TV Drama

 Wednesday 6th January 2021

Terminology

• Publicly owned TV Channel - Channels funded by the government, license fees for the public
• Commercial TV Channel - Makes money through advertisements
• Convergence - Process of joining different technologies into one devise E.G Mobile Phones
• Watershed - Times when adult content (15+) can be played from 9pm to 5:30 am
• Segment Market - Audiences divided into different groups depending on taste and interests.
• Mainstream - The main/mass audience 
• Self Regulating - Regulated by itself 
• Franchise - License from company of a product to use format/show/ideas
• Channel Surfing - Switching from one channel to the other frequently
• PSB -  Public Service Broadcasting, regulators demand channels to fulfill certain requirements as part of their license to broadcast 
• TV License - Any household that watches live broadcasted TV pays a license fee
• Scheduling - What show/movie to been shown at specific times
• Conglomerate - A company that owns smaller businesses who's products or services are very different 

Research Task:

1. TV was introduced to the UK in 1936
2. In 1965 there was 3 channels available, BBC 1, BBC 2 and ITV
3. ITV first started on the 22nd September 1955, It was different because it was the beginning of commercial TV in the UK. 
4. The channels in the UK which follow PSB remits are channel 3, channel 4, channel 5 and the BBC.
5. Ofcom regulate TV in the UK now
6. The BBC was self regulated in the 1960's and ITV was regulated by Independent Television Industry.

TV in the 1960's:

• There was only 3 channels available in the mid 60's, those being BBC1, BBC2 & ITV, BBC2 was not available on older TV sets. Televisions were expensive, small, unreliable and in black and white. Most parts of the day television was not broadcasted and in the nights all television channels turned off and played the national anthem. Any technology to do with recording channels was non existent and channel surfing could not happen due to tuning issues. ITV was started in 1955 to rival BBC and bring in advertised television to the UK, it was regulated by The Independent Television Industry (ITI) whereas the BBC was self regulated. All the UK terrestrial channels had to follow the PSB remit, it was stricter on publicly owned channels like the BBC  

Wednesday 13th January 2021

Television Industries: Ownership and Regulation

Who regulates TV in the UK?

• Ofcom regulates TV and radio in the UK, setting standards for programs that broadcasters have to follow
• Ofcom can fine broadcasters if their programs do not follow their broadcasting code
• They regularly review their terrestrial channels (BBC, ITV, C4, C5) to see if they're fulfilling their broadcasting code.

Public Service Broadcasting

• In the UK the term 'Public Service Broadcasting' refers to broadcasting which is intended for the public benefit rather than purely commercial concerns (to make money)
• The BBC is the main PSB channel and has to follow strict remit to follow
• Other terrestrial channels have to follow a remit but it is not as strict as the BBC.

PSB and The BBC

• Ofcom regulates the BBC externally
• Internally, the BBC is controlled by a board of between 12-14 members.
• The BBC is granted a license to broadcast Royal Charter, this license has to be renewed every 11 years.

BBC Values

• 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

BBC Purposes

• 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 outputs and services
• To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom's nations and regions and in doing so support the creative economy of the United Kingdom
• To reflect the United Kingdom, it's culture and values of the world

License Fee

• The BBC is funded by the annual fee which pays for BBC TV, radio, online content and for developing new programs. The government sets the level of the license fee.
• If you watch or listen to any of the BBC programs or any media platforms it is a criminal offence to not pay the license fee, this includes to BBC iPlayer

Number and names of TV channels

• 6 channels: ITV, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, Citv, ITVBe

Strategy

• The strategic vision is to be a digitally led media and entertainment company that creates and brings our brilliant content to audiences whenever, wherever and how they choose.

How does it generate money other than advertisement

• Franchise Programming
• Premium rate phone lines
• Subscriptions Service
• Competitions
• Live Events
• Gaming
• Merchandise

 

Monday 18th January 2021

TV Audiences

LO: To explore how audiences consume TV dramas and the appeal

Targeting Audiences:

 All ways TV audiences can access TV Programmes now

• TV set
• Subscription services 

Effects of technology

• Despite being able to watch time-shifted programmes or stream TV, the majority of TV audiences still watch live TV, on TV sets. The PSB channels are still the most popular - 85% of people in the UK with a TV watch PSB channels.
• Reasons why people still watch live TV is second screening: screening that encourages audiences to join in a live discussion on various social medias when the show is being broadcasted
• 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 that channel

  The Active Audience Theory

• This focus on debates as 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 message conveyed.
• An active audience interacts with a media text and makes it's own decision about whether to accept and believe everything. They question messages and may interrupt meanings differently.

Why would audiences now be more active than in the 1960's?

• Much more channel competition (channel surfing)
• Different platforms available 
• Second screening
• Interactivity possible
• Greater range of message

Scheduling

• Scheduling is, therefore massively important to both BBC & ITV. Competitive scheduling can benefit the main channels as it creates publicity.
• For example, BBC 1's Strictly Come Dancing results show was scheduled at the same time as the X Factor.
• Peak Viewing time is 6pm-10:30pm
• Audience ratings are measured by the Broadcasters Audience Research Board (BARB).
• BBC had better viewing the past week.

  The Watershed

• Watershed is overseen from OfCom
• Watershed begins at 9pm and ends at 5:30am
• During these hours broadcasters show content which is not suitable for children up to the age of 15, rated 18 content cannot be shown until 10pm
• The unsuitable content includes: Sexual content, Violence, graphic or distressing imagery or swearing.

Serial TV Dramas

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 contain complex narratives and key characters that evolve as the season continues.

Sub Genres

• Crime Drama (E.G. The Act
• Period Drama (E.G. The Crown)
• Teen Drama (E.G. Pretty Little Liars)
• Medical Drama (E.G. Greys Anatomy)
• Science Fiction (E.G. The 100)
• Fantasy (E.G. Stranger Things)
• Political Drama

Wednesday 20th January 2021

The 1960's

LO: Research the social historical and political context of the avengers.

• Named the 'Swinging 60's'
• London was called 'Swinging London'
• New slang was used, many said it was like a new language
• New fashions
• Youths had created fashion, slang, décor trends
• Happened throughout the country
• World War 2 had finished in the 40's but still in the 50's its legacy was everywhere
• The Beatles were popular
• The Civil Rights Movement was at its largest
• Martin Luther King assassinated  
• John F Kennedy assassinated

 1961

• Berlin Wall was built
• Cuban exiles fail in a failed attempt to invade Cuba at the bay of pigs
• West Side Story was a highly successful movie
• The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club
• Stand By Me was a No.1 Single

1962

• 'Cuban Missiles Crisis' sets off
• The Longest Day, Hatari, Gypsy were few of the most popular films
• The Rolling Stones formed
• Elvis Presley had many top singles
• Pop art was popular

1963

• John F Kennedy was assassinated
• Nuclear test ban treaty is signed by the U.S, Great Britain and The USSR
• Cleopatra, Tom Jones, The Great Escape were few of the most popular films
• Mona Lisa was exhibited in the U.S

1964

• Olympics held in Tokyo
• The Beatles took the U.S by storm
• The Civil Rights Movement was signed into law
• Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and The Pink Panther were few of the most popular films
• Top of the Pops broadcasted first

1965

• Vietnam was escalating
• The Sound of Music, Thunderball, What's New Pussycat? were few of the popular films that year.
• Fist person walk outside of space vehicle
• Bloody Sunday in Selma

Social & Political Context

• The Beatles & The Rolling Stones were very popular in the 60's
• Popular music before was rock and roll but in the 60's pop rock, blue rock became popular
• Labour party was in power
• First man in space
• England won the football world cup
• First person on the moon
• The Cold War was happening
• The Vietnam War was happening
• People protested against The Vietnam War
• People protested for The Civil Rights Movement

Key Context Areas

 Concerns over The Cold War

• In 1965, The Cold War was at it's 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 60's and either defected or were improvised.
• This meant that espionage was a common theme in films and TV programmes.

Monday 1st February 2021

The Avengers 1965

1. ABC produced the avengers
2. The first episode aired on the 7th January 1961
3. There were 6 seasons made
4. The last episode aired on the 21st April 1969 in the US and the 21st May 1969 in the UK
5. By series 4 it was estimated every episode had a budget of £56,000

Question 8

The show was now shot on film after the show was sold to ABC and was now being show on prime TV in the US. The ABC network paid a 2 million dollars budget for 26 episodes, this allowed for numerous production changes, before this the show was shot very stereotypical for that era in TV this changed from series 4 onwards. Episodes were shot using single-camera setup allowing the production to style the show with more different and sophisticated camera angles and visuals. They were able to do more location shots, improved editing. They now shot in mute and added voiceovers in a studio.

Question 9

The stars of series 4 episode 1 titled 'The Town of No Return' were Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. 

Diana Rigg was 26 years old when she first starred in the Avengers, before staring in The Avengers she had been in multiple plays at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her professional debut was Natasha Abashwilli.

Patrick Macnee was in a many roles before The Avengers, many uncredited, he was in movies such as Scrooge, Flesh and Blood and Les Girls and television shows such as The Viel and The Swamp Fox. His career picked up the most with the Avengers being the main.

Question 10

With ITV being seen as the working class channel and the popularization of youth culture it became more normalized and seen as 'cool' to be working class. The BBC was seen as the middle classes channel and when they aired The Forsyte Saga a show adapted from John Galsworthy's series of 'The Forsyte Saga' novels, the show was successful but couldn't hold up to The Avengers which was seen as more fit for the youths being more daring and sexy.

The Avengers was scheduled for 9.05pm on Saturdays, this was peak viewing times, helping attract a mass audience.

The 4th series attracted around 7 million people, usually in the top 10 ratings.

 

Wednesday 3rd February 2021

The Avengers: The Town of No Return

LO: To explore the narrative, characters and appeal of season 4 episode 1

Steed and Mrs Peel leave on a train to visit a village called Little Bazeley where it has been reported that many agents that go there end up going missing, on the train they meet a character named Jimmy Smallword. 

When arriving to the village they go inside the inn and are met by the landlord named Piggy Warren, they're introduced to the school inspector, Jill Mason who is one of the teachers, then Mrs Peel introduces herself as the new teacher at the school after being assigned from the ministry. Jimmy leaves to go meet his brother who he originally came to see but when leaving he is followed by men in boots and with rifles. Steed and Mrs Peel go to find their room. When arriving to their room they find it in bad condition.

Jimmy fails to find his brother, he is later seen being chased by the men with rifles and their bloodhounds, when Steed hears this he asks Piggy and is told it's badger hunting.

The next day Mrs Peel goes to the school and has a weird interaction with the teachers when finding out that all the kids are on holiday even though it's not term break. She leaves to go find Steed then on the beach discover boot prints in the sand they then go up to discover it leads to the dead body of Jimmy.

Mrs Peel goes to the church and meets the vicar who shows her the parish records that have several decades missing from it.

Steed visits an old wartime airfield and finds pieces of brick with the mention of Piggy Warren saying he was killed in 1942.

Mrs Peel goes back to the school and finds an old man who ends up being the actual school inspector and he shows her a school term photo with all the actual people in it not the 'imposters'. She leaves and goes back to the church, when showing the vicar he pulls out a gun and exposes himself for being an 'imposter' too. Mrs Peel is then tied up in the blacksmiths when Steed comes in and saves her.

They both discover that what is going on is a small invasion from foreign power replacing the real people with the imposters. They go into the old airfield underground bunker where they find a small group of agents with high explosives. When they're found by the imposters both Mrs Peel and Steed fight them, they win and leave the imposters locked underground.

The general response to the episode was positive, many people liked the atmosphere and the locations the episode showed (derelict school and airfield). 

The Avengers may have appealed to audiences during this time because of many reasons such as, many people may have identified with the strong female lead who was equal to the man in the show and was apart of the end fight scene. Many may have identified with Steed who would've been seen as strong, cool and calm. People could gather information of the life and events of spies or the glamorization of the upper class citizens. Many would have enjoyed the escapism factor of this show being able to escape the real world and dive into the life of The Avengers, many would've enjoyed the spies plots. Enjoy the suspense that is created and whether out heroes will survive and escape in these situations or not. Many people would watch this with their family since only one TV would be in one household this would allow for discussion on the latest episodes. 

Wednesday 10th February 2021

Context - The Avengers: The Town of No Return

Intertextual References -

Fifth Columnists were a group of people who secretly support the enemy and undermines a country from within.

This episode references World War 2 films like Went the Day Well? from 1944. In both cases, the English country village is an illusion, as sinister intruders are impersonating stereotypical British characters.

Many national concerns could be seen in some films released in the early 60's.

The Cold War & Espionage -

The opening sequence of the episode symbolizes the theme of the episode, which can be summed up as the attempted invasion of Britain supported by 'The Enemy Within'. Saul, who represents the stereotypical British fisherman, not being alarmed from a strange arrival from the imposter Mark Brandon from the sea in a waterproof bag, but directs him to Lower Bazely as if a smartly dressed 'English Gentlemen' wading in from the sea were an everyday occurrence.  

This alerts the 1965 audience to familiar themes linked to spying: disguise and impersonation.

 Reassuring the Audience

References to WW2 -

The scene where Steed walks around the deserted airfields and doffs his hat to his reflection is a salute to all those involved in WW2 and reminds the audience that Britain was triumphant 

Humor -

The scene where Mrs. Peel talks through her plans to Steed where she is sat at a board and Steed is sat a child's desk.

Melodrama -

The scene at the end where Emma and Steed fight off the imposters and army in their underground base 

Casting & Performances -

The new casting of Diana Rigg as Emma Peel and the returning Patrick Mcnee as Steed

Commitment to the duty -

Emma Peel keeps her fake identity as a new teacher to go undercover and Steed keeps his cover as a man trying to find new land to buy. They investigate and take chances to find out what is going on

Representation of the enemy -

The enemy are represented as people from another country and not 'British' and they're shown to want to take over Britain. They have explosions and are violent e.g. fighting.

Explain how social context influences television programmes. Refer to the Avengers from 1965 to support your answer.

Social context influences television programmes by involving specific themes and storylines into certain episodes that may be happening in real life. For example The Avengers season 4 episode 1 - The Town of No Return is all about one town that has been taken over by people from another country imposing as people from the town. These themes are influenced by the social context of the 60's and before such as the imposters themselves are references to the fifth communists who were people that acted to be apart of the country but secretly supported the enemy and would secretly go against the country they were within, this gives a clear example that social context can heavily influence storylines for shows. 

Another reference made is with WW2, in the scene where Steed walks around an airfield and dots off his hat to his reflection this is to all those who were apart of WW2. WW2 ended in 1945 however was still very impactful on Britain and the ruins and mess made was still visible on streets and on people. This one scene reminds Britain that they won the war. This scene shows how the events that happened in real life can allow television programmes to have a emotional tribute to people who may have been affected by certain events like WW2 in just a few minutes show their respect.

Monday 22nd February 2021

LO: to analyze representation and influence of social and cultural context of S4EP1

The stereotypical British seaside town is represented as dumb, in the beginning scene when the man enters out from the sea in a bag, the man sat on the beach ignores it and doesn't question the suspicious man. The people are also represented as unwelcoming as they are seen to be rude to the new people (Steed, Mrs Peel etc). 

Changing Attitudes - Gender

• Women can be seen as intelligent and strong -
• Emma Peel overpowers Steed in the fencing
• Peel fights along side Steed in the end
• Peel puts the clues together about what is actually happening
• Women seen as sex objects and stereotypical -
• Peel is ordered to leave immediately for a mission without warning
• In the fencing scene there's an inappropriate close-up of Peel
• Steed is seen to take down most the enemies whereas Peel takes down a couple but mainly fights the other girl.

  Changing Attitudes - Sexuality

• Emma Peel is referred to Mrs. Peel, this is probably chose because it may have been still weird for women to be single and not married, or be it wouldn't be seen as 'classy' or she had to be a Mrs. to be a the undercover teacher role

Changing Attitudes - Class

• Emma and Steed are both upper class, this represented in their mannerisms and their clothing's.
• They represent both the youth culture but also the traditional people. Steed is dressed more mature and not youthful but his fight scenes are fun and would represent the youths. Emma is dressed like she could represent youth culture, and her fight sequences would entertain the youths however her mannerisms and the way she speaks would represent more traditional people.

Changing Attitudes - Age

•   Steed and Peel wanted to have a positive representation of both generations because it would allow many to feel represented in these two characters which would allow them to become beloved characters, bringing both generations together because they all feel represented by them and growing the fan-base for the show.

Steed - Older Generation :

Bowler Hat - Symbol of British 'city gent'; reinforced and used to overcome the enemy 

Black Umbrella - 

Expensive 3-piece suit - Would be seen as 'classy' and professional

Fought in WW2 - Many of the older generation would have either fought in the war or been alive to experience it

Polite & Respectful - Many of the older generation are said to be polite or respectful 

Peel - Younger Generation :

Fashionable black & white beret - Symbol of cutting edge fashion

Black Leather Cat-suit - Would be seen as a scandalous outfit, a 'bad-ass' outfit to fight in

Mini Skirt -  Different from what the traditional women of the time would wear normally a longer skirt, modern.

Respectful and Dutiful - Younger generation still would be respectful and completed their duties set but with style.

Well-Spoken & Polite - Many saw the youths as not well spoken with their 'new slang'.

How was media language used to show attitudes and values of the 1960's?

Camerawork is used in the scene to show the attitudes towards the older generation. The camera moves from a close up of the characters to a wide shot of all Peel, Steed, Smallwood 

and a war plane. This turns into a conversation about the war. The camera showing off the plane is a nod to all those who fought in the war or any interested in the topic, this makes the older generation feel represented and awarded in just a couple seconds from this shot.

Misce-en-scene is used to show the stereotypical British seaside town people. The pub has 2 people playing darts which is a common British pub stereotype. The people inside the pub are all cold and unwelcoming to Steed, Peel and Smallwood for being new to town. The owner of the pub is eccentric and loud. These actions and personality types from the people are juxtaposed against the nice setting of the pub which to some would be seen as welcoming. 

  

Wednesday 24th February 2021

LO: To research the 2010's (UK) in terms of social, cultural and political climate of the decade; research TV usage in 2015.

• David Cameron was the prime minister in 2015, the conservatives were in power
• Terrorist attacks were still ongoing, people feared being a victim of one. The Afghanistan war started after 9/11.
• The Afghanistan war was still ongoing and so was the Iraq war
• Anti-Austerity was being protested in the UK

A major shift in attitude and values since the 1960's. The Equality Act in 2010 meant it was illegal to be discriminate against others. Britain was far more multicultural, attitudes towards sexuality had changed.

Key Events

• Afghanistan War
• Syrian War
• Isis
• Terror attacks in the UK
• Korean Nuclear Capability
• Blackberry riots
• Brexit
• UKIP influence
• Asylum seeking/Refugees
• Hacking
• Financial crash of 2008
• Blair: May: Corbyn

Cultural Context

• Social Media
• iPhone
• Drug culture
• Knife crime
• Rap music
• Video game violence and the obsession with that
• Streaming

Human Rights

• Third Wave Feminism
• Black Lives Matter
• Oscars so white
• Refugees and tolerance

Using the information you have found and your own knowledge of our culture today, explain the differences you would expect to see from a police drama in 2015 compared to one you'd see in 1965.

Consider:

• Representation: race, sexuality gender, age, religion, class
• Threats/Issues
• Potential Storylines

There would be many differences in a police drama in 2015 compared to 1965 due to major change in views and attitudes towards different groups of people and also major events that have happen throughout the time between them.

One difference would be representation, in the 60's the Civil Rights Movement was happening and people of color were starting to have rights and fighting for them however they would still not always be shown on TV and if they would it would be portrayed negatively most the time. In 2010 the Equality Act was passed and this made discrimination against others illegal and by then people of color being seen on TV and movies was becoming more normalized and they started to get more roles, so they would have had more different ethnicities of a police show in 2015 rather than 1965, also women would've been allowed to be the sole focus of a police show in 2015 whereas in the 60's they may have been the side companion the male detective and seen as inferior to them. Different age groups would be shown in a 2015 police show rather than a 60's police show because it was normally middle-aged or older as the detectives and people in charge which sort of became a stereotype then it became more normal for the characters and mains of a police show to be younger but also still include others in the middle aged and up range.

Potential storylines would create a big differ from 1965 to 2015, one could be police brutality would maybe be a storyline in a show in 2015 because it was becoming more noticed that the police were commonly brutal to people of color and also the racism/sexism within the police force whereas in 1965 it was normal because it was still normalized to be racist or make sexist jokes to a woman. Another storyline could revolve around terrorism, after 9/11 terrorism was a big deal and the fears from any terror attack was real and known and so police shows in 2015 could use these as a storyline including a terrorist attack that they have to stop, in 1965 terrorism was known but it wasn't as common and the war had not long stopped so shows would've focused more on simpler crimes or had nods towards the war.

Wednesday 3rd March 2021

LO: To explore the TV industry in 2010's and the effect of TV shows and audiences.

The TV Industry 

•  There are 
• The different ways of watching TV now include: cable, streaming services, e.g. netflix, amazon prime etc, 
• Good teasers, trailers, posters, marketing and likeable cast members would get me to watch a new TV series
• Producers

Cuffs -

• The producers chose to include scenes of violence and fights to create tension and make people interested, they included a gay kiss scene to show representation, they show they include people of other ethnicities as representation. They include dramatic moments to make the show look interesting and not just cops arresting people.  
• They represented police life as difficult including dialogue and scenes discussing them being disrespected.
• They have represented personal dramas including a officer finding the job stressful, officers who are gay, 
• They have used media language such as mise en scene to appeal to the target audience, for example the police cars and outfits which would appeal to those interested in the police force. They had fast paced editing and included dramatic music to appeal to those who enjoy dramatic TV series

Scheduling -

• Part of the winter schedule for 2015, airing in 2015 - typically times aimed for family audiences
• Broadcasted at 8pm on weekdays (peak viewing time)
  
• Pre-watershed - targeted towards a broad family audience of 16-65
• A range of characters and storylines to appeal to as many segments of demographics as possible
• Fits modern post 2010's populist series format - everyday issues and storylines with characters dealing with a range of issues
• Weekday pre-watershed formats tend to to be engaging and not threatening to mainstream audience values. Storylines tend to be covered superficially and lack depth of darker post-watershed series

 The BBC is expected to to encourage competition for producing programmes, as part of its remit, so many programmes are produced by independent companies.

What production values would you expect from the BBC?

Tiger Aspect Productions had produced many popular shows ranging in different genres, for example Bad Education, Peaky Blinders. Cuffs aired on the 28th October 2015 at 8pm which is peak view times. It was also aired on a Wednesday, the weekday eastenders doesn't air which allowed it to have more of a chance with viewers. Cuffs was aired pre-watershed which meant it had to appeal to family audiences, the show included a cast of different ethnicities, genders, etc. The show included lgbtq relationships with a comedic and dramatic storyline. A show which would be good competition for shows on ITV which are commonly like this.

Monday 8th March 2021

Conventions of a police drama:

• Set in a police station
• Normally big cities 
• A police force
• Red herrings
• Typically a murder 
• Expect to see police's personal dramas
• Focuses on serious crimes
• Police uniforms
• Smart uniforms
• Either women are respected and can be in charge or are used for sexist jokes from the periods the shows are set e.g Life on Mars

Wednesday 17th March 2021

Cuffs: Series 1, Episode 1

LO: To analyse the narratives and characters constructed in the opening episode.

• Character - 

• PC Ryan Draper - Professional, assessing Jake,  
• PC Jake Vickers - New to the job, 1st day in the first episode, gay, aged 22, son of the chief
• DS Joe Moffat - Likes the Chief, Works with Carl,
• Chief Super Robert Vickers - 
• PC Lino Moretti - Works with Donna, 
• PC Donna Prager - Works with Lino, 
• DI Felix Kane -
• DC Carl Hawkins - Works along side Joe, 

• Setting - Urban Seaside Location, Brighton 

• Storylines - Racism/Racist attacks, Child abducted by father, Assault, Love interests, Robbery, Jake and Ryan's feud, Suicide 

• Appeal - 

Personal Identity (U&G)

• Emphasise with them and what they go through in their job
• Gay characters
• Characters they may see as role models
• Explore/Reinforce their own values from them

Information (U&G)

• Social realism 
• An insight of police life and the criminal world

Entertainment (U&G)

• Watch for drama, action, enjoyable

Social Interaction (U&G)

• Invested in the team
• A relationship with a character
• Enjoy discussing characters 

Monday 22nd March 2021

Cuffs: Series 1 Episode 1

LO: to annotate the narrative and characters constructed in the opening episode.

PC Ryan Draper -

• Strong
• Experienced 
• Annoyed over the fact he's paired with Jake
• Cares for his job
• Serious
• Passionate
• Hard Worker
• High morals - When he tells his son to go back to school and to not skip his school

PC Jake Vickers -

• Naive
• Unexperienced
• Only got the job because of his dad
• Wants to be liked
• Scared
• Desperate 
• Eager - When he talks to the man with mental health issues and he can get aggressive 
• Can be aggressive because of in experience  

DS Jo Moffat -

• Independant - When she goes in because she knows her suspet is inside and needs this chance
• Strong female character
• Vulnerable and desperate around the chief
• Having an affair with the chief
• In charge and is respected by the others 
• Well respected 
• Shows her weakness 
• Succesful 

Chief Super Robert Vickers -

• Experienced
• Cold hearted with his mistress and wife
• Favours his son and doesn't care

DC Carl Hawkins -

• Works along side Jo
• Strong
• Experienced 
• Optimistic - When he's punched but knows he can get them arrested for assault

DI Felix Kane -

• Calm
• Quiet 
• Humble - When he saves the girl he doesn't brag about the situation

PC Donna Prager -

• Experienced 
• Cares for her job
• Independant 
• Strong female lead
• Comedic character along Lino
• Seen as stronger because her weakness is not shown
• Comical

PC Lino Moretti -

• Comedic character along with Donna
• Comical

Post Viewing - Audience Appeal

Audiences may identify with a certain character for example, Donna and Jo as they're strong female lead characters. Jo for example is allowed to show her weaknesses and Donna is allowed to still be comedic and be the independant female lead, they're respected and experienced in their job. Many could either see themselves in these characters or see them as role models.

E.G. Racism - The racist attack and murder at the shop, close ups of the body

E.G. Mental Health - The man at the beginning who was self harming, he was taken to hospital but left with no one and shows a lack of funding for mental health.

The raid scene would've entertained and attracted audiences, the scene was fast paced, dangerous, they don't listen to instructions which adds to the tension of the scene. Slow motion is used to emphasise the danger, weapons are used and many action scenes used - fight scene and threats. 

The scene were the group are hanging out at the restaurant having lunch which would make them feel apart of the team. The scenes which could make people want to talk about the show could be for example when they raid, the next on, the suicide scene, the racial attack, jake going out with the solicitor, Jo and Robert's affair.  

Wednesday 24th March 2021

Cuffs and Social Context

LO: To analyse representations and influence of social ad cultural in Cuffs.

Representation - How something is presented

• Characters - PC Ryan Draper, Chief Super Robert Vickers, 
• Props - Horned Viking Helmet, Stag Do costumes, Nudist Beach Sign, 
• Character Interaction - Ryan is outnumbered, the group at the beach laughing and fighting each other, filming the scene, Stag Do mocking the situation, Ryan punched.
• Dialogue - Chief talking about the roles of the police and how good they are whilst at the same time Ryan is struggling to keep charge of the situation at the beach, drawing a contrast of the expectations and the realities of police life. The police radio at the beginning to Ryan establishing it's a police drama.
• Stereotypes - Police not sure what they're doing, not in control and seen as comedic, the stag do doing stereotypical things such as drinking, trouble making, the chief being very serious and responsible. Seaside crimes seen to be small crimes and not as serious which shows it's not in a big city like London. The stag do are young men which seaside locations tend to attract a younger audience. The weather was sunny which is stereotypical for a seaside town.

Starts with an establishing long shot of the beach and sea to introduce the audience in where the show is set.

Gender -

• Jo and Donna are stronger roles for women
• Felix is seen as the less masculine male character, he is calm and quite and reserved
• Jo becomes physically involved in the raid scene.

DS Jo Moffat

• She's an important role as she's a detective
• She is seen as strong during the raid scene as she leads it and is physically involved
• She can be seen as weak as she was hesitant about leading the press conference
• Can be seen as weak when she is involved in her affair with the Chief
• Her role and power reflects the number of women in her position

 PC Donna Prager

• She's seen as a side character but still showed as a strong female character
• She in ways can be show as stronger than Jo as she has shown to have no weaknesses as far
• Her age may come into play as she is younger than Jo and is seen as stronger so possibly Jo had to fight for her role in the police force rather than Donna being in a more open time

Chief Super Vickers

• More traditional masculine character
• Dominant and controlling
• His job is to keep the team in line
• Represented as patriarchal in both his work and personal life

PC Jake Vickers

• Naive
• Inexperienced
• Weak and Over Confident
• Dedicated

PC Lino Moretti

• Comical Character
• Eating is a focus of the joke
• Dedicated and experienced within his job
• Respected

Robert Vickers -

• Authoritative
• Patriarchal 
• Stereotypical

Jake Vickers -

• Strong
• Confident
• Emotional
• Anti-Stereotypical 

Lino Moretti -

• Comical
• Confrontational
• Stereotypical

 Carl Hawkins -

• Agressive
• Confrontational
• Stereotypical

Felix Kane

• Calm
• Sensitive
• Reserved
• Anti-Stereotypical

Ryan Draper -

• Determined
• Focused
• Emotional
• Caring
• Anti-Stereotypical

Sexuality -

• Jake Vickers, The Solicitor, Responsible and successful, secondary to their jobs is their sexuality.

Multiculturalism

• Positive view of multiculturalism reflects 2015 attitudes
• Family boy who is at a university in the UK 
• Different ethnicity accepted by the police attitude and the main characters are from various ethnic backgrounds
• Racism still show to exist within Britain with the racist attack in the shop
• The racist group shown negatively - uneducated, white, drink and drugs
• The anti racist message reflects society attitudes in 2015 - racism outdated

 Monday 19th April 2021

Analysing an Extract 

LO: To analyses the use of media language in a TV drama extract

Establishing Shot - An establishing shot is a shot in filmmaking or television that sets up the context for the scene ahead, designed to inform the audience where the action will be taking place. It shows the relationship between people and objects, and establishes the scene's geography

Low angle - In cinematography, a low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up. Sometimes, it is even directly below the subject's feet. Psychologically, the effect of the low-angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful

High angle - A high-angle shot is a cinematic technique where the camera looks down on the subject from a high angle and the point of focus often gets "swallowed up". High-angle shots can make the subject seem vulnerable or powerless when applied with the correct mood, setting, and effects

Canted angle - A camera angle which is deliberately slanted to one side, sometimes used for dramatic effect to help portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc

Aerial shots - A shot used to show a location from overhead

Tracking - A tracking shot is any shot where the camera follows backward, forward or moves alongside the subject being recorded. In cinematography, the term refers to a shot in which the camera is mounted on a camera dolly that is then placed on rails 

Steadicam - A Steadicam shot is a variant on the handheld shot, employing a kind of special hydraulic harness that smoothes out the bumps and jerkiness associated with the typical handheld style

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

Hand-Held camera - which a camera is held in the camera operator's hands as opposed to being mounted on a tripod or other base

Point of view shots - a film angle that shows what a character is looking at in the first person. In other words, the camera acts as the eyes of a character and the audience sees what they see

Shallow focus - a photographic and cinematographic technique incorporating a small depth of field. In shallow focus, one plane of the scene is in focus while the rest is out of focus. Shallow focus is typically used to emphasise one part of the image over another

Focus pulls - A focus puller or first assistant camera is a member of a film crew's camera department whose primary responsibility is to maintain the camera lens's optical focus on whatever subject or action is being filmed

Shot / Reverse shot - a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other

Juxtaposition - the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect

Non-Continuity editing - 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 - a drama technique borrowed from the world of film editing, where two scenes are intercut to establish continuity. In drama and theatre the term is used to describe two or more scenes which are performed on stage at the same time

Fast-Paced editing - refers to several consecutive shots of a brief duration. It can be used to quickly convey much information, or to imply either energy or chaos

Dissolve - a dissolve is a gradual transition from one image to another

Wipe - transition where one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape

Fade - A fade in video editing becomes a fade when the entire frame of a shot is completely black. Fades can be used effectively to close out scenes

Post-Production effects - Post-production is part of the process of filmmaking, video production, audio production, and photography. Post-production includes all stages of production occurring after shooting or recording individual program segments

Music 

Diegetic - Diegetic sound is any sound that emanates from the story world of the film

Non-Diegetic sound - any sound that does not originate from within the film's world. The film's characters are not able to hear non-diegetic sound

Sound bridge -

Voiceover

Parallel sound - sound that complements the image track. Sound and image seem to reflect each other.

Contrapuntal Sound

High-Key lighting

Low-Key lighting

Location / Set

Costume and make-up

Props

Casting

Performance Style

Blocking 

How has sound been used to create meaning?

Notes -

• Theme song at the beginning - upbeat, modern, targeted to the younger audiences, fast paced and tone.
• Non-Diegetic sound used in the beginning scene - Sinister, Tension building
• Ambient sounds of the waves, seagulls and the beach location juxtaposed against the non-diegetic sounds that builds tension and mystery adding that to the setting

Sound has been used in this extract to create meaning. The first example would be the theme song used in the beginning opening credits which includes upbeat and modern sounds which create the meaning that the targeted audience is the younger generation, the sounds are more fast paced suggesting the show will be fun, action packed and fast paced, this reflects the changing attitudes of the younger generation n the 1960's who were becoming more outgoing, bold fashions, and were becoming more diverse and started to fight for equality for races and genders. (edited 21st April)  [ In the 1960's most households would only have one television per household meaning the show would still have to target older audiences to allow people to completely watch the episodes so the theme musics more serious tone can attract the older audiences to watch this show. ]

Another example would be the dark, sinister and mysterious non-dietetic sounds used in the opening scene over the beach setting to create tension and set the atmosphere as dark and mysterious suggesting the episode could have darker undertones or be serious.

The dialogue used in the scene shows the episode will be lighthearted and not taken super seriously with the man emerging from the water in a bag then revealing he's in full suit and the man on the beach doesn't address what happened and instead they talk about the weather and the location. (edited 21st April)  [ The dialogue used in the opening scene would create social interaction because of the comedic intent from the dialogue used this would create discussion between for example the family watching the episode or friends who like to discuss the show with each other. ]

Ambient sound of the seagulls and waves used on the beach location which fits correctly into where the episode is set but it is juxtaposed against the non-diegetic sound which was used in the opening scene which created mystery and tension compared to the setting and ambient sound which fit exactly into the beach location. 

The sound reinforces the 1960's issues with the Cold War Espionage and invasions/spies.

Wednesday 21st April 2021

Avengers Context

Watch this scene and explain how social contexts influence television programmes.

In the avengers one example of social context is the threat of foreign invasion. This is shown when Emma and Steed are in the bunker and discover that the enemies are trying to take over and they have to fight them. This is shown with the location that is chose which is a old war bunker which had been converted to the invaders base where they hid and kept weapons and army members. They fight the enemies in the bunker and include Mrs Peel as a character that can hold up to Steed with strength and importance in their team and fights two of the characters which shows the social context of gender equality as more women were allowed to be seen as strong as the male characters