Crime drama KEY TEXT 1 : LIFE ON MARS ep 1

Analyse how Life on Mars ( episode 1)  uses the  technical codes and the all of the key terms listed below  to position audiences and create audience pleasure and responses , using specific examples from the episode .

Make sure you especially focus on areas such as  generic codes ( crime and scifi) , iconography
 ( props,costume and settings) ,  cultural/historical and genre contexts  such as police methods, historical events etc, characters such as the investigator and sidekick, the audience surrogate and point of identification , issues of representation of  ethnicity  and gender  , enigma codes and restricted/unrestricted narratives.  


Look closely at the mise-en-scene and narrative of key scenes.

The text book contains all of the key terms, particularly on narrative ( P139-142 ).

This should be a thorough analysis about the same length as an exam question (  1000 words + )

Crime Drama : Luther opening

EPISODE 1 OPENING


Analyse the technical codes and narrative of the pre-credit sequence , the credit sequence and the opening few minutes of  Series 1, Episode 1 of Luther.  What do these sequences tell the audience about the following ?

The main character ( the investigator ). Personality, unique qualities , personal life, previous history, relationship to colleagues , attitude towards crime and criminals, working methods. 

Other stock characters ( sidekick, boss, romantic interest etc.) 

Representation of ethnicity, gender, age etc.  Any stereotypical behaviours ? Is the ethnicity or gender specifically highlighted as important elements of any of the characters  ?