TV: Capital case study
Reviews and features
Read the following interviews, reviews and features on Capital:
Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
Telegraph review by Ben Lawrence
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital
Behind the scenes filming Capital from the Daily Telegraph
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
The show is well written
Has a diverse cast
Tackles social issues.
2) What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
The show actively tries to make white people unlikable
Some story lines seem under developed due to the multiple narratives that are happening at the same time.
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, but the show was filmed in 2015.
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
It states that avg london house prices 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?
It represents different social issues which are not commonly displayed in mainstream media.
Textual analysis
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
Capital is shown to be an over populated city with a diverse sub urban landscape. This is done through multiple crane and drone shots showing a bird eye view of the city2) 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 beginning shots that introduce the community and cast are quite normal, depicting a normal sub urban community
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
Quite literally, the trailer introduces the family element by showing house hold and family related props.
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 helps further portray the family/community element of the show
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
Through rhetorical questions and a rapid introduction of the main characters
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
The preview suggests that there is a crime and family sub-genre for Capital
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The preview shows a police officer asking a POC a question, this could be a hint towards possible criminal injustice towards coloured individuals.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
In order to show a realisic atmoshpere, everyday props were used to create that atmosphere, along with recognisable settings
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
Relatability for middle/working class viewers
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
Due to the character's situation, the audience is positioned to feel sympathy towards the POC in the clip
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The clip shows upper middle class life as both luxurious and difficult
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
The narrative strand suggests that the banker and nanny will develop a new relationship, and that the banker and his wife will have a falling out later in the show
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The positioning can go either both ways, the audiece could feel sympathy, due to the banker having a terrible wife, or anger, due to the fact that the banker could be cheating on his wife with the nanny.
1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in class:
Scene 1: opening sequence 00:30 – 4.49
Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35
Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00
Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55
You can choose which aspects to focus on for each scene: e.g. London, family, gender, ethnicity, religion, immigration, asylum, inequality, wealth, aging etc.
2) How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capitalreinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
21st century fox
Apollo Global management
Endemol Shine Group.
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
Spooks On BBC one (2002)
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
The show reel shows that the audience pleasures that Kudo's is normally associated with are action drama's and social reality dramas.
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?
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
Read the following interviews, reviews and features on Capital:
Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
Telegraph review by Ben Lawrence
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital
Behind the scenes filming Capital from the Daily Telegraph
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
The show is well written
Has a diverse cast
Tackles social issues.
2) What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
The show actively tries to make white people unlikable
Some story lines seem under developed due to the multiple narratives that are happening at the same time.
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, but the show was filmed in 2015.
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
It states that avg london house prices 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?
It represents different social issues which are not commonly displayed in mainstream media.
Textual analysis
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
Capital is shown to be an over populated city with a diverse sub urban landscape. This is done through multiple crane and drone shots showing a bird eye view of the city2) 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 beginning shots that introduce the community and cast are quite normal, depicting a normal sub urban community
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
Quite literally, the trailer introduces the family element by showing house hold and family related props.
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 helps further portray the family/community element of the show
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
Through rhetorical questions and a rapid introduction of the main characters
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
The preview suggests that there is a crime and family sub-genre for Capital
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The preview shows a police officer asking a POC a question, this could be a hint towards possible criminal injustice towards coloured individuals.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
In order to show a realisic atmoshpere, everyday props were used to create that atmosphere, along with recognisable settings
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
Relatability for middle/working class viewers
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
Due to the character's situation, the audience is positioned to feel sympathy towards the POC in the clip
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The clip shows upper middle class life as both luxurious and difficult
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
The narrative strand suggests that the banker and nanny will develop a new relationship, and that the banker and his wife will have a falling out later in the show
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The positioning can go either both ways, the audiece could feel sympathy, due to the banker having a terrible wife, or anger, due to the fact that the banker could be cheating on his wife with the nanny.
1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in class:
Scene 1: opening sequence 00:30 – 4.49
Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35
Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00
Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55
You can choose which aspects to focus on for each scene: e.g. London, family, gender, ethnicity, religion, immigration, asylum, inequality, wealth, aging etc.
2) How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capitalreinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
21st century fox
Apollo Global management
Endemol Shine Group.
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
Spooks On BBC one (2002)
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
- 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?
The show reel shows that the audience pleasures that Kudo's is normally associated with are action drama's and social reality dramas.
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?
The programme information on page 3 shows a glimpse of what Capital is, it describes a diverse cast with unique issues.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
It helps to further establish the quality of the show, enticing audiences
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Kudos
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
Toby states that while his character is not inherently evil, he is complacent, this leads him to doing things he shouldn't. Also explicitly mentions that his character tends to splurge large amounts of money on materialistic items
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?
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?
Akhtar states that pepys road is quite similar to other London roads, and that it focuses on the different cultures and social issues that the residents of that road would have
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
Azmi stated that Capital accurately shows the different sides of a British Asian family and that it shows that absorption of British culture
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
His favourite scene is the scene where rogers life leaves him on Christmas morning. While it gives comic relief, it also helps establish the idea that his life is changing at a rapid pace.
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?
To help further establish the quality of the show to the audience.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The multiple characters and settings on the DVD box help show the audience that its a multi strand narrative.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
The review quotes help show audiences what the show is like, with that information audiences can decide whether or not it suits their wants and pleasures
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The DVD packaging shows a diverse representation of London that isn't common with anything that is normally depicted
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?
To help further establish the quality of the show to the audience.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The multiple characters and settings on the DVD box help show the audience that its a multi strand narrative.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
The review quotes help show audiences what the show is like, with that information audiences can decide whether or not it suits their wants and pleasures
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The DVD packaging shows a diverse representation of London that isn't common with anything that is normally depicted
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