MEST4 Coursework : September 2015

Run is a British mini-series created by Jonathan Pearson, Marlon Smith and Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and written by Marlon Smith and Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan for Channel 4.

The series premiered on 15 July 2013 and ended on 18 July 2013. The series comprises four episodes, each of which focuses on one character among the four leads, Tara (Jaime Winstone), Carol (Olivia Colman), Richard (Lennie James) and Ying (Katie Leung), and shows how their decisions impact themselves and one another.

The episode 'Richard' conveyed by Lennie James outlines the challenges one faces when overcoming a Heroin addiction and having to adjust back into society. (We initially meet Richard in Episode 2, followed through to the episode that focuses on his story, in Episode 3).

"Richard is a recovering heroin addict who spends every day struggling to stay clean. Only one thing spurs him on; the possibility of re-establishing contact with his teenage daughter. Faced with the prospect of never seeing her again, Richard is torn between returning to the world of addiction or salvaging the only relationship that matters to him."

Media Representations

Who is being represented? In what way? By whom?

The episode focuses solely on the character 'Richard' who is a Caribbean, D demographic, recovering Heroin addict. A strong sense of isolation embodies the energy of the character, through the long shots capturing him walking through market stalls oblivious to the life and vibrancy around him. This is reinforced through the rare close ups that illustrate his body language as agitated and lethargic.

This representation was directed by Jonathan Pearson, produced by Acme Films and aired on Channel 4 who are renowned for their innovative and contentious product style. In particular, Acme films' values' include the objective of seeking pure representation of reality, drama and diversity of contemporary urban life, which is why the production emulates such a bold social realistic narrative.

Further representations include the stereotypical lone parent Caribbean family, in contrast with the white, nuclear, B demographic families.

Why is the subject being represented in this way?

Through watching the characters' story from start to finish, an audience encompass the brutality of overcoming an addiction, thereby empathising with the battles he faces on a daily basis. This representation thus detracts from scrutinising the addict, but instead insights an audience towards how and why he is living in his current situation.

Is the representation fair and accurate?

The representation of the character models the concept of how and why he is overcoming his addiction, whilst additionally displaying the gritty aspects that he deals with, for instance, low lit medium close ups of 'Richard' and a fellow user, preparing for a heroin intake. Through the sensitive sub-narrative of 'Richard's' strive to gain contact with his daughter, correlating with his drug dependency, the representation is therefore honest, fair and accurate as it shows multiple sides to his story - both the good and bad.

Media Languages and Forms

What are the denotative and connotative levels of meaning?

The literal meaning provided through the social realistic drama is the life of one overcoming a heroin addiction. However, connotative levels include the negative reinforcements associated with the working class and ethnic minorities, through the drug related narrative and criminal activity, which is illustrated in the medium shot of the Vietnamese women selling illegal DVD's to the Caribbean heroin addict. This is further highlighted through the juxtaposing role of a B demographic, white male who encountered 'Richard' when carrying out a crime and proceeded to call the police. Thereby, enhancing the negativity associated with these social and ethnic groups. Additionally, the audience are exposed to the conceptual addiction that 'Richard' has with wanting to re-establish his relationship with his daughter, contrasting with his genuine drug dependency.

What are the non-verbal structures of meaning in the text (e.g. gesture, facial expression, positional communication, clothing, props etc)?

Non-verbal structures of meaning include the handheld footage capturing the gestures of the white male police officers reaching towards 'Richard' and aggressively searching him against the walls, despite of his innocence. Thus addressing the corrupt intentions of those in authority due to stereotypes that correspond between race and crime.

In regards to his costume, it is dull and repetitive as each shot finds him wearing the same clothes from a fixed palette of khaki's to grey, which blend in with the suburban aesthetic surrounding him, titling his identity as non existent and almost, background noise. A note worthy point, in regards to the rugged backpack which is stapled upon his back, within every scene, is that it signifies his lack of belongings both literally and within his entire life.

And what is the significance of mise-en-scene/sets/settings (CLAMPS)?

The mise-en-scene is complementary to the narrative and lifestyle of a heroin addict, this is apparent through the lifeless, dreary roads that 'Richard' stumbles across from day to day. Specifically, the high angle shots at the start of the episode establish him as an outcast to the rest of society, somewhat addressing the severe impacts caused by drugs, making one solitary with others.

What work is being done by the sound track/commentary/language of the text?

The sound is minimal, simply background noise as to what would be heard in a regular suburban city, which mirrors the components that form a social realistic product. The diagetic sound is parallel to the on screen action, i.e. doors opening, however, an elongated ringing would occur at the start of the title sequence to create a sense of emotion.

What are the dominant images and iconography, and what is their relevance to the major themes of the text?

The dominant images include the suburban area (medium shots of 'Richard' walking from street to street), which illustrates the repetitive lifestyle that a heroin addict embarks. Complimentary to this, the broad range of character types who are presented have greatly added to the aesthetic required for a British social realistic drama. (Richard, Yin, Mother, Police and other Heroin Addicts)

Narrative

How is the narrative organised and structured?

The narrative for the overall four episodes is poly stranded and interweaving as we learn about small aspects of each story and watch them unravel. The equilibrium state which follows through the start of the episode of 'Richard', is a continuation from the previous episode. The disequilibrium follows the small errors and mistakes in which the character makes while trying to do anything to see his daughter. However, the sense of wholeness (Todorov) returns when the episode finalises with a medium close up shot of 'Richard' standing in the front door of his daughter's house, communicating to her through blurred glass. In particular, an audience are provided with constant enigma codes (Barthes') which contribute to 'Richard' meeting his daughter again - e.g. buying illegal DVD's to sell on, not for 'drug money', but for her.

How is the audience positioned in relation to the narrative?

The audience are positioned to embody the role and confront problems that 'Richard' would have to battle, as the episode challenges an audience with difficult subject matters causing them to empathise and be supportive.

How are characters delineated? What is their narrative function? How are heroes and villains created?

Propp's theory of character profiles comprise the production, in terms of the hero/protagonist whose attributes are reflected. Alongside, the conceptual Villian of drugs, who 'Richard' is constantly faced with, yet manages to overcome, as his main objective is to reconnect with the 'Princess', his daughter. Other character types include, the doner, who was a mechanic, helping 'Richard' sell parts to some stolen goods.

What are the major themes of the narrative? What values/ideologies does it embody?

The major themes addressed within the narrative involve the importance of family, how drugs can effect your relationship with society and others, the challenging battling of overcoming addiction and the power of those in more elite groups than 'Richard'.

Genre

To which genre does the text belong?

The production belongs to the social realistic genre.

What are the major generic conventions within the text?

As the 'social realistic' genre means the attention drawn to the everyday conditions of the working class and the poor, the conventions were met within the text as the narrative revolved around this social group, in an urban environment

What are the major generic themes?

Major themes include: criminal activity, drug related themes and dysfunctional families.

To what extent are the audience’s generic expectations of the text fulfilled or cheated by the text? Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?

The text is well constructed ensuring that the characters model the reality of life within the an urban environment. This is prominent through the genuine range of personality types that are found in London - the typical Vietnamese women selling DVDs, black barber who owns small shop in main city, gaunt skinny female heroin addict, lone parent Caribbean woman.

Does the text feature a star, a director, a writer etc who is strongly associated with the genre? What meanings and associations do they have?

Acme films produced 'Run'.

Media Institutions

What is the institutional source of the text?

Channel 4 and Acme Films Productions.

In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?

Acme films' values' include the objective of seeking pure representation of reality, drama and diversity of contemporary urban life, which is why the production emulates such a bold social realistic narrative. This would thereby help channel the style in which 'Run' would be created in, as the company hope to show the rawest 'social realistic' depiction of British urban life.

Is the source a public service or commercial institution? What difference does this make to the text?

The institution is commercially based, yet this doesn't drastically differentiate the text.

Who owns and controls the institution concerned and does this matter?

How has the text been distributed?

The text has been distributed through both traditional media and new media platforms - Television; the first airing in the UK, followed by e-media; Channel 4 website and lastly, Netflix.

Media Values and Ideology

What are the major values, ideologies and assumptions underpinning the text or naturalised within it?

Interesting values include the relationship between the working class and authoritative figures (Marxist) - this is demonstrated through the medium close up of 'Richard' being evicted from his living accommodation caused by a complete misunderstanding and he didn't even have a chance to fight his case. In addition to this, the stereotypes associated with women being the primary maternal figures within families is made abundant through the extreme close ups, set in the alley way, which revert between Richard and his ex-wife discussing their daughter.

Other ideologies include the suppression placed upon those who do drugs as the disequilibrium state of the narrative captures Richard struggling to stay sober in hope to see his daughter. Through this display, an audience thus witness the excessive, stereotypical negativity in which he encounters on a daily basis.

What criteria have been used for selecting the content presented?

The main criteria for selecting the presented content, addresses the question of "The differing ways drug addicts are portrayed depending on the genre of text.".

Media Audiences

To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience? (Demographics, Psychographics)

The text is primarily aimed at a B-E demographic, entertaining a vast audience group from the Struggler pyschographic, towards the Reformers and Explorers. In terms of the VALs segmentation, the audience groups 'Innovators' and 'Thinkers', would be inclined through the represented lifestyle set in an urban environment. The age range would consist of mature teens towards late adults as the themes covered are aired after the watershed, thus wouldn't appropriate to younger children. However, the themes regarding drug intake, may be mirrored within the lower demographic's lifestyle, as well as educational for the explorers to learn about.

What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text? And what assumptions about the audience are implicit in the text’s scheduling or positioning?

The text would be aimed directly at a British audience as they will be most familiar with the stereotypes that help ground the narrative. For instance, the selling of illegal DVD's from a Vietnamese women, is a stereotype which often occurs in the urban parts of Britain's culture.

In particular, due to scheduling of the episode, it would be likely for mature adolescents within the 18-35 region, would be watching the programme at the time it would be aired.

Some audience groups would be engaged by 'Run' through it's insight towards a working class's way of life, however some may watch in order to relate and see a reflection of themselves.

In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?

The text was predominantly aired through Television, however, it is still accessible online via the Channel 4 catch up website. Also, more recently, 'Run' has been released on Netflix, thus further broadening the people who will watch the text.

What do you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?

The programme would entice a more niche audience, as gritty themes may be too intense for some viewers.

What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text? - Reviews:

What are the audience pleasures, uses or gratifications? (Refer to theory).

In regards to Blumbler and Katz's Uses and Gratification theory, an audience able to divert and escape into the narrative of the production whilst creating a personal relationship with the character 'Richard', as they too, embark his emotion-evoking journey. As well as this, an audience are able to constitute their own personal identity within the text, as they may be similar to the lead or fortunate enough to contrast to the addict greatly. Most importantly, an audience are ultimately educated (surveillance) towards the norms and ethical values amongst parts of British society and culture - both in terms of family support systems and social services, criminal acts and the police, and drug dependency's within the lower social classes.

How do you, as an audience member, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background etc?

Through watching the production 'Run - Richard', I was extremely captivated by the emotion which carried through from start to finish, in regards to the characters desperation of completing his real addiction of wanting to renew contact with his daughter and start a fresh. An audience hugely empathise with the character, as we too embody the challenges that he faces, i.e. after loosing his money and getting scammed DVD's that he bought for his daughter, he was offered the chance to have a hit of heroin, but refused. This was therefore admirable. When evaluating how my age has crafted this view, I believe this is down to the lack of other social realistic productions that allow audiences to fully witness ones desperation to change. The production didn't solely focus on highlighting the grittiness revolved around in taking drugs, but instead it covered the consequences and how to overcome them, which interests me as a student from a background which isn't of that nature.

Video Clips from Richard

Conversation between Richard and his mother

The clips captures a short exchange between Richard and his mother, which introduces an audience to the intense concerns in which she still has about her son and his drug addiction. An audience are able to empathise with Richard through the gradual zoom in close ups capturing his facial expression in response to his mothers sour words outlining that he needs to get his life together.

Conversation between Richard and ex-dealer

The clip addresses the harsh brutality in which those with addictions face, through their constant confrontation with their past. This is evident through the conversation between Richard and his ex-dealer- "Dealer: Do you want a line?/ Richard: I'm alright thanks./ Dealer: Oh okay. You'll get hungry soon.". Specifically, the use of "you'll get hungry" establishes a strong sense of animalistic imagery personifying the recovering drug addict.

Profile of 'Richard' on Channel 4's website

Articles and Critical Reception

Article from The Telegraph

Key points:

Originally from South London "returns to his roots"
“Before I’d even read the script I’d said yes. It was set in the neighbourhood that I grew up in and it was an opportunity to come home and work with guys who were from my neck of the woods.” - Lennie James
It is describes as a contemporary anthology that puts you inside the world of Londoners living on the margins.
The overlapping stories are deftly woven together, building a sense of a city where, according to James, "Life gets decided in the maybes".
The power of Richard's story elicits a heartbreaking performance from James who says he has always been drawn to characters "who dance among the ambiguity and the grey areas".
To prepare for the role, he walked around Brixton in costume, shuffling through rush-hour streets like a ghost - "As an acting technique that's not something that generally works for me. But here I saw the way that people in the street responded to him and just tried to hold on to those sensations and find this guy's inner dialogie - if that doesn't sound too artsy-fartsy."
James was keen for scenes in which Richard could stand tall. "I wanted to find moments that could show not just a fallen man, but who he used to be."
James believes that British TV drama is currently on a high - "thought provoking and grown up".

This review is from 'imdb' and the user's views towards the episode 'Richard' include:

Lennie James is almost as good as Coleman.
Run is worth a look if you are after a grim and gritty self- contained drama, because on this front it really does a decent job. However it is very one-note in its material and presentation, and it is only its good fortune to have some very good lead performances.

Additional Drug Related Films

Films that I am specifically interested in making reference too, include (ranging specifically in genre and drug type):

Through the teen drama 'Skins', there is a constant negative illustration of the adolescent age group who are portrayed as reckless when in touch with drugs, which resulted in a death at an illegal party. (Season 3)

White male, in touch with drugs, slightly falls but ends up on a high note.

Corruption in America with Doctor's and how they treat patients - neglecting them when in need.
'Dieting' is personified as a drug addiction through lead female (Sara Goldfarb)
American talk shows, intense, almost like religious preach gatherings
Black male, lone parent family, resulted in taking heroin and other hard drugs
White female, D demographic, prostitution for drugs