Unit 14 M1 - Analyse the structure and content of a programme

The name of the program is Falco, which is a crime radio show, based on a roman detective who solves new crimes. It is scheduled on weekdays. Each episode covers different parts of the narrative, in which they would pick up from where it left off from the previous episode. lasts for 30 minutes. It airs at 1AM as part of the midnight slot. The audience would be people who are 30 and above, which would be based on how the representatives are adults. This would appeal to men due to how the main character is a male. This would be for people who have an interest in crime drama and have an interest in investigating.

In terms of the overall structure of the program, it would begin with background music playing while a voiceover is heard saying the name of the episode, along with mentioning the name of the actor, Anton Lesser, who plays the main character. The main character is heard in a voiceover narrating what had happened, in which this case, his apartment block had collapsed, which was a way to continue from the previous episode. The episode would end with new development in the continuous case. There would be sometimes in the narrative when the main character would describe any new or anything that could be significant. For example, at 12:37, he narrates how he wanted to get Pollia and that he knew someone that could come to his aid. The program ends with background music that continues from the one used at the beginning to let the audience know that the program has ended. Also, a voiceover is used at the end of the program saying the name of the episode and listing the cast and the characters that they play, starting with Anton Lesser who portrays Falco.

The purpose of this show is to entertain. This would be presented at 2:20 when Falco questions the other detective’s involvement in the demolition, in which he responds in a nervous matter. This would entertain the audience, as they would find it hilarious how the other man sounds shaky. Another example would be at 13:00 when the detective questions Thalia about her deceased employer, Fronto, being aware that his wife had a lover. This would entertain the audience as they would be following the case and would be intrigued by any information that would lead to the truth about the death of Novus.

1	Music of the show playing with a voiceover stating the name of the show along with the name of the main character
2	Voiceover of the main character Falco addresses the audience about the current events to let the audience know what part of the narrative they are at
3	The narrative begins with the other characters' dialogue in a way to respond to what had occurred in the previous episode.
4	Falco would narrate as a way to remind the audience of the current situation to ensure that they are able to follow the narrative easier
5	The show would resume to the characters speaking again to continue the plot
6	The same music that was used at the beginning of the intro would be played to conclude the program along with the names of the cast ad what characters they portray

 

There is meaning that is created during the program. One of them would be a form of suspense that is formed within the show. This would be through the use of the voiceover at the beginning of the show at 00:30, where the main character is telling the audience what is currently happening. This creates meaning as the idea of the conflict already occurred would interest the audience as to how it transpired. There is meaning created through the use of sound effects to convey a particular event occurring, such as the sound of bricks collapsing and being moved At 01:05 after demolition had occurred. This would be a way for the audience to picture the events that are occurring in their mind, making it easier for them to understand what is happening and why. Also, meanings are formed through the dialogue within the characters. There are particular moments where there is a form of suspense created, particularly when Falco questions the detective, with the idea that he may have had some involvement in the recent events. Suspense is also created near the end of the program when Falco confronts Severina Zotica about what she had done to Novus, giving the answer to the main investigation of the series of what had happened to him. However, he is unable to prove her involvement in his death, leaving him in a susceptible position, along with Zotica taunting him about If Helena will return back to him. This creates suspense as the main detective cannot prove that Zotica is guilty, which would make the audience wonder what he would do as he has been conveyed as a detective who would stop at nothing to make sure that the right people are held accountable for their actions.

In terms of the mode of address, the main character narrates any particular things happening through a voiceover, making use of a distraught tone, which would convey the set emotion to the audience. This would be at 00:29, where Falco tells the audience what had just happened. This would be the way the character addresses the audience to let them know of any new development within the case, making it easier for the audience to follow the narrative. The tone that the main character uses changes throughout the program at particular times.

Peter Leslie Wild directs the program at BBC Birmingham. It was written by Lindsey Davis. Anton Lesser portrays the main character Marcus Didius Falco. Mary Cutler dramatizes it.  There are other characters in the show, such as Ann Madeley, who portrays Helena Justina, Ben Crowe as Petronius, Kim Wall as Appius Priscillus, Tracy Wiles as Severina Zotica, and Julius Hill as Pollia.