1 Analyse how camerawork is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer. (5 marks)
Firstly, a reaction shot is used when Jo is speaking with the father. As Jo asks the father if she can speak with his son, he refuses. Jo then leaves the room to speak with the duty solicitor, and the father begins to look distressed. This creates meaning as the audience can infer that the father knows something that the others in the room do not, and that the son may reveal the truth if he is spoken to. A reaction shot is very effective as it demonstrates to the audience a particular reaction that a person has to a situation.
Secondly, an arc-pan shot is used in the extract when Jake is attempting to arrest the woman. The criminal begins to take off her clothing, in order to make it look like Jake is trying to abuse her. The arc-pan shot is used here and it creates meaning because it shows how the people around are reacting to the scene, including Jake himself. This particular shot allows the audience to see what effect the situation has on those around it.
2. Analyse how far the extract creates a humorous view of policing (10 marks)
The extract creates a humorous view of policing to an extent. On the one hand, it creates a humorous view as it shows the different types of situations the police deal with. For example, in the extract, a policeman stops his car in order to furiously demand that a group of school children to go back to school. When the policeman gets back into his car, his radio alerts him to the fact that there has been a robbery and there is a police chase happening, he calmly replies that he is responding to the case. This can be seen as humorous as it shows he audience that the policeman handled the first situation so angrily, and yet he was very tranquil as he found out that he needed to help arrest a criminal. Most would argue that a robbery is more serious than a group of pupils skipping school, and yet the policeman's reaction did not demonstrate this.
On the other hand, the extract does not create a humorous view of policing; it creates quite a sad view instead. This is shown when Jake attempts to arrest the woman and she makes big scene out of it. The arc-pan shot shows people looking shocked; there is one woman watching who in particular catches the audience's attention. This woman goes up to Jake and claims that he sexually-harassed the criminal, when the audience know that this did not actually happen. This woman then has the audacity to spit on Jake; this creates quite a sad view of policing as it shows that many people in the police force have to deal with disrespect regularly, even if they are in the right.
In conclusion, I don't think that the extract creates an entirely humorous view of policing. There are some minor aspects of humour, but I think that it creates quite a sad view of policing. Not only is Jake disrespected and humiliated in front of the general public, but also Jo is deprived of an 'interview' that could really help her to understand a certain case. The father of the little boy that Jo wants to speak to continually refuses, and the duty solicitor tells Jo that it is the fathers "right" to refuse this interview. It is quite frustrating to the audience, as we are interested in this case too and yet it is uncertain whether or not we will find out what happened. Therefore, I believe that the extract has an aspect of humour, but it mainly creates a sad view of policing.
