Research Of Detectives

 Detective Profession

When starting to create a story, knowing the the physical and overall context of the story allows the story to be depicted realistically, or achieving realism. Although not for every film, because some rather partake in formalism, for my film opening I want to aim towards realism and how that can not only build accurate context, but work with the characters in establishing a certain tone.

To get anywhere near this, I need to first understand...

WHAT THE HECK IS A DETECTIVE?

A detective/criminal investigator is:

- a person that conducts interviews and interrogates, examines records, and raids and arrests criminals

- one who usually specializes in investigating homicides, assaults, felonies (more serious offense)

- job consists of collecting evidence to follow criminal case assigned

Detective vs Police Officer (Patrol officer): Both under LAW ENFORCEMENT

- Detectives have a higher rank than police officers,

 and require more training, examine crime scenes 

(more closely), work with forensic scientists,

interview and interrogate (criminals, victims, witnesses)

, spy on people, follow up on police reports, prepare cases to testify in court.

-Police patrol assigned areas in their community, 

regulate traffic, give search/arrest warrants, 

collect evidence from crime scene, testify in court. 

Analyze:

Now that I know what the difference is, this will help me be more clear about the precise choices I am making in elements like mise-en-scene and costume design. Things like folders with evidence, a board with string or Expo connecting information from the existing case (which is stated as accurate in the upcoming video below), and wearing less casual attire (because they have a higher stance than police) will all be added to create realism. 

I found this video of a real-life private investigator analyzing choices of "detective scenarios" in movies and TV shows, he analyzed one of the shows I am using as inspiration for my film opening, True Detective. In the video, he mentions some of the mise-en-scene elements that made the scene realistic. Videos link:

In this video, the man explains that detectives have the free will to go into whatever house they want, they aren't governed by law enforcement and they are more left alone than police. Furthermore, there was a clip of Woody Harrelson's character in True Detective going to a woman's house and giving her money to get to talk to a witness, which the real-life private investigator deemed as an 8/10 realistic scene. This helps me visualize and further reinforce the character characteristics I have in mind, which I will extend further in my upcoming blogs.

Moving forward:

Now moving forward, I will use this background to start developing my storyboard/script. By the end of this week, I should have at least one of these two options complete, as well as more than half of the other!

law enforcement ,