tv and radio

 His Dark Materials: LIAR

TV Industry Contexts

 1) What is the BBC's mission statement?

The BBC's mission is to act in the public interest, providing impartial, high-quality, and distinctive content that informs, educates, and entertains

2) How is the BBC funded?

from tv licence which is £174.50 

3) What must the BBC do to meet its public service broadcasting responsibilities? (Look at the five bullet points in the notes above)

To provide information (that is supposed to be balanced)

To support learning for people of all ages

To produce creative output

To have diverse content (such as with its representations)

To reflect the United Kingdom, its culture and values to the world

4) Who is the regulator for TV and Radio in the UK? You can find details on this in the notes above.

The BBC is regulated by OfCOM (the Office of Communications).

5) How is TV and Radio regulated by Ofcom? 

OfCOM oversees all media channels and produces a code of conduct that all media channels must follow or have their licence to make content removed and/or be fined heavily. This includes what can be shown before the 9pm watershed and various other quality standards.

6) How do Doctor Who and His Dark Materials help the BBC to meet the BBC's remit to inform, educate and entertain? Answer this question in at least 150 words.

His Dark Materials: LIAR

 1) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

Daemons, witches, magic and parallel worlds.

2) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into? 

Lyra = Hero

Will = Helper/Hero

Mrs Coulter = Villain

Lee Scoresby = Helper

3) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

Enigma: What is Dust? Why is Lyra important?

Action: Chases, fights and adventures.

Close-ups show emotions and music creates tension.

4) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative. 

Good vs Evil

Children vs Adult

Freedom vs Control

These create conflict and drama.

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.

Lyra is brave and independent.

Mrs Coulter is powerful but manipulative.

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.

Will is caring and responsible.

Lee Scoresby is brave and loyal.

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

Young people are shown as intelligent and capable.

Adults are often controlling.

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?

Diverse cast with few stereotypes.

5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.

A fantasy world with magic and parallel universes.

Audience

1) What audience do you think His Dark Materials is aimed at and why? Think about demographic and psychographic groups. You can revise Pyschographics here.

Teenagers and young adults who enjoy fantasy.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by His Dark Materials - The City of Magpies? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity: Relate to Lyra and Will.

Personal Relationships: Enjoy friendships and family links.

Diversion (Escapism): Escape into a fantasy world

3) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to His Dark Materials? Refer to specific scenes or moments in the episode to explain your answer. 

Visceral: Exciting action.

Vicarious: Experience adventures through characters.

Voyeuristic: Watch characters’ lives and secrets. 

4) How did fans react to Season 2 of His Dark Materials? What about critic reviews? You can find some possible answers for this in this BBC website article on the critical reception for His Dark Materialsand watch the fan reaction video above.

Mostly positive; praised acting and visuals.

5) What might be some of the preferred and oppositional readings for His Dark Materials? Why did some fans love it? Why have other people criticised it? 

Preferred: Exciting fantasy adventure.

Oppositional: Some found it confusing.

Industries

1) Which companies produced this His Dark Materials series?

Bad Wolf

BBC

HBO

2) What were the UK viewing figures for A City of Magpies? How did this compare to season 1 of His Dark Materials?

Around 5 million viewers, lower than Season 1.

3) What was American network HBO's role in making His Dark Materials and why is this important? Look at the notes above for more on this.

Funded and distributed the show internationally.

4) What famous stars are in His Dark Materials and why do you think they were selected for the show? Watch the Comic Con panel video in the notes above to see the stars talking about the show.

Dafne Keen

Ruth Wilson

Lin-Manuel Miranda

5) Who are Bad Wolf and what do they produce?

TV production company that made His Dark Materials.

Magazines and Music Video assessment learner response

1) Type up your WWW/EBI feedback in full (you don't need to write the mark and grade if you want to keep this confidential). 
make sure you attempt every question even if youre not sure

2) Read the mark scheme for this assessment carefully. Write down the mark you achieved for each question: 

Q1: 1/2
Q2: 3/12
Q3: 1/6

Q4:1/3

Q5: 0/6

3) Look specifically at question 2. Use the indicative content in the mark scheme for question 2 to write three connotations of the design and layout of Tatler

1)the fact cover star Emma Weymouth is mixed race suggests that Tatler is moving with the times and responding to cultural changes in Britain around gender
2)The fact the cover star obscures the title of the magazine reflects how well established the Tatler brand is – Britain’s oldest magazine is recognisable to its audience even with some of the masthead behind the cover model

3)the fact cover star Emma Weymouth is mixed race suggests that Tatler is moving with the times and responding to cultural changes in Britain around gender
4) Now look at question 3 - Heat magazine. Use the indicative content in the mark scheme to write three ways celebrities are represented in Heat magazine.

1)Celebrities are presented as important and desirable – this is the latest gossip that readers have to know about. 

2)Some of the paparazzi photography is designed to make them look like ‘normal’ people so readers can identify with them or feel closer to them.

3)Female celebrities feature more prominently than male – perhaps reinforces gender stereotypes regarding women expecting to take part in gossip about relationships.

5) Look at question 5 - Arctic Monkeys and audience identity. This is a real AQA past question with lots of potential answers given in the mark scheme. Choose three answers that specifically refer to the Arctic Monkeys CSP and write them here. 

1)music videos might represent artists as role models that fans can aspire to be like thus allowing the audience to gain a sense of identity. The band are represented as ‘everyday lads’ with typical clothes, costumes, acne. They make eye contact with each other and look to be having a laugh. The audience might feel they are achievable role models

2)the audience might watch music videos to reinforce values and behaviour. The lead singer seems to not care about the filming of the music video, rarely making eye contact with the camera and stating at the beginning ‘don’t believe the hype’. The audience gain a sense of identity as they can relate to the lead singer’s both nonchalant and rock and roll representation

3)music videos might employ ‘behind the scenes’ footage enabling the fans access to the band and breaking down the barriers between star and fan. Whilst this video is not the traditional imagery of the band in dressing rooms or waiting to go on stage, the mise-en-scène of the garage and basic rehearsal space gives fans a sense of exclusivity and seeing the band in the raw. It might also be a scenario that they too can identify with as amateur musicians or followers of new bands who perform in grungy cubs and venues.
6) BLACKPINK - How You Like That didn't come up in this assessment. If this CSP comes up in your end of Year 1 exam, what three things about BLACKPINK and How You Like That could you try to include in your answer? 

formed in 2016 by Korean entertainment company YG Entertainment and by 2020 was one of the most successful K-Pop bands in the world. And how they got the highest viewed YouTube video in 24 hours. And fan base is knows as blinks and most of them are young age 10-12 

Doctor Who - LIAR

Language and Contexts

1) How can we apply narrative theories to this episode of  Doctor Who? 

Todorov's Equilibrium:

Equilibrium > Disequilibrium > New equilibrium

Propp's character theory:

Hero, Villain, Heroine/Princess, Father, Donor, Helper/Sidekick, False Hero

Barthes's enigma and action codes:

Action Codes and Enigma Codes

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition:  

            driven by conflict of a series of opposing forces
2) In your opinion, what is the most important scene in the episode and why?

in my opinion the most important scene is where the teachers find  where Susan lives because of it is a big part in the episode.

3) What genre is An Unearthly Child and how can you tell? Make specific reference to aspects of the episode.

Science Fiction Elements The most defining aspect is the TARDIS. It is a machine that is "bigger on the inside" than the outside and is capable of traveling through time and space, which are core sci-fi tropes.

4) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s?
Susan Foreman is treated as a suspicious outsider, reflecting contemporary anxieties about "the stranger next door" or foreign agents.
Representations

1) What stereotypes of men are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?
 men being strong and in control is reinforced by the Doctor's confident
2) What stereotypes of women/girls are reinforced and subverted in Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child? How?

3) How do the representations of young people and old people in An Unearthly Child reflect the social and historical context of the 1960s? 

Young characters embody both potential and vulnerability, reflecting societal optimism for youth yet concern about moral and intellectual direction.
4) What representations of race/ethnicity can be found in Doctor Who: An Earthly Child? Is this surprising or not? Give reasons for your answer and consider historical / cultural context (the 1960s). Has this changed in more recent series of Doctor Who?

 it is consistent with historical trends across Doctor Who media. Readers familiar with the series’ treatment of race would likely not find this surprising, though it highlights ongoing challenges in achieving visual and narrative inclusion in Whoniverse storytelling.

5) How is social class represented in An Unearthly Child? Think about how education and knowledge is presented in the episode.

 Doctor Who, scientific literacy and curiosity are conflated with higher social and moral standing

Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Do you think it has changed since 1963?
Despite this evolution, the show maintains its traditional broad appeal, combining adventure, science fiction, and imaginative storytelling that captures the interest of audiences of all ages.
2) What audience pleasures are offered by Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity: through character identification and role modeling

Diversion (Escapism):via imaginative settings and time trave

3) What additional Uses and Gratifications would this episode provide to a modern 2020s audience?
emotional, and social resource for a digitally literate, ethically aware 2020s audience
4) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to An Unearthly Child?
The show leverages these layered emotional appeals to maintain engagement, stimulate empathy, and deliver the sense of wonder that defines its long-standing appeal.
5) What kind of online fan culture does Doctor Who have? Give examples.
 Doctor Who fan culture is participatory, creative, and socially engaged, blending personal identity
Industries

1) What was the television industry like in 1963? How many channels were there?

With only two channels in the UK, viewers had limited but carefully curated choices, and the medium was becoming an influential part of British cultural life
2) How does An Unearthly Child reflect the level of technology in the TV industry in 1963?
It reflects a transitional era in British broadcasting where conceptual imagination and educational content compensated for physical and technical limitations.
3) Why is Doctor Who such an important franchise for the BBC? 

Doctor Who’s cultural resonance, storytelling ingenuity, international reach, commercial success, and adaptability make it one of the BBC’s most important and iconic television properties, reinforcing its position as a flagship franchise for both the UK and global audiences 

4) What other programmes/spin-offs are part of the wider Doctor Who franchise?

dramas, comics, novels, film adaptations, webisodes, and live performances. While some spin-offs focus on companion characters (Sarah Jane Adventures, Class), others explore adult themes (Torchwood), or nostalgic and experimental content (animated series, independent video dramas)

5) Why does the Doctor Who franchise have so much merchandise available? Give examples.

The combination of cultural significance, rich storytelling, iconic symbols, and a devoted fan community ensures a steady market for Doctor Who merchandise, making it one of the most extensively merchandised science fiction franchises in history. Fan conventions, special anniversary releases, and new series launches further boost merchandise production and sales, continually renewing interest across audiences.

 

Grade 8/9 Recommended Reading

 Grade 8/9 Recommended Reading:

Read this Guardian TV review from the first episode of His Dark Materials season two. What did the reviewer think of the episode? Also look at the comments from readers below the article - do they agree? 

coverage of the His Dark Materials season two premiere, along with reader commentary, suggests a highly positive reception, praising the improved pacing, acting, and faithfulness to the source material.

Have a look at this Guardian feature on the top ten Doctor Who stories. How do these fit the conventions of TV drama? Why do you think these narratives were picked in the top ten?

The Guardian's curated top Doctor Who stories are celebrated for elevating the series through sophisticated television drama conventions, including theatrical genre-blending, and high-stakes moral dilemmas.

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

 Audience

1) What do we know about the Arctic Monkeys audience? Think demographics, psychographics and how they got into the band.

Arctic Monkeys' audience are likely to be predominantly white, middle class and reasonably young. Psychographic groups might include Reformers and Explorers. Recent global success pushed the band into bigger psychographic groups such as Mainstreamers.

2) What audience pleasures are offered by the music video for I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor?
 diversion - the song is upbeat and fast-paced

3) Pick out three particular shots, scenes or moments in the video that would particularly appeal to Arctic Monkeys fans. Why did you choose those moments?
medium close up

establishing shot

high angle

4) How did fans take a leading role in making Arctic Monkeys famous back in 2005?
they uploaded there music online and that is how they got successful.

5) How are fans positioned to respond to the band? What does Arctic Monkeys want fans to think about their video?

The simple performance video subverts music video conventions that became steadily more complicated and narrative-based in the 1980s and 1990s.

Industries

1) How did the Arctic Monkeys first achieve success and build up their fanbase?
Arctic Monkeys did not sign to a major label, but recorded their own music before signing to independent record label, Domino Records. They were not interested in working with a major.

2) Why was P2P file sharing and MySpace an unexpected aspect to Arctic Monkeys' early success?
their rapid ascent was driven by fans and grassroots efforts

3) How does the rise of Arctic Monkeys differ from how BLACKPINK were formed and became famous?
they where self made 

4) Who is Arctic Monkeys record label and how many copies did they sell of their debut album? Why did they choose an independent record label?

independent record label, Domino Records. They were not interested in working with a major as it would undermine their creative control.And they sold 2.5 million copies of their album

5) Looking at the wider music industry, has the internet been a positive or negative development for record companies and artists? Why?

The internet has acted as a seismic, transformative force on the music industry, creating a polarized landscape that is simultaneously positive and negative