BLACK MIRROR CONTEXT/CODES

What type of show is Black Mirror?

Black Mirror is a science fiction ANTHOLOGY show. Most TV shows follow a serialised narrative, meaning that each episode follows on from the last - telling the next part of the story.

Anthology shows take a different approach - telling us a new story each episode.

Anthology were more popular in the early days of television, Black Mirror is often compared to early science fiction anthology shows.

Black Mirror is a show that tells dark, bleak stories with a focus on technology and dystopia

PRODUCTION CONTEXT:

Who wrote the show? Where was it released on?

The ‘showrunner’ across all 5 seasons is journalist and comedy writer Charlie Brooker. In Black Mirror’s first 2 seasons it was on Channel 4. After this it moved to Netflix.

SET EPISODE - SERIES 3 EPISODE 4 - ‘SAN JUNIPERO’. This episode is unusual as it is the only Black Mirror episode with a happy ending - controversial…..

GREG CHARACTER ANALYSIS

Mise en scene is used to communicate Greg as an honest and hard-working character. Unlike the rest of the characters in San Junipero he doesn't wear flashy clothes. His costume consists of brown scrubs. He has a shaggy beard and a heavy build. Barthes suggested that signifiers work on a level of both denotation and connotation. Here, Greg's costume not only identifies his job it also connotes him as a caring person. His simple clothes the brown colour further denotes he is down to earth. Here mise en scene is used to quickly communicate Greg as not part of the shallow fantasy of San Junipero but as a caring person.

Episode analysis:

Mise-en scene and changes across the episode:

A key element of this episode is establishing that Yorkie is ‘travelling’ between different time periods. Audio and visual codes signify these changes:

1. The costume and hairstyles of the two main characters

2. Close ups of TV adverts and music videos

3. Technology of the time - TV adverts and video games, music in the nightclub

4. The colour palette also changes from the neon 80s to the cooler 90s - it also becomes more typical of the romance genre - soft shades of pink

Episode Analysis:

How are genre conventions portrayed?

Genre conventions are easier to identify in San Junipero - the declaration of emotion on the rooftop and the dissolve edit to the beach house - typical signifiers.

And we are getting a stronger sense of the sci-fi genre - ‘time travelling’ and references to dead people.

Episode Analysis

• Diegetic and Non-Diegetic sound

• Intertitles

• Enigma Codes

1. Diegetic and non-diegetic sounds continue to add to both the setting and the atmosphere, the mixture of both ensuring that the audience knows all is not as it seems

2. Intertitles - ‘one week later’ and then a cut to black creates an episodic - but also linear - narrative structure.

3. Enigma codes continue to engage the audience and give us clues to the sci-fi genre - Kelly smashing the mirror.

Sequence Analysis - arriving to the care home in the ‘real’ world

Visually this scene is very simple with high-key lighting and simple, pastel costumes - except Kelly’s.

Long shots of the car and the care home clearly signify futuristic elements we associate with the sci-fi genre.

Sound is mainly diegetic so we focus on the conversation as this is when we find out what San Junipero actually is and Kelly and Yorkie’s different perspectives.

When Kelly meets Yorkie - for the first time - the camera slowly zooms up to a close up shot to connote the significance of this moment.