C2 TV

 friday 10th January 2025

do now 

1.media texts that incorporates elements of more than one genre and are therefore more difficult to classify

2.The Sweeney,Luther 

3.complicated following of clues 

4.handheld camera work

5.tension and suspense 

TV Industry 

the television industry:

-development in technology have allowed audiences access to many more digital channels and online streaming services 

-digital technology has changed how we produce and circulate tv programs as well as how we consume them 

-the wide variety means that audiences are spread more thinly than in the past(audience loyalty to a Chanel has decreased)

Definitions

Watershed-the time when tv programmes which might be unsuitable for children broadcast (9pm UK)

Peak time-The time at which the highest number of viewers are watching 

Prime Time-The block of brodcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for television shows 

Public service broadcasting tv

-according to OFCOM it is 'high quality content made for as wide as a range of audiences as possible and for public benefit rather than purely commercial ends'

-the BBC=PSB(funded by licence fee)

-ITV C4 and C5 are commercial public broadcasters (funded mainly through advertising) available to all who pay the licence fee

-all catch up meet PSB requirements but BBC have the strictest 

-OFCOM regulates Tv including on-demand and catch-up services through the broadcasting code

BBC

-a public service broadcaster funded by licence fee paid by all UK households with a tv 

-The BBC mission is to act in the public intrest serving all audiences by providing impartial high-quality programs which inform educate and entertain 

-regional national and local

-worldwide service broadcast 

-BBC america and american pay television network that is jointly owned by BBC studios and AMC

TV Audiences 

-before catch up audiences could only watch a tv programme at the time it was broadcast and would have to wait for the next episode to see how the narrative developed which can build excitement and get the audience talking

-Tv therefore played a much more important role in peoples lifes 

-modern audiences have more choice and flexibility in their TV consumption 

-Binge watching (escapism,more involved withe the narrative,personal identification,instant gratification)

Friday 17th January 2025

Luther

-produced by bbc 

-written by neil cross who previously wrote shows like spooks

-first series was aired on bbc1 at 9pm on Tuesday 4th may 2010

-its also available on iplayer 

-there have been 5 series and a Netflix film to date 

Luther episode watching notes-

-dramatic

-tense 

-mixed race and gender roles. 

Tuesday 21st January 2025

do now

1)John

2)BBc

3)4th may 2010

4)mystery detective and psychological thriller

5)lowkey lighting 

Luther characters

props character functions

-Vladimir propp-folklorist researcher 

The hero-leads the narrative normally looking for something or on a quest can be any gender 

The villan-has a conflict with the hero stops them from succeeding 

The donor-gives the hero something to help them complete their role and mentor them 

The princess-usually a reward or prize for the hero 

The helper-normally the heros sidekick help the hero 

Princess father-an authority figure who offers a reward for the hero completing their quest 

The false hero-takes credit for the heros actions or tries to marry the princess 

The dispatcher-early role who sets the quest not a main character 

hero-john Luther

princess-zoe

villam-alice 

donor-ian ,rose

helper-justin

princess father-rose

false hero-mark

dispatcher-rose ian 

John Luther is seen as the hero because he is solving the crime and trying to get justice for the people killed he also doesn't fit the role as he does lash out when hes angry and stuff putting other people at risk 

Alice is seen as the villan because she is a psychopath and gets enjoyment from murder and tries hurting other people 

Zoe is seen as the princess as she has Luther and mark wanting her to Luther zoe is a prize he needs to show he worthy for and he need to prove to her that hes not bad any more and hes changed.

Friday 24th January 2025

Do Now 

1)8

2)donor,princess,false hero

3)Hes violent - obvious flaws and weaknesses/dubious mortality  

4)gives the hero something to help them 

5)The helper - Justin 

Genre and narrative 

Theory:steve neil

Genres are dominated by the repetitions of codes and conventions-they have a system of expectations 

genres change develop and vary overtime and the borrow/overlap with other genres which creates a hybrid

we understand genre through recognisable conventions, however audiences would get bored if nothing ever changed,therefore each programme needs to offer something new or provide something that makes their show unique to others(usp)e.g Luther was the first black british detective in a crime drama

Luther genre:

-Luther contains many familiar elements of crime drama but it also shows developments in the genre when compared to the Sweeney 

-there are many hybrid elements:

conventions from thriller genre e.g.lowkey lighting intense music and dramatic cross cutting 

-references to the horror graphic shots and jump scares 

elements of police procedural increased focus on psychology 

the characters are more developed especially in female roles

real life developments in forensics 

filming styles are very different -multiple angles for camera movement and viewpoints 

stock chaeacters-typical characters you would fin in particular genres 

the maverick detective-brilliant detective,intelligent,not afraid to break rules if they can catch the criminal 

he does whatever he can to solve the crime even if he gets in trouble himself 

analysing evidence in the house 

interview with alice

the psychopathic killer

in the interview with Luther 

when she manipulates zoe 

the fem fatale 

mysterious and dangerous female character uses her power against males

narrative 

backstory-continuing a narrative arc explains why luthers been on leave 

inverted narrative-we know who the murder is and assume Luther will catch her but we dont know how 

crime-we know alice did it 

narrative strand- neither the crime or personal life is solve by the end of the episode 

friday 31st January 2025

do now 

1)hegemonic masculinity 

2)violence and agression

3)the way something is portrayed in the media

4)the camera frames him by alot of empty space

5)first black detective in uk crime drama 

Luther Representation

explain how Luther is a representation of hegemonic masculinity 

In the programme Luther, the eponymous hero is a representation of hegemonic masculinity.

Initially in the opening scene Luther is represented as violent and carless.This can be seen through the use of action sequence at the start of the episode which shows Luther following someone and letting them fall down and die which suggest that luther is heartless and doesnt care seeing people suffer.

Futhermore at the climax the episode Luther is represented as thrill-seeking and stocism.This can be seen when Luther is working on thee case of alice and is breaking into her house and doing whatever he can to catch her out,he doesnt show her that hes fazed by her pyscopathness and does whatever he can to solve it and get justce.

How far are the charcters in luther typical of the genre (12 marks)

Friday 7th Febuary 2025

Do  Do Now 

1)high-quality,original,innovative 

2)bbc america 

3)trailers,previews,behind the scenes 

4)genre,star appeal 

5)violence,patriarchal attitudes 

Context 

changing viewing conditions 

-introduction of streaming 

-you couldn't pause or rewatch anything you had to watch it when it was on 

-programmes would be shown once a wek at same time 

-because of long gaps between episodes they contained closed narratives making it easier for audience to remember

Contemporary viewing conditions 

-modern services allow audiences to watch on demand 

-we are now able to binge watch a whole series at a time 

-we can now watch on the go 

-meaning there can be more open narratives 

-this allows more complex character development and narratives 

less gender equality-only one female police officer who is ranked very low 

ethnic groups - only ethnicity was white british no diversity at all 

based on flying squad-they tried to frame the death 

economic problems in London high crime area 

explain how crime crime dramas reflect the time in which they are made? 10 marks

In the 1970s british society had very little diversity in both gender and ethnicity and if we saw diversity it was ver minimal, however now we see a range of diversity with many ethnic backgrounds and challenging stereotypes, it is alot more common now to see a black hero or a female police than it was in the 1970s.

One of the key differences between luther and the sweeney is gender, in sweeney there is little to no gender representation of females however in luther there is a wide range even giving female charcters hugher roles than the males.

Tuesday 11th february 2025

do now

1)camerawork,sound,editing,miseonsen

2)movement,shot,angle

3)sounds that can be herd by characters and audience 

4)editing that cuts between two scenes that are happening simultaneously 

5)how a shot is composed 

extract analysis 

 TECHNICAL CODES:camera shots, angles moving and editing 

 AUDIO CODES:digetic v non digetic sound dialouge music sound effects 

VISUAL CODES:mise-en-scene, lighting framing and compostiton 

camera work and editing 

-cinematography is a language

 fast changing scenes-made the scene more tense and action filled

shot reverse close ups-built tension for the audience and between characters

behind shots-to obscure his identity 

Tuesday 25th February 2025

Do Now 

1-medium long shot

2-Movment(technical)

3-Visual/mise-en-scene

4-scenes to show conversation

5-90 degree-tilted

Extract analysis: Representation

profesional space-zoe has a good job that reuqires high standards

office job-she has a good quality job

her own office-connotes her importance 

messy desk-she has a lot of work on 

Visual codes(mise-en-scene) in Luther

-dull lifeless setting

-physco ward

-miserable feeling

-blinds look like bars-trapped 

gender-Luther is possessive of zoe and desperate 

zoe can be scared of Luther she needs mark to protect her 

she gets emotion with Luther 

all police were men 

Luther was easily agitated 

both men were competing for the woman 

ethnicity-luther is shown to be agressive 

most people were white including police 

even though Luther was black he had a higher ranking than the white police offers which was antistereotypical 

Friday 28th February 2025

Do Now 

1)positive/negative,stereotypes

2)costumes,makeup,props

3)2

4)2

5)3 paragraphs

costumes

-very formal suits and ties 

-alice work very dark clothing

-zoes clothing is very smart and unfeminine howeveer its juxtaposed with her high end jewelry and nice makeup

-Luther looks les smart wheen he is investigating crime taking his jacket of and untucked shirt

-alices hat pin

how typical crime drama are the locations?

stereotypical or antisterotypical

-police station investigating crimes 

-paperwork all over desks 

-offices in city 

1a)In Luther costumes are used to create meaning by showing what type of charater they are and how they present themselves to others.Firstly this is shown through the charcter zoe who wears less femine clothes like trench coats and suits which are shown to look high end and expensive, this helps represent her importance and how she has a high job status in order to be able to afford them.However the unfeminity of that can be juxtaposed with her jewllery,nice makeup and how she always has her hair done nicely and presentable which again also connotes wealth and importance in how she take pride within her looks.

Secondly this can be shown through Luthers clothing at thee start when he is speaking to a colleague before getting in the car he is in a full suit and looks put together connoting a sense that he is proffseional and likes to represent himself positvley.However when he gets to his office and starts digging into the crime he is shown to have taken his blazer of and his shirt untucked which suggests that when he is working hard he isnt stressing about how he looks he is there to get the job done without having the pressure of other members of society to look proffesional and maintained.

Lastly this can be shown through alices clothing which is very dark and not as formal.This reflects her personality as she can be known for being cruel whilst the formality of them still represents her intelligence and the pride she carries within herself.Shee also has a hatpin which stereotypically is used to make woemn look more feminine however she uses it for power and to hurt people again reflecting her as a charcter.

1b)The locations for the scene are stereotypical for crime drama as they set scenes of importance and proffesionalism.Most of the scene is set outside an office block for lawyers which links back to the idea of crime etc and based in an urban area which is what the audeince would expect to see if they wer watching a show like this.A sets a professional setting for the charcters to talk about things linking to the case.

We also see a police office however the desk is covered in paper work and images related to the crime which shows the readers that they are very very busy and not worrying about keeping a space tidy when trying to work out stuff.This is stereotypical for crime dramas as it is all baseed on the crime they are trying to solve which sets the scene nicely 

2)Digital technologies change the way in which audiences consume television because when there is higher tech available they can produce a large variety of thing to keeps the audiences intrested and now as they are able to be wtached on demand they can binge watch them all in one go and replay them however they want.

HOMEWORKS 

FILM INDUSTRY-DUE 28/1/25

3a)Name on of the company’s that prouduced no time to die

EON productions

3b)Briefly explain what a media conglomerate is

A big company that manages loads of smaller ones within the industry that benefits both companies 

3c)Briefly explain what convergence is 

Being able to easily access a streaming platform anywhere at any time of day and be able to switch devices for accessibility 

3d)Explain how films use technologies to reach audiences and promote the film refer to NTTD.

Films use technology to create teaser trailers and posters to get new and old fans excited for an upcoming release of a retiring or new series. They can also use technology to create special effects to really set the scene and entice there chosen audience. In no time to die they used technology to promote their film by creating a website for new and returning fans of the franchise which allowed them to access limitless information about the new and previous films. They also used technology to use special effects like explosions and car chases which keeps the audience interested and focused into what’s about to happen.There are many ways films use technology to attract their audiences and with technology advancing so are the expectations for films.

GENRE THEORY-DUE 04/2/25

Explain how Luther supports Neales genre theory.

Luther conforms to the ‘system of expectations’ of TV crime drama by using a codes and conventions. Neale theory states that genres are dominated by a repeated use of codes and conventions which creates a set of expectations for the audience, Luther fits this theory because whilst it fits many crime drama conventions it was one of the first British black detective on TV and it also had a lot of high female rolls which was very antisterotypical as people or colour and women were always negatively represented.This would’ve attracted a more wider audience due to the range of diversity that was hard to find whilst still offering the steriotpical conventions of cryme drama.It consistently offers a range of action and thriller scenes to keep the audience returning and wanting to find out more. 

TVD CHARCTERS-DUE-11/2/25

How far are the characters in Luther typical of the genre? 

The characters in Luther are not to stereotypical of the genre. For example Luther is a black high-ranked police officer which is anti-stereotypical as black people were never shown to even be an relevant character in shows let alone one of the highest ranked it can also be percieved as stereotypical as Luther Is a tall powerful man which is what you would expect to see a detective as being when you watch a crime drama, Luther can also be quite angry and violent which can be taken in a stereotypical and and anti-stereotypical way. Alice’s character is very anti-stereotypical because as a women in a crime drama you would expect them to be fragile and controlled by the men but Alice is free willed,manipulative and secretive. Zoe’s character is very stereotypical as she is seen as the “reward” for Luther and mark when they both fight over her, she is also a very fragile classy women who has a good job and reflects that through her fashion choices.

TV DRAMA EXAM STYLE Q - DUE 04/3/25

1a)Explore the connotations of the costumes of two characters in BBC crime drama Luther.

In Luther costumes can be shown to represent the character by representing them and their personalities. For example Zoe  wears very high end formal clothes which connote wealth and her as a character as being put together and professional. This also tells us that she has got a job which requires her to dress formally meaning that Zoe is probably quite intelligent and work driven. She can also be seen with jewellery and nice makeup which again connotes wealth and also femininity for her as a character she is a stereotypical female who is put together. 

Another character that can be shown to be represented by their personality is Alice. She is shown to be in a fully black outfit with black hair which can reflect her dark evil personality whilst they are still formally looking which can represent her intelligence and power she has. She also uses a well known femine acsesssory of a hatpin as a weapon which again reflects her personality of being the anti-stereotypical female. Her outfit contrasts Zoe’s and shows the difference between the stereotypes of the women in the show.

1b)Explain how character John Luther is typical of the TV crime drama Luther.

John Luther is the typical Propps hero of the series as he does whatever he can including putting his job on the line, he also fights to try and win Zoe back as she is his “princess”. Luther goes to any length to solve any crime even if it’s illegal which can represent him as a sting minded character who wants justice. However he does not look like the stereotypical “hero” for British tv as he is black and was previously in a psychiatric ward which can challenge stereotypes majorly for a typical crime drama detective but it shows really how hard he fights for rights and equality aswell as a character.Luther is also a good stereotypical example of hegemonic masculinity as he always does whatever he can to perform to the best of his standards and stands out from the rest of the detectives in the show. As an audience we see Luther’s strengths and weaknesses throughout the show. Overall I think that as an audience Luther can be shown to be a stereotypical hero for the crime drama whilst also have anti stereotypes about which can attract an audience more and make the show stand out compared to others.