Representation of Class and Status - Downton Abbey

There are many ways in which class and status are represented to the audience in the Downton Abbey clip. The first noticeable representation is the use of music to show the differences between upper and working class people. The music begins as quite dramatic and fast in the very first scene, as the paper boy is cycling up to the house, however, when the woman in the bedroom is shown, the music softens and slows down slightly, to show that her life is more calm, whereas his life is quite busy and work-inducing.

This soft music continues, until the upper class woman reaches over to ring the bell. The fact that a simple bell has been used, and the resultant reaction of this bell ringing from downstairs, shows that a simple movement from an upper class person can cause chaos for working class people. When the working class are shown, the music speeds up and once again, becomes dramatic. This, as well as the shakiness of the camera, shows that the working class are rushing to meet to the expectations of the upper class.

However, even among the working class, there are people with higher status than the other. A man is shown ironing a newspaper, with a man (wearing a significantly more mature and smarter suit than him) telling him what newspaper he should iron first, even if it was all for the sake of the upper class man. Another example of people within the working class with different status is when the paper boy is not on time, and the older man, who evidently works in Downton Abbey, reprimands him for his lateness.

This is also shown within the upper class family. The women of the family hesitate to look up at the man of the family (obviously the one with the most power and significance, as shown by a variety of low camera angles), when he receives a telegram. This is because they do not want to interfere with his business, for fear of being reprimanded. They also stand either side of him to show this inferiority.

When the upper class man is first shown, a low angle is shown of him walking down a staircase. This low angle was used to portray his authority and status within the home. The music during this scene was also very soothing and calm, which contrasts, yet again, to the chaotic music playing during the scene in which the working class people are rushing around under the instruction of the upper class residents. The working class man with high status is at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for him, and greets him politely. These signs of respect allow the audience to see who is the person with more authority in the situation.

The use of dialogue within the scenes also manages to convey the opinions of both classes, and how they feel about each other. In a conversation with the working class man with high status about the sinking of the Titanic, the upper class man asks what happened to the passengers. The working class man replies, stating that some of them were saved, particularly the women. The upper class man responds, in what could be described as a regrettable tone "You mean the ladies in first class?", to which the working class man doesn't reply, but looks quite sad. The upper class man says "God help the poor devils below deck". This small piece of dialogue allows the audience to understand that the upper class in this television show do feel sorry for the working class, and how they are treated in society somewhat.

This is shown again when the woman in bed has received the news about the Titanic deaths, and the servant woman from the kitchens is keeping very silent, and trying very hard to not interfere with their conversation. The woman in bed actually stops talking to the man to acknowledge the fact that she is thankful towards this member of the working class, which could be linked to the idea that the upper class are actually appreciative of the working class, and do not like to completely ignore their existence.

Representation of Age - Waterloo Road

From the extract I have watched, I can see that age is quite a diverse thing in this television show, due to the variety of people that feature in it that are all different age groups. The setting of the clip allowed me to see both the century this clip will be taking place in, and the regional identity, which is obvious because the clip is set in a secondary school. Due to it being set in this environment, it is evident that the majority of people that featured in the clip were of the age between 11 and 16.

An example of a prop that was included is the broken camera, which can be seen as a stereotype of teenagers to be clumsy and thus, break things. If there is one thing within the clip that revealed any differences in behaviour between the various ages, it is what each character is wearing, and how they are wearing it. For example, in the screen shot below, there are students wearing their uniform very untidily, which could link to the stereotype that teenagers, or specifically students in this case, like to rebel against any rules given to them. However, the costumes given to the actors playing the teachers are much more formal, and they look a lot more mature, which is probably what the producers intended.

As shown in the picture above, the most commonly used camera angle throughout the entire clip was the mid shot, which shows a person from their chest, up to their head. This shot tends to be used in these types of programmes to make them appear more realistic. There are, however, low and high angles evident within the clip, when the man is apparently trying to appear stereotypically 'cool'. 

This can perhaps show that he thinks he is now high up in the ranks of the teenagers now that he dresses in a similar fashion to them, The young girl is shown from a high angle to perhaps indicate that she, being younger than him, and as a result, is at a more fragile position. She constantly has to look up at his face as well, which could be seen as a sign of obedience.

There was also a tracking shot, or panning shot, used at the beginning of the clip, following a teacher's shoes walking. This is to show that the boys do not know he is there, and that he is being discreet about approaching them. This also shows power through an elder person, for the boys would actually be scared or nervous at the prospect of him catching them, which shows that he has at least some power and influence over them.

The non-diegetic sound within the clip was the music that played as the girl approached the boy in a menacing fashion. This was used to show that she was angry, because the actual music itself sounded quite angry. The fact that the music sounded quite boisterous and angry could relate to the stereotype of teenagers being grumpy and angry all the time. This music then continued on when the girl was shouting at the boy, and blocking his path, resulting in him having an asthma attack. This is clever use of soundtrack, because as the boy started coughing, the music took a slight dramatic turn. However, due to the soundtrack being non-diegetic, she was not aware of the scene turning more dramatic, yet the audience was. This is how the television show connects with the audience. 

The way the boy speaks is in a manner that makes the audience feel sympathy for him, because from his voice it is evident that he is very sorry for what he had done to upset this girl. This shows that, although they are the same age, he is apparently (from what we can see in the clip) more intelligent than her, and more mature. A lot of ambient sound is evident in this clip as well, such as the many people talking in the corridors, or footsteps, (though it is actually possible that these sound effects were made during the filming of the programme, and not put through, in the post-production editing).

Analysis of Sound

Dialogue: Speech, but depending on gender, sexuality, race, etc, it sounds different. Speech pattern, volume, pitch, levels.

Soundtrack: Sets the mood, sets the era, sets the regional identity, time of year.

Diegetic and Non-Diegetic: Diegetic sound is what the actors can hear. Non-Diegetic is what actors cannot hear (soundtrack, for example).

Synchronous and Asynchronous: Synchronous is when the sound source is on screen. Asynchronous is when the sound source is not on screen.

Ambient Sound: Background noise.

Sound Effects: Leads us to the expression foley sound, in the sound department (footstep sounds, rain, typing on keyboards).

Analysis of Mise-En-Scene

Setting: The setting is giving information about genre, time scale (past, modern, future), regional information, whether it is rural or urban, the wealth of the characters.

Props: Props, short for properties, give some clues about something. For example, a character could be holding a gun, and you'd know that they intended to shoot someone. Nothing is there by accident, it has been placed there specifically.

Lighting: High-key lighting is very soft, could be described as feminine or shadowy. This is often used in conjunction with light skinned people with light hair, or light clothing. Soft, romantic. Low key lighting can be described as dark, aggressive, masculine, mysterious, threatening.

Costume: Costume can reveal era, genre, time scale (past, modern, future), occupation of the characters, the wealth of the characters. Costume can also reveal sexuality.

Analysis of Camera Work

Camera Shots:

Establishing Shot: This shot establishes where or when the film is set. It is often the first shot seen in a TV programme.

Helicopter Shot: A shot the surroundings, from a helicopter. Usually an action or horror film with high production value, due to the expense in which it takes to hire a helicopter.

The Master Shot: Establishes the limit of the action in the scene.

Long Shot: This shot shows a person from head to foot in order to show Their appearance is taken into account, and shows them in relationship to their environment.

Medium Shot: A shot from the waist up, often used when there is more than one person in a shot.

Close-Up: A close-up can show a face in order to portray reaction, emotion or detail.

Extreme Close-Up: Shows the action of a person, such as pulling a trigger. Brings the audience's attention to something in particular.

Camera Movement:

Panning: The movement of a camera in one swift movement to show information regarding to, quite often, location, people, or objects such as cars.

Tilt: A tilt is essentially the same as a panning shot, except the tilt goes up and down (horizontally). It is used to show what someone looks like, typically to scan the body of an attractive female. Occasionally a tilt is shown of an attractive man, but not quite as often.

Dolly Shot: The camera angle is put on wheels and moved smoothly along. It is often on a dolly track, showing the audience something outside the frame.

Steady Cam: The camera is balanced instead of being put on a track.

Camera Angles:

High Angle: Makes a character seem vulnerable and weaker.

Low Angle: Makes the character appear more powerful and stronger. Good for point of view shots and  to keep on a child/pets eye level.

Counted Angled: This angle is not straight, and it will be on the diagonal.