TV: Deutschland 83 case study

Deutschland 83: case study blog tasks

Work through the following tasks to build a detailed case study for Deutschland 83. This will give you plenty of background information to use in an exam question. Remember, for this CSP the question could be on any of the key concepts: language, industries, audiences or representations.

Reviews and features
Read the following reviews and features on Deutschland 83:
The Guardian - Your next box set: Deutschland 83Daily Telegraph reviewThe Guardian - Deutschland 83 Pity the Germans don't like it

1) What positive aspects of Deutschland 83 are highlighted in the reviews?

• Deutschland 83 consists of real-life events

• Martin is played very well by actor Jonas Nay

• The drama contains a wry sense of humour

• The drama has an excellent thrill- driven by the jeopardy of a nuclear WW3

• The first episode was the highest-rating subtitled drama in television history

• Bloggers are celebrating Deutschland 83's fashion and soundtrack

• Focusing the story around Martin Rauch allowed the audience to empathise with a Stasi agent on a human level

• The filming of the series was done very well, creating and excellent sense of period- one would feel like they are in 1983; the cheap clothes, the pathetic excitement of teenagers at listening to illicit western pop music, using the old Stasi headquarters (now the Stasi Museum) in East Berlin.

2) What criticisms are made of the show?

• The show wasn't nearly as successful in Germany as it was in other countries-  by the time the last episode was shown in Germany, it had shed half its starting audience, with only 1.72m viewers. 

• Stereotypes of Stasi officers are included in the drama- they are cruel ideologues who blackmail family members and fake reports for political ends.

• It sometimes lacked drama

3) Why did the Telegraph suggest that Deutschland 83 did the 'period' aspect of 'period drama' so well?
Deutschland 83 contained many aspects that made the audience feel they were actually in 1983. The use of cheap clothing, the pathetic excitement of teenagers at listening to illicit western pop music, using the old Stasi headquarters (now the Stasi Museum) in East Berlin. The subtle differences between East and West Germany were also represented- Martin had to learn the small differences in vocabulary that had arisen after the four decades of war- almost like a new dialect had been created. The period feel was heightened with news footage of Erich Honecker, the East German leader. 

4) Find three 'below the line' comments from either of the Guardian articles. What did the audience think of Deutschland 83? Do you agree with the comments?
"Saw the title on Netflix recently but didn't bother. To me German series often suffer from poor production value and screenplays are either obsessed with complexity or dull and boring. The latter dominates." - I disagree with this review. Deutschland 83 was very well produced and appeared to be a high budget TV drama. Furthermore, it featured an interesting story that would keep an audience engaged and interested.

"The whole series was something of a learning experience for me. I think that's why I loved it so much. Always happy to have my knowledge topped up!" - I agree with this comment. The series does feature knowledgeable historical context that I had not known prior to watching the first episode. I think that more information will be revealed to the audience as the show goes on. 


"Deutschland 83 was great, and I also hoped it was a sign of things to come on German TV. 'See; Germany can do it'. Only then to find out that it was an American writer...." - This comment is wrong in that Deutschland 83 wasn't written by just an American writer. It was written by American-German husband-and-wife team Anna and Joerg Winger. Therefore there was some German creativity put in to the story. However, I think I understand where the writer of the comment is coming from.


Interviews and behind-the-scenes video features
Channel 4 News: Matt Frei interviews Jonas Nay

1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united Germany? 
Jonas Nay discusses how growing up in a united Germany meant that he didn't know much about the events of the Cold War. They mostly studied WW2 at school because that period was what his teachers and parents had lived through in their youth. Interestingly, Jonas Nay also talks about how he isn't recognised in Germany as the actor in Deutschland 83 but, rather, he is noticed by British fans.


Nay grew up in a Germany where there is no longer the divide of East and West. However, it is interesting to note that, if Nay lived in 1983, he would prefer to be a West German because they weree the ones who had freedom and mobility and this was impossible in the monitored East Germany.


2) The Channel 4 News interview is conducted in German with English subtitles. How does this reflect Channel 4's remit as a public service broadcaster and their target audience? 
Channel 4 has a remit where it is expected to deliver 'high-quality, innovative, alternative content that challenges the status quo.' This is significant to the way the interview was conducted as it is a different and unique approach. It creates synergy between the TV series and the interview which fans of Deutschland 83 would really like.

3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
This might interest the Channel 4 news audience as they watch the news so they are aware of these political issues. They are highly likely to be fans of Deutschland 83 so perhaps they would be interested to see what their favourite character has to say on the issue.

Behind the scenes clips
The All4 website has a range of clips from behind the scenes of Deutschland 83. Watch the following:
Making Of: Why Should You Watch Deutschland 83. Watch this short promotional clip for Deutschland 83.

1) Why should audiences watch Deutschland 83 - what does the clip offer viewers?
The clip offers the viewers with many reasons why they should watch the series- it's interesting, fun, informative and adventurous all at once.

2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
The events of Deutschland 83 actually happened in Germany so this is an important part of the appeal of the show. Younger audiences can learn about this history without having to read a book.

3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
The cinematography, costume and setting design are highlighted in the video. They are at a very high standard and provide an excellent basis for making the audience feel like they are in Germany in 1983. 

Making Of: Set Design
Watch this interview with Production designer Lars Lange.

1) Why were the set design, costume and props so important for Deutschland 83?
They are important because Deutschland 83 is based on real life facts so it is important that the mise-en-scene communicates this too.

2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
Most of the setting costume and props was accurate. However, Lange states how they did not know what the monitoring stations actually looked like but their representation of them is one close to the truth.

3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
They are a key pleasure as they allow the audience to go back in time and feel like they were actually in Germany in 1983.

Textual analysis: trailer

1) The opening of the trailer uses sound and editing to draw the audience in. Explain why this is effective.
The opening of the trailer features a voice over and dramatic music along with a split screen effect. The split screen highlights the contrast between Martin in East and in West Germany. This is effective in drawing the audience as it creates a foundation of the concept of the whole TV drama and highlights the double-life narrative that many audiences will be intrigued by. Furthermore, the split screen is a physical symbol for the Berlin wall that had once divided Germany and this effect is also used in the first episode of the series.

2) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
Diversion is one audience pleasure suggested by the trailer. The series seems to offer lots of action- obvious from the many running and fighting scenes in the trailer. Surveillance is another key audience pleasure established in the trailer. The series is clearly based on the events that occurred in Germany in 1983 concerning the cold war. 

3) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
Examples of action codes in the trailer are the many scenes with fighting, guns and running. Examples of enigma codes include the scene of the large room where there seems to be politically important people discussing something serious. These encourage an audience to watch the show as they want to know the result of the fight and what is the mystery behind the secrets.

4) Pick three shots/scenes from the trailer that capture the spy thriller sub-genre. Why might this appeal to an audience? Try and apply Neale's genre theory 'repetition and difference' (the original notes on genre theory are here).

Shot 1- Picking the lock of a door

This is a typical shot that is found in virtually all spy/thriller genre narratives. One of the characters attempts to break in to a locked door- the scenes provide so much tension because we don't know whether they will succeed or fail.                                                     

Shot 2- the use of flashlight

This is another shot that is typical of the spy and thriller genre. The use of extremely low lighting with the torch providing most of the light creates an ominous and tense seen that fans adore. 

Shot 3- Use of gadgets

Spy dramas are notorious for their use of modern gadgets and technology pieces that normal people wouldn't associate with. In this shot, the character is listening to something. In the few seconds after this shot in the trailer, we see a close up of the gadget and something printed out of it. This appeals to an audience because of the mystery it conveys. The fact that the over-the-shoulder shot restricts us from seeing the character's face further emphasises the appeal. 

5) Pick three examples of mise-en-scene from the trailer that capture the 1983 setting to confirm the sub-genre of period drama. Why might this appeal to an audience? 

These first two shots confirm the sub-genre of period drama. The outfits, hairstyles and makeup of the two female characters is very 80s style.

This shot shows a television from the show. As we can see, the TV is very small but very thick. It is an example of the types of TVs that were around in the 1980s, before the rapid change in technology.

These shots may appeal to an audience as they allow them to see how life was like many years ago. For older audiences who may have been alive during this time, they are given an opportunity to return back to that time and reminisce on their past.  

6) The trailer uses the song 'Two Tribes' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Why did the producers select this soundtrack for the trailer?
This sound track was released in 1984 by the British Band. The song 'presents nihilistic, gleeful lyrics expressing enthusiasm for nuclear war' (Wiki). The song was released at a time where the Cold War had intensified and fears about global nuclear warfare were at a peak. Perhaps the release of the song was a way of calming people down and reassuring them that WW3 will not happen. The producers probably selected this soundtrack for the trailer because of the fact that it links perfectly with the narrative of the TV drama.

7) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
I think the trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue because the trailer is so fast pace and so many things are happening all at once. Adding German dialogue or subtitles would mean that too many things were going on at the same time on the screen and this would have adverted the audience's focus from the actual shots in the trailer.

Production and industry context
Deutschland 83 was produced by German production company UFA Fiction and distributed internationally by FremantleMedia International. It was broadcast on RTL (Germany), SundanceTV (US) and Channel 4 (UK) as well as many other broadcasters around the world.

1) Read this Freemantle Media press release on the worldwide success of Deutschland 83. How is the drama described by the distributor? Why was it considered such an international success?
The drama is described as being 'ground-breaking and highly acclaimed' by the media distributor. He states that “Deutschland 83 has become the must-have European drama series of the year." and "is all set to captivate viewers around the world.”

Deutschland 83 was considered such an international success because of the overwhelming number of countries that it was distributed in. Examples include France, Italy, Russia, Canada and many more.

2) Read this Freemantle Media press release on Deutschland 83 becoming Channel 4's highest rated foreign drama. What was the consolidated viewing figure for Episode 1 of Deutschland 83? What praise for Deutschland 83 is included in the press release?
Consolidated viewing figure for episode 1- 2.5 million viewers.
Deutschland 83 is praised for being an excellent thriller that presents a true story in a gripping and entertaining way.

3) How does the press release promote the Channel 4 'Walter Presents' collection of international TV drama?
The press release mentions how Walter presents will be hosting more than 600 hours of drama that will also be available to download and watch on demand. This is appealing to an audience who doesn't have time to watch TV during the allocated times.
Walter Presents
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.

1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
Channel 4 introduces Walter in a compelling and interesting way. We see a man waking up to collect lots of packages from the door, signing of his name (the famous Walter Presents symbol) then spending his whole day watching TV dramas. The over-voice narrator speaks highly of him-"he is a man of impeccable taste" and encourages the audience to "trust him because [they] do". Furthermore, his face isn't properly revealed until the end of the trailer and when the narrator says "his name is Walter". This makes him seem like a highly elite figure who should be respected.

2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
Channel 4 are trying to appeal to a working class audience. This is the main target audience for Channel 4 and the fact that these TV series are available for free highlights this.

3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
The Walter Presents series highlights how television has changed so much that you can now watch it from almost any device at home for free.

Marketing and promotion
Look at the online Channel 4 press pack for Deutschland 83.

1) Read the programme information from the press pack. How does the programme information seek to interest a reader from the first paragraph?
The first paragraph interests a reader immediately as it addresses the dire situation that is currently underway in Germany (nuclear war threat) and how this one man, Martin, has been tasked with saving the world. The show is described as a "gripping coming-of-age story and a suspenseful, fast-paced thriller."

2) What does the programme information suggest the main strengths of the programme are?
It suggests that the main strengths of the drama is its suspense and well-written narrative.

3) Read the press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
Winger and her crew did a lot of research in order to write this drama. They used the timeline of real events and the real political climate of the time as a backdrop, then set their fictional characters in to the timeline.

4) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
1983 and the 1980s in general was a period of pop culture and songs were travelling far. It was also the year where fashion, hair styles and colour palette, suddenly became a part of the 1980’s music experience. Therefore, the use of these soundtracks in the drama is likely to attract an audience because it is the root of our music today.
International marketing
Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (bottom) and the American Sundance TV advert (top).

1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
The DVD cover has 'Under cover' written clearly on the front which illustrates the spy element of the drama. The use of the Berlin Wall graffiti and quite washed colour scheme illustrates the period sub-genre.

2) Analyse the mise-en-scene in the UK DVD cover. What does it communicate to the audience?
Th main character Martin can be seen looking up and holding what appears to be a speaker of listening device. This communicates to the audience how he is serious and illustrates the spy genre of the drama.

3) How does the American branding use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
The American branding uses very bright and vibrant colours (pinks, blues and purples) to appeal to an audience. The font is also very large and very bold.

4) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries? 
Different countries have different ideologies and opinions when it comes to what they enjoy watching. Perhaps each campaign was tailored to that specific country so that the TV drama can still appeal to them.