The evaluation of 4 crime dramas opening titles and looking at the conventions and music and other information of the dramas opening titles.

1. Andrew Goldman
Crime Drama Opening Credits
Name of Show
Conventions
Music
The Professionals
(1977 – 1983)
Police or secret service, actors are introduced,
character names, the crew (Creator, Producer
etc.)
Setting – Office building, industrial scenes
Location – London
Police training, car smash through window,
boxing training, running
The Professionals
Theme Tune
Tense and fast paced,
very catchy and
adventurist like.
70’s club
Other Information –
Relationships? Style?
UK or USA?
Older guy is the leader
Two younger enforcers
Shows title tells the audience immediately
the tone of the show and how the characters
are like, in this case they are professionals.
UK – Grey and Misty establishes the feel of
the show. The show will try to be realistic.
Predominant feature of males, therefore a
more male audience attraction.
Surviving in a man’s world
USA – Set in New York
Blond Cop – stop at shop window, distracted
Brunette Cop – attentive, is married
Both good friends
A ground breaking show, it showed women
in leading roles, it was hugely popular
Cagney And Lacey
(1981-1988)
Police WOMEN introduced, actors are
introduced, Setting - New York, the crew
(producers, writer creator etc.)
Guns pointing, running, shouting commands,
police precinct (Police Station) No uniform so
undercover, trusted, wear a badge on jeans
Catchy, fun, not too
serious, quitefilmic
The Bill
(1984-2010)
Police car and siren, uniform, arrest,
undercover, older cops in charge, police station
–jail, control room. Action shots, getting out of a
car, showing bad guys, realistic,
Paperwork
Repetitive theme tune,
bad guy after bad guy,
plodding police work is
relentless, same
rhythm throughout
Trying to show a realistic portrayal of life as
a policeman. Action and paperwork!
Set in UK – England – London
Teamwork – there are no stars, it is not
about individual police
NYC 22
(2012 - Present)
Characters introduced in a modernised graffiti
like way on the side of buildings, they are part
of the city, guardians, Setting – New York City.
The 22 is the police station number, the urban
more rough part of city. Stereotypical, classic
conventions eg police car, sirens are not in the
opening titles.
Hip-Hop, Rap
Where’s the love for
the city?
Hard life sound
The city is most important, USA – New York
Celebrates diversity – each police officer
represents the different cultures in NYC

2. Andrew Goldman