TV: introduction to tv drama

 

1) How does this His Dark Materials trailer meet the conventions of a TV drama series?

It meets the conventions of a tv drama because it has dramatic narrative and the story carries on until 3 episodes.

2) What genre (or genres) are suggested by this His Dark Materials trailer?

Fantasy, action and adventure, family and hybrid.

3) What kind of characters and narratives are introduced in this trailer?

Villions, two teenagers and an assemble casts and a narrative is that there 2 different worlds and element of threat.

4) What settings appear in the trailer?

You can see 2 different worlds and an ocean island.

5) Who do you think the target audience for His Dark Materials is? Give reasons for your answer.

The target audience is for audience is for teens as it has danger , suspense, cliff hangers and action and fantasy which most teenagers like.

Television: Final index

 1) Television: Introduction to TV drama

2) Doctor Who: Language and Representation

3) Doctor Who: Audience and Industries

4) His Dark Materials: Language and Representation

5) His Dark Materials: Audience and Industries

6) Industry contexts: the BBC and public service broadcasting

advertising: final index

  1) Advertising and Marketing: Key conventions

2) Magazine assessment learner response

3) Gender stereotypes in advertising 

4) Advertising case study 1: OMO print advert 

5) Advertising case study 2: Audrey Hepburn Galaxy advert

6) Advertising case study 3: Represent NHS Blood campaign 

Radio: Launch of Radio 1 CSP case study

 Historical, social and cultural contexts

1) What radio stations were offered by the BBC before 1967?

Pirate radio was mostly popular with young audience such as young adults and teens as they played pop music all day while other radio stations weren't made until 1973. 

2) How was BBC radio reorganised in September 1967? What were the new stations that launched?

BBC Radio Home broadcasting education programmes and news was replaced by Radio 4. BBC Radio Light broadcasting mainly light entertainment (comedy / drama) and music was replaced by Radio 2. BBC Third broadcasting intellectual arts-based talk and classical music was replaced by Radio 3. In September 1967, BBC Radio 1 was launched. 

3) What was pirate radio and why was it popular?

Pirate radio was radio that was broadcasted from the sea so the law needle time wouldn't affect them and they would be able to play pop music all day and it was popular unlike the BBC as it allowed audiences to listen to music for more then 5 hours.  

4) Why did pirate radio stop broadcasting in 1967?

Pirate radio became banned by the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act which told them that they were not able to broadcast their music overseas anymore.

5) How did the BBC attract young audiences to Radio 1 after pirate radio stations were closed down?

The BBC hired pirate radio DJs such as Tony Blackburn to attract and bring his old listeners to Radio 1. BBC Radio 1 had no competitors as there were no other radio stations and it would've gained popularity either way as pirate radio was also banned.

6) What was 'needle time' and why was it a problem for BBC Radio?

Needle Time was a law that record companies persisted with because they believed that if music was played all day people wouldn't buy CDs or tapes. This meant that there was a certain length you could publicly broadcast music which was 5 hours. This was a problem for the BBC because it meant that for the rest of the day they would have to broadcast talk shows and pirate radio was gonna be more popular.

7) How did BBC Radio 1 offer different content to previous BBC radio stations?

BBC Radio 1 was targeted towards younger audiences, mostly those who listened to pirate radio as it plays pop music for teens.

8) Who was the first presenter for BBC Radio 1 and why did these new Radio 1 DJs cause upset initially at the traditional BBC?

Tony Blackburn, fans were upset as he used to work for pirate radio.

9) Listen to excerpts from the Tony Blackburn's first 1967 broadcast - how might it have appealed to young listeners?

The broadcast has many pop songs that were popular during the 60s which were very trendy amongst younger listeners.

10) What conventions did Tony Blackburn's radio show borrow from pirate radio - which made it very different to previous BBC radio content?

 

Radio 1 tried  copying the pirate radio’s style. Some young people weren't happy to this and in result they tried putting music on or try to use the needle time way,also done competitions and shout outs  which would attract customers. 

Audience and industry

1) What was the target audience for BBC Radio 1 in 1967?

It was teenagers/young adults that listened to pirate radio.

2) Why did Radio 1 initially struggle to attract young listeners?

It wasn't seen 'cool' by many people as the BBC stood for traditional, conservative value.

3) What audience pleasures did Radio 1 offer listeners in 1967? (Use Blumler and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory).

Personal Identity - the radio show allowed them to do write  shout outs and it was a form of communication in the 1960s.

Entertainment - along with the music, the radio show had small talking segments which would be amusing for listeners. The competitions would also allow them to have fun listening to the show.

4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded by the TV licence. Also funded by government.

5) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would the preferred and oppositional readings have been for BBC Radio 1 in 1967? 

The preferred reading of Radio 1 is that they attracted teenagers with there music and gave them the newest and popular sounds. The oppositional reading is that is only targeted  teenagers and people werent interest in it as much anymore and that it wasn't getting as much views because they only targeted younger people.

Television: His Dark Materials - Audience and Industry

 Audience

1) Read this audience rating guide for His Dark Materials. Based on the screening and this article, who do you think the target audience is for His Dark Materials and why? What about psychographic groups? You can revise Pyschographics here.

As His Dark Materials was aimed at an international audience, the show features both British and American star names such as Brits Ruth Wilson and James McAvoy and American Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote the smash hit musical Hamilton.

• Targeted at fans of the fantasy genre along with fans of the original books by Philip Pullman.
• Diverse representations of gender and race may appeal to a younger audience.
• Rated for 14+ by HBO due to some scenes that may be frightening to younger children.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by His Dark Materials - The City of Magpies? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity: Aimed at a contemporary family audience for the BBC Sunday night broadcast slot (8.10pm)

Personal Relationships: Targeted at fans of the fantasy genre along with fans of the original books by Philip Pullman.

Diversion (Escapism): The UK DVD release of His Dark Materials season 2 is rated 12 by the BBFC.

3) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to His Dark Materials? Refer to specific scenes or moments in the episode to explain your answer. 

As His Dark Materials was aimed at an international audience, the show featured both American and British star names such as James McAvoy and American Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote the smash hit musical Hamilton.

4) How did fans react to Season 2 of His Dark Materials? What about critic reviews? You can find some possible answers for this in this BBC website article on the critical reception for His Dark Materials and watch the fan reaction video above.

Fans were happy and excited because they were waiting for his dark materials to be released. People had made YouTube videos on there first time watching the trailers or the first few clips. 

5) What might be some of the preferred and oppositional readings for His Dark Materials? Why did some fans love it? Why have other people criticised it? 

Some fans loved it because of all the plot twists and drama also the relationship between the two teenagers but some people may not like it because theirs too much things happening and they might not like too much fantasy. 

Industries

1) Which companies produced this His Dark Materials series?

BBC1 and HBO

2) What were the UK viewing figures for A City of Magpies? How did this compare to season 1 of His Dark Materials?

The City of Magpies, and was first broadcast in the UK on Sunday 8 November 2020 on BBC1 at 8.10pm. It was made available on iPlayer on the same. There were a range of videos and promotional events designed to create a buzz around the new season of His Dark Materials.

3) What was American network HBO's role in making His Dark Materials and why is this important? Look at the notes above for more on this.

His Dark Materials had 2 highly respected media giants behind it - and in HBO's case a huge amount of money. HBO has over 40 million subscribers and brings in around $7 BILLION in subscription revenue each year

4) What famous stars are in His Dark Materials and why do you think they were selected for the show? Watch the Comic Con panel video in the notes above to see the stars talking about the show.

The show features both British and American star names such as Brits Ruth Wilson and James McAvoy and American Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote the smash hit musical Hamilton.

5) Who are Bad Wolf and what do they produce?

Producing over 50 hours of high-end drama for broadcasters and networks including HBO, BBC, AMC and Sky.

Comparison: Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child and His Dark Materials - The City of Magpies

1) How are the technical conventions different between 1963 Doctor Who and 2020 His Dark Materials (e.g. camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene)?

If you watch these shows you can tell the camera difference and how his dark materials have more of a clear sound as they have more advanced technology however doctor who had poor quality and sound.

2) What similarities and differences are there between Doctor Who and His Dark Materials in terms of genre and narrative?

They both have genres of adventure, action and family drama but other hand there different because Doctor who is science fiction and His dark materials is more fantasy genre. 

3) How are representations of people, places and groups similar or different in the two shows?

The difference is that doctor who setting looked old and rusty however his dark material setting looked more modern and more well presented.

Doctor who: Industry and audience.

1. Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Has it changed since 1963?

family,teenagers and kids. 

2) What audience pleasures are offered by Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity:
 Think about how different audiences may identify with Susan, her teachers or the Doctor
Personal Relationships: caring about characters and wanting to find out what happens to them. This is the first episode of four - which characters do you think the audience will want to follow on their journey.
Diversion (Escapism): escapism and being driven away from reality. Science Fiction is a classic genre for escapism

3) What additional Uses and Gratifications would this episode provide to a modern 2020 audience?

The camera work and quality would be better quality and more clear if it was published in modern times. 

4) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to An Unearthly Child?

Physical thrill of watching something e.g  getting goosebumps when watching horror films, big explosions. 
 Experiencing something through the characters (e.g. time/space travel). 
 Watching something you wouldn't normally get a chance to see (e.g. inside TARDIS).

5) What kind of online fan culture does Doctor Who have? Give examples.

They have a fan fiction online base. 

Industries

1) What was the television industry like in 1963? How many channels were there?

There were only 2 tv channels in the UK in 196 which are BBC and ITV. 

2) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the level of technology in the TV industry in 1963?

videotape had only been in use for seven years when An Unearthly Child was made. It allowed the BBC to create the space and time travel effects we can see in the episode which were seen as good back then.

3) Why is Doctor Who such an important franchise for the BBC? 

It has been seen all over the world through BBC Worldwide and generates huge income for the BBC.

4) What other programmes/spin-offs are part of the wider Doctor Who franchise?

• K9

• Sarah Jane Adventures

• Torchwood

• Class 

These spin-offs allow the bbc to target  different audiences while still taking advantage of the huge Doctor Who fanbase. 

Advertising assessment learner response

 WWW: This is significant progress on previous assessments-well done! It shows the revision in class and the work you've been doing is making a difference. Keep it going!

EBI: Your knowledge of the CSPs  is good - now you need to work on exam technique. Make sure you answer the question- read it carefully and use the keyboards in your answer. 

 

1. 1/2

2. 5/12

3. 5/6

4. 2/12

His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

 Language and close-textual analysis

1) Write an analysis of the episode - using notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

You can currently watch His Dark Materials on BBC iPlayer here.

Camerawork, editing and sound: There was non-diegetic sound in the episode. This is when Lyra and will saw the two kids and started chasing after them also there was intense music.

Mise-en-scene: Lyra is wearing cloths from the 1980's while Will is wearing more traditional  new British clothes. The setting was an abandoned village that everyone had to go out of .

Narrative and genre:  Fantasy and scifi

2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

The show fits around fantasy since their narrative arc is based on finding Lyra. Theres also creatures such as Lyra's daemon. The show takes place in many different time periods and worlds

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into ?

Lyra is mainly the hero/heroine, Will subverts the stereotype as men always being the hero as the majority of the time he is the helper and acts as a women role like cooking and cleaning.Mrs Coulter is the villain since her character is seen as dangerous and also seen as sinister and as a threat. Evil villain who wants Lyra and the control the world who would go to extreme matters to get what she wants and is shown when she tortures the witch the find Lyra.

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

There is mise-en-scene when the setting changes from Lyra being lost in a forest to a village Non-diegetic sound at beginning or recap: music and voice-over to be able to set the scene. There is also non-diegetic music which may suggest that there is drama, or an important moment at the end of the scene. There are camera shots used to show meaning. High angle shots of Lyra to make her look innocent and vulnerable, whereas low angle shots of Mrs Coulter to make her look powerful. The fast paced editing for the chase scene makes the music change with it which is non-diegetic. This creates pace and excitement for the audience: Who are they chasing and what will happen next? Allows the audience to imagine they are in the series.

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials?

An example of binary oppositions that are found in His Dark Materials is good and bad people, and young and old. This helps to show the conflict and narrative of the story.

Representation

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter.

There are strong female characters in that are represented in His Dark Materials. Lyra is independent and tough and doesn;t need help or ask for it from anyone. Lyra also can't cook and takes anything she wants which subverts these gender roles. Mrs Coulter is powerful and a villain. These subvert gender stereotypes as women are supposed to act the opposite. Lyra also subverts this as she has a lot of masculine traits: walks on the bed, takes Will's room and doesn'tcare . Gender roles have also been subverted as the girls were ready to fight and Will was trying to break it up. 

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby.

Men are also represented as aggressive when the magisterium were throwing glass to the point were it broke. They are also seen as incompetent. There is a subversion of gender roles as Will is in the kitchen cooking and caring more about his hygiene that Lyra. This was shown when Will made Lyra an omelette and tried to fix the shower. Lee Scoresby reinforced these gender stereotypes as he is a classic masculine man on a mission to help Lyra.

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers, older people) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Think about Mrs Coulter and the other adults.

 One way is through the spectres. This is because it is showing the audience that it is safer being a child as being an adult is dangerous. This helps to appeal the show to a family audience. Most of the main characters in this series are children as well and are representing that they don't need adults or help from older generations. The abandoned children in episode one also demonstrates that they can make a living without adults which subverts typical stereotypes. d

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Race and ethnicity is shown as being very diverse in His Dark Materials. Lee Scoresby is American. By including an American star it makes the series fit for a global appeal . It reinforces the heroic, adventurous stereotype of American actors. The actors in His Dark Materials are from a range of ethnic backgrounds.

5) How are politicians, religion and people with power represented? Think about how the Magisterium are shown in this episode?

• Religion and government - Magisterium / 'Cardinal'

• Corrupt , evil and incapable

Subversion of religious people as they aren't supposed to treat people badly and is showing a lot of demonic traits. Reinforces the gender roles of men but subverts this as well because they are religious. They are supposed to be helping people not treating them badly.

Television: Industry contexts - the BBC

 1) What is the BBC's mission statement?

Inform,educate,entertain.

2) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is funded by the TV licence fee.

3) What must the BBC do to meet its public service broadcasting responsibilities? (Look at the five bullet points above)

• To provide information (that is supposed to be balanced)
• To support learning for people of all ages
• To produce creative output
• To have diverse content (such as with its representations)
• To reflect the United Kingdom, its culture and values to the world

4) What is regulation and how is the BBC regulated?

TV is regulated in the UK to ensure that rules are followed and inappropriate content is not broadcast to audiences.The BBC is regulated by OfCOM (the Office of Communications). OfCOM oversees all media channels and produces a code of conduct that all media channels must follow or have their licence to make content removed and/or be fined heavily.

5) How do Doctor Who and His Dark Materials help the BBC to meet the BBC's remit to inform, educate and entertain?

Doctor who educates people as its science fiction and how it time travels showing the historical events but also it entertains people as its a TV show. His dark materials entertains people as its a fantasy, adventure genre which will keep people interested.

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