Cuffs - Analysis

We're going to watch Cuffs and try to identify some of the techniques used in the making of the programme.

Make notes on the use of the following:

• Continuity editing
• Shot reverse shot
• Cross cutting
• Fast pace editing
• Establishing shot
• Point of view shot
• Aerial shot
• Hand held camera
• Steadicam
• Tracking shot
• Diegetic sound
• Non-diegetic sound

Moving Image Glossary

Moving Image Glossary from MissCTurner

TV Crime Drama - Media Representations

Media representations: how the media portray events, issues, individuals and social groups.

With reference to episode 1 of Cuffs you need to make notes on all the following:

• Events that take place in the episode (what are they?)
• Issues that the episode deals with (first decide what they are)
• How individuals are represented (first identify what individuals are represented)
• How social groups are represented (again, first identify what social groups the episode identifies)

You'll also be thinking about the following at some point soon:

1. Social Context – how media products reflect the society in which they are produced and that of their target audience.
2. Cultural Context – how media products reflect the arts and culture, including popular culture, of their time.
3. Historical Context – how media products reflect historical events and social changes.
4. Political Context – how media products reflect political viewpoints, messages, values and beliefs.

TV Crime Drama Conventions

The following are things that are normally seen (conventions) in TV crime drama:

• Car chase
• Villains
• Police jargon
• Rookie cop
• Experienced tougher cop
• Dramatic music
• Detectives
• Violence/ fighting
• Tension between characters and in scenes (both between cops and in knife fight)
• Teamwork
• Hierarchy - the bosses and the other ranks
• Victim
• Mystery - e.g.: who was the man at the end of the episode

Referring to episode 1 of Cuffs add examples to each convention.