Pemberley Digital

Pemberley Digital
Director: Bernie Su
Release Year: 2015

Summary:
Pemberley Digital is a web video production company that specializes in the adaptation of classic works. The company uses Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, and others to tell a story across multiple formats. So far the company has done adaptations of Emma, Frankenstein, Little Women, and Pride and Prejudice. The series "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" (based on Pride and Prejudice) has received multiple awards. The Pemberley website can be found here: http://www.pemberleydigital.com/

Qualitative Analysis:
This production could be categorized as Very Complex. As far as organization, the stories are quite clear, however, there are complex characters and the storylines can be difficult to predict.  Most vocabulary is familiar and conversational however there is ironic and figurative language used. As well, there is also sometimes subject-specific and archaic vocabulary used. The meaning is clear and the theme is usually subtle and revealed over time. Themes of various levels of complexity are explored. There are many references and allusions to other texts and cultural elements. The media-content is also fairly complex as this kind of content is so new it can be difficult to analyze the message. The media is produced and structured in a large variety of ways.

Content Standards:
This production connects well with English particularly if one of the above-mentioned classic texts was being studied.

CCSS Grades 9-10 Reading Standards For Literacy in Social Science
4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science.

Personal Response:
I believe the website/videos/etc are an interesting twist on the classics. There are a large variety of videos and social media platforms to explore which is really unique. The topics covered would definitely be one students find relevant if they are reading any of these texts in their English class.  I personally had never heard of or used Pembereley before this assignment but I think it could be an effective teaching tool. If anything, students could explore it and see what they learn or come up with on their own with little to no guidance.