22nd September 2011
Hotel Babylon AnalysisIn this scene from Hotel Babylon, we see that ethnicity is a key issue. This is due to immigration visiting the hotel for an inspection, in order to check no one is working illegally within the hotel, this becomes a big problem. Being shown from the immigrant’s point of view, we begin to understand how desperate they are and start to sympathise for them. Immigration is looking to take people away and are suspicious of the hotel.
In the first scene, the policemen enter the hotel and we see a over the shoulder shot which conveys the sense of power the police bring with them. This contrasts well with the non-diegetic sound on top, which creates a tense atmosphere. At this point in the clip, we don’t yet know what the scenario is, so it makes it shocking and intense for the audience. The clothing they are wearing are black and very dark which represents negativity and foreshadows future events. They have very aggressive body language which makes the worker feel intimidated and overpowered. Straight after this clip, it cuts straight away to upstairs in the reception. By making it short and snappy, it brings a sense of panic to the scene which relates directly to the fast pace music and the use of percussions adds to this.
Closely after this, immigration enters the reception and we begin to see the problem of ethnicity. Visually we see a close up of the receptionists face so the audience can see the expression she has and see if she has any sudden reactions to their arrival. However we then realise that she keeps a neutral reaction, not giving anything away. Her clothing is vital in this scene as she is wearing all white, making her look angelic and innocent. On the other hand we see this is not the case and she has a lot to hide. When immigration entered, a reverse shot is used between them and the receptionist to highlight the gap closing between the two and that immigration are slowly catching up on them. We also see that as soon as immigration enters the hotel lobby, a shot of a black man is shown. This instantly tells us that its immigration and the hotel have something to hide.
Scene 3 is the main scene in the clip as it’s where the immigrants are being hidden away from immigration, because of the ethnicity issue. It starts with a fast cut, which represents that they had little time to round up the immigrants and tells us how important time is in the clip. Next we see a quick pan of the kitchen as Jackie frantically runs through warning all immigrants she can find. This creates a panicked atmosphere for the audience and the actors also convey this message. There is a lot of diegetic sound used over the top of this of pans and plates in the kitchen, which emphasises the chaos the arrival of immigration has caused. At this time, Jackie is also wearing red, meaning she is bringing negative news with her. We think this because we instantly think of the connotations of red; danger and warning. As they are all running towards the staff cupboard to hide, we see a shot through the bars in the window. This metaphorically represents how the immigrants will be locked away behind bars and foreshadows what may happen to them in the future if they get caught. It also reinforces to us that even though they are working, they are still prisoners within the hotel. The shot is also slightly at an angle so it seems as if the immigrants are looked down on as they are of a lower class to other, and those who have the right to work. Throughout the clips in the cupboard, keys become a main theme and they become very repetitive. This shows a obvious link with the thought of being locked away in prison. However it could also suggest that the key is also opening many doors for them, as it’s helping them to hide from immigration and could save their jobs.
The next scene is when they are anxiously awaiting in the cupboard for the news on whether they will be caught or not. They again use the theme of keys to represent being locked away and the camera does various different close ups to capture this. An over the shoulder shot when the immigrants are hiding puts the audience in their shoes and sees it from their point of view. We can then sympathise more for them and understand that they too have lives and families to look after. We also realise that one of the immigrants is wearing a wedding ring which symbolises that he has a normal life just like any other person and that we overrule immigrants with stereotypical images. There is also a very dramatic zoom on Jackie’s face when she realises she has forgotten one of the immigrants. This snaps the focus back to the situation and engages the reader back into the storyline. Again, the hotel uniform that the immigrants are wearing is red which is telling us that they are living in constant danger and that it will follow them. At the end of this scene, when Ibrahim has been caught, we see it cross cutting to immigration taking him away upstairs which builds tension. The non-diegetic sound continues throughout the scene; however a heavier beat is added to show a connection to a heart-beat and the fear the immigrants have.
As we see Ibrahim struggling in the lobby with immigration, the continuous non- diegetic sound suddenly stops and this is very noticeable. The noise of him struggling and trying to fight is very overpowering and by stopping the non-diegetic sound, we can hear this even more. There are various different reverse shots used in this scene as it jumps between Jackie and the head of immigration numerous times. This is to show the clear conflict between the two and to highlight the different sides in the argument. The camera seems to be hand held as it follows Jackie through the reception, conveying her footsteps as she walks towards immigration, trying to save Ibrahim. It shows that she is powerful and determined to help. The manager of the hotel has uneasy body language, as she looks around the reception to see if her guests are witnessing the commotion taking place. She also asks Jackie to remove the rest of the immigrants out of the lobby by using a hand gesture. This represented that she wanted them away from the public eye and that they should stay below the hotel, as this is where they are ranked. She also clicks her fingers at the barman which shows she is still in power and overrules everyone. She wants to make sure her guests don’t see that there is a problem.
The last scene involves a lot of negative emotions as Jackie and the rest of the immigrants clear out Ibrahim’s locker. Non diegetic sound returns but this time the main part of the orchestra used is strings, to create a melancholy feel. This also makes the audience empathise towards Ibrahim and his co-workers who couldn’t help him. We see a close up shot of Jackie as she removes his belongings from the locker. This makes it apparent to us that Ibrahim was just a normal person as his belongings were the same as anyone else’s. The close up at the end of the keys locking up the locker reinstates the fact that Ibrahim was unlucky and did get locked away for good. This directly links to previous scenes in the cupboard which involved all immigrants. The immigrants all look very negative and genuinely upset for him. This becomes apparent when they are watching Jackie and are biting their nails and feeling nervous for Ibrahim. We see a clear segregation between the immigrants when they are eating lunch, with the separate nationalities at different tables which explains to us that different ethnicity groups can cause a problem. However we have seen throughout the scene that they all came together when it was important and looked out for each other when immigration arrived.
Overall, I think the issue of ethnicity is very apparent in the clip as we see that they are treated differently in the hotel just because they are immigrants, even though behind the stereotypes they are normal people trying to earn a living. Their roles in the hotel are looked down upon and this is because of their ethnicity and they will never be accepted by the other workers.
29th September 2011
Still image analysis
Below you will find a video recording of me talking through the analysis i made on the still image i found from the TV drama Casualty:
Below is a summary of the points i made throughout the video:
2nd October 2011
Below is a variety of different camera shots that are used in the TV and film industry to create different atmospheres and give sus different views on the characters and the setting.
Camera Shots
11th October 2011
18th October 2011
Cutting it Clip Analysis
We watched an extract from 'cutting it' and i have written an essay describing the different camera shots used, editing, mise-en-scene and sound throughout the clip. I discussed how each of these was inportant to the clip and why.
Cutting It Extract
27th October 2011
Greysom returns analysis
In groups we were each given a different clip to analyse, and i was given an extract from the episode 'Greysom Returns' in the popular British soap, Emmerdale. Below is my written analysis for the clip.
Waterloo Road drugs clip
For this task, we had to find a school TV drama in which there was a clear representational issue. We have chosen a clip from Waterloo Road which is based around two girls bringing drugs into school and discussing taking them.
Clip Analysis
The clip is showing two school girls in the toilets having a discussion about drugs and the use of them. The issue in this clip is drug use and also how peer pressure affects young people today. Half way through the scene, another character becomes involved and has a negative attitude towards the situation. The scene is set in the school toilets and therefore various different camera shots are used to highlight the privacy the characters have.
Firstly, we see a bird’s eye view shot across the top of the toilet cubicles and this signifies that there is no one else present at this time and that the conversation is confidential between them. The camera also pans across the tops of the cubicles which as well as setting the scene, reinforces the privacy they have as they are in a tight space where no one can see what they are talking about. The toilets are stereotypical for a school, as they are grubby and covered with graffiti. The fact they have been vandalised suggests that teachers never check up on them, therefore this is the perfect setting for the characters to be talking and trying drugs as they are less likely to get caught. The camera then stops when it reaches the cubicle with the two characters in and stays at a high angle. We now have a full view of the characters and what they look like. Looking down on them suggests that they are about to discuss something which is not acceptable, as we are looking at them in a negative way. Also looking down on them suggests that they are of a low class and that they are often frowned upon. As they are wearing school uniform, we know that they are in school and that is where the scene is set. The dialogue then starts at this point with the two girls discussing the use of drugs and debating on whether they are going to try it. This sound is digetic as the characters can hear what we are hearing as the audience. Throughout the scene up to around 30 seconds, there is non digetic sound in the background which makes the scene more intense and adds focus to the situation in hand. Next, the shot moves to a close up interviewee shot of Amy and then changes to Jess quickly after. This has been done on a 180 degree angle to make it clear to the audience that they are having a conversation and visually looks better. This also puts emphasis on the two characters facial expressions and what their attitude is towards the situation. This is when we see that one character is more hesitant than the other and is being forced into it by peer pressure. The jewellery they are wearing suggests they are of a lower class as they have the stereotypical look of a deprived teenager, for example the hoop earrings are always related with those who are common. On the walls of the toilets we notice that they have been vandalised to the extreme and this makes the school look less successful. It also reminds us that this area is somewhere that is often abandoned and no teachers usually enter, causing a lack of upkeep in this location. Quickly after it cuts to a two-shot with both characters face to face having an in depth conversation. This signifies that Amy is trying to convince Lauren to do drugs and she feels the peer pressure as there is no way she can escape from the dilemma. At this point, the non digetic sound is still playing and this creates anticipation for the audience and makes the situation even more intense.
The next shot in the clip is from a low angle and is a mid shot of the third character Sam. As she pops her head over the top of the cubicle, we see it’s from a low angle to represent what the first two characters are seeing and works as a point of view shot. This particular part of the scene shocks the audience as Sam comes from nowhere and is a surprise to the characters. We also notice that she too is wearing uniform so we know that she is not a teacher, but is a fellow pupil and therefore does not worry the students as much. The non digetic sound stops here, which signifies the importance of Sam’s entrance and that it, should be the main focus. It also highlights what she is saying and makes us focus on her. When all the characters come out of the cubicles into the main toilets, we see an over the shoulder shot from Sam looking at the two girls which represents that she is standing up to the girls and is telling them that they are making a wrong decision. This signifies her power over them both. The conversation between the characters is then represented by close up shots between them all on a 180 degree turn. This makes it easier on the eye when observing the conversation. Towards the end of the shot, the tension rises between Sam and Amy, which leads to a mid shot of Lauren standing between them both, trying to separate them and resolve the situation. The scene then ends with fast cuts in the conversation and the characters become frustrated and even angrier with each other. We can see from their facial expressions that they are not agreeing with each other and this ends with the characters agreeing to disagree and the situation is left unresolved.
Script
Storyboard
We created a storyboard to show the different shots that were in the clip, and the ones that we wanted to recreate.
30th December2011
Primeval clip
Primeval Clip 2nd January 2012
Skins clip analysis
The extract I have chosen is from the first series of Skins and is the first 5 minutes of the episode. Throughout the episode, we are told that the character Jal is competing in the Young musician of the year competition and follows her dilemmas as she comes closer to the event. The series tries to reflect the attitudes and behaviour of today’s younger generation and therefore is from their perspective. There is a key issue of gender that occurs throughout as we see that Jal is the only female in her house and because of this, feels alone and outnumbered by the dominant males in the household. There is also her father’s girlfriend living in the house, but there is an unusual relationship between her and Jal, meaning Jal still feels alone and separated from the rest of the family.
At the beginning of the clip, we see life from Jal’s perspective and even though there is non diegetic sound throughout, we can imagine what she is thinking underneath all of the sound and this reveals to the audience immediately that she is probably a very quiet character and keeps her thoughts to herself. Firstly, there is an extreme close up shot used on Jal’s eyes, which signifies the concentration and focus she has on her music. This links with the sound as in the background, various different instruments in an orchestra are playing, however she seems to be blocking out all other sound around her. We notice that she is not wearing much make-up and this signifies that she is very pure and almost innocent. This identifies that she could also be quite shy and not want to stand out from the crowd. The camera in this shot is very still which implies that she is focused and thinking to herself. However, from the audience view, we do not yet know what she is thinking about, whether it’s the music, or other issues. As she begins to play the clarinet, the other non diegetic sound in the background fades and the only noise we can hear is her playing the instrument.
Afterwards, she begins to complete a slide of notes on the clarinet, and as the notes become higher, the camera keeps its positioning and angle, but slowly zooms out from Jal, and gives the audience a clear view of the room, including the orchestra. They are sitting in the correct orchestral layout in a semi-circle which makes it seem more professional. On the other hand, when the camera is fully zoomed out, other instruments begin to join in with Jal and the sound is very overpowering and uncomfortable to listen to. We understand that the people involved in the orchestra are all students, as they are all in casual dress and their body language suggests that they do not wish to be there, and would rather spend their time doing something else. We now have a long landscape shot of Jal and the rest of the orchestra which illustrates that they are trying to become a successful orchestra and are all their to practise together. We can also see that Jal seems almost separate from the orchestra, and this could add to the issue of gender or confidence as she wants to be on her own and is therefore separated from her peers.
There is then a fast cut after the zoom which leads to an over the shoulder shot from students, sitting near the middle of the orchestra. This enables the audience to feel as if they are in the scene and can visually see what the students are seeing, which is their conductor. Speech is now incorporated into the scene, over the top of the instruments, which consists of the conductor shouting and swearing at different parts of the orchestra. This suggests she is a very outgoing and bold character as she is not afraid to swear and use inappropriate language towards her students. We begin to see that she is becoming very agitated and frustrated with the students, because of their poor performance. This is ironic as she is wearing blue, which is often seen as a very calm and tranquil colour. Whereas she is expressing opposite emotions to these.
This shot, quickly cuts back to mid shot of Jal playing the clarinet with lots of concentration on her section of the song. We can see that she is trying her best to ignore the sound around her and focus solely on her part. However the speech of the conductor shouting over the top becomes very overpowering and aggressive towards the students. We notice here that Jal is wearing a bright pink cardigan, which stands out in the scene against the pale blues and greys surrounding her. This signifies that she is trying to be more feminine and emphasises that she feels insecure about her image, therefore is trying to look nicer by wearing the stereotypical female colour. This also highlights that she is the main focus in the scene and that she should be receiving the audience’s attention the most. This is also a reverse-shot as we switch from two different shots on a 180 degree angle so it’s easier on the eye. This also identifies the different atmospheres in the room from different people’s perspectives. Where they are located in the room also adds to this.
Overall in the first 2 minutes of this episode, the sound plays a huge part in engaging the reader and explaining to them what the setting is. The loud unruly nice from the orchestra and the conductor, contrasted against the quiet and elegant sound of the clarinet from Jal. This could also foreshadow future issues in the episode and gives us an insight as to the different characters personalities. The mise-en-scene also tells us about the characters and the colours reflect the mood they are in at that time. Various different camera shots were used to symbolise how the different characters were feeling and how they were reacting to what was happening. We were able to see the scene from different people’s perspectives, starting with the conductors and ending with the students in the orchestra. Finally, incorporating a zoom into the clip enabled us to have a full view of the set and immediately told us what was happening and highlighted the orchestral layout in the room. All of these things also link to the issue of gender, as Jal seems very insecure about herself and not very feminine. This is relevant to the rest of the episode as it is then confirmed that she is looked down upon by the male characters in her family.
10th January 2012
Monarch of the glen
Media Mock Paper
Section A
In the extract clip from the TV show hustle, we see a woman and man working together to scam a shop assistant for money. The main issue in the clip is gender, as the woman is able to use her charm to win over the male and trick him into believing her. Also, the alpha-male at the end overpowers the feminine shop assistant which enables the scam to be a success.
At the start of the clip we see that the blonde woman is going to be the main focus as a pan follows her on her entrance and the upbeat non diegetic sound plays over the top. The main focus at the beginning of the clip is an older lady enquiring about a dress. A combination of high and low angle shots between the older lady and the shop assistant signifies that she is looked down on because of her class and the fact that she can’t afford the dress. In comparison to the older lady, the blonde woman is very well presented and dressed smartly. However the older woman is dressed very casually, therefore the shop assistant has less time for her. An over the shoulder shot before the woman leaves reinforces that money is power as the shop assistant has more power than her.
As the shop assistant notices the second woman, we notice that his attitude changes and he becomes a lot more helpful. Conversational cuts between them using the 180 degree rule explains that they both are interested in the conversation and the close ups reinforce this as we see the positive expressions on their faces. Before the woman tries on the dress, a close up of her ring is shown which foreshadows future events in the clip, and highlights the importance of it to the clip.
A cut to the woman wearing the dress now tells us that she is considering buying it, and the shot starts with a pan upwards to show how glamorous and elegant the dress is. The male shop assistant is very feminine and therefore too is in love with the dress. This links to the issue of gender as a slightly more feminine male can link to the female’s thoughts and how she feels about buying the dress. We see he is very passionate about the design as they both look in the mirror at the dress in a mid-two shot. When the woman tells him she is going to purchase the dress, the male is very excited for her and again we see his more feminine side and also happiness because he has just sold a very expensive dress.
However, the next shot changes scene and the woman is about to buy the dress until she notices her ring is missing. The mood suddenly flips and a close up of the woman tipping out her bag highlights the sense of panic and stress that she is trying to portray. A fast pan then follows her as she frantically searches the shops floors for the missing ring. Suddenly the calm and collected attitude she had before has now changes as she says ‘my husband will kill me.’ This links back to the issue of gender as woman often fear males as they are seen to have more strength and power. Which is just stereotypical. The non diegetic sound of upbeat music then cuts very abruptly when the shop assistant suggests she comes back later. This signifies that the hustle is going according to plan. The woman walks away, stating that she will offer a £5,000 reward to whoever finds it. This then seems appealing to the male and a close up is used to highlight the surprised expression on his face. When he then says ‘I will do everything I can to find it’, the female looks directly at the camera with a smile on her face saying ‘I’m sure I can rely on you.’ Looking into the camera makes it more personal and the positive look she gives signifies that she is happy everything will go to plan and that she completed her job successfully. Making a sly grin reinforces that women can use their charm to win over anyone and suggests that people don’t always expect it from them.
A new character now enters the shop whilst the assistant is searching the floors for the lost ring. As the assistant is on the floor, a pan upwards is used to introduce the new character. We see that he is well dressed in a suit with clean polished shoes. However, he is chewing gum which is less classy and tells us that underneath the act, he could be slightly lower class and putting on a character. A mixture of high and low and shots represent how very quickly, the alpha male is overpowering the feminine shop assistant. Even though they are the same gender, their behaviour reflects on how they are perceived.
Whilst the shop assistant continues to search for the ring, a close up of the male pulling a ring out of his sleeve automatically informs us that he’s in on the hustle with the woman and that in fact they are trying to scam the shop. A high angle shot then shows the male pretending to pick it up from the floor and telling the assistant he has found it. The two characters then enter the same shot and a series of conversational cuts are used as the male refuses to give back the ring. This builds the tension between the characters and over the shoulder shots are used as the male has the power because he is in possession of the ring. A mid shot shows the male slowly walking away and counting down as if he is expecting something. A cut to the assistant saying ‘wait’ then causes the male to look directly into the camera with a grin, similarly to the woman before. This suggests that he also has been successful with his part of the task.
