Sci-fi genre
Sci-fi is a genre of television that uses lots of depictions of technology, spaceflight, time travel,etc. Examples of tv shows of this genre include Doctor who, Stranger Things, Rick and Morty, etc.
NICS: Narrative: Most sci-fi shows/movies have a general plot such as an alien invasion or time travel. Iconography: Sci-fi shows/movies tend to have a lot of high tech gadgets (light sabers), holographic images, CGI, spaceships, etc. Characters: Tyranical rulers (Darth Vader), Heroes/Heroines (Luke Skywalker), robots or machines (R2D2), or space adventurers (Han Solo) Setting:
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Doctor Who
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BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
Facts about BBC:
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BBC promises 5 things:
Ofcom:
Ofcom is the UK's communications regulator, which means they overseer all types of media and can remove the license to produce media if the rules are not followed. They keep an eye on TV programs to see if they are showing any inappropriate content (pornography or violence) and if they are they can receive complaints and get heavily fined however, there is a certain time when channels can show this type of content, and for the BBC this is after 9pm and called the watershed where they can play programs like Luther . One example of their fines was on vodafone in 2016 when ofcom investigated the company and uncovered mis-selling, inaccurate billing and poor complaint handling seizures. There is a certain time when channels can show this type of content, and for the BBC this is after 9pm and called the watershed where they can play programs like Luther. The watershed exists to protect children from seeing adult content as children usually would go to sleep at around that time.
- Providing impartial news and information (non biased news)
- To support learning for all ages (you can learn something out of every program)
- To show the most creative , High quality and distinctive outputs and services
- To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the UK's nations and regions, and in doing so, support the creative economy across the UK.
- To reflect the UK , its culture and values to the world
Ofcom:
Ofcom is the UK's communications regulator, which means they overseer all types of media and can remove the license to produce media if the rules are not followed. They keep an eye on TV programs to see if they are showing any inappropriate content (pornography or violence) and if they are they can receive complaints and get heavily fined however, there is a certain time when channels can show this type of content, and for the BBC this is after 9pm and called the watershed where they can play programs like Luther . One example of their fines was on vodafone in 2016 when ofcom investigated the company and uncovered mis-selling, inaccurate billing and poor complaint handling seizures. There is a certain time when channels can show this type of content, and for the BBC this is after 9pm and called the watershed where they can play programs like Luther. The watershed exists to protect children from seeing adult content as children usually would go to sleep at around that time.
Narrative Structure-Doctor Who
The doctor who narrative follows the hero and his apprentice with two clueless sidekicks. This structure appeals to the audience as it is more familiar to the audience as almost every story follows this same structure. The show also uses a lot of confusing sci-fi chatter that the audience may not understand. However, the apprentice (susan) helps explain the doctors words in a more simpler way so we understand what the doctors talking about. The apprentice explains to the teachers which in a way is the audience because the people who watch the show are probably like the teachers (upper-middle class). The reason why only upper-middle class people would only watch it is because the working class may not be able to afford television and the bbc license fee.
Questions - Doctor Who (1963)
1.The narrative technique of flashback is used. Why is this manipulation of time useful in developing this non-linear narrative?
It is useful because it provides future context for future events or maybe the flashback is a big event. In this case the flashbacks give us clues about Susan's real identity and tell us that she may in fact be an alien or someone from a different time
2. A TV series links narrative over a series of episodes. Describe how the use of cliffhanger helps this episode to do this.
In the episode, the show shows some sort of alien like creature's shadow appear in front of the TARDIS in a weird planet. This leaves the audience wondering what the figure was. It is then followed up with a to be continued text and tells us the next episodes name in the front which tells us that there is going to be another episode where we will find out what the creature is.
3. Define each of the words in red.
Flashback: A flashback is a scene that takes the narrative back in time to recount events that happened before the story's primary event
Cliffhanger: A cliffhanger is an exciting that happens at the end of an episodes which leaves the audience anxious and in suspense
Non-linear: not arranged in chronological order
4. Describe the iconography used in An Unearthly Child.
In An Unearthly child, the show first introduces the classic dr.who theme song in the start and also introduces us to the TARDIS and its interior. The theme song and TARDIS are iconic things featured on the show
5.Using the Internet, find some examples from future Doctor Who series where this iconography is continued.
6.Describe keyword exposition.
Exposition: A description and explanation of an idea or theory
7.For each character, describe the semiotic character codes that they represent.
Susan: Susan has a strong link to the audience and will often react the way the audience would which makes her the relatable character. She also helps translate the sc-fi chatter from the doctor.
The doctor: The doctor represented the new technology rising in the 60s. He is a time lord from the planet Gallifrey. He represents the struggle between good and evil.
Barbara and Ian: Barbara and Ian are like parent figures to Susan, Barbara being the more caring and homey person and Ian being more physical when there is a fight.
8.Why is setting important?
Because setting sets the mood for the scene. If the setting is in a beach with a lot of sun and people having fun then it sets the mood to be fun or happy. However, in Doctor Who they use a more dark mood in most of the scenes and use more familiar settings (like a school) to establish a quick sense of understanding of the scene.
9.What settings does An Unearthly Child use and why?
unearthly child uses a dark setting and a foggy intro to set the mood for the entire episode. However, the episode also has a scene that takes place in a school which gives us a sense of familiarity. Then the show does the opposite and shoes us the futuristic interior of the TARDIS.
11. There are no Ds and Es in the audience. Why not?
Because they may not get the humour or may not be able to catch up with the show. I think the show would just not interest them. They also may not have access to a television
12.Describe Uses and Gratification Theory.
Uses and Gratification Theory is a theory based on an approach to why and how people seek out specific types of media to satisfy/benefit specific needs in any type of media
13.What Uses and Gratification would this episode provide to a 1963 audience?
It would provide something new to a 1963 audience and introduce a new genre of sci fi to them
14.What Uses and Gratification would this episode provide to a 2018 audience?
It would show the progress of Television and show the impact the show had on television
It is useful because it provides future context for future events or maybe the flashback is a big event. In this case the flashbacks give us clues about Susan's real identity and tell us that she may in fact be an alien or someone from a different time
2. A TV series links narrative over a series of episodes. Describe how the use of cliffhanger helps this episode to do this.
In the episode, the show shows some sort of alien like creature's shadow appear in front of the TARDIS in a weird planet. This leaves the audience wondering what the figure was. It is then followed up with a to be continued text and tells us the next episodes name in the front which tells us that there is going to be another episode where we will find out what the creature is.
3. Define each of the words in red.
Flashback: A flashback is a scene that takes the narrative back in time to recount events that happened before the story's primary event
Cliffhanger: A cliffhanger is an exciting that happens at the end of an episodes which leaves the audience anxious and in suspense
Non-linear: not arranged in chronological order
4. Describe the iconography used in An Unearthly Child.
In An Unearthly child, the show first introduces the classic dr.who theme song in the start and also introduces us to the TARDIS and its interior. The theme song and TARDIS are iconic things featured on the show
5.Using the Internet, find some examples from future Doctor Who series where this iconography is continued.
- TARDIS
- TARDIS interior
- Dr's eccentric costume
- Sonic Screwdriver
- The doctors companions
6.Describe keyword exposition.
Exposition: A description and explanation of an idea or theory
7.For each character, describe the semiotic character codes that they represent.
Susan: Susan has a strong link to the audience and will often react the way the audience would which makes her the relatable character. She also helps translate the sc-fi chatter from the doctor.
The doctor: The doctor represented the new technology rising in the 60s. He is a time lord from the planet Gallifrey. He represents the struggle between good and evil.
Barbara and Ian: Barbara and Ian are like parent figures to Susan, Barbara being the more caring and homey person and Ian being more physical when there is a fight.
8.Why is setting important?
Because setting sets the mood for the scene. If the setting is in a beach with a lot of sun and people having fun then it sets the mood to be fun or happy. However, in Doctor Who they use a more dark mood in most of the scenes and use more familiar settings (like a school) to establish a quick sense of understanding of the scene.
9.What settings does An Unearthly Child use and why?
unearthly child uses a dark setting and a foggy intro to set the mood for the entire episode. However, the episode also has a scene that takes place in a school which gives us a sense of familiarity. Then the show does the opposite and shoes us the futuristic interior of the TARDIS.
11. There are no Ds and Es in the audience. Why not?
Because they may not get the humour or may not be able to catch up with the show. I think the show would just not interest them. They also may not have access to a television
12.Describe Uses and Gratification Theory.
Uses and Gratification Theory is a theory based on an approach to why and how people seek out specific types of media to satisfy/benefit specific needs in any type of media
13.What Uses and Gratification would this episode provide to a 1963 audience?
It would provide something new to a 1963 audience and introduce a new genre of sci fi to them
14.What Uses and Gratification would this episode provide to a 2018 audience?
It would show the progress of Television and show the impact the show had on television
Audience - Doctor Who
The majority of the Doctor Who audience is biased towards the upper middle classes. This is because in 1963 TV's were quite expensive to buy for the working class and adding to that, the cost of a BBC TV license would've been expensive. Working class people were not qualified so they may have been taking multiple jobs so they may not have had time sit down and watch TV even if they could afford it. The content of Doctor Who also probably did not appeal to the working class. This relates to socio economic demographics.
17% A+
39% A
31% B
6% C
7% C-
17% A+
39% A
31% B
6% C
7% C-
Class
Spin-off: A spin-off is a TV series or film that takes place in the same reality
Class is a spin-off of the doctor who series. The show focuses on 5 students and staff at the coal hill academy who are tasked by the doctor to deal with alien threats while also dealing with their personal lives Characters:
Codes and conventions:
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Multi strand Narrative - Class
Many stories or shows such as Class follow the multi strand narrative where a story follows multiple story lines for each of the characters. For example, in class when April is being possessed by Corakinus and fighting her dad, Ms.Quill is talking with the head teacher about the predatory flowers eating them multiplying rapidly. The head teacher is also mysterious as she somehow knows Ms.Quill's situation ( She has an alien creature in her brain telepathically linking her to Charlie as his servant.)
Uses and Gratifications theory - Class
Torchwood was also a Doctor Who spin off like class however unlike class, Torchwood was highly successful because of its adult themes. Class was unsuccessful because it was specifically aimed at teens, which made it hard to balance the adult themes and the teen themes. Class was initially on BBC 3 to poor audiences figures and later on BBC 1 between 10.45 pm and 11.15 pm slots. When the program was on BBC 1, it aired at 11.30 pm (sometimes) with an audience of 0.28 million. But 500,000 people who would have been watching BBC 1 turned it off.
Problems:
Problems:
- Poor scheduling late showings at 10.30
- No one knew who the show was really aimed for. A teen drama with adult themes (nudity, violence, etc) spun off from a show made for children.
- Patrick Ness was upset with the double bills and late showings more than two months after its BBC three debut
- Lacked a selling point, spinning off from Doctor Who wasn't enough.
Class marketing
WEBSITE:
The class website is highly interactive with lots of videos,fan theories, fan art, etc.
Trailers:
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Suspenseful dark short mysterious trailer. Intrigues the watcher and is family
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Longer shows more of the plot. Bit more of an adult theme than the teaser. 15+
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