In the TV programme Hotel Babylon, ethnicity is presented in various ways to show different ethnic groups. In this essay I will be analysing the techniques used in the text to imply the specific stereotypes given to specific ethnic groups. This will be in relation to camera work, mise-en-scene, sound and editing.
To initiate the opening scene, a long shot tracking the movement of a black male employee assisting a guest. This tracking shot presents the costume of the character as being in very smart/formal attire by him wearing a suit.This costume implies that the male takes pride in his smart/groomed appearance which opposes the perspective given to his ethnic group (young black males) as they are stereotypically not as well presented than British males. We can also recognise the body language of the character as he seems polite and has good etiquette; demonstrated through the dialogue acquired to him, here he says "thank you very much" and "hello". This dialogue presents his accent ad the way he speaks which is rather educated and well mannered. A further out long shot is then used to establish the location of a hotel and therefore allow the audience to familiarise them self with the males workplace. Presenting the black male to oppose the stereotype given to his ethnic group through the use of smart costume, well mannered body language and an educated accent. A new character is then introduced through an over the shoulder shot. This shot shows a character which represents the stereotypical male of the same ethnic group as the previous. This impression is displayed further through the use of dialogue and regional dialect/idiolect. Throughout the dialogue exchanged between the two, displayed by a sequence of over the shoulder shots and shot reverse shot, he uses slang phrases such as "ganja", "bro", "blood", "bredrin", "booze" etc. and it is evident that all he is interested in is girls and partying. Implying that his aspirations on life is somewhat opposite to the employee. The young man's ethnicity is also through the visible appearance and body language. A side on two shot shows the man to be wearing baggy shorts and the series of over the shoulder shots displays him to be wearing diamond jewellery such as ear ring and a necklace. His hair is also messy and un-groomed in the style of dread locks. The appearance further relates to his mentioning of "ganja" and could present him to be a crew member or even a drug dealer. Overall, these two characters present both sides of their ethnic group, one conforming to the stereotype and the other confronting it.
In the next scene, a tilt is used to introduce two foreign females, making clear of what their occupations are. This tilt shows the the women in maid costumes and also shows off the props off carts. Dialogue between the two is shared and they both seem to have eastern European accents which initiate the ethnicity of the two characters. The job of a maid is usually low paid and stereotypically occupied by eastern Europeans as they come over to the UK for job opportunities. A close up of a card showing "please service" with two red aster-ix. This is accompanied with dialogue where the woman states "He pays double for double." referring to the girls. This presents the ethnic group of eastern Europeans where they carry out certain jobs to get money, whether it be a formal job or someone paying for their "service". Then a tense non-diegetic background soundtrack is introduced which implies that they are doing something they shouldn't be. After this a long shot of an Asian man sat on his bed. This shot also displays his costume of just wearing a dressing gown. A close up of he prop of money on the side corresponds to the earlier dialogue, supporting the stereotype that eastern Europeans are relatively poor and willing to carrying out manual labour and other activities. However, one of the females appears to be seemingly uncomfortable, shown through close ups of facial expressions/reaction shots and long shot which demonstrate her timid and shy body language. She then runs out saying "sorry.. I cant". Therefore, perhaps implying that she may confront the stereotype as she is not used to the behaviour of stripping and does no feel comfortable.
Towards the end of the text, the setting once again changes to be in a kitchen where the pace of the video increases. Many props are used through tracking shots and close ups of specific items such as a knife. In this scene a mid shot is used to display a man in a stereotypical chef attire. He then converses with other and it becomes apparent that his accent is of a foreign country (Italy) and uses words such as "madame". The chef is then considered as part of an Italian ethnic group, therefore resulting in stereotypes being applied to him. The association with Italians and food is significant and suggests that being a chef is specific to people of this particular ethnicity. Italians are also perceived to be relatively interactive and physical. This "touchy feely" attitude is visible through mid shots and two shots where his body language towards others is displayed by grabbing his "old friends" and kissing them on the head.
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