Capital [2015]

Reviews and Features

What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?

•  The reviews suggest that Capital creates a realistic and familiar depiction of London streets, the acting that makes the 'production sing' with not a bad performance amongst the ensemble as well as a 'gripping' storyline.

What criticisms are made?

•  The postcard subplot doesn't go anywhere, there's a problematic subtext to the representation of the character Usman and also a lacklustre finale in comparison to the pilot. It also suggests the book left much to be desired with an under developed plot played out by under developed characters.

How does the TV drama change the time and location from the original novel?

•  The TV Drama is set in Balham, 2015 compared to Clapham, 2012.

What does the writer say about the London Housing Market (Telegraph)

•  The writer suggests that the London Housing market hasn't changed substantially from the times of 2012 and that this drama was still, disappointing to the London audience, relevant to our demographic.

What references can you find from these reviews that Capital is a 'state of the nation' drama? How does it capture Modern day London?

•  Capital has a realistic approach to modern day London and accurately captures the lives within a street in the capital. It's focus on social and economical issues that are still prevalent within our society, even in 2019, suggesting that Capital is a state of the nation drama.

Textual Analysis of the Trailer

How does the drama use camera work to capture London life?

•  The aerial shots of famous London landmarks and overhead shots of the road, capture the community and aesthetic value of London. There is also a shot of the characters with a Red postbox in the background - a symbol of London on a global scale.

What does the camera work during character introduction suggest about the drama and it's London setting? Choose 2 specific shots.

•  The shot with the Kamal brothers outside their shop suggests that there will be a confliction, the focus of these two characters rather than the entire family and the solemn facial expressions at an eye level shot suggests that they will play a significant role in the drama. The high angle shot focusing on Petunia also suggests she will be vulnerable in this series and is at risk of a circumstances - a central character within this drama. Her house being taken photos of also suggests that this drama and it's events will prove detrimental to her.

How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?

• The trailer uses the laptop of the mum on skype to show the community of the Kamal family and also acts as a time marker for the series. The Younts also provide a perspective on family from a less communal point, with their relationship coming from money and having a hostile atmosphere shown through the dialogue and actions of them within the scenes shown. 

What does the soundtrack choice communicate to the audience and why is it effective?

• The soundtrack choice communicates the family aspect of the drama, the upbeat track and subtle melody playing in the background avoids the high pressure and tension of the play whilst having an ominous undertone as the only audible lyrics are 'These streets are yours you can keep them' which could be interpreted as either suggesting that the tenants of Pepys road are safe from the threats, or a lack of hope and determinition within the tenants as they're faced with the economic issues and threats from the people sending the postcards.

How does the trailer introduce narrative strands or enigma within the 40 second running time?

•  Through voiceovers and fast editing. The use of a montage introduces the climax's of many of the storylines such as Quentina in the cell, Roger/Arabella's argument and an eerie sense of loneliness surrounding Petunia within her home.

Episode 1 Preview

What does this preview suggest about possible sub-genres for Capital?

•  Crime, Race Issues, Family

What elements suggest this is a 'state of the nation' drama?

•  The mention of Islamophobia suggests this is a 'state of the nation' drama since xenophobia and Islamophobia is extremely prevalent within the current social climate, considering recent politics and the 9/11, 7/7 attacks, that have left discrimination and xenophobia within the societies that were effected. 

How does the mise-en-scene provide realism and familiarity for audiences?

•  The setting of a local shop would provide familiarity for audiences as many communities have a convenience store, in which they will find some recognition within the layout and family tone of the store. The costume also offers some realism, as they're not wearing designer clothing or high quality clothing rather than off-brand minimalist attire, common for the characters and age groups they're representing. 

What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?

•  There's a humorous tone to this scene, the police officer providing the diversity policy after being accused of only caring when the white person complained. Although, a serious comment on equality within communities this could be humorous to minority audiences.

How are audiences influenced to view characters within this scene?

• The audiences are influenced to view the Kamals in a positive light. They're well integrated within British society, and their actions are a clear reflection of family and lighthearted british banter, which has an aspect of personal identity to the narrative. 

Episode 2 Preview

How does this clip represent upper middle-class families?

• This clip suggests that upper middle-class families have a clear disconnect and reinforces many stereotypes surrounding them, however Roger and Conrad's sing along and interaction subverts this in a way and abstains from creating a 100% negative depiction of 

What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?

•  There's a hint at romance for the Yount's nanny, as well as perhaps romantic conflict between the Yount's.

How is the audience influenced to view Roger Yount?

•  The audience is influenced to feel sympathetic for Roger despite how unlikeable he is on paper, this scene shows an element of humanity to his character and a change in his perspectives and actions which make the audience feel for him. 

Representation

Write an analysis of the scenes from lesson

•  The opening scene uses technical codes to present the busy aspect of London as well as the undercover, crime prevalence amongst London streets through the music, The use of dialogue presents the diversity within London ("First Indians, then West Indies") and the reinforcement of gender roles, with the men being the breadwinners and the women/mothers being caring and taking their kids to school. The representation of Ethinicity subverts the mainstream media conventions and provides a positive perspective on British Pakistanis, as they help an elderly woman or conform to other ideologies and a negative representation of white people, as Petunia mentions the old-fashioned and chauvinistic beliefs of her late husband, there's also a jaded representation of wealth through the dialogue ("We're all millionaires" "Not real millionaires then")
•  London's iconography is represented well in this clip, the use of sound through the train tracks as well as the cinematography, the shot of Roger, framed by an armpit to the soundtrack or Urban city life represents the busyness and the crescendo of the music solidifies London's status as a powerhouse. White middle class people are represented in a negative light, bankers are seen as naive and unaware with an elitist perspective and an element of greed to their everyday lives.
• The upper white middle-class is seen as greedy and out of touch with the social climate of the times, Arabella says 'Which of those isn't absolutely essential' after listing an abundance of privileges, this amplifies the wealth gap as well as the elite and greedy aspect of the upper middle class.
•  The asylum scenes offer a shocking representation of immigrants and asylum seekers compared to political conversations of the time. Quentina's living situation is a stark contrast to the Yount's and this offers a 'hidden' representation of London. There's also a representation of women as being exploited in situations as well as representation of black women in legal roles, such as the traffic warden and lawyer. The representation of Quentina as a police officer subverts stereotypes but also holds some irony since she, herself is breaking the law. The opening shot of the deportation letter represents the anonymous bureaucracy of the government and the lack of empathy between those in the western world and the realities of immigration. 
•  This scene has a strong representation of wealth and it's impacts on upper middle-class families. Roger exclaims 'What use is 30 grand?' which contrasts the £300 a week that Quentina gets despite her role as a Traffic warden. They rely on this money to pay off the debts on the privileges they rely on, the lack of wealth makes Roger vomit. This is an extremity and is a satirical representation of the rich.
• The representation of family in this scene is a conventional family dynamic, and communicates familiarity with the audience. This subverts representations of British Pakistanis and Muslims however since they are still widely seen as an 'Other' in media depictions, this representation shows an integration of the Kamals into our society and there's a humorous aspect to their commentary of their situation also adds to the negative representation of white upper middle class people.

How does Capital use stereotypes? Do they reinforce or subvert dominant media ideologies?

•  Capital uses stereotypes to communicate things quickly to the audience - the vulnerable old lady being a victim allows that narrative strand to be established within the first few minutes of the pilot episode, whereas the subversion of stereotypes surrounding immigrants allows for a social conversation to be had by the audiences as a result.

Industries and production context

Who is the parent company for Kudos?

•  Endemol Shine group -- News Corp. (21st Century Fox)

What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?

•  Pleasureland (?) Or Confidence Lab

What other shows have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?

•  Broadchurch - Best Drama [TV Choice], Best Crime Drama [NTAs]
•  Humans
•  Tin Star
•  Apple Tree Yard
•  Gunpowder
•  Troy

What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?

•  Personal identity, Personal relationships, gripping storylines, realism and innovative narratives, artistic cinematography. 

Marketing & Promotion

How does the programme information make Capital sound interesting to audiences?

•  The programme information emphasises the british cast and their prior roles/star power. It also mentions how it's based off of a novel that's critically acclaimed which connotes to audience an idea that the narrative of this show will also have that level of interest and gripping quality.

Why does the programme mention the other shows the director and producer have worked on?

•  This is to appeal to the audiences of the director and producer, whilst also promoting the show by using their status and acclamation to create a buzz around this new show.

Who commissioned Capital for the BBC?

•  Charlotte Moore [Controller of BBC One] & Ben Stephenson [Controller of BBC Drama]

What does Toby Jones say about the character of Roger?

• 'Roger isn't an evil banker, he's a slightly complacent banker' who's 'not in control of his life' and has a sense of entitlement that's stemmed from being 'accustomed to living a certain way' 

What does Adeel Akhtar suggest Capital says about the fictional Pepys Road and the sense of community (or lack of it) in London?

• ''We're living in a strange time now. I think we're at a crossroads... Pepys Road is a manifestation of this'  and shows a lot of the disconnect and issues faced by a lot of people in Britain surrounding the social, economical and political climate of the last decade. 

What does Shabana Azmi say about Asian representations in Britain?

•  'There's awareness that the world is shrinking, and becoming a global village' she suggests that we're more tolerant and the fair representations have been depicted with a sense of understanding or at least an attempt.

What are Peter Bowker's favourite scenes in the drama and why?

• Roger on Christmas Morning - Classic 'Fawlty Towers' humour 
• Kamals chaotic dinners - arcehtypal with a comedic panache
• When Bagdan and Matya talk about the affluent british people they work for

Why did Derek Wax produce Capital? What does this say about the way we live now?

•  The novel had a dickensian ambition to it which turned the entirety of London into a small street under a microscope. 

DVD Packaging

How does the packaging use other critically acclaimed TV dramas to promote Capital?

Broadchurch and Humans are critically acclaimed tv shows, with cult followings therefore this could appeal to fans of those shows and influence them to watch Capital, as it will usually have similar conventions or tones.

What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?

The composition is interesting since Quentina has a smaller 'window' on the packaging compared to the Younts etc. which could be seen as problematic, however the structured images underneath a skyline of London suggests this series is about the 'underground' workings of Britain.

How are review quotes used on the cover? What do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?

The use of quotes acclaiming the cast and mise-en-scene of the drama, appeals to artistically influenced members of the public who may watch for the cinematography rather than the actual narrative, They also suggest that this will be a family genre, with enigmatic aspects and the audience will enjoy seeing the events unfold and come to their conclusions.

What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?

It suggests that London is much more than it's landmarks. The global perspective and representation of London fail to recognise what's behind the doors of the buildings, what happens that's hidden in the media. But it also uses the iconography to communicate how it is still London and conforms to those aesthetic perceptions that surround London. It also shows the diversity and inclusivity of London, with the inclusion of an array of different ethnic groups, many subverting the British media's dominant ideologies surrounding them.