This document provides an analysis of the TV series Durham County. It summarizes that the series follows detective Mike as he hunts a mysterious serial killer. It then analyzes various shots and stylistic elements from the opening title sequence that set a dark, mysterious, and cynical tone through the use of low-key lighting, red/black/white colors, and leafless trees.

1. ANALYSIS: DURHAM
COUNTY
By Arc

2. ABOUT THE SHOW
• Durham county is a tv series that first aired
in 2007. It was created by Adrienne Mitchell,
Janis Lundman and Laurie Finstadhink. It
follows the story of Mike. Mike has a family
and is a detective trying to hunt a mysterious
serial killer.

4. ANALYSIS
• The first shot e can see is a zoom shot, this sets the tone
of the of the film, this brings the audience in as they are
following the movement of the camera. This subverts
usual title sequences as there are usually establishing
shots, this can confuse the audience, examples like the
invitation doesn't use an establishing shot too. We are
welcomed to leafless trees suggesting a cynical
atmosphere because these trees don’t seem to have life.
Lots of lowkey lighting is used to compliment this
mysterious and cynical atmosphere impacting the
emotions of the viewers straight away on the first shot.

6. ANALYSIS
• A low angle shot is used, this shot disagrees with the childish
figure as it makes a doll look very dominant and intimidating
because of how powerful it looks due to the low angle shot. This
can make the viewer feel uncomfortable as dolls usually agree
to horror conventions. Red, black and white are the main
colours in this shot. This concurs to horror conventions. Another
film which uses these colours are Insidious. These colours set a
dark and desolate tone tone. Also the colour red connotes
danger, violence and blood, this complies with the atmosphere
this film has so far. This can be complimented through the dolls
reaction, the simplicity of the dolls face heightens tensions
because it seems unpredictable creating a chilling mystery.

8. ANALYSIS
• An establishing shot is now used. This
juxtaposition of conventions of an opening
shot can represent the tv series itself. It can
connote unpredictable and shocking events.
The use of smoke is effective as it adds to the
cynical and the mysterious, this can be a
distraction of from the background again
juxtaposing ideas about establishing shots
because we are meant to see a clear

10. ANALYSIS
• We are introduced to this shot using a close
up shot. The fact that we can make out who it
is creates bewilderment toward the audience.
This is because the lack of characteristics we
can see can show him to be a man with no
emotion. This is complimented because the
focus is on him and the background is blurred
which amplifies the intensity.

12. ANALYSIS
• The close up shot used can emphasise the
blood leaking out the basket. This shot
incorporate romance from the picnic basket
and the violence from the blood. This can
puzzle the audience because they are
confronted with two different images which
can connote one thing. Death and violence.

14. ANALYSIS
• we can see that the shot has been de-saturated from
it’s colour. Hair is associated to evidence from a crime
scene. This can imply a sense of reality because we
can see the blonde hair and we can make it out
clearly. This allows the viewer to further build an
image because they can base it around this shot. The
plain colours round this gives the letters a simplistic
feel again complimenting this version of “real life”

16. ANALYSIS
• A medium shot is used. We can assume that
this is the man who had his back to us. We
now see half his face a few shots later on.
This can represent the story of the man. It
could be that throughout the series this man
can express more of his feelings to us like he
shows more of his face. This can excite the
audience and subconsciously make them
want to watch more to see how the character

18. ANALYSIS
• a panning shot is used. These lifeless dolls
can foreshadow what crimes happen in the
tv drama. This can intimidate the audience
because they know that this can happen into
a real life bigger scale. The blood, again,
amplifies the cynical atmosphere and
connotes crime and justice.

20. ANALYSIS
• A long shot is used. The light beaming from
the centre of the shot can represent a sense
of justice even though there are crimes
happening. This can make the audience feel
relieved. We can also see a juxtaposition
where the man dances with a doll, therefore
this “justice” may not conform to its received
idea of a happy ending.

22. ANALYSIS
• The final shot shows the title “Durham county”. As
it has a grow effect. It can represent that the story
and plot of this tv drama can escalate. We can also
see a red symbol. This connotes abnormality as
well as subtleness. This can then tell the audience
to observe even the smallest of details because
they can play a big role to the story. This is shown
through the red colouring which symbolises
danger. It is complimented by leafless trees
referring back to the opening shot representing the