SEVEN group activities for Black Mirror s1 -ep. 01.

Listen to STUDENT A READing aloud piece __2

piece __2 ---INFO FROM TV to viewers:

(12:00 news)  

Some major breaking news now here on UKN. In the last few minutes it’s been confirmed that Susannah Duchess of Beaumont has been kidnapped. 

A video uploaded anonymously onto the internet appears to depict the princess pleading for her life.

The video also contains a bizarre ransom demand of a personal nature involving the PM; this is followed by a detailed list of instructions relating to the enactment of this demand.

GOUP WORK. Discussion on  piece_3.  

Old, new and social media coverage:

    read aloud these IDEAS and expand them:

• There’s no comment at this time on radio 4.
• The Guardian are running a live blog
• The Times bring out a short think piece on the historical symbolism of the pig.
• Our panelist  Dr Brown analyses the public reaction to the crisis.  It’s a day like no other.
• –      The kidnap video has been watched by over 5 million people.
• –      The social networking sites are a buzz with an estimated xxx tweets per minute.

PAIR WORK. Discussion on piece_4.  REACTIONS

there’s no doubt that the nation is voicing its opinion.

 Read A), B) and C) and complete the opinions below.

4A) Govt.  Meanwhile Downing Street has made a formal response. ....................................................................

....................................................................
....................................................................
....................................................................

 4B)  Monarchy.  So while we wait for Buckingham Palace to make a formal respond.....

 ....................................................................

....................................................................

....................................................................

4C) CITIZENS comments. Tick the one you may say. (add two)

 (ex.: I don’t think anyone should concede to any sort of humiliation under that kind of threat.)

·       I couldn’t bear to see that, to watch that.
·       My guess… WHO can watch that?
·       the kidnapper knows everyone would be
        watching screens that time.·       I won’t personnally be tuning in. Just thinking about it is horrible.
·       That’s disgusting. It is disgusted to think about it.
·       It is disgusting but… after that, he’s gonna be hero.
·       People will look at him like he’s totally insane and maybe take his position away.
·       It would be actually hilarious to see that on TV.
·       Nothing too abnormal for Prime Ministers and MPs. They’re all deviants,  sexual deviants. all MPs and Prime Ministers.
·       (add) ...............
·       (add)............

PAIR WORK. Discussion on piece_5.  -  which are PM responsabilities??

1.     the public's expectations??

2.     Changing moods in the citizenry?

3.     Vox Populi/ Opinion Polls?

Classify these SIX expressions as +  /neutral / -:

a) this would be one man to be blunt of questionable popularity putting personal embarrassment over the life of a young girl.b) Everyone will see it. The world will see it.c) His Party insist on compliance.d) The mood will border on insurrection and the  PM will be destroyed.e) Mind you, the polling bears that out....the PM will be
    a despised individual.
f) the Palace won’t  back a disgraced politician

Listen to STUDENT B   READing aloud piece_6  

-If everything turns into  its darkest side:

                         READ the Party announcement:

This is an official announcement.

• In a few minutes, ... the Prime Minister will perform an indecent act on your screens at kidnapper’s demand in the hope that it will ensure the safe release of Princess Susannah.
• Recording or possessing a copy of this broadcast will become illegal at midnight. All viewers are advised to turn off their televisions immediately.
• The broadcast will commence after the following tone.We’re complying with all the stipulated rules. So you’ll have to keep going.
• You’ll have to see it through to the end. We’ve placed visual aids in your  eyeline, which might help if you… get into trouble.

 

 GROUP WORK. Discussion on piece_7. - MI5 intelligence service (as in 007 films). 

Elaborate on this sentence: 

              "Lose that page of the MI6 report.

                        No one sees it,  especially the PM."

GROUP WORK. Discussion on piece_8.  -   MEMORIES:

        SET A.

a1) On the one-year anniversary of his humiliating ordeal  the fresh impressions that endure are   .....a2) It was one year ago today that the Prime Minister was coerced  into committing an indecent act with audacious kidnapping.....

      SET B.

b1) As the anniversary arrived  one critic has caused controversy by describing it as  “the first great expression of ...... in the 21st century”.b2) While cultural commentators debate its significance.....b3) there’s no denying with a global audience of  over 1 million it was an event in which we all participated.

      SET C.

c1) As  the incident succeeded in destroying a PM who resigned two days later, his party lost all support....
c2) However, the incident failed to destroy our PM who currently holds an approval rating eleven points higher than this time last year.