for comparison

Eccentric protagonist with non-standard investigation techniques

Crime scenes Police stations/ interview rooms

MacGuffins (plot device used to engage the reader), red herrings and false leads.

Flawed protagonist with personal or health problems or a dark past

In vehicle sequences

Narratives that contain puzzles which need solving

Distinct regional and national settings

A moral problem or dimensions

Flashbacks and confessions

Voyeurism and taboo subjects

Household name stars.

Show and Episode Flawed

protagonist with personal or health problems or a dark past

In vehicle sequences

Narratives that contain puzzles which need solving

Distinct regional and national settings

A moral problem or dimensions

Flashbacks and confessions

Voyeurism and taboo subjects

Household name stars.

Crime Drama Codes and Conventions

Show and Episode Conflict-filled relationship between protagonist and authority

Distinctive theme tunes set tone or hint at atmosphere

Sometimes feature disposable secondary characters as well as transient characters

Side-kicks who provide a stable norm for comparison

Eccentric protagonist with non-standard investigation techniques

Crime scenes Police stations/ interview rooms

MacGuffins (plot device used to engage the reader), red herrings and false leads.

Crime Drama Codes and Conventions 2

Learning Objective: Session 2

To be able to analyse the structure of crime drama by using appropriate

theories.

What are the key ingredients?

• angry policeman• shocked suspect• interview room• the story of the police trying to find the criminal• the close-up camera shot of the policeman’s fist• serious music• dim lighting• the subject is law and order versus crime

How are crime dramas structured?

• Why do you think they structure episodes in this way?

Watch the following tv trailer to and consider what information it is giving the audience:

TRAILER/ Preview

What does it suggest about

the plot?

How are the characters

represented?

What crime conventions scenes are

shown?

What is the crime?

Where is the location/crime

scene?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/programme-trailer-for-crime-drama/11455.html

Toderov suggests that many narratives, regardless of their genre, could be broken into specific stages for

analysis

EquilibriumThe setting is established, key character(s) are introduced and the storyline is set up.DisruptionOppositional character(s) appear and the story takes a particular directionRecognition of disruptionThe lives of the characters and events are interwoven. Tension builds throughout the section, which is often the longest.Attempt to repair disruptionThe highest point in the tension- climax of the film.Reinstatement of equilibriumMatters are sorted out, problems are solved and questions are answered.

Example

Equilibrium

Disruption

Recognition of disruption

Attempt to repair disruption

Reinstatement of Equilibrium

Todorov’s theory of structure

Learning Objective: Session 3

To be able to analyse the codes and conventions of crime drama by using

appropriate media language.

Crime Drama Title Connotations of the title ( what the title suggests)

A touch of Frost

Midsomer Murders

Murder, She Wrote

Waking the Dead

Law and Order

Sherlock

Bones

Prime Suspect

What codes and conventions do DVD covers usually contain?

• The title• A slogan• Images of main characters/action• Actors names• Age certificate• Special features• Billing Block• Production Logo• Running time and other technical information• DVD or Blu-Ray logo, plus any other product based logos• A blurb

Annotate your handouts by labelling these features

How does Sherlock

incorporate the old vs new

theme?

Crime Drama DVDs

• Have a closer look at each DVD cover. • What sort of images, text and colours are

used to highlight the fact that the product is a crime drama? Annotate and label these features.

• Who is the target audience of the product? How does the DVD cover appeal to its target audience?

Learning Objective: Session 4

To be able to explore how crime drama appeals to an audience by

using appropriate theory

Why do we use media?

Blumler and Katz’s theory suggests that media users play an active role in choosing and using the media.Media users choose a media source that best fulfils their needs. Uses and gratifications assume that the user has alternate choices to satisfy their need.

Uses and Gratifications theory

4 categories1. Diversion - escape from everyday problems and

routine.2. Personal Relationships - using the media for

emotional and other interaction, e.g.) substituting soap operas for family life

3. Personal Identity - finding yourself reflected in texts, learning behaviour and values from texts

4. Surveillance - Information which could be useful for living e.g.) weather reports, financial news, holiday bargains

Setting

• Places are a key convention of any drama. We associate settings with crime dramas; New York City features in the title of NYPD Blue and CSI:NY and there are similar titles for Southland (an area of LA) and Boomtown (another area in LA).

• It is not only cities, Heartbeat is set in the Yorkshire moors and the fictional Midsomer is based in Somerset for Midsomer Murders.

Clues

• The story scatters clues for the detectives and we follow. Some dramas don’t reveal the identity of the criminal until near the end, e.g. Inspector Morse or Waking the Dead. This is called a closed narrative.

• In others we are shown the criminal at the beginning, e.g. Columbo and Law and Order: Criminal Intent. This is an open narrative.

Set pieces

• We are often shown scenes that we recognise from other dramas, these are set pieces. For example we may see a couple of detectives at a crime scene, looking at a body, Or an autopsy or asking witnesses questions.

• We may only follow a key detective, we see their viewpoint. A drama like Boomtown plays with the same scene through different people’s viewpoints to discover the truth.

Conflict

• Whatever happens along the way there is always conflict. A theorist called Claude Levi-Strauss looked at how stories involve conflict between opposite forces, e.g. good v evil; cop v criminal. These are called binary oppositions. The opposites fight each other for dominance and audiences want to see them resolved. It might not just be between police and criminal, it could be between police officers, the lawyers or their family members.

Suspense

• Sometimes we see what the detective sees and other times they know the answer before the viewer does. Inspector Morse and Columbo often crack the case in their minds and we have to wait to find out what they know.

• The steps along the way to solving the crime create suspense. Questions are usually raised in your mind.

Dramatic irony & cliffhangers

• If you are shown something the detective hasn’t seen, a suspect hiding a murder weapon or a seemingly innocent witness up to no good. When you know something the heroes don’t know, this is called dramatic irony. This is often combined with cliffhangers, when something dramatic happens and the viewer is left wondering.

Resolution

• When all the questions are answered and the quest comes to its natural conclusion: the resolution. Successful crime dramas may delay and delay the resolution and we want to see the crime solved so we can relax. Until next time…

How do you know this is a crime drama?

How does the mise en scene of your screen shot support the ‘crime drama’ genre? How does it promote

the uses and gratifications theory?

• Settings & Props

• Costume, Hair & Make Up

• Facial Expressions & Body Language

• Lighting & Colour

• Positioning of characters/objects within the frame

Getting your gradeHow does the packaging of crime drama DVDs highlight the codes and conventions of that genre?

Level 6 (A/A*) Level 5 (B) Level 4 (C)

Sophisticated and well structured understanding or forms and conventions

Clearly structured understanding or forms and conventions

A structured understanding or forms and conventions

Detailed explanation Good explanation Offer an explanation of appeal

Ideas expressed clearly and effectively using appropriate media terminology

Generally expressed clearly and effectively using appropriate media terminology

Ideas are developed using some media terminology

Meet the demands of the brief, accurate SPAG

In line with the brief, accurate use of SPAG

Responses show some awareness of the demands of the brief with a clear attempt at SPAG

Responses are in role Responses are in role Response may be in role

Typical Question (approx 22 mins)Analyse how Crime drama is represented in the screen shots and

DVDs covers.

Analyse the covers of Bones and Sherlock and the screen shot of CSI:NY. What do the covers tell you about the program? You should focus on how each uses the codes and conventions of DVD packaging to communicate the generic codes and conventions of crime drama and to attract the interest of an audience. This must be analytical and use appropriate media language

Learning Objective: Session 5:To be able to analyse the structure of a crime drama

by analysing opening and closing sequences.

Dexter – Crime/ Horror

Dexter – Crime/ Horror

The X Files – supernatural/ crime

Blood Ties – Horror/ crime

Blood Ties – Horror/ Crime

Torchwood – supernatural/ crime

Angel – Fantasy/ Horror

The Wire – Crime

The Wire – Crime

The Wire – Detective

A Touch of Frost –Detective

A Touch of Frost –Detective

Re genesis –Detective/medical

Re genesis –Crime/medical

Murphy's Law –Crime/ Mystery

Roland Barthes• 2 main ways of hooking audience:• Enigma codes – where puzzles/riddles are set up at the

start of the narrative. The hero – usually the forces of law and order – work hard to solve the mystery and we go along with them on the journey or quest.

• Action codes – generated by actions in the story e.g. person pulls a gun. Who will they shoot?

Where do we see these codes in crime drama?

Study the two opening scenes and list/mind map how they hook our attention and what conventions of crime drama they use

• A Touch of Frost series 1 episode 3 (‘Conclusions’)

• Midsomer Muders series 13, disc 1 episode 2 (‘The Sword of Geillaume)

Which opening do you think is the most effective? Why?

Opening Teaser

• We may see someone attacked, but we don’t see the perpetrator. Maybe there is a random passer-by who finds a corpse and screams in a close-up at the camera.

• Every crime drama does it differently, but the primary function is to draw you in and make you want to watch. This is usually done in combination with the enigma, the mystery.

Lighting Sound/ music

SFX Action Camera angles

Misé en scene/ setting

Enigma/ action codes

Uses and gratifications

Clues Set pieces conflict suspense Dramatic irony/ cliff hanger

CSI Vegas Pilot

Lie To me S1 ES2

Sherlock S1 E1

How do the openings of crime dramas hook our attention?

HomeworkSketch your own screen shot from a crime drama and label how the

misé en scene supports the crime drama genre.

Learning Objective: Session 6To be able to explore character representation by

analysing their appeal.

What types of characters do you see in a typical crime drama?

Characters

Definitions• Stereotypes• Media Institutions use stereotypes because the audience will

instantly understand them. Think of stereotypes as a ‘visual shortcut’. They’re repeated so often that we assume they are normal or ‘true’.

• Task – Think of a stereotypical representation of Scotland or O.A.P’s

• Archetypes• This is the ‘ultimate’ stereotype. For example, the white

stiletto wearing, big busted, brainless blonde bimbo• Countertype• A representation that challenges tradition stereotypical

associations of groups, people or places

Character types

• In TV crime drama there are main categories to describe the different character types; officers of the law, victims, suspects and criminals.

• Criminals commit the crimes, victims suffer and the officers of the law try to solve the crimes. We mostly root for the law to win and the villains to lose. The characters drive the story forward, making us love or hate them.

Officers of the law

• Hero cop: Jack Bauer (24), Nick Rowan ( early Hearbeat), Aureilo Zen (Zen).

• Heroine cop: Cagney & Lacey, Inspector Kate Longton (Juliet Bravo), Jane Tennison (Prime Suspect), Brenda Lee Johnson (The Closer)

Stock characters continued

• Anti-hero, e.g. Vic Mackey (The Shield) and Dexter Morgan (Dexter)

• Quirky detectives, e.g. Kojak, Columbo, Robert Goren (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) and Adrian Monk (Monk)

Stock characters continued

• Bad tempered but brilliant detectives, eg, Andy Sipowicz (NYPD Blue), Inspector Morse, Peter Boyd (Waking the Dead) and Wallander

• Rookie, eg Andy McNally (Rookie Blue), Ben Sherman (Southland) and John Clark Jr. (NYPD Blue)

Stock characters continued

• Buddy partners, e.g. Crockett and Tubbs (Miami Vice), Benson & Stabler (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) and Starsky and Hutch

Stock characters continued

• Grumpy, world-weary superior officer, e.g. Captain Cragen (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) and Lieutenant Bert Samuels (Cagney and Lacey)

Stock characters continued• Psychology

experts/consultants/helpers e.g. Fitz (Cracker), Patrick Jane (The Mentalist), Tony Hill (Wire in the Blood), Toby Logan (The Listener), Dr. Cal Lightman (Lie to Me), Alison DuBois (Medium), Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote), Richard Castle (Castle) and Shawn Spencer (Psych)

Stock characters continued

• Forensic scientists/pathologists/other medical professionals, e.g. Gil Grissom/Ray Langston (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), and Dr Grayling Russell (Inspector Morse)

Stock characters continued

• FBI agents, e.g. Vivian Johnson (Without a Trace), Sue Thomas: FB Eye, Don and Charlie Eppes (Numb3rs) and Mulder and Scully (The X Files)

Eponymous hero

• A central figure detective is so crucial to some crime dramas that the show is named after them. This is what is known as an eponymous hero, e.g. Wycliffe, Ironside, Inspector Morse, A Touch of Frost. It could be that the there is a duo; Dalziel and Pascoe or Dempsey and Makepiece. Ensemble dramas also exist, The Bill, Law and Order, The Wire and The Shield.

Victims of Crime

• Come and go in most shows – crimes are usually different in each episode

• Often key to an investigation (The Closer)• Can give information verbally• Can leave clues, especially if they’ve been

killed

Victims

• Often get little screen-time• However often the most important part of the

narrative – why?

Characteristics of a typical victim

• Bullet point in pairs – three minutes

Criminals

• In opposition to the law (they work against our lead characters)

• Watch the following clips: how closely do these criminals resemble the person you drew earlier?

Criminals can be:

• Weak• Misguided• Stupid

Selfish Arrogant Dangerous

Lonely, hurt, rejected Victims themselves Have suffered

Sympathetic AngryDisgustedIrritated

Suspects

• Are often treated as criminals until their guilt is proven / disproven

• Suspects can act as red herrings• Viewers will usually believe they are genuine

suspects. Very little dramatic irony in detective stories.

Learning Objective: Session 7To be able to compare representations of investigators

by considering stereotyping and stock characters.

Propp's Character theory Vladimir Propp (1969) analysed character types and came up with a list that include:

1. The hero (seeks something goes on a quest)2. The villain (opposes/against the hero)3. The dispatcher (sends the hero on his way/off on their

quest) The donor (gives support to /helps the hero)4. The princess (the reward for the hero but also needs to

be protected from the villain)

Relating this to Crime Drama

Character Action Example from Crime Drama

Hero Goes on a quest

Villain Again the hero

Dispatcher Sets the hero off on their quest

Donor Helps the hero

Princess Prize for the hero

Type of character What crime drama is this type of character in?

Why you think this type of character would appeal to a crime drama audience?

Hero Cop

Bad tempered but brilliant detective.

Rookie ( new or relatively inexperienced officer)

Grumpy, world weary superior officer.

Buddy partners

Heroine Cop

Forensic Scientists/ pathologists

Quirky detective

Psychology experts

FBI agent

Lawyers

Informants

Analysis of stock charactersWatch a variety of clips from popular crime drama and complete

the grid:

Clip Detective Type(s) and sex

Distinguishing Features

Midsomer MurdersPrime SuspectStarsky and HutchWire in the bloodRizolli and Isles

Clip one: Midsomer Murders

Clip two: Prime Suspect

Clip three: Starsky and Hutch

Clip four: Wire in the Blood

Clip five: Rizolli and Isles

Homework. How do investigators of crime drama appeal to the audience? 22 mins.

(P )In “Lie to Me” the main character Dr Cal Lightman is a unique blend of 3 main stock characters.

(E)He mainly takes on the role of “psychology expert”, specialising in detecting lies from body language and facial expressions. However he also shows elements of being the “quirky detective” with his eccentric habits, such as cracking the ostrich egg to test a theory, and “bad tempered but brilliant detective” with his ‘personal issues’ and constant mood swings that has the Rookie, Ria Torres, on edge throughout the first season.

(E) His character appeals to the audience as whilst being a ‘Dr’ may appear pretentious and dull, his egocentric and daring attitude challenges this stereotype and allows the audience to see both the humour and raw emotion of his character...

Learning Objective: Session 8To be able to analyse representation of characters

by comparing female and male investigators.

From the episodes and clips you have seen, how are male and female investigators represented?

BonesAs you watch Bones consider how male and female

characters are represented.

Things to consider:How does their relationship work

‘on screen’?Why does their relationship work?

Why do they appeal to a wide audience?

Why is Agent Seeley Booth so appealing to Mrs Cook?!

Why is Dr Brenan a popular character?

Geeky Trivia:The TV series ‘Bones’ is based on the thriller books by real-life anthropologist Kathy Reichs. So far she has written 13 in this series. In the books the main character is Temperance Brennan.

In the TV show, Dr Brennan writes thriller books with the fictional character ‘Kathy Reichs’.

Kathy Reichs is an executive producer on the show.

Learning Objective: Session 9To be able to develop and explain the appeal of a character by using appropriate media language.

What impression do we get of these detectives from their names?

• Luther

• Inspector Morse

What are the connotations of their names?

Here’s a bit of telly trivia for crime geeks. The theme tune to Inspector Morse actually incorporated the Morse Code for M.O.R.S.E, and sometimes gave away the culprit’s name. Even the Inspector himself would never have worked that out.

Hidden Clues

Can you think of any other shows which use ‘clues’ or codes to entice the viewer?

Luther meaning and name originLuther \l(u)-ther\ as a boy's name is pronounced LOO-ther. It is of Old German origin, and the meaning of Luther is "soldier of the people“.

Also a reference to Martin Luther King? Why?

Luther trailer

Morse scene

Now analyse the representation of the detectives from these clips. Make sure you comment on how a wide range of media

techniques are used to create these representations

Adrian Monk - MonkQuirky

Peter Boyd – Waking the Dead

Bad-Tempered but Brilliant Detective

Watch the following clips• What can you say about each detective in terms of:– General behaviour / attitude/ actions– How they dress– Way they present themselves– Ways of speaking to others, e.g. suspects / witnesses

3.177.12

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g3e9yP_97Q&feature=related

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VB3imaow9Y (3.17)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV_eyV3BKtY&feature=related (7.12)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjiT4rKgyzQ&feature=fvsr

Detectives

• Dress in a particular way• Have their own style of investigating crime• Use different tools and skills• Have particular characteristics & quirks which

make them individual and different to other TV Detectives

• May specialise in particular types of crime• May be professional or amateur

Features Examples

General setting

Key locations

People / characters(how they link with the setting; dialogue; accent, etc)Costume

Objects

Lighting

Editing & pace

Music / sound effects

Summary of overall style

Research a Crime Drama of your choice and complete the following:

Learning Objective: To be able to explore the representation of a crime investigator by using appropriate media language

You have 4 minutes to recap EVERYTHING you have learn so far about crime drama

Media language

AudienceRepresentations

Institution

What type of character are the following and how do you know? If you had to discuss these in the exam, what are the most

important examples?

Hero CopBad tempered but brilliant detective.Rookie ( new or relatively inexperienced officer)

Grumpy, world weary superior officer.

Buddy partners

Heroine Cop

Forensic Scientists/ pathologists

Quirky detective

Psychology expertsFBI agentLawyersInformants

Analysing detectives

What can you say about each detective in terms of:• General behaviour / attitude/ actions• How they dress• Ways they present themselves• Ways of speaking to others, e.g. suspects / witnesses

Creating a memorable character

Invent your own investigator(s) for a brand new Crime Drama.

• Draw the character • Annotate with characteristics: Style of dress; Style of

tackling crime; Personality; Type of crime they solve; Pro / amateur; Special tools / skills

• Name them and explain the connotations of this (and possibly the name of the show)

• Create a character profile which explores how they are represented and why. What type of character are they?

• Label/Mind map why they appeal to an audience.• Ensure you use a wide range of media language and theory.• No CSI spin-offs. Your idea has to be original.

Get creating!