independent: British viewers can't get enough of foreign-language dramas
Read this Independent feature on foreign-language dramas. It features an in-depth interview with Walter Iuzzolino who curates Channel 4's Walter Presents programming. Answer the questions below:
1) What does the article suggest regarding the traditional audience for foreign-language subtitled media?
Subtitled dramas were declared pretentious, dull and, possibly, a little odd.
2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?
His shows were the most diverse so audience would see different countries and cultures
3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?
When we are distracted from Tv by checking twitter feeds and pinging whatsapp subtitles helps us to maintain focus
4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?
The concentration on the subtitles gives an intensity to the viewing experience.
Now look at the bonus article - on Sherlock and how viewers are steering their favourite shows.
5) What examples are provided of how TV companies are increasingly using audiences to inform the production process?
Sherlocks asian fanbase voice is becoming increasingly significant since Moffat is cementing the fanbase to further exploit them.
Film School Rejects: The foreign TV dramas you're missing out on
Now read this Film School Rejects feature on the foreign TV dramas you're missing out on. This contains some particularly useful background on Deutschland 83's reception internationally. If the website is blocked, you can access the article text here. Answer the following questions:
1) What does the article tell us about Deutschland 83's release schedule?
Release schedule was very slow since the German commercial channel only recieved it 5 months after and then released on channel 4 which Walter discovered it from and released it.
2) The article contains important statistics on viewing figures in different countries. What were the German viewing figures for the first and last episode? What were Channel's 4's viewing figures for Deutschland 83?
Channel 4 saw viewing figures reach a peak of 2.13 million viewers in a prime time TV slot. US premiere garnering 0.066 million viewers compared to Germany’s 3.19 million,
3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October?
SundanceTv and Fremantle media announced that there would be a new series.
4) What does the article suggest was the driving force behind the series being renewed for a new season (and possibly two new seasons)?
It was due to the US critical reception and UK’s record-breaking viewership have a role to play in renewing the show.
5) How does Walter Iuzzolino use social media to engage audiences in new international TV dramas? How does he suggest this has changed the reception of foreign productions in the UK?
Walter used trailers to promote the German thriller and rebranded posters and promotional materials.
IndieWire: The rise of international television
Now look at this IndieWire feature on the rise of international television. If the website is blocked, you can access the text from the article here. Answer the questions below:
1) What does the article suggest regarding the difference between TV and film?
TV is culturally specific and is always changing whereas film follows specific guidelines.
2) What cultural differences are highlighted in the article - for example in turning 'Prisoners of War' into 'Homeland' when remade in the US?
On making prisoners of wars into homeland , there was a focus on more American issues of distrusting the government and a fear of agents amongst them.3) Why do you think Deutschland 83 was able to rise above these cultural differences to be successful in the US and UK? Did this inadvertently make the drama fail in Germany?
Deutschland 83 brought a sense of diversity to the US and it's historical context which was foreign to them however for Germany they already had exposure the history and culture so it was nothing new therefore failed to Germany .
4) What does the article suggest about subtitling?
Peoples perception is that subtitling is hard work however in Deutschland the genre nature of it outweighed the signification subtitles
5) What does Sopranos actor Steven Van Zandt suggest is the appeal in foreign television drama?
The fact that the guy speaks English brings the American audience into the show.
The Guardian: How tech is changing television
Finally, read this Guardian feature on how tech is changing television. This has some particularly useful aspects from an industry perspective - how TV is made, the different formats of TV drama and more. Answer the following questions:
1) What are the traditional lengths for TV drama and what dictated these programme formats?
The three most frequent lengths of TV and radio programming – referred to on commissioning forms as 60’, 30’, 15’ – arose from a grid schedule designed around hours and half-hours in order to make programmes easy to find –
2) How have streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed?
TV dramas now wait until a boxes set has been made to release all it's episodes
3) Why has the rise in streaming led to more complex storylines and an increase in cliffhangers?
A rise in streaming has means more use of technology leading to an increase in change of storytelling.
4) How have the "economics of production" kept TV drama largely sticking to the 45- or 60-minute episode format?
Because they have a licence fee funding that permits a 59-minute uninterrupted episode, while advertising on a commercial network mandates a script of 46 minutes that is broken three or four times for ads.
5) How has "permanent 24/7 connectivity" changed both the production and consumption of TV drama?
It has altered viewer responses and has usefully democratised criticism .
There is a fair amount of work here - the questions are not too challenging but there is plenty to read. However, this will prepare you brilliantly for the extended essay question in Media Paper 2 - particularly if the question focuses on industry or audience.
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