Criticism: It back tracks into stereotypes about Stasi officers
positive: fitting soundtrack
2) Why does the second Guardian article suggest the Germans didn't like the show?
It doesn't let the audience sympathise with a Stasi officer on a human level.
1) What does Jonas Nay say about growing up in a united 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? (Clue: revise your work on Channel 4 and Public Service Broadcasting here!)
3) Interviewer Matt Frei asks about the current political situation in Germany. Why might this interest the Channel 4 News audience?
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) According to the clip, why should audiences watch Deutschland 83?
2) Why is history an important aspect of the appeal of the show?
3) What technical aspects are highlighted in the video?
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?
2) How historically accurate was the setting, costume and props?
3) Why were the props, costumes and music such a key audience pleasure for Deutschland 83?
Production and industry contexts
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 teh world.
1) What kind of company is UFA Fiction and what shows have they produced?
2) What kind of company is Freemantle Media International and what do they produce?
3) How does Deutschland 83 reflect the international nature of television production?
Walter Presents
Watch this Channel 4 trailer for their Walter Presents international drama.
1) How does Channel 4 introduce 'Walter'?
2) What audience are Channel 4 trying to appeal to with the 'Walter Presents' series?
3) How does the 'Walter Presents' series reflect the changing nature of television in the digital age?
1) What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer? Think about Uses & Gratifications theory (Blumler and Katz).
2) How does the trailer use action and enigma codes (Barthes) to encourage the audience to watch the show?
3) The only words heard in the trailer are in English. Why do you think the UK trailer avoided subtitles or German dialogue?
Press pack
Read the Channel 4 press pack interview with writer Anna Winger. (If the link doesn't work, you can find the text from the interview here).
1) How did she use the historical context and real-life events to create a successful drama?
2) Anna Winger discusses the use of music. Why might the soundtrack attract an audience?
Press release
Read this Channel 4 press release on the success of Deutschland 83. (If the link doesn't work you can find find the text from the article here).
1) List the key statistics concerning audience figures. Why is considered the most successful foreign language drama?
2) How does the news release describe the drama?
International marketing
Look at these two different marketing campaigns - the UK DVD release (left) and the American Sundance TV advert (right).
1) How does the UK DVD cover communicate the sub-genre of the drama?
2) How do these use font, colour and graphics to appeal to an audience?
3) Why might the distributors Freemantle Media International have used different marketing campaigns in different countries?
