Example introduction
Shaping refers to how a media product is formed by the contexts in which it was created. In this essay, I shall argue that Les Revenants was shaped to a significant degree through its ownership. In fact, Les Revenants is a show which could only be made by Canal +. Canal + is an established premium subscription channel that appeals to a predominantly middle-class audience.
What kind of TV programme is Les Revenants?
- Zombie
- Supernatural
- Mysterious
- Weird
- Exciting?
- Boring
- Confusing
- Unconventional
- Spooky
- Unexplainable
- Atypical
- Emotional
- Violent
- Dramatic
- Depressing
- Sexually explicit
- Triggering
- Big issues
- Uncommercial
- Slow paced
Research
- What other shows does Canal + put out?
- Budget
- Funding
- International distribution
- Production: how was it made? Who made it? Etc
- Revenue: earnings!
- Advertising: both nationally and internationally
Findings
- 1.91 million views for the first episode, which is fairly significant for a show like this
- 2 seasons of 8 episodes demonstrates high production costs
- Funded through grants from Creative Europe and The French Alps Tourist Board . A diverse range of funding, typical of an independent productions
- Shot in Haute-Savoie, in the French Alps
- US distributor: Sundance TV, a premium US subscription channel
- Grant of 450000euros for 1st season and 1000000euros for the second, which indicates a return on the investment
- Aired at 2050 on Canal+. Prime time!
Paragraph starters
- One way in which Les Revenants was clearly shaped by the context of it’s ownership is through the highly non commercial and highly atypical nature of this show
- Another way in which Les Revenants was shaped through its ownership is through the surprisingly high budget and production values
- Yet another way in which Les Revenants was clearly shaped through ownership is it’s unique funding model
- A final way in which Les Revenants was shaped through the context of it’s ownership is through the shows graphic themes of sex and violence, which can only be achieved through an independent and commercially adventurous producer