Tv Drama

Wednesday 6th January 2021

Tv Drama

Publicly owned TV channel- Funded by government & license fees for the public service

Commercial tv channel- Funded through advertisements

convergence- Process of joining different technologies into one device E.g. Mobile phone

Watershed-Times when adults content (15+) can be shown. Between 9pm and 5:30am

Segmented Market-Audience divided into different groups depending on taste and interests.

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

Self-regulating-Not regulated by outside bodies

Franchise-License from company of a product to use format/show/ideas.

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

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

Tv Licence-Any household or business watching, recording live broadcasts require to pay a license fee. Funds the BBC

Scheduling- Deciding which shows to show at which times

Conglomerate-A company that owns several smaller businesses whose products or services are usually very different.

1) When was TV introduced to the UK?

1926

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

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

22 September 1955

4) Which UK channels have to follow PSB remits?

Channel 3 services, channel 4. channel 5, S4C and the BBC

5) Who regulates TV now?

Ofcom

6) Who regulated Tv channels in the 1960's?

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

7) List the differences between Tv in the 60's and now

Wednesday 13th January 2021

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

Ofcom can fine broadcasters if their programmes breach (do not follow) their broadcasting code.

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

Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

In the UK the term "Public Service Broadcasting" refers to broadcasting which is intended for the public benefit rather than for purely commercial concerns (Just to make money)

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

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

License Fee: for & against 

For

• Independence from government
• No commercial pressures 
• Don't have to make a profit, so don't have t make all popular formats
• can make more niche, quality programmes that appeal to a wide, diverse audience

Against

• Outdated scheme (Doesn't match the way we consume tv now)
• Should be -pay-per-view/subscription
• Still have government influence as they set the level

Monday 18th January 2021

Tv Audience

Effects of Technology

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

Scheduling

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

for example, BBC1's strictly come dancing results show was scheduled at the same time as the X factor on ITV1

Peak viewing time is 6pm-10.30pm

Audience ratings are measured by the broadcasters' audience research board (BARB)

The watershed

Overseen by OFCOM, the watershed is between 9pm and 5.30am

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

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

Serial Tv Drama

Definition- Serial tv drama is defined as any television drama that is organised into a series of episodes (As opposed to one-off dramas). Typically, a series contains between 3 and 12 episodes. A serial has a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode-by-episode fashion. Tv dramas typically follow main story arcs that span an entire season; they often contains complex narratives and key characters that evolve as the season continues.

Key contextual Areas

In 1965 the cold war was at its height. Britain was a part of NATO- a group of 12 western countries who agreed to support each other in the face of a soviet attack. 

Monday 1st February 2021

The Avengers (1965)

1) What institution (channel) produced the show? ABC (American Broadcasting company)

2)Who was the primary and secondary audience (age rating/gender/interests etc)

3)When did the first episode air? January 7 1961

4)How many seasons were made? 7

5)What date/year was the last episode aired? 21st April 1969

6)What was the budget for series 4? 

The narrative (storyline)

The characters

How the episodes shows the social and cultural context (The mid 60s)

Audience appeal

Wednesday 3rd February 2021

The narrative-Steed and Emma, on the trail of several murdered agents, visit little Bazeley by the sea- a town that strangers rarely leave and discover it is being secretly infiltrated by enemy agents.

The characters- John Steed, Emma Peel, Brandon. Smallwood, Piggy Warren

How the episode shows the social and cultural context (the mid 60's):

• Socially they talk to anyone, e.g such as on a train.
• Seem very friendly, hang out with a person they met on the train.

Wednesday 10th February 2021

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

Monday 22nd February 2021

Representation

How was the stereotypical English seaside town represented in Ep1?

Characters- they are friendly and laid back, they meet people on trains and invite them for a drink

Setting- They were in a pub and a inn and the beach

Props- 

Character interaction- friendly

Dialogue- 

Stereotypes-

A new breed of tough, intelligent women- was seen in this episode.

Woman are sex objects - no

Ideological tension about gender roles in 1965- no

EP as an anti-stereotype- she overpowers steed in the fencing match

EP as an reactionary stereotype- she is ordered by steed to leave immediately for a mission without warning.

Changing attitudes : Class

In the 1960's, full employment had improved the standard of living and working class people could afford much more. Popular culture became something available to all. London was seen as the centre of exciting new trends in fashion art and music.

Changing attitudes: Age

In the 1960's, there was a clear 'generation gap' between the younger generation with their new fashions, music and art and changing social attitudes and values and th eolder, more traditional generation.

Changing attitudes: Ethnicity

In the 1960's, there was growing support for the civil rights movement but racial and ethnic inequalities in society remained.

Wednesday 3rd march 2021

How many channels are there available to watch for free on UK TV?

80

What different ways are there to watch TV now?

Freeview, satellite, cable

What would make you want to watch a new tv series?

If it had actors that I liked, if i enjoyed the genre and the storyline.

What different methods do producers use to keep audiences interested in a show?

What elements did the producers choose to include and why?

How have they represented police life?

They represent police life as them being the enemy, some people don't trust the police.

How have they represented personal dramas?

They represent personal dramas as drama that gets in the way of the job

How have they used media language to make it appeal to the target audience?

Monday 8th March 2021

Conventions of police drama

• Set in a police station 
• Got a detective, that solve crimes
• police drama deals with issues in their personal lives. 
• red herring
• police uniform 
• focuses on crimes that has been committed.
• Women can be in charge or can be respected.
• Smart uniform
• Prison cells

In life of mars 

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 

PC Jake Vickers-

inexperienced 

naive

DS Jo Moffat-

independent 

Chief super Robert Vickers-

Wednesday 24th March 2021

Cuffs and social contents.

Lo/ To analyse representation and influence of social and 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 fighting ad arguing with each other, Stag do people mocking Pc Ryan, he the get punched. 
• Dialogue: Chief talking about the roles of the police. Radio at the beginning showing its a police show.
• Stereotypes: Police are not sure what they're doing, not in control. Chief is a stereotype of what a Chief super should look like. The crimes show it's not set in a city. Little sea side towns attracts young people.

Starts with a long shot of the beach establishing this is where it is set.

Established shot at beginning

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 has an important role because she is a detective.
• She is shown as strong during the raid scene and is physically involved.
• She can also be seen as weak when she hesitates to do the press conference.
• Her role and power reflects the number of women in positions of authority in 2015.

PC Donna Prager 

• She is seen as a side character but is still showed as a strong female character 
• She in ways can be shown as stronger than Jo as she has not shown any weaknesses.
• Her age may come up as she is younger than Jo.

Chief Super Robert Vickers 

• A more traditional representation of masculinity, as the dominant
• Controlling male whose job it is to keep his team of detectives and police officers in line.
• Represented as authoritative and his patriarchal is both his work and personal life. 

PC Jake Vickers

• Shows he is inexperienced 
• Naive
• Weak and overconfident 
• Dedicated

PC Lino Moretti

• Comical character
• eating is a focus of the joke
• Dedicated and experienced within his job
• Respected

Robert Vickers- Authoritative - stereotypical

Jake Vickers- anti-stereotypical, strong, confident, emotional 

Lino Moretti- Comical confrontation 

Carl Hawkins- Aggressive, confrontational

Felix Kane-  Calm, sensitive

Ryan Draper- Determined and focused, emotional and 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 ethnicities accepted by the police attitude and the main character 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.

Wednesday 31st March

The Avengers: The Town Of No Return

The Narrative-Steed and Emma, on the trail of several murdered agents, visit little Bazeley by the sea- a town that strangers rarely leave and discover it is being secretly infiltrated by enemy agents.

The Characters-John Steed, Emma Peel, Brandon. Smallwood, Piggy Warren

How the episode shows the social and cultural context-

• Socially they talk to anyone, e.g such as on a train.
• Seem very friendly, hang out with a person they met on the train.

Audience Appeal-

Personal Identity

Steed- traditional James bond figure, reliable, strong dependent 

Remains those who fought in WW2, as steed fought 

Those who know someone who fought in WW2 

Mrs peel- married, has a career, strong independent, powerful aspirational to the audience 

information- could gain information about the world of upper class 

could gin information about the world of espionage/spies

Could feel reassured that there were highly capable agents protecting Britain.

Monday 19th April 2021

Analysing an Extract 

Camerawork

Establishing shots

Low angle-, a low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up

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"

Aerial shots-Aerial photography is the taking of photographs from an aircraft or other flying object

canted angles-camera shot which involves setting the camera at an angle on its roll axis

Camera Movements

Tracking-A tracking shot is any shot where the camera follows backward, forward or moves alongside the subject being recorded.

steadicam-

crane shots- crane shot is a shot taken by a camera on a moving crane or jib.

hand-held camera-Hand-held camera or hand-held shooting is a filmmaking and video production technique in which a camera is held in the camera operator's hands as opposed to being mounted on a tripod or other base.

point of view-A point of view shot is a short film scene that shows what a character is looking at. It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something,

shallow focus-Shallow focus is 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.

Editing

Shot/reverse shot

juxtaposition

non-continuity editing

crosscutting

fast-paced editing

transitions

dissolve

wipe

fade

post-production effects

Soundtrack

music

diegetic

non-diegetic sound

sound effects

sound bridge- Sound that continues from one scene to another. This helps create a smooth transition between scenes =. In this way, the sound is said to be enchancing the continuity of the film. 

voiceover

parallel sound- sound that complements the image track. Sound & image seem to reflect each other.

contrapuntal sound-Sound that does not complements or fit with the image track.

Mise en scene

high key

low key lightning

location

set

costume

makeup

props

casting

performance style

blocking (the composition of elements within the shot)

theme song at the beginning-upbeat

Non-diegetic sound was used in the beginning scene

How has sound been used to create meaning?

Sound has been used in this extract to create meaning by the theme song at the beginning of the episode shows it's from a show that would have a young audience, it's fast paced and got action not slowly paced and for older audience. Shows it's a mystery. Ambient sounds appear when the seagull appears on the beach. The sound reinforces the 1960's espionage 

Wednesday 21st April 2021

Theme music in the title credit is upbeat and modern but has a serious mysterious tone. This use of sound suggests that the episode will be aimed at a younger dynamic audience through the use of fast paced and tone in the theme music.

Sound has been used in the beginning of the scene to dip in and out with the characters speaking and other background noises. The background sounds go with the type of tv show.

Avengers Context 

       

CREEPY

Music goes lighter when they defeat the bad guys.

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

In the Avengers one example of a social context is threat of foreign invasion. This is shown when they are in the bunker and they discover that they are bringing an army over replacing the old town people and putting their own people in there place. They use a old secret bunker that was not longer in use to hide all there foods and weapons. The foreign invaders wanted to take over England, and start by taking over a little town by the water.

Wednesday 28th April 2021

Context- The Avengers: The town of no return

Lo/ To analyse representation and influence of social and cultural context in series 4 episode 1

How was Gender represented in Episode 1?

• Characters- 

• Setting-

• Props-

• Character interaction- Polite 

• Dialogue-

• Stereotypes-

How was Gender used to show the attitudes and values in the 1960's?

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

Representation- how is something presented? 1960's?

 Audience- Who is the audience?How does it attract the audience?

Industries- who makes this? When is it on?

Contracts- What is real life like at the time?

A new breed of tough, intelligent woman 

Seen through Mrs Peel, as seen near the end of the episode they have a fight in the bunker.

Women as sex objects

Seen through Mrs Peel, when she's wearing that catsuit.

How is gender represented in the Avengers?

In the episode women are represented by Mrs Peel as a new breed of tough, an intelligent woman, which is shown near the end of the episode where Mrs Peel and Steed are in the bunker fighting the bad guys.

Wednesday 5th May 2021

Exam Preparation

1. Media Language (Sound, editing, camerawork and mise-en-scene) 5 marks 2 examples

How has sound been used to create meaning?

In the scene where they are in the cafe there are sounds in the background from a radio.