Peaky Blinders

Genre definition

A way of categorising a piece of media in order to attract a target audience.

Genres contain codes and conventions - the typical features audiences expect to see in the genre.

What is a hybrid genre?

When two or more genres are combined (eg rom-coms).

Peaky Blinders is an example of this.

What genres is peaky blinders categorised as?

Tv drama

Period drama

Gangster

Western

What’s a drama?

A narrative focused on conflict, includes serious storylines

Ryall’s genre triangle

Why does genre change over time?

Zeitgeist - changes in ideology and society

Censorship

Influence of particular texts and authors

New technology

As if changes over time, what can genre be described as?

A dynamic paradigm.

KEY THEORY: What’s Steve Neale’s Genre Theory?

Neal suggests there are two reasons why films rely on genre:

1. Guarantees meaning and pleasure for audiences - ‘systems of expectations’

2. Genres are linked to economic contexts - genres repeat the same conventions to provide a familiar formula which will generate profit for film companies.

He also argues that ‘genre is marked by difference, variation and change’ and that genres borrow from and overlap with one another.

Apply this to Peaky Blinders

Familiar gangster conventions - anti-heroes, violence

Familiar drama conventions - conflict, betrayal

Originality - the gang member’s complexity and emotion are shown eg Tommy’s PTSD

Narrative definition

Methodology of storytelling

Different types of narratives and definitions

Linear - plot has clear and chronological beginning middle and end

Non-linear - not chronological plot

Single-strand - only one narrative

Multi-strand - many different narratives, involving lots of different characters

Flexi - some narratives are resolved at the end of the film, others continuing into the sequel

Open - narrative open to interpretation

Closed - narrative with a definitive ending

Omniscient - audience knows more than the characters

Restricted - to be find out info at the same time as the characters

KEY THEORY: Explain Roland Barthes’ theory.

In his explanation of narrative codes - states that engaging with a text is all about unravelling various elements like balls of wool.

(Not his full theory)

What are all the narratives in Peaky Blinders episode 1

Tommy fixing the horse races - this angers Arthur

Freddie Thorn leading a communist revolution

Inspector Campbell coming to London to investigate the Peaky Blinders

Danny Suffering from PTSD - he gets out of control and kills a man, his death is faked

Freddie and Tommy’s relationship

The robbery of the guns

Freddie and Ada secret romance

Grace starting her job at the bar - we find out she’s working with Campbell

KEY THEORY: Explain Todorov (structuralist)’s narrative theory.

Five step narrative:

1. State of equilibrium

2. Disruption of equilibrium by an event

3. Recognition that disequilibrium has occurred, attempts made to repair the damage

4. Restoration of order by a resolution

5. New equilibrium created

Can Todorov’s 5 step narrative be applied to Peaky Blinders?

Yes - but not all narratives fit the exact criteria.

Eg: The Peaky Blinders run their usual business without trouble → Campbell goes to Birmingham to investigate the guns being stolen and the Peaky Blinders → Polly Tells Tommy that the police are investigating the stolen guns → Tommy says to Polly that he will get rid of the guns → Tommy decides to lie to Polly and keep the guns

What is structuralism?

The analysis of media texts as complex systems.

Focuses on underlying patterns and codes and conventions to reveal how meaning is constructed.

This approach emphasises recurring themes, binary oppositions, and the structural relationships between elements to understand cultural messages and ideologies.

What’s another structuralist theory?

Claude Levi-Strauss’s Binary oppositions theory.

Explain binary oppositions theory

Conflict is key for effective storytelling, and it offers powerful levels of meaning within the text.

Conflict relies on two opposing forces (eg good vs evil).

Levi-Strauss highlights that several oppositions can be present in a media text.

Examples of binary oppositions in Peaky Blinders episode 1.

Past v present

Corruption v legitimacy

Campbell v crime

Loyalty v betrayal

Bolshevism v capitalism

What are narratives largely based on?

Cause and effect - this is called causality.

What’s a violation of expectations?

A plot twist - sudden unexpected turn.

(Eg Danny being revealed to be alive in Peaky Blinders episode 1)

HOW IS TOMMY REPRESENTED IN THE OPENING? Gesture codes

Straight-back posture shows confidence

He tilts his head down to look at people - he sees them as less powerful than him.

HOW IS TOMMY REPRESENTED IN THE OPENING? Dress codes

He’s dressed in a smart suit with a hat - shows his wealth. This contrasts the dirty, ragged dress codes of the poor people in Birmingham.

HOW IS TOMMY REPRESENTED IN THE OPENING? Audio codes

The song “Red Right Hand” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds plays. ‘Red right hand’ refers to a figure of divine vengeance - showing that Tommy is like the devil.

When Tommy enters, a staccato, chromatic non-diagetic soundtrack plays. This adds tension. It sounds like a heartbeat - represents the fear of other people.

HOW IS TOMMY REPRESENTED IN THE OPENING? Status

He’s physically above everyone on his horse - shows his high status.

The horse alone shows high status.

The policeman bows his hat to him.

The Asian man calls him “sir”.

HOW IS TOMMY REPRESENTED IN THE OPENING? Masculinity

Tommy speaks to the people in Birmingham with a low-pitched voice.

He also chooses to stay silent for most of the opening.

Tommy represents hegemonic masculinity - he acts as an alpha male.

HOW IS TOMMY REPRESENTED IN THE OPENING? Camera shots

There’s a mix of low-angle and high-angle camera shots with a lack of close ups - emphasises his power.

HOW IS THE AUDIENCE POSITIONED TO VIEW TOMMY IN THE OPENING?

He’s intimidating - people clear the street when he comes.

He’s morally ambiguous - his hat’s shadow covers his eyes when talking to the asian girl.

He gives money to the blind man and tells people about the horse he put a spell on - generosity.

He’s shown to be a dominant antagonist but with a good side to him.

Apply Gauntlett’s identity theory to the representation of Tommy in the opening.

There’s a lack of diversity and complexity in 1919 England. Gauntlett believed that identity was less complex in the past - so this supports his theory.

Apply Butler’s gender performativity theory to Tommy’s opening representation

He, like the other male Peaky Blinders, perform their male rituals - suits and flat caps, anger, straight posture.

How is Tommy represented later on in the episode?

He shoots Danny - no one questions his high status. This shows that he’s powerful.

How is Arthur Shelby presented in the episode?

He also shows hegemonic masculinity.

He has a short temper and shouts - unlike Tommy.

He shows a different kind of masculinity to Tommy’s calmness.

How is Grace represented in the episode?

She’s told that she’s too attractive to work in the bar - she’s just seen as a beauty object.

Tommy asks her if she’s a “whore” - she’s objectified.

She survives the male-dominated pub through her soothing singing.

She’s represented as a housewife - she does domestic work around the bar, she’s attractive.

It’s revealed that she’s working undercover with the police - shows that she’s a complex character.

Apply Butler’s theory to Grace’s character

Grace deliberately performs feminine rituals in order to get closer to the Peaky Blinders - her soft singing, makeup, luscious blonde hair.

It is later revealed that this is just a performance and that she is a determined undercover agent.

How’s Polly represented in the episode?

She’s presented as a powerful woman - opposing the usual stereotypical representation of older women in the media.

Dress codes - skirts and dresses show femininity. Although masculine features include her hats and dark colours.

How is Birmingham represented in the episode?

As a grimy city focused on industry.

Birmingham is represented through hyperreality - CGI, filmed in Liverpool.

Does Propp’s archetypes theory link to Peaky Blinders?

Yes.

Hero - Tommy, although he’s an anti-hero

Villain - Inspector Campbell

Princess - Ada Shelby, Danny

False hero - Grace

Postmodernism definition

A genre of media where history, style and modern attitudes clash intentionally.

This is the opposite to verisimilitude (mimicking reality).

Peaky Blinders is a postmodern programme.

What are the features of a post-modern text?

Intertextuality (reference to Western genre)

Bricolage - diverse elements fave aren’t associated with eachother being reassembled together (Nick Cave song and 1919 Birmingham)

Parody/pastiche/homage (Peaky Blinders is a pastiche - an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work or period)

Irony - audience is aware of things that characters aren’t (Grace being undercover)

Ambiguity (Tommy’s morality)

Narrative fragmentation - narrative is jumbled up

Hyperreality - made up of perceptions based on culture

How is Peaky Blinders a postmodern text?

Bricolage - modern soundtrack and camera shots, but set in 1919 Britain

Doesn’t capture complete historical accuracy - the Peaky Blinders were a gang in the 1800s.

What’s the effect of the energetic punk soundtrack in the episode?

It indicates the simmering emotion beneath Tommy’s calm interior.

Explain Baudrillard’s hyperreality theory.

Baudrillard said that what we look at in the media is a representation of something, it’s a simulacrum (eg picture of the Mona Lisa isn’t the real Mona Lisa).

He said that a simulation is acting out/mimicking an actual event to do or make something that looks real but isn’t real (eg farming simulator, FIFA).

Apply Baudrillard’s theory to Peaky Blinders

The image of Birmingham is a simulation of 1919 Birmingham - constructed to be presented in a certain way (dirty, poor, crime central)

INDUSTRY: What big company was Peaky Blinders produced by?

The BBC.

Info about BBC

They’re a public service broadcaster - funded by the public (TV license)

They follow a remit - rules they must follow (‘inform, educate, entertain)

They tend to stay away from niche topics, relying on generic programming in order to make more money (Hesmondalgh).

Who regulates the BBC?

Ofcom.

Explain how Peaky Blinders was produced

It is a co-production between two independent production companies - Caryn Mandabuch productions and Tiger Aspect.

It was funded by the Yorkshire screen fund - aiming to increase representations of northern England in the media.

What channel was Peaky Blinders first broadcast on?

BBC Two.

Why was Peaky Blinders first broadcast on BBC two?

BBC Two’s remit: to be a mixed-genre channel appealing to a broad adult audience with programmes of depth and substance

Peaky Blinders fits this remit.

Other reasons: it’s aimed at adults, it isn’t mainstream, it has an experimental nature (postmodern)

What channel did Peaky Blinders move to in the later seasons? What does this reflect?

BBC One.

This reflects the show’s success - The BBC gave them this more mainstream slot.

Apply Curran and Seaton to PB

The diverse patterns of ownership - Tiger Aspect, Caryn Mandabuch productions, BBC - led to a unique media product.

How did Peaky Blinders reach a global audience?

Through Netflix.

How did Netflix end up owning rights to Peaky Blinders?

It was previously distributed by the Weinstein company in the USA.

It was sold to them in 2014 as a result of Weinstein’s controversy.

Netflix info

Netflix is the world’s number one streaming service

They invest heavily in original content and also buy existing shows from different countries.

Their remit: ‘telling local stories on a global platform’ - Peaky Blinders is an example of this.

How does Netflix’s role in Peaky Blinders illustrate Hesmondhalgh’s ideas?

As cultural industries operated across a global market - it became popular in America and on social media

AUDIENCE: What’s the target audience of Peaky Blinders?

20-50 year-old females/males.

This is because of the violence and complex nature.

There are strong female and male characters.

There are characters of various ages.

What are some textual pleasures provided in the episode of Peaky Blindeds?

Aesthetic - Birmingham CGI, dark palette, camera shots

Emotional - Danny death, Tommy PTSD

Visceral - Danny killing the Italian man, Arthur being beaten up

Stars - Cillian Murphy, Steve Neal (Campbell)

Apply Hall’s reception theory to Peaky Blinderw.

Preferred reading - supporting Tommy and the Peaky Blinders, disliking Campbell

Oppositional reading - older people may disagree with the violent and criminal nature, they may side with the police over the Peaky Blinders.

What are the universal themes in Peaky Blinders that make it appeal globally?

Revenge

Family

Law vs order

Propp’s character archetypes

Apply Blumer and Katz’s Uses and Gratifications theory to Peaky Blinders.

Escapism - hyperrealism of 1919 Birmingham

Surveillance - historical info of post-war Britain

Social interaction - can watch with family + friends, social media

Personal identity - people will relate to characters of similar ages to themselves

FANDOM: what type of audience does Peaky Blinders have?

Cult viewing.

Explain cult viewing

When the audience has a passion for the show.

It’s constructed through secondary texts that activate meanings and associations for audiences.

Cult viewing is grassroots phenomenon - it’s derived from audience response.

What are fans?

People that positively engage with the text.

They maintain a passionate connection to it.

Explain Henry Jenkins’ fandom theory

He said that fans act as textual poachers - taking elements of media texts to create their own culture. This leads to participatory culture and collective intelligence.

He said that fans create online communities, produce new creative forms and shape the media.

‘we’ media - members of the public play an active role in the process of collecting, reporting and citizen journalism.

What was the impact of Peaky Blinders?

A rise in tourism in Birmingham and Liverpool (where it was filmed)

Peaky Blinders festival

Fan fiction, fan art

Fashion from the show (suits) became popular

Explain Clay Shirky’s ‘end of audience’ theory

He said that we no longer passively consume media texts, we are active audience members.

He says that this is because of technology - we expect to be able to share, like, comment etc

Shirky also believes that traditional hierarchies don’t exist, we are now able to speak back to producers.

INDUSTRY: Who created Peaky Blinders?

Stephen Knight.

Stephen Knight info

He grew up in Birmingham, so had knowledge of the area.

He’d written several other successful tv shows and films before (hummingbird, eastern promises).

All of these were crime dramas focused on social issues.

How did Knight’s involvement benefit Peaky Blinders?

It helped to attract funding and partnering companies.

How did the production companies benefit Peaky Blinders?

Caryn Mandabuch is a successful, award-winning producer.

Tiger Aspect had worked on a number of successful series - Cuffs, Ripper Street (all based on working-class Britain).

This gave people a guarantee for high quality content.

What was the BBC’s budget per episode of Peaky Blinders?

1.5 million pounds.

What did they do with this budget?

They employed well-known actors to help market the show and engage audiences - eg Cillian Murphy (28 days later), Sam Neil (Jurassic Park) , Helen McRory (Harry Potter)

What was a problem for global audiences watching the show?

They struggled to understand some of the strong regional accents of the characters.

They therefore toned these down - increased accessibility for international audiences.