Supercars versus Used Cars - Assignment Example

Assignment Super cars v used cars: the trade off (60 minutes) The programme Super cars v used cars: the trade off (2015) is a documentary about a swap of 2 salesmen Darren and Louis. They work on two polar sides of spectrum in car trade industry. They change their roles for a week and try to succeed in new market sectors. This programme is of particular interest because it shows how different life and needs of different social classes are. Clients of Louis treat their dream cars as investments or art objects while Darrens clients use cars as tools. These needs of consumers determine sales strategies used by Darren and Louis. Darren is pushing sales by being persuasive and insistent because he has to add value to each car he sales. Louis uses his knowledge of each car to show that it is exclusive and present it in the best light. The programme covers more aspect of life in the UK than it is expected from its title. It draws the difference between life in the capital and small town in Wales where people struggle with poverty. On the one hand, living in London gives people more opportunities but they spend much more time working and commuting than people in smaller cities and town. The needs of people are also different; people who are rich obviously spend more money and want to invest them in something posh while budget shoppers buy things because they need to use them here and now. Overall, I think that this documentary is interesting and engaging for people. It contains a couple of funny moments and presents something in between documentary and reality show. I think that it is not a waste of time to watch programmes like this. Billionaires paradise: inside Necker Island (60 minutes) The documentary Billionaires paradise: inside Necker Island (2015) traces a story about a beautiful island Necker owned by Richard Branson who bought it in 1978 for 180000 pounds. He transformed the island from a deserted land somewhere at the edge of the world into a luxury resort where the richest people in the world relax. The motto of the island is Anything possible at Necker and this documentary proves that it is true (Billionaires paradise: inside Necker Island 2015). This documentary shows what people can get for their money. The islands staff members are well-trained to meet every whim of their clients. Since dome of them can rent the whole island, staff members need to be ready to serve for them 24 hours a day.  There are many people who have been working at Necker for decades. They devote their lives to serving the richest people in the world who can afford to pay up to 40 000 pounds per night during their stay at the island. For instance, the island requires 100 members of staff and at least 3 of them serve for 1 guest only. Almost all staff members live on the neighbouring island and commute to their work and only 20 staff members live on the island permanently. The island is a perfect mix of impressive nature and posh facilities created for people who come there. Richard Branson has been living there for at least 3 decades and he still finds the nature of the island extremely inspiring. This island is a real paradise, but it costs too much to get there. I was impressed by weird whims of guests on the island. Eating sushi in the boat decorated with flowers in the middle of the pool was too much. The documentary consists of interviews with guests and staff. It captures the confessions about the two-fold life at the island because there are always people who enjoy all the best services there and those who serve for them. It shows how socially unequal people at the island are. Some of them have to work 24 hours a day to meet every whim of the guests, who, in their turn, can behave inappropriately. Overall, this is an easy to watch programme which triggers many thoughts about social inequality and significant different between the rich and the poor. Super rich and us – episode 1 (60 minutes) The documentary Super rich and us (2015) is the first episode of BBC 2 documentary series about social inequality and defining moment in history that influenced the current situation in the UK. Jerry Brotton uses his deep knowledge of history and critical thinking to explain the role and impact of super-rich people on British society. This episode dwells on the grandiose differences between the rich and the poor in the UK. Jerry Brotton communicates with various experts in order to explain how the increasing wealth of the super-rich influences peoples ability to survive. Surprisingly, rich people in the UK pay low taxes. Average salary in the UK is not increasing but rich people constantly become richer. The longest part of the documentary is devoted to the problem of housing in the UK. People tend to buy significantly less houses and flats compared to previous generations because they simply cannot afford to buy property and consider renting to be a better choice. Poor people insist on higher taxes for the rich which they believe that it is not fair. I cannot say that I adore this documentary because it focuses on many unpleasant material aspects. However, it does not try to vindicate or blame rich people for their way of life. At the same time, documentary intensifies the difference between the rich and the poor contrasting some representative objects related to their life. Rich life is epitomised by posh cars, expensive accessories and designer clothing items which the poor are presented by feelings of protest, indifference and powerlessness. Strong emotional appeal is combined with perfectly selected historic facts related to the current situation. Overall, this documentary is well-directed and inspiring for those people who are interested in problems related to social inequality. References Billionaires paradise: inside Necker Island 2015, TV programme, BBC 2, London, 6 January. Super cars v used cars: the trade off 2015, TV programme, BBC 2, London, 9 January. Super rich and us – episode 1 2015, TV programme, BBC 2, London, 8 January. Summary notes Super rich and us – episode 1 (BBC iPlayer, 60 minutes) - The programme compares the life of rich people and the poor. - Jerry Brottom is the professor who cooperates with different experts in order to explain the impact of rich people on society. - Super rich people only become richer while the average salary stays the same for years. - Middle class representatives cannot afford to buy a house; they tend to rent. Billionaires paradise: inside Necker Island (BBC iPlayer, 60 minutes) - Necker is a private property of Richard Branson who is the owner of Virgin Group. - There are 100 staff members working there; at least 3 of them serve for 1 guest only and only 20 staff members live at Necker permanently. - One night stay can cost up to 40 000 pounds. - Some people rent the whole island. - There is great social inequality between guests and staff who work at Necker. Super cars v used cars: the trade off (BBC iPlayer, 60 minutes) - Louis and Darren are 2 salesmen who work in car trade; they swap their places for a week. - Louis sells super cars and he uses his knowledge as his main selling strategy. - Darren sells used cars and he applies persuasive techniques to make people buy cars when they come to look at them. - People treat super cars as investments or art objects; used cars are treated as tools. - The show compares life in a small town with life in London. Read More