Capital Case Study

 

Read the following review and feature on Capital:

Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital

Reviews and features

1) What positive points does the review pick out about Capital? What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?

the series explores how London’s economy affects us all, which sounds a bit dull – but come back. The characters are relatable and well-drawn, and the mystery about who’s sending the notes will have you gripped.

 increasing rate of gentrification across London means that Capital’s ideas still stand.

2) What references can you find in the reviews and feature to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?

In modern day London, there is still a start contrast between the underclass and the financially sound. In fact, the wealth gap is the widest it has ever been. The lives of people like the Kamal family and Roger's family are portrayed in a very realistic way, showcasing their attitudes, beliefs, and everyday lifestyle. Additionally, house prices are constantly sky-rocketing in London and the exponential growth of London's population due to factors such as immigration. This is reflected in Capital with the Zimbabwean asylum seeker/illegal worker Quentina who is fighting for her rights to remain in the UK; whilst Arabella and Roger refuse to give up their holiday home as a way of cutting costs during the financial crisis. The juxtaposition is almost satirical.

   ) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?

There are multiple over the shoulder shots and birds eye views.

There’s even a shot through the sweaty armpit of a morning commuter on the Tube.

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

The first family element we see is Ahmed Kamal with his son, Shahid running their shop. They are presented as a working class ethnic minority family that are very close knit.

We then see Petunia, an elderly white woman living alone in her empty house. Showing how stereotypically, white families tend to abandon their elderly parents or just not see them very often.

3) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?

 The unknown man whose taking a photo of the house is questionable as we don't know who he is or why he's taking a picture of someone's house. During this scene, there is a sound bridge of Ahmed's mum talking about someone sending postcards to people's houses. Therefore, we can only assume that this hooded man is responsible and is the villain.

Representations: close-textual analysis

1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in the lesson:

Scene 1: opening sequence 00:30 – 4.49
Scene 2: work in the City 6.28 – 8.10
Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” 14.00 – 15.35
Scene 4: asylum 18.03 – 19.42 AND 31.10 – 32.40
Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” 36.40 – 39.00 
Scene 6: life at the corner shop 40.10 – 42.55

At the outset of the show, we see Ahmed Kamal with his son shahid running his shop. This represents ethnic minorities in the UK as they work harder to support their families in a system built against them.

We are then introducd to Quentina, a Zimbabwean asylum seeker who is constantly fighting for her rights to remain in the UK and not be sent back where she could be killed.

Arabella and Roger are a white, wealthy upper middle class couple who are presented to be living in some sort of bubble; completely unaware of the financial crisis and the underclass around them as they say "what use is £30,000 to anybody".

2) How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capital reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?

Yes, the bourgeoisie white man and materialistic, socially deaf wife is a repetitive trope within the media. However, this representation isn't romanticized anymore, but rather presented as sickening. 

On the other hand, Capital does subvert stereotypes as British TV series are usually unbiased and on the fence about their political stance, however, Capital blatantly takes a left wing stance on topics such as immigration laws and the economical state of the country.

Industries and production context

1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?

Banijay UK 

2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?

BAFTA awards for spooks, a spy drama.

3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?

Tin star, then you run, SAS rogue heroes, code 404, two weeks to live

Kudos have won an international emmy for Spooks, winner of 2021 British academy Scotland awards, 2021 Venice TV for the best comedy.

4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer? 

The showreel suggests that Kudos provides a lot of entertainment- their dramas include comedy, action, mystery, etc.

Marketing and promotion

Read the BBC Press Pack for Capital.

1) How does the programme information on page 3 make Capital sound interesting to audiences?

It makes the TV drama sound interesting by asking questions that can only be answered by watching the three episode drama. 

2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?

The target audience may have already seen those shows and really enjoyed them so they would trust the director and producer to make Capital just as good.

3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?

Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One

4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?

That Roger is a complicated character, he isn't the rich, snobby person you would expect him to be. He somehow got in to this affluent lifestyle and just carried on with it but he soon finds himself in a position that makes him realise money isn't everything.

5) Read the interview with Adeel Akhtar (page 10). What does he suggest Capital says about the fictional Pepys Road and the sense of community (or lack of it) in London?

Akhtar states that Capital shows how, although there is much diversity on Pepys Road, some people (such as Usman) feel ostracised from it and feel no sense of belonging.

6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain? 

Azmi believes that Capital is an accurate representation of how Asian families are like in Britain. 

7) Read the interview with Peter Bowker (who adapted Capital - page 14). What are his favourite scenes in the drama and why?

His favourite scenes from the drama is the morning of Christmas when Roger has been left alone to take care of the children, a punishment from Arabella. This is because it's the moment Roger realises his life is changing but it's done in a comedic way.

8) Read the interview with Derek Wax, the Executive Producer for Kudos (page 16). Why did he produce Capital and what does it say about the way we live now?

Wax enjoyed the idea of life on one street. "I loved the sense of this big, expansive panorama of life as well as the small details of human behaviour. The whole of London seen through the microcosm of one street. And the characters are so complex, real and believable." Highlighting that Capital is an accurate representation of London today- from the multiculturalism to the fluctuating economical state of the city.

DVD packaging

Look at the DVD packaging for Capital. There are many marketing techniques employed here.

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

The DVD packaging states 'From the makers of Humans and Broadchurch' in bold at the top of the DVD cover. These are well acclaimed TV dramas that have a wide audience which entices them to watch capital.

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

The front cover includes images of all the main characters and features a shadow of London buildings at the top. This suggests to the audience that Capital focuses on many characters of varying ethnicity that live in London.

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

There are review quotes such as "insightful and moving" from the Daily mail and The Sunday times which are very positive reviews and, therefore, attract an audience. There is a hint that the drama contains mystery as one of the reviews states "before you know it, the story has got you gripped."

4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?

The DVD shows the diversity that is within London.