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CSP: Class

(1) What is a spin-off series


- A spin-off series is a show in which the plot/idea is adapted and/or developed
from something else, e.g another TV show

(2) What is Class about?


- Class is about a group of students who were the last survivor of an alien war.
They are hiding on earth after being rescued by the doctor

(3) Explain a multi-strand narrative and give an example of a show that uses this
device
- A multi-strand narrative is a narrative that has several things running at the
same time. This is usually common in soap operas or a series with a lot of
episode.
- An example would be Eastenders, in which there is a lot things going on with
different characters at the same time.
Characters

Codes and conventions


props
- the use of technology shows the typical teen life. It also connote a modern
and urban setting therefore it fits in with the Teen Sci-fi genre of the show.
- The use of weapons, aliens and special effects imply that it is indeed a
science-fiction show. This is because aliens are usually considered futuristic
yet unrealistic and therefore it links in with science-fiction genre. Weapons are
normally associated with violence, this indicate that the elements of violence
is present in this show, this fits in with the Teen drama genre, as teens’ lifes
are stereotypically filled with complicated matters that sometimes result in
violence. A special effect is something the audience would expect in a sci-fi
show because it shows how unrealistic it is.

Lighting
- The lighting varies depending on the situations of the characters. Dull lighting,
close to dark depicts danger and light lighting depicts a happy atmosphere.
This enables the audience to identify what sorts of situations each character is
in which will give a better idea of the situation.
Costumes
- The costumes the characters are wearing connote the Teen life.
- Denims show that it is situated in urban areas which shows that it is going to
be about the teen life.

Narrative structure

Could be… How do you know?


Hero(ine) Charlie / April / Andrea
seeks something

He wants save the


planet. April also tried to
get her heart back.

Princess April MacLean


the reward for the hero, but
also needs protection from the
villain
She needs protection
from Corakinus because
they share the same
heart which means if
April is killed, Corakinus
dies too.

Villain Corakinus
opposes the hero

He wants to kill the hero.


April has his heart, but he
wants his heart back but
can’t kill April because
then he will die too as
they share the same
heart.

Donor Andrea Quill


helps the hero by providing a
magic object

She’s secretly an alien


that wants to kill
Corakinus and help the
hero
False Hero Ram Singh
falsely assuming the role of hero

He tried to help April with


emotional support but it
didn’t work. He doesn’t
have control over the
situation.

Dispatcher Huw MacLean (April’s


sends the hero on his/her way Dad)?

He made April show him


her powers by triggering
her.

Helper Tanya Adeola


gives support to the hero

She gave April


information. She is the
knowledgeable one in the
team.

Todorov’s Narrative structure

What happens in the narrative


that makes you think this?
Equilibrium
Disruption Corakinus has his heart inside of April’s
body.

Recognition April started acting strange in class and


she realised that she is sharing a heart
with Corakinus.

Reparation April tried to talk to Ram about it, and


they ended up having a passionate
time together. April

New equilibrium Aprils tears rip into time and space.


And her mother got the ability to walk
again This sets up the next episode.
Why Todorov’s theory does not apply to this episode
- Todorov’s narrative theory does not fit into this episode because
there is no equilibrium situation at the start of the episode. This is
because this episode is not the start of the whole story but is the
middle of the story as it is not episode 1. The episode started off
with a ‘previously on..’ screen where it summarised what
happened last episode, this is not an equilibrium because it starts
off with the conflict that happened on the last episode. Some bits fit
in the theory, only the first bit doesn’t.

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