Textual research: Broadchurch

I watched the first episode of the ITV series 'Broadchurch' from 2013 starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman. The show focuses on the investigation into the murder of an 11 year old boy in a small town. I thought that the pilot was excellent, and my top choice for my programme would currently be a procedural crime drama similar to Broadchurch. The show uses a large variety of shot types, angles, etc. which the exam board are looking for, so I could use a similar style within my piece. There are also lots of characters and locations with cross-cutting, so doing something similar would allow me to have at least 3 characters (of different classes) and to include at least two different locations. 

I think that the show appeals to the 18-35 year old bracket, although the core audience is perhaps slightly older. I would have to adapt this, possibly by including more 18-35 year old characters or having a crime which revolves around a relevant issue to that age range. In terms of scenes in the show which would act as turning points, the scene when Jodie Whittaker's character sees her son's dead body on the beach seems like the kind of thing which would fit the brief.

 
The programme uses lots of natural lighting and a fairly neutral colour palette, reflecting the show's serious subject matter and realistic style. In the scene where David Tennant and Olivia Colman see the body for the first time, lots of handheld camera and close ups are used to create an uncomfortable atmosphere. Harsh, high-key front lighting is also used to create a serious tone. Quick cutting and breaking of the 180 degree rule are used to create a sense of pace and unrest which matches the emotional states which the characters are going through. We only see the body in long shots, making it unclear at first that it is a child's body, and meaning that it could be approved by any censors. Dramatic non-diegetic music is used to add to the tension and tragedy of the scene. David Tennant, Olivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker all give very emotional performances which add to the emotion of the scene. Slow motion shots are used several times when showing Jodie Whittaker's character to give the feeling that time has stopped for her and to create a surreal mood.