Unit 21: Focus Group

After explaining my second idea to a Focus Group of 4 people of the target audience age I have gathered some useful information:

• All of the group said that they would be interested in watching the programme if it was released. 
• They liked the idea and said it was unique, like nothing they had seen before but certain aspects of it resembled other great programmes which they had really enjoyed - leading them to want to watch it.
• They thought the programme could be developed into many series and started to contribute with ideas on where it could go (they suggested that when the Syrian man comes back to the UK, it is discovered that he has been part of a terror cell all along and he was an undercover). This could potentially expand the programme across multiple series with this. 
• The group were also happy that the film had a female lead protagonist and feature characters from different backgrounds. Although they did point out that all of the 'bad' people were represented as people from ethnic minorities and the 'good/innocent' were white/British. 
• It was also pointed out that the programme could be expensive to make and that it may be quite complex to create a migrant camp. 

Unit 21: Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of my ideas

Idea 1:

Idea 1 fits into many of the requirements set by the brief and is a programme I believe would fit well into the BBC Three library. The series would feature a teenage secondary school kid who is fighting the battle between social media and friends. This would be relatable in a massive way to the target audience as this age group use social media more than anyone else, it is also a big issue so would interest many and allow them to identify with it.

The series leads into an exaggerated path of the protagonist going off the rails and takes us into the world of crime. This not only acts as a diversion for the viewer (takes the user away from there more simple problems) but also a form of surveillance as it gives the viewer an insight into the world of organised crime.

The production would feature young characters and will almost entirely be filmed within one neighbourhood so would be suitable for a low BBC Three budget. The storyline has many routes it can go in terms of making a full series if feature length programmes but making it seasonal would potentially require some further development of other characters.

Actors under the age of 18 would be required, so full permission would need to be authorised from their guardians. A variety of locations both urban and non-urban would be required. Council permission may need to be gained to film within the school sites and also on surrounding roads. The police would also need to be informed as imitation illegal substances and lethal weapons will appear on camera/set.

Idea 2:

This programme would fit very well into the type of content displayed on the BBC Three Channel on iPlayer. It picks a popular issue and builds a slightly strange story around it that seems to appeal to young audiences. The show provides surveillance into refugees and also some will identify with the university student wanting to help. 

The series may be more expensive to make then my other ideas as it involves an international shoot and also would require access to immigration camps. Also young actors would be involved so permission from a guardian would be required. Security would also be required for the shoot as some of the locations could be dangerous. This makes this more expensive to make. 

This story also involve some transgressive content. We would have to make sure it complied with BBFC ratings to ensure the target audience can view it. 

Idea 3:

Logic would be the easiest programme to make as it could be filmed relatively cheaply as it involves simple locations and a group of university age actors. Many students viewing would be able to identify with the actors starting uni for the first time. 

It also fits well into the kind of comedy that BBC Three are producing at an increasing rate. The show also has the ability to go on for multiple episodes and seasons as the characters find themselves in different situations - similar to how hit series "The Inbetweeners" was created on competitor E4 in the early 2000s. 

The most difficult part of this programme would be how to make it genuinely funny and not cheesy. It would require research among young people to get the right sense of humour and also good actors to pull this off on set. 

Conclusion

Overall, the Drama idea I have decided to take forward it Idea 2. This is because it fits very well into the BBC Three Portfolio, similar to "Thirteen" (BBC Three's most successful series ever). I have also chosen this programme because of its transgressive content and "Social Commentary" Genre, these both being the most common types of content across the network and amongst the target audience of 15-21 year olds right now. It also focuses on a current issue (the immigration crisis) which matches with the BBC's mission statement to "Inform and Educate" and also being a drama series will hopefully "entertain". The protagonist is a university student enabling the many of the audiences to identify with, the programme also provide surveillance of the migrate crisis and the camp that they are currently stuck in. The programme will need a larger budget that some of BBC Three's usual programming as some international locations are used, however the additional cost of this will hopefully be acceptable as young, not-well-known characters will be used meaning there pay won't have to be as high. Multiple locations both in national and international locations were used in BBC Three series "Killing Eve" and "Dictatorland" so hopefully my idea would be possible. 

Unit 21: A Range of Ideas for a BBC Three Drama

A range of ideas for a BBC Three Drama series that could be produced on a low budget for a target audience of 15-21 year olds. All of the ideas would most likely be classed as BBFC 15 or lower. 

They are all Genre's that are popular with young people currently and hopefully feature storylines that the target audience could relate to in some way. 

Where possible the ideas would make good serial/seasonal programming and would last between 40-60 minutes.


Idea 1:

Idea 2: 

Idea 3: 

Unit 21: Existing Drama - Audience Pleasures

Stan Lee's Lucky Man

Year: 2016 - 2018

Number of series: 3

Total Episodes: 28

Episode Running Time: 45 mins

Production Company: Carnival Films & Pow! Entertainment

Distributor: NBC Universal International Television

Broadcast: Sky One

Budget: unknown, but not huge.

Film Location: London, United Kingdom.

Director: different directors for different episodes. See cast & crew.

Personal Relationships:

• Initially within his work with the police Harry is confident that he is the best and looks down on colleagues - this worsens when he gets extremely lucky. However, this starts to change when he becomes unlucky as he starts to need these people to help him. However, there is always a certain level of "I am better then you" right until the end. This will relatable to many people who work in office environments around the country - except what happens in Lucky Man dramatises it to a whole new level.
• Harry's relationship with his family sadly reflects many in the UK. Split up parents with a child in the middle. It shows the struggle of the child wanting to see both parents but the parents trying to do the best for the child which may leave to upset and disappointment. 
• Harry has relationships with several women throughout the 3 series of Lucky man. These are usually 'one night stands' that he comes to regret with women that he shouldn't really be with in this way. 
• Harry has a strong relationship with his brother "rich". This is a perfect representation of siblings. Harry puts his brother through all kind of horrible events (including Harry Gambling Rich's apartment away), but Rich is always still there for him at the end/watching out. This would be relatable for many families. 

Personal Identity:

• In Lucky Man, the question of what is right and what is wrong is often showcased. We see this through the way different characters approach the same idea. Harry's colleague Orwell always wants to do things by the book and follow the rule. Harry, although he has a questionable approach to getting things do, often crossing the line, he always does things for the good. In the final season, bad guy "Samual Blake" appears to have a good idea by destroying the bracelets that have caused so many problems for so many people, but the way he goes about it does more bad then good. 

Diversion:

• Harry is a character with personal problems, the biggest one being gambling. This is something we see recur through the three series. We see Harry win big and loose big throughout. This can draw us away from out problems whilst watching (making them feel small), when he is loosing millions.
• The Bracelet in Lucky Man pulls a fantasy/Sci-Fi idea into the real world - showing people how these supernatural ideas could work in real life, and how they may fit in. 

Surveillance:

• Allows viewers to see the life of Police Officers. 
• Allows viewers to see what it would be like to live with some kind of superpower. 
• Allows viewers to see what the lifestyle of a gambler is like and people that mix with criminals.

Sneaky Pete

Year: 2015 - present

Number of series: 2

Total Episodes: 20

Episode Running Time: 41-60 minutes

Production Company: Shore Z Productions, Nemo Films, Moonshot Entertainment, Exhibit A, Sony Pictures Television & Amazon Studios.

Distributor: Amazon Prime

Broadcast: Amazon Prime Video

Budget: $93 million for season 1.

Film Location: United States

Director: different directors for different episodes. See cast & crew.

Personal Relationships:

• Sneaky Pete shows relationships in a whole new way. The main character is a conman who visits a family pretending to be there own son. It ignites a question in the mind of the viewer...how well do we actually all know each other? 
• The family that the conman becomes part of is very close. They all look out for each other and always keep in touch. These relationships showcase to viewers how important family is and hopefully make them 'remember' there family and how important is. 
• Throughout the series the program follows 'sneaky pete' very closely. We see every aspect of what he does, and always see how his cons are pulled off. This draws us in to a relationship.....

Personal Identity:

• 'Sneaky Pete' (the conman) represents the whole idea of personal identity perfectly. He is trying to impersonate this man in front of the mans family after only spending a few months with him in prison, and hearing 'just bits here and there' about his life. 
• He has to understand Pete's behaviour, being a shy character who thinks of himself as a bit useless/stupid. As the viewer we then see the contrast between the actual "Pete's" character and the conman, one being shy and one being quite outspoken. What this ultimately shows to the viewer is that being both is ok.

Diversion:

• The conman gets himself into all kinds of trouble, almost getting himself killed, and getting some of his acquaintances actually killed along the way. 
• He is always under enormous pressure to reach a deadline which usually results in ridiculous consequences if he does not meet them, he is having to balance the stress of one con alongside another always keep of track what is going on around him. Ultimately this completely takes the viewer away from the stresses of there life making there problems feel small and stupid in comparison!
• Also, the program gets complex at times and often fills with suspense. This is enough to completely engross the viewer, making them not able to take there eyes off the screen - this alone acts as a complete diversion from the real world. 

Surveillance:

• The program takes the viewer into the world of a mastermind criminal, showing that crime is not always simple, but can run like the most complex of projects or businesses - and that criminals are not necessarily as stupid as the stereotype plays. 
• It also gives viewers an insight into life in prison, as well as life in deep America. 

Gunpowder

Year: 2017

Number of series: 1

Total Episodes: 3

Episode Running Time: 60 minutes

Production Company: Kudos

Distributor: Endemol Shine Group

Broadcast: BBC One

Budget: unknown, but described as 'big budget'

Film Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Director: J Blakeson

Personal Relationships:

• At the time this was set, family life was different with mother, father and children not being as close or spending as much time together. This gives viewers are contrast with family life today which is somewhat very different. 
• The programme features much about upper vs lower class and the treatment of different types of people. We feel empathy for the lower class people, they seem to receive all kinds of punishment for what would today be ridiculous, e.g: being a specific religion. 

Personal Identity:

• It is obvious from the program that men are supposed to be strong and expected to fight. Whereas females should look after the children etc. This is a 'model' of family life which some people today choose to follow but more commonly not. 

Diversion:

• The programme shows modern day viewers how difficult life was in history, and how actually the our lives today are pretty good and we are fortunate to live in a period we do. This makes how problems at school or work seem minor, diverting our changes away to them as the programme grips us into another world. 

Surveillance:

• 'Gunpowder' takes the viewer into a world of the past. The high quality replication of scenes from the 1600s make it look completely real and gives us the best possible view of what it was like to live in this period. The way the programme is filmed following the main character slowly gives us a good insight into how society worked and what daily life consisted of. 

Unit 21: Interpreting the Brief

The Client: BBC

The BBC is a public service broadcaster in the UK funded by a license fee collected from anyone who used TV or On Demand services.

It's primary focus is to Inform, Entertain and Educate.

Because it is a public service broadcaster, it has an obligation to justify how it spends the money from the license fee, always try and remain impartial and fairly represent all parties.

Platform: BBC Three

BBC Three is a BBC brand specifically targeted at 16-34 year olds. When launched in 2007 it broadcasted as a traditional TV channel - but due to a decrease in BBC funding, a rapid decline in teenagers watching broadcast TV and an increase in content being viewed in an “On Demand” format - the channel was moved online with content published on the BBC iPlayer and through @BBCThree Twitter & Instagram accounts.

Due to its target market the content available on the BBC Three is very focused into what young people are interested in: including ‘the big issues’, sex, drugs, crime and other transgressive content. These topics are usually presented through short form (10-20 minute) or long form (40-60 minute) documentary, drama or comedy films.

The BBC Three "Channel" on iPlayer. Vibrant, bright colours and bold "cool" branding is used. The Three is stylised "II!". All making it identifiable as a young persons channel, as its informal and contrasts with the rest of iPlayer which targets an older audience.

Programmes available on BBC Three, all showcasing young actors with clearly transgressive documentaries and Drama's or silly comedy. A page of programmes that would certainly not typically appeal to anyone of an older age! 

Previously Drama shows on BBC Three such as "Killed By My Father" has received 1.8 million viewers. This was one of BBC Three's most successful programmes showing the potential audience my pilot episode could receive. This is slightly less then Netflix achieved on hit series "House of Cards" which received over 4 million viewers.

My Brief: Drama Pilot Episode

Based on what I know about BBC Three and after reading the brief I now know that the type of programme I need to be planning a BBFC rated “15” pilot episode of a low budget 40-60 minute transgressive drama that features younger, relatable actors/storyline so it appeals to a target audience of 16-21 year olds.

Young people tend to be attracted to specific Drama genres such as "superhero, crime, fantasy and historical", I could include aspects of all of these in my idea to make it more appealing. Classic detective and satire Dramas are not as popular so should be avoided.

Conventions to Consider: Drama Series

• Young relatable characters because of the low age of target audience;
• A gripping story that can be made serial (so it can flow across multiple episodes and keep people watching);
• Each episode could start with a “Last Time on…” and finish with a “next time on…”;
• A recognisable title sequence and title music that can easily be associated with the programme;
• A good soundtrack (use of songs that the audience will recognise);
• Be set in real world locations that an audience of this age can relate to (e.g: school);
• Activities that will be relatable to the audience take place in the programme (night out etc) but taken to the next level (over-the-top) to make it seem more exciting.

The AMC/Netflix American Drama series "Breaking Bad" was hugely popular amongst 18-30 year olds as it contained themes they could relate to. The fact that Walter is a secondary school teacher puts this crazy idea in the mind that 'What if this was your Chemistry teacher?' 

The programme is also a good example of a Drama with relatable characters, locations, famous title/theme music and an incredibly gripping storyline that flows across multiple series never mind episodes!

The competition: other providers and producers

BBC Three's main competition is Netflix & Amazon Prime Instant Video with programmes such as “Narcos”, “Breaking Bad” and “Sneaky Pete”. These have grown in huge popularity and are some of the main forces that drive the BBC to creating content in the format of BBC Three. ITV2 and Channel 4 also make a lot drama-style content for young people which is also popular - this is broadcast on traditional tv channels as well as being available online.