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'.
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