The summer project is a vital element of your coursework - an opportunity to plan an outstanding crime drama video/print project and then present it to class in September.
Your summer project contains compulsory and optional elements; everybody will be researching music videos and promos, creating a concept, writing a first draft Statement of Intent and presenting this to class as an Ignite presentation in September. However, you may wish to also plan and film elements of your production over the summer while you have time and actors available - this is up to you.
Summer project tasks
Complete the following tasks on a blogpost on your coursework blog called 'Summer Project: coursework planning':
1) Research: TV crime drama extract analysis
You need to write a close-textual analysis of six TV crime drama extracts. For each extract, focus on a different aspect of media language, and embed each one on your blog:
TV crime drama extract 1: Narrative and genre
How is the narrative and the crime drama genre communicated to the audience?
TV crime drama extract 2: Mise-en-scene
What do you notice about the use of mise-en-scene to create meanings for the audience? Think CLAMPS.
TV crime drama extract 3: Camerawork
Here you are looking for particular camera shots and movement. E.g. Are close-ups used to show the reaction of key characters to the audience? How are establishing shots used?
TV crime drama extract 4: Editing
Analyse pace, transitions, number of shots and juxtaposition e.g. eyeline matches. How is editing used to create meanings for the audience?
Analyse both diegetic and non-diegetic sound in the extract - music, dialogue, voiceover, SFX, background or foley sound.
The Boys tells an alternative tale of the superhero life. One that is not the usual triumphant tale. Vought International corporation monetizes its superhero brand and manipulates the public into believing that they are savours, in particular with the collective group known as ‘The Seven. ’As the opening scene progresses, the sound of the superhero battles becomes more and more intense. Viewers hear loud, booming footsteps coming from A-Train as he races to to the bank, which can create a sense of impending danger and urgency. As well as this, A-Train's super-speed is showcased through the sound as he runs. The sound he makes as he runs emphasises his incredible velocity. The woosh sound that follows reinforces the fact that this is a superhero show but also that superheroes in this world have superhuman abilities. Explosions and debris contribute to the chaotic soundscape as these sound effects immerse the audience in the destructive nature of the battle. The screams of the frightened bank customers and the general panic create a contrast between their heroic facade and the terror they instill in people, even when they are saving them. The juxtaposition of the upbeat song along side the chaos creates a sense of dark humour and it highlights it's unique tone compared to other shows in the same genre.
TV crime drama
Your three-minute extract
Complete this TV crime drama extract pitch template to plan these elements (you can copy the questions into your blog or complete on your own Google Doc and link from your blog) to demonstrate you have planned your video production.
A Level Media NEA – Brief 1: TV drama extract and TV listings magazine
TV crime drama concept
Our coursework brief requires us to create our own TV drama extract and TV listings magazine for an original crime drama. Plan the following for your video production:
Your new TV drama
Crime drama title: Shadowed Intentions
Tagline: Where intentions are made hidden, find the truth from within the shadows.
Streaming platform (note brief – streaming service, 12+ audience): It will be available on Netflix where older youth and adult viewers will have easy access to view it.
Logline – one sentence that sums up the whole TV drama series and hooks people in (25 words or fewer): "Secrets breed shadows, and in 'Shadowed Intentions,' every choice has a price as characters navigate a world where trust is currency."
Other successful TV dramas that are similar to yours: "True Detective" offer complex investigations with deep character exploration in the same manner that "Shadowed Intentions" does, "Mindhunter",
Narrative arc – what happens in the overall series: The series opens by introducing viewers to the world of "Shadowed Intentions", which includes the city's dark setting as well as it's underbelly of crime. A high-profile crime takes place, which causes the main plot to be set in motion as the protagonist takes interest. This leads to the protagonist and his team to delve into the investigation and uncover the web of corruption and deceit within the city.
Main protagonist – their motivation, conflicts etc.: Detective John Pierce's motivation mainly comes from his strong sense of justice. He has committed to catching criminals any means necessary and this is used as his driving force throughout the entire series.
Other characters, their narrative role and their audience appeal:
Detective Sarah Mitchell: Sarah Mitchell serves as Detective John Pierce's partner and trusted confidante. She provides him with support and assistance during investigations, but has a contrasting perspective on Pierce's unconventional methods. She is able to appeal to audiences as she is a one of the strong, competent female characters within the "Intelligence and Investigations Division" (IID). As well as this, her dynamic with Pierce adds a sense of togetherness and teamwork to the series.
Captain Robert Lawson: Robert Lawson serves as Pierce's superior officer who clashes with him due to his unconventional methods. He represents the bureaucratic side of the IID as he focuses on protocol and procedure, a stark contrast to Pierce's methods. He adds tension by presents problems for Pierce, which allows Lawson to appeal to viewers who appreciate the conflict between a dedicated detective and his by-the-book superior.
The Baron (will opt for better names): The Baron is the main antagonist of "Shadowed Intentions", they portray a cunning and elusive criminal mastermind responsible for the main crimes presented within the series. Their identity is consistently shrouded in mystery as they play a game of cat-and-mouse with Detective Pierce. The Baron's character adds intrigue and suspense to the series as the audience is drawn into the challenge of uncovering their identity and motives.
Forensic Analyst, Dr. Victoria Wells: Dr. Victoria Wells is the forensic expert who assists the detectives with evidence analysis. She provides crucial insights that help the IID solve cases. Dr. Wells' character is able to appeal to viewers interested in the forensic and scientific aspects of crime solving. She also adds a sense of authenticity in the investigative process.
Informant Lucas "Lucky" Malone Lucas Malone is an informant with connections to the criminal underworld. He provides intel and tips to the detectives within the IID, making him an invaluable asset to them. For his own safety, he goes under the name "Lucky" in order to keep his identity safe. Carlos's presence as a sense or danger and intrigue to the series as the detectives rely on his information, arguably a little too much.
Target audience for your TV crime drama (note brief – 12+, older youth and adult viewers): age, gender, social class, psychographic groups etc. Although "Shadowed Intentions" has a maturity rating of 12, the themes used withink the crime drama as well as the suspenseful and intense scenes make it an interesting watch for older youth and adult viewers, particularly within the age range of 15-40 years but not limited to that age range. The social class may be middle to upper middle class and the psychographics that may watch this are strugglers, resigned and explorers.
Your extract
When would your extract appear in the drama (e.g. season 1 opening scene, cliffhanger scene at end of season finale etc.): a flashback scene mid-season 1.
Setting (note brief – at least two locations): An office/police precinct switching to the inside of a club. (subject to change depending on availability of locations and possible idea changes.)
What will happen in your extract (note brief – identifiable narrative features, crime genre codes and conventions etc.): In this extract, Detective Pierce will be sitting at his office drinking, and the scene will then switch to a flashback of Pierce speaking to one of Lucky's contacts.
3) Statement of Intent
Write the first draft for your genuine 500-word Statement of Intent. This will be submitted to the exam board alongside your media products and is worth 10 marks of the overall 60 marks available.
The original AQA brief is here: NEA Student Booklet 2024 submission - brief 1.
Prepare a 5-minute, 20-slide presentation using the Ignite format in which you present your coursework project. In effect, this is your statement of intent in presentation format. You must cover:
- Your TV crime drama concept: title, tagline, narrative, characters etc.
- Media language: how you will use conventions, camerawork, editing, mise-en-scene and sound to create an effective TV crime drama extract.
- Media representations: how you will use or subvert stereotypes; representation theory.
- Media audiences: your target audience demographics and psychographics; audience pleasures; audience theory.
- Media industries and digital convergence: the potential companies or organisations that could produce or stream your TV drama; how your extract will encourage audiences to discuss your new TV drama on social media.
Your Ignite presentation will be marked out of 30 on the following criteria (each worth a possible 5 marks):
1) Research (through the presentation AND your blog)
2) Coursework concept
3) Language: terminology and theory
4) Representations / social and cultural contexts
5) Audience and Industry / digital convergence
6) Presentation delivery
You can find more information about Ignite presentations - including examples - in this Ignite presentation blogpost here.
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