capital case study
Reviews and features
1) Positive points about Capital
4)Average London house price hits £500,000 as capital's housing market shows no sign of losing steam.
5) Capital is a ‘state-of-the-nation’ drama – designed to capture the issues facing the country at the time it is written and produced. In Capital, it focuses on the economy and the financial crash, immigration, London’s housing market and the incredible mix of people in a city of 8.5 million. Ben Lawrence in the Telegraph wrote: Capital shows "an eternal London, riven by inequality and quickened by diversity". Also, Ben Dowell in the Radio Times: “It shows Londoners trying to work out very real problems… there is a fierce intelligence at work here, a script which asks some very interesting and important questions but doesn’t force the answers down your throat.”
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
The beginning of the trailer uses establishing, bird's eye view and crane shots to capture the city of London. Here, the audience can see the type of houses London has and understand the historic nature of London.
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.
There are lots of long shots and medium close ups for when the characters are introduced. This allows us to see all the different characters closely. The audience will notice that each character is a different age and ethnicity. This highlights the diversity of London life. An example is the shot at 0:04 of Quentina, the police warden.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
There are many shots in the trailer that capture the family element of the drama. The medium shot at 0:05 of Bogdan carrying out house renovations (holding old carpet), the medium long shot at 0:07 of Roger leaving his house in a suit while holding a suitcase highlights the domesticity in the drama, the shots at 0:16 and 0:17 of the Kamal family at the dinner table skyping their mother captures the family element the most.
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?
This soundtrack is extremely effective and fit for this drama as the singer sings "These streets are yours you can keep them". This is relevant as there is someone who wants the houses on Pepys road. However, Bastille is saying that they "are yours", meaning that no one will be able to take that away from them.
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer shows the "We want what you have" postcards at 0:09 and at 0:20. These are enigma codes that capture the attention of the audience as they want to know who is sending these messages and why they are doing it.
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.
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 sa
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
There is a suggestion that an affair may happen between Roger and the nanny- he uses a sneaky trick to find out whether she is single or not. Also, Roger seems much happier with Matya than he is with his wife.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?The audience is conflicted on how to feel about Roger. On one hand they may dislike him because of his job as a banker, the fact that he takes for granted the amount of money he earns and that he might be thinking of cheating on his wife. However, on the other hand, the audience may feel sorry for Roger because of the way his wife treats him- she seems to only be with him for the money.
1) Positive points about Capital
- The Guardian- London life is portrayed brilliantly.
- The Telegraph- Shows eternal London, riven by inequality and quickened by diversity.
- The Evening Standard- The cast is excellent, and has a gripping storyline.
- The Telegraph- ...
- The Telegraph- "Yet it was a disappointment. This was no Dickensian bird’s-eye view, but an overly schematic tangle of under-developed plotlines populated by underwritten characters."
- The Evening Standard-"Yes, the series explores how London’s economy affects us all, which sounds a bit dull"
- The Telegraph-"Yet the fact that this TV adaptation is able to tell much the same story in the present day as the novel did set, as it was, in 2008, suggests no one has listened to a word he said."
4)Average London house price hits £500,000 as capital's housing market shows no sign of losing steam.
5) Capital is a ‘state-of-the-nation’ drama – designed to capture the issues facing the country at the time it is written and produced. In Capital, it focuses on the economy and the financial crash, immigration, London’s housing market and the incredible mix of people in a city of 8.5 million. Ben Lawrence in the Telegraph wrote: Capital shows "an eternal London, riven by inequality and quickened by diversity". Also, Ben Dowell in the Radio Times: “It shows Londoners trying to work out very real problems… there is a fierce intelligence at work here, a script which asks some very interesting and important questions but doesn’t force the answers down your throat.”
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
The beginning of the trailer uses establishing, bird's eye view and crane shots to capture the city of London. Here, the audience can see the type of houses London has and understand the historic nature of London.
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.
There are lots of long shots and medium close ups for when the characters are introduced. This allows us to see all the different characters closely. The audience will notice that each character is a different age and ethnicity. This highlights the diversity of London life. An example is the shot at 0:04 of Quentina, the police warden.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
There are many shots in the trailer that capture the family element of the drama. The medium shot at 0:05 of Bogdan carrying out house renovations (holding old carpet), the medium long shot at 0:07 of Roger leaving his house in a suit while holding a suitcase highlights the domesticity in the drama, the shots at 0:16 and 0:17 of the Kamal family at the dinner table skyping their mother captures the family element the most.
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?
This soundtrack is extremely effective and fit for this drama as the singer sings "These streets are yours you can keep them". This is relevant as there is someone who wants the houses on Pepys road. However, Bastille is saying that they "are yours", meaning that no one will be able to take that away from them.
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer shows the "We want what you have" postcards at 0:09 and at 0:20. These are enigma codes that capture the attention of the audience as they want to know who is sending these messages and why they are doing it.
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
Some sub-genres 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 sub genre as the some of the male family members are talking about racism and Islamophobia 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?
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 sa
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
This clip shows how well privileged upper-middle class people are as they can afford a large, modern house and a nanny for their children. However, it also shows the lack of love in the family with the way Arabella treats her husband.
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
There is a suggestion that an affair may happen between Roger and the nanny- he uses a sneaky trick to find out whether she is single or not. Also, Roger seems much happier with Matya than he is with his wife.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?The audience is conflicted on how to feel about Roger. On one hand they may dislike him because of his job as a banker, the fact that he takes for granted the amount of money he earns and that he might be thinking of cheating on his wife. However, on the other hand, the audience may feel sorry for Roger because of the way his wife treats him- she seems to only be with him for the money.
Production and industry context
1) The parent company for Kudos is the Endemol Shine Group.
2)The breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002 was the spy drama Spooks. This came to international attention with the BAFTA Award and was debuted on BBC One on 13th May 2002.
3) Other TV dramas Kudos have produced are; the awards they have won are:
1) The parent company for Kudos is the Endemol Shine Group.
2)The breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002 was the spy drama Spooks. This came to international attention with the BAFTA Award and was debuted on BBC One on 13th May 2002.
3) Other TV dramas Kudos have produced are; the awards they have won are:
- Broadchurch (ITV)-British Academy Television Award, winner of 4 BAFTAS including drama series.
- River (BBC One/Netflix)-
- Flowers (Channel 4/Seeso)-
- Grantchester (ITV/PSB Masterpiece)
- Humans (Channel 4/AMC)
- The Tunnel: Sabotage (Sky Atlantic HD/Canal+)
- Tin-Star (Sky Atlantic/Amazon)
- Diversion- They get to escape reality and indulge in new experiences which are unique, like Humans is a sci-fi drama.
- Entertainment- The audience is allowed to sit back and relax and watch the drama unfold! For example Broad-church.
- Personal Relationship- They get to have a different perspective on life through the views of others.
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 page makes the TV drama sound interesting by asking questions that can only be answered by watching the three episode drama. "we learn more about this vivid and unforgettable ensemble of characters. Interweaving stories reveal lives filled with love and loss, fear and greed, fortune and envy and most recognisable of all, family and home - stories bursting with piercing and funny observations on modern life and urban existence, of ordinary people who find themselves caught and changed by a city at a time of extraordinary flux." This paragraph intrigues the audience the most as it highlights the familiarity of the characters and story while also mentioning that the drama includes comedy.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
The target audience may have already seen those shows and really enjoyed them so they would trust the director and producer to make Capital just as good.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
He explains how Roger is a complicated character and that he isn't the rich smug person you would expect him to be. He somehow got in to this lifestyle and just carried on with it but he soon finds himself in a position that makes him realise money isn't everything.
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 Capital shows how, although there is much diversity on Pepys Road, some people (such as Usman) feel ostracised from it and feel that they don't belong in this community.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
Azmi believes that Capital is an accurate representation of how Asian families are like in Britain.
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
One of his favourite scenes from the drama is the morning of Christmas when Roger has been left alone to take care of the children, a punishment from Arabella. This is because it's the moment Roger realises his life is changing but it's done with such comedy.
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 page makes the TV drama sound interesting by asking questions that can only be answered by watching the three episode drama. "we learn more about this vivid and unforgettable ensemble of characters. Interweaving stories reveal lives filled with love and loss, fear and greed, fortune and envy and most recognisable of all, family and home - stories bursting with piercing and funny observations on modern life and urban existence, of ordinary people who find themselves caught and changed by a city at a time of extraordinary flux." This paragraph intrigues the audience the most as it highlights the familiarity of the characters and story while also mentioning that the drama includes comedy.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
The target audience may have already seen those shows and really enjoyed them so they would trust the director and producer to make Capital just as good.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
He explains how Roger is a complicated character and that he isn't the rich smug person you would expect him to be. He somehow got in to this lifestyle and just carried on with it but he soon finds himself in a position that makes him realise money isn't everything.
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 Capital shows how, although there is much diversity on Pepys Road, some people (such as Usman) feel ostracised from it and feel that they don't belong in this community.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
Azmi believes that Capital is an accurate representation of how Asian families are like in Britain.
7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?
One of his favourite scenes from the drama is the morning of Christmas when Roger has been left alone to take care of the children, a punishment from Arabella. This is because it's the moment Roger realises his life is changing but it's done with such comedy.
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?
Wax enjoyed the idea of life on one street. "I loved the sense of this big, expansive panorama of life as well as the small details of human behaviour. The whole of London seen through the microcosm of one street. And the characters are so complex, real and believable." He states that Capital is an accurate representation of London life today- from the diversity, to the ridiculous increase in property prices. He discusses how your property has become, in a way, what defines you but the drama shows the real value of life.
Wax enjoyed the idea of life on one street. "I loved the sense of this big, expansive panorama of life as well as the small details of human behaviour. The whole of London seen through the microcosm of one street. And the characters are so complex, real and believable." He states that Capital is an accurate representation of London life today- from the diversity, to the ridiculous increase in property prices. He discusses how your property has become, in a way, what defines you but the drama shows the real value of life.
DVD packaging
1) It uses other critically acclaimed dramas by having a copy saying 'FROM THE MAKERS OF HUMANS AND BROADCHURCH' So people that have seen those shows may be influenced to watch this one.
2) The London landmarks silhouette implies that the drama is shot in the 'Capital' city, London. The range of pictures suggests to the audience that the drama is about several of people and doesn't just focus on one storyline. it could also suggest that the drama is about family. The tagline of 'SOMEONE WANTS WHAT THEY HAVE' is intriguing and could suggest to the audience that these people are being harassed in some form.
3) They have used 2 review quotes and have placed them above and below the images. The first quote is "INSIGHTFUL AND MOVING...A COMPELLING PORTRAIT OF MODERN BRITAIN...TERRIFIC" This quote was from the Daily Mail. it suggests that the sub-genre of this drama is state-of-the-nation because it talks about the portrayal of modern Britain. it also suggest that there will be narrative strands which are compelling and only resolved at the end. The other quote is "A DAZZLING, ABLE CAST...BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THE STORY HAS GOT YOU GRIPPED". This quote is from The Sunday Times. The audiences will be able to gain pleasure by watching this drama because the cast they have used show realism, some of this may be relatable to the audiences. hey will watch this for diversion, by indulging in fictional characters' problems rather than their own. It also gives them a choice to have a personal relationship with a character as they may be able to put themselves in the characters shoes and reflect on their own lives.
4) The DVD package implies that London is a culturally diverse capital. This is seen through the images of people who are different cultures. Alternatively, another representation could be that London is dominated by the elite and wealthy people. This is because the image of Roger, a wealthy baker, and his wife Arabella is significantly larger than the others (They don't have a high profession like Roger).
4) The DVD package implies that London is a culturally diverse capital. This is seen through the images of people who are different cultures. Alternatively, another representation could be that London is dominated by the elite and wealthy people. This is because the image of Roger, a wealthy baker, and his wife Arabella is significantly larger than the others (They don't have a high profession like Roger).
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