2. TVIII
Current period of television beginning in 1995.
Heavily about ‘branding’ - due to the rise of media
conglomerates, the ability to make use of
‘transmedia’ platforms and the introduction of pay-
per-view services and cable television (see: HBO).
3. QUALITY TELEVISION
Focuses on Quality Television - that is, TV as an art
form.
Has a heavy focus on Visual Style - ‘Televisuality’
and the aesthetic value of a production.
More about appealing to a particular niche market -
rather than mass audience base.
4. IT’S NOT TV IT’S...
Heavily influenced by HBO (Home Box Office).
Early HBO introduced shows such as Oz (1997-2003),
Six Feet Under (2001-2005), Sex and the City
(1998-2004) and The Sopranos (1999-2007).
Slogan “It’s not TV, it’s HBO”.
The HBO style of television made its way to other
networks - most recently to AMC whose hits include
Mad Men (2007-), The Walking Dead (2010-) and...
5. BREAKING BAD
Breaking Bad (2008 - )
Creator: Vince Gilligan
38:01-41:20
I chose Breaking Bad because it is a clear representation of ‘Quality Television’.
This particular clip demonstrates both the formalist and realist elements of the
show.
6. FORMALIST/REALIST
38:21 - The
shaky eye-level
cinematography
Even blend of is realist.
formalist and realist
elements. 38:27 - The
stylised falling
of the cigarette
is formalist
Overall, would
probably refer to as
realist. 40:37 - The
camera
emerging from
the gun’s barrel
is formalist
7. AS A CHARACTER STUDY
‘This show [Breaking Bad] really is a story of transformation...Our lead character starts as a particular man with a set of morals;
and as the show progresses he transforms into a different person...I pitched it to AMC as ‘We’ll take Mr Chips the kindly school
teacher and we’re going to transform him into Scarface.’’ (Gilligan, 2010)
As with many shows has long, continuous
takes of dialogue. (Cheap to make)
Breaking Bad uses this to make the show
more about the characters than anything else.
‘What TV used to be and what it is now is changing into something interesting...TV shows used to have everything be the
same...to repeat the same formula as many times as you can to keep people watching. Now, we have a show like Breaking
Bad...where characters completely change.’ (Quigley, 2010)
