The rise of foreign-language TV: Blog tasks

1) What does the article suggest regarding the traditional audience for foreign-language subtitled media?
It suggests that fifteen years ago if you'd mentioned to a colleague that you were highly interested in a subtitled European drama you would been declared as pretentious, dull and a little bit odd
2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?
Iuzzolino states 'You develop a love for the distant world because while you're watching, you're in Sweden,'. He also says 'If you see something amazing set in Argentina, then Argentina itself, the houses, the people, what they wear, what their voices sound like, the language, is one of the biggest appeals. There is a huge pleasure in that.

3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?
There may be something else in foreign TV's new popularity, too. It may sound prosaic but when we're frequently distracted from our TV-viewing by Twitter feeds and a pinging WhatsApp, subtitles are a welcome enforcement for us to focus. 'When you read subtitles, you have to be glued to the screen' says Deeks that concentration gives a particular intensity to the viewing experience. You just can't multitask when you're watching a foreign-language drama'.

4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?
It suggests foreign dramas offer an insight into the lives of those who are from different ethnicities allowing audiences to become more diverse as they become more educated on different cultures.

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?
The team at Sherlock Holmes recognise their huge Asian fanbase and therefore include a clue in a special episode that only Chinese speakers will be able to decipher. Amazon now responds directly to potential fans with its 'pilots season', in which online viewers watch and rate six new shows, the most positively experienced dramas going to full series. This process led to the Golden Globe and Emmy-winning Transparent.
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?
It premiered on AMC Network's Sundance TV in June 2015, the show was the first German-language TV series to premiere on a US network. The fact that Germany's commercial RTL channel received Deutschland 83 five months after the US both signifies the series global appeal as well as foreshadows where the German crime thriller was to find its audience.

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?
Whilst Deutschland 83 received significantly fewer viewers in the US than Germany with its US premiere garnering 0.066 million viewers compared to Germany's 3.19 million, the series proved more successful in the US than its homeland. Most German audiences didn't like the show at all. The German premiere did have 3.19 million viewers but each new episode saw that figure drop and by the series conclusion the figures had fallen down to 1.63 million- it's lowest figure. 

3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October?
After a period of uncertainty surrounding its renewal, SundanceTV and FremantleMedia finally announced in October that there will be a second series called Deutschland 86.  

4) What does the article suggest was the driving force behind the series being renewed for a new season (and possibly two new seasons)?
What its lackluster response in Germany, its apparent 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 frequently posts on his Facebook page and engages with his viewers over on Twitter as it's impossible not to become engrossed in the experience.
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?
The article suggests, TV tends to feel more culturally specific and tailored to domestic tastes as it gets piped into your home and for many people serves as audiovisual wallpaper in the background while their attention is mainly focused elsewhere, something that is impossible when you have to rely on subtitles just to understand and enjoy the action.

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 War' into 'Homeland' for instance, creator Gideon Raff noted that the original series focused on the experiences of and the idea of POWs, which he called an 'open wound in Israeli society. 'The Returned' which had attracted significant critical praise in its run here feels unmistakably Gallic in its rhythms and its characters in addition to its language.

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?
I believe Deutschland 83 was able to rise above these cultural differences because the differences were not as drastic in comparison to other dramas cultural differences. Also, Deutschland 83 was quite Americanised making it easier for US audiences to understand a German drama a lot better. 

4) What does the article suggest about subtitling?
People's perception of subtitles films, let alone subtitled TV shows is that they're really hard work-somewhat obscure,agreed Sundance Channel President Sarah Barnett. 'What we loved about this piece was that the genre nature of it to us outweighed the signification of the subtitled TV show. The quality of the work and the ability for it to really engage would be there regardless of the subtitles'. Finally, while there was resistance expressed on Twitter regarding the format, it wasn't a major backlash and there was initially a surprise.

5) What does Sopranos actor Steven Van Zandt suggest is the appeal in foreign television drama?
Van Sandt explains that people love to learn about how other people live as it is what people gravitated toward. The fact that the guy speaks English brings the American audience into the show and you start to live the show and Norway the way the character does and after a few minutes you forget about the subtitles.
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. And within that schedule, BBC and ITV crime dramas - say, Line of Duty and Broadchurch have distinctly different rhythms because licence fee funding 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.

2) How have streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed?
With streaming networks releasing all of the episodes in one block and many viewers of mainstream TV shows now waiting until all the episodes can be watched as a box set producers of TV fiction have had to rethink, especially as streaming services such as Netflix have created a platform that allow people to binge watch the entire series whenever they want to.

3) Why has the rise in streaming led to more complex storylines and an increase in cliffhangers?
More complex storylines keep the audience hooked in as they are engaged every episode wanting to know what will happen and the audiences also pay a lot more attention to the show. With a thriller for terrestrial TV you tend to have a recap at the start of each episode but with streaming video on demand you can get straight on with the story. 

4) How have the "economics of production" kept TV drama largely sticking to the 45- or 60-minute episode format?
TV dramas largely stick to these 45 or 60 minute episode format so they can maximise the use of the time given and minimise all costs associated with the production of each episode. 

5) How has "permanent 24/7 connectivity" changed both the production and consumption of TV drama?
Permanent 24/7 connectivity has radically altered viewer responses. Live-tweeting by audiences has usefully demonstrated criticism but the downside of this new media interaction has been in giving the old media a stick with which to beat broadcasters. Live tweeting allows audiences to connect and interact better.

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.

Is the rise in popularity of foreign language TV drama good news or bad news for traditional TV channels such as BBC, ITV and Channel 4

• I believe that the rise in popularity of foreign language TV drama is great because it will allow audiences in the UK to become more diverse and accepting of other cultures giving a positive outlook on the UK as a country.
• By doing this BBC, ITV and Channel 4 will be able to gain a wider audiences as a foreign language drama like Deutschland 83 attracted people from other countries to Channel 4 resulting in more people tuning in
• For younger people still in education studying a foreign language as a subject, watching a foreign language show will benefit them as they may be able to understand certain aspects of the language by constantly listening to people speak it.
• 
  

Postmodernism & Deutschland 83: blog task

1) Read the section on Strinati's five ways to define postmodernity. What examples are provided of the breakdown of the distinction between culture and society (media-isation)?
Stritani defines postmodernity in five ways such as advertising being able to make a company even better or break the company e.g. in terms of the quality of the product they are selling as whereas some products may be very poorly made and a the quality is poor if the advertising for it is good it can still be a success. 

2) What is Fredric Jameson's idea of 'historical deafness'? How can the idea of 'historical deafness' be applied to Deutschland 83?
According to Fredrick Jameson as mediazation increases so the culture finds itself losing a sense of historical context. History is now reduced to 'talking heads' documentaries and historical knowledge is often based on media representations.

3) What examples and theories are provided for the idea of 'style over substance'?

• People are strongly influenced by branding when buying products as the label often becomes more important than the product itself and packaging more important than the contents. People are willing to pay high prices for products which bear the logo of a fashionable label regardless of the actual quality of the product.
• The modern rise of celebs launched through reality T.V programmes such as the popular 'Big Brother' can be seen as the culture celebrating style over substance. Many celebs are now famous for being famous rather than for an identifiable talent or ability.

4) What examples from music are provided for the breakdown of the distinction between art and popular culture? Can this be applied to Deutschland 83?

• In postmodern culture Andy Warhol created multi-coloured prints of the Mona Lisa (high art) and Campbell's soup cans (low art)
• Pop music (low art) often samples classical music (high art)
• Advertising (low art) often makes reference to visual art (high art) or uses classical music (high art) to help sell its products

5) What is bricolage? What examples of bricolage can be found in Deutschland 83?

The idea of mixing references is referred to as bricolage. Bricolage refers to the process of adapting and juxtaposing old and new texts, images, ideas or narratives to produce whole new meanings. An example of this is the sub-genre being Spy as there are involving aspects of the James Bond films in it as the protagonist is a spy.

6) How can the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 be linked to postmodernism? Read 'The decline of meta-narratives' and 'Media texts and the postmodern' to help answer this.

Meta-narratives are the ideas and concepts that are used to explain the way the world is and how it should be. Deutschland 83 can link to this as it uses things such as communism and socialism and applies it to show different representations of Germany back then.

7) Read the analysis of media concepts and postmodern approaches on page 3 of the factsheet. Choose three of the concepts and write an example from Deutschland 83. Clue: genre, representation, ideology and audience would all be good options for this task.

Genre

Deutschland 83 features a range of different genres, e.g. the spy genre as we see Martin training to be a spy to get top secret info and make sure that his family and country are safe. Another genre is History as the whole thing is based on past events, the Cold War and the inner feud in West and East Germany in the 1980's. Another genre is Thriller as there are many enigma and action codes which create the whole idea of a Thriller. 

Representation

An regularly used representation in Spy genres is having a white male protagonist which this reinforces with the character of Martin as he is a white male and is shown throughout to be fighting for his country and his family. 

Audience 

I believe all audiences will enjoy this show as for the older audiences I believe they will feel a strong sense of nostalgia as the most probably will have lived through this time period and will notice things like Ronald Reagan's famous Evil Empire speech. As for younger audiences I think it is a fun way for them to learn about the history of Germany instead of having to go and learn about it at school where they may not be as invested. 

8) Now look at page 4 of the factsheet. How does Deutschland 83 demonstrate aspects of the postmodern in its construction and ideological positioning?

Modern texts demonstrate aspects of the post modern in their construction and ideological positioning these texts can be seen as postmodern culture. Deutschland 83 features continuous references highlighting the difference between East and West Germany, I believe this is done to show postmodern aspects as Deutschland 83 will be seen as more conventional.

9) Which key scenes from Deutschland 83 best provide examples of postmodernism? Why?
When Martin was training it was a good example of post modernism as his training is comparable to that of a James Bond montage sequence. The intertexuality mixing with mise-en-scene reinforces the realism making it a good example of postmodernism.
10) Why might audiences enjoy the postmodern aspects of Deutschland 83? What audience pleasures might elements of bricolage or pastiche provide viewers?

Audiences would enjoy the aspects of bricolage and pastiche as they are a form of intertextuality and the audience would enjoy the juxtaposing of old and new texts , ideas and narratives as they link back to other things they may have seen such as the Rocky films of James Bond.

Blog task: Deutschland 83 Close-textual analysis

Scene 1: Garden/BBQ scenes (East & West Germany)

4.58 – 8.20 and 34.00 – 37.20

Make notes under the following headings:

Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene

• Effective camera work  as it allows you to understand the conversation better 
• Great handheld camera work to track the actors
• The costumes are extremely accurate to the time period 
• The sound is very well used as it is from that time period
• Clothing/Fashion
• Austerity: food shortages
• Gritty run down buildings

Representation of East & West Germany / Family / Gender

• East Germany is un-advantaged and seen as very inferior
• West Germany is seen as superior 
• West Germany is seen to be more modern 
• Both sides are seen to be very family orientated
• Men are seen as superior

Scene 2: Martin/Moritz first sees the West German supermarket 

14.30 – 20.25

Make notes under the following headings:

Technical codes – particularly mise-en-scene

• Establishing shot of West Germany
• Wide shots
• Props are reflective of the past

Audio codes – particularly music

• Ominous music
• Slow dramatic music
• High tension soundtrack
• Diegetic sound

Representation of East & West Germany / Communism & Capitalism / Historical accuracy

• Supermarket is a bit more modern
• Western Culture
• Positive atmosphere

Audience pleasures

• Personal relationships
• Surveillance 
• Nostalgia

Scene 3: Training montage scene when Martin/Moritz learns how to be a spy

20.40 – 22.40

Make notes under the following headings:

Technical codes – particularly camerawork and editing

• Fast paced editing
• Binary opposition
• Jumpcuts
• Montage

Audio codes

• Voice over 
• Non diegetic sound
• 80s soundtrack

Audience pleasures

• Viceral Pleasure
• Vicarious Pleasure
• Personal relationships

Intertextuality

Scene 4: Briefcase scene when Martin/Moritz is stealing the NATO nuclear plans

31.13 – 33.30

Make notes under the following headings:

Technical codes – particularly camerawork and editing

• Facial expressions shown closely
• Suspense being created
• Wide shots
• Close ups

Audio codes – diegetic and non-diegetic sound

• Fast paced music
• High tempo 
• Non-Diegetic sound
• Foley sound
• Voice-over
• Heavy breathing

Audience pleasures

• James Bond
• Spy Genre
• Shot through blinds- Surveillance 

Deutschland 83: case study blog tasks

1) What positive aspects of Deutschland 83 are highlighted in the reviews?
Although there is quite a serious tone there is an element of comedy allowing the audience to feel more comfortable and enjoy themselves even more. For older audiences there is also a strong sense of nostalgia as many of the settings are recognisable for those who grew up around or during those times

2) What criticisms are made of the show?
There was slow pacing in the first episode, being very dependent on setting up the narrative and that the period drama in fact lacked the 'drama' and finally it wasn't as popular in Germany as the many Germans felt like most of the representations in the show were extremely negative which they clearly didn't appreciate.

3) Why did the Telegraph suggest that Deutschland 83 did the 'period' aspect of 'period drama' so well?
This is because they included real life clips of figures like Ronald Reagan, to be exact his Evil Empire speech which is very well showcased in the show as if it were happening all over again in real life

4) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?
'Enjoyed this series. It was well written and gave a perspective on the DDR that is not commonplace'
I agree with this as I believe the show was very well written and gave a great perspective on the feuding in Germany during the cold war 

'Deutschland 83 is a serious thriller driven by jeopardy of all-out nuclear kind' 
I agree with this as if offers thrilling tones and great action and also bits of comedy making it enjoyable for everyone to watch

'It was great far-fetched fun, punctuated by some jolting, very dark set-pieces. Nice 80s pop culture references and soundtrack too.'

I agree with this as it sums up what the show basically is well for people who are wanting to get into it but don't know enough about it.

Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features

Channel 4 News: Matt Frei interviews Jonas Nay

 

1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany? 
Jonas Nay explains that the fact that he grew up in a time when Germany was united he was able to have a positive outlook on it and see Germany as one and understands the value of freedom and believes if he was alive during the Cold War he would enjoy having to live in West Germany as he would have a lot of freedom and mobilitywhich he wouldn't get if he was to live in East Germany as people living there were constrained and always monitored.

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!)
Jonas Nay speaking in German with English subtitles is useful as it promotes different cultures to audiences showing their diversity and acceptance. Also, having this interview made this way makes it more cultural authentic. 

3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
The Channel 4 News audience will be interested in what Jonas Nay has to say as he is a pure German so to have insight from an actual German is a very good source of information to have and hearing somebody else state their view on their country is very beneficial to an audience from a different country who wouldn't be up to date with current affairs. 

Behind the scenes clips

The All4 website has a range of clips from behind the scenes of Deutschland 83. Watch the following:

Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83
Watch this short promotional clip for Deutschland 83.

1) Why should audiences watch Deutschland 83 - what does the clip offer viewers?
The clip mentions how it is fun and interesting and offers great performances that even make you feel like you're on a journey with these characters as well as all of the surprises. It is said that it is equally interesting for the older and younger audiences and how fact paced and action packed it is. It is also a good way for younger people to find out about the period Deutschland 83 is set on. Cinematography and the costume and production design is also said to be striking.

2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
The drama being based on historical events is very efficient as it is a great way for younger audiences to learn about Germany's past in a fun way making them more immersed and similarly older audiences will appeal to this as well as they may have gone through some of the events mentioned.
     
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video
The technical aspects Cinematography, Production design and costuming are highlighted in this video as the Deutschland 83 crew believed they successfully used all of these aspects to the best of their ability making the show even better for audiences.

Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.

1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
These were all extremely crucial because Deutschland 83 is based on real historical events so they have to make everything as accurate as possible because there are people who have lived through this and will be fast to give out criticism on the show and for those who want to learn what happen you have to give the best/correct representation.

2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
Most of the show was very historically accurate like the characters and props however some of the settings were hard to make accurate because many of the locations were not revealed to the public back then and so it was hard for the producers to try and make out certain locations as they had to use little to no source of information or just use their imagination

3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
This is because they offer the older audiences a strong sense of nostalgia as they will easily be able to recognise certain aspects as it's what they had lived through.
Textual analysis: trailer

 

1) The opening of the trailer uses sound and editing to draw the audience in. Explain why this is effective.
The 80's music will draw in older audiences as they may be able to recognise the music as they ma remember it from their past and and find a sense of nostalgia from it. Older audiences will also be attracted because of the use of Ronald Reagan speech which many people who were around to witness it in real life will easily recognise and want to find out where the show is going with this story-line. There are also a lot of action codes as we see Martin running fast and shots of fights which will draw in younger audiences.
2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
There are a lot of action scenes being shown throughout the trailer which offers vicarious pleasures as audiences, especially younger audiences enjoy to see action scenes or just general use of things like explosions and weapons. Personal relationships can also be formed as we are following a single character through the trailer as he run, fights and tries to fulfil his goal. This is very useful as by drawing an audience in to a character before the show even airs will create a great word of mouth and more people will want to tune in when it finally releases.
3) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
There are many action and enigma codes which easily immerse audiences as we see the main character (Martin) running and fighting throughout the trailer which is great use of not only action codes but enigma too as the audience will be questioning what he is running from or to and why is he fighting so many people which is very effective as people will want to watch the show even more to get answers from these questions they have just from watching the trailer.
4) Pick three shots/scenes from the trailer that capture the spy thriller sub-genre. Why might this appeal to an audience? Try and apply Neale's genre theory 'repetition and difference' (the original notes on genre theory are here).
The shot at 21 seconds show Martin picking a lock conveying the fact that this is most definitely a spy drama and that he will have to undergo many complicated tasks.

At 24 seconds we see him opening a suitcase further showing that this is a spy drama as he has a shocked look on his face connoting that he found what he was looking for or something even worse, he also looks very nervous which could show that he is trying to be as stealthy as possible.

At 26 seconds we see Martin jumping off of a building at night time, from this I can infer that he went there on a secret mission to potentially get some information or something valuable and was maybe caught and has to get out as fast as possible or just needs to escape before someone arrives which is something used in many spy films like he James Bond films.

5) Pick three examples of mise-en-scene from the trailer that capture the 1983 setting the confirm the sub-genre of period drama. Why might this appeal to an audience? 
At 12 seconds a soldier uniform is shown which captures the 1980's period as that is when the Cold War was occurring . This may appeal to an audience as older people may remember this time as they lived it and younger audiences will see it as a fun way to learn about the past

At 20 seconds we see a walkman being used which further shown the time period the show is set in as that is when they were most popular and will appeal to older audiences as they will have a sense of nostalgia.

At 34 seconds Ronald Reagan is shown, specifically when he was doing his notorious 'Evil Empire' speech which many older people will recognise and start to recall things from their past and want to watch this to gain a further insight of what happened.
6) The trailer uses the song 'Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Why did the producers select this soundtrack for the trailer?
This is because the song was released in the 1980s therefore it fits the time period extremely well, therefore certain viewers may feel nostalgic when hearing this music as they may have grown up to it.

7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
I believe this is done in order to captivate audiences better as audiences from England will be less interested if they hear an entire trailer in a language they don't speak or understand, therefore having it in English a language that is understood very well around the world encourages people to watch it more and does't make them feel confused.
Production and industry context

Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.`

1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
The CEO of Fremantle Media International described the series as 'compelling' and claimed that 'it is set to captivate viewers around the world.'

2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
The consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83 was 2.5 million views.

3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4 'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
Walter presents series will gain more interest and positive receptions as they enjoyed Deutschland 83 and will therefore be interested if other shows Walter talks on are on the same level as Deutschland 83.

Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.

1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Channel 4 introduce him as a professional critic of international drama who is very serious of his work and highly respected for his work.

2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
I believe they are attempting to appeal to an audience who appreciate international dramas with serious themes and the trailer makes the audience feel like they are going to be witnessing one of the best dramas ever made even being selected by a professional critic.

3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
It reflects the changing nature of television in the digital age as more and more dramas are becoming availabble online showing how institutions are becoming more reliant on digital media as it is the best way to gain a lot of success. 

Marketing and promotion

Look at the online Channel 4 press pack for Deutschland 83.

1) Read the programme information from the press pack. How does the programme information seek to interest a reader from the first paragraph?
The programme info expresses how Deutschland 83 is based on real events and therefore those who were involved or aware during this time will be extremely interested to a modern day representation of it as it may offer a sense of nostalgia and those who aren't informed will be intrigued to find out what actually occurred.

2) What does the programme information suggest the main strengths of the programme are?
One strength is the background story of Martin and his ulterior motives for doing such risky assignments given to him by the high ranked East German intelligence officer as the audience are able to properly understand why Martin does what he does even though he has a sick mother to take care of. 

3) Read the press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
She did research on the Cold Water to give her best representation for audiences making it as accurate as possible. She was also able to rely on her cast members as they gave out their memories from when they lived in that time.

4) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
The type of music used in the show was a very important and memorable in 1983 and will now offer a strong sense of nostalgia.
International marketing

Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (left) and the American Sundance TV advert (right).




1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
On the DVD Cover if you look at the wall they are two different sides one which communicates sort sort of secret agent/spy feel and the other as just living a normal life which could mean that the show has a spy sub-genre as he is shown to be living a double life. The fact that 83 is in the title tells the audience that the show will be based on past events as the 83 is a representation of the year it covers.

2) Analyse the mise-en-scene in the UK DVD cover. What does it communicate to the audience?
One of the props used in the DVD cover is a walkman which indicates that the show is set in the past as walkmans were extremely popular back in the 1980's and aren't really seen anywhere these days. The fact that he is wearing a shirt and tie connotes that he is a professional and takes his work seriously as he most probably has a job that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. The review at the bottom tells the audience that once you start watching you will be immediately immersed with the show because of its fantastic storyline and characters. 

3) How does the American branding use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The American Sundance TV advert uses extremely vibrant colours to attract more attention from audiences, especially the younger demographic as they will be more interested if the poster doesn't look dull/boring. A large font is used for the title which may be done so people can recognise it easily as if it was small people wouldn't be able to see the poster well if they were standing far away and caught a glimpse of it.

4) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries? 
I believe this is done so they can appeal to different audiences as in every country the audience are into different things therefore you can't just repeat the same method as it wont gain more interest.