Cuffs - Exam Question Practice 2 - Sound

How has sound been used to create meaning?

In the beginning a long non-diegetic beat is played signifying that the show will be exciting and new however it is then interrupted by a diegetic ambient sound of a radio and siren showing that the show will be a police crime drama. Over this plays diegetic speech informing the public that the police are an important part of the community that will protect and serve the public whilst being respectful, to contrast this an officer (PC Ryan Draper) is on a beach where a dispute is happening and then the victim says "Seriously! What is the point of you?" showing that the characters in this may be flawed and have to deal with several different issues.

Cuffs - Exam Question Practice 1 - Opening Scene Analysis

What do the opening scene and credits suggest/tell us about the genre, narrative and characters? What would the audience expect from this series?

The opening scene depicts a variety of graffiti being sprayed onto walls and in alleyways, something that is a petty crime and is most common among younger generations, showing that this crime drama wants to appeal to younger people, this breaks most common conventions established by crime dramas as they are most commonly depicted as being serious and aimed at elders. The opening also has very bright colours along with the font colour being yellow, yellow being linked to happiness which juxtaposes the concept that Cuffs will be about murders and deaths but is being opened with something about happiness. This could be due to the setting being Brighton, a wonderful holiday location, which is commonly referred to as the 'gay' capital of the England hinting to the appearance of gay characters.

Crime Drama Conventions

Conventions of Crime Dramas:

• Murders, suicides, robberies and mainly any theme that is involved in the narrative arc that falls under good vs evil.
• Characters tend to be strong and powerful, or veterans in their field. 
• Locations include the police station, crime scenes and other places that may be key to the plot e.g. a large warehouse if set in a city or a farm if set in the countryside.
• Any now who watches a crime drama