Long Form TV Drama- House of Cards

Media language: how the media through their forms, codes, conventions and techniques communicate meanings 

Media representations: how the media portray events, issues, individuals and social groups 

Media industries: how the media industries’ processes of production, distribution and circulation affect media forms and platforms 

Media audiences: how media forms target, reach and address audiences, how audiences interpret and respond to them and how members of audiences become producers themselves.

Definitions:

Drama:  What is TV drama? TV drama is a broad genre. At its simplest, it is fictionalized action in narrative form.

Long form TV drama: Long Form Drama is a term coined to describe the recent shift of interest towards television series of high quality that many consider to have replaced the cinema as a locus of serious adult entertainment. Unfolding over multiple episodes, hours, and even years, these TV shows are seen to provide a content, often dark and difficult, and an innovative style that strain against the conventions of cinema as well as network television. 

Media convention:  A code is a system of signs which can be decoded to create meaning. In media texts, we look at a range of different signs that can be loosely grouped into the following: technical codes - all to do with the way a text is technically constructed - camera angles, framing, typography

A code is a system of signs which can be decoded to create meaning.

In media texts, we look at a range of different signs that can be loosely grouped into the following:

•technical codes – all to do with the way a text is technically constructed – camera angles, framing, typography etc

•verbal codes – everything to do with language -either written or spoken

•symbolic codes – codes that can be decoded on a mainly connotational level

Genre: A genre is basically the category of any type of art or literature, for example categories of movie would be comedy, horror, thriller etc. 

Genre Hybridity: Some media texts are hybrid genres, which means they share the conventions of more than one genre. For example Dr. Who is a sci-fi action-adventure drama and Strictly Come Dancing is a talent, reality and entertainment show.

Synopsis: A brief summary of the major points of a written work

Barthes' Narrative Codes 

These codes can be applied when referring to the narrative of a show or film.

A narrative can also be described as open or closed, with an open narrative being unravelled in several ways to keep the narrative exciting or closed where there is only one obvious storyline.

The 5 codes are hermeneutic/enigma code, proairetic/action code, semantic code, symbol code & referential 

The Hermeneutic Code (Enigma) refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The purpose of the author in this is typically to keep the audience guessing, arresting the enigma, until the final scenes when all is revealed and all loose ends are tied off and closure is achieved.

The Proairetic Code also builds tension, referring to any other action or event that indicates something else is going to happen, and which hence gets the reader guessing as to what will happen next. Action code - applies to any action that implies a further narrative action. For example, a gunslinger draws his gun on an adversary and we wonder what the resolution of this action will be. 

The Hermeneutic and Proairetic Codes work as a pair to develop the story's tensions and keep the reader interested. Barthes described them as:

"...dependent on ... two sequential codes: the revelation of truth and the coordination of the actions represented….."

The Semantic Code 

This code refers to connotation within the story that gives additional meaning over the basic denotative meaning of the word. 

The semantic code - any element in a text that suggests a particular, often additional meaning by way of connotation.

House of Cards episode 1

         

Minecraft

Media industry: How the media industries’ processes of production, distribution and circulation affect media forms and platforms.

 

Media audience: How media forms target, reach and address audiences, how audiences interpret and respond to them and how members of audiences become producers themselves.


Digitally convergant media: Video games consoles are an excellent example of a digitally convergent device, you can not only play games but access social media, surf the internet, stream films and TV content and upload content into cloud based servers. Cross-media content helps maximise profits and also improve reach to new customers.

Production: This refers to all phases of designing, developing and making the media product;.

Distribution: This refers to all processes linked to delivering the media product to audiences both through tangible (disc) and digital (Cloud based) media.

Consumption: Explores the way in which the media text is used by audiences for pleasure but also explores the rise of user generated content across several platforms.

Marketing and Distribution

 

 "Don't mine at night" is a mineecraft song parody created by the YOGSCAST who were very popular minecraft youtubers, it gained 138 million views in its 7 years, the video makes the game look fun to promote it to young children, and also people who enjoy the original song 'Last Friday Night' by Katy Perry.

Minecraft is the second most successful video game of all time behind Tetris.

It was created and designed by Markus Persson (Notch), a game programmer, who also developed and published the game through his company Mojang. A full version of the game went on release in November 2011.

To date, well over 121 million copies have been sold across all platforms, including over 27 million PC copies, making it the biggest selling PC game of all time.

The success of the games market.

The UK’s   US$4 billion;

China,   US$24.4 billion

America’s   US$23.6 billion.

A recent report by the UKIE1 suggests that the global games market is now worth in excess of US$100 billion.    

In comparison to traditional media like film, radio, print and television, video games are much younger, exponentially growing since the 1970s

Minecraft’s Swedish creator, Markus “Notch” Persson started creating the game in May of 2009 having been inspired by similar games such as Dwarf Fortress, a single- player construction and management game; his goal was to produce a Role Playing Game variation.

Minecraft’s initial reception wasn’t commercially viable, seen more as a niche product for players with expert knowledge of computers and programming.

•Without the commercial backing of a mainstream publisher, and no money spent on advertising revenue, the game relied on word of mouth between gamers and featured on sites such as the Penny Arcade web comic to generate interest amongst gamers.

by January 2011, the beta-version of the game had passed over one million purchases in just only a month, and
by April 2011 Persson estimated that US$33 million of revenue had been made

In November 2011, prior to the game’s official release:
Minecraft had over 16 million registered users and 4 million purchases.


Due to its popularity, Minecraft was released across multiple platforms, becoming a commercially viable franchise with increased interactivity.
In particular, Minecraft: Pocket Edition was released on Sony Xperia Play, available on Sony Xperia smartphones.
Minecraft also become available on Android and iOS devices shortly after.


It was this ability to strike a franchise deal with an existing technology company, in this case Sony, to distribute the game that was a key feature of its success.


This commercial deal helped secure Minecraft ’s place in the video game market. Its significance was twofold: It was released on multiple platforms and increased audience interactivity and it was packaged as a game brand for a wider global audience and not just for gamers.


Synergy- interaction or co-operation of two or more organisations to produce a combined effect greater than the single entities (e.g. minecraft and lego)


Minecraft Education is an effective way of teaching things to young children as a using a fun and interactive method to teach them, for example they offer a lesson about extinct animals with interesting buildings and a rollercoaster to keep users entertained while they learn.

with physical copies from June 2016 and most recently for Nintendo Switch (May 2017) and Nintendo 3DS (download
only from September 2017). The Minecraft:
Story Mode -

Minecraft has evolved from just a sandbox game to have narrative versions on Story Mode where characters are introduced that someone can gain emotional attatchment to and thereofore find a new love for the game. It costs £29 for a season pass of the storymode through X Box.


Action (call of duty), arcade (pacman) , adventure (minecraft), fighting (street fighter), racing (Dirt 3), first person shooter (CS:GO), thrid person shooter (GTAV), MMORPG


Minecraft youtubers: Pewdiepie (103 million subscribers), YOGSCAST (7.21 million subscribers), Sky Does Everything (previously Sky Does Minecraft, 11.4 million subscribers)


Beta version was released in 2011, official version of the game released in 2013/14 after help of gamers who played the beta version. They also created mods and resource packs to make the game even better.


The introduction of the Minecraft Realms service in 2013 was an attempt to give the producers more control over the distribution and circulation of the game. Realms are servers that are created specifically for players and are intended to keep players’ Minecraft world online, accessible and safe to allow them to create, survive or compete. This invokes a sense of belonging, community and play amongst its users.


Minecraft has also exploited the use of YouTube as a broadcast platform to promote its products, introducing game trailers and encouraging a video community willing to share its craft online. This prosumer community has aided online discussion of the game and improved viewers’ abilities to play, create and share in it. Minecraft gamer celebrities have also emerged via YouTube, which in itself has attracted attention to the way the game is played and popularised it with online young, video-savvy media audiences. For example, reviews of games by popular YouTube vloggers such as PewDiePie are important for the future production of games as their feedback influences producers’ thinking for future releases. This is exemplified in the game’s survival mode, in tips on how to find food or how to stop the threat of creepers (exploding zombie-like creatures).


Minecraft Wiki is a free-to-use website referenced by Minecraft users to find out how to craft an item or realm in Minecraft . Users ask for help in the online forum; This networked community of users exchanges ideas, finds free game resources and asks questions in relation to problemsolving and creativity. Minecraft reddit is a forum widely used and lists websites for add-ons and game features.

•2010 Minecraft was developed as a multiplayer game using JAVA code.

•Gamers were able to contribute to the development of the program eliminating bugs and facilitating multiplayer capability

•In September of 2013, Microsoft bought all rights to Minecraft from Mojang for $2.5 billion dollars.

–in November 2014 of that year, plans to work on a virtual reality version of Minecraft in Partnership with Oculus

Mincraft film set to be released on March 4th 2022

      Curran and Seaton. 1. - The idea that the media is controlled by a small number of companies primarily driven by the logic of profit and power. ...

-   The idea that more socially diverse patterns of ownership help to create the conditions for more varied and adventurous media productions.

Is it inevitable that independent media producers, such as Mojang, will be bought out by conglomerates like Microsoft? It does seem that in the history of the media there is a recognised pattern of diversification of interests by leading commercial companies in the takeover of independent producers – a pattern that has been long established in, for example, Film making.

If enough money is offered to small, indpendent companies such as Mojang was, they end up with no choice but to take the money so that they can afford to take care of their families for life. However, they may be certain companies that will reject the money if they believe they can make the same amount of money on their own.

Once the Better Together Update hits in the summer, the game’s editions on Windows 10, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, mobile, and VR will simply be called ‘Minecraft’. They will share DLC – and players – in fulfilment of a plan the publishers have been working towards since they bought out Notch in 2014.

These 5 different platforms will all have access to the same original Minecraft game with the 'better togther' update. PlayStation is not included in this due to Sony not agreeing to be part of the change. This allows for cross platform playing, Sony are concered that small children will be in danger due to the people who can play.

Radio 1 Breakfast Show

CAGEDS- class, age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality


Radio 1's target audince is: C-ABC1 A-15-29 year olds G- slightly more female than male
E- 90% of listeners are white D- inclusive S- inclusive


Radio 1 Xtra is a BAME, Asian Sound Radio is for Asian minorities


PBS- public broadcasting service


A colour licence costs £154.50
A black and white licence costs £52
90% of Tv license fee goes towards BBC
A yearly sky subscription is £600


Technologies radio: Websites, apps, streaming digitally, DAB- digital audio broadcasting, video


In the United Kingdom, the term "public service broadcasting" refers to broadcasting intended for public benefit rather than to serve purely commercial interests.

All of the BBC's television and radio stations have a public service remit, including those that broadcast digitally.

The BBC, whose broadcasting in the Uk is funded by a licence fee and does not sell advertising time, is most notable for being the first public service broadcaster in the UK

BBC trust

“The remit of Radio 1 is to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech.

Its target audience is 15-29 year olds and it should also provide some programming for younger teenagers.

It should offer a range of new music, support emerging artists - especially those from the UK - and provide a platform for live music. News, documentaries and advice campaigns should cover areas of relevance to young adults.

Emerging artists include Yungblud and beeabadoobee

How to get on BBC Radio

It all starts with undiscovered artists registering with our uploader. They fill out a few bits of information like their artist name and postcode, and then they can upload their tracks. It's as simple as that.
Those uploaded tracks get sent to the BBC's local radio shows where they get listened to by our team of local presenters and producers. If they like them the tracks could get broadcast on those local stations and even propelled onto the national stage through BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, Radio 3, Asian Network and World Service.

Advice section on BBC 1 Radio- The Surgury with Katie and Dr Rhada

1 To show the most creative, highest quality and distinctive output and services. Radio 1’s daytime programmes offer a mix of music, information and entertainment and use an extensive playlist to introduce unfamiliar and innovative songs alongside more established tracks, for example the promotion of Live Lounge as a music feature.

 2 To provide impartial news and information to help people understand and engage with the world around them. Speech programmes, including documentaries and social action campaigns, form an integral part of the schedule. This includes broadcast news during its daytime output that is accurate, impartial and independent. For example, The Radio 1 Breakfast Show provides (via Newsbeat) news that is aimed at its target audience.

 3 To support learning for people of all ages. BBC Radio 1 contributes significantly to this purpose for its audience, primarily through its social action output, its regular advice programme, its documentaries and its vocational initiatives, for example the BBC Academy.

 4 To reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all of the United Kingdom’s nations and regions and, in doing so, support the creative economy across the United Kingdom. BBC Radio 1 fulfils this purpose for its audience through its extensive live events schedule. This connects the station directly with its listeners and reflects the diverse range of music enjoyed around the UK, for example the BBC Big Weekend event. Interactive forums allow listeners to share experiences and discuss areas of common interest, including music.

 5 To reflect the United Kingdom, its culture and values to the world. Radio 1 plays its part in this purpose primarily by offering UK audiences access to the best global musical talent and coverage of significant international music events.

By switching from previous Radio 1 host Nick Grimshaw to Greg James, the station became more relatable and gained 240,000 listeners accordingly.





BBC 1xtra is hosted by Yasmin Evans who is a woman of colour, the genres played on this station include RNB and rap, with examples including aitch and drake.

Marketing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrhWFlnq8UA

This is a link for a youtube clip of an interview with Jim Carrey to promote the new Sonic the Hedgehog film, which they have done to gain publicity due to the high popularity of the new film asa result of its inital backlash due to poor character design. The films release was delayed so that the producers could change sonic to look how people would like and therefore an interview regarding the film would gain attention due to its popularity in the meme community.

The news is targeted towards 15-29 year olds by staying short and straight to the point, its duration only being 5 minutes per half an hour so that younger listeners won't get bored and switch to another station, with their primary intent when listening to BBC Radio 1 being to listen to music.

Commercial Broadcasting

Capital and Heart are owned by parent company Global, and are sister stations to Smooth FM and Classic FM. For their funding, all are subject to selling airspace to advertise companies, products and services on the high street or in the local area. As a result, the output of these stations is highly commercial, with chart and popular music dominating the schedules.


Capital shares lots of celebrity gossip which attract the target young audience, they also have stories about the film industry and popular artists. They have 1.8 million weekly listeners and roughly 12 million listeners overall. They endorse Netflix, promoting the new Stranger Things 4's teaser trailer, the music playlist follows Tik Tok trends so that younger audiences will listen.

Competitons sponsored by various companys, not available at BBC Radio due to their lack of ads, they are also primarily focused on entertaining young listeners.

Capital play more American artists whereas BBC focus on promoting UK artists more

Despite this decline in listeners, The BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show consistently attracts young audiences with its programme style and content. It has had to cope with the transformation of radio in the online age. The scale and scope of available music-streaming services and independent digital radio, along with a shift in audience use and gratification of the media, are contributing factors. Radio 1 is ‘suffering’ because its core audience is turning away from traditional listening. This is largely thanks to the arrival of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

Explain how economic contexts influence radio production. Refer to The BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show to support your points.

Intro-what is the BBC? A public broadcasting service, they get money from their TV license which costs £154 a year

£34 million spent on BBC yearly

Money spent on radio show hosts, celebrity guests, production crew, YouTube

Production content- inform (News Beat), educate (emerging artists, yungblud), entertain (Greg James Breakfast Show/competitions)

Commercial-Capital are part of 'Global' who also own Heart and Classic FM, ad revenue allows for them to host competitions sponsered by various companies and products (win a holiday or shopping spree). Main focus of commercial radio is to entertain, they discuss celebrity gossip such as the recent news of Katy Perry's pregnancy.

The BBC is a well-known public broadcasting service used all over the UK, and to legally watch and record programs played on it, you have to own a TV license. The number of households that own a TV license has largely decreased over recent years due to a rise in online streaming platforms which do not need a license and show some BBC shows on them, causing more people to make a switch and as a result, the price of a TV license has slightly increased from £150 to £154, making up for the lost profit from people who do not use a license anymore. £34 million of the billions that TV licenses make goes towards the BBC per year, which goes towards things such as radio show hosts, celebrity guests, a production crew and YouTube editors. The BBC as a whole aim to educate their users through the emerging artist section of their radio show such as YungBlud, they also wish to entertain listeners of their radio show which is why they made the shift from Nick Grimshaw to Greg James for the breakfast show, with listeners believing that James' use of fun competitions made him more enjoyable. Another focus of BBC Radio is to inform their listeners which is evident through their Newsbeat segment, which is kept factual but it also cuts to the chase in order to keep the target younger audience interested in the radio channel as well as keeping them updated with possible global stories they may not hear elsewhere. Despite the BBC's attempts to keep a young audience, statistics show that most young 15-29 year olds would much rather listen to a more commercial radio station that includes more celebrity gossip rather than important news. A good example of this would-be Capital which are part of 'Global' who also own Heart and Classic FM, who's ad revenue goes more towards big competitions that gain lots of attention and are also hosted by popular brands and have celebrity endorsement (win a Billie Eilish signed phone case). Capitals website shows several promotions throughout it, with a teaser trailer for the Netflix original series 'Stranger Things' being one of the first things you to see demonstrate that Capital support them and are most likely doing so to attract a younger audience; this is also done with their playlist heavily including songs made famous by the social media platform Tik Tok, which would definitely get the attention of the target audience. The same cannot be said for the BBC, who focus more on diversity (BBC 1 Xtra) than trying to follow trends, instead they like to set their own trends through game shows created by the BBC such as innuendo bingo. Beeabadoobee is another emerging artist that became popular from BBC's emerging artist segment, and she has since released a song which has also become Tik Tok viral, linking BBC to Capital as they may both play the same artist but for different reasons, Capital knowing her from her popular work and BBC knowing her since the beginning of her career, suggesting that BBC care more about their artists whereas commerical radio stations are more focused on popularity.