Television: His Dark Materials - Language and Representation

 


1) Write an analysis of the episode - using your notes from the screening in class. Make specific, detailed reference to moments in the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots and movement, editing, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)


Camerawork, editing and sound: A range of different futuristic sounds and sci-fi music to emphasise the mysterious atmosphere in the junkyard and the TARDIS.

Mise-en-scene: Teenagers dressed like they are in the 60's.
 Lighting in-between the episodes contrast calm and normal feeling when in school transitions to a dark and gloomy feeling when building up to the search for Susan and when inside the Junkyard.

Props - The old antiques inside the junkyard is shown and the police box representing the Tardis


2) How does His Dark Materials fit the conventions of the fantasy TV genre?

Todorov's Equilibrium: The doctor becomes a villain.

Propp's character theory: The Doctor is Susan's grandfather 

3) Applying Propp's character theory, what character roles do some of the main characters in His Dark Materials fit into?
 19:30 because a lot happens and it makes the audience want to keep watching.

4) What enigma and action codes (Barthes) can you find in His Dark Materials? Make specific, detailed reference to the text using media terminology (e.g. media language - camera shots, diegetic/non-diegetic sound, mise-en-scene etc.)

.TARDIS taking off links to space race it links to sci-fi

5) What examples of binary opposition (Levi-Strauss) can you find in His Dark Materials? How do these create narrative or drama for the audience? You can find reminder notes on all these narrative theories here - just scroll down to narrative. 

-Susan's costume and hair are typical of a 1960s teenager

Representations

1) How are women represented in His Dark Materials? Are gender stereotypes reinforced or subverted? Think about Lyra and Mrs Coulter here.
Doctor only talks to Ian "young man" (patriarchal society)

2) How are men and masculinity represented in His Dark Materials? Think about Will and Lee Scoresby here.
Barbara passes out on chair to protect female modesty

3) How is age (e.g. teenagers; adults) represented in His Dark Materials? Does the show reinforce or challenge stereotypes about young people? Think about Lyra and Will plus the abandoned children they meet. Also think about Mrs Coulter and other adults.

Susan is a typical 1960s teenager

4) How is race and ethnicity represented in His Dark Materials? Are stereotypes reinforced or subverted?
doctor is racist - says "the red Indian's savage mind was blown"
This is not surprising to me as there was a large amount of racism in the 60s

5) What representations of the world can you find in the episode - is it like real life? A fantasy world? Something from the past or future? Give examples from the episode.
it is a middle class school and the characters are all white.

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