Wednesday, 25 April 2018
The rise of foreign-language TV
Independent: British viewers can't get enough of foreign-language dramas
Read this Independent feature on foreign-language dramas. It features an in-depth interview with Walter Iuzzolino who curates Channel 4's Walter Presents programming. Answer the questions below:
1) What does the article suggest regarding the traditional audience for foreign-language subtitled media?
2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?
3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?
4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?
Now look at the bonus article - on Sherlock and how viewers are steering their favourite shows.
5) What examples are provided of how TV companies are increasingly using audiences to inform the production process?
Film School Rejects: The foreign TV dramas you're missing out on
Now read this Film School Rejects feature on the foreign TV dramas you're missing out on. This contains some particularly useful background on Deutschland 83's reception internationally. If the website is blocked, you can access the article text here. Answer the following questions:
1) What does the article tell us about Deutschland 83's release schedule?
2) The article contains important statistics on viewing figures in different countries. What were the German viewing figures for the first and last episode? What were Channel's 4's viewing figures for Deutschland 83?
3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October?
4) What does the article suggest was the driving force behind the series being renewed for a new season (and possibly two new seasons)?
5) How does Walter Iuzzolino use social media to engage audiences in new international TV dramas? How does he suggest this has changed the reception of foreign productions in the UK?
IndieWire: The rise of international television
Now look at this IndieWire feature on the rise of international television. If the website is blocked, you can access the text from the article here. Answer the questions below:
1) What does the article suggest regarding the difference between TV and film?
2) What cultural differences are highlighted in the article - for example in turning 'Prisoners of War' into 'Homeland' when remade in the US?
3) Why do you think Deutschland 83 was able to rise above these cultural differences to be successful in the US and UK? Did this inadvertently make the drama fail in Germany?
4) What does the article suggest about subtitling?
5) What does Sopranos actor Steven Van Zandt suggest is the appeal in foreign television drama?
The Guardian: How tech is changing television
Finally, read this Guardian feature on how tech is changing television. This has some particularly useful aspects from an industry perspective - how TV is made, the different formats of TV drama and more. Answer the following questions:
1) What are the traditional lengths for TV drama and what dictated these programme formats?
2) How have streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed?
3) Why has the rise in streaming led to more complex storylines and an increase in cliffhangers?
4) How have the "economics of production" kept TV drama largely sticking to the 45- or 60-minute episode format?
5) How has "permanent 24/7 connectivity" changed both the production and consumption of TV drama?
TV: Deutschland 83 case study
Reviews and features
1) What positive aspects of Deutschland 83 are highlighted in the reviews?
There is a good show of differences between the country even though they are the same country are clearly very different from one another on both parts.
There is also a very soon show of action and tension within the scenes and have a lot of these scenes which are always keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. It also states the main actor is in fact a very good actor and represents his character very well.
2) What criticisms are made of the show?
Some criticisms made of the show are that there is a lack if actual drama and the show has made the situation which was at hand to be represented as very simplistic and not shown to be the actual real issue which was at hand and this is shown as there was a clear unpopularity in Germany who probably had a lot of people who knew the real situation.
3) Why did the Telegraph suggest that Deutschland 83 did the 'period' aspect of 'period drama' so well?
The telegraph suggested that Deutschland 83 did the "period" aspect so well is because they represented both sides of the country and appealed to a lot of the old nostalgia for people. This is also because they mainly showed the aspects of West Germany which was thought to be a much more modern part of Germany which was keeping update with the other western countries, which is why there would have been a lot of nostalgia for people who were alive at the time.
4) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?
Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
He says that there really no longer is any East or West Germans any more and for the country to be united and have freedom is great, however also states when asked that if he was 25 in the year of 1983 then he certainly would have liked to have lived in West Germany as he says the one thing which he would have valued and still values in his current life is the freedom which he has.
2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)
The channel 4 news interview is conducted in German and it even during the interview corrected himself when he speaks in English by accident. This helps them reach their target audience as their fans can experience the authenticity of the show and still understand. He speaks about how he is recognised more by fans from the UK who are in Germany rather than people who live in Germany. The target audience is clearly people who are from other countries as they seem to be more successful there. This also helps justify why they are playing foreign shows.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
This may interest the audience of the channel 4 news as it may be a way to receive inside information which is unfiltered by the large UK media news outlets, however it is also because the people who are watching the News are likely to be intellectuals, meaning that they would be interested in current affairs of other countries which is probably why they are watching the news.
Behind the scenes clips
Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83
Watch this short promotional clip for Deutschland 83.
1) Why should audiences watch Deutschland 83 - what does the clip offer viewers?
Audiences should watch Deautschland 83 as it offers suspense which audience often enjoy and receive the enjoyment from the tension of the key scenes when he is potentially about to be caught. Despite showing people what the war was like and the interesting points and view points of the war there is also humour sometimes which is often used to lighten the mood. I think that audiences should watch Deautschland 83 as it is an interesting show even if you are not interested in the war or history as there is also suspense, tension and humour at right times so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
History is an important aspect of the appeal of the show as this is what will interest a lot of the people in UK as I think that a lot of us are not entirely sure about what happened or may only know one side of the story and may want to find out more about what actually happened.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
The set design, costume and props were so important as a lot of history enthusiasts who wound have known a lot about the show would have been watching and would have been disappointed if things weren't accurate and would have left bad reviews and put other people off from watching the show.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
They attempted to make the the props, costumes and settings as close and realistic as possible and this was possible due to the real documents and other props being released as it had been 30 years, however some things were still kept secret and therefore they tried to make it as accurate as possible, but did kind of have to guess for some things.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
The props, costumes and music such a key audience please as the props and costumes could be made pretty accurate as the documents had been released, meaning that they could compare and make the ones in the film more realistic. The costumes were also important as it helped the audience visualise and understand what it actually was like. The music was a key element of audience pleasure as it allowed the audience to know when there was a high amount of suspense as there would be very ominous music playing when there is an incident and often a pop song not soon after this has been resolved.
Textual analysis: trailer
1) The opening of the trailer uses sound and editing to draw the audience in. Explain why this is effective.
The use of sound suggests that the series is filled with non-stop action and assures the audience that they won't be feeling bored. The use of editing suggests to the audience that this is not a normal show and sums up what the show is about as well as giving an insight to the audience of what to expect.
2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Surveillance, people could be watching this show in order to learn more about history.The action and suspense may help audience stay interested and focussed on the entire show.
3) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
The use of the timer counting down can be seen as an enigma code because it makes the audience question what will happen when times is up. It also shows situations where the martin is in danger and we as the audience would like to find out what is happening in the situation and whether the character who we have come to know gets shot.
4) Pick three shots/scenes from the trailer that capture the spy thriller sub-genre. Why might this appeal to an audience? Try and apply Neale's genre theory 'repetition and difference' (the original notes on genre theory are here).
1/ When the women holds the gun up to his face
2/The contrasts of East and West
3/The scene where Martin has to pick the lock of the door.
I think that they may appeal to the audience as there is a clear use of suspense and this attracts the audience to want to know what happens next as they can see the intensity of the scene.
5) Pick three examples of mise-en-scene from the trailer that capture the 1983 setting the confirm the sub-genre of period drama. Why might this appeal to an audience?
1/Ronald Reagan's speech
2/The explosion
3/The balcony scene with the flags hanging
6) The trailer uses the song 'Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Why did the producers select this soundtrack for the trailer?
I think that these are good songs which they used as this is what they are trying to portray and their target audience was actually people from foreign countries such as America and the UK so it is good that they used a song which they may recognise as they may be sceptical about watching a foreign language TV drama.
7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
I think that the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue as people may judge the show based on the fact that it is a foreign language TV drama and it may put off viewers from watching the show and they hope that if people go out of their way to watch it that they would be interested and intrigued by the storyline and the use of suspense to not care to much.
Production and industry context
1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
Deutschland 83 is a suspenseful coming-of-age story and Martin Rauch is hiding in plain sight in the West German Army gathering secfrets of NATO military.
2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
It had 2.5 million viewers, it's the best show of the year as it is so interesting and "gripping"."This is the next subtitled sensation"
3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4 'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
Walter Presents are going to offer over 600 hours of drama that can be downloaded as well since Deutschland 83 forms Walter Presents new on demand service.
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
They introduce Walter as a man that does nothing but watch drama series in order to find the best ones. Walter is seen to dedicate a lot of his time to drama shows who is providing a personal view and seems to be a trustworthy person who is very educated and watching these shows very critically.
2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
They are trying to appeal to people who like the drama genre and possibly people who spend a lot of time watching new series, the audience can trust these reviews.
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
All of Walter Presents shows are going to be available for box sets for free that can be downloaded and watched anywhere.They tell the audience that box sets are available online.
Marketing and promotion
Look at the online Channel 4 press pack for Deutschland 83.
1) Read the programme information from the press pack. How does the programme information seek to interest a reader from the first paragraph?
The first paragraph creates tension and introduces the audience to the character as well as setting that Martin who is in during these series of events and it creates many questions in the readers mind like why was Martin picked
2) What does the programme information suggest the main strengths of the programme are?
The suggested strengths are that this tv show is gripping and fast paced.
3) Read the press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
4) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Using the top songs of 1983 means it creates nostalgia which is an audience pleasure and it was a year where pop culture was thriving so it would remembered.
International marketing
1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
The UK DVD cover communicated a sub genre of the drama by making the audience question what the show is about as it shows two sides of the wall on either side of him and there is one side which is very bland and boring and one side which has a lot of colour and character. There is also the question of why it says at the bottom of the DVD "A gripping cold war thriller" and has the image of a man in uniform smiling, however we would expect to see people during the war to be more serious and worried for their life, which already suggests this is going to be different to all the other shows. It also shows a walk-man which suggests that it is using the nostalgia of this time period when many of their target audiences would have been very young and interested in what actually happened.
2) Analyse the mise-en-scene in the UK DVD cover. What does it communicate to the audience?
By watching the first episode we know Martin Rauch has a girlfriend in the East, however, the West side of the wall shows a couple kissing which could be hinting at the fact Martin Rauch may fall in love with someone from the West. The missiles also tell the audience that this will be action packed, which is a genre that attracts a young audience.
3) How does the American branding use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The colours used are quite vibrant and stand out which would immediately grab the attention of viewers.
4) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
They may have used different marketing campaigns in different countries as this is something which
1) What positive aspects of Deutschland 83 are highlighted in the reviews?
There is a good show of differences between the country even though they are the same country are clearly very different from one another on both parts.
There is also a very soon show of action and tension within the scenes and have a lot of these scenes which are always keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. It also states the main actor is in fact a very good actor and represents his character very well.
2) What criticisms are made of the show?
Some criticisms made of the show are that there is a lack if actual drama and the show has made the situation which was at hand to be represented as very simplistic and not shown to be the actual real issue which was at hand and this is shown as there was a clear unpopularity in Germany who probably had a lot of people who knew the real situation.
3) Why did the Telegraph suggest that Deutschland 83 did the 'period' aspect of 'period drama' so well?
The telegraph suggested that Deutschland 83 did the "period" aspect so well is because they represented both sides of the country and appealed to a lot of the old nostalgia for people. This is also because they mainly showed the aspects of West Germany which was thought to be a much more modern part of Germany which was keeping update with the other western countries, which is why there would have been a lot of nostalgia for people who were alive at the time.
4) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?
Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
He says that there really no longer is any East or West Germans any more and for the country to be united and have freedom is great, however also states when asked that if he was 25 in the year of 1983 then he certainly would have liked to have lived in West Germany as he says the one thing which he would have valued and still values in his current life is the freedom which he has.
2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)
The channel 4 news interview is conducted in German and it even during the interview corrected himself when he speaks in English by accident. This helps them reach their target audience as their fans can experience the authenticity of the show and still understand. He speaks about how he is recognised more by fans from the UK who are in Germany rather than people who live in Germany. The target audience is clearly people who are from other countries as they seem to be more successful there. This also helps justify why they are playing foreign shows.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
This may interest the audience of the channel 4 news as it may be a way to receive inside information which is unfiltered by the large UK media news outlets, however it is also because the people who are watching the News are likely to be intellectuals, meaning that they would be interested in current affairs of other countries which is probably why they are watching the news.
Behind the scenes clips
Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83
Watch this short promotional clip for Deutschland 83.
1) Why should audiences watch Deutschland 83 - what does the clip offer viewers?
Audiences should watch Deautschland 83 as it offers suspense which audience often enjoy and receive the enjoyment from the tension of the key scenes when he is potentially about to be caught. Despite showing people what the war was like and the interesting points and view points of the war there is also humour sometimes which is often used to lighten the mood. I think that audiences should watch Deautschland 83 as it is an interesting show even if you are not interested in the war or history as there is also suspense, tension and humour at right times so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
History is an important aspect of the appeal of the show as this is what will interest a lot of the people in UK as I think that a lot of us are not entirely sure about what happened or may only know one side of the story and may want to find out more about what actually happened.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
The set design, costume and props were so important as a lot of history enthusiasts who wound have known a lot about the show would have been watching and would have been disappointed if things weren't accurate and would have left bad reviews and put other people off from watching the show.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
They attempted to make the the props, costumes and settings as close and realistic as possible and this was possible due to the real documents and other props being released as it had been 30 years, however some things were still kept secret and therefore they tried to make it as accurate as possible, but did kind of have to guess for some things.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
The props, costumes and music such a key audience please as the props and costumes could be made pretty accurate as the documents had been released, meaning that they could compare and make the ones in the film more realistic. The costumes were also important as it helped the audience visualise and understand what it actually was like. The music was a key element of audience pleasure as it allowed the audience to know when there was a high amount of suspense as there would be very ominous music playing when there is an incident and often a pop song not soon after this has been resolved.
Textual analysis: trailer
1) The opening of the trailer uses sound and editing to draw the audience in. Explain why this is effective.
The use of sound suggests that the series is filled with non-stop action and assures the audience that they won't be feeling bored. The use of editing suggests to the audience that this is not a normal show and sums up what the show is about as well as giving an insight to the audience of what to expect.
2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Surveillance, people could be watching this show in order to learn more about history.The action and suspense may help audience stay interested and focussed on the entire show.
3) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
The use of the timer counting down can be seen as an enigma code because it makes the audience question what will happen when times is up. It also shows situations where the martin is in danger and we as the audience would like to find out what is happening in the situation and whether the character who we have come to know gets shot.
4) Pick three shots/scenes from the trailer that capture the spy thriller sub-genre. Why might this appeal to an audience? Try and apply Neale's genre theory 'repetition and difference' (the original notes on genre theory are here).
1/ When the women holds the gun up to his face
2/The contrasts of East and West
3/The scene where Martin has to pick the lock of the door.
I think that they may appeal to the audience as there is a clear use of suspense and this attracts the audience to want to know what happens next as they can see the intensity of the scene.
5) Pick three examples of mise-en-scene from the trailer that capture the 1983 setting the confirm the sub-genre of period drama. Why might this appeal to an audience?
1/Ronald Reagan's speech
2/The explosion
3/The balcony scene with the flags hanging
6) The trailer uses the song 'Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Why did the producers select this soundtrack for the trailer?
I think that these are good songs which they used as this is what they are trying to portray and their target audience was actually people from foreign countries such as America and the UK so it is good that they used a song which they may recognise as they may be sceptical about watching a foreign language TV drama.
7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
I think that the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue as people may judge the show based on the fact that it is a foreign language TV drama and it may put off viewers from watching the show and they hope that if people go out of their way to watch it that they would be interested and intrigued by the storyline and the use of suspense to not care to much.
Production and industry context
1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
Deutschland 83 is a suspenseful coming-of-age story and Martin Rauch is hiding in plain sight in the West German Army gathering secfrets of NATO military.
2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
It had 2.5 million viewers, it's the best show of the year as it is so interesting and "gripping"."This is the next subtitled sensation"
3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4 'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
Walter Presents are going to offer over 600 hours of drama that can be downloaded as well since Deutschland 83 forms Walter Presents new on demand service.
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
They introduce Walter as a man that does nothing but watch drama series in order to find the best ones. Walter is seen to dedicate a lot of his time to drama shows who is providing a personal view and seems to be a trustworthy person who is very educated and watching these shows very critically.
2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
They are trying to appeal to people who like the drama genre and possibly people who spend a lot of time watching new series, the audience can trust these reviews.
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
All of Walter Presents shows are going to be available for box sets for free that can be downloaded and watched anywhere.They tell the audience that box sets are available online.
Marketing and promotion
Look at the online Channel 4 press pack for Deutschland 83.
1) Read the programme information from the press pack. How does the programme information seek to interest a reader from the first paragraph?
The first paragraph creates tension and introduces the audience to the character as well as setting that Martin who is in during these series of events and it creates many questions in the readers mind like why was Martin picked
2) What does the programme information suggest the main strengths of the programme are?
The suggested strengths are that this tv show is gripping and fast paced.
3) Read the press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
4) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Using the top songs of 1983 means it creates nostalgia which is an audience pleasure and it was a year where pop culture was thriving so it would remembered.
International marketing
1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
The UK DVD cover communicated a sub genre of the drama by making the audience question what the show is about as it shows two sides of the wall on either side of him and there is one side which is very bland and boring and one side which has a lot of colour and character. There is also the question of why it says at the bottom of the DVD "A gripping cold war thriller" and has the image of a man in uniform smiling, however we would expect to see people during the war to be more serious and worried for their life, which already suggests this is going to be different to all the other shows. It also shows a walk-man which suggests that it is using the nostalgia of this time period when many of their target audiences would have been very young and interested in what actually happened.
2) Analyse the mise-en-scene in the UK DVD cover. What does it communicate to the audience?
By watching the first episode we know Martin Rauch has a girlfriend in the East, however, the West side of the wall shows a couple kissing which could be hinting at the fact Martin Rauch may fall in love with someone from the West. The missiles also tell the audience that this will be action packed, which is a genre that attracts a young audience.
3) How does the American branding use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The colours used are quite vibrant and stand out which would immediately grab the attention of viewers.
4) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
They may have used different marketing campaigns in different countries as this is something which
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
The impact of new/digital technology on the media
1) What does the 'industry' concept in A Level Media Studies refer to?
The term industry refers to the different firms which are in charge of production or distribution of products in the media. The industry is the entirety of the media.
2) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
He argues that there has been a significant shift in cultural production since the 1980's.
3) Choose the three most significant points Hesmondhalgh makes regarding the changing cultural industries. Why are these the most significant in your view?
- Digitisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies.
- The amount of money put into advertising and cross promotion in texts has
significantly increased
- One of the most importance points is the increase in corporations owning companies in different sectors of the industry.
This has meant that there has been larger companies which control majority of the industry, therefore creating niche audiences and markets.
4) What is technological convergence?
Technological convergence is the process by which existing technologies merge into new forms that bring together different types of media and applications.
5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
Amazon and Netflix began producing original TV series to compete with them. They are considering the ease of the user and different devices which they watch on. At first they were reliant on other producers coming to them to distribute their product, however this does not mean that
6) What budgets will Netflix, Amazon and Apple spend on original programming next year?
Netflix to spend $8 billion on original content
Amazon to spend $4.5 billion on original content
Apple to spend $1 billion on original content
7) How many countries are Netflix and Amazon available in?
Netflix - 190
Amazon - 200
8) The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content. What example from Netflix does the article use to explain this?
In the show Stranger things they changed the name of the demon to whatever would have been relevant or the equivalent in the region which they are playing it.
9) Do you think technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry?
I think that technology companies will follow in Amazons footsteps and will invest in the television industry as it has become more and more popular and due to binge watching there seems to be a lack of TV shows for people to watch and this is a perfect opportunity to use a big names brand such as Google to create a streaming service.
10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?
I think that technology has had a massive influence on TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83 and as they have been able to reach a much larger audience then they would have been able to if they did not have the technology which they used available as it would have most likely only been aired in Germany and the show was not even successful or popular in its native country so it would not have been successful.
The term industry refers to the different firms which are in charge of production or distribution of products in the media. The industry is the entirety of the media.
2) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
He argues that there has been a significant shift in cultural production since the 1980's.
3) Choose the three most significant points Hesmondhalgh makes regarding the changing cultural industries. Why are these the most significant in your view?
- Digitisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies.
- The amount of money put into advertising and cross promotion in texts has
significantly increased
- One of the most importance points is the increase in corporations owning companies in different sectors of the industry.
This has meant that there has been larger companies which control majority of the industry, therefore creating niche audiences and markets.
4) What is technological convergence?
Technological convergence is the process by which existing technologies merge into new forms that bring together different types of media and applications.
5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
Amazon and Netflix began producing original TV series to compete with them. They are considering the ease of the user and different devices which they watch on. At first they were reliant on other producers coming to them to distribute their product, however this does not mean that
6) What budgets will Netflix, Amazon and Apple spend on original programming next year?
Netflix to spend $8 billion on original content
Amazon to spend $4.5 billion on original content
Apple to spend $1 billion on original content
7) How many countries are Netflix and Amazon available in?
Netflix - 190
Amazon - 200
8) The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content. What example from Netflix does the article use to explain this?
In the show Stranger things they changed the name of the demon to whatever would have been relevant or the equivalent in the region which they are playing it.
9) Do you think technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry?
I think that technology companies will follow in Amazons footsteps and will invest in the television industry as it has become more and more popular and due to binge watching there seems to be a lack of TV shows for people to watch and this is a perfect opportunity to use a big names brand such as Google to create a streaming service.
10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?
I think that technology has had a massive influence on TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83 and as they have been able to reach a much larger audience then they would have been able to if they did not have the technology which they used available as it would have most likely only been aired in Germany and the show was not even successful or popular in its native country so it would not have been successful.
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
Marxism & hegemony
1) Re-read the Mail Online review of Capital. Why does it suggest that Capital features a left-wing ideology?
I think that it suggests that capital features left wing ideology, simply for the reason that it does. The show clearly shows left wing opinions and sides with everything which we think to be a left wing opinion. For example immigration, Quintina is represented to be a hard working individual who is being exploited and is not claiming any benefits and is only doing this for her survival as she knows if she goes back to her country she will be killed and even mocks that she will be lucky if she is just raped. The other immigrants which are shown at the Pakistani family, the Kamals and they are also represented in a very positive and sympathetic way, and appear to have integrated into the British culture as they show some of what we consider to be British banter and seem to respect the culture. This shows two very positive left wing opinions of immigrants and although I believe that they have made some valid points which make sense, they failed to notice the positives of the TV show and how it showed diversity for example.
2) Choose three quotes from the review that are particularly critical of Capital and paste them into your blog post. Do you agree with the criticisms? Why?
- "With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital (BBC1) dribbled to a soggy ending."
- "Everything British came in for a dose of loathing."
- "But that concept went nowhere. The residents were bemused, but not scared."
I think that all of these criticisms are very crucial as it will dictate how people view the program and what they think about it. I feel like this review is very important as they don't say a lot of good things about the TV show and a lot of things which they say are very relate able and that people will agree with a lot of the statements which have been said. To answer the question i do agree with a lot of the statements which have been said in the article as they have said a lot of things which have been said. With the critical things which i have chosen to speak about are all very true. I agree that there could have been a much better end and was very anti climactic due to the amazing concept which the show had which may not have reached its full potential which it could have. I feel like there was a few things which showed British culture to be good, for example Petunia being a sweet old lady who is just confused about the ethnicity of the the Pakistani family and how the Pakistani family want to adopt the British banter, however does show some negatives, for example that people may be working to hard but I don't really think that this is an offensive statement.
3) What scenes or characters from Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology?
I think that the main character who promotes left wing ideology is Petunia as the rest of the characters which promote left wing ideology are either majorly impacted by it or impacted by it first hand, however Petunia is an old white woman and this group of older white people is thought to be the more racist, less accepting group of people as they are not used to the situation of multiculturalism and so much diversity and we can see that she has been left behind in this matter as she makes the mistake of confusing the Pakistani family as Indians, however is shown to be very apologetic and doesn't seem to be partial or rude to anyone who may have moved to the country through immigration. Although it may not be as important to show that she has left wing ideologies, but Quintina is clearly shown to have left wing ideologies as she has moved to the country as an immigrant, however we are still shown to sympathise with her as she is shown to be an immigrant who is working hard and is forced to get less money then she would if she was working legally and would be able to pay taxes and contribute too if the government allowed her too and isn't shown to be taking advantage of the government.
4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce the status quo in capitalist London?
There are many aspects in Capital which reinforce the status quo in capitalist London, for example Roger Youte who had a large amount of money in the beginning of the series and was expecting more money was shown to become a bit lazy through his years and was beginning to be replaced by a younger more hard working man, which suggests that the busy city of London doesn't wait for anyone. It may also be showing that the elite in London for example Roger and his family will always remain wealthy as even if they become lazy and stop doing work, may not receive as money as they has hoped such as a million will still receive money like 30K simply for a bonus as they are now in that position and will be sad and fight over that much money although his bonus is larger then the average wage in the UK. Another thing being that Quintina is such a hard worker and will still only be able to earn such a small amount of money with such a struggle because of her status and suggests that even the area in which she works constantly surrounds her with wealth and reminds her of poverty as the same time.
Media Magazine feature on BBC drama The Casual Vacancy and ideology
1) Why did the Daily Mail suggest The Casual Vacancy promoted a left-wing ideology?
It mocked and shamed wealthier residents when they planned to sell of the local food bank.
2) How does the article suggest characters, narrative and setting are used to promote a left-wing ideology?
The show suggests that the characters and narrative are used to promote a left wing ideology as it shows the food bank closing to be an extremely negative thing and shows the disgust of some of the characters when they close it down. It suggests that the right wing opinion of closing food banks is the correct decision as it would reduce the rate of taxes which means the people who are working will receive more money, however this also means that the very wealthy are not supporting the poor.
3) What research is quoted regarding BBC bias and what did it find? Do you think the BBC is biased?
"BBC is too cosy with J.K.Rowling" is quoted as the bias of the BBC and we know that the BBC is known and reported to have left wing ideologies and this may show a connection to J.K.Rowling as she is also known to have left wing views. I do think that the BBC is mainly fair and represents both views equally, however there are obviously their own opinions on what is right and wrong which may become apparent.
4) Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests people are kept under control through active consent - the control of 'common sense'. How could you apply the Daily Mail or the BBC to the idea of hegemony and dominant ideologies in the UK media?
I think that the Daily Mail or the BBC are extremely popular due to the fact that they show things which are obviously seen to be common sense and even suggest certain views and opinions and know that these things will be popular and agreed with. I think that sometimes they can makes statements which will be the opinion of the people as this is more likely to bring attention to their programme. Although the BBC is funding based and should therefore theoretically be more fair, it may simply give the public what they want as this will give good reviews and attention to the show and is more likely to keep them as the public service broadcaster of the country. The daily mail of course hints to the fact that they are in fact right wing and have very specific views, however they are of course careful to ensure that they are not obviously denying left wing opinions as this would really restrict their potential audience.
I think that it suggests that capital features left wing ideology, simply for the reason that it does. The show clearly shows left wing opinions and sides with everything which we think to be a left wing opinion. For example immigration, Quintina is represented to be a hard working individual who is being exploited and is not claiming any benefits and is only doing this for her survival as she knows if she goes back to her country she will be killed and even mocks that she will be lucky if she is just raped. The other immigrants which are shown at the Pakistani family, the Kamals and they are also represented in a very positive and sympathetic way, and appear to have integrated into the British culture as they show some of what we consider to be British banter and seem to respect the culture. This shows two very positive left wing opinions of immigrants and although I believe that they have made some valid points which make sense, they failed to notice the positives of the TV show and how it showed diversity for example.
2) Choose three quotes from the review that are particularly critical of Capital and paste them into your blog post. Do you agree with the criticisms? Why?
- "With a fizzle like a firework on a wet night, Capital (BBC1) dribbled to a soggy ending."
- "Everything British came in for a dose of loathing."
- "But that concept went nowhere. The residents were bemused, but not scared."
I think that all of these criticisms are very crucial as it will dictate how people view the program and what they think about it. I feel like this review is very important as they don't say a lot of good things about the TV show and a lot of things which they say are very relate able and that people will agree with a lot of the statements which have been said. To answer the question i do agree with a lot of the statements which have been said in the article as they have said a lot of things which have been said. With the critical things which i have chosen to speak about are all very true. I agree that there could have been a much better end and was very anti climactic due to the amazing concept which the show had which may not have reached its full potential which it could have. I feel like there was a few things which showed British culture to be good, for example Petunia being a sweet old lady who is just confused about the ethnicity of the the Pakistani family and how the Pakistani family want to adopt the British banter, however does show some negatives, for example that people may be working to hard but I don't really think that this is an offensive statement.
3) What scenes or characters from Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology?
I think that the main character who promotes left wing ideology is Petunia as the rest of the characters which promote left wing ideology are either majorly impacted by it or impacted by it first hand, however Petunia is an old white woman and this group of older white people is thought to be the more racist, less accepting group of people as they are not used to the situation of multiculturalism and so much diversity and we can see that she has been left behind in this matter as she makes the mistake of confusing the Pakistani family as Indians, however is shown to be very apologetic and doesn't seem to be partial or rude to anyone who may have moved to the country through immigration. Although it may not be as important to show that she has left wing ideologies, but Quintina is clearly shown to have left wing ideologies as she has moved to the country as an immigrant, however we are still shown to sympathise with her as she is shown to be an immigrant who is working hard and is forced to get less money then she would if she was working legally and would be able to pay taxes and contribute too if the government allowed her too and isn't shown to be taking advantage of the government.
4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce the status quo in capitalist London?
There are many aspects in Capital which reinforce the status quo in capitalist London, for example Roger Youte who had a large amount of money in the beginning of the series and was expecting more money was shown to become a bit lazy through his years and was beginning to be replaced by a younger more hard working man, which suggests that the busy city of London doesn't wait for anyone. It may also be showing that the elite in London for example Roger and his family will always remain wealthy as even if they become lazy and stop doing work, may not receive as money as they has hoped such as a million will still receive money like 30K simply for a bonus as they are now in that position and will be sad and fight over that much money although his bonus is larger then the average wage in the UK. Another thing being that Quintina is such a hard worker and will still only be able to earn such a small amount of money with such a struggle because of her status and suggests that even the area in which she works constantly surrounds her with wealth and reminds her of poverty as the same time.
Media Magazine feature on BBC drama The Casual Vacancy and ideology
1) Why did the Daily Mail suggest The Casual Vacancy promoted a left-wing ideology?
It mocked and shamed wealthier residents when they planned to sell of the local food bank.
2) How does the article suggest characters, narrative and setting are used to promote a left-wing ideology?
The show suggests that the characters and narrative are used to promote a left wing ideology as it shows the food bank closing to be an extremely negative thing and shows the disgust of some of the characters when they close it down. It suggests that the right wing opinion of closing food banks is the correct decision as it would reduce the rate of taxes which means the people who are working will receive more money, however this also means that the very wealthy are not supporting the poor.
3) What research is quoted regarding BBC bias and what did it find? Do you think the BBC is biased?
"BBC is too cosy with J.K.Rowling" is quoted as the bias of the BBC and we know that the BBC is known and reported to have left wing ideologies and this may show a connection to J.K.Rowling as she is also known to have left wing views. I do think that the BBC is mainly fair and represents both views equally, however there are obviously their own opinions on what is right and wrong which may become apparent.
4) Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests people are kept under control through active consent - the control of 'common sense'. How could you apply the Daily Mail or the BBC to the idea of hegemony and dominant ideologies in the UK media?
I think that the Daily Mail or the BBC are extremely popular due to the fact that they show things which are obviously seen to be common sense and even suggest certain views and opinions and know that these things will be popular and agreed with. I think that sometimes they can makes statements which will be the opinion of the people as this is more likely to bring attention to their programme. Although the BBC is funding based and should therefore theoretically be more fair, it may simply give the public what they want as this will give good reviews and attention to the show and is more likely to keep them as the public service broadcaster of the country. The daily mail of course hints to the fact that they are in fact right wing and have very specific views, however they are of course careful to ensure that they are not obviously denying left wing opinions as this would really restrict their potential audience.
Monday, 12 March 2018
Episode 2 & 3 summary -- Capital
Episode 2 Summary:
- When Arbella comes back from her trip she discovers that roger has hired a new nanny, as the police assure them that they are trying their best to find out who is sending these postcards with the text "We want what you have". As the episode progresses we learn that the postcards have now developed into them sending dead animals, which makes the incident much more serious and could be a sign that whoever is sending these things could be dangerous. Petunia passes away and the builder begins work in refurbishing the home when he locates a briefcase full of cash.
Episode 3 summary:
- Roger and Arbella are forced to move out their home as the company which Roger works for discover that there has been fraudulent activity under his account, which pushes them to move house to somewhere in the countryside. We see that Quintina is then deported even though the circumstances in which she broke the law were special and attempts to appeal to the judge. Iqbal accessing dangerous websites causes Shahid to be arrested after he begins to blog about the issue and the police were already tracking the computer due to Iqbals actions, which is ironic as he is the one who said "he gets scared going north of the river".
Friday, 9 March 2018
TV: Capital - Representation questions
Additional questions
Group 1: To what extent do the representations in Capital reflect the concerns of modern 21st century London life? [25 marks]
The representations in capital clearly attempt to reflect some of the concerns of modern 21st century London life, as they do not portray all the Londoners in a positive light and may show some of the characters to be much more sympathetic then others and I think that a key part of the show is that some of the white British people who's parents and family have been born and brought up here, such as the family of Roger are not always perfect and face issues too. They are also not shown to be the most sympathetic bbbbbnnnnn family, which begins to show that the show is trying to show London for how it is, a multicultural city, however still shows the issues which we are facing. In the case of Zimbabwean asylum seeker, Quentina we are positioned to feel very sympathetically for her and feel sorry for her. We are placed on her side as we see the struggles which she faces, we can see the severity of her situation immediately as she is introduced as she gets ready and is seen to have to live with some random men, which she appears to have no connection to as they do not even exchange greetings with one another, although they are in the same household, we then see her in her traffic warden uniform and can already tell that this is not the most glamorous job in the world as she probably receives a lot of abuse from people, in fact we see an example of this when she puts a ticket onto Rogers car and he says "Go on, put another on the Range Rover, it’s so big" as he shouts at her in an angry manor. We then see her go to visit this man who we as the audience a re already sceptical about and the show may be suggesting that there are a lot of people who very dodgy and are exploiting people and the government, when Quentina hands her the cheque of £300 and the man says, "you work too hard" in a condescending manor and doesn't seem as if he is actually concerned for her well being and when she responds that she has been working overtime he takes a larger cut and takes a third of her paycheck. When she is disappointing with this he says, "well if you don't like it you can have it paid into your own bank account" as he knows she can not. Anyone else who was working on this wage of £200 a week which is extremely low would have received money from the government to help her and wouldn't even have to pay any tax as the amount is under £12000. The reason we can feel very bad for the character is because she is seeking asylum and the reason that most illegal workers work is so that they can earn a higher wage without paying tax, however this character wouldn't even earn enough to pay tax and would in fact be entitled to benefits from the government, however as she does not want to be kicked out of the country and be sent home where she will be "killed" or "raped". Then there is the second generation Pakistani family who are portrayed very sympathetically as they treat the old woman very nicely when she comes to the store and take care of her when she comes to their store, even though she mistakes them and calls them Indians, but she seems very sorry about it, which may be showing that there is such a wide variety of people from other countries and shows that there may be an issue with immigration. We also see the younger members of the family who are attending university so they are clearly trying study and earn a living as they are in university. I think that the show is trying to show that immigration is not a big issue as they are clearly showing that the Pakistani family are clearly showing British banter when they speak that I think their British audiences would understand.
In conclusion I think that each character shows some of the 21st century issues and that each character shows one of the issues or has a story related to them which illustrates one of the issues.
Group 1: To what extent do the representations in Capital reflect the concerns of modern 21st century London life? [25 marks]
The representations in capital clearly attempt to reflect some of the concerns of modern 21st century London life, as they do not portray all the Londoners in a positive light and may show some of the characters to be much more sympathetic then others and I think that a key part of the show is that some of the white British people who's parents and family have been born and brought up here, such as the family of Roger are not always perfect and face issues too. They are also not shown to be the most sympathetic bbbbbnnnnn family, which begins to show that the show is trying to show London for how it is, a multicultural city, however still shows the issues which we are facing. In the case of Zimbabwean asylum seeker, Quentina we are positioned to feel very sympathetically for her and feel sorry for her. We are placed on her side as we see the struggles which she faces, we can see the severity of her situation immediately as she is introduced as she gets ready and is seen to have to live with some random men, which she appears to have no connection to as they do not even exchange greetings with one another, although they are in the same household, we then see her in her traffic warden uniform and can already tell that this is not the most glamorous job in the world as she probably receives a lot of abuse from people, in fact we see an example of this when she puts a ticket onto Rogers car and he says "Go on, put another on the Range Rover, it’s so big" as he shouts at her in an angry manor. We then see her go to visit this man who we as the audience a re already sceptical about and the show may be suggesting that there are a lot of people who very dodgy and are exploiting people and the government, when Quentina hands her the cheque of £300 and the man says, "you work too hard" in a condescending manor and doesn't seem as if he is actually concerned for her well being and when she responds that she has been working overtime he takes a larger cut and takes a third of her paycheck. When she is disappointing with this he says, "well if you don't like it you can have it paid into your own bank account" as he knows she can not. Anyone else who was working on this wage of £200 a week which is extremely low would have received money from the government to help her and wouldn't even have to pay any tax as the amount is under £12000. The reason we can feel very bad for the character is because she is seeking asylum and the reason that most illegal workers work is so that they can earn a higher wage without paying tax, however this character wouldn't even earn enough to pay tax and would in fact be entitled to benefits from the government, however as she does not want to be kicked out of the country and be sent home where she will be "killed" or "raped". Then there is the second generation Pakistani family who are portrayed very sympathetically as they treat the old woman very nicely when she comes to the store and take care of her when she comes to their store, even though she mistakes them and calls them Indians, but she seems very sorry about it, which may be showing that there is such a wide variety of people from other countries and shows that there may be an issue with immigration. We also see the younger members of the family who are attending university so they are clearly trying study and earn a living as they are in university. I think that the show is trying to show that immigration is not a big issue as they are clearly showing that the Pakistani family are clearly showing British banter when they speak that I think their British audiences would understand.
In conclusion I think that each character shows some of the 21st century issues and that each character shows one of the issues or has a story related to them which illustrates one of the issues.
Sunday, 25 February 2018
TV: Capital case study
TV - Capital Case Study
REVIEWS AND FEATURES
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
There are many positive points that the reviews pick out about Capital. One of the main positive things is that it shows the diverse side of London and I think that it shows the reality of London in present day as I think that most streets do tend to have a very diverse group of people who live in the same area and there are often groups who you would expect not to get along, to actually get along very well and vise versa.
2) What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
"Yet it was a disappointment. This was no Dickensian bird’s-eye view, but an overly schematic tangle of under-developed plotlines populated by underwritten characters."
3) How does the TV drama change the time period and location for the story in comparison to the original novel?
The novel was originally set during the 2008 financial crisis but the TV drama updates it to 2015 and changes the location slightly (Clapham to Balham)
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
"Capital is a snapshot of property boom that no one can comprehend". House prices are becoming so high in London and it is becoming very difficult for people to join the housing ladder is it is simply unaffordable for young people or even people who have been saving up for a long time and has created a situation where the rich are simply becoming richer.
5) What references can you find in these reviews and features to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?
TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
At the very beginning of the series there is a birds eye view of London, which the audiences will be familiar with and recognise, therefore instantly knowing where it will be set and begin to relate with the show and characters. The show also tends to have montages of London and different shots to perhaps show different views of the same place.
2) What does the camera movement when characters are initially introduced suggest about the drama and its London setting? Pick out one or two shots in particular.
The first shot which shows London which is a birds eye view shows London before the camera angle changes and moves from character to character as we are introduced to them.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
The trailer shows the children of the banker, Roger and the Pakistani family being shown together shows a family setting along side a clip of the family having dinner also shows a sense of family.
4) Bastille's 'These Streets' is used as the soundtrack for the trailer. What does this communicate to the audience and why is it effective?
Bastille's song is upbeat and doesn't suggest that there is any reason for disequilibrium in the TV show, however since we have already seen the first episode of the TV drama we know this is not the case, so we may think it is suggesting that the people who live on the street may be going to fight against who ever is targeting them. It is interesting that even though the show was set in 2008 the Bastille band, which is a British band formed in 2010 which means that that the newer generations are more likely to recognise it.
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
There are many clips and shots of the card which says "we want what you have", which is very threatening even without any context we can see that this is a very likely reason to be the main issue within the film and causes a lot of tension instantly. Even if the audience don't take notice of this cue and dismiss it, there are multiple shots within the trailer which consumes a lot of the time of the trailer so we know that it is a key element to the TV drama.
EP 1 PREIVEW
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
Some of the possible sub-genres presented in this clip are family, crime and mystery due to post cards that they have been receiving.
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The clip contains characters of different ethnicity and it is set in a familiar location to many Londoners which is a corner shop.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
There are a lot of shots which show a London setting and typical London households, although you may not think that general houses on a street do not necessarily show a London setting, I think that Londoners would recognise the setting and be able to relate to it. It creates realism as in some of the shots an unclean house hold is shown and this may be relate able for a lot of us as we may often not have the most clean households and leave mess and audiences may like to see other people who are similar to them.
4) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The audience is forced to address the issue of white privilege in the policing system which in this case is proven undeniable. All audiences watching are positioned against the detective because they can't tell whether to trust his judgement or not.
EP 2 PREVIEW 1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The clip represents upper middle class as it shows a large kitchen with modern designs, which I would still consider to be very modern although this was a few years ago which may mean that they had paid a large amount of money to have this done.
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
It suggests that the banker(Roger) has an interest and is attracted to the younger babysitter rather then his wife and we begin to see that there are many issues between their family even though they seem to have a very large amount of money available to them and may lead to jealousy between them and may create tension between them and may cause one of them to cheat on the other.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience are positioned to begin to sympathise with the character as they can see that he has never been left in such a position with so much responsibility and that the wife has left him. Although the audience also feel like he should have some of those responsibilities and be able to take care of them we also understand that he has to work to keep their high expenses up and the home running.
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
Endemol Shine Group, 21st Century Fox, Apollo Global Management
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
"Spooks"
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
'Broadchurch', 'River', 'Flowers', 'Capital', 'Grantchester' 'Humans'
Winner of 4 BAFTA awards
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
They include some actors which the audiences may recognise and be intrigued in watching as they want to see what the character has to bring to the TV drama. There also seems to be a lot of tension and suspense included in the showreel which instantly attracts viewers and makes them want to find out what the rest of these shows are about.
1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?
It goes through each of the characters and states there background and their situation until they have to face the issues which they have. The fact that they go through all the characters and they have such a wide range if characters means that a lot of people who read this may be interested as they may be able to relate to a lot of the characters and be intrigued.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
The programme information mentions other shows that the director and producer have worked on as they may enjoy the work which they had seen in the TV drama and may interest them in watching other TV dramas which are similar.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
"Roger isn’t an evil banker, he’s a slightly complacent banker. He’s become used to a certain way of life and has a self-imposed pressure to live that way. He spends a lot of money on things that other people don’t spend money on – for example fixtures and fittings - but that is normal to him and his wife. He is not totally in charge of his life or his work. "
5) Read the interview with Adeel Akhtar (page 10). What does he suggest Capital says about the fictional Pepys Road and the sense of community (or lack of it) in London?
"It looks at the idea of a community, and what it means to belong to the community from whatever background you’re from. One of the problems is that some people within a community, such as 11 Ahmed’s brother Usman, feel ostracised from it. They feel like they don’t belong and are on the outside looking in. Capital looks at that concept and also that they are all part of something bigger than themselves."
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
"If you look at the subject of Capital, and the number of communities that are being represented, there’s awareness that the world is shrinking, and becoming a global village. We are absorbing cultures, and understanding them, or at least trying to understand them within their own paradigms."
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
' have a few favourite moments in the book which I wanted to make sure stayed as favourites in the adaptation. Christmas morning where Roger has been abandoned and left to look after his two 15 children is one that Euros (Director) has done brilliantly. Roger realises that his life is changing but it’s done with such comedy! It is one of those glorious Basil Fawlty moments where the farce is working at one level and the emotional farce is working at another.
I also love the Kamals’ chaotic family meals. They are quintessentially archetypal family scenes that everybody lives through, but played with great comedic panache.
And when Bogdan the Polish builder talks to Matya the Hungarian nanny about the affluent Londoners they are working for, it’s fascinating. Capital has a wonderful scale but is all about the minute observations of human nature'
8) Read the interview with Derek Wax, the Executive Producer for Kudos (page 16). Why did he produce Capital and what does it say about the way we live now?
'The novel really spoke to me as it has a sweeping Dickensian ambition to it, all life in one street. I loved the sense of this big, expansive panorama of life as well as the small details of human behaviour. The whole of London seen through the microcosm of one street.It definitely speaks to me about where London and the country is now. The obsession with property, the fact that London house prices have risen extraordinarily, has only intensified the sense of a society of haves and have-nots. Everyone’s connection to money is explored but then the novel expands to ask what life’s real value is, and it does this with a very deft, light touch. I’d say the novel is profound but never overtly polemical. '
1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?
Family
There are many images of families which obviously relate able for most people and therefore it is likely to be a successful selling technique, it shows a large range of people such as the Pakistani family and although they may not be the target audience it may interest them in watching the film and as it doesn't state that they are Pakistani so it may interest other Asian viewers such as Indians as they may feel as if it is also relate able.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
The review quotes may suggest what kind of TV show it is as it is rated by professionals and they know that it is likely to be an unbiased review and may suggest the genre and theme of the TV show.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
It may suggest that it is a state of the nation drama as it shows the London skyline and may suggest that the issues are being recognised as there is an Asian family which audiences may assume are referring and discussing immigration in the country.
REVIEWS AND FEATURES
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
There are many positive points that the reviews pick out about Capital. One of the main positive things is that it shows the diverse side of London and I think that it shows the reality of London in present day as I think that most streets do tend to have a very diverse group of people who live in the same area and there are often groups who you would expect not to get along, to actually get along very well and vise versa.
2) What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
"Yet it was a disappointment. This was no Dickensian bird’s-eye view, but an overly schematic tangle of under-developed plotlines populated by underwritten characters."
There was also no overarching storyline and didn't head in one complete direction that connected everyone together.
3) How does the TV drama change the time period and location for the story in comparison to the original novel?
The novel was originally set during the 2008 financial crisis but the TV drama updates it to 2015 and changes the location slightly (Clapham to Balham)
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
"Capital is a snapshot of property boom that no one can comprehend". House prices are becoming so high in London and it is becoming very difficult for people to join the housing ladder is it is simply unaffordable for young people or even people who have been saving up for a long time and has created a situation where the rich are simply becoming richer.
5) What references can you find in these reviews and features to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?
TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
At the very beginning of the series there is a birds eye view of London, which the audiences will be familiar with and recognise, therefore instantly knowing where it will be set and begin to relate with the show and characters. The show also tends to have montages of London and different shots to perhaps show different views of the same place.
2) What does the camera movement when characters are initially introduced suggest about the drama and its London setting? Pick out one or two shots in particular.
The first shot which shows London which is a birds eye view shows London before the camera angle changes and moves from character to character as we are introduced to them.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
The trailer shows the children of the banker, Roger and the Pakistani family being shown together shows a family setting along side a clip of the family having dinner also shows a sense of family.
4) Bastille's 'These Streets' is used as the soundtrack for the trailer. What does this communicate to the audience and why is it effective?
Bastille's song is upbeat and doesn't suggest that there is any reason for disequilibrium in the TV show, however since we have already seen the first episode of the TV drama we know this is not the case, so we may think it is suggesting that the people who live on the street may be going to fight against who ever is targeting them. It is interesting that even though the show was set in 2008 the Bastille band, which is a British band formed in 2010 which means that that the newer generations are more likely to recognise it.
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
There are many clips and shots of the card which says "we want what you have", which is very threatening even without any context we can see that this is a very likely reason to be the main issue within the film and causes a lot of tension instantly. Even if the audience don't take notice of this cue and dismiss it, there are multiple shots within the trailer which consumes a lot of the time of the trailer so we know that it is a key element to the TV drama.
EP 1 PREIVEW
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
Some of the possible sub-genres presented in this clip are family, crime and mystery due to post cards that they have been receiving.
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The clip contains characters of different ethnicity and it is set in a familiar location to many Londoners which is a corner shop.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
There are a lot of shots which show a London setting and typical London households, although you may not think that general houses on a street do not necessarily show a London setting, I think that Londoners would recognise the setting and be able to relate to it. It creates realism as in some of the shots an unclean house hold is shown and this may be relate able for a lot of us as we may often not have the most clean households and leave mess and audiences may like to see other people who are similar to them.
4) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The audience is forced to address the issue of white privilege in the policing system which in this case is proven undeniable. All audiences watching are positioned against the detective because they can't tell whether to trust his judgement or not.
EP 2 PREVIEW 1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The clip represents upper middle class as it shows a large kitchen with modern designs, which I would still consider to be very modern although this was a few years ago which may mean that they had paid a large amount of money to have this done.
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
It suggests that the banker(Roger) has an interest and is attracted to the younger babysitter rather then his wife and we begin to see that there are many issues between their family even though they seem to have a very large amount of money available to them and may lead to jealousy between them and may create tension between them and may cause one of them to cheat on the other.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience are positioned to begin to sympathise with the character as they can see that he has never been left in such a position with so much responsibility and that the wife has left him. Although the audience also feel like he should have some of those responsibilities and be able to take care of them we also understand that he has to work to keep their high expenses up and the home running.
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
Endemol Shine Group, 21st Century Fox, Apollo Global Management
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
"Spooks"
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
'Broadchurch', 'River', 'Flowers', 'Capital', 'Grantchester' 'Humans'
Winner of 4 BAFTA awards
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
They include some actors which the audiences may recognise and be intrigued in watching as they want to see what the character has to bring to the TV drama. There also seems to be a lot of tension and suspense included in the showreel which instantly attracts viewers and makes them want to find out what the rest of these shows are about.
1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?
It goes through each of the characters and states there background and their situation until they have to face the issues which they have. The fact that they go through all the characters and they have such a wide range if characters means that a lot of people who read this may be interested as they may be able to relate to a lot of the characters and be intrigued.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
The programme information mentions other shows that the director and producer have worked on as they may enjoy the work which they had seen in the TV drama and may interest them in watching other TV dramas which are similar.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore and Ben Stephenson
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
"Roger isn’t an evil banker, he’s a slightly complacent banker. He’s become used to a certain way of life and has a self-imposed pressure to live that way. He spends a lot of money on things that other people don’t spend money on – for example fixtures and fittings - but that is normal to him and his wife. He is not totally in charge of his life or his work. "
5) Read the interview with Adeel Akhtar (page 10). What does he suggest Capital says about the fictional Pepys Road and the sense of community (or lack of it) in London?
"It looks at the idea of a community, and what it means to belong to the community from whatever background you’re from. One of the problems is that some people within a community, such as 11 Ahmed’s brother Usman, feel ostracised from it. They feel like they don’t belong and are on the outside looking in. Capital looks at that concept and also that they are all part of something bigger than themselves."
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
"If you look at the subject of Capital, and the number of communities that are being represented, there’s awareness that the world is shrinking, and becoming a global village. We are absorbing cultures, and understanding them, or at least trying to understand them within their own paradigms."
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
' have a few favourite moments in the book which I wanted to make sure stayed as favourites in the adaptation. Christmas morning where Roger has been abandoned and left to look after his two 15 children is one that Euros (Director) has done brilliantly. Roger realises that his life is changing but it’s done with such comedy! It is one of those glorious Basil Fawlty moments where the farce is working at one level and the emotional farce is working at another.
I also love the Kamals’ chaotic family meals. They are quintessentially archetypal family scenes that everybody lives through, but played with great comedic panache.
And when Bogdan the Polish builder talks to Matya the Hungarian nanny about the affluent Londoners they are working for, it’s fascinating. Capital has a wonderful scale but is all about the minute observations of human nature'
8) Read the interview with Derek Wax, the Executive Producer for Kudos (page 16). Why did he produce Capital and what does it say about the way we live now?
'The novel really spoke to me as it has a sweeping Dickensian ambition to it, all life in one street. I loved the sense of this big, expansive panorama of life as well as the small details of human behaviour. The whole of London seen through the microcosm of one street.It definitely speaks to me about where London and the country is now. The obsession with property, the fact that London house prices have risen extraordinarily, has only intensified the sense of a society of haves and have-nots. Everyone’s connection to money is explored but then the novel expands to ask what life’s real value is, and it does this with a very deft, light touch. I’d say the novel is profound but never overtly polemical. '
1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?
Family
London skyline
Ensemble cast
Makers of humans and broad church
There are many images of families which obviously relate able for most people and therefore it is likely to be a successful selling technique, it shows a large range of people such as the Pakistani family and although they may not be the target audience it may interest them in watching the film and as it doesn't state that they are Pakistani so it may interest other Asian viewers such as Indians as they may feel as if it is also relate able.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
The review quotes may suggest what kind of TV show it is as it is rated by professionals and they know that it is likely to be an unbiased review and may suggest the genre and theme of the TV show.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
It may suggest that it is a state of the nation drama as it shows the London skyline and may suggest that the issues are being recognised as there is an Asian family which audiences may assume are referring and discussing immigration in the country.
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