Thursday, 12 June 2025

2025 PRACTICE

2025 - PRACTICE

SOURCE A: MIRROR COVER: 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRrGdi6bMAA5Rxk.jpg:large



SOURCE B: EXPRESS ARTICLE

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1919279/general-election-keir-starmer-labour-landslide

TITLE

How far have media conventions been used to construct viewpoints and ideologies in Sources A and B?

In your answer you must:

  • outline the different conventions of the front pages of tabloid newspapers and online broadsheets, including use and style of headlines and images
  • analyse the contrasting use of symbolic, technical and written conventions in the sources
  • make judgements and reach conclusions on the way in which media conventions construct viewpoints on ideologies.
TASK ONE
Write your response to bullet point one and post it in the comments section below...

TASK TWO
Look carefully at the paragraph guide below and then write something similar about the use of image in the express article. Post your response in the comments section below...

NB: In some cases, the image will be a 'preview image' for a video clip. You can treat this the same way because the preview image will have been selected for its impact.

IMAGE AND ANCHORING TEXT - SOURCE A - PARAGRAPH FORMAT

1st – Establish the conventions that are being used/challenged

A convention of tabloid newspapers is the selection of highly emotive/sensational images that reinforce the ideological position of the newspaper while also helping to reinforce the storefront nature of the front page by accompanying a variety of different stories.

2nd – Describe the Source with relation to the conventions – Does it use them? Or break them?

The use of image in source A, challenges one convention by entirely dominating the page, as the paper feature only a splash with no off lead or teasers.

3rd – Explain how this is related to the construction of viewpoints and ideologies.

This is done to construct the viewpoint that the general election is such an important event that it should and does dominate the national narrative to the exclusion of all other stories.

4th – Repeat 2nd with a different detail – If it breaks one does it use another? Can you say something about the anchoring text?

However, the selected image is conventional in the sense that it is emotive and reflects the political bias of the newspaper. The layering effect around Starmer’s head, the unity of the pose (holding hands) and bright red dress as a dominant colour on the page, combine to encode the idea of triumph, of possibility and of forward movement.

5th – Repeat 3rd – If you previously stressed viewpoint try to point out ideology and vice versa.

The Daily Mirror is ideologically left wing and famously supports the Labour party; the positive messaging around Starmer’s victory is entirely in keeping with the ideological position of the paper and its working class audience. 

TASK THREE 
Now, look again at Source A: Write an analytical paragraph in which you discuss the Headline and Subheadline (plus any other text you want to consider). Post your paragraph in the comments section - include the title, TASK THREE and YOUR NAME...

NB 1: You should still include reference to codes and conventions and viewpoints and ideologies.
NB2: You should write about language choices, font choices, size and placement of the text.

TASK FOUR
Now, look again at Source B: Write an analytical paragraph in which you discuss the Headline and Subheadline (plus any other text you want to consider). Post your paragraph in the comments section - include the title, TASK FOUR and YOUR NAME...

NB 1: You should still include reference to codes and conventions and viewpoints and ideologies.
NB2: You should write about language choices, font choices, size and placement of the text.

Wednesday, 28 May 2025

LFTVD SYNPOPTIC TRENDS?

2019: ‘The differences in the codes and conventions of long form television dramas reflect the different values, attitudes and beliefs of the audiences that consume them.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

  • consider the contexts in which long form television dramas are produced and consumed
  • explain how media contexts may have influenced the use of intertextuality in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied
  • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments
  • make judgements and reach conclusions about the reasons for the differences in codes and conventions between the two episodes.


2020: ‘Long form television dramas lack originality; no matter which country they are made in, they all use intertextuality in the same way.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

In your answer you must:

  • consider the contexts in which long form television dramas are produced and consumed
  • explain how media contexts may have influenced the use of intertextuality in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied
  • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments
  • make judgements and reach conclusions about reasons for similarities or differences in the use of intertextuality between the two episodes.



2021: 'Audiences and producers no longer find the concept of genre relevant to long form television drama.’  How far do you agree with this statement?

In your answer, you must:
  • explain the contexts in which long form televisions dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences
  • explain how media contexts may have influenced the genre conventions in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have 
  • studied
  • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments
  • make judgements and reach conclusions about the similarities or differences in genre conventions between the two set episodes


2022: 'Long form television dramas produced in different countries always incorporate the dominant conventions, viewpoints and ideologies of those countries.' How far do you agree with this statement?

In your answer, you must:
  • explain the contexts in which long form televisions dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences
  • explain how media contexts may have influenced the genre conventions in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have 
  • studied
  • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments
  • make judgements and reach conclusions about the reasons for similarities or differences in how media language is used to construct viewpoints and ideologies between the two episodes.

2023: 'No matter where they are produced, the representation of characters  and events in long form television dramas are always influenced by historical contexts.' How far do you agree with this statement?

In your answer, you must:
  • explain the contexts in which long form televisions dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences
  • explain how media contexts may have influenced the genre conventions in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have 
  • studied
  • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments
  • make judgements and reach conclusions about the reasons for similarities or differences in how historical contexts may have influenced representations between the two set episodes.


2024: 'Intertextuality is essential for long form television dramas to appeal to both national and international audiences.' How far do you agree with this statement?

In your answer, you must:
  • explain the contexts in which long form televisions dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences
  • explain how media contexts may have influenced the genre conventions in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have 
  • studied
  • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments
  • make judgements and reach conclusions about the similarities or differences in how intertextuality is used to appeal to audiences between the two set episodes.


BUT WHAT ABOUT 2025???

‘Representations in long form television dramas are always shaped by the cultural and political contexts in which they are produced.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
  • In your answer, you must:

    • explain the contexts in which long form television dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences

    • explain how media contexts may have influenced representations in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied

    • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments

    • make judgements and reach conclusions about the similarities or differences in the influence of context on representation in the two set episodes

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: 2025: REPRESENTATION QUESTION - A POSSIBLE REPONSE

‘Narrative complexity in long form television dramas is shaped more by audience expectations than by cultural or political contexts.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
  • In your answer, you must:

    • explain the contexts in which long form television dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences

    • explain how media contexts may have influenced narrative structures in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied

    • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments

    • make judgements and reach conclusions about the influence of audiences versus wider contexts on narrative construction in the two set episodes

‘Long form television dramas challenge rather than reinforce dominant ideologies.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
  • In your answer, you must:

    • explain the contexts in which long form television dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences

    • explain how media contexts may have influenced the representation of ideologies in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied

    • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments

    • make judgements and reach conclusions about how the two set episodes either reinforce or subvert dominant ideologies

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: 2025: IDEOLOGY QUESTION - A POSSIBLE RESPONSE

‘Genre conventions in long form television dramas are becoming increasingly blurred in order to meet the demands of global audiences.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
  • In your answer, you must:

    • explain the contexts in which long form television dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences

    • explain how media contexts may have influenced genre conventions in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied

    • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments

    • make judgements and reach conclusions about the similarities or differences in genre between the two set episodes

‘The representation of national identity in long form television dramas is always shaped by the country in which they are produced.’ How far do you agree with this statement?
  • In your answer, you must:

    • explain the contexts in which long form television dramas are developed by producers and consumed by audiences

    • explain how media contexts may have influenced the use of national identity in the set episodes of the two long form television dramas you have studied

    • refer to relevant academic ideas and arguments

    • make judgements and reach conclusions about the reasons for similarities or differences in how national identity is represented between the two set episodes



2025: IDEOLOGY QUESTION - A POSSIBLE RESPONSE

Long form television dramas (LFTVDs) provide the narrative space to explore ideology in depth. Set in 1983 but produced in very different contexts, Deutschland 83 and Stranger Things use their episodic form to question or reinforce dominant values. D83 critically examines Cold War divisions and nationalist ideologies, while Stranger Things blends nostalgic reinforcement of American ideals with more subversive elements. This supports the view that the long form nature of television dramas facilitates sustained and often challenging engagement with dominant ideologies, shaped by political and socio-cultural contexts.

Economic context significantly influences the ideological stance of LFTVDs. D83, produced by UFA Fiction for the German broadcaster RTL and supported by international distributors like Sundance TV and Channel 4, was shaped by public-service values and co-financing from cultural funding bodies. These institutions typically support programming with historical, political, or cultural depth. As Hesmondhalgh argues, cultural industries that are less commercially constrained often take more creative and ideological risks. Episode one includes extended scenes of East German bureaucracy, personal ideology, and geopolitical tension, choices unlikely to survive in a purely commercial environment. Stranger Things, in contrast, was developed by the Duffer Brothers for Netflix, which is a subscription-based platform that relies on global mass appeal. The show's substantial budget (reportedly around $6 million per episode in season one) was justified by its potential to attract a wide audience across demographics and borders. This explains the heavy use of genre, nostalgia, and archetypal characters in episode one, which reinforce familiar ideological values. However, the show’s long form structure enables narrative evolution and complexity, particularly in character development and thematic arcs, showing that economic context, while influential, is not deterministic; long form television can challenge ideology even within commercial frameworks.

Political context shapes which ideologies are foregrounded. D83, made in a reunified Germany, retrospectively interrogates the East/West divide, subverting the dominant Cold War narrative by presenting Martin’s Western encounters with curiosity rather than fear. In episode one, his discomfort and confusion in a Western supermarket symbolises ideological destabilisation. Stuart Hall’s theory of representation helps explain how alternative meanings are encoded, prompting viewers to negotiate or oppose dominant views. Stranger Things, emerging in post-9/11 America, mirrors cultural anxiety around surveillance and government overreach. The Hawkins Lab, introduced early, is presented as shadowy and inhumane, an anti-authoritarian message wrapped in nostalgic aesthetics. Here, again, the extended narrative arc supports the core claim that long form dramas can sustain politically grounded ideological critique over time.

Socio-cultural context also informs ideological positioning, particularly around gender. Stranger Things draws heavily on 1980s genre conventions that typically marginalised women and girls, yet episode one introduces Joyce as both emotional and assertive, and Eleven as vulnerable yet powerful. Over time, Eleven becomes a central hero figure, challenging gender stereotypes. This evolution aligns with David Gauntlett’s idea that media offers “tools” for identity formation. In D83, gender roles are more constrained but still challenged. Lenora, Martin’s aunt, is introduced as a high-ranking figure in East German intelligence, a subversion of traditional gender expectations. Even in a patriarchal historical setting, women exert ideological and narrative influence, suggesting that the socio-cultural context of production enables LFTVDs to subtly challenge gender norms, particularly when sustained across episodes.

Characterisation is central to ideological representation. Martin’s identity crisis, catalysed in episode one as he leaves East Germany, invites audiences to question ideological certainty. Rather than a patriotic hero, he becomes a conflicted figure navigating overlapping systems. In Stranger Things, Mike and his friends initially embody innocent Americana, but their alliance with Eleven, an outsider, allows the narrative to question the innocence of authority and explore marginalised identities. These evolving character arcs support the view that long form dramas, by allowing ideological conflict to unfold over time, tend to challenge dominant ideologies more than reinforce them.

The episodic form allows specific scenes to carry long-term ideological weight. In Deutschland 83, the shot of Martin watching Western TV for the first time encapsulates the allure and ambiguity of the “enemy.” It’s a moment that starts a larger journey of ideological questioning. Stranger Things’ opening scenes (Eleven’s escape, the boys' D&D game, and the early signs of government conspiracy) establish themes of innocence lost and mistrust in institutions. These threads grow more complex across the series, proving that the long form format facilitates a layered exploration of ideology that resists simple reinforcement.

Audience reception also plays a role. According to Stuart Hall’s Reception Theory, D83’s complexity invites negotiated readings, especially for audiences less familiar with Cold War history. Stranger Things, though more reliant on dominant readings, still invites critique, particularly from younger viewers aware of gender and political themes. Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory also applies: across multiple episodes, viewers exposed to subversive elements, like Eleven’s growing independence or Martin’s disillusionment, may gradually shift their ideological assumptions. This reinforces the idea that LFTVDs encourage ideological negotiation, making challenge more likely over time.

In conclusion, both Deutschland 83 and Stranger Things show that while long form television dramas can begin by echoing dominant ideologies, their extended format enables complex character development, ideological ambiguity, and subtle subversion. Though rooted in different political and socio-cultural contexts, both dramas ultimately illustrate that the long form nature of television dramas enables a sustained and multifaceted engagement with dominant ideologies, and most often, a challenge to them.

2025: REPRESENTATION QUESTION - A POSSIBLE REPONSE

‘Representations in long form television dramas are always shaped by the cultural and political contexts in which they are produced.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

Long form television dramas inherently reflect the cultural and political contexts of their production. This is evident in Deutschland 83 and Stranger Things, both set in 1983 but shaped differently by their contemporary production environments. Deutschland 83 presents a realist exploration of Cold War politics rooted in German history and the political climate of 2015, while Stranger Things offers a nostalgic, stylised vision of 1980s America that addresses modern cultural concerns such as childhood trauma and institutional mistrust. This initial contrast demonstrates that representations in LFTVDs are always shaped by cultural and political contexts, but the specific nature of this shaping depends on whether a drama uses its historical setting to interrogate political reality or to construct a nostalgic myth of the past in response to contemporary cultural concerns.

Economic context plays a significant role in shaping representation. Deutschland 83 was produced for a German and international audience by public broadcaster RTL and SundanceTV, reflecting economic factors such as funding models prioritising historical prestige and cultural capital. According Hesmondhalgh’s theory of cultural industries, economic pressures influence producers to balance creative ambition with audience appeal. The high production values and realistic depiction of Cold War Germany show an investment in authenticity that appeals to a niche, historically engaged audience. Stranger Things, produced by Netflix with a large budget and global distribution platform, is designed for mass appeal. Its economic context encourages the use of popular genre conventions and nostalgia to attract wide, international audiences and generate subscriber growth. Therefore, economic context directly influences how representation is constructed, favouring either political complexity and cultural specificity, as in Deutschland 83, or broad emotional resonance and mythologised culture, as in Stranger Things. This reinforces the argument that the shaping of representations depends on whether the historical setting is used to interrogate political reality or to construct nostalgic myths in response to contemporary cultural concerns.

The political context strongly influences representations of institutions and power. Deutschland 83 reflects contemporary German politics by presenting Cold War surveillance and espionage with nuance, showing Martin Rauch’s ethical conflicts amid ideological division. This aligns with Stuart Hall’s theory about representation, where meaning is constructed within ideological frameworks. Conversely, Stranger Things channels post-9/11 American anxieties about government secrecy through Hawkins Lab’s shadowy experiments, shaping its narrative around mistrust of authority. Both dramas demonstrate how political contexts shape representation, but Deutschland 83 interrogates historical political realities, while Stranger Things mythologises political paranoia to speak to modern concerns. This contrast further supports the argument that cultural and political contexts influence representation differently depending on the drama’s use of historical context.

Cultural context also profoundly influences the representation of identity, place, and community. Stranger Things deliberately draws on 1980s American pop culture and genre conventions to create a hyperreal world, a point illuminated by Baudrillard’s theory of simulacra and hyperreality, which argues that media often produces a copy of reality that becomes “more real than real,” blurring the distinction between fact and fiction. The show’s meticulous recreation of 1980s aesthetics and tropes (such as references to Spielberg and Stephen King) does not aim for authentic historical accuracy but instead constructs a nostalgic myth that resonates with contemporary audiences’ desire for escapism and emotional connection. This hyperreal world serves as a cultural resource, in line with Gauntlett’s ideas, providing viewers with symbolic tools for identity. Conversely, Deutschland 83 grounds its cultural representation in realistic detail and historical specificity, inviting viewers to critically interrogate ideological conflict rather than escape into myth. These differing cultural representations clearly demonstrate that representations are shaped by cultural and political contexts in ways that reflect either a critical interrogation of political reality or a nostalgic construction of the past.

Character identity reveals further contextual shaping. In Deutschland 83, identity is fragmented and constrained by political ideology, reflecting Hall’s notion of identity as constructed within discourse. Martin’s and other characters’ struggles show the effects of state control and ideological pressure. Stranger Things presents identity through trauma, resistance, and emotional growth, with characters like Eleven embodying contemporary concerns about empowerment and trauma, reflecting Gauntlett’s theory of media providing identity “tools.” These contrasting approaches to identity illustrate how cultural and political contexts determine representation depending on whether a drama pursues historical realism or mythologisation, thus reinforcing the central argument.

Audience reception also mirrors these contextual influences. According to Hall’s Reception Theory, Deutschland 83 anticipates an engaged audience familiar with Cold War history, encouraging critical or negotiated readings. Stranger Things, designed for a broad global audience, promotes dominant emotional readings based on nostalgia and genre familiarity. Additionally, Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory helps explain how the long-running nature and style of Stranger Things can cultivate particular worldviews and emotional responses, shaping audience expectations of authority and community through repeated exposure to its nostalgic myth. This demonstrates how cultural and political contexts influence not only production but also how representation is positioned for consumption, highlighting once again that the shaping of representations depends on whether a drama uses history to interrogate political reality or to construct nostalgic myths responding to contemporary cultural concerns.

In conclusion, both Deutschland 83 and Stranger Things exemplify how cultural and political contexts fundamentally shape representation in long form television dramas. However, this shaping varies according to the drama’s approach to history: Deutschland 83 interrogates political realities of division and ideology through historical realism, while Stranger Things mythologises 1980s America to address modern cultural concerns. The economic context, political environment, cultural positioning, character construction, and audience reception all interact to produce these divergent modes of representation. Thus, representations in long form television dramas are always shaped by cultural and political contexts, but the way they are shaped depends on whether a drama uses its historical setting to interrogate political reality or to construct a nostalgic myth of the past in response to contemporary cultural concerns.

Tuesday, 27 May 2025

EVALUATION INDEX

MEDIA LANGUAGE

BARTHES

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE MEDIA LANGUAGE: BARTHES

TODOROV

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE MEDIA LANGUAGE: TODOROV

NEALE

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION MEDIA LANGUAGE: NEALE

LEVI-STRAUSS

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE MEDIA LANGUAGE: LEVI-STRAUSS

BAUDRILLARD

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE MEDIA LANGUAGE: BAUDRILLARD


REPRESENTATION

HALL

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE REPRESENTATION: HALL

GAUNTLETT

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE REPRESENTATION: GAUNTLETT

VAN ZOONEN

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION REPRESENTATION: VAN ZOONEN

BELL HOOKS

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION REPRESENTATION: BELL HOOKS

GILROY

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION REPRESENTATION: GILROY

BUTLER

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE REPRESENTATION: BUTLER


INDUSTRY

LIVINGSTONE AND LUNT

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION INDUSTRY: LIVINGSTONE AND LUNT

CURRAN AND SEATON

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION INDUSTRY: CURRAN AND SEATON

HESMONDHALGH

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION INDUSTRY: HESMONDHALGH


AUDIENCE

HALL

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATE AUDIENCE: HALL (RECEPTION THEORY)

BANDURA

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION AUDIENCE: BANDURA

GERBNER

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION AUDIENCE: GERBNER

JENKINS

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION AUDIENCE: JENKINS

SHIRKY

Chatham and Clarendon Media Studies Blog: EVALUATION AUDIENCE: SHIRKY



EVALUATION POWERPOINT

 NB: This PowerPoint is very useful, but it only covers Stranger Things. The best way to use it is to look at each section and see what it says about Stranger Things, then ask yourself what is the same/different about Deutschland 83. 



EVALUATION AUDIENCE: BANDURA

Bandura’s media effects theory argues that audiences may imitate behaviours seen in the media, particularly when such behaviours are rewarded or go unpunished. He also suggests that media can exert influence indirectly, through social networks. While rooted in experimental research, Bandura’s model remains useful when considering how LFTVDs represent power, identity and aggression in their opening episodes.

In Stranger Things Ep1, the representation of violence and power may carry influence. Scenes of school bullying are portrayed with no immediate consequence, potentially normalising aggressive peer behaviour. Eleven’s escape from the laboratory, accompanied by sudden violence, is shown from her perspective, potentially encouraging sympathy with her actions. In addition, the narrative centres on male authority figures (Hopper, Dr. Brenner, the school principal) while female characters, such as Joyce and Karen, are largely defined by maternal roles. This could reinforce patriarchal ideas about who holds power. However, the emotional vulnerability shown by male characters, such as Mike and Hopper, complicates traditional masculinity. Bandura’s model usefully draws attention to how these portrayals could influence audience beliefs and behaviours, particularly around violence and gender. Yet it struggles to account for the ways such behaviours are framed with nuance, critique, or irony.

In Deutschland 83, the risks of imitative behaviour are more political than physical. Martin’s coercion by H.V.A. and his forced relocation are framed as morally troubling. The authority figures in Ep1 manipulate him, sedate him, and lie to his family, behaviours the audience is clearly positioned to reject. As with Stranger Things, power lies with older men, and female characters are largely sidelined or sexualised, such as the West German general’s wife or Martin’s girlfriend. Arguably then, the show reflects a patriarchal structure. However, Lenora's character actively challenges this power structure, perhaps presenting a critique of the link between capitalism and patriarchy. Moreover, Martin’s discomfort and visible loss of autonomy encourage viewers to question, rather than imitate, the authority being depicted. As such, while Bandura’s theory is helpful in flagging potential influence, the framing of these behaviours as exploitative undermines the idea that audiences will directly adopt them.

Bandura’s theory is valuable in highlighting the potential risks of media influence and supports the case for regulation, especially when representing violence or inequality. However, its usefulness in analysing LFTV drama is limited by several factors. First, it assumes direct and measurable behavioural change, yet both Stranger Things and Deutschland 83 present behaviours, especially violence and coercion, within critical or emotionally complex contexts. Bandura does not account for audience interpretation, genre conventions, or irony. Nor does he consider media language: camera angles, editing, and music in both episodes strongly shape the viewer’s response to violence and authority. For example, the eerie lighting and ominous sound design in Stranger Things position Brenner as a villain, discouraging alignment. Furthermore, his model assumes a passive audience, but many viewers engage critically or socially, often discussing and challenging representations online. The model also fails to address how genre shapes audience expectations: Stranger Things uses horror and sci-fi tropes, while Deutschland 83 draws on the spy thriller, genres often associated with stylised or exaggerated content.

In conclusion, while Bandura’s theory provides a starting point for considering how LFTV dramas might influence audience attitudes or behaviour, it oversimplifies the complexity of media engagement. Its assumptions about passive audiences and unmediated influence make it less relevant in a media landscape defined by active interpretation, intertextuality, and complex representations. 

EVALUATION AUDIENCE: GERBNER

Gerbner’s cultivation theory suggests that repeated exposure to television shapes audience perceptions, reinforcing dominant ideologies and normalising particular worldviews. Though developed in a pre-digital era, it remains useful for exploring how long-form TV dramas communicate social values, particularly through recurring themes and character types established in their opening episodes.

In Stranger Things Episode One, the depiction of government secrecy, the supernatural threat, and the vulnerability of children fosters a fearful worldview. Will’s sudden disappearance, the ominous lab, and the aggressive military personnel suggest a world where children are unsafe and institutions are untrustworthy, elements that could support mean world syndrome. Similarly, the portrayal of Eleven as a frightened child pursued by violent agents reinforces the idea of systemic cruelty. Meanwhile, the focus on family unity, loyal friendships, and parental concern (especially Joyce’s panic and Hopper’s growing unease) affirms traditional social values, potentially contributing to mainstreaming. However, the show’s 1980s setting, nostalgic references, and genre-blending invite ironic or distanced readings. Gerbner’s model assumes homogenous messaging and passive audiences, which does not account for the show’s intertextuality and complexity.

In Deutschland 83 Episode One, fear and mistrust also dominate. The East German government manipulates Martin into espionage, isolating him from family and identity. The show presents both East and West as ideologically compromised: the H.V.A. are coercive (even drugging and kidnapping Martin), but the West is shown indulging in materialism and naïveté. The recurrence of surveillance, control, and deception, especially in scenes like Martin’s initiation or the training montage, may encourage long-term scepticism toward state power. The danger is more political than supernatural, but the underlying message is similar: the world is unstable, and authority is suspect. This repeated framing could influence audiences’ long-term attitudes, aligning with Gerbner’s concept of mainstreaming around distrust and geopolitical anxiety. 

Gerbner’s theory is helpful in showing how LFTV dramas like these introduce recurring anxieties, government secrecy, personal vulnerability, ideological conflict, that may shape viewers’ worldviews over time. Both shows use repetition of visual cues (e.g., dim lighting, enclosed spaces, reaction shots) and thematic motifs to normalise fear, threat, and institutional failure. However, Gerbner assumes uninterrupted, long-term viewing of consistent messages. Today’s fragmented, personalised media environment makes such uniform influence less likely. His theory also overlooks how representation and media language, such as the stylised editing in Stranger Things or the use of irony in Deutschland 83, shape how meanings are constructed. Moreover, audiences now engage critically and actively with media texts, resisting or reinterpreting the ideologies presented. This limits the applicability of cultivation theory in contexts where viewer agency is significant. 

In conclusion, while Gerbner’s theory offers insight into how LFTV dramas may reinforce certain fears and values, it underestimates the interpretive complexity of contemporary texts and the active role of modern audiences. Yet its assumptions about audience passivity and mass exposure limit its relevance to the complex, fragmented, and interpretive media landscape of contemporary television.

Monday, 26 May 2025

EVALUATION AUDIENCE: SHIRKY

Shirky’s theory of audience engagement in the digital age explores how technological developments have transformed the role of media audiences from passive consumers to active participants and producers. Concepts like prosumers, cognitive surplus, and the breakdown of the traditional ‘filter then publish’ model offer useful tools for analysing how audiences interact with long-form television drama (LFTVD). Shirky helps explain the new dynamics of digital participation.

Stranger Things illustrates many of Shirky’s ideas. The vast fan community surrounding the show produces memes, art, fan fiction, and YouTube content, reflecting the rise of prosumers, audience members who also create media. Shirky’s idea of cognitive surplus is clearly demonstrated in the collaborative construction of the Stranger Things fan wiki, where users voluntarily compile detailed lore, character information, and analysis. These examples show how Shirky’s framework helps us understand how audiences use their time and expertise to build participatory cultures around LFTVDs. The distribution model of Netflix also partially supports Shirky’s theory. Unlike traditional television broadcasters, Netflix’s streaming platform allows users to engage on demand, binge-watch, and interact with content across social media. This can be seen as a departure from older, top-down broadcast models, aligning with Shirky’s view of the shift in power dynamics between producers and audiences. However, Netflix still operates a gatekeeping role, commissioning and distributing content through a filter then publish model, which limits the extent to which audience participation shapes official production. This tension reveals the complexity of Shirky’s theory in practice.

Deutschland 83, while not surrounded by the same scale of participatory culture as Stranger Things, also provides evidence of changing audience engagement. International audiences, particularly those outside Germany, used fan forums, blog posts, and social media to discuss Cold War history, character development, and political themes. Some users created supplementary materials such as translated transcripts or cultural explainers, which demonstrates a different kind of cognitive surplus: one grounded in knowledge-sharing and context building. While not as meme-driven, the engagement around Deutschland 83 shows how LFTVDs can prompt active audience participation in more academic or educational forms. Shirky’s theory is helpful in recognising that digital platforms allow for this kind of varied and self-directed media interaction.

However, Shirky’s theory has limitations. While it provides a strong model for understanding participatory engagement, it underestimates the role of institutional control—platforms like Netflix still manage which content is made available, how it is promoted, and how it is monetised. Shirky also pays little attention to how meaning is constructed through media language and representation. For instance, he does not explain how certain narratives, aesthetics, or character portrayals in LFTVDs encourage or limit participation. Nor does he consider whose voices are most empowered in participatory culture, or how gender, race, and identity shape who participates and how. These omissions weaken his theory’s usefulness when analysing the deeper cultural impact of LFTVDs.

In conclusion, Shirky’s theory offers valuable insight into how new media technologies have empowered audiences to become more active, creative, and collaborative in their relationship with LFTVDs. Stranger Things and Deutschland 83 both show how digital audiences contribute to and extend the life of television texts through fan-driven content. However, Shirky’s focus on technological empowerment must be balanced with attention to institutional power, cultural representation, and the structured nature of media texts. Only then can we fully understand how audiences engage with modern television.

EVALUATION AUDIENCE: JENKINS

Jenkins’ theory of participatory culture explores how digital technologies have transformed audiences into active participants who shape and circulate media. Concepts like textual poaching, convergence culture, and spreadable media are especially relevant to the analysis of long-form television drama (LFTVD), where fan engagement plays a crucial role in a show's cultural and commercial success. 

Stranger Things is a clear example of Jenkins’ participatory audience. Fans create memes, artwork, and fan fiction, showing how viewers rework elements of the show for their own creative purposes. The “Justice for Barb” campaign is a key example of convergence culture, where audience responses influenced the show's narrative direction in season two. Jenkins’ ideas help explain how fan voices can shape production decisions and deepen audience investment, especially when creators are responsive. This shows how participatory culture can strengthen audience loyalty and extend a show's lifespan, making Jenkins particularly useful for analysing this kind of engagement. Jenkins' theory also explains Stranger Things’ success as spreadable media. The series’ nostalgic visual style, 1980s references, and emotionally resonant characters lend themselves to adaptation and sharing across social media platforms. Fan edits, reaction videos, and themed content circulate widely, reinforcing the show's cultural presence. Cast members have used social media to comment on fan theories, illustrating two-way interaction between producers and audiences. These interactions show how Jenkins’ ideas illuminate the blurred boundaries between production and reception in contemporary television.

Deutschland 83, while less globally viral, also demonstrates participatory elements. It inspired blogs, discussion forums, and fan-made contextual guide, especially in international markets where Cold War history needed explanation. Fans have even contributed to unofficial subtitling and historical annotation, showing a more niche but meaningful form of convergence culture. Although its spreadability is more limited, Jenkins’ theory still helps explain how audiences can help circulate and support global television texts beyond their initial release or domestic broadcast. However, the more intellectual or specialist nature of participation here shows that not all content invites the same kind or scale of engagement.

Despite its strengths, Jenkins’ theory has important limitations. It places less emphasis on institutional structures such as ownership, funding, or regulation, which are often central to the production and distribution of LFTVDs. More significantly, it overlooks how meaning is constructed through media language and how representation shapes audience response. For instance, Jenkins does not account for how characters, ideologies, or visual codes influence participation, nor how issues of gender, race, and sexuality affect who participates and how. His theory assumes that all audiences have equal access and motivation to engage, which risks overlooking the cultural, ideological, or structural barriers to participation. These gaps limit the usefulness of Jenkins’ model for a complete analysis of how LFTVDs construct meaning and position their audiences.

In conclusion, Jenkins’ theory is highly valuable for understanding how audiences interact with LFTVDs like Stranger Things and Deutschland 83, especially in terms of online creativity and media circulation. However, his focus on audience activity overlooks crucial aspects such as representation, media language, and unequal access. For a full analysis of LFTVDs, Jenkins’ insights into participatory culture must be balanced with approaches that consider how meaning is constructed and whose voices are truly being heard.