30 march AS media

Learning objective

To understand the theoretical terms used to analyse TV drama and how to apply them in your

exam answer

Hegemony

According to the theories of Karl Marx:

The dominant ideas (which become ‘common sense’) of any society are those

which work in the interests of the ruling class to secure its rule or dominance.

Prime minister: David Cameron, 43, ConservativeDeputy prime minister: Nick Clegg, 43, Liberal DemocratChancellor: George Osborne, 38, ConservativeHome secretary: Theresa May, 53, ConservativeForeign secretary: William Hague, 49, ConservativeDefence secretary: Liam Fox, 48, ConservativeJustice secretary: Kenneth Clarke, 69, ConservativeHealth secretary: Andrew Lansley, 53, ConservativeEducation secretary: Michael Gove, 42, ConservativeBusiness secretary: Vincent Cable, 67, Liberal DemocratChief secretary to the Treasury: David Laws, 44, Liberal DemocratWork and pensions secretary: Iain Duncan Smith, 56, ConservativeEnergy and climate change secretary: Chris Huhne, 55, Liberal DemocratLocal government secretary: Eric Pickles, 58, ConservativeTransport secretary: Philip Hammond, 55, ConservativeEnvironment secretary: Caroline Spelman, 52, ConservativeInternational development secretary: Andrew Mitchell, 54, ConservativeNorthern Ireland secretary: Owen Paterson, 53, ConservativeScotland secretary: Danny Alexander, 37, Liberal DemocratWelsh secretary: Cheryl Gillan, 58, ConservativeCulture, Olympics, media and sport secretary: Jeremy Hunt, 43, ConservativeLeader of the Lords: Lord Strathclyde, 50, ConservativeMinister without portfolio: Lady Warsi, 39, Conservative

The Cabinet

23 members

4 women

1 ethnic minority

0 disabled

0 working class

37-67 yrs age range

? gay

Hegemony??

Double garages

Jerry cans

Pasties

Binary Opposition

According to the theories of Levi-Strauss:

What drives a story is conflict between two opposing forces – creating binary opposition.

Stories can be organised through the binary opposition of stereotypes

What are the binary oppositions in these TV dramas?

• Upstairs/Downstairs

• White Heat

• Skins• Dr Who

• Titanic

• Waterloo Rd

Opening paragraphIn this essay I will be analysing the extract from <title of TV drama> and identifying how <element of representation> is represented. I will be demonstrating if, and how, the extract uses archetypes, generic types and stereotypes and applying Levi-Strauss’ concept of binary oppositions. Finally, I will determine if the extract conforms to or challenges hegemony. I will be doing this with reference to camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene.

Archetype

• This literally means: ‘the original model’

• This refers to characters such as hero, villain, princess, wise man etc

• These characters are well established in traditional stories and transcend history or culture

Generic type/Stock characters

• Generic types are characters found in particular genres (comedy, crime, horror)

• They are more narrowly defined than archetypes e.g. the coward, the fool, the absent minded, the charmer

Stereotypes

A stereotype is created by using a set of general characteristics to describe a group

of people, usually in a negative way, based on assumptions rather than fact.

Stereotypes are usually created by the dominant culture in society

Create a new blog on your current blog site2. Go to your coursework blog site3. Set up a new blog by adding a 2 to the existing blog. For

example:Charlie SpiersCoursework blog is: http://charliespiersrc.blogspot.comCreate new blog called:http://charliespiersrc2.blogspot.com

Any work you are asked to do in preparation for this exam should be posted on this second site.

Blog for this course: http://rctvdrama.blogspot.com

Finish writing up your answer to the exam question – there should be five

paragraphs in total

Post to your blog by Monday 16 th April