1. Codes and Conventions
Learning Outcomes:
1. To understand the codes and conventions of the Crime Drama
2. To understand the different sub-genres
3. To develop research skills
3. Sherlock Holmes - Crime Drama
Mise-en-scene
Urban settings
(city life)
Casual to
Smart
costume codes
Cinematography
Editing
Sound
Can follow the
Normal use of
linear, chronological,
orchestral soundtrack
continuity editing rules
Narrative
Representation
Todorovian
Males Model can be adhered normally the strong
to or completely
dominant force behind
manipulated
the drive for truth
Proppian Females - the
character accompanyin
Greater use of
roles can be g support or
CU’s on objects (inserts)
Use of
Understated to create intrigue and Can create
voiceover can applied, but love interest
mystery
non-linear
non verbal
now a
for the male
help plug
temporal
communicatio
greater or the ‘femme
narrative
Use of slow
planes of
n (not over
emphasis on fatale’ or
gaps
zoom creates
action
top)
hero becoming ‘Judas’
tension and
character
The use of a the villian
anticipation
Uses
Use of dark
sequences and voiceover also
colours as
Use of Bathes
Age helps
Steadicam
set pieces
part of the
Enigma code traditionally
4. Action Drama Opening Sequences
To develop analytical skills using the key concepts of media
studies
To analyse the opening sequence of ‘Marvel Agents of
S.H.I.E.L.D.S’
5. TASK: Watch the opening sequence from ‘Marvel: Agents of Shield’
and write down the conventions you can see into the box below.
Technical
Area
Setting
Props
Costumes
Non Verbal
Communication
Lighting
Editing
Cinematogra
phy
Sound
Denotation
Connotation
6. TASK: Watch the opening sequence from ‘The Usual Suspects’ and
write down the conventions you can see into the box below.
Technical
Area
Setting
Props
Costumes
Non-Verbal
Communication
Lighting
Denotation
A normal city setting that creates the
equilibrium - all being normal with people getting on
street
with their daily lives.
The figurines Mike Peterson son looks at suggest
Figurines, cars
the comic elements of the narrative, this helps to
provide enigmatic clues about the possible plots
Mike Peterson casual attire highlights the city
Casual clothing - plaid shirt, dark colours, jeans
surrounding, that it is a typical day with people getting
and t-shirt
on with their daily routines.
This suggests the father is smiling to portray to
Mike Peterson is seen smiling whilst his son looks
his son that everything is alright. The concerned son
worried/concerned through the scrunched up eyebrows
appears to know more than his father let on.
Typical use of high-key lighting to create the
sense of being a high production US family drama, this
High-key lighting
also helps to support the comic genre element in the
show
Urban City, shops, people walking down the
Fast paced edited, slow motion of people in the
Editing
Connotation
city
SFX - explosions from the
building
Mostly CU’s on central characters
The use of different axes of action create tension and suspense as well
as enigmas. Why are we being shown these different settings?
The large explosions help to
create the tension and drama
this all fits into the genre of
action
By keeping closer to the central character we sympathise
with him and are drawn to the struggles that he faces supporting
7. Task: Write down below how the
TV Drama uses media language
overall to engage and intrigue its
audience?
