Black Mirror Flashcards
San Junipero
What genre is Black Mirror?
Could be classified as ‘speculative fiction’ or ‘dystopian’ sci-fir, where specific elements of our contemporary world are exaggerated and distorted in a near-future setting.
What is the main theme of Black Mirror?
The effect of technology on human bodies and consciousness.
What genre is San Junipero?
Sci-fi romance, but also a ‘period’ peace due to a lot of the action being based in the 80s and 90s - with music and production design to match. Also has elements of 80s teen movies like Pretty in Pink. Many older audiences would not only enjoy the plot but also the nostalgia for the different time periods.
What can be said about the choice of same sex couple?
Could be put under the coming-of-age genre. Critics praised the episodes for avoiding the tragic ending that is conventional for same-sex romance narratives,
What speculative fiction conventions does Black Mirror use?
- The protagonists are ordinary people trying to negotiate the impact of technology on their lives. E.g Kelly and Yorkie arguing over whether or not to pass over.
- No clear antagonist in most episodes - the technology produces conflict.
- Following the convention of taking something recognisable from our reality and its pessimistic impact on the lives of the characters.
- The anthology format offers different audience pleasures (give example).
What is some intertextuality and it’s meanings in San Junipero?
Kelly’s costume in the 1987 segment inspired by Control era Janet Jackson.
- Music in Tuckers, references time period but also the central romance (heart and soul by t’pau) and the concept of the show (living in a box). You could say that it adheres to Goodwin’s Dancing in the distraction factor where he says we see a relationship between lyrics and visual, in this case the audience is unaware initially.
- Shots of other vintage technology like Pac-Man and Top Speed trade games help establish a sense of time and place.
How can Todorov be applied to San Junipero?
Equilibrium - Yorkie going to the nightclub and meeting Kelly.
Disruption - Losing each other in different time periods or the revelation that San Junipero isn’t real.
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What are elements of media language in San Junipero and their meanings?
Clothing - Binary oppositions between Yorkie (also does not change throughout the narrative) and Kelly’s clothing (referring strong female pop stars) and how it reflects on their individual personalities.
Iconography and setting - Use of sets, props and costumes challenge our expectations of a science fiction show (give examples).
Audio - Song heaven is a place on earth, living in a box - contribute to our understanding of the characters’ lives. And helps foreshadow and hint at elements of the narrative, acting as a clue for viewers.
Consider how genre conventions are socially and historically relative, dynamic and can be used in a hybrid way.
- Same sex romance reflects social change from 20th to 21st century.
- Has a happy ending - differing from usual. e.g ‘Thelma and Louise’ reference where they drive into the sunset. Subverts common portrayal of LGBTQ relationships as tragic/doomed.
How can Steve Neale genre theory be applied?
Genres are recognised through repetitiveness but marked through change.
- Introduces elects of nostalgia, not common for sci-fi
- Romance is a same-sex love affair
What are some representations in San Junipero?
- Their sexuality is not portrayed as problematic, the love between them has many obstacles but their sexuality is not one of them.
- The fact it ends up being 2 elderly women in love with each other challenges stereotypes of that age group.
- Quagmire represented as less positive, as lost souls
- Interracial relationship, 2 elderly women one whose physically disabled challenges representations of multiple social groups.
How can bell hooks be applied?
-She says patriarchy
forces men and women in patriarchal roles.
How can Judith butler be applied? (gender performativity)
- She says gender is not a fixed characteristic but a social construct.
-People perform gender roles by their clothing, hair, behaviour etc.
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General Industry context on Black Mirror
- Create by Charlie Brooker and Annabelle Jones
- First season produced by Zeppotron for Channel 4
- Channel 4 is not for profit even though they’re commercial, the money gained form adverts is put back into funding the shows they produce
-Brooker was inspired the the relationships people were developing with digital technology - Netflix then bought distribution rights in 2014 and commission season 3 and 4 in 2015
- After the first 2 season Channel 4 delayed season 3 because of budgetary constraints.
- Consider different in style and tone between UK produced and US produced seasons
How can Hesmondhalgh be applied?
Minimising risk and maximising audiences.
-Netflix invest a lot into their productions and leave creative control to the show runners, lead to diverse range of products.
- Genre variation makes it risky.
- Romance with a sci-fi twist makes it unique to attract new audiences whilst still appealing to a mainstream audience.
How does Black Mirror and San Junipero attract audiences?
- First two seasons on channel 4 so attract a presold audience
How can Stuart Hall be applied?
How can Henry Jenkins be applied?
Media language examples to set the scene
Mise en scene
- Posters (the lost boys, scream, the Bourne identity) musics, costume
helps audience identify where they are in time
- Use of extreme close ups suggests their growing connection with each other
- High key lighting in the later scenes of them outside of San Junipero gives off a very futuristic feeling, helps distinguish between reality and San Junipero, also reinforced by the colour pallet being very white and modern.
- Lot’s of shot reverse shots to emphasise the binary oppositions
What can you say about bell hooks theory of intersectionality on Kelly’s character?
Kelly is both a woman and a person of colour (also bisexual).
Hooks discusses how Black women are often sidelined in mainstream media or made to conform to Eurocentric ideals. While Kelly is a well-developed character, her racial identity is not foregrounded in the narrative.
- Could be read as a progressive representation, similar to how being white is not often a plot driver but rather the norm.
How can Curran & Seaton be applied to Black Mirror? (in favour)
Black Mirror was originally produced by Channel 4 (UK), a public service broadcaster, which allowed for creative and thought-provoking content.
However, after Netflix acquired it (a major global streaming platform), the show gained a higher budget but arguably shifted towards more mainstream appeal.
This aligns with Curran and Seaton’s idea that when media is controlled by large companies, innovation can sometimes be restricted in favour of profit-driven, audience-friendly content.
Under Channel 4, Black Mirror had a more niche, British-centric, and satirical approach.
Under Netflix, it expanded to a global audience, featuring Hollywood actors and higher production values.
Some argue that this led to more formulaic storytelling, focusing more on entertainment rather than radical social criticism.
How can Curran & Seaton be applied to Black Mirror? (against)
Despite being owned by Netflix, Black Mirror still explores challenging themes such as AI, surveillance, negative effects of technology.
Remains somewhat innovative, argues that large corporations can still remain creative if there’s audience demand for it
What is some industry context applied to San Junipero?
Budget increased significantly under Netflix, which allowed for high end CGI, VFX and star cast members.
How can Baudrillard be applied to Black Mirror?
Hyperreality
- The town of San Junipero is a simulated world where people’s consciousness is uploaded after death or accessed while alive.
- Kelly initially resists staying in San Junipero because it is “not real,” but later accepts it as a preferable form of existence—mirroring how people today can feel more connected to digital spaces than physical ones.
Simulacra
- San Junipero is not a real place, yet it recreates various time periods (1980s, 1990s, 2000s) to let users live in an idealized past.
The decades represented are not accurate recreations—instead, they are stylized versions based on pop culture, nostalgia, and media representations of those eras.
This reflects Baudrillard’s argument that media creates versions of history that become more influential than actual history itself.
an Junipero embodies Baudrillard’s postmodern ideas by presenting a world where simulated reality is preferable to actual life. The episode challenges the audience to consider whether hyperreal spaces like social media, video games, and virtual realities are just entertainment or if they are replacing traditional notions of reality altogether.
How can Butler be applied to Black Mirror?
In San Junipero, Yorkie initially appears shy, awkward, and reserved, performing a stereotypical “good girl” identity.
However, once she gains confidence in the simulated world, she starts to act more freely—challenging traditional ideas that gender or personality are fixed.
This supports Butler’s argument that gender is not essential but rather performed based on surroundings and expectations.
How can Livingstone & Lunt be applied to Black Mirror?
Black Mirror was originally on Channel 4, which follows UK Ofcom regulations (e.g., strict rules on offensive content, watershed timings).
When Netflix took over, it was no longer subject to Ofcom, meaning it had fewer content restrictions.
Many episodes explore the dangers of unregulated technology and media, reflecting real-world concerns about weak regulation in the digital age.
How can Levi-Strauss be applied?
Who regulates Netflix?
Ofcom does not regulate Netflix - it has a European base in the Netherlands and is therefore regulated by the Dutch media regulator, the commissarat voor de media.
