Top Boy Deconstruction

TOP BOY DECONSTRUCTION

• This close up shot of the drugs on the weighing scale is used to show the immensity of the criminal activity in this program, in contrast to other urban dramas where everything is mainly involved around gun or knife crime, the producer incorporates drugs into the scene it raises the bar completely, therefore this close up shot of the drugs is extremely powerful to the viewers as it makes sure the viewer knows that this isnt a simple urban drama where little kids are causing trouble, it shows that their is more behind it.

• Once again an extreme close up shot is used, this close up shot was soon after the screenshot above therefore it was meant to have a similar effect to the picture above due to the close link between money and drugs in urban areas, drugs = money and due to the fact that there is a lot of money in the hand we can tell the immense level at which drugs are being dealt in this run down area.

• Top Boy is shot in east london, and they specifically shot it in a run down area within east london to get the effect they wanted, this establishing shot of the block of high rise flats shows that they're location scouting was very good as these images are the ones you heavily associate with inner city urban areas, the run down nature of the block of flats will make the viewer assume that the surrounding area is also run down which has an effect on the people who live there, this can lead to unruly youths who partake in gang activity/drugs etc.

• The mise-en-scene in this shot once again allows you to associate the scene with urban areas not only due to uniform but also the way the uniform is worn, the short tie and the untucked shirt matches the scruffy image that they wanted their protagonist to play, the fact that they were so far away from uniform rules can then match their real life attributes and they can be associated as a rule breaker themselves.