TV: Capital case study

 1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?

The Guardian: The directors have managed to squeeze a lot of aspects about London on the topic of diversity. They have made the setting recognisable to people who live in the Capital. The corner shop is nearly exact to the ones that the writer has lived near.

The Telegraph: Shows a large ensemble and each actor gives this show high ratings. The banker (Toby Jones), makes us sympathise with him and gives his portrayal of desperation in the character. His wife Arabella (Rachael Stirling), the portrayal was stereotypical. But the pensioners' (Gemma Jones) and the Zimbabwean parking warden give a show about the loneliness of London life but the traffic wardens character gives the representation of loneliness and people in this scenario some hope as she keeps trying to make her life better regardless of her issues.

Evening Standard: The cast ensemble was a good pick, Toby Jones was named as the star of the show in the article. The show is also based on a book that was critically acclaimed. The show is also still relevant to the housing market and prices still rising. The show allows relevancy and relation with the large diversity the show has placed on one street. This relevancy keeps the show interesting while linking to the economy which may be dull on its own to some people.

The Telegraph BTS: The show captures the relationship between property and the economy which was also shown in the novel. It is actually capturing real state-of-the-nation concepts about the housing market where Toby Jones (the banker in the show) lives in Clapham where the show is et and has seen first hand how the city has changed. The show has a relevancy to the future.

2) What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?

The Telegraph: There was no Dickensian birds-eye view but the plot lines were under-developed and didn't write in all of the characters that were featured in the novel. The Islamic fundamentalism in the show was also underplayed didn't give much of a big insight into this view. There was also no overarching storyline and didn't head in one complete direction that connected everyone together apart from the storyline.

3) How does the TV drama change the time period and location for the story in comparison to the original novel?

The novel was set in 2007-8 during the financial crash in Clapham. 

The show is set in 2015 and set in Balham, with 2 characters or families not put in the show that are in the novel.

4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?

Peoples emotional wellbeing and the state of the economy is defined by the housing market. The novel writer John Lanchester said that the London property market is an asset that has been unaffected by the financial crisis.

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 captures how property values in the capital keep increasing but also shows many different lives and their struggles people like them have in real life. They are a representation of the struggles that they have to face. 

It also captures the modern day equivalence of immigration and diversity in the capital. The Guardian article says that the street is recognisable and the corner shop is similar to the one they live near to. The characters are relatable. The Evening Standard review mentions that the show features morning commuters with sweaty armpits that aren't otherwise shown as it's not seen as attractive to most shows. But this show isn't solely about attraction but rather allowing people to look into people'es lives and relating to each other as they feature an ensemble cast that varies dramatically in terms of economy and background - which is the reality. It also shows th

1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?

The opening shot is a drone shot which emphasises the scale of how big London or one town is. It is used once again to show the whole road in which the drama is set in. The banker dancing in his office shows construction sites outside of his window showing that London is changing and becoming more and more full of businesses and work Separate shots are used to encapsulate the type of people the characters are. We see the corner shop in one room eating as a family with their mum on Skype. We also see the pensioner alone in her home with the lighting being dark, signifying here being some emptiness or gloom in her life.

2) 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 camera movements are nearly always completely still when focusing on the pensioner as she doesn't move that much in the frame. This could connote that she is staying in the same place and that her life isn't really that dynamic. It's always been on the road that she has lived in the majority of her life.

The rest of the cast especially the banker who dances in his office and his wife jumping on the spot as she realises the money problems they have, could mean that their life is dynamic. They also look around to others in the frame more suggesting that they are not alone like the pensioner and family that are around them, they aren't in isolation.

3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?

Skype is used to connect with the mother of the Pakistani family. The prop of the laptop and using technology allows us to see the element of family.

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?

They use a British band to cover a British show, it gives the audience an idea that this show is looking at the roots of British heritage but also because it is a modern show it uses a modern band with a song that has come out recently. This is effective because it gives an idea that this show features modern problems or ideologies in Britain.

5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?

The postcards being put through the letterboxes and the questions being asked about what they want is an enigma code as we don't know much about anything. The trailer controls the information we know, we know nothing about who sent it, why they did and what connects everyone to this.

Narrative strands of tension are created as the traffic warden is put in jail and the banker's wife jumps on the spot shouting. Tension is created as these multiple narratives lead to so many unanswered questions. With these enigma codes and these terrifying or scared situations that these characters are in creates tension with the audience as well.

1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?

Some subgenres are family and crime as there was a police officer questioning them and the mother mentioned that the kids and the other family members are being photographed without their permission. 

2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?

State-of-the-nation is also a potential subgenre as the some of the male family members are talking about racism and Islamaphobia because of the postcards and the fact that as soon as the White families or members in the street address the situation, only then law enforcement came to see them. This does seem intentionally racist to the members of the family but could be entirely the other way around and this was not the intention as stated by the police officer.

3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?

The detectives clothing looks like he is an actual detective which gives us the realism. Also in most British dramas or shows a white male being the detective in charge of the case is usually used to provide familiarity as a stereotype is being used. These stereotypes communicate a lot of meaning to the audience and help them understand the show better.

The Asian family in charge of the shop is also some realism as most shopkeepers in diverse areas are known to be Asian. This stereotype gives familiarity as audiences understand the setting. One of the members restocking and the other behind the till further makes this setting more real as this is what happens in a shop like this.

4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?

The tension between some of the owners and the detective intice tension to the audience which is a pleasure as it keeps them hooked but also this familiarity of a character that is usually featured in dramas gives them some knowledge about the role of this character in the show.

5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?

In this scene, the family are seen as the protagonist and at times we feel attacked by the detective as some of the characters speak or seem to blame him as being part of the problem with racism towards certain ethnic groups. But also we feel as if the detective s trying to help and respond to him with positive thoughts as he is siding with the characters at the same time.

1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?

The family seem to be quite rich or doing really well for themselves as they can hire someone to look after the children while they are working. The typical life is here is a married couple with children which is the generic stereotype. But also there seems to be conflict in the family and makes things seem not a simple as they look on the outside. The relationship between the couple seems to be complicated.

2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?The typical narrative when someone asks if they have a partner and that person usually responds that they don't have one, they usually get into a relationship with other people later on in the next episodes. This is the typical or generic narrative strand in dramas. Also, a strand of conflict between the wife and the husband seems to be in place as she speaks in a harsh tone of voice and interrupts the 2 adults and her children from singing a nursery rhyme. This can lead to a suggested argument between the married characters.

3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father of the two boys)?

We are meant to be seen as siding with the main character as he seems friendly and kind towards the female looking after the children. Also, he is seen to reduce her workload or help her out by also doing some housework while she is there. He is seen as a nice guy and hero in this situation.

Production and Industry Context

1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?

21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management

2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?

Spooks, a BAFTA award-winning show.

3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?

Broadchurch, River, Flowers, Grantchester, Humans and The Tunnel: Sabotage. They have won multiple BAFTA awards including drama series.

4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?

It shows all the successful shows that they have produced. The audience that like seeing these shows and then see them on a showreel make the excited and feel some sort of gratitude that they have followed the show to watch. It shows original British dramas which is what Kudos are mostly producing and they are also an independent company. It shows that Kudos mostly offer drama shows. Becuase they do this, they only feature shows that the audience like. A gratification of them being able to see more shows like the only they watch that is produced by Kudos is created.

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?

Rhetorical questions of what the audiences would ask in those show have also been featured revolving around the postcards. This mystery and the purposeful enigma of giving us as little information as a possible interest the audience into finding out why the postcards are being delivered. Also, it interests them because if the questions are featured it means they will be answered in the show, unlike some shows that don't give the audience a gratifying ending or still leave them with unanswered questions.

The equilibrium being disturbed in the show and the characters lives also incite audience interest. It gives different emotions that the characters feel which is also what the audience may feel for the characters as they keep watching the show as they feel an emotional attachment to the characters and the storyline.

2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?

The actors' and directors' filmography on what shows they have been featured on interest some part of the audience as they have seen these shows and may have enjoyed them so they would like to see the actors in Capital. 

3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?

Charlotte Moore

4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?

He is used to living the type of life he is currently in. He spends a lot of money on things most people don't do but has put himself in this situation of lavish spending. But also he starts to realise that life could be different but at the same time he doesn't know what to do and neither does his wife.

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?

The changes economically, culturally and socially happens in a lot of places in London. It gives some people a sense of community regardless of their background but also some people feel ostracized from their community.

6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain? 

The representations seem to be fair as places that weren't ethnically diverse are becoming more and more grouped with different backgrounds and different communities.

7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?

One scene is where Roger waked up on Christmas morning and finds his wife has left for a few days and is left alone with the kids. The comedy in the scene mixed with the seriousness that his life is beginning to change makes it enjoyable to watch. 

The Kamals' family meals are typical that everyone goes through with their family. It's a very traditional aspect of family life.

Also, the small observations that the nanny and the builder have when they talk to each other about London life and the people that they work for - mainly Roger and the family would be the focus - and the similarities in human nature.

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 book had a Dickensian view of life and also doesn't just focus on the state-of-the-nation economic view but also looks at human behaviour and looks at the intricacies of character development and emotions. We feel the emotions that they feel and are more attached to them. It puts all of London and the different groups of people into one street and gives a wide view it London life.

Peoples homes and the prices at which they are at now define a person and is a part of societies needs and judgement about each other based on property value. It looks at the economic decisions of everyone,, the differences between these decisions and the behaviour or psyche the characters. But there is also questions on what the real value in life - not just economic impacts ad values of people.

1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?

By using Humans and Broadchurch which are critically acclaimed, it gives the show some hype already that it will live up to the expectations of the previous shows created by the studio and already gives the show some viewers as fans of the other show would most likely watch Capital.

2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?

The silhouette of the city shows where the main setting will be and the images of the characters show who it will be focused on. It says that this will be a family drama as most of the images feature unity among the other characters.

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 are from established newspapers that give a good rating t the show The Daily Mail quote says 'Insightful and moving... a compelling portrait of modern britain.. terrific'. 'Modern Britain', suggests the sub-genre is state of the nation and will feature a diverse cast as that is the case f modern society. The Sunday Times quote says 'A dazzling, able cast... before you know it, the story has got you gripped...'. The quote here suggests that the audience will gain pleasure from the narrative as it will make the audience emotionally invested in the characters in the show.

4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?

It shows quite a stereotypical portrait of the characters, there are white upper-middle-class families, working-class Asians etc. But it shows quite the diverse representation as well as the main centres of London with all the skylines, which shows it is only focusing on the Capitals struggles and ethnic values