Deutschland 83

REVIEWS AND FEATURES

1.One positive aspect in Deutschland is that with the least ambiguous title ever,Anna and Joerg Winger created an irresistible export: a funky exercise in pop nostalgia underpinned by actual events and one criticism is that as if to make up for such a radical premise, it then backtracks into stereotype.

2.By focusing the story around Martin Rauch, a young East German border guard going undercover in the west, it doesn’t just make the viewer empathise with a Stasi agent on a human level


3.  The audience stated that Deutschland 83  doesn’t just make the viewer empathise with a Stasi agent on a human level – in the way The Lives of Others did – it makes us engage with the socialist regime’s worldview, in which a military exercise in West Germany poses a potentially existential threat. I agree with this statement because the show gives the audience an impression of Germany from the viewpoint where Germany is fractured and at war with each other which is quite a negative impression.

INTERVIEWS AND BEHIND THE SCENES

1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
Jonas states that the feud between west and East Germany was history for him and the East were monitored all the time but however now living in a united Germany they have a lot more freedom and are not monitored as much.


2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)

Channel 4 is known to provide innovative content that challenges the status quo which they conform to by conducting the interview in German because it is not part of the norm.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?

The audience may want to know how stable the political situations so that they can rule out a repeat of history where Germany was split into two and not united.

BEHIND THE SCENES CLIPS

1) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?

 It features many young characters and it is fast paced and action packed.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?

The east and west of Germany have never been a topic that has been brought to media  and Deutschland teach us the history of it without giving us a period.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?

The cinematography, costume and production design uses a style known to be used in event movies.

MAKING OF SET DESIGN

1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?

They Brough the dramatic composition of the characters and the story to life.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?

It was really historically accurate since the prop masters used props such as computers and telephones that were used in that time which gave it that further historical affect.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?

Although none of it was real, the props and costumes made the scenes seem as of it was still set in olden Germany which was interesting and warming for older viewers such as the army base which looked quite realistic.

PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRY CONTEXTS

1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced? 

They are qualitative and successful fictional formats. They have produced Deutschland 83,naked under the wolves and I'll be gone then.
2) What kind of company is Freemantle Media International and what do they produce?

They make shows that are associated with drama and entertainment. They have produced family feud and X factor.
3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?

Deutschland was more successful internationally rather than in its women country since the actors were interviewed in Britain and it was also produced by American companies.

WALTER PRESENTS

1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?

Walter is introduced in a quite dramatic but positive way since they state that he is a man of impeccable taste and that everyone should trust him indicating that he is quite reliable when selecting TV dramas. They also present him as a closed off and mysterious person since his face is not clearly shown throughout.
2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?

I think a younger audience because "provocative, funny and thrilling dramas are mentioned which appeals more to young adults and teenagers.
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?

The idea of entertainment dramas has changed which is displayed in the series since provocative ad thrilling and funny dramas are described as the new entertainment which would  not have been as ideal in the olden times.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION

1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).

Personal identity is a pleasure suggested in the trailer because germans watching the show may recognise themselves in it and their culture.
2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?

It uses action codes which alters the narrative for example , they include a part where Martin is attacked but do not show a continuity of it which creates curiosity .

3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?

Audience are less likely to watch shows that include subtitles because not all audiences speak the elaborated code due to a difference in social class.

PRESS PACK

1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?

She interviewed politicians, people in intelligence, diplomats and also just regular people about their experiences. Also, everyone who worked on the project brought personal memories of that time to it

2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?

A German soundtrack is used which instills a sense of culture because it is quite familiar.

PRESS RELEASE

1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?

After launching with 1.49 million viewers, the first episode has now consolidated with 2.5 million. This is because Deutschland 83 is the first German- speaking drama to play on a mainstream US cable network.

2) How does the news release describe the drama?

Deutschland 83 is a stylish coming of age story, framed within a suspenseful thriller. 

International marketing

1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
In the background behind Martin , there is a quite provocative image f a couple kissing and on the left there is a picture of two soldiers which indicates that there is a mix of sub genres such as romance and drama.
2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
They use quite bold font in capital letters which makes it stand out and also use captivating colours which are appealing to the audiences eye.They also feature different pictures in the background that have nothing to do with each other but this variety of pictures all carefully selected in the back
3) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries? 
Some countries have specific genre that they are interested in or some may not be fond pf foreign tv shows meaning that they have to use a more persuasive marketing technique,