Analysing TV Drama Clip

Use these tools to analyse the TV drama clip.

How is the genre of TV crime drama shown in the clip. (mise-en-scene, characters, props, themes, sequences)

The characters used show this is a TV crime drama because there are your typical characters- policemen, suspects, people back at the station. Props such as evidence, blood and an interview room also suggest this is a crime drama. There is a fight at the start of the scene and an interview

Give examples of how camera angles and shots have been used effectively.

During the interview camera angles have been used to show power over the other character e.g. policemen vs suspect, the camera angle used to show this is a high angle shot at the start of the interview to show that the policemen have the upper hand and to show they are looking down at the suspect. Towards the end of the interview the camera angle shifts to a low angle shot as the suspect stands up to show that he has the upper hand and has realised the policemen cannot take any action against him. Close up shots have been used to show the actors emotions and close up shots have also been used on the suspects handkerchief to show him holding it steady this suggest he is very calm. Another close up shot used on the images shows us what the policemen and suspect would be focusing on at the time. Over the shoulder shots have also been used to establish the position of the two sides and to give the audience a feel of the actors point of view. 

How has meaning been created through the performance of the actors?

Meaning has been created through a fight at the start of the scene to indicate tension or that something has gone wrong. Change in tone of voice also creates meaning the suspect is calm when being questioned up until the part where he stands up and becomes stern. The policemen are also stern and upright with their arms crossed. The policemen slam the pictures when showing the suspect rather than just placing them n front of him this again shows power and authority. During the interview there is a lot of eye contact and staring at each other this makes the policemen seem more intimidating. The suspect stands up over the policemen when he has the upper hand this suggests that he is in power now.

Assess the use of sound in the clip.

Analysing Moving Images Revision

Possible text for study-

• Film trailers
• Adverts
• Film clips
• Documentary 
• Music videos
• TV programme extract 
• News broadcast 
• Game trailers
• Party political broadcast

Possible ways moving images communicate-

• Mise-en-scene (setting, lighting, character appearance)
• semiotics (verbal & non-verbal communication, denotations & connotations)
• Narrative (the story unfolding)
• Genre (the type of product and the signifiers (signs) of which genre it belongs to. including serial/series conventions
• Costume
• Music
• Sound effects
• Background
• Setting/Time of day
• Camera angles

Media language

• Technical codes (cinematography, camerawork & lighting and editing) 
• Sound (diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, sound effects)
• Codes (action, enigma, cultural, symbolic)
• Codes & conventions (the way things are normally done in products of this kind and the extent to which product challenges or reinforces it.)

Show me task

WWW: You have used media terminology when referring to camera angles and explained why particular shots have been used. EBI: Expand into detail and analyse the impact on the audience. For example, what is the purpose of using a POV shot when Wendy looks at the papers? LITERACY: Avoid over use of phrase 'it then' - as it makes it sound like you are re-telling the narrative. State the camera shot and focus on the impact / purpose it has. SHOW ME: Expand into detail and add in the impact on the audience when analysing camera angles used. Also, consider the use of the sound - use terminology diegetic and non- diegetic. How does the sound entice an audience? 

The purpose of using a POV shot when Wendy is looking at the stack of papers is to show what Wendy is reacting hideously to, it makes the audience feel as if it is them looking at the stack of papers. The purpose of the low angle shot from the typewriter is to show Wendy's face and the horror that is on it. The track shot of Wendy makes the audience feel as though someone is behind her looking over her shoulder whilst she is sneaking around in her husbands so called 'work'. The over the shoulder shot lets us see what Jack is seeing and makes  the audience feel though she is being watched/stalked by her husband. The diegetic sound used entices the audience because