- Tense crime scene.
- Action.
- Buildup of enigma which causes questioning from the audience which must be answered by the narrative.
narrative expectations:
- High-speed chase.
- detective analysis.
Character expectations:
- Good cop/Bad cop.
- serious/goofy officers.
- Criminal masterminds.
- Old male chief of police.
- Pretty police officers.
Location expectations:
- City.
- Village
- Roads where chase happens.
- police station.
Representations:
- Race.
- Gender.
- Ethnicity.
- Justice.
Values:
- Justice.
- Equality.
- Empowerment of minorities.
Title credits must grab your attention:
- Loud.
- Quick and dramatic beat.
- Ambient sounds (sirens etc.).
Blumler and Katz.aSurveillance,
- Self identity,
- personal relationships,
- Entertainment (escape from reality).
What do the opening scene and credits tell us about the genre, narrative and characters? What would the audience expect from the series.
The music is non-diegetic rock, upbeat and edgy: not traditional for a serious crime drama, therefore it shows how Cuffs is directed towards the younger generation and shows how the plot will be serious and edgy. The cinematography shows jumpy scenes which creates the sense of action, attracting the younger generation who want to experience excitement in the form of the entertainment they get from watching the series (Blumler and Katz). The show also shows different aspects of the characters, some were happier in the opening, showing an upbeat show however others were also seen to look grim and serious or tense, showing the other aspect of the show being serious and grim which would cause an expectation for loss and defeat from the audience and therefore represents the police rather well as they're often in a position of defeat in their cases. The opening credits also shows a diverse cast in the show: Ryan Draper (a black police officer), Jo Moffat (a female character) and a muslim officer, showing the justice of equality in the show which the show wanted to portray in a generation which was less accepting of diversity. The police imagery above the imagery of the city and the graffiti shows the relevance of good verses evil and also the importance of the police and about how the police is important to the city's integrity.
How has sound been used to create meaning?
The diegetic sound of the sea gull and sea instantly represents the seaside and communicates to the viewer that the scene takes place on a beach, the immediate use of a radio and siren also communicates a crime scene which communicates to the viewer that the show will be filled with crimes and action. The non-diegetic sound of ominous music as soon as the clip starts shows the tension the show brings with it and creates a first impression of enigma as to what the tension is about. The sound bridge of non-diegetic monologue over the shots of the beach with the police station shows the link between the two settings, however the monologue of the chief super juxtaposes the scene at the beach. The line "ensuring cohesion and security" completely juxtaposes the chaos ensuing at the beach which communicates the lack of control the police actually have and what the have to work against daily. Furthermore the "positive daily interactions with the public" line of the monologue completely juxtaposes the line from the dialogue of "seriously, what's the point in you", showing how even those who called the police are prejudiced against them. Finally the line from the Chief Super "I'm here not only in my professional capacity but... as a family member" shows the favouritism that the Chief has over his new officer. However the change in music to something more rock/edgy shows how he may be slightly rebellious. In conclusion, the non-diegetic music creates foreshadowing to attract the target audience of the 2010s whereas the non-diegetic sound bridge and diegetic dialogue allows for the narrative to progress properly.
How has sound been used to create meaning?
The diegetic sound of the sea gull and sea instantly represents the seaside and communicates to the viewer that the scene takes place on a beach, the immediate use of a radio and siren also communicates a crime scene which communicates to the viewer that the show will be filled with crimes and action. The non-diegetic sound of ominous music as soon as the clip starts shows the tension the show brings with it and creates a first impression of enigma as to what the tension is about. The sound bridge of non-diegetic monologue over the shots of the beach with the police station shows the link between the two settings, however the monologue of the chief super juxtaposes the scene at the beach. The line "ensuring cohesion and security" completely juxtaposes the chaos ensuing at the beach which communicates the lack of control the police actually have and what the have to work against daily. Furthermore the "positive daily interactions with the public" line of the monologue completely juxtaposes the line from the dialogue of "seriously, what's the point in you", showing how even those who called the police are prejudiced against them. Finally the line from the Chief Super "I'm here not only in my professional capacity but... as a family member" shows the favouritism that the Chief has over his new officer. However the change in music to something more rock/edgy shows how he may be slightly rebellious. In conclusion, the non-diegetic music creates foreshadowing to attract the target audience of the 2010s whereas the non-diegetic sound bridge and diegetic dialogue allows for the narrative to progress properly.
Opening question: 3/5 some relevant points but to get full marks you need to:
ReplyDelete- Include more subject specific terminology e.g. diegetic rock music.
- Write more about narrative e.g. the police images above graffiti connotes good v evil (cops v criminals) narrative that viewers want to be entertained by in a crime drama.
- Link characters back to audience appeal e.g. something like...this represents viewers in the UK in the 2010s as we are a multicultural society that believes in gender and sexual equality and audiences want to see this reflected in programs they watch.
Sound question: 4/5 some great points. TARGET:
ReplyDelete- Do a concluding sentence that links clearly back to the question e.g. In conclusion, the ambient sound connotes the setting and genre to attract the audience while the non-diegtic voice over and diegetic dialogue progress the narrative by introducing enigmas that fit the genre and the audiences' desire to be entertained through drama.