Task 2.
Apply Neales Theory to House of cards
Draft a list of the genre conventions for a spy/thriller drama versus a family drama.
In what way does House of Cards conform to both genre conventions explain why genre hybridity is important in audiences apply Neale’s theory.
Genre conventions for political drama
- Suspense
- Power Struggle
- Corruption
- Realism (Verisimilitude)
Genre conventions for family drama/soaps…?
- Evolves around Conflict
- Dramatic hour long shows
- Cliffhanger
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Task 3 representation and media language
Describe the underlying ideology of the drama….
In what way does the drama mirror contemporary views on politics. Provide an example
Patriarchy the women in power are seem to apart of a bigger ploy and are working for men.
Ethnocentrism is an ideology that takes place within House of Cards, this is evident as there is only one representation of an ethnic group, which is Linda Vasquez. This highly accentuates that politics is more popular for White people and that they are more involved.
Feminism is an ideology that this show supports within the show House of Cards there are lots of examples of this. It shows a lot of women in power and making important decisions for the country's sake.
Individualism- Linked to ambition of the main protagonist
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Task 5
Discuss the media language of the drama
through shot location, colour treatment and time of day, identify CLEAR
SPECIFIC examples that show how the drama is played out as a somewhat dark
representation of political life
Discuss the impact of high budgets in
American Dramas has impacted on how the film looks
Determine the reach (number of countries)
in which the drama has been watched
How faithful is the drama to the original
House of cards (intertextuality)
What other examples of intertextuality are
evident within the drama?
• The impact on television programs of changes in roles, in gender, racial and ethnic inequalities and social attitudes to sexualities.
o Claire Underwood - represented as a ruthless, corrupted CEO of a charity.
'My husband doesn't apologise'- 'You don't call me for 9 hours' shows Frank answering to Claire -Shows her level of power
o Vasquez – presidents chief of staff – (outwardly subverting the stereotype that BAME roles are subordinate, however ironically her power and influence is undermined by the Underwood's) Used by Frank, A pawn to Frank, 'Latina check'
o Zoe Barnes – self-confident in her sexuality and ambitious – (narrative complexity ambition to develop her career, yet uses her sexuality to seduce /get what she wants) – compare with van Zoonen
Ambitious 'Legal and ethically grey area' 'Which is why Print Journalism is dying'
The influence of social anxieties in television programs , for example the corruption of politics as played out in contemporary political events e.g. Trump/Clinton and the White House – political scandals
Examples of SandCorp /Peter Russo and his activities
Cultural contexts
Programmes, for example the cultural importance of television dramas in reflecting, reinterpreting and reinforcing natural cultural identities and on occasion challenging and subverting these representations
HOC – Common Notions of America are represented as the seat of democracy, of life, liberty and the pursuit of the American dream…
Most audiences recognise the idealism underpinning American society whilst at the same time recognising the reality of American societies as being increasingly corrupted and self-interested.
Political contexts
o The need for the audience to have some political knowledge to understand some representations in political dramas
o HOC refers to (Monica Lewinski’ a reference to Clinton’s sexual infidelity and lying under oath)
o The influence of attitudes to politics on television programmes, including how television programs can, and are expected to reflect, reinterpret, amplify and satirise national political institutions and the mechanics of their working.
o Frank Underwood’s use of the 4th wall amplifies how politicians (may) seek to undermine the position of the government/leaders for their own benefit
Stealing the education bill
Using Zoe to release information about whats going on in congress- education bill -
Economic context
The complexity of the characterisation and representations reflects the economic pressure to create quality flagship programming
The influence of budgets and economic competiotn on the need for authored products requiring complex representations to have universal appeal to attract global audiences
Economic figures
$100M to produce 26 episodes of HoC
£29M to produce 212 episodes of Eastenders
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