TV: Capital case study

 1) What positive points does the review pick out about Capital? What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?

One street, one book, and three hours of television have all managed to fit an amazing amount of information. a lot of the crucial information, as well as the best and worst aspects of the location. Both sympathetic and indifferent personalities are presented. The neighborhood's depiction in Capital is an exact replica of how most neighbourhoods in London seem.

2) What references can you find in the reviews and feature to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?

The Islamophobia in London and the UK is also depicted in Capital; when Shahid Kamal was apprehended, he was labelled a terrorist for burning the Union Jack when he was younger, even though this was not against the law. With the story of Quentina, an illegal immigrant living in the UK who threatens deportation, Capital also depicts immigration in contemporary London.

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

The actor's facial expressions can be captured utilising close-up and extreme close-up shots since the camera is particularly focused above the actor's waist. Establishing shots are also employed, however they mostly serve to depict the setting of the episode.

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

Sometimes the setting includes scenes of the characters enjoying dinner and conversing inside their homes. Also, it displays simple, every day attire. The characters' facial expressions during dinnertime convey to the audience that the family is happy and in close contact.

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

The viewer wonders who is sending these postcards and why, as well as what they want, as a result of the postcards bearing the message we want what you have and photographs of the senders' homes. Another engima code is used in the trailer when we see a hooded man taking pictures of the houses of the characters, which leads us as viewers to believe he is the person responsible for the postcards. 

1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in the lesson:

Scene 1: opening sequence 00:30 – 4.49

With the Kamal family in scene 1, we are given a glimpse of London's variety. We are also given a sense of the city's sense of community, which challenges the notion that Londoners don't get along with their neighbours. The characters Roger and Arabella allow us to see the gentrification of London.

Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10

It demonstrates how the wife is the family's "stay-at-home" parent while the husband works outside the home to provide for the family. The predominance of white men in the workforce feeds the stereotype of office workers.

Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35 

In this scene, we witness the conventional gender stereotypes of using women for male gratification and the male being the "bread winner," with the woman getting to spend it all. In this setting, we can also observe the luxury and overwhelming materialism of the rich middle class family.

Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40

The lady ticket officer appears to be under the jurisdiction of a different person who decides how much she is paid and where she spends her free time, and we can see a black woman lawyer, which typically subverts the stereotype of lawyers.

Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55

The assumption that Londoners don't get to know their neighbours well is demonstrated in this scene by the fact that Arabella doesn't know Ahmed and appears to have never visited the store before.

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?

The Pakistani family, the traffic warden Quentina, and the Polish builder Bogdan all challenge the prejudice that immigrants are frequently sluggish and unwilling to work.

Industries and production context

1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?

Banijay UK

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

Spooks - BBC One

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

Deadwater Fell

Two weeks to live

Code 404

Grantchester

SAS rogue heroes

Responsible child

Deep water

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

The show reel features a lot of close-up shots of various characters from all different backgrounds, which suggests that viewers may be able to identify with some of these characters and thus find their own personal identities. In addition, viewers may be able to form close bonds with these characters and become invested in their on-screen stories.

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 usage of a cast and characters from a variety of backgrounds, the enigmatic letters, and the potential goals of the individual are all intriguing. The £1 million incentive is also intriguing because it is a highly uncommon occurrence.

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

In order to draw in the devoted audience that such filmmakers and producers have based on their prior projects, the programme description makes reference of the other shows that the director and producer worked on.

3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?

Charlotte Moore

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

Roger is not a bad banker he is a bit cocky banker. He feels pressured to continue living the manner he has grown accustomed to.

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?

 A lot of things are slowly changing socially, economically, and culturally, and I believe we are at a turning point. This is demonstrated on Pepys Road. It serves as an illustration of what may be seen on many roadways in London and around Britain.

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

She discusses how it captures an authentic depiction of Asian images and how she discusses how people are becoming more conscious of how small the globe is.

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

When Roger realises that his life is changing, it's done in the funniest way possible. It's one of those wonderful Basil Fawlty scenes when the comedy works on one level and the farce of feeling works on another. I wanted to make sure that a few of my favourite passages from the book made it into the adaptation. 

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 story was recounted from one street, but it was representative of all of Britain/London, and the characters were believable. It discusses the current state of the nation and London, with rising home prices. Through the various characters including Bogdan, who lives in a bedsit, Petunia, whose house hasn't been touched in 60 years.

DVD packaging

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

The phrase "From the makers of Humands & Broadchurch" at the top of the DVD cover draws viewers who have seen and appreciated those shows and may be interested in watching Capital.

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

Every actor's face is captured in a close-up image, and the majority of them are showing serious facial expressions.

3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?

According to the review excerpts, the tale is quite intriguing and centres on what is happening in London and Britain at the time.

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

The London silhouette gives it a darker, more menacing depiction of London and implies that something fishy is going on.