Spooks Opening Sequence

In this essay, I will be looking at the opening sequence of 'Spooks' and looking at the audience, institution, media forms and representation of the opening sequence. I will be looking at these below.

Media Audiences:

The opening sequence of Spooks uses a variety of techniques to appeal to a weekday mainstream audience. One of the techniques which the opening sequence is using is by using children and adults within the opening sequence. This allows the audience to be much wider as the opening sequence does not only target adults but also targets young children. Also, as the opening sequence begins with a young child skipping which shows that the audience also involves young children due to them being shown. This shows that 'Spooks' is attracting a mass audience due to having both adults and young children within the opening sequence. The opening sequence of 'Spooks' also connotes that the audience may be both male and female. This is because throughout the opening sequence both male and female are shown which means that both genders are able to watch the programme as it may relate to females and males.

Media Institutions:

The opening sequence of 'Spooks' does not tell us as much about the media institution involved in the programme. This is becuase at the beginning of the opening sequence, it briefly shows the institution which is BBC. This is shown at the beginning and allows the audience to know that this programme's institution is BBC. This allows the audience to decide if they would like to watch this programme or not as the institution is BBC. Also, as the BBC is known to educate and inform their audience, the audience will be aware that the programme will be educating the audience in some way. For example, the BBC is known to educate about crime, relationships and many more. This also allows the audience to know that this programme will be an appropriate programme to watch as it the institution is BBC which means that the programme is focusing on informing and educating the audience on certain things to ensure that the audience is being taught something.

Media Forms:

The opening sequence of 'Spooks' follows the codes and coventions of a typical opening sequence. This is shown as at the beginning of the opening sequence, a young girl is seen skipping with intense non-diegetic music being played. This allows suspense to be created within the opening sequence as in the opening sequence it is not made clear as to who this young girl is. This also creates enigma codes as the audience is left to think who is this young girl? what is she doing? why is she not involved in the rest of the opening sequence? which shows that the opening sequence is following the codes and conventions of typical opening sequences as it focuses on creating suspense in the audiences mind and create questions in their mind which they will not have an answer to until they watch the whole programme. This connotes that the opening sequence of 'Spooks' is being persuasive and allowing the audience to watch an episode to understand what is happening in the opening sequence. Another code and convention which the opening sequence is following is by introducing two characters who are always seen to be in the car which also creates suspense in the audiences mind as to what these characters are doing? who are they spying on? what is their purpose of being there? This shows that the opening sequence of 'Spooks' is following typical codes and conventions of opening sequences to allow the audience to be persuaded to watch the whole programme and find out more.

Media Representation:

The opening sequence of 'Spooks' represents the people within the trailer as careless and in to their own world. This is shown as the characters which are shown in the opening sequence seem to not know what is going on around them. For example, this is shown as the female is being spied on from outside her house and she does not have an idea of what is going on outside which connotes that females are represented as in to their own world and quite careless. However, in this opening sequence males are represented to be spies and in control as the males in the car are spying on the female and seem to be in control as they have an insight in to the females world without her knowing. This shows that males are represented in this opening sequence as controlling and taking control in females lifes without them having an idea about it. However, the other male shown in the opening sequence is shown as loving and caring as he seems to be loving around his partner and seems to be showing her love. This shows that males are represented in different ways within the opening sequence of 'Spooks'. Also, the place which is shown in the opening sequence seems to be a quiet place which shows that there is a less chance of trouble arising in the area.

How are people and places represented in this opening sequence?