Spooks Opening Sequence

Media Audiences:


The opening sequence uses a number of enigma codes to appeal to a weekday mainstream audience. To start of with we are shown a girl skipping on the street. We no nothing else about the girl. Who she is? Where she's from? What significance she has to the programme. Moreover, We are shown a male and a female (possibly a couple) sitting outside another couples house in a car watching their house. Why are they doing this? What are they up to? What do they have against the couple? Furthermore, they're not speaking in english but a whole other language. We are given subtitles so we know what they are saying but we are left pondering upon why it is that they are not speaking in english but a foreign language. Other ways in which the opening sequence appeals to a weekday mainstream audience is the characters habits. Both characters are half dressed and presumebly late. This could reflect the mainstream audience in their day to day activities. Therefore, this wouold make them want to watch the programme and they feel that they would be able to conform with the characters. Additionally, some characters are seated in fancy sports cars and this may attract the attention of the programmes target audience. They would be interested in the veachile and would view the programme to see what its all about. Why are the characters in this car? Are they secret agents? Criminals? or jus really rich!? This would most probably be targeted at audiences of an age bracket from 14 years and older. This is due to the fact that it does not seem so explicit therefore a wider range of audiences could view the programme.





Media Institutions:


Before the opening sequence even opens we are made aware of the institution which in this case is the BBC. If the BBC is airing this show on their television network then it most probably not nonly entertains the audience but informs and educates them too. This suggests that there may be some sense of realism within the programme.



Media Forms:

The codes and conventions of a typical opening sequence are used in order to draw the audiences attention into the programme so that they are hooked after the first two or three minutes and continue to watch the programme. This particular opening sequence draws the audience in with the use of enigma codes. I have mentioned the enigma codes above in the Media Audiences section. The audience will want to continue on watching the programme as they would want to know why is it that all these things are occuring within the programme. Furthermore, the narrative plays a key role in the opening sequence as we want to know why it is that intitially the man lies to the woman. Also, the woman appears to be materalistic as she asks the man what he got her for her birhtday. He replies by saying "dont worry. I kept the receipt". This suggests she may be abit controlling and always thinks that she knows what is best. Both characters are fixing up the kitchen now. Why? Prehaps they had a late night. They are probably a young couple. Or may be they are rebelious. Moreover, why did that couple in particular ruin the lives of the other two people seated in the car (who we are yet to find out if they are a couple or not). This may be a case of good and bad.

Media Representations:

The location is represented as this quiet, suburban street which may be located in a small tranquil town.In the opening sequence, a small girl is displayed on the screen skipping on a rope by herself on the street, the character is stereotypically represented as an innocent young child, one that couldn't possibly bring any harm to an individual. The couple in the opening sequence are also represented as a young, happy couple. The female is represented as this happy-go-lucky, carefree character who is in a good relationship. The man is represented as a somewhat corporate type character but at the same time retains that stereotypical label of an 'average Joe'. This is shown as he isn't a completly organised man as he doesn't look completly formal, for example when his wife says he's wearing different socks, plus, judging by his clothes, he refuses to wear a tie and has his top button undone, thus showing us an 'average Joe' character.This young, friendly couple are contrasted with another couple, however the couples are nothing alike. This particular couple also seem to be in a relationship but a loveless relationship, this is shown when the woman tells the man that the young couple still love each other. There is also this potentionally offensive stereotype that this couple may be considered to be 'terrorists' this is because they speak in foreign language which obviously means english isn't their first language. They speak very vaguely of their past about how 'they' destroyed their world and are prepared to destory 'our' world. One can only deduce that this couple lead an entirely different life and came from a third world country.There is a clear contrast between the two couples shown here as the director has produced a reflection of reality as these couple may infact lead very similar lifestyles that people could very easily feel connected with even if one of the couples has a rather extremist ideology on society.