New Tricks is a crime drama series produced by and broadcast on the BBC. Nigel McCrery and Roy Mitchell are the creators of the programme. New Tricks began in 2003 and finished its last series this year after a 12 year run. It is one of the BBC's highest rated dramas. The original cast as shown in the image are formed of Dennis Waterman (Gerry Standing), Amanda Redman (Det. Supt. Sandra Pullman), Alun Armstrong (Brian Lane) and James Bolam (Jack Halford). Names in brackets indicate the character played by the cast member.
The storyline:
"After a hostage rescue goes wrong, superintendent Sandra Pullman is put in charge of unsolved crimes. With little resources and no back-up she decides to recruit three ex policeman. However times have changed, unlike her new recruits. Jack Halford is yet to get over the loss of his wife, Brian Lane is over obsessed and over medicated, and Gerry Standing is not quite the ladies man he used to be. They may have the experience but it's not like the old days. Not only are they chasing criminals, but they are having to deal with a new police force which does not always appreciate their old style policing". - IMDB Written by Brian Hallam. Click here for Source.
Having watched the show previously I watched again to find out more about New Tricks. I watched 'The gentleman vanishes' season 8 episode 7 broadcast in 2011. This episode is as the title suggests, a gentleman vanishes. in 2004 Whilst on a train to France a physics professor mysteriously vanishes and is no where to be seen, it is up to the team at UCOS (Unsolved crime and open case squad) to investigate. Source
I enjoyed watching this episode as it had a few comedy parts to it whilst keeping to the seriousness of the story. Episodes of New Tricks often have elements of comedy with one-liner jokes which I like. The story in an episode will change drastically from finding out clues at the beginning to catching potential suspects near the end, featuring lots of action.
That is exactly what this episode had. As I watched I noticed the plot elements and followed the screenplay having some knowledge from workshops with Steve. I could see the moments and feel the atmosphere within the plots. As the team started getting clues on the case a scene of conflict occurred stopping them in their tracks. Soon came moments of comedy to ease the audience expectations, engaging them to find out who the suspect is. The end soon came which had action of a chase around a busy train station.
Having seen this after the workshop with Steve I knew where the plot thickens and the drastic moments that happen. The screenplay in New Tricks is excellent, great acting and scriptwriting. I found out that a lot of the time the actors improvise and change the script. The cinematography is great and works well with the story. looking at my project I am getting confident in screenwriting and will continue to rewrite my script. Watching New Tricks as inspired me to make changes and make it feel more action and conflict as that is what mine needs more of.
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