Representation of Class and Status - Downton Abbey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscFlwFNB6I

The opening shot is a slow pan which establishes the limit of the action and shows off the massive house belonging to the upper class. An over the head shot off the newspaper boy is used to show the status of the upper class. When the scene changes to the lower class many quick shots are used to illustrate the busy hectic life of the lower class. When the newspaper boy hands over the paper to the servant, there is a slight tilt in camera movement showing the difference in status. A longshot is used towards the end of the table with many people eating round it, showing the lower class' busy lives. A shot from a low angle focussing on the butler shows how status also differs within class. These many hectic shots change to one continuous flowing shot following the lord down his grand stair case. This shot shows off many aspects off the house including ornaments, paintings and the setting in general. The fact the camera angle is rather low demonstrates his high class and status over other. Many over the shoulder shots are used in a conversation between the Lord and the butler; this shows how the butler has higher status over the working class as he is able to be present with the king. A shot including the lords daughters standing by his side being respectful implies his status within the upper class. Reaction shots are also used to demonstrate the lords status within the upper class. Throughout the scene many longshots are used to show off the costumes and setting to emphasise the differences in class.

 

 

 

Sound is also significant in the clip. The video begins with graceful music when the camera shots focus on the house and the people of the upper class. It is very peaceful in the women's room. However, this is the opposite from where the lower class are situated, it is very loud and chaotic which shows their different lifestyle as they're working for the upper class. The sound of the bell symbolises the upper class' status over the lower class. A variety of accents are used to imply the different classes. The upper class speak very educated, smartly and sophisticated whereas the lower class have more common. Within the lower class status is shown by a louder volume of voice acquired to the chef. The graceful music then returns as  the chaotic setting changes to be very calm and peaceful, this represents the lifestyle of the upper class. The lord is referred to as 'papa' and 'lord' which shows his status within the upper class.

The miss-en-scene also plays an important role in displaying class and status. The first thing the audience sees is the enormous house with a long driveway and therefore the recognition of the house automatically makes the audience assume it belongs to members of the upper class. This is associated with wealth in relation to the upper class. A very continuous colour scheme of gold is used to represent the upper class and the luxury of their lives. The upper class wear smart suits and elegant gowns whereas the lower class wear scruffy clothes and maid outfits. These different costumes are used to display the differences in class. The lower class' working area is seemingly dull and dingy which shows their lower class. The difference in colour of the pots between upper and lower class is very effective as the lower class have brass pots and the upper class have silverware. The fact that the butler is dressed in a suit emphasises his status over the other characters in the lower class. Throughout the clip countless ornaments, paintings, pictures, accessories etc. are included to demonstrate the upper class' luxurious lifestyle. A painting including a man riding a horse symbolises the references to ancestors which is usually associated with the upper class. When the lord is walking down the stairs he is accompanied by a Labrador which also fits in with their lifestyle. A telegram is handed to the lord to demonstrate his authority and status within the upper class.

 

 

The editing in the clip also portrays the difference in class and status. Many camera exchanges including lots of people on the set demonstrate the lowers class' chaotic and busy life. Also the lighting is very dull which takes away the pleasantness of the place. Slow, calm and flowing shots are used when focussing on the upper class with on a few people on set are used to show there separated peaceful life. The fact that the butler is included on the set at the head of the table when with the lower class shows his status; also he is also allowed to be with the lord which represents his difference in class.

 

Representation of Age

The opening seconds of this scene represents the irresponsibility and carelessness of the youth as they tried to lie their way out of getting into trouble. This is emphasised due to the close up shots of the two boys attempting to hide the video camera which soon after is revealed to be broken. The older generation is also displayed in the exposition on the scene where the elder  teacher is seemingly grumpy and shows no sympathy towards the boys. His dress sense is noticeably out-dated, implying the stereotype of the older generations.

In the next clip of a young boy and a middle aged man demonstrates the immature and lazy nature of the teens. The boy's reaction when the man mentions completing an essay is simply immature and shows he has no interest in education. Also the man says "your handy work is it?" relating to a smashed window. This implies the violent and stupid behaviour which youth are stereotyped with.

Teenage girls are displayed to be dressing up by putting makeup on and wearing revealing school clothes in order to make them look older. Women are considered vulnerable when being categorised by age and the younger girls attempt to look older and target what is portrayed to be attractive by the media. This shows how the youth are irresponsible as they are easily influenced by the media and do many things to their appearance to look attractive when in fact, they look unattractive and tarty. Also in the part of the scene one of the girls mum is portrayed to be a 'hoe bag' which implies how she attempts to be youthful despite her age, demonstrating the stereotype given to mothers who try to disguise their age and act young. A soundtrack is introduced which is considered to be hip hop and once again associated with the younger generations.

A section of the scene shows how the youth of todays society are particularly aggressive and violent by the presentation of a girl behaving rather offensively and violent towards a boy who seems harmless and gentle. This demonstrates how youth are considered to be disrespect as they don't seem to have many morals towards other people. Also the dramatic hip hop soundtrack is once again introduced which makes the scene seem more chaotic. The subject of this confrontation is the affair of the two peoples parent which implies how the older generations are still attempting to be young and not behaving responsibly.

The concluding moments of the scene show a man attempting to look more youthful in his appearance by seeking advice from a woman who herself is trying to stay young. The fact that her advice is also extremely unusual shows how they both are out-dated in the worlds current state in fashion. Also the realisation that he is trying to look younger symbolises how older adults are not comfortable with their age and they try to make them look like the definition of youth which the media portrays. The outfit that he has been acquired to attracts negative reactions from both teens and middle aged people, illustrating that people are stereotyped to their age and if they attempt to alter their image in order to look younger or older, they can be victimised and negatively thought of, attracting unpleasant comments.

The location throughout the whole  scene is at a school which associated with young students and teachers who are referred to as old.

Analysis of Camera Work

Establishing shot - Establishes the location and sometimes can show the time period. Not always, but often is the first shot the audience sees.

Helicopter Shot - Ariel shot taken from a a helicopter. Tells the audience about their high production value (Value)

Master shot - Establishes the limit of where the action is going to take place and also show the relationship between characters.

Longshot - Displaying a person from yea to toe, shows appearance (costumes) , body language, also show their relationship in the setting and place them in it.

Medium shot - From the waist upwards, often used when there are more than one person in the shot, showing the relationship between characters

Close up - Face, reaction, emotion

Extreme Close up - focus on them doing something. (eg. pulling trigger on a gun)



Camera movement - Any movement with the camera

Pan - Shows information regarding setting, people ect.  Horizontal

Tilt - Use to scan body of an attractive female.

Man gaze & Female gaze

Dolly shot - when camera is put on wheels and able to move smoothly. Shows connections with something outside the original shot/frame.

Steady cam - Camera is balanced, moves with something and could follow action.


Camera Angles

High angle - look down on something to make is look vulnerable and weaker

Low angle - look up on something to make it look more powerful and strength, good for point of view

Canted angle - when the camera is at an angle itself (eg. diagonal).. isn't straight

Sound Analysis

Dialogue - speech pattern can identify gender, age, class, sexuality ect

volume, pitch

Background music - sets the mood, era, regional identity

diegetic - what the actors can hear

non-diegetic - sounds that the actors can hear.

synchronous  - sound source is on screen 

Asynchronous  - sound source isn't on the screen

ambient sound - background noise

Sound effects

foley sound - everyday sound

Analysis of Mise-En-Scene

Setting - information about genre, timescale, regional information (rural, urban), characters

Props/Properties - gives clues on something/what is going to happen/ info on character/ background lives/ content and context 

Lighting - high key lighting is soft/ shadowless/ feminine. let used with people with light skin light hair light clothes , overall light setting…. Low key - masculine/dingy/ unsettling/ aggressive.

Accent - Regional accent

Costume - reveal era, time period, identify, occupation/ wealth, sexuality