UsEfUl LiNkS

http://icsdev.soe.umich.edu/confur/stories/reader/fall/ody$9f4e66bbfe551476a07ab3ed2d99c9ce (This article relates to the representation of Latinos in the media. This relates to my text as 'Sucre' plays a leading role, challenging typical stereotypes)

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/imageslatinos.html (Films featuring Latino stars, shows how times have changed)

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/imagesafam.html#hollywood (Films featuring Arfrican American stars, shows how times have changed)

http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/ac3/ena8.shtml (Essay outling the representation of African Americans in the media and how this is changed. Relates to my text as 'C-Note' plays a leading role both conforming and challenging stereotypes)

http://www.mediaknowall.com/race.html (race/representations and stereotypes)

http://archive.salon.com/news/col/crouch/2000/04/19/images/index.html?CP=SAL&DN=110 (Interesting article about the representation of black people in the media, claiming there is now equality which challenges most modern theories)

http://mediaknowall.com/alevel.html (Website designed for A-Level media students with loads of info on representation from age to gender)

http://www.uiowa.edu/~commstud/resources/GenderMedia/index.html (focuses on gender, race and ethnicity in the media)

pRiSoN bReAk & AfRiCaN aMeRiCaNs

Prison Break, whilst depicting a African American in prison for possession of stolen goods, challenges and reinforces stereotypes associated with 'afrtican americans' and places 'C-Note' in a leading role in the series.

'C-Note' plays a helper in the series as he aides Michael in his attempted escape plan. Earlier in the series he also provides Michael with some substances to help aide the escape. C-Note begins as a stereotypical african-american male as he carries out undercover operations in prison. However, as the series inravels the audience becomes aware of C-Note being framed in the American army forcing him to distribute illegeal goods in order to provide for his family

CrImInAl StErEoTyPiNg Of BlAcK aMeRiCaNs

"The Black Image in the White Mind by Robert M. Entman and Andrew Rojecki" illustrates ways in which negative media images of African-Americans are disproportionate and arguably harmful to race relations:

• 
  A mug shot of a black defendant is four times more likely to appear in a local television news report than of a white defendant.
• The black accused is two times more likely to be shown physically restrained in a local television news report than when the accused is white.
• The name of the accused is two times more likely to be shown on screen in a local TV news report if the defendant is black, rather than white.

1. Black female movie characters shown using vulgar profanity: 89%
2. White female movie characters shown using vulgar profanity: 17%
3. Black female movie characters shown being physically violent: 56%
4. White female movie characters shown being physically violent: 11%
5. Black female movie characters shown being restrained: 55%
6. White female movie characters shown being restrained: 6%

wIdEr COnTeXt: RePrEsEnTaTiOnS oF aFrIcAn/AmErIcAnS

In Prison Break, there are a number of different ethnic minorities represented from Black African Americans to Russians to hispanic latino males. Below is an overview of African/Americans in the media and society.

Many people believe that a certain depiction of black people characterises all black people, which is certainly not the case. This is very dangerous because this increases stereotyping and discrimination. The viewing public pays for movies and therefore movie directors have to tailor their product so that the majority of viewers will enjoy, and agree with the ideas behind the film. The majority almost always means white America so even African American based movies are made for white audiences. Because of this, the representations of blacks in the medium of film are almost always white ideas of who black people are, not who they really are

The film The Color Purple has been the center of controversy since it was made in 1985. Many people feel the film is a terrible portrayal of black family life and that it is stereotypical in its depiction of black men as evil and brutal tyrants who imprison and mentally and verbally abuse woman. Consequently, most men despise the film and can not believe that so many women love it

http://www.wowessays.com/dbase/ac3/ena8.shtml

STEREOTYPES ASSOCIATED WITH AFRICAN/AMERICANS

• rash and irresponsible materialism, especially for glamour, spending entire paychecks on jewelry and car modification
• heterosexual
• heterosexual male machismo
• heterosexual male preference for White women
• heterosexual male preference for overweight women
• hypersexual and promiscuous
• female mistrust against African American males
• disrespectful attitudes and violent behaviors of males against African American females
• dependency on government social programs (welfare)
• drug involvement (especially less expensive drugs)
• appetite for greasier, cheaper food (especially fried chicken)
• involved in crime (especially violent crime, or drug dealing)
• purposeful misuse of the traditional English language, often intentionally misspelling words or inventing phrases
• mistrustful of American government
  

pRiSoN bReAk & LaTiNoS

Prison Break, whilst depicting a latino in prison for armed robbery, challenges the stereotypes associated with hispanics and places 'Sucre' in a leading role in the series.

'Sucre' plays the helper as he aides Michael in his cell and planning the escape. Addtionally, he plays a key role in providing aides to ensure the escape goes ahead. Lastly, as the series unravels the viewer becomes aware that 'Sucre' was framed for his crime and was only trying to provide for his girlfriend as society didn't allow him into high-esteem job, leading him to steal minimal amounts of money.

sTeReOtYpEs oF lAtInOs

• University of Michigan students Brian Schulz and Jessica Farris made the following statements in their report, "Latino Representation in the Media":
  
  Latinos as a whole remain the most underrepresented group on television. Although they encompass about 12.5% of the national population, Latinos only account for 2% of characters on television. Furthermore, when they are represented on television, they are portrayed in unfavorable roles such as janitors, drug-dealers, and perpetrators of crime.
  
  Latinos are more likely to be seen in mug shots than non-Hispanic whites. Latinos were 10% more likely to be featured in stories about judicial and crime news, news of riots and demonstrations, and accident and disaster news than whites.
  
  Stories in which Latinos are the victims of violent crimes are less likely to appear on primetime news.
  
  In "reality" shows such as Cops and America's Most Wanted, Latinos were more likely to be portrayed as criminal perpetrators than non-Hispanic whites. Very few Latino officers were featured in segments of Cops.
  
  Latinos have historically been portrayed as having difficulty speaking English.
  
  Kingpin, a Hispanic version of The Sopranos, has been described as "one of the most violent and sexually explicit television shows ever to be shown on a broadcast network". Throughout the show, Latinos are brutally violent and often pictured as glorified drug dealers. Latino males are stereotypically portrayed as the "Latin Lover," the "greaser," and the "bandito". Latina women are portrayed as deviant, "frilly señoritas" or "volcanic temptresses," while unintelligent and passive Latino families are portrayed as deviant and dependent.

WiDeR cOnTeXt: RePrEsEnTaTiOn Of LaTiNoS

In Prison Break, there are a number of different ethnic minorities represented from Black African Americans to Russians to hispanic latino males. Below is an overview of Latino representations in the media and society.


Latinos are a minority that are faced with this character distortion repeatedly. They insist that most English-language media paint an overwhelmingly negative portrait of their lives plagued by hopeless poverty, crime, and violence. Latin adults report that the majority of the images "failed to reflect their experiences with sensitivity or realism." These images not only encourage young people in the Latino community to form negative images of themselves and their peers.

Historically, most mainstream media vehicles such as television, radio, film, newspapers, and magazines have ignored the Latin community. Latin-oriented news events, stories, and programs were confined to Spanish-language media and smaller, community-oriented newspapers. In recent years, Latinos have gained more exposure on the news, however, they are discussed in reference to social issues including welfare, illegal immigration, or criminal activity. This kind of negative exposure . In addition, Latin youth are typically portrayed in news stories involving them as drug dealers or users, gang members, teen mothers, and high school dropouts.

Television consistently features Latinos in minor roles, often as maids, janitors, drug lords or gang members rather than featuring them in lead roles portraying upper or middle class citizens. "Latinos in television and film are often used as background to offset other main characters." At best, they come off as uneducated and underpaid citizens of ridicule and at worst, they are depicted as immoral, lazy, or even criminals.

Recently, small improvements have been made in integrating Latinos into mainstream network television. For example, NYPD Blue cast a Latino in a significant and positive role on the show, a police detective. Rather than having a Latino causing the problems, this program placed a Latino in a law enforcement position, trying to improve societal conditions. In addition, Sesame Street includes minorities as positive community role models who foster children’s appreciation of diverse cultures and languages.

"The media affects people most when they do not have frames of reference to help them interpret what they see." The mainstream news and television media should make a deliberate effort to include more positive stories and references of young Latinos as assets to society, rather than focusing on the negative stories and images that have dominated their coverage. This may help stop negative stereotypes from perpetuating, thus breaking the cycle that causes tension and animosity within society.

http://icsdev.soe.umich.edu/confur/stories/reader/fall/ody$9f4e66bbfe551476a07ab3ed2d99c9ce

tHeOrIsTs: VlAdImIr PrOpP

Vladimir Propp was a Russian structuralist/theorist who analysed the basic plot components of Russian folk tales to identify their simplest elements.

Propp's theory discovered that there are ONLY 8 broad character types in the one hundred tales he analysed:

The villain (struggles against the hero)
The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)
Her father
The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
The hero or victim/ seeker hero (reacts to the donor, weds the princess)
False hero/ anti-hero (takes credit for the hero’s actions/ tries to marry the princess)

PROPPS THEORY AND PRISON BREAK

Propp's theory can be applied to Prison Break in the ways the characters appear on screen:


The villain- The 'Company'/corrupt American govt.
The donor- Sucre
The (magical) helper- Sucre/T-bag/Lincoln/Charles/C-note/Tweener/Abuzzi
The princess- Sara Tancredi (doctor)
The hero - Michael Scofield

PrIsOn BrEaK vs ThE sHaWsHaNk ReDeMpTiOn

There are many similarities between 'Prison Break' and 'The Shawshank Redemption'. Paul Schuring was quoted as saying he took inspiration from the Shawshank storyline.

The similarities range from the escape plan to the representation of the characters. In Shawshank the protagonist plans an escape and suceeds, as he was wrongly convicted for a crime he didn't commit. Similarly, in Prison Break Lincoln is imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit thus his brother Michael plans his escape.

oThEr TeXtS: tHe ShAwShAnK rEdEmPtIoN

The movie begins with Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) on trial for the murder of his wife and her lover, a crime of which he claims to be innocent in spite of some damning evidence. He is sentenced to serve two consecutive life sentences at Shawshank, a fictitious prison in Maine. In Shawshank he eventually befriends Red (Morgan Freeman) and several other prisoners (including Brooks Hatlen, played by James Whitmore).

In his first few years in prison, Andy endures injustice, mistreatment by the guards and repeated abuse at the hands of fellow prisoners (most notably repeated beatings, rapes, and rape attempts by a group of aggressive inmates known as "the sisters"). Andy's pre-prison, professional life as a banker and his knowledge of accounting and income taxes bring him to the attention of the captain of the guard, Byron Hadley (Clancy Brown) and eventually to Warden Sam Norton (Bob Gunton). Andy's financial knowledge earns him some freedom from mistreatment, but he also becomes involved in Norton's illegal money-laundering operations.

Time passes. Brooks is eventually released from prison, but after spending over 50 years behind bars, the elderly convict finds that the normal world holds no place for him, and, in a letter to his friends at the prison, declares he's tired of being afraid all the time. "I've decided not to stay," Brooks writes before hanging himself in a halfway house.

A young prisoner, Tommy, enters Shawshank in the 1960s, and tells Andy that he has information that could free Andy, or at least get him a new trial. It is only at this point that it is made totally explicit that Andy is in fact innocent of the murders, as he has maintained. Andy approaches the warden for help, but the warden is unwilling to lose Andy's financial assistance with his illicit schemes or being exposed and sends Andy to solitary confinement. While Andy is in solitary, the warden has Tommy killed.

Unbeknownst to everyone, Andy has long been working on his escape. Each night he has chipped away at the softening rock in his cell to form an escape tunnel that eventually leads to a 500-yard-long sewage pipe and freedom. Andy, who had a fascination with geology in his former life, uses a small rock hammer and hides his work behind a poster of Rita Hayworth, hence the original title of King's story, "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption". Once outside Andy retrieves all the illegally obtained money he has laundered for the warden and escapes to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. He also sends information to the local newspaper implicating the warden and chief guard. The warden commits suicide before he can be arrested.

Red is eventually paroled and sent to a halfway house (the same used by the late Brooks). While Red is initially as despairing as Brooks, he decides to take Andy up on the offer made to him in prison. Red finds a box, hidden by Andy in a hayfield, that contains enough money for him to leave Maine and join Andy in Mexico.

ReViEw

By Linda Stasi

But before you read any further, I have to tell you right off that you'd better suspend all disbelief if you are going to swallow "Prison Break's" storyline.

The show is about a structural engineer, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller), whose brother, Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) — and, no, I don't know why the brothers have different last names — a seemingly innocent man (who looks guilty as original sin), has been set up for the murder of the brother of the vice president of the United States.

OK, now here's where it goes squirrelly: To free his brother, Michael decides that he has to get into the same prison, so they can break out together — hence the name of the show.
Far-fetched scenario numero two: Michael just happens to work for the company that redesigned and updated the prison that his brother is in.

Far-fetched scenario numero three: Michael, a straight-arrow engineer, goes into a bank and starts shooting it up during an armed robbery. He does everything possible to get nailed by the cops, and he does.

Far-fetched scenario numero four: He pleads no contest and manages to get sent to the same prison as his brother even though bro's in a max-security prison and the judge says she would have been inclined to let Michael off with just parole if he hadn't fired the gun.

Now, if you can accept all that, you will really enjoy what happens next. Michael gets sent to jail, where he figures out just who is who and who he'll need to make his plan work.

There are all the usual suspects, including the Mafia kingpin; the black drug lord; the neo-Nazi, white supremacist; the love-sick, psycho Hispanic; and, of course, the impossibly good-looking lawyer (Robin Tunney) and the fabulously gorgeous female prison doctor.
The unexpected one here is the warden, played by Stacy Keach.

Keach plays it smart. Literally. This makes for a very interesting take on the standard, warden-as-sadistic-dictator routine that's older than dirt.

Back to Michael and the ultimate plan.

How in the hell will Michael remember the whole layout of the prison if he's going to tunnel out? I mean it's one thing to have designed the joint and another to remember what you did a few years and several thousand yards of copper tubing back.

When you find out how he has taken the plans with him into the can, that's when the show starts to really take off — and all of a sudden you're hooked.

The acting here is first rate — not a bad apple in the whole rotten bunch.

But a word of caution: Some of it is so brutal that it gets hard to watch.

"Prison Break's" cleverness comes from the fact that every bad-guy leader of every bad-ass faction in the prison is in total control of his own fiefdom — and, oh yes, they all they hate each other's guts — and how Michael tricks and persuades them into giving up any control.

CoMmEnTs

Kavita

http://www.blogger.com/publish-comment.do blogID=33429866&postID=115799930523285072&r=ok

Sherish

http://www.blogger.com/publish-comment.do?blogID=32761268&postID=115852541417976512&r=ok

Mohammed

S H E P

SoCiAl

Prison inmates are generally regarded as being menaces to society however in this series the inmates are seen as victims of social stereotypes and corruption, thus causing empathy and thought amongst the audience


hIsToRiCaL

Prison escapes have been ever present in society since the 1900s and prior. Some include the ‘notorious 6’ who escaped from a death row prison in the 1980s


EcOnOmIcAl

Prison Break is an Adelstein-Parouse Production in association with Original Television and 20th Century Fox Television who all provided funding to its production in 2004


pOlItIcAl

Prison Break raises issues about the legitimacy of the American govt. which links in with today’s society as the Bush Administration is continually brandished as being corrupt

nArRaTiVe

Prison Break whilst focusing on the attempted escape from Michael and co, does not have a linear narrative. Prison Break can be considered to have a multi-stranded narrative.

This is because the story moves in between the past and present, from flashbacks of Michael preparing the escape, to brief sub-stories of how the 7 main characters became inmates.

Additionally, there are sub-plots in between the main plot as episodes focus on Veronica’s attempts to free Lincoln legally. In each episode the audience is placed in a neutral viewpoint however as the series draws on, is forced to empathise with Michael and Lincoln through their relationship and the evidence of a conspiracy to frame Lincoln

VaLuEs & IdEoLoGy

The major ideology presented in Prison Break is do not always trust you’re senior. In Prison Break Lincoln is accused of murder of the Vice-Presidents brother. However, as the series unwinds the audience becomes aware of a corrupt US govt.

In this way, the audience is being told to always fight for what you believe in, never give in till you find out the truth and to be aware of corruption amongst your govt.

Additionally, a corrupt US govt. plays on stereotypes of today’s society and helps to raise issues of politics to society and make them aware of their own potential govt. legitimacy and allows for checks and balances.

Furthermore, Prison Break attempts to portray reality to life behind bars. In this way it educates the audience to life on prison and the occurrences that take place for racial hated, to drugs to corrupt prison guards.

aUdIeNcE

The main target audience for Prison Break is young adults from the ages of 18-26.

This is evident because of the content. Many young adults can identify with possibly being imprisoned or knowing of someone having been imprisoned. Additionally, Prison Break attempts to portray a realistic approach to life behind bars and the struggles the characters face in attempting to break out. As well as this the show is aired at 9pm in the US and 10pm in the UK, prime-time hours of TV where the target audience is most likely to be watching.

RePrEsEnTaTiOn

In Prison Break many different characters and personnel are being represented in many different ways which both challenge social and historical perspectives towards these individuals

There are 7 main inmates that are followed and these are all represented differently. You have Michael who represents middle-class America. He is highly-intelligent structural engineer who deliberately gets himself in prison to help free his brother. He is represented as one man who will go to desperate lengths and defies the laws of reason.

You also have other inmates such as C-Note and Sucre. C-note is a black male whilst Sucre is a Hispanic male. Both these characters conform to stereotypes of the ethnicity as they were both imprisoned for robbery and possession of stolen goods. However, as the series unravels the audience becomes aware of their circumstances and how they were only trying to provide for their families and that both were wrongly set up.

Additionally, the audience is presented with a corrupt American govt. As the series concludes the conspiracy all comes clear. A group referred to as the ‘Company’ secretly murder the president allowing the corrupt Vice-President into power as well all her associates. This presents a real day look at American Politics as the US govt. today is continually brandished as ‘corrupt’ and potentially involved in a conspiracy surrounding 9/11.

GeNrE

Prison Break is an American Drama Series. However, Prison Break has many different elements of genres that allows it to fit into different sub-genres.

Firstly, Prison Break fits into the genre of ‘Thriller’. This is because ‘Prison Break’ plays on the audience’s anxiety throughout each episode. Each episode follows a different stage to the escape however there is always an obstacle to overcome, keeping the audience on edge and always involved in the series.

Secondly, Prison Break has elements of soap. This is through the different events that always take place. There is the ever-present attraction between Michael and the doctor however the tension that arises through their circumstances. You also have the sub-plots that take place with Veronica, attempting to uncover the truth and LJ, Lincoln’s son who becomes a target for govt. agents.

iNsTiTuTiOnS

Prison Break is an American television series featured on the Fox TV network. Prison Break is an Adelstein-Parouse Production in association with Original Television and 20th Century Fox Television.

Prison Break's origins arise from creator Paul Schuring, when in 2003 he pitched the idea to the Fox broadcasting company, but was turned down as Fox felt somewhat nervous about the long-term possibilities of such a series. Following the huge popularity of prime-time television series such as Lost and 24, the Fox Network backed the production in 2004

Fox Tv is owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch who also owns SKY TV in the UK as well as leading national UK tabloid 'The Sun' and 'News of the World'. Prison Break has been distributed worldwide as a hugely successful American import

Below are a list of Prison Break's worldwide audience:

Fox USAugust 29, 2005Monday 8:00pm

CanadaGlobalAugust 29, 2005Monday 8:00pm

SwedenTV3January 1, 2006, Monday 9:00pm

South AfricaM-NetJanuary 17, 2006Tuesday 8 :30pm

UKFive (original airing) and UKTV Gold (repeats)January 23, 2006Monday 10:00pm

AustraliaSeven Network, February 1, 2006Wednesday 8:30pm

IndonesiaAntv, April 7, 2006Sunday 12:00pm

WIBIrelandRTÉ Two, June 20, 2006Tuesday 9:00pm

MexicoTelevisa, July 2006Monday 10:00pm

PeruAmerica Television, August 20, 2006Sunday 12:00 am

mEdIa LaNgUaGe

The media language used throughout Prison Break is reminiscent of thriller/drama series.Prison Break is shot using a variety of cinematography. The director uses numerous establishing shots of the prison from a high-angle to reveal the location yet outline the overwhelming task that the inmates have to escape. Additionally, Prison Break invokes emotion amongst the audience as each characters story is slowly told throughout each episode and to enhance the audiences empathy with these characters the director uses a range of close ups of facial expressions as well as low angle shots to convey the emotions and harsh realities that these characters are experiencing.

Prison Break is set in a maximum security prison and this provides the foundations to the escape. The mise-en-scene throughout the series is typically focused on prison life , from daily outings in the yard, to P.I (prison industry), to the corrupt prison guards who continually taunt inmates. Additionally, the series has sub-plots developing, focused around Veronica Donovan, Lincoln Burrows attorney who attempts to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy to kill Lincoln. This involves the audience becoming aware of a corrupt U.S govt. and a special agent ordered to kill in order to protect ‘The Company’, the anonymous group behind all the conspiracies.

The sound used throughout is a mixture of diegetic and non-diegetic. The music creates a very tense feel and keeps the audience on edge. The non-diegetic sound uses low-key beats to enhance the thriller feel. Additonally, Prison Break has a soundtrack which airs at the beginning of each epsiode during the title sequence. However, Prison Break differs to most draam series as it cuts straight into the episode and cuts to the title sequence after a key incident at the beginning of the episode.

The media language used in Prison Break helps to give the series a realistic feel and every last detail of prison life is considered from the clothing to the way the guards treat inmates.

ChArAcTeR pRoFiLe

MICHAEL SCOFIELD

BACK NUMBER: 94941
LOCATION: General Population, A-Wing, Cell 40
CRIME: Armed Robbery
SENTENCE: Five years
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: Five years
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: Two years, six months

LINCOLN BURROWS

ALIAS: Linc the Sink
BACK NUMBER: 79238
LOCATION: Death Row, Cell 18
CRIME: First degree murder, Aggravated discharge of firearm
SENTENCE: Death by electrocution
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: 1 day
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: Inmate is not eligible for parole

FERNANDO SUCRE

BACK NUMBER: 89775
LOCATION: General Population, A-Wing, Cell 40
CRIME: One count of Aggravated Robbery
SENTENCE: Five years
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: Four years, one month.
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: One year, four months

JOHN ABRUZZI

BACK NUMBER: 81004
LOCATION: General Population, A-Wing, Cell 96
CRIME: Murder (2 counts) Conspiracy to commit murder (2 counts)
SENTENCE: 120 years
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: 117 yrs, 6 mo.
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: Inmate is not eligible for parole

THEODORE BAGWELL

ALIAS: T-Bag
BACK NUMBER: 89632
LOCATION: General Population, A-Wing, Cell 16
CRIME: Six counts of Kidnapping, Rape and First Degree Murder
SENTENCE: Incarceration for the rest of his natural life
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: The rest of his natural life
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: Inmate is not eligible for parole

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

ALIAS: C-Note
BACK NUMBER: 89416
LOCATION: General Population, A-Wing, Cell 48
CRIME: Possession of Stolen Goods
SENTENCE: Eight years
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: Seven years, two months
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: Three years, two months

CHARLES WESTMORELAND

ALIAS: D.B. Cooper
BACK NUMBER: 21562
LOCATION: General Population, A-Wing, Cell 13
CRIME: Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking, Vehicular Invasion, Involuntary Manslaughter and Reckless Homicide
SENTENCE: Sixty years to life
TIME LEFT ON SENTENCE: The rest of his natural life
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE IN: Twenty six years

sYnOpSiS

Lincoln Burrows is accused of the murder of Terence Steadmen, the brother of the female Vice President of the US. Lincoln was sentenced to death . Although Lincoln protested his innocence and that he was set up, he was sentenced to the Fox River prison facility to await execution.

Lincoln's brother, Michael Scofield is convinced that Lincoln is innocent and devises an escape plan. He designs a body tattoo that secretly encodes details of the prison facility and has it tattooed on his body. Michael stages a bank robbery, knowing that he will be convicted and sent to Fox River. Once an inmate, he must overcome obstacles, befriend inmates to join his plot and prison staff to be successful in breaking out his brother.

As Michael puts his plan to action inside the prison to save his brother, childhood friend and lawyer, Veronica Donovan works on the outside to uncover the conspiracy that put Lincoln in jail. She begins to unravel a trail of mysterious incidences that results in her being pursued by covert govt. agents.

PiCs

Fox River State Penitentiary

Lincoln Burrows (Accused of Terence Ste- admen's murder)

pRiSoN bReAk

Prison Break is an American Television Series on Fox . The story revolves around a man who was sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit and the lengths that his brother will go to save him.

The origins of Prison Break began as a concept of a man deliberately getting himself sent to prison in order to break out again. Director Paul Scheuring adapted the inital idea until he came up with the story of the wrongfully accused brother, and the conspiracy subplot.He then started work writing the plot outline and devising the characters.

In 2003 he pitched the idea to the Fox broadcasting company, but was turned down as Fox felt somewhat nervous about the long-term possibilities of such a series.

The show was later considered as a possible 10-part mini-series, which allegedly drew interest from big names in the film industry such as Steven Spielberg.

Following the huge popularity of prime-time television series such as Lost and 24, the Fox Network backed the production in 2004

InDePeNdAnT sTuDy

For my independant study i have decided to focus on the the text of Prison Break.

I've chosen Prison Break as my main text becuase it is a drama series that really interests me with many different aspects to analyse and comment on.

To begin with I have not clearly identified a hypothesis but have outlined three different potential ideas to investigate:

1) 'The representation of the American Govt. in Prison Break'

2) The representation of ethnic minorities in the media today, with particular reference to 'Prison Break'

3) 'A criminal is guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight of God and man". How are the 'troublesome' represented in 'Prison Break'