His Dark Materials: Audience and Industries blog tasks

 1) Read this audience rating guide for His Dark Materials. Based on the screening and this article, who do you think the target audience is for His Dark Materials and why? What about psychographic groups? You can revise Pyschographics here

Young Adults: The series is particularly popular among young adult readers due to its coming-of-age themes, strong protagonists like Lyra Belacqua, and exploration of complex moral issues.




2) What audience pleasures are offered by His Dark Materials - The City of Magpies? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity: 
In “His Dark Materials,” Philip Pullman masterfully weaves together themes of personal identity through the lens of dæmons, character development, and existential exploration.

Personal Relationships: 

One of the most prominent relationships in the trilogy is that between Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry. Their bond begins as a friendship based on mutual trust and shared experiences. 

Diversion (Escapism): 

Lyra’s journey throughout the trilogy can be seen as a form of escapism. At the beginning of the series, she lives a sheltered life at Jordan College in Oxford, unaware of the larger world outside. 





3) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to His Dark Materials? Refer to specific scenes or moments in the episode to explain your answer. 


Visceral Pleasures: Visceral pleasures are related to the physical sensations that a viewer experiences while watching a show. In “His Dark Materials,” one can experience visceral pleasures during intense action sequences or emotionally charged moments. 

4) How did fans react to Season 2 of His Dark Materials? What about critic reviews? You can find some possible answers for this in this BBC website article on the critical reception for His Dark Materials and watch the fan reaction video above.

However, some fans expressed concerns about pacing issues in certain episodes and deviations from the original books. 

While some critics echoed similar concerns raised by fans regarding pacing issues or deviations from the source material, these critiques did not overshadow their overall positive assessment of the season.



5) What might be some of the preferred and oppositional readings for His Dark Materials? Why did some fans love it? Why have other people criticised it? 

Celebration of Knowledge and Curiosity: Another favored interpretation is that “His Dark Materials” celebrates knowledge, curiosity, and intellectual freedom. The protagonist Lyra’s journey to uncover truths about Dust and multiple worlds resonates with readers who value exploration and learning.

Industries

1) Which companies produced this His Dark Materials series?

 Bad Wolf and New Line Productions


2) What were the UK viewing figures for A City of Magpies? How did this compare to season 1 of His Dark Materials?

In the UK, “A City of Magpies,” which is the first episode of the second season of the TV series “His Dark Materials,” garnered an audience of 1.7 million viewers. This figure represents the number of individuals who tuned in to watch the episode when it aired on television.


3) What was American network HBO's role in making His Dark Materials and why is this important? Look at the notes above for more on this.

Global Reach: As a prominent American network with a global audience, HBO’s involvement helped “His Dark Materials” reach a wider viewership beyond the UK, where BBC One originally aired the show. HBO’s distribution channels and marketing expertise contributed to promoting the series on an international scale


4) What famous stars are in His Dark Materials and why do you think they were selected for the show? Watch the Comic Con panel video in the notes above to see the stars talking about the show.

  1. James McAvoy as Lord Asriel: James McAvoy is a Scottish actor known for his roles in films such as Split and X-Men: First Class. His charismatic presence and acting prowess make him a perfect fit for the role of Lord Asriel.


5) Who are Bad Wolf and what do they produce?

Bad Wolf Ltd. is a television production company founded by Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter in 2015 based in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. 

Comparison: Doctor Who - An Unearthly Child and His Dark Materials - The City of Magpies

1) How are the technical conventions different between 1963 Doctor Who and 2020 His Dark Materials (e.g. camerawork, editing, sound and mise-en-scene)?

Editing in 1963 was done manually with physical film reels. This process was time-consuming and required precise cutting and splicing of film strips. As a result, transitions between scenes were often simple cuts or fades.


2) What similarities and differences are there between  in terms of genre and narrative?
Similarities:

  • Both Doctor Who and His Dark Materials fall under the genre of science fiction/fantasy. They both incorporate elements of time travel, alternate universes, and supernatural beings.
  • Both series explore complex moral and ethical dilemmas within their fantastical settings.


Differences:



  • His Dark Materials, on the other hand, is a fantasy series that delves into parallel universes, daemons, and a struggle between oppressive authority figures and those seeking freedom. It also explores themes of destiny, power, and the nature of consciousness.



3) How are representations of people, places and groups similar or different in the two shows?


Similarities:

  • Complex Characters: Both Doctor Who and His Dark Materials feature complex characters with depth and development throughout the series. The protagonists in both shows undergo significant growth and face moral dilemmas that shape their identities.

Differences:

  • Tone: Doctor Who is known for its whimsical and adventurous tone, often blending science fiction with humor and wit. In contrast, His Dark Materials has a darker and more serious tone, dealing with complex philosophical ideas and societal issues.

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