TV Theory 9: Crime Drama

Here are notes created during our Ninth TV Theory Session on Crime Drama:

Objectives:
-Analysis of the crime drama genre.
-Codes and conventions of crime drama genre.
-Some possible critical approaches.

The Bill (1983-2010)
-Set in fictional London police station.
-Longest running UK crime drama.
-Originally 12x20mins episodes.
-From 1988-2005, became year-round twice-weekly serial.
-Peak audiences of 11m viewers in 2005 rivalled Coronation Street.

Genre elements to watch for:
Mise en scene:
-real locations or studio?
-authenticity (sets, props, etc.)?

Camera and Sound:
-single or multi-camera?
-visual style?

Narrative and genre conventions:
-realistic characters or stereotypes?
-acting naturalistic or exaggerated.

What is the crime genre?
-Evolved from literary detective fiction.
-In TV often police procedural sub-genre- 'realistic' investigation of a crime by law enforcement teams.
-'Whodunnit' (enigma to be solved)

Crime Drama-Technical conventions:
-editing: chase scenes, montage, flashbacks.
-single camera.
-camera movement- either handheld mockumentary style or Steadicam, dollies, cranes.

Visual devices:
-ECUs for tension or reveal.
-Titled, low and high angles.
-Slow-motion.
-CGI recreation (CSI)
-Graphical text (Sherlock)

Crime genre narrative conventions:
-Episodic series format- typically 60minutes. Usually self-contained closed narratives.
-Repetition- relies on returning central cast (team) and location (police station). Conflicts in policing methods often intrinsic to the drama.

Crime genre- Symbolic conventions:
Lighting- low key.
Many crime dramas use light-dark contrasts in costume, setting and lighting (e.g., use of flashlights)
Authenticity- props, costumes, settings.