Capital Case Study blog task
1) What positive points does the review pick out about Capital? What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
One positive point is that the cast is brilliant, Another positive point is that it is based on an acclaimed model. Another positive point is that the TV presentation is set in the present day. A fourth positive point which can be made is that it connects with Londoners.
2)
What references can you find in the reviews and feature to the idea
Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day
London?
Trailer analysis
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
The camera is placed at an eye level which helps to place the audience in the scene, moreover this allows the audience to experience what it is like to live in London which is demonstrated through the friendlyness of the store owner while Quentina walks past.
2) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
The trailer highlights Roger and his wife having an argument and this can be seen when the focus is shifted onto Roger in the park telling someone to calm down and then the scene cuts to his wife screaming, this captures the element of family and it reveals a potential narrative of drama.
3) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
One narrative strand which suggests tension would be roger and his wife where his wife begins to scream "what are we going to do". Another narrative strand which links to the main idea behind Capitals reason to exist is the post cards which the woman on the laptop talks to Ahmad about. This poses an enigma code to the audience as they question what these postcards are about.
1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in the lesson:
Scene 1: opening sequence 00:30 – 4.49
London:
Diversity of London - importance of immigration to London’s recent history
Price of houses making Londoners “millionaires”
£2.75m - crazy price for one house in Pepys Road. “Doctors and bankers”.
Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10
Family and Gender:
Lack of representation of women in the financial services workplace/environment.
The conversation in Roger’s boss’s office is between three white men.
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35
Issues, Capitalism, Work
“You’d be surprised at how little £1m covers these days.” Shows how privileged the richest Londoners are.
“Name one of those things that isn’t absolutely essential.”
Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40
Immigration:
Why people come to London - Quentina contrast to Lothar. She is just trying to survive “If I go home I will be killed”.
Audio and camerawork used to emphasise the difference between rich and poor in London - and create sympathy for Quentina.
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00
London:
- Use of audio codes when Quentina is getting ready for work. So much noise that Quentina needs to put up with - loud music, baby crying, loud phone conversation, train going past.
Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55
London:
- Scene with Arabella in corner shop - clear she has never been in that shop before, Ahmed doesn’t realise she lives in same street. Shows disconnect in London.
2) How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capital reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?
Capital not only reinforces sterotypes but it subverts them also, this can be seen through the stereotype that Pakistanis and Indians are the common business owners of corner shops in London, this stereotype is reinforced through Ahmeds family. Moreover another sterotype of immigrants being lazy is severely subverted through the fact that Quentina understands the fact that she is not legally allowed to work yet works anyways. This suggests she wants to be incharge and make her own finances. Another stereotype is that most of the time it is common that old middleaged white men are famous, rich and successful which is reinforced through roger.
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
Banijay Group.
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
The award-winning spy drama Spooks was a breakthrough in 2002 for Kudos.
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
Kudos have produced the following TV dramas: Apple tree yard, Broadchurch s3 winner of best drama series at the TV choice awards and also best crime drama 2017 at the national television awards 2018. Gunpowder, Tin star, troy, Humans s2, The tunnel, Vengeance, the boy with the topknot, man in an orange shirt and finally granchester s3.
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
One type of audience pleasure would be visceral pleasure, this is because Kudos offers many wide ranges of drama and action. Audiences can also relate to the characters and identify with them and this is called vicarious pleasure.
1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?
In the first few lines the main cast members are mentioned and some of their works/films they have been featured in but more importantly it is stated that these characters star in the critically acclaimed and best selling novel. This interests readers as the audience becomes aware of the successful novel the film is based on which makes them trust that the show is going to be good/ a success. Furthermore, the setting is established and revealed to the audience to be a normal lower/middle class street which is done on purpose to help link and relate audiences to the show. Moreover, on page 3 the cards are brought up and discussed which is used as an enigma code as the audience wonders what the cards are used for.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
The programme information mentions other shows that the director has worked on in order to reveal to the audience that the director is well established and has a portfolio of famous films/shows. This creates a sense of trust as the audience begins to trust that the show will be of high quality.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Commission was taken place by Charlotte Moore who is a controller of BBC one and also commissioned by Ben Stephenson who is the controller of BBC drama.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
Toby Jones when asked about the character of Roger says that Roger isn't an evil banker but instead hes a slightly complacent banker. He spends a lot of money on things other people don't but more importantly he is not totally in charge of his life/work. Toby states that the main attraction factor to the character of Roger is that he is very well educated and a functional human being on one level. Toby then states that something is happening deep within Roger but he does not have the language to articulate. This creates a creeping sense of directionless and loss as Roger is unaware of what to do or how to express what is happening to him.
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?
He says that Capital especially Pepys road is a perfect manifestation of the things that are happening in regards to social, economical and cultural contexts. He also mentions that capital looks at the idea of a community and what it means to belong to a community from whatever background you come from however he states that in society many people don't feel like they belong at all and are on the outside looking in.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
Shabana says that the number of communities that are being represented is shrinking but the world is becoming a global village, this means that we are absorbing cultures and understanding them.
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
Peter says that he has a few favourite moments in the book for example Christmas morning where Rogers wife abandoned him leaving him to look after his two children. This suggests/reveals that Rogers life is changing but this is shown in a comedic, humorous way. Another favourite moment of his is when the Kamal family get together at the dinner table and begin to argue.
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?
Derek Wax revealed that the novel spoke to him and appealed to him as it has a "sweeping Dickensian" ambition to it. He also says that it appealed to him as it revealed all of London through the microcosm of one street. Moreover, the characters are complex and relatable. He says that we as a society now have a grave obsession with property. He says that your home ends up becoming the thing by which you are defined at some level. This can be seen through Roger and Arabella with their multiple homes and constant refurbishment which is contrasted by Petunia's home which has been untouched for 60 years.
1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?
At the very top two TV dramas are represented in bold which not only captures the viewers attention but it promotes these TV dramas while also saying that the makers behind capital have also worked on other films. This use of intertextuality is used to promote capital as it reveals that the makers of capital have also created other famous works suggesting that capital will also be of high quality.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The use of the overall shape/outline of London reinforces the idea that capital is a "state of the nation" drama. It also establishes the setting and that capital takes place in London. The use of placing the characters in images next to eachother suggests a potential link between the characters. This suggests that the drama potentially affects everyone. Moreover, the use of the enigma code through the copy "someone wants what they have" poses a question to the audience of who wants what from the main 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?
One of the review quotes says "compelling portrait of modern Britain", this review quote suggests that the narrative is going to be about modern Britain and that the sub-genre might be "state of the nation".
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The DVD packaging offers a wide range of cultures as seen by old people, Kamals family etc.
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