TV: Capital Case Study
Reviews and features
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital? What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?
- The cast is brilliant- Toby Jones (Roger Yount), Gemma Stones (Petunia Howe) and Adeel Akhtar (Ahmed Kamal) all do incredible jobs in playing the parts successfully. The characters are relatable and well-drawn.
- The TV Drama is based on an acclaimed novel- Released in 2012, John Lanchester's novel of the same name offered a hilarious and incisive look at the boom-and-bust economics of 2007 and 2008 as the backdrop for its characters. It also received significant praises from critics.
- It will ring true for a lot of Londoners- On the one hand, Capital offers a microcosmic metaphor for London at large, but it also feels real in the portrayal of its characters, from the financially-sound to the economically-struggling. There is also a shot through the sweaty armpit of a morning commuter on the tube.
- The mystery about who is sending the postcards gets you gripped in
- The show is instantly recognisable.
HOWEVER,
- There is no overarching storyline
- Plot lines are also undeveloped
2) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
The writer says that the London housing market continues to increase and becomes extremely expensive. He also notes that no one knows when it will stop so it will continue to become an ongoing problem.
3) 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?
The drama explores how London's economy affects us all and in the guardian, the article touches upon the different lives of all of the families that live on Pepys Road. The fact that the show encapsulates Ahmed's family who are second- generation Pakistani immigrants living in 2015 South London captures modern- day London as previously this wouldn't have happened as much as it does today. The armpit shot can also be seen as a perfect example of what Modern- day London appears to be.
Trailer Analysis:
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
The drama uses camerawork to capture London life through utilising the establishing/ birds eye shot in the first couple of seconds of the trailer in order to give the audience an opportunity to take in the scale at which London is being portrayed in contrast to the minuscule aspect of London that is shown in the show. This particular type of shot also sets up the context for the scene ahead, designed to inform the audience where the action will be taking place. It shows the relationship between people and objects, and establishes the scene's geography. The big closeup shot of the road (that is centre to the narrative of the show), enhances the significance of it. A tracking shot captures all of the lives of each family living on this road.
Moreover, the montage of the separate lives of each household shows the issues that each one of them face.
2) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
The trailer uses mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama because of the houses shown and the family dinner while skyping from the Kamal family. The trailer also uses mise-en-scene to capture the diversity in each family as well as the different lifestyles all of them undergo. We have the Yount family who live a well off privileged life, the Kamal family who live quite a family orientated lifestyle, Petunia Howe who lives up to the typical elderly white lady who is isolated stereotype as well as the life of Quentina who is an asylum seeker being locked away due to being an illegal asylum seeker in London.
3) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer introduces narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40 second running time through at first portraying each family/ Individual in a positive light but also showcasing them through a negative portrayal.
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
Elements of Mystery, Crime and Racial Prejudice
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The references to Islamophobia and racism (white people who are more privileged)
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
The scene is set up in a corner shop which can be seen as something we all have around us.
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
Blumer and Katz Uses and Gratifications theory:
Personal Identity- audience sees themselves reflected through the characters
Personal relationships- feel emotion towards the characters
Enigma codes
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The detective is very professional and appears to wanting to help them, while Shahid's (the student) comments are suffice and so the family's concern is sympathetic.
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The family is presented as quite affluent and privileged as Roger is living in a large, architecturally developed kitchen as well as being able to afford a nanny for his children.
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
The clip suggests that Roger has hired the nanny to help out around the house and look after the children because his wife has left and there clearly is some conflict between the two
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience is positioned to dislike Roger due to him putting on a front for the nanny about caring a lot for his kids as he sings along with them.
Representations: close-textual analysis
Capital offers a range of fascinating representations - from London and asylum seekers to capitalism and inequality. You need to be able to confidently discuss these issues in the context of 2015 London - with reference to key scenes from episode 1. Representations include: London, family, gender, ethnicity, religion, immigration, asylum, inequality, wealth, capitalism, ageing and more.
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
- Place- London: Pepys Road
- Presents the multicultural aspect of London- 'immigrants'
- 'He gets rertigo going north of the river'- London Joke suggests positive multicultural aspect of London
- Family and Gender- Flashback scene- Typical British family life (lower middle class)
- Albert was a 'solicitors clerk'- white collar job
- Ethnicity and Religion- 'My duty as a muslim'- Comedy mocking extremism (links to vertigo line)
- Reinforces stereotypes- corner shop BUT actually subverts stereotypes
- Petunia is unhappy- reinforces white British stereotypes of isolation and a lack of family orientated relationships.
- Issues- House Prices- 2.7m
- Ageing- 'Albert didn't much like change'
- Place- London- Aerial shots show the power of London as a city
- Armpit scene- shows the negatives of working in London
- Unhappiness- colour grading greys
- Roger in long shot of train station shows how small and insignificant he is
- Family and Gender- Utterly male dominated
- Reinforces traditional family roles as Arabella is at home while Roger goes out to work
- Issues- Capitalism- 'work hard, play hard'
- Subtly reinforces right wing aspects- capitalism
- Negatively represents white British Middle class
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35
- Place- London- Inequality in London
- German stereotypes- shows English arrogance
- 'Your frock money'- Roger is quite patronising- reinforces patriarchy
- 'I'm no feminist'- Arabella portrays herself and Roger as horrible people
- Suggests Capital promotes left wing ideologies
- Ethnicity and Religion- White British upper middle class presented very negatively
- Issues- Wealth and inequality- 'You'd be surprised by how little 1m covers these days' (contrast between Roger's lifestyle and Quentina's lifestyle)
- Place- London- Quentina lives in a shared flat- reinforces Quentina's chaotic living arrangements
- Audio codes- Sound of baby crying emphasises the chaotic atmosphere in which she lives in
- Family and Gender- The people trafficker abuses his power- 'Perhaps a little kiss'
- Male dominance- abuse of power
- Subverting female stereotypes
- Issues- Positive representation of immigration- 'You do know you're not permitted to work'
- Inequality- Quentina is being exploited twice- closeup on payslip, also exploited by people trafficker
- Contrast of Roger's and Quentina's life
- Close up of Quentina in mirror adjusting her hat shows how she takes her job seriously
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00
- Issues- 'Context to all this ... swiss subsidiary' (conglomerate ownerships)
- Contrast between Roger and Quentina who both receive less money than expected- 'This is fundamentally unfair'
- Applies to most narrative strands
Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55
2) How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capital reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?
Capital uses stereotypes to reinforce the family orientated skype face timing on the dinner table with the Kamal family. The Kamal family also reinforces stereotypes of having a corner shop as this can be seen as a prominent thing in the Asian community.
Capital also reinforces the stereotype of the typical White British elderly lady who is isolated and has a lack of family orientated relationships
However, Quentina subverts such stereotypes of a Black female asylum seeker who is actually wanting to work in London and stay here.
Industries and production context
Capital was produced by independent production company Kudos for the BBC. Look at the Kudos website and also read the Kudos Wikipedia page.
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
Endemol Shine Group
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
The breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002 was The BAFTA award winning show Spooks which debuted on BBC One in May 2002.
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
Showreel suggests that the Kudos productions offer different genres which have a variety of audiences. It gives a sense of entertainment and information/surveillance.
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
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 makes Capital sound interesting to audiences because it tells them the multi-strand narrative and gives details about each character.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
The programme information mentions the other shows that the director and producer have worked on because it shows that Capital is just as good as their other productions and they have other successful shows too.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore commissioned Capital for BBC.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
Toby Jones says the character of Roger is shown to be self-imposed because he's become used to a certain way of life. He also isn't in charge of his life or his work and spends a lot of money on things that other people don't spend money on.
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?
Adeel Akhtar suggests that Capital portrays fictional Pepys Road and the sense of community in London as belonging to a community no matter what background you're from. However some people like Ahmed's brother feels ostracised because they feel like they don't fit in and are on the outside.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
Shabana Azmi says the Asian representations in Capital are accurate because they are absorbing cultures and understanding them.
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
Peter Bowker's favourite scenes in Capital are when Roger is abandoned on Christmas morning by his wife and he has to take care of his kids. This is his favourite scene because it's the moment where Roger finally realises that his life is changing and chooses to deal with it in a funny matter.
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?
Derek Wax, the executive producer for Kudos, stated the reason why he produced Capital was because the show demonstrated the reality of London and all the issues that present today.
DVD packaging
Look at the DVD packaging for Capital. There are many marketing techniques employed here.
1) How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?
The packaging uses other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital because on top of the product it mentions that the show is produced by the same people who made Humans and Broadchurch which gains a wider audience and engages with them more.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The outline of the tall buildings and landmarks in London creates identity and the audience are able to realise that the show is based in London. The characters are purposely shown on the cover to attract an audience and to fulfil the audience pleasure of personal relationship. This could encourage them to watch it and to see what happens to those specific 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 makes the audience believe that the show is good because it's from a reliable source that are trustworthy. This would push the audience to watch the show because all the reviews are positive.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The representation of London that the DVD packaging offers is that it includes people of different ethnicities and has a variety of people who are different ages. This demonstrates London as being a place of diversity and presents the multicultural aspect of London positively.
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