Deutschland 83: case study blog task
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.
Positive: 'It's a perfect moment in a near perfect series'
Critcism: 'actual events...deliberately misconstructed
2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?
The series focuses on Martin as an undercover spy but doesn't make the viewers empathise with a stasi agent on a human level.It back tracks into the stereotype that stasi officers are cruel and corrupt.
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?
Always happy to have my knowledge topped up!'
Deutschland 83 is a serious thriller driven by jeopardy of the all out nuclear kind.
The whole series was something of a learning experience for me
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
Jonas Nay says he values the freedom and mobility Germany had when he was growing up and the ability to think ans saw what he wants.
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!)
The subtitles allows channel 4 to appeal to a wider audience outside of just German speaking people and is more diverse.However a German audience might watch the series as an audience pleasure for personal identity as they may be able to relate to them.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
This might interest a channel 4 audience because they aim to inform and educate as well as debate current issues.
Behind the scenes clips
1) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?
The clip suggests that Deutschland 83 is a fun,interesting ,has great performances and takes the audience on a journey.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
History is an important aspect of the show as it is set in the 1980s during a time of extreme conflict in Germany so this teaches younger audiences about history in a fun interesting and engaging way.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
Cinematography,costume and product design.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
It was important to recreate how Germany was at the time as realistically as possible so audiences can use the series not only as entertainment but also education and costume and props are a big part of trying to recreate that image.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
I think the setting,costume and props were quite accurate as it made me believe that was how Germany was at the time. The costume is accurate as it establishes how class,culture and gender were represented then.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
These could be used as audience pleasures as the audience might feel nostalgic while watching the series and reminisce on the past.The spy technology props could be used as an audience pleasure like diversion as it links to the spy genre and the typical James Bond sequences as well as the ,music and voice overs.
Textual analysis: Audience pleasures and representations
Type up your analysis from the lesson using the headings below
Diversion-because of the suspense created and the link to the spy genre
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.
Positive: 'It's a perfect moment in a near perfect series'
Critcism: 'actual events...deliberately misconstructed
2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?
The series focuses on Martin as an undercover spy but doesn't make the viewers empathise with a stasi agent on a human level.It back tracks into the stereotype that stasi officers are cruel and corrupt.
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?
Always happy to have my knowledge topped up!'
Deutschland 83 is a serious thriller driven by jeopardy of the all out nuclear kind.
The whole series was something of a learning experience for me
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany?
Jonas Nay says he values the freedom and mobility Germany had when he was growing up and the ability to think ans saw what he wants.
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!)
The subtitles allows channel 4 to appeal to a wider audience outside of just German speaking people and is more diverse.However a German audience might watch the series as an audience pleasure for personal identity as they may be able to relate to them.
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
This might interest a channel 4 audience because they aim to inform and educate as well as debate current issues.
Behind the scenes clips
1) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?
The clip suggests that Deutschland 83 is a fun,interesting ,has great performances and takes the audience on a journey.
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
History is an important aspect of the show as it is set in the 1980s during a time of extreme conflict in Germany so this teaches younger audiences about history in a fun interesting and engaging way.
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
Cinematography,costume and product design.
1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
It was important to recreate how Germany was at the time as realistically as possible so audiences can use the series not only as entertainment but also education and costume and props are a big part of trying to recreate that image.
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
I think the setting,costume and props were quite accurate as it made me believe that was how Germany was at the time. The costume is accurate as it establishes how class,culture and gender were represented then.
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
These could be used as audience pleasures as the audience might feel nostalgic while watching the series and reminisce on the past.The spy technology props could be used as an audience pleasure like diversion as it links to the spy genre and the typical James Bond sequences as well as the ,music and voice overs.
Textual analysis: Audience pleasures and representations
Type up your analysis from the lesson using the headings below
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
In this scene, over the shoulder shot is used to establish Martin's point of view and makes the audience feel like we are following him on his journey.
The house looks very traditional but dull and old which mirrors some of the stereotypes people have of people in east Germany because they refuse change and modernism.
The dialogue between Martin's mother and aunt mirror the contrast between east and west Germany and this is evident when the aunt brings her sister some coffee and she looks so happy and pleased which highlights the lack of luxuries and variety of products in east Germany.
- Representation of East & West Germany / Family / Gender
East Germany is presented as moving slowly because of the lack of change whereas west Germany is seen as having a lot of freedom and mobility and the people are more liberated.
The music used is an upbeat anti-war song that the young people are dancing and singing to which shows that the younger generation are not opposed to change and modernism rather they just want unity and end to the conflict.
Some audience pleasures are personal identity and relationship since the audience will be building an emotional connection with Martin as we follow him on his journey as well as relate to the young people in the show. There might be surveillance to an extent since the series is built on real life history and the audience will learn about this but in a fun way.
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
When Martin is running the editing and camerawork is fast pace and quick which builds tension and suspense however when he stops the editing and camera work slows down which highlights how overwhelmed Martin must be feeling as he is experiencing so many new things and emotions all at once.
Martin is wearing a PUMA top which shows how up t date and modern the west is.
- Audio codes – particularly music
upbeat song
binary opposition of music and how he is feeling
- Representation of East & West Germany / Communism & Capitalism / Historical accuracy
Martin is wearing a PUMA top which mirrors the ideologies of the west and capitalism as well as branding
- Audience pleasures
Personal identity as the audience can relate to wearing branded clothes
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
The camera work and editing links to the spy genre and makes it seem like the James Bond movies because of the fast paced montage.
- Audio codes
The voice over also links to the spy genre and the audience will be able to recognise that and it builds the tension and suspense.
- Audience pleasures
An audience pleasure could be diversion as the audience would watch the show for entertainment and as an escape.
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
Creates engima codes for the audience as they wonder if Martin will be caught or not and builds tension
- Audio codes – diegetic and non-diegetic sound
Ausdio codes build tension and suspense
- Audience pleasures
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