TV: Capital case study

 1) What positive points does the review pick out about Capital? What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?

Not the entirety of London can be captured within the series. However this is a good representation of London.

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?

It shows how to economy of London affects us all.


Trailer analysis

Watch the trailer for Capital:



1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?

There are many drone shots being used of London and Pepys Road to emphasise its power and size.

2) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?

The locations are mostly at home or within family category. 

3) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?

There is a man taking several pictures of the house as if this house is endangered which puts the audience on edge.

Representations: close-textual analysis

Capital offers a range of fascinating representations - from London and asylum seekers to capitalism and inequality. You need to be able to confidently discuss these issues in the context of 2015 London - with reference to key scenes from episode 1. Representations include: London, family, gender, ethnicity, religion, immigration, asylum, inequality, wealth, capitalism, aging and more.

These notes from a lesson analysing these clips will help with this element of the case study. You'll need your Greenford Google login to access the document.

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

Shows the flashback of the woman growing up into the old person reflects of their marriage and daughter.
Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10

Portrays the common stereotype that the woman is a stay at home wife while the man is off working.
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35

Suggests that Roger is the breadwinner of the family. However conveys how London is due to that a million pounds can't cover much nowadays.
Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40

We can see a black woman lawyer which subverts the typical stereotype of lawyers. We can also see the asylum worker getting exploited by the guy who pays her reinforcing her inferiority. 
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00 

He has a mental breakdown due to a only 30 grand bonus which he expected much more however this is around the average salary in the UK.
Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55

Kamal gives the lady coriander for free suggesting the moral values that neighbours should look after each other.

You can choose which aspects to focus on for each scene: e.g. London, family, gender, ethnicity, religion, immigration, asylum, inequality, wealth, aging etc. Feel free to use bullet points for each scene.

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?

We can see a Pakistani family who has a loving relationship between each other and Petunia has traditional views on immigrants.


Industries and production context

Capital was produced by independent production company Kudos for the BBC. Look at the Kudos website and also read the Kudos Wikipedia page.

1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?

Banijay UK

2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?

Spooks - BBC 1

3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?

Deep Water

Grandchester

Then you run

Responsible Child

Deadwater Fall

4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer? 

Personal relationships- The audience can build a connection with the characters.

Diversion- The audience can escape from their own lives for a few moments and explore the lives of the characters.


Marketing and promotion

Read the BBC Press Pack for Capital.

1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?

Starts off with an enigma code with the phrase "We want what you have". This makes the audience intrigued.

2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?

It shows that if there are other shows that the audience likes then they will have a higher chance of maybe liking of having a good impression on the show as they see a director they favour. 

3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?

Charlotte Moore

4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?

He isn't a evil but a compliant character instead.

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?

Captures London's society and how it changed overtime.

6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain? 

There is a pretty accurate representations of Asian and hence describes as the world is shrinking and people are way more aware.

7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?]

Capital observes the human nature well.

He talks about Roger realises his life is changing and the producers mock it in a almost comedic manner.

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?

It has micro details on the characters's emotions representing the human behaviour. It says how the value of your home or how much money you make defines you.




DVD packaging

Look at the DVD packaging for Capital. There are many marketing techniques employed here.

1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?

The packaging is photos put together as if someone is planning something on them.

2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?

There is a close up on their face to show the tension.

3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?

Shows how cast really carries out the show and solves their problems.

4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
It shows a diverse group of London landmarks.


There is a lot of work here - easily 3-4 hours in total if you do this in the depth required for the top grades at A Level. However, you will have more than two weeks to work on this.