AS Media Textual Analysis of ‘The Bill’ (ITV1)

Camera Shot, Angle, Movement and Position · Interior camera shots using handheld/steadicam cameras to give realist effect · Medium Close-ups of police officers in car, showing facial expressions and relationship · Long shot of car giving chase · Close up of bike · Long shot of bike on fire, as other police cars/officers arrive, giving the audience a sense of space · Medium long shot of police officer (Tony) through the flames, adding drama · Medium shot and pan as the female sergeant arrives on the scene · Use of pans across the scene, showing all main characters, putting the audience in the position of eye-witness, adding realism · Medium close-up of the sergeant, showing her taking charge of the situation: “Check the CCTV” · Medium close-ups of dialogue between characters throughout · Two shot of Tony and Millie, and slight shift in focus to reaction shot on Millie: “That’s your new Sergeant” Editing· Continuity editing throughout showing seamless chase scene · Staright cuts between shots · Shots become quicker as chase gets under way giving sense of pace Mise-en-scene · Police uniform/cars denotes who are police. Also connotes law and order and shows them upholding the law and keeping the peace · Bikers are dressed in black, with black helmets. Stereotypical criminal outfit, to make them look threatening. They can’t be identified so a mystery begins to unfold · Setting is a rough part of South/South East London? The Jasmine Allen Estate – council estate with tower block etc. where crime is an obvious problem · Bike on fire – dramatic · Smoke off bike tyres, showing speed Sound· Sirens · Sound of police radio shows how police deal with the incident and helps carry the narrative · Car engines are heard revving showing how fast they are travelling Representation· The Police: Shown in a positive light. They are attempting to catch the criminals and keep the peace (though they don’t actually catch them until later). They are also shown carrying out their duties by the book and in an official way · Women: Generally represented positively, though there is a contrast between the two WPCs. The mixed race officer, from the north, is shown to be keen and brave and unfazed by the task at hand. In contrast the white female WPC is scared of Tony’s fast driving and appears to lack confidence. · The sergeant giving the orders is female, showing that women can be strong leaders and manage such a situation as well as a male sergeant. Early TV drama wouldn’t have shown a female officer in such a position. · There are several examples that could be used for further discussion here. Juliet Bravo was perhaps the first female officer in charge, to be shown in a police drama, but students could also point to the representation of the female officer in the recent ‘Ashes to Ashes’. · London: Is represented negatively as a crime ridden, dirty city. The Jasmine Allen Estate appears to beyond help and the police are fighting a losing battle. Tony, referring to the CCTV cameras: “They don’t last minute on the Jasmine Allen.”