Capital case study

 Reviews and features

1) What positive points does the review pick out about Capital? What criticisms are made - either of the TV drama or the original novel?

In the review, Sam Wollaston praises the adaptation for capturing the heart of London, saying it does a great job of showcasing the city's vibe through just one street. He calls it "instantly recognisable" and describes it as a "brilliant allegorical portrait of London," noting how well the show manages to pack in complex stories over just three hours.

However, The Independent acknowledges the strong performances and lovable characters but suggests that the drama might not hook viewers who aren’t already familiar with the book. Without that background, some might lose interest as the story unfolds.

2) What references can you find in the reviews and feature to the idea Capital is a 'state-of-the-nation' drama? How does it capture modern-day London?

Capital is a show that is described as really capturing the pulse of London’s property market, showing just how connected it is to the city. The story explores the economic divides and cultural mix of modern London, painting a picture of a city where people from all walks of life share a space as everything around them changes quickly.

Trailer analysis

1) How does the drama use camerawork to capture London life?

The trailer uses a variety of camera techniques to capture the heart of London life. Wide shots show off the busy city, highlighting everything from the fancy neighborhoods to the more humble ones, giving a real sense of the city’s economic mix. Close-ups of people’s faces bring personal stories and emotions to the forefront, reminding us of the human side of the urban landscape.

2) How does the trailer introduce the different narrative strands suggesting tension or enigma in the 40-second running time?

The trailer introduces several storylines by giving us quick glimpses into the lives of different characters, a wealthy banker, an elderly resident who's lived there for years, and a hardworking immigrant. A mysterious theme runs through it with postcards that say, "We want what you have," sparking curiosity and tension. It leaves you wondering who’s behind them and what their message really means.

Capital in Media Magazine

1) What does the article suggest about the 'state of the nation' genre and how Capital is an example of this?

The article talks about how Capital fits into the 'state of the nation' genre by offering a snapshot of modern British society. Focusing on just one London street, the show dives into issues like economic inequality, cultural diversity, and social change, giving us a reflection of bigger national challenges.

2) What does the article suggest regarding the setting of Capital?

The setting is key, as it’s a typical London street going through gentrification. The series shows how the neighbourhood is changing, highlighting the effect of skyrocketing property prices on the people who’ve lived there for years.

3) What are the major themes in Capital and what does the article suggest regarding the impact of money on communities?

Capital touches on big themes like wealth inequality, cultural diversity, and the importance of community. The article points out that as money starts pouring into the neighborhood, tensions rise between residents, with the growing economic divide shaking up the sense of unity among them.

4) What different representations in Capital are discussed in the article?

The series features a mix of characters, from professionals to working-class people and immigrants all trying to build a better life. This diversity really shows the different sides of city life and the unique experiences that come with living in London.

5) What does the final section of the article suggest regarding genre and overall message of the drama?  

Capital is described as a social drama that explores the challenges of urban life in today’s global economy. The article suggests that the series highlights how interconnected society is and how powerful economic forces impact people’s everyday lives

Capital Media Factsheet

1) What does the factsheet say about the characters on the first page?

The factsheet highlights the diverse cast of Capital, showcasing the variety of social classes, backgrounds, and experiences that make up modern London. Each character reflects a different part of contemporary British life, there’s a wealthy banker and his family, an elderly woman who’s called the same street home for years, an immigrant shopkeeper, and a refugee looking for asylum. Together, these characters touch on themes like wealth, inequality, immigration, and gentrification in the city.

2) Focusing on the industrial contexts, how does Capital help the BBC meet its obligations as a public service broadcaster?

Since Capital was made for the BBC, it plays an important role in fulfilling the broadcaster’s mission to serve the public. The BBC aims to represent different communities and share stories that reflect British society, and Capital does just that. It’s a socially aware drama that tackles real-world issues like economic inequality and immigration, giving us a glimpse into life in London. The show also encourages conversations around these topics, which fits with the BBC’s goal of educating and informing its audience.

3) What do we learn about the ownership structure for production company Kudos? 

Kudos is a production company behind Capital, but it’s not exactly “independent” in the usual sense. It’s actually owned by a huge media conglomerate that’s one of the biggest content producers globally. Over the years, Kudos has changed hands a few times, which shows how even smaller, well-loved companies can end up being absorbed into larger, global industries.

4) How can David Hesmondhalgh's ideas in The Cultural Industries be linked to Capital and Kudos? 

David Hesmondhalgh argues that the cultural industries, like TV and film, are mostly driven by big corporations chasing profit. But he also highlights that creativity can still flourish within this system. Kudos is a good example of this, despite being owned by Banijay, it still produces top-notch, thought-provoking shows like Capital. This shows that independent creativity can still thrive in big media empires, even though it’s always impacted by commercial pressures.

5) How does the factsheet suggest Capital meets the genre conventions of crime and social realism?

The factsheet points out how Capital mixes crime drama with social realism. The crime angle comes from the mysterious postcards sent to the residents, which creates tension and keeps you on edge. But the main focus is really on daily life, gentrification, and financial struggles, which gives the show its social realism vibe. The handheld camera work and natural dialogue help make everything feel more real and authentic.

6) How does the factsheet analyse the DVD packaging and what this communicates to the audience?

The DVD cover of Capital is designed to grab the attention of its audience. The factsheet highlights how the images, colors, and fonts give off a sense of mystery (hinting at the crime side of the show) while also suggesting a serious social message (reflecting the realism). The tagline and artwork really drive home the themes of class tension and inequality.

7) Look at page 5 of the factsheet. Choose one of the audience theories in the table and apply it to Capital.

One audience theory mentioned in the factsheet is the Uses and Gratifications Theory, which can be directly applied to Capital. This theory suggests that audiences actively choose media based on what they want to get out of it. Capital caters to different audience needs:

• Personal identity – Viewers might relate to the struggles of different characters, whether it’s financial difficulties, immigration challenges, or generational differences.
• Surveillance (information-seeking) – The show gives insight into real social issues like gentrification and asylum-seeking, helping audiences understand these topics better.
• Entertainment – The mystery element keeps viewers engaged, even while the show delivers deeper social messages.

8) What does the factsheet suggest regarding binary oppositions in Capital?  

Rich vs. Poor – The wealthy banker’s lifestyle is compared to the struggles of immigrants and lower-income residents.

Tradition vs. Change – Older residents like Petunia represent a London that is disappearing due to gentrification.

Native vs. Immigrant – The show explores the experiences of long-term British citizens alongside asylum seekers and economic migrants, questioning what it means to “belong” in London.

  

1) Write an analysis of the representations in each of the key scenes from episode 1 we studied in the lesson:

Scene 1: Opening Sequence (00:30 – 4:49)
London's Diversity – The opening introduces the street and its mix of residents, showing a wide range of ethnicities and social classes.
Wealth vs. Struggle – The contrast between the luxurious lives of wealthier characters and the hardships of those struggling to make ends meet is immediately clear.

Scene 2: Work in the City (6:28 – 8:10)
Capitalism in Action – We see Roger, the banker, making tons of money but still feeling empty, which highlights the problems that come with a finance-driven world.

Scene 3: “Which of those isn’t absolutely essential?” (14:00 – 15:35)
Class Divide – Roger and his wife argue over what they really "need" in their privileged life, showing how out of touch they are with the struggles that others face.

Scene 4: Asylum (18:03 – 19:42 & 31:10 – 32:40)
Immigration and Seeking Asylum – The show focuses on the fear and uncertainty that asylum seekers face, challenging stereotypes and offering a more human perspective.

Scene 5: “What use is 30 grand?” (36:40 – 39:00)
Wealth Disparity – Roger brushes off a £30,000 bonus as if it's nothing, while many others in the show are struggling to afford everyday necessities.

Scene 6: Life at the Corner Shop (40:10 – 42:55)
The Immigrant Struggle – The shopkeeper's daily challenges emphasize the tough reality of small business owners just trying to survive in an expensive city.

2) How does Capital use stereotypes? Do the characters and issues represented in Capital reinforce or subvert the stereotypes we typically see in the media?

 

• The Wealthy Banker:  He fits the stereotype of the greedy financier. His dissatisfaction despite a high salary and his wife’s complaints reinforces the idea that the upper class is never satisfied, highlighting themes of financial greed and privilege.
• The Immigrant Shopkeeper (Ahmed) → While many media portrayals of immigrant shopkeepers reduce them to background characters, Ahmed is given a detailed personal life. His struggles, ambitions, and family tensions are explored, showing him as more than just a “hard-working immigrant” stereotype.

1) Who is the parent company for Kudos? What changes of ownership have there been for Kudos? This is an example of conglomerate ownership.

Kudos is now part of Banijay, a huge global media group. Over the years, it’s changed ownership a few times, which is pretty common in the industry as big companies tend to buy up smaller studios.

2) Watch the showreel on the Kudos website. What other TV dramas have Kudos produced and for which channels? What awards have they won?

Spooks (BBC One) – A highly praised spy thriller.
Life on Mars (BBC One) – A detective series with a time-travel twist.
Humans (Channel 4/AMC) – A sci-fi drama that dives into the world of AI and its impact on human relationships.
Broadchurch (ITV) – A compelling crime drama that took home several BAFTA awards.

3) How does Capital help the BBC to fulfil its remit as a public service broadcaster? You may want to look back at our work on public service broadcasting last term. 

The BBC’s job is to inform, educate, and entertain while showing the diversity of the UK, and Capital really fits that purpose because:

• It reflects modern Britain – The show takes us to a multicultural street in London, exploring big issues like gentrification, immigration, and wealth inequality.
• It tackles real social issues – Capital gets viewers thinking about class divides, financial struggles, and the effects of wealth.
• It’s relatable to a broad audience – Unlike some big Hollywood dramas, Capital tells grounded, real-life stories that connect with the BBC’s diverse audience.