How did Roots and The Cosby Show challenge previous sterotypical representations of black people in TV dramas?
'Roots' (1984-92) was the first time (on US television) that the realities of slavery was brought to the screens. The audience were able to identify the protagonists of the show, through struggles such as violence/brutality and rape.
'The Cosby Show' (1984-92) featured a 'functional black family quietly confident in being black.' It was met with some scorn/criticism. Some critics claimed it fed the mirage that racial injustice could be overcome through individual economic advance. However, some recognised the show could be used to introduce further black television shows and to open the door for many black media artists.
It could be described as 'assimilationist' - The process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture. Social equity was not a raised issue in the show.
However, for the frst time, it showed how African Americans shared many values common across the United States.
What does the article say about the representation of black policemen in programmes such as Miami Vice and Hawaii Five-O?
Hawaii Five-O, and Miami Vice and NYPD Blue. The first was definitely still within the Tonto tradition insofar as the ethnic minority cops were concerned ("Yes boss" seemed to be the limit of their vocabulary). Miami Vice's tri-ethnic leads were less anchored in that tradition, although Edward James Olmos as the police captain often approximated Captain Dobey in Starsky and Hutch, apparently only nominally in charge.
A central issue, however, raised once more the question of "modern" racism. A repetitive feature of the show was the skill of the police detectives in pressuring people they considered guilty to sign confessions and not to avail themselves of their legal rights.
Within the paradigm of "modern" racism, co-opting ethnic minority individuals into police work made a great deal of sense (the security industry was living proof). Any TV reference was extremely rare to the fierce racial tensions often seething between police officers. How much had changed?
This clip is taken from 'Dexter' which is TV drama with an ambiguous sub-genre.
Although it cannot be neatly compartmentalised into a specific genre, it has been described as a 'Police Drama' as police investigation is a main theme of the show.
However, the show focuses on the life of protagonist 'Dexter' who is a serial killer that the police in the show do not know the identity of.
Looking at the credits without sound, it is clear to see that the images have clear connotations of 'death' subtly contrasted with a normal life routine, which is what 'Dexter' is all about. For example, the credits start with Dexter swatting a mosquito on his arm, which could be a normal every day action, but given the genre of the show, has a more macabre feeling to it. This a constant theme throughout the credits (and is reflected in the show.) Normal actions such as shaving or throwing away the skin of an orange, are shown with a gruesome twist.
No narrative is suggested, however, it is clear that the show will be revolving around one character.
(With soundtrack)
The music used is quite simple and jaunty, and completely contrasts with the gruesome images being presented to an audience. Strings and bells are used and this is significant as the show is set in Miami. The culture of Miami is often shown on the show and the music used collaborates with this.
In a way, the soundtrack DOES contribute to the genre. As said before, the genre is very ambiguous, and so is the protagonist Dexter (he plays a detective, but is really a killer.) In the same way, the cheerful music accompanied by the blood shown in the credits is used to make the audience curious.
The colour scheme has also been chosen to set a certain tone. Dark and bright reds, orange and browns are used. These all have connotations of danger, death and blood. This is also shown when Dexter puts on his t-shirt.
Here, he is wearing white (ironic as white has connotations of life and purity.) However, this has been done for a specific purpose. The white shirt over his face symbolises a white sheet over a body at a morgue, and again, has connotations of death.
As a member of the audience, we never see his face until the very end. The camera carefully edits the shots to make sure of this. When Dexter looks in the mirror, an Over-the-Shoulder shot is used, and Dexter's reflection is blurred so that we do not see his identity (which again, reflects the theme of the show.)
This then puts the audience in the position of unsurity and is used to make the audience curious.
Camera Angles/Shots/Editing
- Most of the camera shots used are close-ups. This is used so that Dexter's face is never really shown, but also to make the audience feel uncomfortable, even though all they are seeing is a 'normal' morning routine.
- The camera sometimes 'jump cuts' between different actions. For example, at 0:36 there is just one drop of blood in the sink, but by 0:38 there are suddenly many more. These jump cuts show the passing of time but also speed up the opening titles to keep the audience interested.
- In addition to this 'fade' and blurring an object is also used to show the passing of time. E.g. At 1:20 the focus is taken off the orange the image is blurred.
- At 1:29 the screen flashes bright white and then moves straight to a different scene.
- The camera focuses on different things. Here, it's the spray coming from the orange and into the air.
- When the morning routine is 'finished' a medium close-up is used to show his identity finally.
Another close-up is used. The lock subtly reads 'Dexter.'
Here, a medium long shot is used. This shows him strolling nochalantly, even though the credits have hinted at something not so innocent going on. Again, he's wearing white and this may leave the audience feeling uncertain about whether he is a 'good' or 'bad' character. (This is also a theme that runs through the show, as he is a 'likeable' killer and in the opening titles, has also been portrayed this way.)
The tone of the drama is quite confused; dark contrasted with light. I also think the audience are left to choose what to think rather than being told.
This clip is taken from TV drama 'Primeval' Series 4.
It's subgenre is 'Sci-fi' and it is about a group of people from different backgrounds, who travel through time dimensions to save humankind from prehistoric creatures.
When I watched these opening titles in silence, I felt that the producers still managed to get across the general theme of the show.
These titles show short clips of different animals (mostly prehistoric, e.g. a mammoth) and so the audience gets the idea that the show will have something to do with prehistoric times. However, some short clips show creatures that do not exist, e.g. at 0:17 and this implies the Science-Fiction genre of the show.
Techniques used in this opening title are...
- A song/tune
- Stylistic camera editing
- Graphics
- Camera shots/angles
Use of song/sound
No voice over.
The music is used is quite fast-paced, which would allow the audience to expect a dramatic and action-packed TV show (which is one of the aims of the producers.) The plots are often highly action-packed, as the main characters travel through time, battle creatures and go on many adventures. In this way, the music used symbolises the action that is to come later on.
If you listen closely, each animal that is shown has their own own distinctive 'noise' such as a roar or growl. Not only does this set the theme, but it adds to the authenticity of the programme.
Stylistic Camera Editing The use of camera in these titles are really interesting. Each of the mini videos are flown in on an 'anomaly.' (The anomalies are the fast flying objects that resemble shards of glass and are present throughout the entire title.) The 'anomaly' is an important feature to the show. Primeval is considered to be a Doctor Who spin-off, and in this respect, the anomalies are what the Tardis is to Doctor Who. It allows the characters to travel through time. A regular viewer of this show would understand this, and therefore the anomalies would become iconic symbol and would identify with them. The different clips are flown in and out through these 'anomalies' very quickly, and this accompanid by the fast-paced music adds to the action of the titles. Also, at the very end, there is a clever use of camera to make it look as if the word 'Primeval' has shattered, and this opens up into the first scene, (left) as opposed to a simple 'fade-out' or cutting straight to the first scene.
Graphics The names of the actors and actresses are in white, bold and all in capital letters to make them stand out. They fly in with the 'anomaly' and then are faded out soon after. The word 'PRIMEVAL' at the end is also in capital letters, but is shown on the screen as bright red. This red can be used to capture the audience's attention, also it could be used to symbolise danger and adventure. The word is also made by fragments of the 'anomaly' which obviously ties in with the whole theme of the TV drama.
Camera Shots/Angles
The shots of the animals are often close up or even extreme close-ups.
On the left, an extreme close-up of an animal roaring is shown. This is used for maximised effect; it makes the creature seem a lot more scary and adds to the excitement in the credits.
However, these aren't the only angles the camera uses on the animals. On the dinosaur, the camera shows the full length of the animal, to show it's size, and at 0:33 seconds, the camera is placed underneath the mammoth. This is a Low Angle Shot and gives the impression of an audience member being below the creature, and about to be trampled by it. (Below) Again, this all adds to the tension and excitement that needs to be portrayed with this specific sub-genre.
Lastly, only the names of the actresses/actors are used in the opening credits, not the names of the characters. The names are also shown randomly (i.e. not accompanied by a picture of their character.) This is very different to the Primeval series 2 Opening Titles. This is because by the fourth series, regular viewers are now familiar with the characters, their names, and the actors that play them, so there is no need to show this before the show starts. The music, the use of animal sounds, and the swift way in which the anomaly flies in an out, sets of a tone of excitement and adventure, as well as a little 'taster' of what is to come.
