Introduction to Science-fiction TV drama: blog tasks

1 ) How does Class meet the conventions of a TV drama series?

Class has a dramatic narrative with an ensemble cast. Also has specific technical codes like realistic lighting and editing for social dramas to keep it gritty. Common use of flashback, point of view shots, dialogue and voice over, enigma and action codes throughout.

2) What conventions of the science-fiction genre can you find in the Class trailer? List as many as you can and use NCIS to help you.

Class has time travel and aliens. There is also space travel and scientific advancements with futuristic weapons. The tardis is a time-machine spaceship. It seems to be set in a new world that has lava and it looks contaminated or is an toxic environments. The colours are dark and stygian which creates suspense. 

3) What other genres are suggested by the trailer (e.g. horror)? Is Class an example of a modern hybrid-genre show?
Yes Class is a science fiction drama with hints of horror, thriller and action. Furthermore there is romance between the characters and covered in mystery.

4) Class is a spin-off from Doctor Who. At what point does the character of the Doctor appear in the trailer?
Near the ending the doctor appears at around 1:20

5) Who do you think the target audience for Class is? Is this a typical target audience for the science-fiction genre? Give reasons for your answer.

The target audience of class are teenager and middle aged adults of the working class as its a sci-fi drama which attracts them as they might find it fascinating.

Aside from the appearance of the Doctor, what other references or allusions are made to the Doctor Who universe?

The tardis makes an appearance in the tallier

Year 1 reflection - blog tasks

 1) Look at your tracker for Year 1 blogposts (this will have been emailed to you by your teacher either before the summer or this week). Make a list of any CSPs you haven't completed. We will cover these in lessons later in the year but you WILL need to complete the blog tasks before you take any exams.

2) Which CSPs from Year 1 are you most confident on?

Doctor Strange

Magazines - Reveal

Magazines - Tatler

3) Which CSPs from Year 1 are you least confident on?

I, Daniel Blake

4) Your upcoming assessment will only be on CSPs from the first half of the year leading up to lockdown. Write a brief summary of the following CSPs to start your revision (Reveal magazine is done for you as ):

Doctor Strange:Doctor Strange is a superhero film from the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) which is part of the Marvel media franchise. A film franchise is a series of films film franchises are multi-picture stories, often including some of the same characters from film to film.

I, Daniel Blake: I, Daniel Blake is an award-winning independent British Drama film.  The main character, Daniel Blake, 59, who has worked as a joiner most of his life in the North East of England needs help from the State for the first time ever following an illness.

Magazines - Reveal: a celebrity magazine aimed mainly at working-class women focusing on gossip, celebrity and motherhood for just 99p. Offers quite a traditional, stereotypical representation of women.

Magazines - Tatler: Tatler is Britain’s oldest magazine (founded in 1901) targeted at upper classes and upper-middle classes.Lifestyle magazine with focus on fashion; high society events such as balls and celebrities such as the Royal family and members of the aristocracy (people with inherited wealth, titles and land.)

Advertising: OMO: OMO washing powder is an advertisement in the 1900s

Advertising: NHS Represent: Advertising and Marketing is the 2016 NHS Blood and Transplant online campaign video 'Represent' featuring Lady Leshurr.

Advertising: Galaxy chocolate:2016 Galaxy chocolate advert 'Chauffeur' featuring dead film star Audrey Hepburn.

5) List five things (e.g. CSPs/topics/terminology) that you will revise before your upcoming assessment.

Online, social and participatory case study 3: Zoella blog tasks

Language

Read this Marie Clare article on Zoella as an online phenomenon.

1) Who is Zoella and why is she famous? How many subscribers does Zoella's YouTube channel have currently?

Zoella is a YouTuber and internet vlogger who has been active since 2009 and she has 11.2 million subscribers

2) What is convergence?

When two or more media forms meet in one e.g Zoella’s website where you can buy her book, read her Twitter feed, see her Instagram photos and buy her beauty products. 

3) What are Zoella's videos about? Find five video titles and write them here:

Ultimate Pizza Taste Test With Mark

HUGE Summer Primark Haul 

Testing Weird Beauty Products With Mark 

Full Face Of Glossier Makeup

4) What are the codes and conventions of vlogging videos?

A Vlog name which gives information about what it contains.

Writing on the screen.

Speaker central to the screen and speaks directly to the camera.Some props to keep video engaging.

Lots of cuts (jump cuts – where the camera position is the same).

Different angles and shots for variety. Personal – this builds connection and trust with audience.

5) How does Zoella use media language choices to create her online identity? Write about Zoella's use of mise-en-scene (CLAMPS) - particularly costume and make-up.

Zoella uses makeup and costumes to make her audience know how to use it. She tries on different costumes and is mostly set in her house.

Industries

1) How does Zoella make money? (You might want to read this Heatworld feature for more on this.) 

Zoella makes an estimated £13 million

2) What is a digital influencer? Why is Zoella considered a digital influencer?
A digital influencer is someone with a social media following who encourages fans and followers. Zoella has a large following on social platforms. 

3) Why do companies want to place their products in Zoella's videos?
As she has a large fan base who are in the companies target audience

4) Why are YouTube collaborations so important for helping digital influencers like Zoella to grow?

It connects their viewer and they might go a watch the collaborations channel

5) How has Zoella moved into a more traditional media landscape in recent years?
She has been seen on TV, newspapers and magazines

Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Zoella's channel?

Her target audience are teenagers for escapism how like fashion

2) How are audiences encouraged to participate in or feel part of Zoella's brand? 
Zoella does make up tutorials and sell merch to make her audience feel apart of her brand

3) What audience pleasures are provided by Zoella's videos and associated products?

She makes tutorial and life hacks and builds her audience like a personal relationship

4) Applying Stuart Hall's Reception theory, what would a preferred and oppositional reading of Zoella?

Preferred (people who love Zoella): She make tutorials and helps others how dont know how to do something
Oppositional (people who hate Zoella): She promotes products that might not be safe for everyone

5) Why has Zoella been criticised by some people?
She films when she drives and creates a lot controversy by mocking gay people

Representations

Read this Independent article arguing Zoella is a bad role model for young women.

Next, read this Independent article arguing the opposite. 

1) What is your opinion on this debate - is Zoella a positive role model for young women?

She can be a positive role model for young women as she teach them life hacks and recommends products to them

2) What representations of women are provided by Zoella?

She provides beauty and how they can be independent

3) What representations of celebrity are provided by Zoella? Is a self-made YouTube celebrity more authentic or positive than a traditional music or TV star?

Makeup tutorials youtuber who helps others and promotes products. 

4) How does Zoella represent herself? Is this the real Zoe Suggs or a media construction designed to sell products?

Zoella represents herself as beautiful and inspirational

5) What criticisms could be levelled at the representation of Zoella? 

She has included more ‘adult’ themed photos