Media Language Examples For Main Characters

Frank Underwood


The main character Frank Underwood is seen as a quite sinister character and through mise-en-scene this is further proven with the low-key lighting throughout the whole episode. This represents a sense of mystery and suspense which all conform to the conventions of a thriller. Frank Underwood is always dressed smart and slick this accentuates how politicians are dressed and are portrayed. Frank Underwood is also looking for revenge and is a power hungry character, this is represented through setting as most of the plotting and scheming occur late evening/night this represents a sinister atmosphere as well conforming to a political thriller conventions it also shows how sinister Frank’s character is. An example of this would be when Frank shatters the plates in his house this can represent the power struggle Frank is going through as he was cheated from being State Senator. Another example of corruption is when Frank blackmails Peter to work for him with no questions asked.


The editing of the show gives us a strong representation of the character, Frank Underwood.  The pace of the editing varies from scene to scene however it all adds up to paint this character, Frank, as a vicious and vengeful character. In an argument between Frank and his wife Claire, there is the use of shot reverse shot. The cuts and changes are very quick to suggest that this argument is heated and this shows the tension in the scene. 

Claire Underwood

Claire is represented as a determined character who will let nobody stand in the way of her and her husband ,Frank. This is shown through verbal codes as she says things with connotations of vengeance when plotting with Frank. "My husband doesn't apologise.Not even to me". Showing that she is power hungry, if not more , than Frank.

In an argument between Frank and Claire, there is the use of shot reverse shot. The cuts and changes are very quick to suggest that this argument is heated and this shows the tension in the scene. This represents Claire as a character that will not back down and will fight until she gets her way.

Zoe Barnes

Also mise-en-scene has a part to play in the character of Zoe Barnes, who is an ambitious reporter working for the Washington Herald.  Zoe’s life has a vast contrast from Frank/Claire’s life. She lives in a messy apartment with paper and work scattered everywhere this suggests that she doesn’t care about her appearance. When Zoe first meets Frank she was wearing a revealing V-neck to try and sway Frank. This suggests that Zoe will do whatever it takes to get where she needs to be.

There is also a very similar example that shows Zoe Barnes as and ambitious and arrogant character. In the scene where she is handing in the Education Bill, she is constantly interrupting her co-workers and there for the shot pace is very fast as the camera goes to the co-workers then is instantly back on her as she always has something to say. This shows that her character will make sure that her voice is heard as she want to make it to the top.

Peter Russo

Peter Russo is portrayed, through the use of camerawork, as an untrustworthy character. In the scene where his meeting is interrupted but his secretary posing as the president elect there are close up shots to his face and we can see that, even though we know he is lying, he keeps a strong, straight face. This immediately show the audience he is manipulative and not to be trusted.

Peter Russo is a corrupt solicitation, who is involved in dark matters such as drugs and adultery. Peter becomes one of Frank’s pawns when he gets arrested for drink driving. Through mise-en-scene it showed Peter’s situation through dull/muted colours also when Peter was arrested it was set in the night, which gives it a more sinister feeling.

2.0 how audiences consume and interpret long from television dramas

Audience can consume long form television dram these days with streaming sites such as Netflix's and Amazon Prime. These allows audiences to access their favourite TV Show anytime time they want and anywhere (if they have internet). This gives users 24 hour access to watch whenever we want to fit our time slots, this offers a sense of convenience, this is an example of on demand and with the introduction of multi-platform devices audiences can really access the favourite sows anywhere.  .With no commercial breaks or ads, audiences are not frustrated by them appearing and so it will encourage a larger viewership.

This introduces the idea of binge watching in which audiences and consumers spend a large amount of time in watching excess amount of television, this idea was recently introduced due to the rise of Netflix's and other streaming sites. With many TV shows bringing in cliffhangers this makes audiences want to carry on watching and so the TV shows and the streaming site all benefit from this.
Watching these shows offer a sense of escapism, as they can escape from their own lives and can enjoy and watch through the characters perspective.

Long form TV dramas such as House of Cards are open ended narratives.
This makes compelling viewing as audiences cannot be sure how the story will be resolved
House of cards has enjoyed 5 years of success since its release in 2013

Frank and Claire Underwood represents the anti-hero, their characters are complex, what makes us want to watch/empathise with these characters? 

-Frank makes the audience feel like we are in his inner circle as he has a direct mode of address with the audience. Talking directly at them it makes the audience empathise more with Frank as they feel apart of his plans and schemes. This is known as breaking the forth wall. 

-Claire Underwood is as power hungry, if not more so, than her husband. She, too, supports his rise to power by whatever means necessary. She, too, has no children She, too, is not particularly nurturing. She, too, is extremely scheming and cunning. She manages to turn what could have been a major media mess (admitting she had had an abortion on live TV) into a discussion about the prevalence of undisclosed rapes that happen in the army.

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House of Cards- the Influence of Technological Change

Record notes on how technology has influenced the production, distribution and exhibition of long form TV drama.

Task 3 read the following link Identify AT LEAST 3 reasons why digital production is cheaper and a more convenient medium http://silverscreenmodes.com/the-end-of-film/

A film print costs about $2000, a digital disk less than $100.

A 90 minute movie is usually over 8,000 feet of film. If you’ve ever looked through developed film stock, it’s amazing how many frames it takes to advance a scene. Modern reels of film come  in 2000 ft. lengths, so that’s almost nine reels of film per movie, and many movies last longer than 90 minutes.

On the shooting end of digital, you no longer have to stop “filming” to reload film magazines, you just keep on shooting

Digital (streaming)

•In just a decade, Netflix has grown from a video service with seven million U.S. subscribers to one that reaches 93 million people worldwide.

•When Netflix first launched in the late 1990s, it distributed DVDs – mainly films – by mail. The convenience of the service disrupted the existing film rental industry and eventually led to its demise.

•during the early 2000s, advances in compression technology – coupled with more homes gaining access to high-speed internet services – allowed large video files to be easily streamed over the internet.

•video streaming services such as Netflix (what I call “portals”) deliver programming “on demand” via the internet, viewers can choose what and when to watch instead of watching “what’s on.”

•Subscription TV therefore offers significant benefits to terrestial TV.

•Netflix (originally a US company) provides services to 43% of the US market, it has developed its global market with a presence in 190 countries.

•Its popularity is achieved by providing high production content in several TV serial genres.  This includes complicated serial dramas (“House of Cards”), action series (“Daredevil”), horror series (“Hemlock Grove”).

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•Task 4 what is the comparative production costs of a typical UK Soap e.g. EastEnders compared to an episode of House of cards

House of Cards have a larger budget hen typical UK soaps such as EastEnders. For one episode of EastEnders it costs around £141,000 to produce whereas House of Cards costs around £4.5 million ,which is increasing over time,. This is a tiny amount compared to House of Cards vast budget. 

House of Cards is available in 4K and HD. Also House of Cards actors are more well known and have higher wages then EastEnder actors and actresses.