Exam Tips

Here are some useful tips that will be necessary to pass the Media exam in June. They were discussed that the briefing sir attended and the bold parts were the ones which were spoke about the most which would maybe suggest that is what will be included in the exam.

• Take into exam: Coloured pencils, Fine liners and a Ruler
• Will have to pitch a Crime Drama (either characters, settings release) 

                    - DVD Cover
                    - Magazine Cover
                    - Website Design
                    - Storyboard

• You should make sketches and diagrams to help develop your answers where possible.
• Remember to write in role.
• Show passion in answers about Crime Dramas and show that you believe in what you're writing about.
• DON'T GO INTO SURVIVAL MODE WHEN IT COMES TO REVISION!! Relax and be prepared.
• Have depth knowledge of 3 Crime Drama's (Luther, CSI & Sherlock)
• Include independent viewings when answering questions to show you have a wider knowledge of different shows. (variety)
• For A/A* Grades you need to include 2(or more) theories

                    - Uses and Gratification theory:
                      1. Information
                      2. Entertainment
                      3. Personal Identity
                      4. Personal Relationships
                    - Propps (characters) theory
                    - Todorov theory: [structure of Crime Drama's]
                      1. Equilibrium (normality)
                      2. Disruption (problem)
                      3. Resolution
                    - Levi-Straus theory: [narratives]
                      1. Binary Opposites Police vs. Criminals, Good vs. Bad, Turth vs. Lies, Man vs.Woman.
                    - Barthes theory: [enigma]
                      1. ALWAYS a plot/enigma
                      2. Makes audience QUESTION!

• Detailed knowledge of characters.
• Discuss 'vices'.
• Necessary to have a detailed knowledge of settings. (CSI Las Vegas, Miami, New York)
• Set pieces and iconography needs to be well-known about. (see previous blog posts)
• Jargon - words associated with Crime Dramas (see glossary tab)

                     - MO: how a criminal works eg. Serial Killer stabs victims 5 times every time.

• Think logically and put yourself in examiners minds.
• Makes things realistic and possible.
• The pitch must include persuasive, exotic language.
• Rationale: Reasons for things (EXPLAIN)
• Backup all your points with reasons.
• Annotate ALL drawings/storyboards.
• If you were asked to do a TV Mag make sure the sell lines and stories included are relevant to the target audience and genre.
• Write in bullet points and refer to the pre-released material at all times.

Luther as a flawed Anti-Hero

• He brakes into Alice's house.
• He tries to take police matters into his own hands.
• He puts his life at risk. (Ep 2 ending with the gun held to his head)
• The Henry Maddison situation - he could of saved him but let him fall instead.
• Fighting with Zoe's boyfriend.
• His personal life comes before his profession. (Says to Alice that he will not convict her if she stays away from Zoe)
• Relationship with Alice, whom is a potential serial killer.
• Blackmail (Ep 2 when he threatens to make the whole prison hate the dad by exploiting the fact he has child pornography when he really didn't)
• He relates to the Devil quite a few times which could suggest that he has a dark side to him that may be released at any time.

Settings

Setting play a huge part of Crime Dramas as a variation of settings suggest different hings to the viewer about how the show will be illustrated.Different locations suggest different moods and feelings towards the series.


Luther:
-Is set in a council estate part of London, this gives the crime drama a darker side, compared to Sherlock as it is more glamorous and is set in a more posh part of London (Baker Street). Luther consits of alleyways which give a sense of unknown, this gives a scary feel to the Luther. Whereas if Luther was set in Baker Street it wouldn't give the same impact, Luthers personality would not mix well with a more glamours background. It will almost feel as if he is out of place. Luther's set is also very close to the River Thames which opens more crimes for the series.

CSI - CSI is set in an area which is seen as sexy and glamorous and this has been enhanced throughout the show by the up to date technology and 'pretty' characters. Having a beautiful setting you can come up with the idea that CSI is a Sombre show to watch. The crimes are usually set in front of loads of people but in some crimes no one notices that a crime is taking place, even though we know its impossible. The mass of people who are involved in the crime gives us more of worried sense, then if it was in the suburbs of New York or London.

Set Pieces

1- What typically happens in the scene?

2- What part does it play in the narrative?

3- What iconography is used?

4- What audience pleasures arise from the scene?

5- What languge may be used- vocab!

 

 

Press Conference

This is where people are informed

about the crimes and then people from the press are able to ask questions based on the murder.

• Cameras
• Press
• Microphones
• Desks
• Rows of chairs
• Flashes

 

The Laboratory



This specific scene is usually where they bring the evidence they have collected evidence from the crime scene, they analyse the evidence to see if they can gather any clues. It plays a much part in the narrative as the investigators are able to find clues as to who the criminal is. Scientific terms such as "Chromatic" are used which are unknown to everyday people but to scientists those words are everyday words for this, they also use type of language to make themselves look more clever then us. The pleasures that this scene gives are simple crazy, unseen, unlikely, wild and abnormal gadgets which people fall in love with straight away just by seeing them in action, the variation of gadgets and how they work fascinate people.

• Gloves
• Lab coats
• Computers
• Test Tubes

 

Interrogation scene

The crime flashback is usually done to show the crime taking place, and in many occasions it is done with a different suspect to enhance to the audience the range of suspects that may have been part of the crime.

• Dark, as the flashbacks usually show scenes of violence and crime
• Flashback Scenes may cause frightening moments to the audience and it allows them to witness the crime themselves.
• Clarification, gives proof of who, how and where the crime was committed in the narrative.
• Jolty Camera
• Quick Montages

  

Eureka moment

The moment when some important information is uncovered and an investigator may have a moment of intelligence and can figure out who the suspect is.

• In many ocassions this is the moment when the crime will finally be solved or a step away from it being solved.
• This may be a moment when the audience will either find out that they were right or wrong about who the victim was. This makes the audience feel involved and  intelligent if they were right.
• Facial Expressions are usually happy and exciting as the moment everyone has been waiting for has finally arrived.

Initial crime scene

This is where the family of the victims are informed of their death.

• This tends to be sad for the audience and it is usually a silent/quiet scene as the family or relatives are being informed about a not very good and 'happy' thing.
• This could sometimes bring further clues as the family may know someone who could have committed the crime.

   

Crime Scene-

 

This is the scene where the crime has been.

committed and the investigators go to see what has happened. This scene allows evidence to be collected and taken back to the lab so that they may be able to find the perpetrator

• Detective arrives at crime scene
• Police tape
• Evidence Markers
• Cameras

Arrest/Confession

 

Crime flashback

The crime flashback is usually done to show the crime taking place, and in many occasions it is done with a different suspect to enhance to the audience the range of suspects that may have been part of the crime.

• Dark, as the flashbacks usually show scenes of violence and crime
• Flashback Scenes may cause frightening moments to the audience and it allows them to witness the crime themselves.
• Clarification, gives proof of who, how and where the crime was committed in the narrative.
• Jolty Camera
• Quick Montages

Visit to next of kin

This is where the family of the victims are informed of their death.

• This tends to be sad for the audience and it is usually a silent/quiet scene as the family or relatives are being informed about a not very good and 'happy' thing.
• This could sometimes bring further clues as the family may know someone who could have committed the crime.

Autopsy

 

This is where the body of the victim

is investigated to see whether there is any evidence connecting a person with the murder.

• Body Bag.
• Tweasers.
• Lab Coat.
• Table which the body is on.

Sub-Genres & Hybrids

Crime Drama Audience

Use of Camera

Camera Usage in Disaster Movies

I have been given a sheet from my Media Studies teacher Mr Fisher and i feel the need to cut it down to short sentences for easy revision so here goes:


Understanding the Role of the Camera


Close Up
-Is used to direct our attention on something in particular. Often a facial expression, as close ups emphasize a characters emotions. A close up could also is a significant clue to a development in the plot or prop.(close up of a knife could mean it being used to kill someone).


Extreme Close Up
-Focuses the audiences attention on even smaller detail, these shots are used for artistic shots. Extreme close up also give a sense of discomfort so they can be used to really get the audience close to the action.


Long Shot
-Shows us the whole of a character, thus drawings our attention to a persons costume and body language. A long shot may be needed to offer perspective. For example in The Day After Tomorrow, we see a long shot to see the wave approaching the library. Long shots are also used so we see the setting as it might be important in that moment.


Mid Shot
-Allows us to see a person from the waist up, mostly used so we can see the dialogue between to characters. Mid shots also give us information about the setting, but not so much is distracts us from the conversation/action.

High/Low Angle
-A high angle shot is when the camera is placed higher than the subject and so we are looking down on them. A low angle shot is the opposite.If you are placed higher up than a character, you feel as if you have more power and the character is more vulnerable. We are placed stronger than them, if the camera is at a low angle the character looks bigger and making them look more important and powerful.

Over the Shoulder:
-This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame.This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.It's common to cut between these shots during a conversation, alternating the view between the different speakers.

Point of View:
-This shot shows a view from the subject's perspective. It is usually edited in such a way that it is obvious whose POV it is.


Camera Movement:
-Pan
-Tilt
-Tracking
-Crane
-Bird's eye view
-Zoom

Framing
-Framing refers to the edge of the picture and what has been deliberately placed inn or excluded from the frame. We often discuses tight framing of a sequence of shots of close-ups and maybe mid shots where little of the background can be seen. By not allowing us to see the background may also result in a sense of discomfort as we wont be able to see something which may be approaching.


Depth Of Field
-Technique used to distract our attention from the background detail, or to make it noticeable, is depth of field. Sometimes a director will only want us to focus on certain subjects within the shot so he will make sure other elements are out of focus and blurred. If the setting,colours or landscapes are important and the director wants them to be in detail and clear, deep focus is used to make sure everything's focused. Shallow focus is the opposite effect where only part of the image is in focus.

Crime Drama Information

During my half-term I have been carried away doing numerous things and totally forgot to update my  blogger, but I do have some information to present about the episode I watched of Sherlock (Study In Pink) and CSI Miami (Stoned Cold):

Sherlock Holmes (Series 1, Episode 1, Study in Pink)


Evidence Collected:
- Death Pills (suicide)
-Suitcase
-Newspaper Cuttings.
-Dead body's (Suitcase trail on the back of the girls leg).

Victims:
-Sherlock (At one point he has possession of vital evidence and didn't tell anyone).
-Sherlock's Brother.
-Cab Driver.
-Person in the cab (Looked at Sherlock in a weird way).

Technique:
-Mind Power.
-Evidence.
-Magnified Glass.

Typical Characters:
-One main character (to solve the crime in-depth) - Sherlock.
-One sidekick (who solves the crime out of the box and accompanies Sherlock) - Dr Watson.
-Police Team
-Landlord Lady (like Sherlock's Mum).

Contains:
-Press Conference.
-Technology Threat.
-Camera Angles.
-Montage.
-Fast pace (talking).
-Weird background music.


CSI Miami - Stone Cold)


Evidence Collected:
-Rocks thrown at her (blood traces), NO fists.
-Dragged marks on body.
-Witness.
-Bag under girls car (girl who got killed).
-Laundry Bag (Hoody).
-Broken Lock.
-Ear Bud in ear (found at lab).
-Bank Information (Brought something and was able to trace/logs).

Victims:
-Students (who didn't like the girl).
-Headteacher (didn't like her).
-New girl (got harassed by the girl).
-Parents (of children who got bullied by the girl).
-Bullying Victims (people who got bullied by her).

Technique:
-Finger Prints.
-Computer Imagers (Animation of the incident).
-Pieces of Cotton (from Hoodie).
-Broken CD (Fragments).
-Rope Tying (styles of the robe being tyings.
-Ear Bud (Earphones involved).
-Drag marks on body (Dragged).
-White Glove (hide evidence).
-DNA.
-Photos.

Typical Characters:
-A team of people.
-Lots of victims.

Contains:
-Photo Montage
-Slow Scenes
-Change Scenes
-Disruption
-Flashback
-Video Montage
-Fast Pace

Pitching Ideas for A New Crime Drama

Pitching Ideas for A New Crime Drama

Name:

An acronym (CSI, NCIS)

IOCO - Institution of Criminal Offences.

Type of Crime Drama:

A mixture of Forensic & Investigation which will intrigue the audience as the idea is new and different.

Characters:

In this Crime Drama there will be a team of people they will all have different personalities for instants:

-Genius (Medium Height, White, Male, British)- Scientist

-Sexy (Medium Height, Elegant, Blond, American White, Fierce) – Detective/Fighter

-Former Soldier (Tall, African- American, Male) – Determined/Fighter

-Humours (Short, Female, British, White) - Rookie

Other professionals will help throughout the episodes such as the police and other crime investigation units.

Structure of Show:

Series: Each Episode is self contained (CSI, Sherlock)

I am certain that if I choose a series more people will be able to enjoy my crime drama as each episode is different and they don’t lead on to other episodes only if it’s a special episode. 25 episodes, 1 hour each, the final episode is a two-part episode.

Typical Narrative:


Restricted Narrative (Closed), the audience find out as much information as the team knows and together they begin to solve the crime throughout the episode. The team go to scene of the crime, interview witnesses, ect to solve the crime.

Setting:

They have an office and a laboratory which is their main HQ which will be based in London, but they roam the streets and rural areas in which the crime was at to find out clues and victims/suspects.

Style:

In my Crime Drama I will have a lot of Slick Editing involved as I know it will attract the audience. Humour will occur regularly as everyone likes a good laugh every now on then, but the humour will only occur away from the crimes. The pace will be a quick paced as I feel that if the crime drama is slow it will bore the audience. It will be both Rural and City to give a different aspect to a crime drama, the main city will be London as it will be interesting due to the huge amount of people living there. The Crime Drama will consist in Extreme Crime as I know by doing this it will be more interesting.

Slow                       1              2              3             4             5             Quick

Technology            1              2              3             4             5             Mind

Narrative                1              2              3             4             5             Action

City                         1              2              3             4             5             Rural

Stylish                     1              2             3             4             5             Gritty

Sexy                        1             2              3             4             5             Ordinary

Extreme Crime      1              2              3             4             5             Petty Crime

Humorous              1              2              3             4             5             Sombre

Scheduling:

9:00 – 10:00 every Friday on BBC 1 (Post Watershed), Repeated at 11:00 – 12:00 every Monday on BBC 1, it will also be on BBC Iplayer after the episode has been aired on television.

Target Audience:

Young Adults – Adults, people who enjoy crime dramas, A, B & C1.

Similar Shows:

CSI, NCSI, Sherlock – I have chosen these programs as they are similar to my idea, my  crime drama will be a mixture of both.

USP: 

A mixture of mind intelligence and technology to solve a specific crime.