Capital: case study blog tasks
Reviews and features
Read the following interviews, reviews and features on Capital:
Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
Telegraph review by Ben Lawrence
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital
Behind the scenes filming Capital from the Daily Telegraph
After reading the reviews, these are the positives and negatives that have been mentioned about the state-of-the-nation TV series, Capital. In The Guardian, the writer, Sam Wollaston states that Capital is a "brilliant allegorical portrait of London." she states how she enjoys the multi strand narratives as there are many individual stories being told in just one episode. In the telegraph, the writer Ben Lawrence states that the "superb ensemble cast" had "strong performances" and that it was a great adaptation of the novel. However, he states he was disappointed by the "under-developed plot lines populated by underwritten characters." In the London Evening Standard the writer credits Capital for its very real portrayal of London and the inclusion of financial/economical struggle and how it effects us as a collective
In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, the writer talks about the London housing market. They state that the director reminded the cast that they had to be sad and distressed about the housing market. This is significant as it reflects the feelings and attitudes of real people when it comes to the housing market. George Osborn makes the statement under the name "Bad bankers are like shoplifters". He then goes on to say “Somehow our [people of London] emotional well being has become tied up with the price of our house. This is fundamentally worrying.”
Capital is seen as a 'state-of-the-nation' drama. It has been stated the capital perfectly captures the struggles and social issues that face the country and the people living in it. One example of this is the feelings and attitudes that Londoners have in regards to the housing market. These feelings have been depicted in the capital and have been excellently shown to the audience.
Trailer analysis
Watch the trailer for Capital:
In the capital trailer, shown above, there are various shots, camera angles and editing techniques used to capture London life. Aeriel shots are seen at the beginning of the trailer, this is used as an establishing shot to show the place the show is set in, in this case, London. It also allows people to relate to the show as they a sense of familiarity is brought out.
The family element of this drama is captured using mise-en-scene. One example of this is the shot of the Kamal family sat around the dinner table, views would be able to recognise this as being a family environment as they can probably related to it. Another example of this would be the shot of Roger & Arabella in the bedroom in their nightwear, this is quite a intimate and familiar shot that ultimately captures domestic life.
Although the trailer is only 40 seconds long, narrative strands that suggest tension and enigma are already introduced. This is shown through the questions that are being asked by the characters which will simultaneously be thought of by the audience- creating a sense of enigma. The scene of the hooded man, suspiciously taking pictures of the houses, along with the mysterious postcards, also creates enigma.
Watch the Episode 1 preview for Capital:
Capital contains a wide range of sub-genres. From this clip, we can see that comedy and crime mystery are the two main, prominent sub-genres. Comedy, coming from Ahmed and his son Shahid and crime mystery coming from the case that the officer is attempting to solve.
The mix of ethnicity shown in this show perfectly depicts how London truly is. London is considered as a multicultural place full of people that come from different ethnic backgrounds. This representation shown through this clip suggests that Capital is a State-of-the-nation show.
This scene is shot in a corner shop, this creates the sense of personal identity and familiarity for audiences, from the UK, as they will be able to relate to the environment that this scene is shot in.
Personal identity is provided to the audience as audiences could potentially be able to relate to the back-and-forth banter between Ahmed and Shahid as viewers might have that same bond with a member of their family. They could also relate to the environment that the scene is set in.
Watch the Episode 2 preview for Capital:
Upper-middle-class is presented through mise-en-scene. The grand, well-decorated kitchen plays a role in establishing the fact that they belong to an upper-middle-class, as a kitchen like this would not be seen in a house belonging to someone from a working-class. A patio is also seen in the background of this scene, through the window. This is also another indication of their wealth therefore putting them in the upper-middle-class category.
From this clip, you can see that Roger is showing interest in the nanny as he is quite fond to know whether she is in a relationship or not. This is then followed by a slight sense of conflict between Roger and Arabella. The tension between the two characters along with Rogers sudden interest to the nanny could foreshadow a potential break in their relationship.
The way the audience is positioned to respond to Roger may leave them in two conflicting mindsets. Some views may feel sorry for him because of the way Arabella treats him. However, others may not feel the same amount of sympathy for him, as they may perceive him as selfish and as an inadequate father.
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, aging and more.
1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in class:
During this scene we are introduced to the kamal family. They are seen working in a corner shop which is typically seen in London. The producers of Capital used this stereotype to quickly introduce the family
This scene also touches on political and international issues such as terrorism and radicalism. They do this through the use of comedy
In this scene, aerial shots are used. We see a display of all the houses and buildings in London. In this scene we also see Rodgers journey to work. During this scene, the audience can see how unhappy Rodger is. Even with all the money and a stable income, Rodger’s life seems pretty melancholy.
In this scene, certain stereotypes that have been placed in women are being subverted. Throughout the show and in this scene in particular, Arabella is seen to have a certain dominance over Rodger. She speaks to him in a stern voice and declines him when he hints at them both engaging in sexual activity
In this scene, immigration issues are being addressed. Quintina has been sent a letter saying that she may not be able to claim asylum in the UK anymore. This scene gives a clear insight to how the immigration system works and it also challenges the idea of deportation. The character Quintina, and her situation is a depiction of how the directors feel about how the government deals with immigration
In this scene, we see a juxtaposition between the lives of Quintina and Rodger. Quintina takes pride in her work even though she does not make a lot from it. Whereas Rodger seems clueless and disregards £30,000. Here, we see a perfect example of the different classes that are present in London
Capital uses stereotypes through the characters to communicate to the audience how certain characters would behave. Stereotypes are also used in multistrand narratives that are apart of capital. Other stereotypes are used for a comedic effect which created a subgenre within Capital.
Capital was produced by independent production company Kudos for the BBC. Look at the Kudos website and also read the Kudos Wikipedia page.
The parent company for Kudos is the Endemol Shine Group.
Kudos came to international attention with the spy drama Spooks. Spooks debuted in 2002 and it won a BAFTA award.
Kudos have produced a range of great TV dramas which they have been awarded for. These TV dramas consist of shows such as Broadchurch, Gunpowder, Troy, Humans (season 2) and many more amazing shows. They have been commended highly by reviewers such as the guardian and the daily telegraph. The show "Broadchurch" was awarded Best Drama Series by the TV choice awards and Best Crime Drama 2017 by National Television Awards 2018.
Like any other TV show/Drama, Kudos productions offer the audience pleasure of entertainment and diversion. Another audience pleasure that Kudos offer is surveillance and information. The show Humans is an example of this, although the story is fiction, it could be argued that it is a semi-accurate depiction of what might happen in the future.
Read the BBC Press Pack for Capital.
The programme information on page 3 makes capital sound interesting to audiences. It does this by giving a brief yet an information-filled description of the show and the multistrand narratives that appear in it. It also mentions the main themes and issues that are addressed within Capital.
The programme information mentions other shows that the producer and directors have worked on. Fans of the directors and producers or the other shows will most likely show interest in Capital. This use of star power would be effective as it would entice more people to watch Capital.
Capital was commissioned by Charlotte Moore for the BBC
Toby Jones states that the character Roger has become accustomed to the lifestyle that he is currently living. He also states that Roger spends his money on things that a regular person wouldn't usually
Pepys road is seen as an representation of different communities in London. Adele Althea states that we all belong to a community no matter what background we are from. However, he states that some individuals may feel like they are ostracised from this community; this is portrayed through the character Usman.
Shabana Azmi stayed that Capital is a pretty good example of Asian representation in London. She states that the world is finally absorbing cultures and understanding them.
Peter Bowker states that his favourite scenes in Capital is when the Kamal family have their dinner, he states that he loves the chaotic atmosphere that is being shown through the use of comedy.
Derek Wax stated that the reasoning for him wanting to produce Capital was because the novel was a great demonstration of how we live in London in present time.
Look at the DVD packaging for Capital. There are many marketing techniques employed here.
On the packaging, other critically acclaimed tv dramas are shown. This was strategically done so that fans of those other shows will be more enticed into watching Capital
The packaging features silhouettes of London landmarks such as tower bridge, Big Ben and the shard. This establishes the setting that this series is taking place in.
The use of good review and quotes will make audiences want to watch as they will see the positive feedback and will think that it is a good investment.
The packaging of Capital includes people from different ethnic backgrounds. This a great representation of London because is shows the level of diversity that we have in this city
There is a lot of work here - easily 3-4 hours in total if you do in the depth required for the top grades at A Level. However, you will have two weeks to work on this and then half-term to complete it.
Reviews and features
Read the following interviews, reviews and features on Capital:
Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
Telegraph review by Ben Lawrence
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital
Behind the scenes filming Capital from the Daily Telegraph
After reading the reviews, these are the positives and negatives that have been mentioned about the state-of-the-nation TV series, Capital. In The Guardian, the writer, Sam Wollaston states that Capital is a "brilliant allegorical portrait of London." she states how she enjoys the multi strand narratives as there are many individual stories being told in just one episode. In the telegraph, the writer Ben Lawrence states that the "superb ensemble cast" had "strong performances" and that it was a great adaptation of the novel. However, he states he was disappointed by the "under-developed plot lines populated by underwritten characters." In the London Evening Standard the writer credits Capital for its very real portrayal of London and the inclusion of financial/economical struggle and how it effects us as a collective
In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, the writer talks about the London housing market. They state that the director reminded the cast that they had to be sad and distressed about the housing market. This is significant as it reflects the feelings and attitudes of real people when it comes to the housing market. George Osborn makes the statement under the name "Bad bankers are like shoplifters". He then goes on to say “Somehow our [people of London] emotional well being has become tied up with the price of our house. This is fundamentally worrying.”
Capital is seen as a 'state-of-the-nation' drama. It has been stated the capital perfectly captures the struggles and social issues that face the country and the people living in it. One example of this is the feelings and attitudes that Londoners have in regards to the housing market. These feelings have been depicted in the capital and have been excellently shown to the audience.
Trailer analysis
Watch the trailer for Capital:
In the capital trailer, shown above, there are various shots, camera angles and editing techniques used to capture London life. Aeriel shots are seen at the beginning of the trailer, this is used as an establishing shot to show the place the show is set in, in this case, London. It also allows people to relate to the show as they a sense of familiarity is brought out.
The family element of this drama is captured using mise-en-scene. One example of this is the shot of the Kamal family sat around the dinner table, views would be able to recognise this as being a family environment as they can probably related to it. Another example of this would be the shot of Roger & Arabella in the bedroom in their nightwear, this is quite a intimate and familiar shot that ultimately captures domestic life.
Although the trailer is only 40 seconds long, narrative strands that suggest tension and enigma are already introduced. This is shown through the questions that are being asked by the characters which will simultaneously be thought of by the audience- creating a sense of enigma. The scene of the hooded man, suspiciously taking pictures of the houses, along with the mysterious postcards, also creates enigma.
Watch the Episode 1 preview for Capital:
Capital contains a wide range of sub-genres. From this clip, we can see that comedy and crime mystery are the two main, prominent sub-genres. Comedy, coming from Ahmed and his son Shahid and crime mystery coming from the case that the officer is attempting to solve.
The mix of ethnicity shown in this show perfectly depicts how London truly is. London is considered as a multicultural place full of people that come from different ethnic backgrounds. This representation shown through this clip suggests that Capital is a State-of-the-nation show.
This scene is shot in a corner shop, this creates the sense of personal identity and familiarity for audiences, from the UK, as they will be able to relate to the environment that this scene is shot in.
Personal identity is provided to the audience as audiences could potentially be able to relate to the back-and-forth banter between Ahmed and Shahid as viewers might have that same bond with a member of their family. They could also relate to the environment that the scene is set in.
Watch the Episode 2 preview for Capital:
Upper-middle-class is presented through mise-en-scene. The grand, well-decorated kitchen plays a role in establishing the fact that they belong to an upper-middle-class, as a kitchen like this would not be seen in a house belonging to someone from a working-class. A patio is also seen in the background of this scene, through the window. This is also another indication of their wealth therefore putting them in the upper-middle-class category.
From this clip, you can see that Roger is showing interest in the nanny as he is quite fond to know whether she is in a relationship or not. This is then followed by a slight sense of conflict between Roger and Arabella. The tension between the two characters along with Rogers sudden interest to the nanny could foreshadow a potential break in their relationship.
The way the audience is positioned to respond to Roger may leave them in two conflicting mindsets. Some views may feel sorry for him because of the way Arabella treats him. However, others may not feel the same amount of sympathy for him, as they may perceive him as selfish and as an inadequate father.
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, aging 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
During this scene we are introduced to the kamal family. They are seen working in a corner shop which is typically seen in London. The producers of Capital used this stereotype to quickly introduce the family
This scene also touches on political and international issues such as terrorism and radicalism. They do this through the use of comedy
Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10
In this scene, aerial shots are used. We see a display of all the houses and buildings in London. In this scene we also see Rodgers journey to work. During this scene, the audience can see how unhappy Rodger is. Even with all the money and a stable income, Rodger’s life seems pretty melancholy.
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35
In this scene, certain stereotypes that have been placed in women are being subverted. Throughout the show and in this scene in particular, Arabella is seen to have a certain dominance over Rodger. She speaks to him in a stern voice and declines him when he hints at them both engaging in sexual activity
Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40
In this scene, immigration issues are being addressed. Quintina has been sent a letter saying that she may not be able to claim asylum in the UK anymore. This scene gives a clear insight to how the immigration system works and it also challenges the idea of deportation. The character Quintina, and her situation is a depiction of how the directors feel about how the government deals with immigration
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00
In this scene, we see a juxtaposition between the lives of Quintina and Rodger. Quintina takes pride in her work even though she does not make a lot from it. Whereas Rodger seems clueless and disregards £30,000. Here, we see a perfect example of the different classes that are present in London Capital uses stereotypes through the characters to communicate to the audience how certain characters would behave. Stereotypes are also used in multistrand narratives that are apart of capital. Other stereotypes are used for a comedic effect which created a subgenre within Capital.
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.
The parent company for Kudos is the Endemol Shine Group.
Kudos came to international attention with the spy drama Spooks. Spooks debuted in 2002 and it won a BAFTA award.
Kudos have produced a range of great TV dramas which they have been awarded for. These TV dramas consist of shows such as Broadchurch, Gunpowder, Troy, Humans (season 2) and many more amazing shows. They have been commended highly by reviewers such as the guardian and the daily telegraph. The show "Broadchurch" was awarded Best Drama Series by the TV choice awards and Best Crime Drama 2017 by National Television Awards 2018.
Like any other TV show/Drama, Kudos productions offer the audience pleasure of entertainment and diversion. Another audience pleasure that Kudos offer is surveillance and information. The show Humans is an example of this, although the story is fiction, it could be argued that it is a semi-accurate depiction of what might happen in the future.
Marketing and promotion
Read the BBC Press Pack for Capital.
The programme information on page 3 makes capital sound interesting to audiences. It does this by giving a brief yet an information-filled description of the show and the multistrand narratives that appear in it. It also mentions the main themes and issues that are addressed within Capital.
The programme information mentions other shows that the producer and directors have worked on. Fans of the directors and producers or the other shows will most likely show interest in Capital. This use of star power would be effective as it would entice more people to watch Capital.
Capital was commissioned by Charlotte Moore for the BBC
Toby Jones states that the character Roger has become accustomed to the lifestyle that he is currently living. He also states that Roger spends his money on things that a regular person wouldn't usually
Pepys road is seen as an representation of different communities in London. Adele Althea states that we all belong to a community no matter what background we are from. However, he states that some individuals may feel like they are ostracised from this community; this is portrayed through the character Usman.
Shabana Azmi stayed that Capital is a pretty good example of Asian representation in London. She states that the world is finally absorbing cultures and understanding them.
Peter Bowker states that his favourite scenes in Capital is when the Kamal family have their dinner, he states that he loves the chaotic atmosphere that is being shown through the use of comedy.
Derek Wax stated that the reasoning for him wanting to produce Capital was because the novel was a great demonstration of how we live in London in present time.
DVD packaging
Look at the DVD packaging for Capital. There are many marketing techniques employed here.
On the packaging, other critically acclaimed tv dramas are shown. This was strategically done so that fans of those other shows will be more enticed into watching Capital
The packaging features silhouettes of London landmarks such as tower bridge, Big Ben and the shard. This establishes the setting that this series is taking place in.
The use of good review and quotes will make audiences want to watch as they will see the positive feedback and will think that it is a good investment.
The packaging of Capital includes people from different ethnic backgrounds. This a great representation of London because is shows the level of diversity that we have in this city
There is a lot of work here - easily 3-4 hours in total if you do in the depth required for the top grades at A Level. However, you will have two weeks to work on this and then half-term to complete it.
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