Kermode on Film podcast

Kermode on Film podcast
#57: Rian Johnson talks to Mark about his brilliant new film Knives Out

Presenter: Mark Kermode

Interviewed Guest: Rian Johnson (an American filmmaker)

BBC Radio 5 Live: 26th November 2019 (Friday afternoons between 3 pm and 5 pm)

25 minutes long 

The podcast starts off with an ad which is implemented in the podcast to perhaps create some revenue and the ads are specific to the target audience of the podcast and current affairs (such as the coronavirus). As well as this, afterwards, the actually place where you can download the podcasts 'ACAST' is plugged to perhaps make them more well - known and be used more; inviting people to listen to more podcasts as they seem to be interested in this format. The use of the jingle highlights it is a well - known show and must be watched frequently as the jingle adds its own unique twist on the show which signifies their brand identity.

Once this is over, the host Mark Kermode introduces the topic for this edition: talking to Rian Johnson about his new film 'Knives Out'. As well as this, he also adds it is an exclusive interview which could draw the listeners in as the interview is not available anywhere else and makes it more personal. Mark plugs the film and tells the audience when it is out to entice the audience and make sure people go and watch the film. When Mark asks Rian what kind of movie 'Knives Out' is, Rian makes an intertextual reference to Agatha Christie, indicating who might be listening to 'Kermode on Film'. They both use a direct mode of address which involves the listener and establishes the theme for the following discussion. Mark also raises questions which are answered during the course of the show.

The guest is introduced as, 'the director of the killer new film Knives Out'. Both Mark and Rian are male, and together represent a diverse range of highly skilled occupations (director and film critic). Arguably, this could offer a positive representation of men, reflecting the BBC’s commitment to diversity however, they are both white, males and there are no women on this podcast episode which could highlight there is a lack of balance of equality and this doesn't provide a balance against other BBC male - dominated shows.

The film itself and other movie trends are explored in detail. Part of the BBC’s stated mission is to ‘educate’, and this is reflected in the spelling out of the film 'Knives Out'. Kermode manages the discussion to keep it lively and entertaining and also links points together and offers enthusiastic reactions to further position listeners. The fact that the characters in the film are discussed and what influenced Rian brings the audience in and helps them understand the characters more and the reasoning behind them.

There is a range of complex vocabulary, which is not glossed over, and suggests listeners are well educated. However, the discussion is not so niche as to be highly academic, and helpful comparisons are made by Rian and Kermode. The ideas become more complex as Rian discusses reasons for the idea of the whole film and Kermode helps to construct the audience as being in touch with digital culture and technology.

Some may argue that throughout the podcast episode, Clay Shirky’s notion of ‘cooperation’ can be applied and the way modern audiences are ‘changing their behaviour to synchronise’ with one another. Alternatively, if we apply Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model, an oppositional reading of this statement might be that the guests (or editors of the show) are trying too hard to make 'Kermode on Film' seem relevant to a youthful, technologically - minded audience. By the middle of the podcast, given the afternoon time slot, the audience has been clearly defined and positioned as well - educated and adult.

In closing the programme, Kermode sums up the discussion of 'Knives Out'. The podcast ends with one  last plug for the film, entailing when it is coming out in cinemas and also the jingle is once again used to show the brand identity. Just before the jingle, Kermode actually plugs the podcast itself and where to download it, as well as the social media accounts. This can broaden the audience and perhaps highlight there could be exclusive information on these platforms. Through the use of the ad breaks, jingles and audio snippets from the film this podcast demands the listeners’ attention to an extent as it is a more mature podcast. The complex language and intertextual references used also suggest an older audience, whilst the references to digital culture and social media suggest a culturally sophisticated and technologically aware modern audience. 

Overall, the podcast highlights that the presenter and guest have their own opinions and insert them whenever they feel necessary to make it feel more personal and have a more chatty, chilled vibe which is emphasised through the laughter they have. What makes the podcast more personal, is the fact that they aren't afraid to talk about their own experiences which may have made them think about the film they are producing or discussing - this adds to the idea of an exclusive interview as some things discussed in this interview might not have been discussed anywhere else.