essay

This clip has been selected from the TV drama Hotel Babylon. The clip shows various representations of ethnicities, some of which conform to well known stereotypes. I will be analysing and exploring these during this essay.

One of the stereotypes portrayed is shown at the very beginning of the extract, this is the stereotype of the Jamaican man in the pool. The long shot which pans across the setting goes behind the pillars, this emphasises the undesired and unexpected shock of the appearance of the Jamaican/black character. This is reinforced by the reaction shot of the other black character (who is an employee of the hotel), the shocked face and attempt to turn away immediately creates a negative representation of the other character – and therefore also of his ethnicity. The mise-en-scene highlights the contrasting characters in this scene. For example. the large amounts of bold jewellery that the Jamaican character is wearing signifies his bold personality which reinforces the loud, confident, and generally bold ethnic stereotype. This is contrasted by small silver earring that the other black character is wearing, which communicates to the audience that although a part of this stereotype can be applied slightly to him, he has moved on significantly and has moved away from such a lifestyle.
Mise-en-scene is also used to create a provocotive stereotype of the French Maids. The audience imediately knows which maid is more innocent that the other through the colours of their costume, as the maid who refuses to strip is wearing white undwear where as the other is wearing black. White connotates purity and innocence, and black contrasts this as is connotates evilness. The diegetic music within this scene also reinforces the provocative 'French Maid' stereotype, as the music is from Moulan Rouge.
The British characters in this extract are the characters who are shown as superior and in charge, the people who have power within the hotel. They are both blonde, which almost reinforces their superiority because of Hitlers superior 'Aryan Race'. They speak very standard english, in a posh accent, which again reinforces they place in the class system (contrasting the foreign employees). But this typical posh British accent also reinforces the stereotype that Americans often percieve British people to speak like the Queen.
The foreign chef in the scene (who I believe to be Polish, or generally eastern europian) is show to be quite aggressive in his speech actions, which reinforces this aggressive eastern european stereotype. This aggression is magnified by the setting of a kitchen which includes prop's such as knives which could be used as weapons, and also the kitchen is generally percieved to be quite a stressful enviroment, this increases the tension so the audience is constantly feeling on edge waiting for something to happen. Fast cuts and editing emphasise this.
To conclude this scene actively creates and strongly reinforces ethnic stereotypes that the audience are already aware of. This can shape our views of these ethnic groups for ever if the media consistantly reperesents them in this way.

Exam question

Discuss the ways in which the extract contructs representations of ethnicity using the following:

• Camera shots/angles/movements
• Lighting
• sound
• mise-en-scene

Television drama and the representation of ethnicity

How did Roots and The Cosby Show challenge previous sterotypical representations of black people in TV dramas?
Roots gave the audience an opportunity to identify with the individual characters who were fighting to escape from the horrors they faced at the time, as the audience saw the characters go through brutality, rape, enforced de-culturation. This was the first time the audience had been shown the harsh truths and the reality of the situation. 

Opening scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQjuyOj3Ubs&feature=related 

Opening scenes- teen dramas.

I've chosen to look at the opening scenes for the teen dramas:
(click any of the list below to go to the clip I have chosen for that programme)

• Skins (shown on channel 4)
• E20 (shown on BBC iPlayer)
• The Inbetweeners (shown on channel 4)

I chose to compare these three because each of the opening scenes in the clips that I found for Skins and The Inbetweeners have some quite similar film language used in the scene (such as similar mise-en-scene, location, camerawork etc). Whereas, E20 is quite different in regards to some of these aspects, even though it is still thought of to be part of the teen drama sub genre.

Mise-en-scene:
The mise-en-scene used for the opening scene of The Inbetweeners episode I have chosen, generally connotates that the main character involved in the this scene (Simon) is slightly immature and also connotates that he is a stereotypical teenage boy. For example, the props we see on the desk beside the bedroom door includes a computer, a tall pile of CD's, and deodorant. This communicates to the audience that this is a stereotypical teenage boy, because his room consists of stereotypical teenage boy objects. For example: deodorant - teenage boys are said to smell, CD's - a stereotypical teenager is said to listen to a lot of music, often used to block out the noise of the parents (which is similar to what Simon is doing during this scene, but using his voice to shout instead, which may reinforce this stereotype), and a computer - because teenagers (especially boys) are stereotypically thought to live in front of a screen. Props in this scene that make Simon appear immature include a small blue globe that young boys usually get bought, but some may say this is contrasted by the large piece of artwork on his wall. The costumes that the characters in this scene also convey immaturity, and support a typical teenage boy (Simon is seen wearing a t-shirt, hooded jacket, and jeans - all quite simple, conveys simplistic personality). The single bed also connotates immaturity, and maybe even suggest Simons lack of experience in sexual activity, which again adds to the humour because it contrasts the conversation his girlfriend has with him during this scene. The mise-en-scene in the opening scene of Skins also communicates to the audience that the main character of this episode (Pandora) is immature. This is mainly done by her costume - a baggy pink pyjama t-shirt, the colour pink connotates young girls. In this scene we see Pandora in Effy's bedroom, this again reinforces Pandora's immaturity because the miss-en-scene in the room is quite mature (such as the double bed), which contrasts Pandora's appearance.
The mise-en-scene in the opening scene of E20 is different to both of these because the first thing we see is the teenage characters wearing green jumpsuits, which says to the audience that she's involved in some kind of community service, which can be perceived as quite a mature thing to be taking part in. She also has her hair tied up, which suggests she's prepared to get stuck in and do some work. But this is then contrasted when the other two teenagers enter the scene with the prop of a large inflatable toy.

Narrative:
One of the similarities between the opening scenes of The Inbetweeners and Skins is that they both have some kind of help to understand what was going on, if for example someone has missed the previous episodes. The Inbetweeners has a commentary at the start of the episode, and Skins runs a 'previously on skins' clip. E20 doesn't have anything like this.
Another difference between the two opening scenes is the type of conversation the characters partake in during the scene. In E20 the conversation is focussed on helping the community, which is quite mature and sophisticated. Whereas the conversation in The Inbetweeners and Skins opening scenes were focussed on teenage love and sex, which is quite a stereotypical teenage topic.

Location:
The location in both The Inbetweeners and Skins is in a teenagers bedroom, whereas in opening scene of E20 is set in the street, which is less intimate so the audience doesn't feel as close a connection between themselves and the characters.


Sound:
The non diegetic sound in the opening scenes of both Skins and The Inbetweeners is music modern music which introduces the scene. E20 also introduces the scene with modern music but this music is faded into the scene to become diegetic.

Camerawork:
The very first shot we see in the opening scene in Skins is an arial shot which zooms into Pandora, which not only communicates to the audience that she is the main character for this episode but it also allows the audience to feel like their becoming closer to her not only in the distance of the shot but also in terms of relationship, which helps the audience to feel connected to the character. The Inbetweeners does this by starting the opening scene with a close up two shot of Simon and his girlfriend while their kissing. This again not only tells the audience that themselves and their relationship will be the focus the episode but also again allows the audience to understand and have more of a personal insight into their relationship.
E20 starts it's opening scene with lots of quickly cut establishing shots, and doesn't focus on anything or anyone for too long. So it differs from the first shots in Skins and The Inbetweeners because it doesn't immediately tell the audience which character will be the focus of the episode, and therefore doesn't allow the audience the build a closer relationship with this character in order to sympathise and understand their story further.

Archie and Janine take over the Queen Vic.

This clip shows Archie Mitchell and Janine Butcher taking over the Queen Vic pub, during one christmas episode on tv soap drama - Eastenders.
This clip starts with a close up, establishing shot of the Mitchellls sign that used to hang above the pub door. This is an establishing shot because it is no longer above the door, meaning they are no longer the owners/landlords. The camera then tilts up to show peggy walk into the room for what the audience assumes is the last time. The tilt up is important to the scene because it allows the audience to see all of her costume. Her costume is important for the audience to see, because all though she's getting thrown out on the streets on christmas, she's still determined to keep her glamourous image (fur coat, sequin top etc). This is because the audience is watching her being stripped of everything she has (the pub being a huge aspect of her image) and because of her strong character she has to connotate and appear to everyone else that everything is fine, and she's still the same Peggy Mitchell everyone respects, knows, and loves.
The next shot is one that includes the christmas tree, this again contrasts the happy occasion of christmas with the sad reality that they're getting thrown out of their home. It also makes the audience feel like because the camera is almost hidden behind the tree, that we're getting a secret insight into a private, emotional and significant moment of the characters life- which increases the audiences sympathy. Peggy then turns off the lights which connotates that it's the end off her and the Queen Vic. It's very important that the audience saw her turn off the light as she is not only an iconic character, but she was the landlady and is strongly associated by the audience with the Queen Vic pub.
Towards the end of this clip, we can hear both diegetic and non diegetic sound. Examples of the diegetic sound we can hear are mumbled voices in the background, speech, and music faintly in the distance. This music slowly builds up in volume, until the end, when it becomes non diegetic sound. The song being played it very ironic 'have a very mary christmas' as this is a happy song, and the Mitchells clearly aren't going to have a very happy christmas this year.

TV Drama Clip - The Inbetweeners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvTgvEzpSzQ

The Inbetweeners is a Teen Drama.


The broadcaster is E4.

It used to be scheduled at 10pm on thursdays.

Writers - Damon Beesley, Iain Morris.

Directors- Gordon Anderson, Ben Palmer, Damon Beesley, Iain Morris.

Producer- Christopher Young.

Characters- The characters are shown to always be focussing on girls, and getting girls attention. This reinforces the stereotype that all teenage boys are interested in are girls. It also says that teenage boys are not only interested in girls, but also objectify them 'oh my god, check out the jug-asaurus rex'. This is then contrasted and balanced out when Simon shows his more genuine love for Carly as she walks past.


Narrative- Although in this scene there is no apparent narration, usually during an episode of The Inbtweeners there is a narrative from one of the main characters, Will. This narrative helps the audience feel more connected and build more of a relationship between them and the characters; which then helps them find they're comical situations even funnier.


Sound- The sound in this clip is mostly dialogue, however it also includes music and some sound effects. A sound effect is used, when the frisbee hits the girl on the wheelchair, to exaggerate the force of impact and make it sound worse than it actually is. Music is also used when  the girls enter the scene and this is used to create excitement and anticipation of what will happen next. The music used in The Inbetweeners is modern, which appeals to the target audience.


Location- The location is in the park, so the lighting of the scene is natural. It also reinforces the stereotype that all teenagers hang around in parks, but this is made comical as they're not doing stereotypical antisocial things (such as drinking and smoking), but instead they are playing with a frisbee which reinforces the actual innocence of the group. 

Camerawork- 






During this scene medium shots are used to show the characters from a casual and friendly perspective. 














Here, a wide angle shot has been used which shows the characters all together. It also shows the moods of the characters at this time, and how they feel about playing frisbee. E.g. Simon standing bored, Jay standing with his arms crossed, and Neil and Will playing happily. 











Here is a shot where the camera is pointing down on the character, Will. So the audience can see appreciate the height of the frisbee, and the power and enthusiasm Will puts into throwing it into the air. The camera looking down on Will in such a way may almost be a prediction for how the audience may look down on him figuratively (and not literally, like in this shot) when the frisbee unfortunately hits the disabled girl.

The following shots are reaction shots, all of which are showing the reactions of the frisbee about to and/or actually hitting the disabled girl. Showing each of the characters faces in close ups allows the audience to understand and relate to each of the characters, which helps the audience feel like their building more of a relationship with them. Then when the camera goes for a reaction shot of the group of girls its a long shot of all four of them. This has been done because as they're not main characters a close up would allow the audience to feel too connected with them, so the literal distance in the shot, allows distance between the not so important girls and the audiences relationship.

AS Television Drama

Here I have chosen a screen shot from British Sci-Fi TV Drama, Doctor Who. You can tell the sub genre is sci-fi because of the mysterious yellow fog against the darkness of the night, this creates a feel of suspense and of mystery for the audience (even though we know that it is only The Doctor who is going to emerge from the tardis, but the girl watching doesn't know this so the suspense we feel as the audience is from her view). The fact that it is set in the night time also reinforces the fact that it is a sci-fi drama because a stereotype is that scary things occur in the darkness of the night, also it would be harder to see any danger, and at night you can see the night sky (e.g stars, moon - more aware of outer-space). The fog also appears to be masking something, which may cause tension. If you weren't aware of Doctor Who or the tardis, the shape of the tardis in this is very unrecognizable and unusual which again may cause a feeling of mystery and tension for the audience.