Diversity is a major quality that can be both seen both in society as well as in the TV crime dramas’. In both CSI and Waking The Dead there are a range of characters, which has been done so that the drama can gain a wider target audience as there is someone in the drama that any of the audience can relate to. For example in CSI there is Warwick-a young black male. Grissom-an old white man and Catherine-a middle aged white female. The director has decided to use this range of diversity because if a viewer can relate to a character they will feel much more involved and have a bond with a character. In addition to this they feel that they become part of the investigation and can understand and empathise with them. They all appear in a medium shot up to their waist. The director has used this camera angle as it helps identify each individual characters emotions through their facial expressions in a certain situation but still shows the Mise-En-Scene of the shot. Diversity has a big impact on crime drama as it brings in all races and backgrounds together to form one unique bond between a group of people. Comparing this to Waking The Dead diversity is also clearly shown through the range of characters all with different races, ethnic backgrounds an upbringings. A similar shot has been used in Waking The Dead to show all the members are of an equal quality but are totally different in terms of race and backgrounds. Diversity is very important in society as it helps to show variation and stops others from being prejudiced and very stereotypical.
Another social value that is presented to the audience is the quality of professionalism. This is shown in CSI where Grissom is working on a piece of evidence. Greg, who is another group member, comes over to help. When Greg’s help is needed he becomes much panicked and the audience see him in a reaction shot. This shot clearly defines all of his facial expressions and his emotions to the audience. This has an effect on them as they now have an opinion of Greg and how he is important within the group. Grissom then tells Greg that he should be wearing gloves. This line of speech shows that Grissom wants his team to be professional and does not want his good reputation to be destroyed by a silly mistake by an inexperienced group member. This quality is also represented in Waking the Dead. We see this when a close up shot has been used on the clothes of the detective as they search along the wall fro more evidence. This has an eerie effect on the audience because it represents that something out of the expected is to happen. But it also shows a sense of professionalism as he was organised and prepared. The message is conveyed towards the target audience as it is seen that both characters find it to be standard practice to wear gloves when dealing with any scenes that require their expertise. This has an effect on the audience as they will believe that the characters are honest, hard working people fighting their best to find out the truth of the scene and the correct order of events.
The very first skill that audience recognise is the skill of teamwork. Teamwork can be seen in society as an excellent skill. This is because in society we need one another to be able to work successfully. Co-operating well and communicating well are all part of teamwork. Without it society would be very difficult and many businesses and companies would not work. In the program CSI there is a strong relationship between all of the4 members. We see this in the first scene where the team stand all together. The director has used a long shot, which shows their bodies slightly below their waist. The purpose of this shot is to allow the audience to see the faces of their characters but more importantly the togetherness of a group and how nobody takes a lead role but they work as a team. The positions they are standing and the camera movement aerially away from them shows that they are determined to solve the case together, as a team. When we do see the characters in actions, which are when they first begin to investigate the bus crash, they all look extremely focused and looking towards the same area of investigation. This shows to the audience that they are thinking alike, which means that they will be able to work together t create a positive outcome. The effect on the target audience is that they really can understand what a team is and how well the CSI group members work together as one complete unit, and nobody is left on the side. It also makes members of the audience feel for the characters and understand how as a group they co-operate so well-l that they even think the same. Comparing this to Waking the Dead, the group do not work very well together and appear to argue a lot of the time. This shows there is not a very good relationship between the characters, which will cause disagreements and arguing-something which is very negative to have in society which the audiences will pick up on throughout the drama. An example of the separation within the group is when a camera shot is shown with the group separated into three different rooms. The leader is with one member in a room, next-door someone is working alone and then there are three less experienced members in another room. This has a massive effect one the audience as they will realise and appreciate the worth of teamwork in society. Another example is when the leader, in frustration throws his jacket at another member as he orders them what to do. He is shown in a close up, which shows his power over the group and towards the audience. It shows how the leader proves ineffective and I s unable to make the group work as a team. This is a very poor social value because in society this will mean crisis. In society nothing is lead by a one man show and all requires teamwork for an end result. In Waking The Dead this is what is lacking and therefore the group find it difficult to solve the case.
Social values can be expressed to the audience through their use of different characters. IN CSI we see the qualities expressed through the characters and the way they communicate and act with others. Skills such as teamwork can be easily identified by the audience, which they can understand and imagine in society. Many skills do not apply in crime dramas and Waking the Dead is a clear example. Waking the Dead has a different basis compared to CSI. IN CSI the characters have a much stronger social bond, which helps them have a skill, which will always help them achieve the best for the team and themselves. Comparing the two dramas, CSI will have a much bigger impact on the audience as it is much more conventional and it has followed many of the skills, which any audience would expect to see in society. CSI definitely is capable of portraying all of the social values explored and therefore will appeal much more to any audience.