Conventions of Deutschland '83 - media language analysis

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What are some of the common features found in a long form TV drama episode? What does a long form TV drama look like?

You have been looking at media language with Mr Burton and now need to apply the same analytical skills to the foreign language long form TV drama you will refer to in your exam answers.

Task 1: Analysis of conventions

·         Watch the opening sequence (up to and including the credits) from Deutschland '83. It is available for free on Channel Four's All 4 on demand streaming service here.
·         make notes to complete the same grid from Mr Burton's lesson using the questions below for each column.
  1. How does the opening to the drama start? What can I see/hear?
  2. Are the title credits used? How are they integrated into the sequence? Can I see the drama's title, who produced and owns the drama?
  3. What and who are we introduced to? Characters, locations and settings? Are these recognisable? Do they feel real?
  4. What themes are introduced? Family, friendship, love, money, revenge, community etc...?
  5. Is a story or plot set up in the opening episode? What do I understand is happening and how do I know?
  6. What does the drama look like? Frequent camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene devices used?

Task 2: Making conclusions – Summary of conventions in long form TV dramas

Complete the following statements about the formal conventions we expect to see in a long form TV drama, making reference to Deutschland '83.
The opening to a long form TV drama series usually begins with




The title credits used in long form TV drama series usually




The characters introduced in long form TV dramas are usually




Common locations and settings introduced in long form TV dramas are 




Common themes introduced in long form TV dramas include




Storylines in long form TV dramas are usually introduced by



Task 3: Making conclusions – Summary of technical conventions (media language) in long form TV dramas

Complete the following statements about the formal conventions we expect to see in a long form TV drama:
Camera 
(e.g. shot distance/angles/movement/framing)











Editing 
(e.g. cuts/ transitions/special effects/motion/graphics and captions/pace)
Mise-en-scène
(e.g. location/setting/costume/make-up/props/performance/
lighting)








Sound
Diegetic/Non-Diegetic 
(e.g. musical score, incidental sound, sound effects/ 
sound bridge/wild sound/Foley)








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