1. Q3 – An extended synoptic question,
judging your knowledge and ability to
analyse…
For both texts, do you know:
• Institution: who produced it, in which country, where it has been
shown, how those channels are supported, how it is watched,
how popular it was, approximately how much it cost to be made…
• Audience: who is it aimed at (demographic and psychographic),
who watched it, how it appeals to them, how they can interact
with it…
• Representation: how individuals, social and demographic groups,
gender, nationalities, events, contextual issues… are all
represented
• Language: can you comment on genre, narrative strands, codes
and conventions, semiotics, connotations…?
Can you provide detail examples for all of these? Can you make
reference to particular parts of each episode (where relevant)?
2. LFTVD Q3
Firstly, understanding the layout of the question:
There may be a
statement here (to
agree or disagree with)
‘Why’ will always be a
part of the question.
‘How’ may also feature
They will always ask you generally about LFTVD. Of course
you should focus on the two texts we have studied but it
would be good to show an awareness of the industry as a
whole.
This bullet point is always worded in exactly the same way. This is your
opportunity to show your awareness of the social, cultural, historical, economic
and political contexts of the industry. (More on the next slide.
For this bullet point you are being asked to apply your
knowledge of context to the specific focus of the
question. This is most likely to focus on aspects of media
language (including genre) or representation issues.
For this bullet point you need to show that you can
compare the two texts. Analyse why. Write conclusions,
clearly setting out why these two texts have similarities
and differences.
3. Bullet Point 1 –
consider the contexts in which long form television dramas are
produced and consumed
The LFTVD you have studied have been made at a time when home entertainment
is booming. TV Producers invest heavily in TV productions.
You should be aware that it costs millions of dollars to make a single episode of
Stranger Things. Deutschland 83 also had a considerable budget, but not as much
as Stranger Things. Why was this, how can it be seen and how has it influenced the
programme?
You should be aware of how these two programmes can be viewed, how the
broadcasters are funded and how they differ in outlook and perspective.
You should be aware that these programmes were created in different countries.
How has this influenced the content of the show? How might the origin of
production affect the consumption in any way (especially on an international or
global scale)?
You should be aware that both of these texts have been produced recently. What
social and cultural viewpoints can be seen reflected in the text (e.g. views towards
women, single-parent families, ethnic minorities) and how might have this been
affected by the time it was produced?
You should be aware of how current political contexts may shape the way that
certain aspects may be presented in the text (e.g. mistrust of authority, views
towards East and West)
You should be able to address all of these points and provide evidence to support your views. There may be some
excellent points you want to make that you could include in any answer. Because of the nature of this question and
the fact that this bullet point is always the same, you can always include your contextual knowledge – especially if you
do have an excellent point you can make, comparing both texts.
5. How to plan a response
In one sentence – what is the focus?
Bullet point 3-4 aspects of each programme and try
to find ways to compare
Where can you add in theory?
6. Starting – developing – ending
Intro – address the question.
Contextual background – address bullet point 1: show you are
aware of the relevant contextual factors. What is important
about LFTVD in general and how do these texts fit in? (1-4
paragraphs)
PETAL paragraphs specifically answering the set question.
Points about the main thing(s) you are being asked about.
Clear evidence from the show. Apply theory if possible (if not,
use your best terminology to analyse the evidence?) Link to
the question and/or the other text – writing mini-conclusions
throughout
Overall conclusion – specifically answering the question you
have been asked. Refer back to your main points. What is the
overall answer?
7. How to answer Q4
You will have to assess the relevancy of a theory and explain how useful it is to aid with the
understanding of LFTVD
A way to do this:
• Briefly explain the theory (in 2-3 sentences)
• Explain one way how it can be applied with a relevant example.
e.g. Hesmondhalgh’s theory can be applied to Stranger Things because the producers of the show
reduced the risk by employing well-known actors in key roles. Winona Ryder, a Hollywood A-Lister
plays the role of Joanne Byers. She was a successful actress, arguably peaking in the late 1980s and
1990s. Due to this she is perfect for a role set in the 1980s. By having Ryder in this role, it meant
that Netflix were able to attract an audience – Ryder has star power, suggests that this is a high-
quality, big budget show and therefore more people will watch the programme.
• Give 1 or 2 more ways its can be applied with examples.
• Try to think of a way that this theory does not work for LFTVD with an example.
• Write a conclusion
e.g. Therefore this theory is useful to helping us to understand LFTVD to an extent. We can see that
with shows such as Starnger Things, the produces have tried to reduce risk as much as possible.
However, not all shows follow these codes and conventions. Deutschland 83 has taken many more
risks… and on this occasion it has worked out… but still, Deutschland 83 is nowhere near as popular
as Stranger Things.
