Scene by Scene walk through

Characters

Poster Analysis

'Quantum Jump' s1 ep1

NATO military exercise

Split screen, old vs new
past vs future, split like the berlin wall communism vs capitalism
communism is far left - on the le

ft -
barb wire (caged, strict, not free) trapped, grey and dark pathetic fallacy
 red communist flag
stone - hard
prison buildings
Desaturated
bullets in the wall
not smiling

Right - bright, colourful, technology (space invaders)
rock n roll vs communist fist on left
grass - growth
freedom - kite
open space
smiling
non uniform

East Germany early 80's

historical, economic and social/cultural context for East Germany in the early 80s

What was life like?

Poverty was big because people could only afford the bare essentials. The state created its own industry for nearly everything and brands did not exist. Most people lived double lives and there was lots of surveillance. E.g. watch western Tv but not mention it outside of the house. People weren't allowed past the Berlin wall into the west so many tried to sneak into the country but many failed resulting in death. Others dug under the wall, hid in cars from western visitors, went through sewers etc. 

What did young people do for fun, like, listen to?

Many young people would come together to learn socialistic views and organise events for younger children by joining youth groups. Others enjoyed going out to theatres and watching movies. Authorities reviewed lyrics for hints of dissent so music was heavily censored. Bands were only allowed to sing in German but the youth wanted to listen to bands from abroad so a black market developed of copies of western artists' music. 

What was education like?

Students were taught Russian instead of being taught English as it is a world language that is usually taught in schools across the world. Children were taught basic etiquette and how to work together in classes which included socialism views. E.g. pioneer classes where each child would bring in something like show and tell which gave them the opportunity to talk to each other about their lives. 

Why was there so much tension and suspicion?

If the stasi thought that they were being rebellious by associating themselves with Western culture east Germans were put under surveillance. East Germany regarded the west as being run by old fascists and corrupted by big, international companies. They suspected the west to prepare for WW3. The west stated that the east deprived citizens of their human rights such as freedom of religion, speech and ability to leave the country. 

Why did people want to escape the East?

People had a lack of freedom in how they lived their life because the East was heavily run by the government. Everything was controlled, their social life, their work, what they said and what they did. People wanted to escape the East in order to have more freedom and the ability to express their views without being scared of being imprisoned or punished. 

Why did people like and respect the public?

There was no unemployment as they didn't believe in the concept therefore there was no benefits and workers were afforded the safety of their jobs as they couldn't be fires unless they committed a serious offence. They thought the patriarchy was viewed as a symptom of capitalism so they helped women in the workplace. They implemented a strong foundation of laws to protect mothers and distribute childcare services. There was more equality as there was a smaller gender pay gap than in the West.They offered free health care, free places to kindergarten and school and had affordable housing.  

What was the relationship between the citizens and the government/stasi nearing the end of the cold war?

The stasi, which was the largest network of secret police in history were able to infiltrate every facet of society and it is estimated that one in five adults in the country were directly connected to them.

Some citizens were happy in their living standards as there was benefits such as more quality, more work, free health care etc however a majority started to get rebellious as more people were being put under surveillance and being punished for the smallest things as the country was over-dictating. Therefore, this led to citizens tearing down the Berlin Wall by hand in order to get their freedom. 

How did they view the West?

They had popular culture such as western music, fashion and ideals because the West contained modern ideas with the allied countries of the Us and Uk. 

netflix

Marketing things

Representation essay

 How are different social groups represented in the clip you have analysed?

The representation of nerdy kids in school being picked on is a common representation which applies to the typical stereotype of the nerdy “weird” kids that usually get bullied. Stereotypically kids who are not following the mainstream “cool kids” are left out because they’re weird smart and nerdy .This stereotype is realistic to an extent  who don’t live by social norms and are considered outsiders are not
as accepted as those considered “normal”. Specifically in this era where as people were still heavily influenced by judgemental and traditional ideas. The kids are smaller than the bullies which shows them as timid, we can also tell that they have been used to this and let it happen as they don’t seem too bothered or shocked by the bullies. This is unlike will who in a case of danger show some courage and tried to fight back (gun). A well lit seen shows that the bullying isn’t hidden which tells us it wasn’t uncommon and considered socially normal. The bikes pulling up is a good way to add emphasis that will is missing as you are expecting a 4th bike to appear and it doesn’t Nancy Byers is represented stereo-typically as the smart pretty girl, a friend and a rebellious popular boy which is common in most school orientated or teenager orientated media, specifically in American school “cliques”.
US police officers are commonly portrayed on TV in a lazy manor; they’re eating donuts, playing cards, have their feet on the table. The representation makes no attempt to challenge stereotypes of a laid back, middle aged police force in a sleepy suburbia. Conventional for American police force because of the sheriff however this misrepresentation of plenty of everyday police officers.The police station is very bland and beige in colour scheme. The use of props helps donuts and cards. Cigarettes. Tracking shots. Relaxed body language suggests that the police force is not used to interesting things happening.
Interviews between people and police can be commonly observed in the general media however there is usually a clear character leading the scene. In this instance, each Joyce and Hopper are represented accurately; Joyce is concerned but she is resilient to Hopper’s suggestions and keen to get her voice heard. Hopper is also stubborn, refusing to admit that something drastic has happened in Hawkins. Stereotypes are used in order to establish the opposing ideas Joyce and Hopper have over Will’s disappearance. Hopper appears to be a stubborn, lazy, and almost uninterested sheriff, convinced that Will is completely fine. Joyce however, appears to be an unhinged single mother agonizing over her lost son.
Hopper could be perceived as mis-represented because he seems entirely uninterested in Joyce and Will whereas real life police officers would likely show some level of concern for a missing child case.
Hopper’s police stereotype is constructed  largely through make-up; his appearance is barely put together. Furthermore, the actor’s monotonous voice suggests a sincere lack of urgency. Joyce’s unhinged single mother trope can be recognized due to the iconography in the scene as well as the acting, some examples being the reliance on cigarettes, the constant pacing and shaking.

Representation

Representation

Characters

Episode walk through

Poster

LFTVD

Long for TV drama

- 2 questions: 30 and 15 marks-

- Stranger Things and Deutschland 83 (Same time periods) - 

- Series with a long narrative - 

- A TV drama that has a number of episodes that helps create a narrative and tell a story to an audience.

Network Television: (E.g. NBC, CBS)

• US network broadcasters must satisfy their advertisers and hold market share. They are also controlled by federal regulation.
• The impact of this on content is a reliance on highly formalised genre conventions and normative values which meet mainstream audience expectations but generate conservative drama. 

Cable Television: 

• Launched in the 1970s, HBO was the first US national subscription cable TV channel. 
• Other major US players include FX, Showtime, & AMC. Many are subsidiaries of media conglomerates (HBO/Warner, FX/Fox)
• These subscription based cable channels can take more risks with content and form. 
• By early 2000s The Sopranos and The Wire won awards, audiences and created 'water cooler' TV.  

UK TV Drama:

• UK broadcasters have failed to meet the challenge of the US cable channels move to long form with their risk - taking content and style. 
• BBC and ITV 90s > relied on genre-based, formula drama.
• Sky co-opted success of US long form with Sky Atlantic
• Commissioning remains tightly controlled with a conservative outlook

Subscription VOD (Viewing on demand)

• Content viewing via a TV still dominates in the UK.
• 3/4 UK households have PVR (Personal video recording) uptake but it has plateaued 
• Use of timeshift is increasing (You can watch whenever)
• Growth of SVOD (Streaming video on demand). Web based channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV is considerable. 
• Netflix dominates with 24% of UK market & 5 million subscribers. 10% growth 2015-16

Audiences:

• Rise in binge watching started with DVD in late 90s/early C21. Partially due to syndication problems in the UK.
• A move from 'Water cooler' to 'Shared universe' fandom (as with cinema)
• US long form drama often uses Easter eggs, and mid-season breaks to generate fan intensity and maintain a media profile. 

Why audiences love LFTVD:

• High quality drama
• Multiple episodes, hours, years
• Content can be dark and difficult but innovative 
• It now attracts some of the best and innovative writers and actors
• Time shifting, easily accessible 
• Keeps people invested
• Lots of creativity 
• Characters and themes change and develop
• Lots of different networks compete
• The show can cater to specific taste

'State of Nation' TV

• LFTVD challenged the simplistic story lines and stereotypical characters that dominate network TV in US.
• CULTURAL ZEITGEIST

- Genres: LFTVD can fit into any (E.g. Comedy, horror, thriller, mystery, drama, crime, etc.)

- Themes: Also can fit into any (E.g, Relationships, murder, power, war, coming of age, family, etc)

- Narratives: Can have vast variety of all different worlds which are completely different to normality

- Characters: Relatable and interesting to watch. Engaging so they are watched over long period

- Production Values: Good ones usually range from 4 million to 5 million per episode. 

- Methods/Platforms: Either on Terrestrial TV, Cable TV, Subscriptions, Streaming 

- State of Nation: Escapist for the viewers, not usual to their everyday life.

- Memes/Accessories: These can determine how popular the series is with the youth.

TV Dramas need:

• Various locations
• Stock characters - complex, able to follow for a long period of time. 
• Multiple narratives
• 1 hour episodes
• Dramatic cliff hangers - usually at end of season/mid season breaks
• High production values 

Stranger Things Intro

Overview

The series is set in 1983 surrounding the story of a group who kids searching for their missing friend. Along the way, they meet an unusual girl with supernatural powers. Throughout the series, they u unravel extraordinary mysteries surrounding their small town including government secrets, supernatural forces and Eleven, a girl with powers.

- The 1st season had 8 episodes, costing $6 million per episode.
- The show was created by the Duffer brothers (Twins). Ross and Matt (Born in the 90s)
- The show pays homage to E.T
- It debuted in July 2016
- represents 1980s nostalgia
- The shows resembles many other 80s films such as Gremlins, the Goonies, Ghostbuster etc.
- Winona Ryder, a famous 80s actress, plays Will's mother. This further links the show to the 80s
- The show increased in marketing through online buzz and fan artwork.
- It was also the little things in the background of scenes that referenced the 80s. E.g. Trapper Keeper
- When looking for a broadcaster/platform, the show was rejected by most mainstream.
- Netflix accepted as they were known as 'rebels' showing TV that was risky and different.
- The 1st series finished with unresolved issued meaning that they could be resolved in the 2nd series.
- Series 2 was set in 1984 and focused on the theme of video games whereas the first was boardgames
- The show references the work of Stephen Spielberg and Stephen King (Who liked the show)
- The show contained weaponized intertextuality due to fan service
- Stranger Things is a Pastiche (Opposite of parody)
- The character Eleven is compared to the characters E.T., Carrie and the girl from fire starter

ST Intertextuality