TV: Capital case study
Reviews and features
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
Textual analysis
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
The camerawork focuses to capture the residential life of London in the suburbs of London rather than the city life
2) What does the camera movement when characters are initially introduced suggest about the drama and its London setting? Pick out one or two shots in particular.
The shot of the traffic warden suggests that she lives in a friendly suburban neighborhood.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
The trailer for capital uses everyday sets, locations, items etc, to make the show look as if it's showing the life of everyday families and people. E.g. the usage of normal settings like everyday corner shops, and houses on a normal street.
4) Bastille's 'These Streets' is used as the soundtrack for the trailer. What does this communicate to the audience and why is it effective?
The song hints at the family nature of the T.V Drama by with the usage of "these streets are yours, you can keep em".
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer hints at enigma codes and tension through multiple ways, one way is the method of quickly introducing the main characters, this shows the audience that there are multiple storylines in one T.V show, not only this but within the trailer, the main characters often ask questions that the audience don't know the answers to, this creates even more questions within the viewer.
Watch the Episode 1 preview for Capital:
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
The preview clip suggests that the T.V drama could also have a crime sub-genre or even a family sub-genre.
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
Within the preview, a person of colour asks the policeman a question that hints at racial injustice when it comes to the mistreatment of POC in the justice system, this is a real-world problem that is a problem that hints at a more social aspect of the world within the show.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
The preview uses mise-en-scene to help portray a realistic scene by using everyday clothing and props to help show a realistic atmosphere.
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
The scene adds a pleasure of relatability to middle and lower class viewers as the POC in the scene states a mentality that many people relate to.
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The audience is positioned to feel symphony towards the POC within this scene due to the realistic nature of how the character acted in the situation.
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The scene shows upper-middle-class life as quite luxurious but are full of their own unique difficulties and issues
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
In the scene, it is suggested that the banker will have a relationship with the nanny and that the wife and the banker will have a fall out in the future.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience is positioned to feel two different feelings towards the main character, both sympathy, and also anger, sympathy due to the fact that a wife is a terrible person, and the audience is positioned to feel that the banker doesn't deserve this. But then also anger due to the fact that he may be cheating on his wife.
Production and industry context
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
Kudos has three parent companies, the largest being 21st century fox, the two other companies are Apollo Global Management and Endemol Shine Group.
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
Spooks (2002) on BBC One.
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
Kudos have produced multiple shows such as Humans, River, Utopia and Apple Tree yard. Some awards Kudos have won are:
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
Kudos showreel is primarily filled with drama/action based shows, this shows that one of the audience pleasures Kudos provides is an emotional connection with the characters within the show, another possible pleasure could be an accurate social reality as most of their shows present many real-world issues to their viewers.
Marketing and promotion
1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?
The programme information contains information about the characters, this information shows that there is a wide representation of the characters present in the Drama, this representation could interest a large number of viewers.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
This additional information gives the director credibility as it shows that the director has experience in helping to produce quality content.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
Not only do the quotes suggest that the drama is thrilling and entertaining but the drama the quotes also work to the same effect as the mentioning of the directors and producers previous work.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The packaging offers an unorthodox representation of London showing the racial and cultural diversity.
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
- Capital accurately represents London life
- Tackles social issues
- Well written story
- Diverse cast
2) What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
- The daily mail said that the show purposely makes the white people within in the show unlikeable characters
- Due to the many storylines within capital, some of the storylines seem to be underdeveloped.
3) How does the TV drama change the time period and location for the story in comparison to the original novel?
The novel was written in 2007, while the tv show was aired in 2015
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
The Telegraph states that the average housing price for houses in London increased by £500,000
5) What references can you find in these reviews and features to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?
Capital helps present social issues and also represents different
Textual analysis
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
The camerawork focuses to capture the residential life of London in the suburbs of London rather than the city life
2) What does the camera movement when characters are initially introduced suggest about the drama and its London setting? Pick out one or two shots in particular.
The shot of the traffic warden suggests that she lives in a friendly suburban neighborhood.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
The trailer for capital uses everyday sets, locations, items etc, to make the show look as if it's showing the life of everyday families and people. E.g. the usage of normal settings like everyday corner shops, and houses on a normal street.
4) Bastille's 'These Streets' is used as the soundtrack for the trailer. What does this communicate to the audience and why is it effective?
The song hints at the family nature of the T.V Drama by with the usage of "these streets are yours, you can keep em".
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer hints at enigma codes and tension through multiple ways, one way is the method of quickly introducing the main characters, this shows the audience that there are multiple storylines in one T.V show, not only this but within the trailer, the main characters often ask questions that the audience don't know the answers to, this creates even more questions within the viewer.
Watch the Episode 1 preview for Capital:
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
The preview clip suggests that the T.V drama could also have a crime sub-genre or even a family sub-genre.
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
Within the preview, a person of colour asks the policeman a question that hints at racial injustice when it comes to the mistreatment of POC in the justice system, this is a real-world problem that is a problem that hints at a more social aspect of the world within the show.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
The preview uses mise-en-scene to help portray a realistic scene by using everyday clothing and props to help show a realistic atmosphere.
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
The scene adds a pleasure of relatability to middle and lower class viewers as the POC in the scene states a mentality that many people relate to.
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The audience is positioned to feel symphony towards the POC within this scene due to the realistic nature of how the character acted in the situation.
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The scene shows upper-middle-class life as quite luxurious but are full of their own unique difficulties and issues
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
In the scene, it is suggested that the banker will have a relationship with the nanny and that the wife and the banker will have a fall out in the future.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience is positioned to feel two different feelings towards the main character, both sympathy, and also anger, sympathy due to the fact that a wife is a terrible person, and the audience is positioned to feel that the banker doesn't deserve this. But then also anger due to the fact that he may be cheating on his wife.
Production and industry context
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
Kudos has three parent companies, the largest being 21st century fox, the two other companies are Apollo Global Management and Endemol Shine Group.
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
Spooks (2002) on BBC One.
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
Kudos have produced multiple shows such as Humans, River, Utopia and Apple Tree yard. Some awards Kudos have won are:
- Broadcast Magazine Supplement, The Indies - peer poll
- Televisual Bulldog Award - Best Indie
- Broadcast Magazine Supplement, The Indies - peer poll
- Broadcast Awards - Best Independent Production Company - 2007
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
Kudos showreel is primarily filled with drama/action based shows, this shows that one of the audience pleasures Kudos provides is an emotional connection with the characters within the show, another possible pleasure could be an accurate social reality as most of their shows present many real-world issues to their viewers.
Marketing and promotion
1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?
The programme information contains information about the characters, this information shows that there is a wide representation of the characters present in the Drama, this representation could interest a large number of viewers.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
This additional information gives the director credibility as it shows that the director has experience in helping to produce quality content.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Kudos commissioned Capital.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
Toby Jones explains that while his character Roger is not an inherently evil character, he is although a complacent person, Roger is also a character that tends to splurge large amounts of money on unnecessary items, changes etc.
5) Read the interview with Adeel Akhtar (page 10). What does he suggest Capital says about the fictional Pepys Road and the sense of community (or lack of it) in London?
Akhatr states that Pepys Road represents what most rodes are like in London while also focusing on different aspects of modern London communities and the perspectives of different people who are foreign to these communities.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
Azmi says that the Kumal Family accurately represented the British Asian family in Capital and that the absorption of different cultures is shown within the family.
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
Peter Bowker's favourite scene in Capital is the scene where Roger's wife leaves him on Christmas morning, he says that while provides comic relief, the scene also shows the effect everything is having on his life and his realisation of how his life is changing.
8) Read the interview with Derek Wax, the Executive Producer for Kudos (page 16). Why did he produce Capital and what does it say about the way we live now?
the main reason as to why Derek wanted to produce Capital was due to the challenge the show presented to Derek, the fact that small details about the characters lives had to presented while also presenting London life was something that appealed Derek. He also believes that Capital accurately shows how London life has changed and continues to change.
1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?
Since the audinece can see that the show was produced by producers and directors that created popular T.V shows adds the potential of capital in the viewer's eyes.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The layout of the design shows the audience that the drama is a multi-narrative drama that will be focusing on the lives of multiple characters.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
Not only do the quotes suggest that the drama is thrilling and entertaining but the drama the quotes also work to the same effect as the mentioning of the directors and producers previous work.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The packaging offers an unorthodox representation of London showing the racial and cultural diversity.
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