LFTVD - D83 Media Language

Question 1

What characterises a LFTVD?

Answer 1

High production values

Question 2

How are economic contexts relevant to high production values?

Answer 2

Increasing competition in the TV market, leading to the search for quality drama as flagship programming

Question 3

What are LFTVD expected to have? (6 things)

Answer 3

1. Stars
2. sophisticated production design
3. Cinematic-style camerawork, lighting and editing
4. Through-composed music and sophisticated sound effects
5. Complex serial narratives and multiple narrative strands
6. Detailed and ambiguous
   characterisation

Question 4

How is institutional power connoted in the opening sequence?

Answer 4

Delicately lit exterior shot of Leonora’s office block plus an unusual high angle shot connoting surveillance. Leonora is stylishly dressed and well lit connoting her powe.

Question 5

How does the media language fulfill the contextual requirement for high production values?

Answer 5

Period mise-en-scene (meticulous production design), use of German film actors and some cinematic shots.

Question 6

Does the narrative fit the convention of a LFTVD with a complex narrative?

Answer 6

No but it is morally ambiguous

Question 7

What was Neale’s theory?

Answer 7

That genre is based on generic codes and conventions (repetition) but that these constantly evolve (difference)

Question 8

What is the primary genre of D83?

Answer 8

Spy thriller

Question 9

What other generic elements does it include?

Answer 9

Romance
Political satire - aimed at both the East and West Germans and particularly the Americans
Family drama
Coming of Age

Question 10

Why is intertextuality so important to D83? (Baudrillard)

Answer 10

It relies on this for scene setting

Question 11

Give examples of intertextuality

Answer 11

Regan’s speech
Shots from East and West German TV to establish the Cold War tension that forms the real historical context
Reference to German brands that may not resonate with international audiences
Pop music - “99Red Balloons” in East Germany and New Order/Annie Lennox in West

Question 12

How is individualism portrayed?

Answer 12

Through an individual protagonist but a protagonist who is trapped by social forces beyond his control

Question 13

How is consumerism portrayed?

Answer 13

It is so important, it’s almost a character in itself!! Explicit stories about the lack of consumer goods in East Germany is contrasted with materiel plenty in the West

Question 14

What causes the narrative disruption? (Todorov)

Answer 14

The American sabre rattling and escalation of the Cold War arms rest

Question 15

What is the initial equilibrium? (Todorov)

Answer 15

Martin’s job as a border guard, his relationship with Annett and his mother

Question 16

Todorov’s theory explains Linear narratives which most LFTVD do not have. Give two examples of non-linear narrative elements.

Answer 16

1. The interrogation of the West German students establishes Martin as capable, well educated in socialist principles and happy to bend rules
2. sequences that emphasise the difference between East/West eg Martin asking where they hold the parades in the park in Bonn

Question 17

What are the Binary Opposites? (Levi-Strauss)

Answer 17

East/West
state/family
manipulation/love
danger/safety

Question 18

Does D83 fit Baudrillard’s theory of postmodernism?

Answer 18

No because it attempts to ground itself in real events

Question 19

Is the narrative primarily male or female?

Answer 19

It constructs a male perspective (Martin’s) BUT the narrative is driven by female power (Leonora)

Question 20

Is the narrative siding with east or west

Answer 20

Neither really - it is ambiguous!

Question 21

Is the programme for or against war?

Answer 21

It suggests a pacifist viewpoint

Question 22

Does the programme have a multicultural viewpoint?

Answer 22

It is primarily White perspective but with multicultural casting

Question 23

What is the narrative drive? (Todorov)

Answer 23

Preventing nuclear annihilation

Question 24

What is the enigma at the end of episode 1 (rather than resolution - Todorov)?

Answer 24

What else will Martin have to do? How will he get home?