Tv Drama

Tuesday 6th January 2021

Lesson 1: Intro

•Paper 1: Section A

•You will be given an unseen extract from a TV drama to watch and analyse.

•You will be asked THREE questions about the extract and TWO about TV in general.

•You could be asked about:

•How MEDIA LANGUAGE has been used to create meaning

•How the INDUSTRY has influenced the meaning

•The AUDIENCE’s reaction to the extract

•The SOCIAL, CULTURAL & HISTORICAL CONTEXT







•Publicly owned TV Channel: funded by government & license fees for the public service

•Commercial TV Channel: funded through advertisements

•Convergence: process of joining different technologies into one device. E.g. mobile phone

•Watershed: times when adult content (15+) can be shown. Between 9pm & 5:30am

•Segmented market: audience divided into different groups depending on taste and interests.

•Mainstream: mass audience; the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.

•Self-regulating: not regulated by outside bodies




•Franchise: license from company of a product to use format/show/ideas

•Channel-surfing: changing frequently from one program to another on a television, watching each one for only a short time

•PSB: Public Service Broadcasting; regulators demand channels fulfil certain requirements as part of their license to broadcast

•TV License: any household or business watching, recording live broadcasts require to pay a license fee. Funds the BBC

•Scheduling: deciding which shows to show at which times

•Conglomerate: a company that owns several smaller businesses whose products or services are usually very different




1.When was TV introduced to the UK?

September 22, 1955

2.In 1965, how many channels were there in the UK and what were they?

By 1960, nearly three quarters of the population had television, and by the end of the sixties, nearly ninety-five percent. Britain only had two channelsin 1960, BBC and IIV. A third channelBBC2 arrived in 1964.

3.When did ITV start? Why was it different?

September 22, 1955: Commercial television comes to Britain as ITV goes on air. British television viewers finally faced the dilemma of what to watch as a new commercial channel, ITV, came into being with a grand launch night featuring Alec Guinness, Harry Secombe, and a toothpaste advert. ITV is the oldest commercial network in the UK. Since the passing of the Broadcasting Act 1990, its legal name has been Channel 3, to distinguish it from the other analogue channels at the time, namely BBC 1, BBC 2 and Channel 4.

4.Which UK channels have to follow PSB remits?

The BBC is a public service broadcaster. This means that, in return for payment of a licence fee , the BBC provide viewers with a service of programmes with wide appeal that are guaranteed to conform to its public service remit to 'inform, educate, and entertain.”

5.Who regulates TV now?

Ofcom now takes sole responsibility for regulating the editorial content of video-on-demand programme services. Shows made available via NOW TV's on demand services, including NOW TV box sets, NOW TV Store and Catch Up TV, are provided by Sky UK Limited.




13 January 2021

Television Industries: ownership and Regulation

L/O: to explore the ownership and regulation of BBC 1 and ITV

Who regulates tv in the uk?




Ofcom regulates TV & radio broadcasting in the UK, setting standards for programmes that broadcasters have to follow.

Ofcom can fine broadcasters if their programmes breach (do not follow) their Broadcasting Code.

They carry out regular reviews to see that the terrestrial channels (BBC, ITV, C4 & C5) are fulfilling their particular PSB requirements.




Public Service Broadcasting


In the UK the term "public service broadcasting" refers to broadcasting which is intended for the public benefit rather than for purely commercial concerns (just to make money).

In the UK, the BBC is the main PSB channel and has a strict REMIT to follow.

Other TERRESTRIAL channels have to follow a PSB remit but not as strictly as the BBC.




REMIT: an area of responsibility or authority






TERRESTRIAL: broadcasts using equipment on the ground rather than satellite


PSB and the BBC

Ofcom regulates the BBC externally.

Internally, the BBC is controlled by a board of 12-14 members.

The BBC is granted a license to broadcast by ROYAL CHARTER , which must be renewed every 11 years. The charter sets out the BBC’s public purposes.




ROYAL CHARTER: something granted by The Queen which guarantees independence and outlines the duties and purposes.




BBC “ to inform, educate and entertain “


The BBC has been a PSB channel since it was set up in 1922. Lord Reith outlined the PSB principles in 1925, stating that broadcasting should, “inform, educate& entertain”, and that it should be free from commercial and government pressures.

The definition of PSB has developed since then, but the BBC’s ETHOS is still based on these ideas today.




Mission, vision and values

Our mission is "to act in the public interest, serving all audiences through the provision of impartial, high-quality and distinctive output and services which inform, educate and entertain".




Our values are:

Trust is the foundation of the BBC. We’re independent, impartial and honest

We put audiences at the heart of everything we do

We respect each other and celebrate our diversity

We take pride in delivering quality and value for money

Creativity is the lifeblood of our organisation

We’re one BBC. Great things happen when we work together




Public Purpose

Because they are funded by the public, the BBC have to meet the PSB REMIT in terms of the genre variety, audiences, representation & quality of programmes they produce.




To provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them.

To support learning for people of all ages.

To show the most creative, highest quality and distinctive output and services.

To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all the UK’s nations and regions.

To reflect the UK, its culture and values to the world.


Licence Fee


The BBC is funded by the annual license fee which pays for BBC TV, radio, online content and for developing new programmes. The government sets the level of the license fee.

If you watch or listen to any BBC programmes on ANY media platform, including tablets and smartphones, it is a criminal offence not to pay the license fee. This also applies to watching BBC iPlayer.



FOR

AGAINST

•Independence from government
•No commercial pressures
•Don’t have to make a profit, so don’t have to make all popular formats
•Can make more niche, quality programmes that appeal to a wide, diverse audience
•Outdated scheme (doesn’t match the way we consume TV now)
•Should be pay-per-view/subscription
•Still have government influence as they set the



Commercial channels


Commercial channels are funded through advertising.

ITV1, Channel 4 & Channel 5 are commercially funded channels which also have to fulfil some PSB requirements.

E.g. C4 has a remit to deliver high-quality, innovative, alternative programmes that challenge accepted views and values.

C4 is commercially funded but publicly owned – this means that any profits made from advertising goes straight into new programmes and not to shareholders.

Subscription-based channels (Sky, Virgin, Netflix etc.) have no PSB requirements.





These generally have no guaranteed income (even ITV, C4 and C5 which have a small PBS remit) therefore it is essential they are profitable. They can generate income by:

Subscription e.g. BT Vision, Sky Sports/Movies

Pay Per View e.g. Sky Box Office

Sponsorship – many programmes often contain sponsor stings or sometimes “thanks to” messages on credits. Strands of programmes may also carry sponsorship e.g. ITV3 afternoons

Advertising – companies pay for advertising slots based on programme ratings. The more potential viewers, the higher the advertising slot (£250,000 for 30 seconds during Britain’s Got Talent).

Product Placement – since 2011 this is allowed on British TV (not during news or children’s) subject to Ofcom regulations (certain products are banned e.g. cigarettes). Companies pay to have their products shown in programmes.




ITV “Our vision is to be 'More than TV' building upon ITV's unique and winning combination of creativity and commercial strength”



By the 1950s, many felt the “BBC represented a high-culture snobbery that many leftist associated with an oppressive class structure.” There was a “desire for a playful, commercial, anti-citizen address as a counter.”

This came along in 1955 in the shape of ITV.

As a terrestrial broadcaster, it has a PSB remit to follow. ITV is a body made up of lots of smaller companies. It is non-profit.

Part of its PSB remit it to:

Broadcast items of national importance

Produce a variety of programmes for a wide audience

Produce accessible content









FUNDING:

Advertising

Franchising programmes

Premium rate phone lines

Reality TV shows

Product placement

Sponsership

Box sets

Online services







The era of two competing broadcasters, ITV and the BBC, is referred to be many as a “Golden Age” of broadcasting in the UK. The two institutions had full control over the programmes as they produced them in-house.





Positive

Negative

•Full control of all aspects from creation to editing
•Producer/institution as auteur (has a personal creative vision which can be followed right through without external pressures)
•Competition between the organisations led them both to strive for better content
•Allowed in-house talent and content to be developed over time and build a loyal audience
•Production became more of a business, talent was developed and processes improved
•Hard for voices outside of the institution to be heard (the concept of the “old boys network”)
•Ideas subject to the ideologies of those in control/political pressures
•Some argued in competing with ITV the BBC “dumbed-down” some of its





•Both BBC1 and ITV1 need to be popular and appeal to mass audiences. Why?

•BBC1 has to meet PSB remit and justify license fee

•ITV1 has to attract advertisers to fund channel

•However, technology has changed how we consume TV




Despite being able to watch time-shifted programmes or stream TV, the majority of audiences still watch live TV on a TV set. The PSB channels are still the most popular – 85% of people in the UK with a TV watch PSB channels.




•One of the reasons for watching live TV is SECOND SCREENING: screenings that encourage audiences to join discussions on various social media during a live TV show.

•Another reason is AUDIENCE INTERACTIVITY: viewers are encouraged to vote to determine the outcome. This continued engagement increases their commitment to the programme and loyalty to the channel.






•This focus on debates as to whether an audience is ACTIVE or PASSIVE

•A PASSIVE AUDIENCE accepts and believes everything a media text tells them. They are easily influenced and don’t question any messages conveyed.

•An ACTIVE AUDIENCE interacts with a media text and makes its own decisions about whether to accept and believe everything. They question messages and may interpret meanings differently.








•Scheduling is, therefore, massively important to both BBC & ITV. Competitive scheduling can benefit the main channels as it creates publicity.

•For example, BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing results show was scheduled at the same time as The X Factor on ITV1.

•Peak viewing time is 6pm – 10.30pm

•AUDIENCE RATINGS are measured by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB).




Scheduling is, therefore, massively important to both BBC & ITV. Competitive scheduling can benefit the main channels as it creates publicity.

•For example, BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing results show was scheduled at the same time as The X Factor on ITV1.

•Peak viewing time is 6pm – 10.30pm

•AUDIENCE RATINGS are measured by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB).




What and when is it?

•Overseen by OFCOM, the watershed is between 9pm & 5.30am.

•During these hours, broadcasters can show content that is not suitable for children up to the age of 15. 18 rated content cannot be shown until after 10pm.



•Unsuitable material includes sexual content, violence, graphic or disturbing imagery or language.






•Scheduling is, therefore, massively important to both BBC & ITV. Competitive scheduling can benefit the main channels as it creates publicity.

•For example, BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing results show was scheduled at the same time as The X Factor on ITV1.

•Peak viewing time is 6pm – 10.30pm

•AUDIENCE RATINGS are measured by the Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board (BARB).




DEFINITION: Serial TV drama is defined as any television drama that is organised into a series of episodes (as opposed to one-off dramas). Typically, a series contains between 3 and 12 episodes.

A serial has a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode-by-episode fashion. TV Dramas typically follow main story arcs that span an entire season; they often contains complex narratives and key characters that evolve as the season continues.









20 January 2021

1960’s

In your exam, you will be graded on your knowledge of the social, cultural and historical factors that influenced the narrative, characters, props, sound and themes of the popular 1960s show The Avengers.








1961-President Kennedy elected as President
The United States presidential election of 1960 was the 44th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 8, 1960. The Republican Party nominated incumbent Vice-President Richard Nixon, while the Democratic Party nominated John F. Kennedy, Senator from Massachusetts. The incumbent President, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower, was not eligible for re-election after serving the maximum two terms allowed by the Twenty-second Amendment.



1961-The Vietnam War Starts
The Vietnam War, although in Vietnam this period of American involvement is known as the American War, It was also known as the Second Indochina War. It was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. It lasted from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam which was supported by China and other communist allies and the government of South Vietnam which was supported by the United States and other anti-communist country’s.


1963-John Kennedy is Assassinated
Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald, arrested that evening, was accused of the crime but was shot and killed by Jack Ruby two days later, before a trial could take place. The FBI and the Warren Commission officially concluded that Oswald was the lone assassin. However, the United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) concluded that those investigations were flawed and that Kennedy was probably assassinated as the result of a
1964-The Civil Rights Act is Passed
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation in the United State that outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public. Powers given to enforce the act were initially weak, but were supplemented during later years. Congress asserted its authority to legislate under several different parts of the United States Constitution, principally its power to regulate interstate commerce under Article One (section 8), its duty to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment and its duty to protect voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment.

1964-The 24th Amendment is Passed
The Twenty-fourth Amendment (Amendment XXIV) prohibits both Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax. The amendment was proposed by Congress to the states on August 27, 1962, and was ratified by the states on January 23, 1964. Poll taxes appeared in southern states after Reconstruction as a measure to prevent African Americans from voting. It had been held to be constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States in the 1937 decision Breedlove v. Suttles.


1965-John Glenn is the first to orbit the Earth
John Herschel Glenn, Jr. (born July 18, 1921) is a retired United States Marine Corps pilot, astronaut, and United States senator. He was the first American to orbit the Earth and the fifth person in space, after cosmonauts Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov and fellow Mercury Seven astronauts Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom. Glenn was a combat aviator in the Marine Corps and one of the Mercury Seven, who were the elite U.S. military test pilots selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to operate the experimental Mercury spacecraft and become the first American astronauts.

1965-Malcolm X is Assassinated
Malcolm X born Malcolm Little was an African-American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks. He was also a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. Detractors accused him of preaching racism and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history.
Harold Wilson was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 October 1964 and formed the first Wilson ministry, a Labour government, which held office with a thin majority between 1964 and 1966. In an attempt to gain a workable majority in the House of Commons, Wilson called a new election for 31 March 1966, after which he formed the second Wilson ministry, a government which held office for four years until 1970.
some famous music bands throughout the 1960’s :
Pink floyd
The beetles
Led Zeppelin
The Rolling Stones
The Beach Boys




The counterculture of the 1960s was an anti-establishment cultural phenomenon that developed throughout much of the Western world between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s.The aggregate movement gained momentum as the U.S. Civil Rights Movement continued to grow, and, with the expansion of the American Government's extensive military intervention in Vietnam, would later become revolutionary to some.As the 1960s progressed, widespread social tensions also developed concerning other issues, and tended to flow along generational lines regarding human sexuality, women's rights, traditional modes of authority, experimentation with psychoactive drugs, and differing interpretations of the 'American Dream'. Many key movements related to these issues were born or advanced within the counterculture of the 1960s.




Born in Warsaw, Poland, Marie Curie, paved the way for scientists to study radioactive decayand discovered the elements radium and polonium. Working as a physicist and chemist, she conducted pioneering research on radioactive decay and was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics and became the first person to receive a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Forty women have been awarded the Nobel Prize between 1901 and 2010. Seventeen women have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine.




Concerns over the COLD WAR



In 1965, the Cold War was at its height. Britain was a part of NATO – a group of 12 western countries who agreed to support each other in the face of a Soviet attack. In retaliation, The Soviet Union formed a pact with seven other communist countries. Europe was divided into two armed sides!




Threat of Nuclear War

Anxieties about nuclear war were common as both the Soviet Union and the US were building up their armies and weapons.



In 1962, The Cuban Missile Crisis took place over a terrifying week when the two countries took the world to the brink of a nuclear war.




Espionage

Both sides in the Cold War used ESPIONAGE – as a way of finding out what the other side was doing and as a way to plant false information. A number of double agents were found guilty of spying in the early 60s and either defected or were imprisoned.



This meant that espionage was a common theme in films and TV programmes.







































































































Television in mid-1960s Britain was scarce. Only three channels were available – BBC1, BBC2 and ITV – and one of those (BBC2) was not available on older television sets. Televisions were expensive, small, unreliable, and black and white. There was no broadcasting for large parts of the day and all television channels closed down at night (playing the national anthem).

Home computing and any technology to record television in the home was the stuff of science fiction. Channel surfing was impossible due to tuning issues.

ITV started in 1955, designed to be competition for the BBC’s monopoly over television broadcasting and to allow advertising on television for the first time.

ITV was regulated by the Independent Television Authority (ITA). The BBC was self-regulating.

All UK TERRESTRIAL channels have to follow the





































Television in mid-1960s Britain was scarce. Only three channels were available – BBC1, BBC2 and ITV – and one of those (BBC2) was not available on older television sets. Televisions were expensive, small, unreliable, and black and white. There was no broadcasting for large parts of the day and all television channels closed down at night (playing the national anthem).

Home computing and any technology to record television in the home was the stuff of science fiction. Channel surfing was impossible due to tuning issues.

ITV started in 1955, designed to be competition for the BBC’s monopoly over television broadcasting and to allow advertising on television for the first time.

ITV was regulated by the Independent Television Authority (ITA). The BBC was self-regulating.

All UK TERRESTRIAL channels have to follow the PSB remit,




Conventions of police drama                Monday 8th March 2021

• narrative is usually the detective working on the case solving the case.
• the murderer's identity is revealed at the end of the episode. 

Found some key information on a website:https://prezi.com/xtxaip2umq19/generic-conventions-of-crime-drama/

Wednesday 17 March 2021

cuffs series 1, Episode 1

L/O: to analyse the narratives and characters constructed in an opening episode.

main character

• PC Ryan Draper: Ryan is a committed and principled cop with an impeccable record.
• PC Jake Vickers: Rookie cop Jake joined the force to follow in his father’s footsteps.
• DS Jo Moffat: Diligent and organised, she always does everything by the book and gets results.
• Chief Super Robert Vickers: master at compartmentalising his life in order to cope with the pressures of the job.
• DC Carl Hawkins: Wise-cracking, fun loving, Carl roller-coasters through life and trusts that everything will turn out alright in the end.
• PC Donna Prager: Dependable and capable, she loves her job and working with her best mate Lino - they make a brilliant crime fighting duo - but her overbearing nature is starting to put a strain on their partnership.
• PC Lino Moretti: Universally liked by his colleagues, Lino is dedicated to the job but doesn’t take himself too seriously. joker. lightens the mood. 

storyline/Narrative

2 police officers - 1 rookie PC Jake Vickers, the other professional PC Ryan Draper

Drug addict attempting suicide ends up dead

child adduction

racist group attacking a different race involving in an intense care in hospital

robbery in a town involving an intense car chase 

2 women arrested for stealing money and the other for abusing the rookie cop

setting

sussex?

Blackpool?

UK?

appeal

Personal Identify (U&G)

Have a wide range of characters to identify with

May see characters such as Ryan Draper and Donna Prager as role models

May empathise with the difficult job of the police in the face of public indifference 

may enjoy seeing gay characters as key protagonist who are not defined by their sexuality

Starting a new job, feeling inadequate and out of your depth. working hard to prove yourself- shown in Jake and Ryan, Jake feeling out of his depth in the raid on the house, slow motion, lack of sound to emphasise that he fails to react and is in shock. Also in the car chase jake gives wrong coordination that ends up in the robberies escaping. Redeems himself in reacting in to save Ryan and prove his usefulness to Ryan.

Information ( U&G)

the social realism offers a sense of informing the audience about police work and the criminal world. 

• Racism -  in the stabbing in the shop. close up shots used to show this.
• treatment of the police - opening scene, no respect, humorous situation, Ryan hit by one of the stag group.
• Mental health - guy who cuts himself, not got much support shows a lack of funding for MH. 

social realism:

A style of drama that is grounded in the contemporary world in terms of setting, characters and social issues, often portraying social injustice.

Entertainment (U&G) 

• Can escape into the fictional world of a police team
• Can take pleasure from seeing the characters in danger, solving conflict and facing challenges
• Can feel reassured by the hard work and dedication of the police team.
• May enjoy seeing seeing the police team's personal lives and the ways their jobs interfere with their relationship.
• May enjoy the humour, action and suspense

Social interaction (U&G)

• May feel that they are part of the team.
• May build a personal relationship with character, forgiving weaknesses and admiring strengths - almost a substitute for real life interaction.
• May enjoy discussing episodes ; friends and co-workers would feel left out if not seen.

Cuffs and Social Contexts

L/O: To analyse representation and influence of social and cultural contexts in Cuffs

Characters

• Ryan Draper-main focus.
• Chief Super Robert Vickers- his morning brief is being played over the top of the clip as he's speaking about police standards and what they have to do.

Props

• costume of stag Do / Nudist Beach sign.

Character Interaction

• starts with a group of men harassing a couple on a beach that soon turns into a fight .
• PC Ryan Draper punched in the face.

Dialogue

• Contrast between the expectation to reality - Chief Super Robert Vickers talks about what polices should do playing over Ryan Draper being under control and not handling the situation.
• police radio - Starts with Ryan Draper talking to the police radio.

Stereotypes 

• police are supposed to be strong and prepared.
• drunk group of men.

2015 Social Values:

• Far more gender equality
• Class structure supposedly disappeared
• Acceptance of a range of sexualities  
• Attitude of outsiders/foreigners
• Patriarchal society less evident 
• Multicultural society 
• Changing attitude towards the police

Changing Attitudes :Gender 

• Stronger roles for women reflect gender equality 
• a change in attitude towards masculinity .Different ma;e roles presented in a positive light.
• Traditional 'masculine' and 'feminine' qualities no longer reserved for particular genders.

Cuffs: women's roles and representation

DS Jo Moffat: She has important status as a detective, although it could be argued that this is undermined by her affair with her boss, Chief Superintendent Vickers. She is represented as weak when she hesitates about leading the press conference on the racist attack, but as strong during the police raid. Her status and power in the police reflect the number of women in positions of authority in 2015.

PC Donna Prager: Dependable and capable, she loves her job and working with her best mate Lino - they make a brilliant crime fighting duo - but her overbearing nature is starting to put a strain on their partnership.

Cuffs: Men's roles and representation

PC Jake Vickers:

naive 

inexperienced 

weak-over confident

dedicated 

Chief Superintendent Vickers:  a more traditional representation of masculinity, as the dominant controlling male whose job it is to keep his team of detectives and police officers in line. represented  authoritative and patriarchal in both his work and personal life.

Ryan Draper and Masculinity

1. he has power: he is respected by his peers and trusted to mentor Jake.
2. He is gentle with members of the public (E.g. drug addict Nathan)
3. He is determined and focused during the car chase
4. He responds with courage and determination to the ram-raid call.
5. He is emotional when he gets angry with Jake. 
6. He is a caring single parent, taking on  maternal role with his kids-brushing her hair.
7. HE bravely confronts the racist criminal.

Cuffs: Masculinity

Robert Vickers-Stereotypical - Authorities, Patriarchal 

Jake Vickers-Anti-Stereotypical - Strong, confident, Emotional

Lino Moretti- Stereotypical - Comical, Confrontation

Carl Hawkins-Stereotypical - Aggressive ,Confrontation

Felix Kane- Anti-Stereotypical - Calm, Sensitive  

Ryan Draper-Anti-Stereotypical - Determined and focused, Emotional and caring

Changing Attitudes: Sexuality

• Visibility of LGBT characters increased and accepted representations.
• Jake Vickers' character challenges the stereotype of homosexuality being an issue or problem.

Changing Attitudes: Multiculturalism

• Positive view of Multiculturalism reflects 2015 attitudes .
• Difference in ethnicity are accepted.
• Racism still exists in Britain .
• Racist group represented very negatively .
• The powerful anti-racist message reflects society attitudes in 2015.

Wednesday 31 March 2021

The Avengers: The Town of No Return 

L/O: to explore the narrative, characters and appeal of Series 4, Episode 1.

The narrative (Storyline how does it create enigma codes? how does it follow Todorov's narrative theory)

The characters (stereotypes)

How the episode show the social and cultural context (the mid 60s, issues)

Audience appeal (what makes the audience want to watching)

Personal Identity

• Could identify and emphasise with the upper-class role models
• Could explore and /or reinforce their own views and values
• Could identify with the 'English Gent' - Steed. Cool, calm and unruffled.
• Could identify with a tough, intelligent and equal female hero - Emma Peel.
• Steed - traditional James Bond figure, reliable, strong, dependent.
• Reminds those who fought in WW2 as Steed fought.
• Those who know someone who fought in WW2.

Information

• Could gain information about the world of the upper class
• Could gain information about the world of espionage/spies.
• Could feel reassured that there were highly capable agents protecting Britain from a foreign threat. 

Entertainment

• Could enjoy the escapist plots
• Could de-stress by losing themselves in Avengers' world.
• Could enjoy the danger of the heroes' situations and how they escape with style, humour and sophistication.
• Could enjoy the familiarity of the repetitive narratives; a different villain each week that the heroes defeat

Analysing an Extract

L/O: to analyse the use of media language in a TV Drama extract

Camerawork:

• establishing shots: An establishing shot is a long shot at the start of a scene (or sequence) that shows things from a distance. Often an aerial shot, it is intended to help identify and orient the location or time for the scene and action that follow.
• Low,High angle or aerial shots: A high angle shot is when the camera is set above the subject and angled down towards them, and a low angle shot is an exact opposite: camera below the subject angled up in their direction.
• elaborate camera movement such as tracks, steadicam or crane shots:a crane shot is a shot taken by a camera on a moving crane or jib. Most cranes accommodate both the camera and an operator, but some can be moved by remote control. ... Crane shots are often found in what are supposed to be emotional or suspenseful scenes.
• hand-held camera: Hand-held camera or hand-held shooting is a filmmaking and video production technique in which a camera is held in the camera operator's hands as opposed to being mounted on a tripod or other base.
• POV shots: first-person shot or a subjective camera) is a short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at (represented through the camera).
• Shallow focus and focus pulls: Shallow focus is a photographic and cinematographic technique incorporating a small depth of field. In shallow focus one plane of the image is in focus while the rest is out of focus. Shallow focus is typically used to emphasise one part of the image over another.

Editing:

• shot/reverse shot: Shot reverse shot (or shot/countershot) is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character.
• juxtaposition: Juxtaposition is the film editing technique of combining of two or more shots to evoke an idea or state of mind. A montage can be a juxtaposition of two shots, but commonly refers to the juxtaposition of multiple shots to depict an event often in stretched or condensed time.
• non-continuity editing: Non-continuity editing is when shots are mismatched to disrupt the impression of time and space. This draws the audiences' attention to the process of cutting and disturbs the illusion of 'reality'. An example is the use of flash backs.
• crosscutting: Cross-cutting is an editing technique most often used in films to establish action occurring at the same time, and usually in the same place. In a cross-cut, the camera will cut away from one action to another action, which can suggest the simultaneity of these two actions but this is not always the case. 
• fast-paced editing: Fast cutting is a film editing technique which refers to several consecutive shots of a brief duration (e.g. 3 seconds or less). It can be used to convey a lot of information very quickly, or to imply either energy or chaos. ... Director Michael Bay makes extensive use of fast-cutting in many of his feature films.
• less common transitions;dissolve,wipe,fade:

Dissolve. Also known as mix, cross dissolve, or cross fade. It's the most commonly used transitions from one shot to another. ...

Wipe. One shot replaces another following a 2-dimension pattern. ...
Fade. Fade is eventually a dissolve between normal image shot and black screen.

• post-production effects:the phases of post-production include: editing, video editing, sound editing, animation and visual effects insertions, viewing and the start of the airing process. It is imperative that post-production executes and oversees the preparation until the final product is completely ready.

Soundtrack:

• Music: vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
• Diegetic/non-Diegetic sound: Diegetic sound is a noise which has a source on-screen. They are noises which have not been edited in, for example dialogue between characters or footsteps. Another term for diegetic sound is actual sound. Non-diegetic sound is a noise which does not have a source on-screen, they have been added in.
• Sound effects: a sound other than speech or music made artificially for use in a play, film, or other broadcast production.
• Sound bridge: A sound bridge is a type of sound editing that occurs when sound carries over a visual transition in a film. This type of editing provides a common transition in the continuity editing style because of the way in which it connects the mood, as suggested by the music, throughout multiple scenes.
• Voiceover: a piece of narration in a film or broadcast, not accompanied by an image of the speaker.
• Parallel sound: Parallel Sound is a collective of sound designers creating music that is parallel to an audience's visual experience.
• Contrapuntal sound: Contrapuntal sound refers to an audio track (soundtrack or music) that contrasts with the visual story shown by the video. The use of a contrapuntal soundtrack creates a dissonance that can be used to great effect.
• Theme music/ tune: a recurrent melody in the film.
• Ambient sound: buzz and/or surrounding sounds
• Dialogue: speech

Mise en scène:

• lighting: Lighting is an integral part of cinematography, and it's one of the few areas of filmmaking that has infinite arrangements of set-ups. ... There is no one right way to employ lighting design. A scene could be lit several different ways by different cinematographers, each altering the mood and overall impact of the image.
• location/set: A filming location is a place where some or all of a film or television series is produced, in addition to or instead of using sets constructed on a movie studio backlot or soundstage. In filmmaking, a location is any place where a film crew will be filming actors and recording their dialog.
• costume and make-up: Makeup and costumes are part of the "mise en scene," or the aspects of movies that form the composition of the shot. ... Makeup and costumes are an extremely important aspect of that because they help establish the film's overall look, which in term contributes to the mood and tone the filmmakers hope to establish.
• props: A prop, formally known as (theatrical) property, is an object used on stage or screen by actors during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes, and electrical equipment.
• casting and performance style: In the performing arts industry such as theatre, film, or television, a casting (or casting call) is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra for a particular role or part in a script, screenplay, or teleplay
• blocking: Blocking a scene is simply “working out the details of an actor's moves in relation to the camera.” You can also think of blocking as the choreography of a dance or a ballet: all the elements on the set (actors, extras, vehicles, crew, equipment) should move in perfect harmony with each other. 

 How has sound been used to create meaning?

• Theme music in the title has a joyful yet upbeat tone this creates a mysterious tone this suggest a younger, dynamic tone and pace.
• Key diegetic sounds from the beach highlights realism, Ambient sounds of seagulls and waves matches the beach settings and location.
• soundtrack from detective and spy movies are used to create a mysterious tone this emphasises current events that was happening during Avengers (Cold war and Spy are mentioned in Avengers).

Example:

Sound has been used in the extract to create meaning, the first example of this is theme music in the title credit is upbeat and modern but has a serious mysterious tone. This use of sound suggest that the episode will be aimed at a younger dynamic audience, through the use of fast paced and tone in the theme music. Parallel sound has both the image and the music reflect the tone of the episode, this reflects the younger generation their individuality and increase in choices. In the 1960s we would expect the younger and older generation to come together to watch the episode . That means that the Theme music is used to help attract a younger audience.

My Example:

Sound has been used in the extract to create meaning, the first example of this is Ambient sounds of seagulls, waves and beach scene match location and emphasises setting.Juxtaposed with the non-diegetic sound that builds tension and mystery to the setting.  This use of sound suggest tension and builds mystery as the audience are left with this unusual scene. In the 1960s,  they had different classes (lower, working and upper class) this suggested a juxtaposition of working and upper classes in the beach scene (the man in the plastic bag with a posh outfit and the man on the beach) this gives the audience a different in class.

Explain how social contexts influence television programmes?

In the Avengers one  example of a social context is Threat of foreign invasion, this can be seen in the scene were john Steed and Emma Peel are in a class room discussing how foreign countries can invade England. Emma Peel was discussing ways countries can invade, John Steed was sitting in a small chair which suggests comedy.

Wednesday 28 April 2021

CONTEXT - The Avengers: The Town of No Return

L/O: to analyse representation and influence of social & cultural context in Series 4, Episode 1

Characters

John Steed - presented as funny, brave, smart, masculine 

Emma Peel - presented as brave, feminine 

Media Language-  Camera, sound, mise en scene, editing

Representation - How is?? Presented?

Audience - How does it attract? who are they?

Industries - who made this? When is it on?

Contexts - what is it like at the time?

1960s values & attitudes

• Female roles and Inequality
• Class structure
• Changing views on sexuality
• British manners/ tradition
• Attitudes to outsiders/ foreigners
• Patriarchal society
• Stereotypical ideas of rural life

How can this be seen in the episode? ( new breed of tough, intelligent women )

During the end of the episode, Emma peel and John steed went into the school and they found a white board with a map of England drawn on it. Emma Peel was talking about spies and invasion on foreign countries invading England and this links to new breed of intelligent women. Also after the discussion of invasion, Peel and Steed found a bunker that had german soldiers  linking to the wars . Peel had a fight with another women breaking the role of the women and showing how brave and tough she is.

Anti-stereotype 

• She overpowers steed in the fencing match
• She was the one to find out about the invasion of foreign countries 

Reactionary stereotype

• she is ordered by Steed to leave immediately for a mission without warning

Camerawork:

mid shots of Emma peel at the start

close up on Emma Peels bum could link to women being treated as sex objects

Mise-en-scene:

Costume: Emma peel wears a catsuit that could indicate to over sexual fashion had to wear in the 1960s

Train scene: Emma peel wears a dress that could link to two sides of women fashion - normal and over sexualised this links to women being treated as sex objects 

Editing:

slow fading transition from the apartment to the train, high budget

Sound:

non diegetic sound- romantic song could imply a fair as Peel is married to a person slow, song could link to a fair with Emma peel and John Steed

ML: Female roles and inequality - Mrs Peel dressed in a catsuit, overpowers Steed in the fencing match. shows that women have increasing power in society and respect.

I : Changing views on sexuality, post watershed undercurrents of sexual references, high budget

A : humour surrounding British manners/ traditions and rural stereotypes, class and strong women attracts audience.

C : Attitudes to outsiders/ foreigners relevant for the time

R : Patriarchal society - Steed plays the male hero, Peel in her catsuit is objectified as a women.

How was Gender represented in the Avengers to reflect the attitudes and values of the 1960s?

during the 1960s, the representation of gender is different back in the 1960s and today. In the 1960s, women had no rights and was seen as objects by men, and throughout the 1960s women protested to get the right to vote and have rights. This can be seen in the scene when John Steed and Emma Peel have a fencing match , John is bossing Emma, telling her what she is doing wrong and this links to men having power over women. Another example , is the outfit emma is wearing at the start. Emma is wearing a catsuit and this links to women being over sexualised and men seeing women as sex objects.  Through the use of Costume, women as seemed as sex objects and are over sexualised this links to attitudes towards women in the 1960s.

Exam Preparation

L/O: To review the exam format and possible question types

1. Media Language - Sound, Editing, Camerawork, Mise-en-scene. 2 Examples.

Example: How has sound been used to create meaning? CUFFS

diegetic sound - the cafe and the police sirens creates realism. the cafe scene creates a relaxing tone.

Contrapuntal sound of intense sound - creates tension during a car chase.

tension and drama are being created in the second scene during the robbery. non-diegetic sound is added to create tension.

2. Representation - viewpoints, certain groups, audience, certain values. 3 Examples.

Example: Analyse how far the extract from cuffs depicts the police's point of view rather than the criminal's point of view?

3. TV Industry - particular viewpoints, certain groups, audience, certain values. 3 Examples.

Example: How far does the extract try to create a sense that it is portraying 'real life'?

dialogue - creates a sense of realism. Everyday conversation, basic cafe creates realism as everyone who lives around that area can relate to the location. Parallel dialogue -  police officers in the cafe and 2 police officers in town during a robbery, transition between both  dialogue creates tension and realism.

Birds eye view shows a different location, shows how busy the roads are, realism.

Officers dressed in recognisable police uniforms

Naturalistic locations and lighting

Police officers in pursuit of criminals 

4.TV audiences - Scheduling, Regulation, PSB, Technology, Audience appeals ( U&G )

Example: Describe what is meant by Public Service Broadcasting (PSB). Use the BBC as an example in your answer.

5. Social, political & historical context - Social context, political context, Differences between 1965 and 2015, context on programming

Examples: Explain how social contexts influence television programmes. Refer to the Avengers from 1965 to support your answer.