Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Introduction
The aim of this research task is to analyse modern media and then comparing it to Brecht and his principles of theatre. Throughout the task I will be referencing Brechtian techniques with regards to The unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix TV Series).

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is directed by Tina Fey, the show is about a young woman who was previously trapped in a bunker by a cult leader/reverend and one day her and the other women that were with her are found and placed back into today’s society. For this group of women it is extremely difficult to adapt to a society that is 15 years older than the one they were previously exposed to.

The story line focuses on one girl in particular and she is Kimmy Schmidt, it follows her

His actors would follow principles such as: Demonstrate, do not imitate, always at in the past tense, address the audience and use physicality. Brecht also had his set changes done whilst the audience watched to remind them that they are watching a play. He would have actors play multiple roles to again remind the audience that they are in fact watching a play. A lot of the characters were not given names, they were called by their title or profession, e.g. The Officer. The actors were also told to act externally which enforces his principle of Gestus. Brecht disregarded the fourth wall in all of his works, he would also give each character one prop which would be representative of who they are, so a servant would always hold a duster for instance. Brecht had episodic plays which means the plays never had a flowing movement from scene to scene following one character, they were broken up into individual scenes and every scene has its own meaning but it all contributes the play’s message and ending. Brecht had very complex set that would represent location and he did this by the use of signs, for example: On stage left there would be a sign saying “ The River”. Brecht had narrator throughout the play explaining the events that were happening on stage. In a brechtian play the house lights are kept on and little to onstage lights are used. Brecht would use music that was opposite to the mood on stage,

As above mentioned the theme song also alienates the audience. The Verfremdungseffekt is also used when the moments get very serious they are broken by a dumb joke or a comedic element that again pulls the audience back to reality and makes them think. The entire plot line also embraces the Verfremdungseffekt because it addresses such serious topics in a weird and funny way.

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt could be said to be epic because of the above mentioned with reference to the Verfremdungseffekt and it’s use of brechtian principles. The episodes themselves are also episodic and the piece forces you to critically analyse the issues presented which was Brecht’s main goal.