What genre is black mirror?
-Science fiction anthology Tv show
- could also be classed as dystopian sci-fi
What channel did the first two seasons air on? Where did the later seasons move to?
- Channel 4 ( dec 2011, feb 2013)
- Netflix
What can we tell from the codes of clothing?
- contrasting clothing between Kelly and Yorkie
- Kellys costume references strong female pop stars like Whitney Houston or Janet Jackson. Bright sparkly clothing reflects on her personality
- Yorkie: Same clothing throughout, more plain and ordinary
Discuss the iconography and setting using media language
- the use of set, props, costume and music evoke the historical periods featured in the virtual environment.
- these challenge our expectations of a science fiction show.
- the real world heavily contrasts the virtual world. Real world is quiet and very clinical and white
- virtual world is busy and full of of life with music from different eras through the mise en scene.
Discuss lighting an sound using media language.
- lighting and sound design evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth , inviting viewers to engage emotionally with the characters experiences.
- The music used in each time period has two functions: to establish the time period/ setting, but also to underscore the emotional and thematic content
How is this episode of Black mirror different to the other episodes?
- Dystopian fiction usually has an unhappy ending, San Junipero is unusual for black mirror as the ending is more hopeful
Apply STINCS to the episode
- setting: virtual world- clinical colours, props, technology/ hyper reality
- themes: death- however this subverts the genre as it focuses on a more positive portrayal of death, romance
- iconography: technology, white button that transports them. Nostalgic imagery from different eras
- narrative: disjointed narrative but still argued to have a linear structure. subversion: no antagonist v protagonist
-style: music, non- diegetic sound used to create nostalgia.
What representations are shown in black mirror? Which theory do they subvert?
-LGBTQ+: portrayed in a positive light different to the usual portrayal of same sex couples
-age : the women in the real world are actually a lot older which subverts stereotypes around older people
-race: it’s an inter racial couple, one of whom is physically disabled
All subvert halls stereotyping theory
How can bell hooks theory be applied to black mirror?
San junipero challenges this theory as the female lgbtq+ characters are free to interact without disapproval or persecution of patriarchal society
Why does Brooker and Jones forming their own production company subvert Curran and seaton?
It subverts the theory as it shows they are not focused on profit, instead creativity
When did Netflix buy distribution rights and what did this mean for black mirror?
-in 2014
- Netflix are a large conglomerate who can afford to take more risks, they have higher budgets so that their creativity is not limited
Who is the demographic and psychographic?
-A-E
- upper to lower class
- older and young audience
- lgbtq+
- reformers
- aspires
Apply Stuart halls reception theory to black mirror
Dominant: LGBTQ audience, feminists
Negotiated: some viewers might enjoy romantic elements but not sci fi
Oppositional: fans of other black mirror episodes which are darker in tone
How does fandom theory apply?
San junipero has created a passionate fan group years after the episode aired.
There had been fan art made along with other things like fan fiction
Why was black mirror bought by Netflix?
They needed a higher budget due to the anthology style series it meant that they needed a new set, cast, costume, setting etc for each episode.
Channel 4 couldn’t compete with the higher offer that Netflix was offering to give them
What were some of the marketing techniques used for black mirror?
- trailers
-posters
-Board game - web game
- sound track available on Spotify
- book
- advertising on the Netflix homepage
