Deutschland 83: case study blog tasks
Read the following reviews and features on Deutschland 83:
The Guardian - Your next box set: Deutschland 83
The Guardian - Deutschland 83 Pity the Germans don't like it
1) Find one positive aspect and one criticism of Deutschland 83 in reviews.
-"a serious thriller driven by jeopardy and wry humour'
-"everyday nature of evil was cleverly captured in Deutschland 83"
2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?
3) 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?
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?
He states that many things he learned about the cold war was through education at school. Furthermore, he states that he's proud of nation.
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!)
As a result of the interview being conducted and presented in German, it gives the audience a view of the interview being much more authentic and genuine rather than it being scripted in English and being read off paper. This also vividly shows that their target audience isn't only British people, but German nationalists as well.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
It would tell viewers the contrast or similarity of the political situation which could vividly interest the viewers and potentially as it could give them a sense of escapism from the UK's current politics.
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) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?
Audiences should most definitely watch Deutschland 83 due to the fact that it appeals to both younger and older generation which means the narrative is easily accessible. Also, it offers insight into the cold war, but with the producers twist therefore making it easier for the audience to connect with the story line.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
History is an important aspect of the appeal of the show as it gives an representation what it was like when Germany was divided, through the modern day, which allows audience to access without it being to hard.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
The technical aspects highlighted in the video are cinematography ,costuming and production design. These are the main focus for the show to make it look as realistic and more engaging to the audience as possible.
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?
The set design, costume and props are important for Deutschland 83 to create a sense of realism to Deutschland 83.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
The props and costume were historically accurate to the setting because it was easy to replicate most of the costume and props to make it as realistic as possible.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
A key audience pleasure was show through the aspects of: Props, Costumes and music as it creates a sense of realism. The props and costumes are set to be realistic, which allows the audience to be engaged with Deutschland 83 also creates a sense of nostalgia for the audience with the use of old-fashioned costumes and props.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
A key audience pleasure was show through the aspects of: Props, Costumes and music as it creates a sense of realism. The props and costumes are set to be realistic, which allows the audience to be engaged with Deutschland 83 also creates a sense of nostalgia for the audience with the use of old-fashioned costumes and props.
Textual analysis: Audience pleasures and representations
We need to consider the audience pleasures of Deutschland 83 alongside various representations created in the first episode.
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
-Non-Diegetic sound (western music)
-Reminiscent of the time period
-shot-reverse shot
-Camera is focussed on Martin (protagonist) - Medium close-up
-Continuous
- Representation of East & West Germany / Family / Gender
-West Germany is demonised
-Old fashioned restricted
-Coffee is a rarity
-Women are represented in an old-fashioned way (stay in the kitchen)
-Man usually go off to war
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
-Costume- more western
-Close-up of Martins facial expression
-Follows Martin
- Audio codes – particularly music
-Non-diegetic sound- builds tension
-Non-diegetic sound - western music in the 80's
- Representation of East & West Germany / Communism & Capitalism / Historical accuracy
-Communist values- loyalty to the state is more important
-West is presented as complacent
- Audience pleasures
-Personal identification
-Chase sequence- narrative moment- spy drama
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
- Audio codes
-Non-diegetic music-fast paced
-voiceover
- Audience pleasures
-Language difference between the east +the west.
-Cold blooded nature of regime assassination sequence
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
-Camera follows Martin
-Mid angle shots
-Martins still in uniform- everyone else was in party clothes
-Close-up of their hands when exchanging something.
-360' panning shot- rising tension
- Audio codes – diegetic and non-diegetic sound
-Men are mostly soldiers
-Black general
-West is aggressive
- Audience pleasures
-Personal identification
You will do the majority of this textual analysis work in class - this section of your case study simply requires typing up your notes in an easy and memorable way (bullet points are fine).
Production and industry contexts
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by Fremantle International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around teh world.
1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced?
UFA Fiction is a production company. They have produced shows such as "Generation War" and "The Tower"
2) What kind of company is Freemantle and what do they produce?
Freenmantle Media International is a company that creates, produces and distributes shows.
3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?
Deutschland 83 was created and produced and distributed for international audiences just like any other international series is.
Walter Presents
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Channel 4 introduces Walter as a man who only watches the best series.
2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
Channel 4 are trying to appeal to audiences who like watching dramas that are "thrilling", "provokative", "funny" and "explosive".
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
More and more genres are being accepted into society. Walter Presents the changing nature of television in the digital age because it suggests that you can 'binge' dramas.
Marketing and promotion
Trailer
1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
Press pack
Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here).
1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
Marketing and promotion
Trailer
1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
Press pack
Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here).
1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
Historical context: West Germany and East Germany were divided by the Berlin wall. West- NATO. East- Soviet Union. Deutschland 83 is about a young man from East Germany who is sent undercover in the West German army as a spy for the Stasi in 1983, at the time of the Pershing II nuclear missiles installation. It’s a spy adventure and a coming of age story in one.
2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Press release
Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).
1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?
2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
The soundtrack included songs from the top 100 tracks in 1983. This gives a certain audience (an audience who lived during 1983 and was old enough to remember the songs) a sense of nostalgia.
Press release
Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).
1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?
-It launched with 1.49 million viewers
-The first episode consolidated 2.5 million viewers
2) How does the press release describe the drama?
It’s only January but let’s call it already: coolest show of the year.”
2) How does the press release describe the drama?
It’s only January but let’s call it already: coolest show of the year.”
Grazia- “This is the next subtitled sensation……..unmissable TV.”
TV Times- “This pacy saga could be your new subtitled obsession.”
The Guardian-“A stylish curtain-raiser for Walter Presents.”
The Times- “Great fun, and powered by an irrestible 1983 vintage soundtrack.”
The Daily Telegraph- “Evocative and gripping.”
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?
A sub-genre of Deutschland 83 is 'coming-of-age'. The main character at the front (Martin) is listening to music on a Sony Walkman and he has a smile on his face, something teenagers do when they first get their hands on headphones/airpods.
2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The American branding uses very vivid blue and pink colours. However, the main character in the middle is black and white. The font is huge. This vivid colours are very appealing/eye-catching and the fact that the main character is in black and white could suggest a historical drama, where things were in black and white or they JUST started to use colour.
3) Why might the distributors Freemantle International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
3) Why might the distributors Freemantle International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
Different countries have different interests. For example. the USA audience have an interest in European war and therefore, they decided to put a solider on the main cover.
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