Capital case study
Reviews and features
Read the following interviews, reviews and features on Capital:
Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
Telegraph review by Ben Lawrence
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital
Behind the scenes filming Capital from the Daily Telegraph
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
The book was set in 2007-8 either side of the financial crisis but the TV drama updates it to 2015 and changes the location slightly (Clapham to Balham).
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
The prices of London housing keep on increasing and no one knows when it will stop. Lanchester believes that we are emotionally attached to the prices of our houses. The writer mentions that "Capital is a snapshot of property boom that no one can comprehend".
5) What references can you find in these reviews and features to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?
Capital captures the modern day London so that the setting is recognisable and the audience can identify with it and the characters. The writer mentions that "Capital is a snapshot of property boom that no one can comprehend", which references the financial crash that happened in 2007-8.
Textual analysis
Watch the trailer for Capital:
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
At the beginning of the trailer, a bird's eye view captures the beautiful streets of London with the use of crane shots. The audience are quite familiar with the setting and the close ups of road signs help create that familiarity.
2) What does the camera movement when characters are initially introduced suggest about the drama and its London setting? Pick out one or two shots in particular.
There is a lot of use of medium and close up shots when introducing the characters. This helps the audience identify with the characters but also become aware of the different ethnic groups and cultures.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
At o.18 seconds the scene with the Kamal family sitting at the table eating dinner while skyping the mother is the most family element of drama. Also, at 0.24 and 0.29 when Roger and his wife are seen arguing captures the family element of the drama.
4) Bastille's 'These Streets' is used as the soundtrack for the trailer. What does this communicate to the audience and why is it effective?
The use of Bastille is significant because they are a British band who represent British culture. The modern day song is effective and relevant to Capital because one line in the song is:" these streets are yours, you can keep them." This is relevant to Captial because there is someone who wants what they have but is suggesting that no on evil be able to take them away from them.
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer shows postcards at 0.09 which states "we want what you have" with nothing else on the card suggesting tension and enigma codes that makes the audience want to know who is sending these messages.
Watch the Episode 1 preview for Capital:
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
It suggests there is a comedy and mystery and crime aspects.
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The fact that different ethnic groups such as Pakistani people are being portrayed which suggests that Capital is a state-of-the-nation drama.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
A sense of realism and familiarity is created in the scenes at the corner shop that is run by an Asian family whose children are helping run the shop whilst managing their education.
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
Personal identity is provided as the audience can identify with the Kamal family if they are the same age or same ethnic group. There is a comedy pleasure because the father mentions his son has started his third degree but never finished any which provides a sense of realism for the audience if they are currently studying in university.
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The audience may feel sympathetic towards the police officer because he is being targeted by the sons when he is just trying to do his job and help them figure out who is sending these postcards.
Watch the Episode 2 preview for Capital:
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The clip represents the upper middle class because they have a more lavish lifestyle and home than their other neighbours despite living on the same road. Their modern and chic home suggests they are wealthy also the fact that they can hire a nanny suggests that rich people are consumed by work and do not have time for family because they are busy making money.
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
There may be and affair between the young nanny and Roger as he is quite curious about her in this scene. Also there is a suggestion that his wife may want to separate from him as she was talking to her husband rudely.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience is conflicted between liking Roger because he is hardworking and disliking him because he has no time for his wife and taking care of his children. The audience can feel sympathetic towards Roger because his wife just loves spending money on materialistic things and wants to show off their money to others where as Roger doesn't really care about such things.
Production and industry context
Capital was produced by independent production company Kudos for the BBC. Look at the Kudos website and also read the Kudos Wikipedia page.
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management and Endemol Shine Group
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
The BAFTA award winning show Spooks which debuted on BBC One in May 2002.
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
They have produced shows like Broadchurch and Humans. Kudos has won 4 BAFTA awards.
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
Kudos offers many shows all of different genres which provides a variety for the audiences. The provide entertainment, crime, mystery and romance.
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?
The information tells the audience about the setting but also a little bit about each characters giving them an insight on what to expect. It also mentions the different narrative strands within the show, how each family have their own story.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
To show the audience that Capital is just as good as the others and maybe be better than them. Also the audience are likely to enjoy Capital if they have seen the other shows.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
He explains Roger is not an evil banker but he is used to his way of life and sees spending a lot of money on things is normal to him. He seems confused and 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?
It looks at the idea of community and what it means to be apart of one from whatever background you come from. However some people feel ostracised from it. They feel like they don;t belong with everyone else and are separated from everyone.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
She believes 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 scene was when Roger was abandoned on Christmas morning by his wife and he had to take care of his children without Arabella. Roger realises his life is changing and chooses to deal it with comedy.
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?
He loved how Capital showed London on one street and it was unbelievable how real the setting and characters seemed. He mentions how we are in some way now defined by our property and that Capital is an accurate representation of London.
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?
Capital is produced by the same people who made Humans and Broadchurch which widens the audience and increased the excitement of the show.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The design is of the London landmarks and buildings which is recognisable to anyone. The images presented are of the main characters suggesting that there is a multi strand narrative and it tells the story of each person but in some way they are all linked and the only way to find out how is to watch the show.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
The review quotes create a buzz for the audience because they are from established news companies which attracts the audience and assures them that watching this show is a good investment because you will enjoy it.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The packaging shows that London is quite diverse but you could say that the white people are seen to be more important as the others.
Read the following interviews, reviews and features on Capital:
Guardian review by Sam Wollaston
Telegraph review by Ben Lawrence
London Evening Standard: five things you need to know about Capital
Behind the scenes filming Capital from the Daily Telegraph
1) What positive points do the reviews pick out about Capital?
- adapted and directed excellently
- so much fitted into the space of three hours
- actors delivered amazing performances
- Capital is an excellent portrait of London
- plot lines were underdeveloped
- characters were underwritten
- there was no overarching story line
The book was set in 2007-8 either side of the financial crisis but the TV drama updates it to 2015 and changes the location slightly (Clapham to Balham).
4) In the Telegraph 'behind the scenes' article, what does the writer say about the London housing market?
The prices of London housing keep on increasing and no one knows when it will stop. Lanchester believes that we are emotionally attached to the prices of our houses. The writer mentions that "Capital is a snapshot of property boom that no one can comprehend".
5) What references can you find in these reviews and features to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?
Capital captures the modern day London so that the setting is recognisable and the audience can identify with it and the characters. The writer mentions that "Capital is a snapshot of property boom that no one can comprehend", which references the financial crash that happened in 2007-8.
Textual analysis
Watch the trailer for Capital:
1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?
At the beginning of the trailer, a bird's eye view captures the beautiful streets of London with the use of crane shots. The audience are quite familiar with the setting and the close ups of road signs help create that familiarity.
2) What does the camera movement when characters are initially introduced suggest about the drama and its London setting? Pick out one or two shots in particular.
There is a lot of use of medium and close up shots when introducing the characters. This helps the audience identify with the characters but also become aware of the different ethnic groups and cultures.
3) How does the trailer use mise-en-scene to capture the family element of the drama?
At o.18 seconds the scene with the Kamal family sitting at the table eating dinner while skyping the mother is the most family element of drama. Also, at 0.24 and 0.29 when Roger and his wife are seen arguing captures the family element of the drama.
4) Bastille's 'These Streets' is used as the soundtrack for the trailer. What does this communicate to the audience and why is it effective?
The use of Bastille is significant because they are a British band who represent British culture. The modern day song is effective and relevant to Capital because one line in the song is:" these streets are yours, you can keep them." This is relevant to Captial because there is someone who wants what they have but is suggesting that no on evil be able to take them away from them.
5) How does the trailer introduce narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?
The trailer shows postcards at 0.09 which states "we want what you have" with nothing else on the card suggesting tension and enigma codes that makes the audience want to know who is sending these messages.
Watch the Episode 1 preview for Capital:
1) What does this preview clip suggest about the potential sub-genres for Capital?
It suggests there is a comedy and mystery and crime aspects.
2) What elements of the clip might suggest this is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama?
The fact that different ethnic groups such as Pakistani people are being portrayed which suggests that Capital is a state-of-the-nation drama.
3) Analyse the mise-en-scene in this clip. How does this provide realism and familiarity for audiences?
A sense of realism and familiarity is created in the scenes at the corner shop that is run by an Asian family whose children are helping run the shop whilst managing their education.
4) What audience pleasures are provided by this scene?
Personal identity is provided as the audience can identify with the Kamal family if they are the same age or same ethnic group. There is a comedy pleasure because the father mentions his son has started his third degree but never finished any which provides a sense of realism for the audience if they are currently studying in university.
5) How is the audience positioned to respond to the different characters in this particular sequence?
The audience may feel sympathetic towards the police officer because he is being targeted by the sons when he is just trying to do his job and help them figure out who is sending these postcards.
Watch the Episode 2 preview for Capital:
1) How does this clip represent upper-middle-class family life?
The clip represents the upper middle class because they have a more lavish lifestyle and home than their other neighbours despite living on the same road. Their modern and chic home suggests they are wealthy also the fact that they can hire a nanny suggests that rich people are consumed by work and do not have time for family because they are busy making money.
2) What narrative strands are suggested in this sequence?
There may be and affair between the young nanny and Roger as he is quite curious about her in this scene. Also there is a suggestion that his wife may want to separate from him as she was talking to her husband rudely.
3) How is the audience positioned to respond to Roger Yount, the main character (banker and father to the two boys)?
The audience is conflicted between liking Roger because he is hardworking and disliking him because he has no time for his wife and taking care of his children. The audience can feel sympathetic towards Roger because his wife just loves spending money on materialistic things and wants to show off their money to others where as Roger doesn't really care about such things.
Production and industry context
Capital was produced by independent production company Kudos for the BBC. Look at the Kudos website and also read the Kudos Wikipedia page.
1) Who is the parent company for Kudos?
21st Century Fox and Apollo Global Management and Endemol Shine Group
2) What was the breakthrough show for Kudos in 2002?
The BAFTA award winning show Spooks which debuted on BBC One in May 2002.
3) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced? What awards have they won?
They have produced shows like Broadchurch and Humans. Kudos has won 4 BAFTA awards.
4) What audience pleasures does the showreel suggest Kudos productions offer?
Kudos offers many shows all of different genres which provides a variety for the audiences. The provide entertainment, crime, mystery and romance.
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?
The information tells the audience about the setting but also a little bit about each characters giving them an insight on what to expect. It also mentions the different narrative strands within the show, how each family have their own story.
2) Why does the programme information mention the other shows that the director and producer have worked on?
To show the audience that Capital is just as good as the others and maybe be better than them. Also the audience are likely to enjoy Capital if they have seen the other shows.
3) Who commissioned Capital for BBC?
Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One and Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama.
4) Read the interview with Toby Jones. What does he say about the character of Roger?
He explains Roger is not an evil banker but he is used to his way of life and sees spending a lot of money on things is normal to him. He seems confused and 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?
It looks at the idea of community and what it means to be apart of one from whatever background you come from. However some people feel ostracised from it. They feel like they don;t belong with everyone else and are separated from everyone.
6) Read the interview with Shabana Azmi (page 12). What does she say about Asian representations in Britain?
She believes 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 scene was when Roger was abandoned on Christmas morning by his wife and he had to take care of his children without Arabella. Roger realises his life is changing and chooses to deal it with comedy.
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?
He loved how Capital showed London on one street and it was unbelievable how real the setting and characters seemed. He mentions how we are in some way now defined by our property and that Capital is an accurate representation of London.
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?
Capital is produced by the same people who made Humans and Broadchurch which widens the audience and increased the excitement of the show.
2) What does the use of design and images suggest to the audience about the drama?
The design is of the London landmarks and buildings which is recognisable to anyone. The images presented are of the main characters suggesting that there is a multi strand narrative and it tells the story of each person but in some way they are all linked and the only way to find out how is to watch the show.
3) How are review quotes used on the cover and what do they suggest to the audience about sub-genre, narrative and audience pleasures?
The review quotes create a buzz for the audience because they are from established news companies which attracts the audience and assures them that watching this show is a good investment because you will enjoy it.
4) What representation of London does the DVD packaging offer?
The packaging shows that London is quite diverse but you could say that the white people are seen to be more important as the others.
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