Doctor Who: Language and Representation blog tasks

Language and Contexts

1) Camerawork and sound:

0:00 - 06:25 - the opening theme tune to Doctor Who is very sci-fi, which sets the genre from the very beginning of the show. The camera movements are mostly quite slow and heavy, due to the lack of technology available in the 1960s. Sounds also include the constant hum of the TARDIS, which again supports its sci-fi genre.

06:25 - 09:55 - this includes a few flashback scenes, along with close-ups of Susan Foreman in order to portray her emotion of confusion and misunderstanding. There are also tense non-diegetic atmosphere sounds whenever Susan or her teachers, Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton.

09:55 - 14:20 - This scene displays a medium shot of the Doctor holding a vase with the two teachers in the background, perhaps to convey him as an evil or sinister character.

14:20 - 19:40 - There are close-up shots of Ian and Barbara when they first enter the TARDIS, in order to emphasise their mixed emotions of shock, horror and utter perplexity. The consistent humming sound of the TARDIS continues to play so as to highlight the fact that it's "alive", which again links to the science-fiction genre.

19:40 - end of episode - Whilst the TARDIS takes off and travels through the vortex of space and time, there are close-up shots of each character cross-dissolved with time travel graphics, in an attempt to help the audience understand what's happening to them. It also shows each of the characters' reactions to the narrative development.

Mise-en-scene:

0:00 - 06:25 - the character of Susan Foreman is first introduced dancing in an unusual manner and dressed as the typical 1960s teenager (linking to costume), showing how despite her not being human she still appears to look relatively "normal". Her costume and hairstyle is representative of the classic 1960s school in which the first scene takes place, creating a sense of personal identity for the audience. The costume of both the teachers Ian and Barbara are stereotypical of gender roles back in the 1960s (women dressed in modest blouses and skirts with neat, carefully styled hair and men in smart suits with ties). 

06:25 - 09:55 - the setting then switches to the inside of Ian's car, where both him and Barbara are sitting parked close to the junkyard. The flashback scenes switch to the inside of a science and a history classroom inside the school, with bright lighting. This then quickly changes back to present time where the lighting is dark and eerie, in a deserted London backstreet.

09:55 - 14:20 - the next setting shows a junkyard in which Ian and Barbara enter, the lighting is dark and shadowy and gives off an unsettling and gloomy feeling.

14:20 - 19:40 - they are then shown to enter into the TARDIS, which appears bigger on the inside than out. This includes a central control console, different types of other-worldly furniture and circular designs on the walls. The lighting is bright white, again linking to the sci-fi genre, and contrasts with the lighting on the outside (the sinister darkness). This is called binary opposition.

19:40 - end of episode - there is a completely new setting in a different dimension which is set in another timeline, perhaps much earlier than what they had originally came from. The characters, when the TARDIS takes off and travels through time, are shown to be looking shocked, scared or passed out. The acting is poor quality and not very good, along with the special effects used - showing the lack of technology and CGI back in the 1960s.

Narrative and genre:

0:00 - 06:25 - the opening theme tune indicates that it's a sci-fi series, as it sounds like a rocket taking off into space. Enigma codes include the mystery of Susan's home, and her commenting on historic events which hint at time travel.

06:25 - 09:55 - the sci-fi genre is reinforced again through the comment "this hasn't happened yet", suggesting time travel.

09:55 - 14:20 - the lost torch conveys binary opposition, with the contrast between light and dark. Enigma codes include the police box (TARDIS) being called alive. Action codes all associate with a somewhat threat from TARDIS and Propp's character theory is evident here what with the Doctor being presented as an antagonist.

14:20 - 19:40 - enigma codes regarding whether the teachers will be safe or not and why the Doctor and Susan can't go back to their home as of yet.

19:40 - end of episode - TARDIS taking off links to the sci-fi genre (and 1960s space race). The shadow shown at the end of the episode is a use of action and enigma codes and a cliffhanger - sets the story for the next episode and creates a narrative arc.

2) Todorov's equilibrium: the equilibrium is at the beginning when Barbara, Ian and Susan are introduced, and the teachers set out to find the answers to their curious thought as to where Susan really lives. The disequilibrium is when they are then found by the Doctor, taken into the TARDIS and locked inside, and are then taken to another point in time. The new equilibrium is at the end when they are shown to be trapped in a new dimension in the past and a shadow is shown outside the TARDIS.

Propp's character theory: Hero - Ian, Heroine - Susan, Sidekick - Barbara, Villain - The Doctor

Barthes's enigma and action codes: Some action codes included are the take-off of the TARDIS and the time travel taking place, along with the shadow of a monster-like creature shown at the end. There are also many enigma codes conveyed throughout the episode, such as the TARDIS landing in an eerie, remote dimension in a different timeline - causing the audience to question what will happen next to the characters and make them concerned for their safety after seeing the shadow of a monstrous looking creature at the end.

Levi-Strauss's binary opposition: The contrast between the very dark lighting directly followed by bright lighting is a clear example of binary opposition. Another could be the difference between the young and old characters, or the distinction between the humans and the aliens.

3) I think that the most important scene in the episode is when Ian and Barbara enter the TARDIS for the first time, as it gives the audience as well as the characters an inside view of the ship which would then later turn out to be one of the most significant features of the series, even in today's age - creating a narrative arc. It gives us an insight of how the ship looks like and the things it can do, which also links to the sci-fi genre of which the show follows.

4) 'An Unearthly Child' is clearly science-fiction, which is evidently shown through the constant ongoing theme of aliens, time travel, outer space and alternate dimensions. The soundtrack also supports this, what with sounding eerie and alien-like. Also, there are references to the 1960s Space Race - again displaying features of a typical science-fiction TV series.

5) The social and historical contexts of 'An Unearthly Child' include the release of the episode on Saturday, November 23rd, 1963. This was the beginning of a narrative arc which then carried on throughout the entirety of the series, involving the Doctor and his companions going back 100,000 years in time to help cavemen discover fire. In the 1960s, there was a huge shift in British culture - including more freedom for young people and a breakaway from traditions.

Representations

1) Many stereotypes of men are reinforced in the episode 'An Unearthly Child', clearly displaying the clear distinction in gender roles at that time. For example, The Doctor would pay most attention and talk directly to Ian rather than Barbara, she was more put to the side and shut down. Also, Ian was presented as the braver, more dominant figure between the two teachers which is how men were (and still often are) typically presented as within the media - given how he was the first of the two to confront the Doctor. A subverted stereotype may be the fact that Ian was also curious enough to investigate Susan, as women are the ones who are mostly presented as gossipy and nosy rather than men.

2) Some stereotypes of women or girls reinforced in 'An Unearthly Child' are the idea that women are inferior, shown when The Doctor barely took notice of Barbara. They are also shown as overly emotional and helpless, typically as the "damsel-in-distress", given by the fact Barbara had to be 'protected' by Ian and was conveyed to be easily frightened. Also, Susan is often looked down upon due to her wits as women aren't often portrayed to be highly intelligent. Examples of stereotypes of women which are subverted are the fact that women were able to teach and are shown to be very smart and well-educated, even more than men, which wasn't always the case for many women and girls back then.

3) The generational divide between the older and younger characters reflect the social and historical contexts of the 1960s as Susan is represented as a rebellious and naïve teenage girl (though this was before 'teenager' was a proper term) as opposed to her grandfather, The Doctor. He is shown as an average elderly person of the time, despite clearly being more intelligent and having more strength. Also, The Doctor is shown as more harsh and threatening as he locked up Ian and Barbara in the TARDIS whereas Susan was kind and understanding, pleading for their release, again showing the difference between the young and old characters. 

4) There is no diverse representations of race and ethnicity within the episode, which is implicit of the time it released. It consists of a predominantly white cast, which is not a surprise given by the fact that there was little to none representation of the BAME community within the media at the time, in a positive light at least. Also, the population was mostly made up of white people including those with access to TVs, and that was a much more prejudiced time. Nowadays, there is so much more representation of the BAME community within the media and in recent series of Doctor Who, showing just how much society has changed yet it also became more accepting over the years.

5) Social class is presented as primarily middle-higher class, shown by the fact that Ian, Barbara, Susan and The Doctor all possess highly intelligent, well-spoken minds and are all portrayed to be fairly well-educated and knowledgeable. Those from the working class, for example, perhaps would not have had the same opportunities and resources as these characters did.

Introduction to TV drama: Blog Tasks

1) The 'His Dark Materials' trailer meets the conventions of a TV drama series through the use of dramatic narrative, or narrative arc, which is when a specific story or plot line goes across the entire series. It also consists of an ensemble cast, meaning a range of different characters each with their own unique story lines or backstories. There are a variety of technical codes displayed throughout the trailer, including realistic lighting, different settings, point of view shots, dialogue voice overs, enigma and action codes throughout. Additionally, there are a number of stereotypical 'stock' characters which help to get story lines across quickly.

2) The genres that are suggested by the 'His Dark Materials' trailer include fantasy, as it seems to be set in an eerie and dystopian world filled with sinister characters including somewhat supernatural beings. It could also be perceived as a mystery, for there are many scenes portrayed in the trailer which have a mystifying and unnatural tone revolving around it; this means that it could also be classified as a 'hybrid genre'.

3) The trailer for 'His Dark Materials' introduces a young girl named Lyra, who lives in a world where people's souls exist outside their bodies as animals called daemons. The trailer also shows the mysterious organisation called the Magisterium, and a parallel universe filled with danger and adventure. The narratives revolve around Lyra's journey to uncover the truth about her world and her own identity, whilst navigating the dangers of the Magisterium and other uncanny forces.

4) The trailer conveys a variety of different settings in which the show takes place in, including a somewhat remote-looking island in the vast ocean, forests, fortresses, cathedrals, city streets, prisons and cavernous places. Each one of these settings connote to a typical dystopian genre, what with the gloomy and peculiar effect they give off. This may be in order to emphasise the supernatural nature of the series, and to link back to the ongoing 'other-worldly' theme which is highlighted throughout the entirety of the trailer.

5) I think that the target audience for 'His Dark Materials' is primarily teenagers, young adults and adults. This is due to the complex themes the series convey, such as religions, politics and morality. They also feature much darker and mature content than that of many other supernatural fantasy series. As well as this, the books are well-known for their intricate world-building and sophisticated storytelling, which may appeal to older readers who enjoy immersive and captivating fantasy novels.

Grade 8/9 Extension Tasks:

1) The reviewer believes that there are clear distinctions between the series and the books, including the use of smartphones in the series (which was not in the books), they also seem out of place in a what's meant to be supernatural alternate reality. Similar things were said revolving around the inaccurate representation of characters and plots which did not stay true to the book trilogy. They also comment upon the music composer's choice to use a melodic tune during a dramatic and captivating scene, which they quote to be a 'shame', given the fact that they believe the two lead stars, Dafne Keen and Amir Wilson as Lyra and Will, are such good actors that they would be better off without that specific choice of music which was used in an attempt to convey dramatic tension. There are mostly similar opinions in the comments left by readers, with many stating that it's 'an excellent first episode' and plead for another season to release, as they were left impressed by the acting, production, design, CGI, wardrobe, photography and soundscape with another reader describing it to be a 'perfect escapist TV for the times'.

Music Video: Final Index

My Music Video Final Index:

1) Music Video: Introduction

2) Music Video: BLACKPINK - 'How You Like That' CSP

3) Music Video: Arctic Monkeys - 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' CSP

Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor: Blog Tasks

Audience

1) The main demographics for an Arctic Monkeys audience may include a predominantly white, middle class and reasonably young group of people. They may also fit into either the "reformers" or "explorers" psychographic, although in the light of more recent global success, means that the band was pushed into a wider range of audience; whom are which to be likely made up of those in the "mainstreamers" psychographic.

2) Audience pleasures which are offered by the 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' music video would include diversion, as the song is upbeat and fast-paced. Another would be personal relationships, as fans who followed the band and listened to their music from the earlier days may feel a personal connection to the band members and lastly personal identity, because some young people could probably relate to the lyrics of the song (which revolves around going out to a club and drinking). Older fans would also enjoy a sense of nostalgia from the 1980s-style performance video.

3) 

• 0:09 - this is the beginning of a long and catchy electric guitar riff which captivates the audience and almost immediately draws their complete attention on to the music video and the song in itself.
• 0:53 - this is the start of the first chorus which then repeats later on in the songs. This may appeal to audiences as it is one of the main parts of the song given the fact that there was a shift in tone and because of the repetitiveness, it also includes the title of the song in the lyrics.
• 1:17 - the long shot clearly portrays all four band members and their positions; such as the lead guitarist or the drummer.

4) Back in the early 2000s, social media had began to be introduced, providing the pleasure of chatting to people with similar interests in chatrooms or forums or communicating with friends through AOL and MSN Messenger to talk to friends, send emojis and share pictures and music. In 2003, MySpace was released and became one of the first major social networking sites. It was used by bands and music artists in order to gain fans and popularity without the need to be signed to a record company. Arctic Monkeys' music was shared on P2P sites, and although this wasn’t known by the band or promoted when they found out, it allowed their music to be heard by a much wider audience. The sharing of their music encouraged people to talk about and share their music on a much larger scale, which created a buzz about the band (word-of-mouth). Their fan base moved online, creating online communities where they could share songs and information about the band.

5) The 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor' music video was designed to look like a 1980s TV performance, for example Top of the Pops or The Old Grey Whistle Test. It was filmed using old 1980s Ikegami 3-tube colour TV cameras and this was to create a sense of nostalgia for fans and give it an authentic effect. Arctic Monkeys purposefully did this in order to make a sentimental reference to 1980s-style music videos.

Industry

1) Arctic Monkeys first became successful and rose to fame through the power of the internet and their music being shared across social media, bringing a wider audience to the fan base and encouraging others to listen to their songs - eventually resulting in more and more people discovering them.

2) The use of MySpace and P2P file sharing was an unexpected aspect to Arctic Monkeys' early success as it caused them to gain a larger fan base without having to be attached to a record company. Because of this, Arctic Monkeys became more famous over time through their music being shared across a number of different platforms.

3) Arctic Monkeys formed in a way which was much more different to BLACKPINK, who were put together by an entertainment company. The members of Arctic Monkeys were all friends from high school who formed the band in 2002, writing songs based on their lives or what they saw on nights out in Sheffield. They first played in pubs and small venues, in and around Sheffield, and gained many fans online through the use of the social networking site MySpace.

4) Arctic Monkeys got signed to a niche, independent record label called Domino. They sold over 350,000 copies of their debut album 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' which became one of the fastest-selling debut albums in the UK of all time. Though they got many better offers from other record labels, Arctic Monkeys chose that specific independent record label as they took a liking to the owner, Laurence Bell, and were attracted to his work ethic.

5) I think that the internet is a very positive development for record companies and artists across the wider music industry due to the fact that on social media, things spread around and get to other people very quickly which ensures a wider audience and fan base, using word-of-mouth. However, this may also be taken as a negative, because if a piece of music from an artist or band is taken harshly from the audience, it will be known as a bad thing rather than something to spend time engaging with; which is why the internet is such a fundamental factor towards record company development.

Grade 8/9 Extension Tasks:

1) In June of 2004, iTunes had released in the UK and downloads went on to make up 17.9% of that year's singles chart, which later more than doubled to 36.6%, therefore becoming a huge development for the music industry. Singles began to gain more popularity, and so Arctic Monkeys' idea of giving away free music benefitted them greatly.

2) When they were first starting out, Arctic Monkeys would play in pubs and hand out free CD's of their music to small audiences during their gigs. This act further went on to establish a solid fan base which later moved online, creating a community in which fans could share music and information about the band. This fan base was largely on the Arctic Monkeys MySpace page, which allowed them to release music and information online without having to be signed to a record label. The band embraced this online community and revamped their Myspace page with forums, tour information, photos of the band and online streaming of their music - further expanding their fan base and helped them to gain more recognition.

3) This article suggests that the internet is a huge influence towards the band's success and that, major record labels that are attached to mainstream artists, lack the engaging and relatable aspect towards music-lovers as opposed to more independent bands such as Arctic Monkeys. It implies that through the use of the internet which consists of an enormous amount of people from all over the world, sharing and downloading music helps to develop the industry more, without the need to be signed to a major record label company. Arctic Monkeys included on their website: "It dawned on me that there are no leaders in all this or no plan or scheme, other than what's unfolding. People understanding it, relating to it, not relating to it but dancing to it, whatever." which indicates that they didn't have to be assisted and guided by a major record label company, and in fact, it was possible for them to grow as a band within the music industry by themselves without having to be under the control of somebody else; perhaps showing that they care more about their music reaching other people, helping them and giving their fan base something to enjoy rather than making more money (all of which they succeeded independently).