Black Mirror

• Black Mirror is an anthology series that explores the dark side of technology
• San Junipero was written by Charlie Brooker, directed by Owen Harris, and produced by Annabel Jones
• The episode takes place in the year 1987
• Yorkie (Mackenzie Davis) meets Kelly (Gugu Mbatha-Raw)
• When was Black Mirror first released?

  First released December 2011 and Feb 2013 on Channel 4 - moved to Netflix in 2016.
• Who created Black Mirror?

  Charlie Brooker and Annabelle Jones
• What is the main theme throughout Black Mirror?

  Outlook into how technology has a control of human bodies and consciousness
• What episode are we focusing on?

  San Junipero
• When was this episode released?

  Season 3, Episode 4- 21 October 2016.
• What are the names of the two main characters in the episode?

  Kelly and Yorkie
• How might representations in the episode evoke discourses?

  Brooker said the first draft of the script had a heterosexual romance at its centre, but he decided to change this to a same-sex relationship as a comment on the acceptability of LGBTQ+ relationships (including gay marriage) in the 1980s and 1990s. • The episode was warmly received by the LGBTQ+ community, especially as the sexuality of the characters is not portrayed as problematic; the love between Yorkie and Kelly has numerous obstacles, but their sexuality is not one of them. • Actor Mackenzie Davis (Yorkie) said "I could never have anticipated what a healthy, biracial gay love story - in which neither character dies - could mean to those who had experienced a dearth of positive depictions of their identities." • The revelation that, in actuality, the relationship is between two elderly women also challenges stereotypes of this age group
• Where was black mirror first released?

  Channel 4
• What is endemol shine UK?

  Leading producer behind diverse range of global entertainment formats
• PIOt line of black mirror

  Modern technologies can backfire and be used against their makers, every episode in a different reality combating different types of technologies
• Intro of digital TV - industry

  Digital terrestrial TV began broadcasting in the UK in 1998, offering 20 channels on a subscription basis
• Intro to TV in global age- industry

  Has become global with PSB's forced to adapt its structure.

  Netflix worlds largest streaming site

  Broadcasters now narrowcasters targeting niche audiences.

  Consume TV in variety of ways

  Interactive social media such as YouTube increased accessibility for "prosumer' audience (clayshirky)
• Steve neale genre theory

  Genre is recognisable but does change over time or borrow from other genres. Genre is important to institutions because it helps them to market texts. Genres repeat codes and conventions to make recognisable. But have to balance between repetition and difference so that audiences do not get bored.
• Narrative conventions of sci-fi

  Clear disruption of equilibrium, reliance on hermeneutic codes, narrative position with hero on quest, binary oppositions, flashbacks, time and space
• Todrov's narrative theory

  Equilibrium(setting+ characters), disruption, recognise disruption, climax, attempt to repair, reinstate equilibrium
• story arc


  The development of a character or theme from the beginning of the story, through the climax, to the end.
• Character Arc


  the transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story
• Linear Narrative


  a narrative that goes in chronological order.
• Flexi narrative

  A more complex narrative structure with layers of interweaving storylines. This challenges the audience and keeps them watching.
• Bell Hooks: Intersectionality Theory
• Butler's Gender Performativity


  the idea that identity is performatively constructed by the very 'expressions' that are said to be its results (it is manufactured through a set of acts)

  
  

  the idea that there is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender

  
  

  the idea that performativity is not a singular act, but a repetition and a ritual.
• Van zonnen feminist theory


  Gender constructed through communication
• Baudrillard - Postmodernism


  We are living in a hyperreal age where the lines between the real world and media are blurred, where we make media about media, and where the idea of a single definable truth is lost into a range of truths that you take your pick from.
• Intertextual references


  references to other films or works of art
• Parody


  a work which imitates another in a ridiculous manner,audience gets pleasure from identifying these
• homage


  Interextual reference to pay respect to another text
• Fragmented narrative

  Use of flashback, non linear plot line
• Self-reflexivity


  When characters are aware that they are in a media product
• Common themes and questions


  What it? Working through ideas for audience to consider
• verisimilitude


  the appearance of being true or real
• primary target audience

  Mainstreamers, 15+, fans of tv drama, socioeconomic= B, c1, C2
• Secondary audiences

  Explorers, fans of sci-fi, more alternative, youngmales
• Tertiary audiences

  Binge watcher viewer eg Netflix subscriber, viewers attracted by marketing
• Other audiences

  Inherited fanbases- people aware of Charlie broker, cross gender and age appeal- may find characters attractive
• How was the show marketed ? - 13 days of black mirror

  13 days of black mirror- treating them like movie trailers, company created an advert for each of season six episodes + released in staggered succession. To build excitement- posters created and shared on social media.
• Marketing-the creep factor

  Private messages shared referencing black mirror episodes, reactions were mixed but gained widespread attention and was an unconventional marketing technique