TV: Deutschland 83 case study

Reviews and features

Read the following reviews and features on Deutschland 83:

The Guardian - Your next box set: Deutschland 83
Daily Telegraph review
The Guardian - Deutschland 83 Pity the Germans don't like it

1) What positive aspects of Deutschland 83 are highlighted in the reviews?
The plot of the first episode was really simple to understand. Deutschland 83, which premiered at last year’s festival, has gone on to become an international success story, with rave reviews and  bloggers 

2) What criticisms are made of the show?
He deployed his not very glamorous training in lock-breaking. It was hardly a patch on Q's sessions with James Bond.
Communist East Germany now looks like another planet: the orange curtains, the cheap clothes, the pathetic excitement of teenagers at listening to illicit western pop music

3) Why did the Telegraph suggest that Deutschland 83 did the 'period' aspect of 'period drama' so well?
This is a period drama that sometimes lacks drama but makes up for it with a deep sense of period.

4) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?

"Superb characterizations and riveting action are leavened by wry humour, making Deutschland delightfully addictive." -  I agree with this comment as I believe the humour has been used effectively, which again allows a strong engagement with the audience.

"It was great far-fetched fun, punctuated by some jolting, very dark set-pieces ,Nice 80s pop culture references and soundtrack too." - the audience could use identification as they could relate to the scene through realism.

"Yet by the time the last episode was shown in Germany last December, it had shed half its starting audience, with only 1.72m viewers. Not quite “the flop of the year”, as Bild called it, but underwhelming nonetheless.'

Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features

Channel 4 News: Matt Frei interviews Jonas Nay

 

1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany? 
Jonas Nay now values living in Germany and feels more welcomed than before. He is now able to express his opinion more freely than ever. Jonas Nay also goes on saying that hes proud to be a German ; believes that this pride was not always felt, and had less of a connection.


2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)
By having German interviews and TV shows in German, allows Channel 4 to reach a wider audience  and more  diverse in the film industry. Also it educates their loyal fans to learn different cultures. 

3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
Matt Frei, asks about the current political situation in Germany to engage with audience members who are interested in politics, but also in a different country to get a different perspective on how politics is treated in a different country barring UK. Also, this allows audience members to find out about current affairs in a different country.


Behind the scenes clips

The All4 website has a range of clips from behind the scenes of Deutschland 83. Watch the following:

Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83
Watch this short promotional clip for Deutschland 83.

1) Why should audiences watch Deutschland 83 - what does the clip offer viewers?
There are many reasons why audiences should watch Deutschland 83 because it appeals to both the younger and the older generation, due to the narrative being really straightforward and easy to understand. Furthermore, it gives an insight of what briefly happened during the cold war. 

2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
History is very important aspect of the appeal of the show because it teaches young teenagers that lack knowledge of German history and also reminds the older generation that are familiar with the cold war how Germany was divided. 

3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
The technical aspects highlighted in the video are cinematography ,costuming and production design. These are the main focus for the show to make it look as realistic and more engaging to the audience as possible. This can be done through the high budget they are allocated for the series, and this will enhance things such as product design to make it as real as possible. Without, these technical aspects the show would not have been as successful as they would have liked.
 
Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.

1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
Set design, costume and props are so important for Deutchland 83 because its used to create realism and nostalgia for the audience that live in Germany. Costumes are also used so the audience can get a better understanding of the narrative if there is synergy between the set design and the story line. 
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
The costumes and props were historically accurate is it fit the location and scene perfectly. However the settings were that accurate since most locations were top secret whenever involving the military in Germany. But the transition between the west and east costumes were amazing. 

3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
Props, costumes and the music are such key audience pleasures for deutschland 83 because it creates a sense of realism and engages the audience more. The meaning of the narrative would be enhanced  due to the set design and costume and the extra music would create nostalgia for the audience that have lived in Germany.


Textual analysis: trailer

 

1) The opening of the trailer uses sound and editing to draw the audience in. Explain why this is effective.
The use of sound and editing draws the audience effectively. The use of fast pace editing grips the audience in wanting more, it also allows the audience to interpret what genre it will be, as from the trailer there is hints of thriller, action, sci-fi and also romance. The use of sound in the background also matches the fast pace editing. 2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
There are a lot of action scenes being shown throughout the trailer which offers vicarious pleasures as audiences, especially younger audiences enjoy to see action scenes or just general use of things like explosions and weapons. Personal relationships can also be formed as we are following a single character through the trailer as he run, fights and tries to fulfill his goal.

3) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
 The trailer uses Barthes action and enigma codes in order to engage the audience. For example, the action codes when Martin is running away and fighting people, also act as enigma codes.

4) Pick three shots/scenes from the trailer that capture the spy thriller sub-genre. Why might this appeal to an audience? Try and apply Neale's genre theory 'repetition and difference' (the original notes on genre theory are here).
 0.14- This captures the spy thriller sub-genre as it looks like he is running away from who he is meant to obedient towards, this reinforces the thriller and action will is going to take place within the show, which creates a very appealing impression to audience members, as they are asking themselves questions, such as,Why is he running?.etc, this is effective as the director is putting easter eggs into the trailer to get the audience engaged and wanting to watch more.


5) Pick three examples of mise-en-scene from the trailer that capture the 1983 setting the confirm the sub-genre of period drama. Why might this appeal to an audience? 
 0.47- This is another example of mise-en-scene, with the use of costume. In this clip it is showing a mask on a person, which indicates that something bad is going to happen. Also, it creates tension for the audience watching as the mask is representing something bad happening, which correlates to the genre of action, as the mask could have connotations of a villain, and someone who is trying to cause disequilibrium to the story line.

6) The trailer uses the song 'Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Why did the producers select this soundtrack for the trailer?
 This is because the song was released in the 1980s therefore it fits the time period extremely well, therefore certain viewers may feel nostalgic when hearing this music as they may have grown up to it.
 
7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
The trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue is because certain audience members could have seen the German in the trailer and been put off by it, and therefore not wanting to view it, even though they may not have to have tried it.I believe this is done in order to captivate audiences better as audiences from England will be less interested if they hear an entire trailer in a language they don't speak or understand


Production and industry context

Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.

1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced? 
UFA Fiction is a company founded in August 2013 for fiction film and television productions of the UFA based in Potsdam-Babelsberg. The shows that UFA Fiction have produced are: 
Deutschland 86 (2018) TV-MA | 60 min | Action, Drama, History. ...
Deutschland 83 (2015) 42 min | Drama, History, Romance. ...
Charité (2017– ) TV-MA | 45 min | Drama, History. ...
The Physician (2013) ...
The Same Sky (2017– ) ...
Hackerville (2018) ...
Der Junge muss an die frische Luft (2018) ...
Ku'damm 56 (2016– )


2) What kind of company is Freemantle Media International and what do they produce?
Is a british international television content and production/distribution subsidiary of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, founded in 2001, and evolved as Europe's largest TV, radio, and production company. Its world head-quarters are located in London. The movies and shows fremantlemedia have produced are:
Escape to the country 
The apprentice: You're Fired 
An hour to save your life 
Great American Railroad journeys
The Apprentice 
is a British international television content and production/distribution subsidiary of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, founded in 2001, and evolved as Europe's largest TV, radio, and production company. Its world headquarters are located in London.

3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?
Deutschland 83 reflects the international nature of television production, due to it being published and broadcasted in the UK, reflects the international nature of this television production, and also it being such a success makes it even better.




is a British international television content and production/distribution subsidiary of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, founded in 2001, and evolved as Europe's largest TV, radio, and production company. Its world headquarters are located in London.
is a British international television content and production/distribution subsidiary of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, founded in 2001, and evolved as Europe's largest TV, radio, and production company. Its world headquarters are located in London.
is a British international television content and production/distribution subsidiary of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, founded in 2001, and evolved as Europe's largest TV, radio, and production company. Its world headquarters are located in London.


Walter Presents

Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.

1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Channel 4 introduces Walter as professional and thoughtful artist who takes time and pride in his work to give channel for a TV show completely different from the previous. Therefore, Channel 4 audience are aware of Walter's talents and would know before the TV show is released that is going to be good. 


2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
Channel 4 would target a niche audience since the TV show 'Walter Presents' creates are very challenging and have a difficult narrative. Walter Presents presents TV shows with narratives explained in numerous of languages therefore, i believe the audience would be in the ABC1 due to them being intellectual enough to read subtitles are understand another language than English. 

3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
'Walter Presents' series reflects the changing nature of television in the digital age as it is now on demand rather than being broadcast ed  on television. The series can be accessed online therefore attracts more audiences as there is more availability. From this, you can tell that the digital age is evolving.



Marketing and promotion

Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here). 

1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
One reason how she used real life events to create a successful drama is through a lot of research which was all based on facts. They used timelines of real events and the real political climate as a back drop.  

2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Music was key to the story from the beginning. Music videos started around that time as well, so there was a visual component for the very first time. Fashion, hair styles and colour palette, suddenly became a part of the 1980’s music experience. The real life events occurred during the world of music was innovating therefore, using those soundtracks attracts a large  number of people who are similar when videos were released with music. 

Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).

3) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?
After launching with 1.49 million viewers, the first episode has now consolidated with 2.5 million viewers, overtaking the launch of The Returned (9th June 2013) on Channel 4 which previously held the record with 2.2 million. This is why Deutchland 83 is considered the most successful foreign language drama. 


4) How does the news release describe the drama?
Reviews such as: “It’s only January but let’s call it already: coolest show of the year.”,“This is the next subtitled sensation……..unmissable TV.”,“This pacy saga could be your new subtitled obsession.” and “Evocative and gripping.”  describe the drama as being expectational. 



International marketing

Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (left) and the American Sundance TV advert (right).




1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
The UK DVD cover communicates that the sub-genre of the drama depicts that the two states are completely different since the east side is Communist and the west sides are Capitalist. The main image is surprised by the beauty of the west Germany but according to the props, the soldier is still determined to save the east Germany. There is intertexuality with movies such as the bond series as the main character is seen as a spy.

2) Analyse the mise-en-scene in the UK DVD cover. What does it communicate to the audience?
The setting of the wall dividing both west and east Germany suggests that conflict is still around and the writing written on the wall portrays a Bond genre of going under cover. Furthermore, the uniform is very formal connoting bravery and honour due to the main character serving his state.    

3) How does the American branding use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The colours used are very vibrant to catch the audience attention and also some graphics are constructed to create a sense of pastiche. The place and location used as the background show reference to reality which audience can relate and be amazed since it looks better than the original. 

4) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
 They may have used different marketing campaigns as certain things may be attractive in different countries. The contrast in poster could indicate the two different target audiences the UK and the US are going for. For example, the UK poster is more bland and dull, which could suggest that their target audience is more of a older generation who do not really take notice of how aesthetically pleasing the poster is,

Marxism & hegemony: blog tasks

Marxism & hegemony: blog tasks

Mail Online review of Capital

1) Re-read the Mail Online review of Capital. Why does it suggest that Capital features a left-wing ideology?
Capital features a left-wing ideology as it features an ensemble cast. The white upper class are represented as greedy and selfish. This is due to having a lot of money. Whereas the immigrants are presented as helpful and dedicated. These representations support left-wing ideology as they portray a positive image regarding the issues of immigration. 

2) Choose three quotes from the review that are particularly critical of Capital and paste them into your blogpost. Do you agree with the criticisms? Why?

'The last 20 minutes contained no plot'. I also believe the narrative went completely off board as they was no meaning relationship the story arc.

'The police were clueless, but they still got to the bottom of it'. I agree with this criticism since the police gave no interpretation of what was going therefore, left the audience clueless throughout the investigation.

"The hardest worker on the street was an illegal immigrant, determined to pay her way and not touch a penny of benefits" I strongly agree that this criticises capital and London itself since immigrants are shown to be more contributed to London than the British citizens who live in London. The traffic warden works morning to evening just to earn a living and live a peaceful life a part of the community. 

3) What scenes or characters from Capital could be read as promoting left-wing ideology?
One scene that promotes left-wing ideology is the Pakistani family giving the British white family coriander for free. This depicts that not all Muslims are terrorists and have evil morals in life. However, they are shown to be kind-hearted and welcoming. 

4) What about the other side of the argument - are there any aspects of Capital that reinforce the status quo in capitalist London?
A point where capital reinforces the status quo in capitalist London is that the people who work hard and passionate in what they wanna do in life, strive forward among everyone else living in that same society. This is seen through the character Roger who works incredibly hard to satisfy is wife and kids.


Media Magazine feature on BBC drama The Casual Vacancy and ideology

Now go to our Media Magazine archive and read the feature 'The Beeb, The Mail and JKR' in MM53 (page 20). This focuses on the politics of The Casual Vacancy, another BBC three-part drama based on a book by JK Rowling.

 


Answer the questions below:

1) Why did the Daily Mail suggest The Casual Vacancy promoted a left-wing ideology?
The daily mail suggests that the Casual Vacancy promoted a left-wing ideology since it claims that it dominates the narrative. The daily mail disagree on the criticism of the reviews from the Casual Vacancy, instead they believe it supports the conservative view  that food banks, rehab centres and a larger state do little to foster personal responsibility.

2) How does the article suggest characters, narrative and setting are used to promote a left-wing ideology?
The characters promote a left wing since they are shown to be caring and equal when sharing wealth. The narrative is constructed through the decisions that these characters make such selling of the local food bank. 


3) What research is quoted regarding BBC bias and what did it find? Do you think the BBC is biased?
Christopher Stevens argued that the BBC is rushing to screen Tory-bashing shows like  The Casual Vacancy  because very soon we’ll be in the countdown to a General Election, when the Corporation must remain neutral, fair and balanced. He refers to the period known as Purdah, after the dissolution of Parliament  when politicians must not refer to themselves as MPs, are locked out of their offices, and broadcasters must follow special stricter rules about their programming, being careful to give equal air time to the views of all major parties.

4) Gramsci's theory of hegemony suggests people are kept under control through active consent - the control of 'common sense'. How could you apply the Daily Mail or the BBC to the idea of hegemony and dominant ideologies in the UK media?
The BBC are not really biased they support many organisations and they feature many TV programmes.Daily Mail is more right-wing as they shame immigrants and different cultures within the UK however, whenever it is someone that is a White British they get praised. 

Blog task: Deutschland 83 Close-textual analysis

Blog task: Deutschland 83 Close-textual analysis

Scene 1: Garden/BBQ scenes (East & West Germany)

4.58 – 8.20 and 34.00 – 37.20

Make notes under the following headings:

Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene

-hand help camera creates realism from his perspective

Representation of East & West Germany / Family / Gender

gender:

women dressing man reinforces that men still had authority. 

west Germany:

 -the houses were more modern and posh because they had more wealth

- they were all dressed smartly which also shows class and wealth

-the man was dong the BBQ which is a stereotype 

-there were different ethnicity which subverts/challenges as they are ahead of time.

-women told men to let the main character stay which challenges stereotypes of women.

-father/daughter relationship  (gender)

-children were privilege vs exploitation

-west is more developed than west

-360 shot which is like a surveillance shot and causes tension

Scene 2: Martin/Moritz first sees the West German supermarket 

14.30 – 20.25

Make notes under the following headings:

-POV shot which shows and represents identification 

-we had to change his sense of fashion/clothing to fit in to the culture of west as it was different to east

-was shocked when entered the supermarket as he was used to have and be bale to have these types of product which links back to economic problems in east.

Scene 3: Training montage scene when Martin/Moritz learns how to be a spy

20.40 – 22.40

Make notes under the following headings:

camera work:

montage= fast pace editing/compressed time/narrative so it doesn't take to long and audience loses interest

-jump cut=table scene

-binary opposition=showing difference between east and west.

voice over:

-fast pace

-non diegetic

1980's soundtrack which builds tension

intertextuality:

-rom-com=girl makeover which is normally in a montage

-james bond spy genre

Scene 4: Briefcase scene when Martin/Moritz is stealing the NATO nuclear plans

31.13 – 33.30

Make notes under the following headings:

camera shots:

-close up on the lock and breifcase which build tension

-fast pace editing to build suspense

-facial expression for audience identification

soundtrack:

-tense and non diegetic

-breathing heavily to create tension and realism

-foley sound 

-on locks and draws

-high angle shot like surveillance

-shot through the blind

Film Industry: Assessment learner response

Film Industry: Assessment learner response

1) Type up your feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential).
WWW: 
Some good detailed knowledge of the case study 
EBI: 
needs more focus on the genre/industry.
Your handwriting needs to be more legible.

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Write down the number of marks you achieved for the three questions:
 1/2; 4/4; 5/9.

3) For Question 2 on Chicken, use the mark scheme to identify at least one strategy used to promote Chicken to an audience that you didn't mention in your answer. The key lesson from this question was to make specific reference to the CSP in your answer.

Social media promotion; creates word of mouth marketing; ineffective in reaching educated, digitally-literate social realist audience. 
 
4) Now look at Question 3. Using the mark scheme as a guide, write a paragraph arguing that it is NOT important for the British film industry to make social-realist films like Chicken and that it should concentrate on making bigger-budget movies funded by Hollywood studios.

The British industry should rather concentrate on creating big- budget movies funded by Hollywood instead of social realist film. This is because, the British film industry would gain a larger audience and will be recognised not just in Britain but in Hollywood. Using American actors in British films, will maximize the revenue for each movie released and create a better image for the British industry. Furthermore, creating big- budget movies would make it easier for the British film industry to release films with varieties with genres. If they only focus on social realist movies not enough genres could be expressed.
 
5) Finally, cover the other side of the debate. Write a paragraph arguing that it IS important for the British film industry to make social-realist films like Chicken and that such films contribute strongly to the social and cultural influence of the industry. You may also consider how they should be funded here. Use the mark scheme to help you with this.

It is important that the British film industry continues making social-realist films like chicken as it offers a portrayal of under-represented or misrepresented groups. Also, important aspects of British life that rarely feature in big-budget films aimed at commercial success. Furthermore, social-realist films take on issues of social class and politics, addressing addressing important issues that would not feature in commercially-driven or Hollywood-funded productions. This is clearly and perfectly shown in the movie chicken as it reflected social class in the movie, where the lower class have less opportunities in life and live in harsh environments. This evident that social realist films educate us to understand the world and politics.

Applying Marxism: blog task

Applying Marxism: blog task

1) What does Marxism suggest regarding power in society?
The majority of the population (the mass or proletariat) has only their labour (strength and time) to help them make a living. Industrialisation had meant that the elite were the only ones who had access to the means of production.
 
2) Why is The Apprentice a good example of the media reinforcing capitalist values and ideologies?

The fact that Sugar has all the power reinforces the ‘superior’ position of the capitalist elite. He has power as he has used the system to create wealth and he is shown using this power to provide a livelihood for the winner of the competition.

 
3) Come up with three examples of media texts (e.g. TV programmes, newspapers etc.) that either fetishise working class life (e.g. EastEnders presents quite a harmonious East End community which probably doesn't accurately reflect East London life) or demonise working class life or poor people (e.g. The Daily Mail and The Sun newspapers regularly demonise people living on benefits with headlines referring to 'scroungers'.)

Capital fetishes working class since only the British white people are working as bankers who are really selfish over their possessions. However in some aspects it also demonises working class, as you see in season one episode one, the upper class live on the same street as the lower class. This suggests that equality plays a part in the show. Also the dominant class don't control the less fortunate as they are seen as caring and sympathetic.     
4) Look at the bullet points on page 4 of the factsheet:

When making a Marxist reading of a text, look out for representations that:

• show the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass
• show queries or challenges to the base as meaningless, foolish or anti-social via ‘failed revolt’
• show the subdominant position of the masses as a naturalised idea
• show the values of the power elite as ‘natural’ or ‘right’
• show that being a member of the mass is a good thing
• show the masses accepting the values of the power elite
• show the values of the power elite as being ‘for the good of the masses’ (even when unpleasant)

Now apply those bullet points to Capital. Think about the setting, characters and narrative strands - how many of the bullet points apply to Capital? Does Capital reinforce or challenge the values of capitalism? Give examples from episode 1 to support your points.

Shows the values of the power elite as beneficial to the mass. For example, in capital, the upper British family are more recognised and acknowledged in the show as there wealth is presented to the audience in each episode. This is evident when capital shows the British luxurious houses and the enormous garden they have. A glimpse of when the audience see how upper class really oppresses the lower. Roger the character shows violent behaviour when found out that he only got 30k as his bonus. Some lower or middle class people will be awestruck and amazed receiving such a big bonus. However Roger exhibits a complete different reaction.