1) Introduction to TV Drama
2) Capital: Case study
3) Capital: Marxism and Hegemony
4) Capital: Applying Marxism
5) Deutschland 83: Case study
6) Deutschland 83: Close-textual analysis notes
7) Deutschland 83: Postmodernism
8) Industries: The rise of foreign-language TV dramas
9) Industries: The impact of new/digital media on television
10) TV: 750-word exam question
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
TV: The impact of new/digital media on television
Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on Netflix and the Cultural Industries(MM63 - page 45). Create a blogpost called 'The impact of new/digital media on TV' and answer the following questions:
1) What does the 'industry' concept in A Level Media Studies refer to?
The ‘industry’ concept refers to the companies that create and distribute media texts, the standard practices of media production, as well as the regulatory and legal frameworks in which the companies operate.
2) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
Hesmondhalgh, broadly speaking, argues that since the 1980s there’s been a significant shift in cultural production.
3) Choose the three most significant points Hesmondhalgh makes regarding the changing cultural industries. Why are these the most significant in your view? Globalization has meant media texts can circulate more easily across borders reducing North American dominance.
This point is important because it allows texts to be distributed to other countries which means that other people from different countries and nationalities can watch other shows from other countries. This will allow them to appreciate the rise of foreign- language television. Media texts can circulate to other borders so foreign-language television will get a bigger audience.
Digitisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies.
This is an important point because this meant that media companies will have more competition and it will be harder for media companies to attract customers to watch their media texts because bigger and more powerful technology companies are coming into the industry such as Google, Apple and Amazon. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Facebook have become two of the biggest media companies in the world
on the back of advertising revenues. Because they can target niche audiences, advertisers
can be confident that their message is getting to their desired audience. At the same time, the global reach of the Internet can maximise their audience.
Niche audiences are increasingly targeted.
This point is important because it is showing the rise of Art house films in the last couple of years. Films have started targeting smaller audiences because it is more effective compared to when films used to attract large audiences. It is more effective and also it tells us that the the film will be different and the structure and narrative is different and every person won't like it but some people will appreciate the fact that the film is different
4) What is technological convergence?
In general, convergence is a coming together of two or more distinct entities or phenomena. Technological convergence is increasingly prevalent in the information technology world; in this context, the term refers to the combination of two or more different technologies in a single device.
5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
Although digitization’s first major impact was on the music industry, with the creation of CDs in the early 1980s, it was the growth of home computing and the creation of the World Wide Web, which led to increased technological convergence; digitization of media meant every media form could be accessed on computers. It was this that eventually enabled tech companies to compete directly with media companies and, arguably, even become media companies. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Facebook have become two of the biggest media companies in the world on the back of advertising revenues. Because they can micro-target niche audiences, advertisers can be confident that their message is getting to their desired audience. At the same time, the global reach of the Internet can maximize their audience.
6) What budgets will Netflix, Amazon and Apple spend on original programming next year?
Next year Netflix plans to spend $8bn on original material; Amazon’s budget is estimated at $4.5bn. Apple has recently joined the fray with a $1bn spend.
7) How many countries are Netflix and Amazon available in?
Netflix is available to 190 countries around the world and Amazon prime is available in 200 countries around the world.
8) The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content. What example from Netflix does the article use to explain this?
Digitisation, and the ability to distribute texts via the Internet, meant that technology companies could
challenge traditional broadcasters. For example, Amazon (originally an online book seller) is now producing its own ‘television’ programmes. In doing this it followed Netflix, which began as a postal DVD service, in ‘liberating’ television programmes from broadcasters’ schedules with on-demand viewing. Netflix understood their business was distributing audiovisual texts and so realised that it needed to create its own online subscription service. Traditional distributors of DVDs, like the shop Blockbuster, went bust after broadband connections facilitated video streaming. Even more cannily Netflix
also understood that it would need to produce its own content because the traditional media companies would eventually realise that they could set up their own Internet distribution networks. Disney, for example, has withdrawn all its content from Netflix for distribution on its own channel.
9) Do you think technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry?
I think technology companies such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry because I think that all these companies are powerful businesses and they want to compete in the film industry and want to offer their customers as much as possible so that they don't go to a rival. Also, because they want to get other companies in the film industry out of business which means that the big companies like Facebook and Apple don't want to just dominate their field of expertise but they want to dominate other fields such as the film industry because they want to make more profit and become an even bigger company who will dominate the markets today.
10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?
Changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83 because it will allow the producers to use more advanced cameras and lighting, which will allow them to go for more ambitious shots. Also, this means that more features will be available for when the editing takes place. Finally, the changes in technology will allow the producer to pick more advanced locations and also use props with the technology involved, Such as, in Capital they could have made London more of a technological city with drones and more advancements using different editing techniques.
1) What does the 'industry' concept in A Level Media Studies refer to?
The ‘industry’ concept refers to the companies that create and distribute media texts, the standard practices of media production, as well as the regulatory and legal frameworks in which the companies operate.
2) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
Hesmondhalgh, broadly speaking, argues that since the 1980s there’s been a significant shift in cultural production.
3) Choose the three most significant points Hesmondhalgh makes regarding the changing cultural industries. Why are these the most significant in your view? Globalization has meant media texts can circulate more easily across borders reducing North American dominance.
This point is important because it allows texts to be distributed to other countries which means that other people from different countries and nationalities can watch other shows from other countries. This will allow them to appreciate the rise of foreign- language television. Media texts can circulate to other borders so foreign-language television will get a bigger audience.
Digitisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies.
This is an important point because this meant that media companies will have more competition and it will be harder for media companies to attract customers to watch their media texts because bigger and more powerful technology companies are coming into the industry such as Google, Apple and Amazon. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Facebook have become two of the biggest media companies in the world
on the back of advertising revenues. Because they can target niche audiences, advertisers
can be confident that their message is getting to their desired audience. At the same time, the global reach of the Internet can maximise their audience.
Niche audiences are increasingly targeted.
This point is important because it is showing the rise of Art house films in the last couple of years. Films have started targeting smaller audiences because it is more effective compared to when films used to attract large audiences. It is more effective and also it tells us that the the film will be different and the structure and narrative is different and every person won't like it but some people will appreciate the fact that the film is different
4) What is technological convergence?
In general, convergence is a coming together of two or more distinct entities or phenomena. Technological convergence is increasingly prevalent in the information technology world; in this context, the term refers to the combination of two or more different technologies in a single device.
5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
Although digitization’s first major impact was on the music industry, with the creation of CDs in the early 1980s, it was the growth of home computing and the creation of the World Wide Web, which led to increased technological convergence; digitization of media meant every media form could be accessed on computers. It was this that eventually enabled tech companies to compete directly with media companies and, arguably, even become media companies. Alphabet (Google’s parent company) and Facebook have become two of the biggest media companies in the world on the back of advertising revenues. Because they can micro-target niche audiences, advertisers can be confident that their message is getting to their desired audience. At the same time, the global reach of the Internet can maximize their audience.
6) What budgets will Netflix, Amazon and Apple spend on original programming next year?
Next year Netflix plans to spend $8bn on original material; Amazon’s budget is estimated at $4.5bn. Apple has recently joined the fray with a $1bn spend.
7) How many countries are Netflix and Amazon available in?
Netflix is available to 190 countries around the world and Amazon prime is available in 200 countries around the world.
8) The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content. What example from Netflix does the article use to explain this?
Digitisation, and the ability to distribute texts via the Internet, meant that technology companies could
challenge traditional broadcasters. For example, Amazon (originally an online book seller) is now producing its own ‘television’ programmes. In doing this it followed Netflix, which began as a postal DVD service, in ‘liberating’ television programmes from broadcasters’ schedules with on-demand viewing. Netflix understood their business was distributing audiovisual texts and so realised that it needed to create its own online subscription service. Traditional distributors of DVDs, like the shop Blockbuster, went bust after broadband connections facilitated video streaming. Even more cannily Netflix
also understood that it would need to produce its own content because the traditional media companies would eventually realise that they could set up their own Internet distribution networks. Disney, for example, has withdrawn all its content from Netflix for distribution on its own channel.
9) Do you think technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry?
I think technology companies such as Google, Facebook, and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry because I think that all these companies are powerful businesses and they want to compete in the film industry and want to offer their customers as much as possible so that they don't go to a rival. Also, because they want to get other companies in the film industry out of business which means that the big companies like Facebook and Apple don't want to just dominate their field of expertise but they want to dominate other fields such as the film industry because they want to make more profit and become an even bigger company who will dominate the markets today.
10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?
Changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83 because it will allow the producers to use more advanced cameras and lighting, which will allow them to go for more ambitious shots. Also, this means that more features will be available for when the editing takes place. Finally, the changes in technology will allow the producer to pick more advanced locations and also use props with the technology involved, Such as, in Capital they could have made London more of a technological city with drones and more advancements using different editing techniques.
TV exam question
“Realism is a vital component of television drama”. To what extent does an analysis of your television close-study products support this view? [25 marks]
Realism is a very important component in a television drama as it allows people to relate to the show, allowing them to create personal relationships with characters who may have potentially gone through similar experiences in life creating a connection with the viewer. The setting may also be something realistic which can keep the audience at bay as well.
In Deutschland 83 clearly, the show takes place during the end of the cold war. This is very significant as the audience of this show gains a vast amount of knowledge and insight, this is called surveillance. Furthermore, this reveals how realism is a vital aspect as the audience can learn something useful from this TV. In addition, Deutschland 83 provides an escape for the viewer as the show takes you to a completely different era as opposed to watching a regular modern tv show where we know everything about the setting. There is a great use of bricolage in the show such as when Ronald Reagan's speech is played on tv whilst the characters are watching it, this adds an immense sense of realism as real-life events are brought into the show making it seem like the audience is really taken back to that era.
In Capital, another very realistic show takes the modern day approach as in this state of the nation drama we can easily sympathize with characters as we see what it's like living in modern day Britain through the diversity of characters ranging from different ethnicities to different classes. In this show the audience will build relationships with the different Families portrayed in the show with the Kamals and Rodgers family, the two families seem to be portrayed as typical British integrated families which the audience can greatly relate to. In addition, another very realistic thing about this show is the constant reminder of the housing prices going up which is as close as you can get to realistic further supporting the importance of realism. There is A very good shot of Rodger in the London underground trains where it is shown to be crowded is an excellent portrayal of what London is like. Different aspects of life in London are portrayed by the tragic storyline of Quentina who is an asylum seeker, we see how she finds herself in a battle with immigration, which is something many people in London today may face. Quentina wounds up being a sympathetic character as she tackles the tougher aspects of life in London. Personal identity is formed here with Quentina.
To conclude my take on realism, both Deutschland 83 and capital offer very realistic showings through mainly setting, characters and historical contexts such as the cold war and Londons economical crisis in 2008, the characters are also very important in a show like capital as personal identity is formed with many characters. And the settings were also vital because of how real they were.
Realism is a very important component in a television drama as it allows people to relate to the show, allowing them to create personal relationships with characters who may have potentially gone through similar experiences in life creating a connection with the viewer. The setting may also be something realistic which can keep the audience at bay as well.
In Deutschland 83 clearly, the show takes place during the end of the cold war. This is very significant as the audience of this show gains a vast amount of knowledge and insight, this is called surveillance. Furthermore, this reveals how realism is a vital aspect as the audience can learn something useful from this TV. In addition, Deutschland 83 provides an escape for the viewer as the show takes you to a completely different era as opposed to watching a regular modern tv show where we know everything about the setting. There is a great use of bricolage in the show such as when Ronald Reagan's speech is played on tv whilst the characters are watching it, this adds an immense sense of realism as real-life events are brought into the show making it seem like the audience is really taken back to that era.
In Capital, another very realistic show takes the modern day approach as in this state of the nation drama we can easily sympathize with characters as we see what it's like living in modern day Britain through the diversity of characters ranging from different ethnicities to different classes. In this show the audience will build relationships with the different Families portrayed in the show with the Kamals and Rodgers family, the two families seem to be portrayed as typical British integrated families which the audience can greatly relate to. In addition, another very realistic thing about this show is the constant reminder of the housing prices going up which is as close as you can get to realistic further supporting the importance of realism. There is A very good shot of Rodger in the London underground trains where it is shown to be crowded is an excellent portrayal of what London is like. Different aspects of life in London are portrayed by the tragic storyline of Quentina who is an asylum seeker, we see how she finds herself in a battle with immigration, which is something many people in London today may face. Quentina wounds up being a sympathetic character as she tackles the tougher aspects of life in London. Personal identity is formed here with Quentina.
To conclude my take on realism, both Deutschland 83 and capital offer very realistic showings through mainly setting, characters and historical contexts such as the cold war and Londons economical crisis in 2008, the characters are also very important in a show like capital as personal identity is formed with many characters. And the settings were also vital because of how real they were.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
deutschland 83: postmodernism
Post Modernism and Deutschland '83.
1) Read the section on Strinati's five ways to define postmodernity. What examples are provided of the breakdown of the distinction between culture and society (media-isation)?
5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?
9) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?
The spy montage is the best example of postmodernism. This is because he is training which looks like a James Bond or Rocky movie. Also, the use of cinematography makes it look like we are watching him for a long period of time. The mise-en-scene reinforces the realism of the 80s and makes this scene a great example of postmodernism.
10) Why might audiences enjoy the postmodern aspects of Deutschland 83? What audience pleasures might elements of bricolage or pastiche provide viewers?
They might enjoy it because it can create nostalgia for the audience which is an audience pleasure as they are watching something they have had previous knowledge/experience.
The characters Bruno and Borat would be more known than the actor who portrays the character. The characters seem more real to the audience than the actors i.e. Sacha Baron Cohen as Borat.
The media reality is more real than the object itself. The example given is advertising. A poor quality product could sell well if it had a good marketing technique but a good quality product can fail with a poor marketing strategy.
2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?
2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?
As modernisation increases the historical context of the culture is lost. In Deutschland '83 modern music was a draft from the old culture of music in the 60s to 80s. The show uses classic songs from the 80s that have lost its historical context but the show is a recreation of this time period so it gives the historical context of songs like 'Sweet Dreams' back to the modern audience.
3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?
People are more willing to buy a product based on the brand image than the actual quality of the product. Also, people are becoming famous because they have been featured on a famous show rather than a talent or ability being identified - Big Brother.
3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?
People are more willing to buy a product based on the brand image than the actual quality of the product. Also, people are becoming famous because they have been featured on a famous show rather than a talent or ability being identified - Big Brother.
Jameson refers to this as cultural depthlessness, similar to Baudrillard's theory where meaning is lost and the surface representation is the only thing that is seen. But this can be countered like when the death of a celebrity occurs, the emotions and outcry replaces the shallowness of 'style over substance'.
4) What examples from music are provided for the breakdown of the distinction between art and popular culture? Can this be applied to Deutschland 83?
There is high art, which could be Opera and theatre music which is targeted at intelligent, wealthy people. In Deutschland 83, the daughter who is singing to the whole house in West Germany is high art music. There is also low art, which could be pop music, TV which was in the mass market. In Deutschland 83, there is a garden party where they are drinking and listening to pop.
There is high art, which could be Opera and theatre music which is targeted at intelligent, wealthy people. In Deutschland 83, the daughter who is singing to the whole house in West Germany is high art music. There is also low art, which could be pop music, TV which was in the mass market. In Deutschland 83, there is a garden party where they are drinking and listening to pop.
5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?
A bricolage is construction or creation from a diverse range of available things.
6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.
6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.
The audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 can be linked to postmodernism because of nostalgia. This is because the show uses brands and technology from the past and we as the audience is allowed to view that from a modern perspective.
7) Read the analysis of media concepts and postmodern approaches on page 3 of the factsheet. Choose three of the concepts and write an example from Deutschland 83. Clue: genre, representation, ideology and audience would all be good options for this task.
Genre: The spy genre is emphasised through the use of cinematography and music. We can see how they have used various shots such as through the blinds, windows, higher angles (CCTV) to create enigma and tension for the audience. Also, the music is paced according to the situation.
Audience: The audience are shown different ways of viewing media and different ways of consuming the show. The montage and different types of editing aren't typical spy series conventions so this forces them to engage more intellectually rather than consume what they expect to see and are used to seeing.
8) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?.
The entire show is based on real events but the narrative of the show is fictional. The mise-en-scene in the scenes are used to make the show feel as real as possible to strengthen the narrative. The characters are fictional in a sense, therefore the hyper-real narrative gives the show the postmodernist aspects.
Genre: The spy genre is emphasised through the use of cinematography and music. We can see how they have used various shots such as through the blinds, windows, higher angles (CCTV) to create enigma and tension for the audience. Also, the music is paced according to the situation.
Ideology: Each part of Germany is represented by colour and props. The east is shown with dull colours, less expensive clothes and houses that were cramped and dated.The west is shown with bright colours, more light and what seems like a more expensive lifestyle.
8) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?.
The entire show is based on real events but the narrative of the show is fictional. The mise-en-scene in the scenes are used to make the show feel as real as possible to strengthen the narrative. The characters are fictional in a sense, therefore the hyper-real narrative gives the show the postmodernist aspects.
9) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?
The spy montage is the best example of postmodernism. This is because he is training which looks like a James Bond or Rocky movie. Also, the use of cinematography makes it look like we are watching him for a long period of time. The mise-en-scene reinforces the realism of the 80s and makes this scene a great example of postmodernism.
10) Why might audiences enjoy the postmodern aspects of Deutschland 83? What audience pleasures might elements of bricolage or pastiche provide viewers?
They might enjoy it because it can create nostalgia for the audience which is an audience pleasure as they are watching something they have had previous knowledge/experience.
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