Disability in TV Drama

The Inbetweeners

• woman in a wheelchair
• men dominated the scene 'juggasaurus rex' laura mulvey's male gaze.
• using the word 'gay' out of context.
• saying that because they're not playing football, it's 'gay'
• associating with dogs 'only border collies like frisbee'
• the typical 'tough' male playing football and the geeks playing frisbee
• male shouts of men playing football and girly chatter
• park, somewhere everyone can go to - verismillitude
• foreshadowing 'you don't wanna play cause Pete will break your legs' the woman already in the wheelchair
• looking down at the woman in the wheelchair she's sitting down and he's standing up so the shot is from his eyelevel
• the woman in the wheelchair is the only person not active - binary oppositions. active able bodied people, against a static bodied girl stuck in a wheelchair.
• the cool guys automatically assume that he's stealing her frisbee, assume that she's the victim when she's not. also she has no escape from the frisbee but they can run away from the guys.
• eyeline shot of them all looking at the frisbee in the air
• typical that a differently abled person has a carer, and it's a foreign carer.
• british people complain about foreign people taking all their jobs - showing soceity
• the fact that they couldn't communicate to each other is a disability.
• it's two women and the men rush to save them because 'women are weak'

Paul Hunt

In his life, Paul Hunt identified 10 stereotypes that the media use to portray disabled people:

1. The disabled person as pitiable of pathetic
2. An object of curiosity  or violence
3. Sinister or evil
4. The super cripple
5. As atmosphere
6. Laughable
7. His/her own worst enemy
8. As a burden
9. As non-sexual
10. Being unable to participate in daily life

Cast Offs

• dad making it a joke that he's disabled
• can't get his wheelchair through the sand
• helps himself into the wheelchair to show he is abled
• dad forced him into wheelchair basketball
• talks about new him and old him
• long clips of him struggling across the sand - long shot
• as an audience you're being asked to identify with his emotions
• pan shot to show how lonely and big the island is
• feel to sympathise when he can't move initially in the sand
• he wasn't born with it, it's still something he's having to get used to
• symbolic code of basketball - father gave it to him, to give him hope
• basketball is a push to say that he should be the person he once was but in a different way
• the narrative device narrative's is used in the sequence to help you understand and identify with this character
• juxtaposition of his image now in the silence of the island, in contrast the the loud shouts and steam of the locker room.
• jump cuts are used to emphasise that it's taking him a while to get off the beach, starts at the back of the frame, then the middle and then close to the camera.
• being positioned in a place that's really harsh and not a beautiful place in the summer with soft sands.
• it's quite grainy and dirty in compared Shipwrecked with the bright lights.
• Cast Offs, being cast away because they're different
• Lots of verismillitude and no non-diegetic sounds; sounds of the boats motor and the shouts in basketball.

Summary on Cast Offs

Disability is the focus point in Cast Offs, even using that title shows that they’re being ‘casted away’ by themselves which reflects what usually happens daily anyway. The opening scene is of Dan’s father joking about in the wheelchair pretending he was on Top Gear and falling out but being able to get back up and climb back in again, an establishing shot is used when the camera pans with the father moving to show Dan sitting on the sofa with a serious look in his face.

A long shot is used when Dan is deserted on the Island, he is placed on the sand and finds his own way into the wheelchair, there is a moment of silence as his wheels grind against the sand and the audience feel a wave of sympathy for him as he is unable to just get up and walk across the wet. The audience are being asked to identify with his emotions.

The basketball is a symbolic code of the connection between his new life and old life; he sits in his ‘new room’ explaining that his old one used to be upstairs before the accident and that his father gave him the basketball as a sign of hope and that everything’s going to be okay. Pan shots are used to follow Dan as he plays wheelchair basketball, no over track music is played but the shouts of the audience fill the room and make verisimilitude.

A jump cut is used when Dan is trying to cross the sands, to emphasise that it’s taking him a while to get off the beach; starting at the back of the frame and switching to him getting closer to the camera.  Juxtaposition is also used throughout the clip, from the diegetic sound of the motor boat, to the calm quiet of Dan in his bedroom – these spaced flashbacks have been edited in this way emphasise the time that it’s taking him to cross the sand in his wheelchair.

He is being placed on an Island that is cold, wet and unwelcoming in comparison to the E4 show Shipwrecked, where many able people are placed on a beautiful Caribbean island with soft sands; this connotes the harsh world that the disabled have to face. This is also reinforced with the repeated flashback of Dan playing wheelchair basketball, his dad has forced him into something that he used to do in his old life but doesn’t seem to be enjoying now, (as the close ups to his dismal face show) he is being forced to do something ‘normal’ because his handicapable family don’t understand what he’s going through.

Codes and Conventions

Codes:

code for the paticular genre

knife, blood, mask - horror film
surgical masks, uniforms, abluances - hospital drama
potion bottle, cape - wizardry and magic


Conventions:

unwritten rules of audience expectations

chase scene, montage shots, good vs evil - horror film
parrallel narratives, realistic locations, shot reverse shot, realistic narratives - tv drama

• characters - everyday characters; housewives, doctors etc.
• stories - realistic problems and storylines
• familiar backdrops - homes, police stations, hospitals
• camerawork - sequence involving, establishing shots and mid-shots, especially close ups to see the characters emotions
• monologues built in as voice overs
• music - to punctuate action, create effects
• subgenres tend to have items which make then immediently identifiable - police cars, operating theatres etc.

Example Paragraph

Representations of gender have been clearly illustrated throughout editing. For example mixes of pivot/panorama shots as well as fast tracking shots have been incorporated when the girl is trying to save and protect the male character. This illustrates the fast movement and action of the cut however it may also signify a chaotic environment where women struggle to take and maintain power. Another example of a tracking shot is portrayed when the male character is travelling down the rope. This editing however demonstrates to the audience the thought and power the character has from making a quick rational decision which is a stereotype of male behaviour. A long establishing shot is used which clearly signifies the three male characters in an equal line. The equal line personally connotes equality however as the majority of characters were male this illustrates women inferiorly in serious situations. Near the end of the extract one male in the process of saving a women from another dangerous man however the framing of the cut demonstrates representations of gender. For example the female protagonist was placed significantly behind the male which illustrates  the girl’s subordination compared to the male.

Explanation/Analysis/Argument

Use of Example

Terminology

G322 Candidate Exemplar Response

Representation: Gender

Throughout the extract representations of gender are illustrated through various elements such as editing and sound. A mix of dominance and equality is produced through the extract however overall it is conveyed that women are physically subordinate compared to physically strong and stereotypical hegemonic male.

Representations of gender have been clearly illustrated throughout editing. For example mixes of pivot/panorama shots as well as fast tracking shots have been incorporated when the girl is trying to save and protect the male character. This illustrates the fast movement and action of the cut however it may also signify a chaotic environment where women struggle to take and maintain power. Another example of a tracking shot is portrayed when the male character is travelling down the rope. This editing however demonstrates to the audience the thought and power the character has from making a quick rational decision which is a stereotype of male behaviour. A long establishing shot is used which clearly signifies the three male characters in an equal line. The equal line personally connotes equality however as the majority of characters were male this illustrates women inferiorly in serious situations. Near the end of the extract one male in the process of saving a women from another dangerous man however the framing of the cut demonstrates representations of gender. For example the female protagonist was placed significantly behind the male which illustrates the girl’s subordination compared to the male.

The next element which produces representations of gender is through sound.

In one cut once the female had saved the male from the life threatening situation from the dialogue such as “Come on” with a high intensity, provoking the animal, suggests bravery and a strong masculinity. This dialogue may have been said as an attempt to regain status as he’s just been saved by a girl. At the start of the first cut a synchronisation from the strings is displayed when the music matches to the sombre or negative topic. “Let her go” by a different male suggest he may think of the male as being superior therefore shouldn’t have to run after her. In this scene within the barn one female protagonist was trying to bribe the male character through dialogue. Therefore this could represent woman being manipulative to convey power in antithesis to males who assert their power in a physical manner. “My best coat!” also creates representation of women such as an obsession of appearance and vanity. However positive representations towards woman are also portrayed. For example once one woman has undertaken the stressful experience the other female protagonist says “you okay” which suggests women to be expressive and caring in contrast to males who are minimal with their dialogue. The diegetic sound the dogs barking emphasise the bad situation of the woman conveying the woman’s vulnerability further. This is also emphasised by the harsh sound effects which build and sustain tension creating a climax.

The next factor which displays representations is through mise en scene. Expressions play a key role, for example when the blonde male is approached by the sabre toothed tiger his expression coveys fear leading to a sympathetic response from the audience however this contrasts greatly to the calm and collective expression of the girl, which suggests a swap in roles involving dominance. At the start of the scene the colour intensity is high on the male compared to the grainy background. This demonstrates the natural setting however focuses the attention on the male protagonist which could suggest male superiority. Thefemales clothing (blonde) presents a male style which is in contrast to the stereotypes of a feminine woman, however another female character in the film is represented with a high pride in her appearance which conforms to the stereotype.

This however portrays the different roles and characteristics of women which may have changed in contemporary times. The props such as the heavy machinery emit connotations such as manual masculine feelings. However the female is in charge of the stereotypical male vehicle. Therefore this suggests equality and an improvement of women within jobs and status compared to the traditional domestic duties. Even though the women within the extract portray dominance through props, the male characters continually illustrate dominance. For example the male’s usage of the guns for example, the shot gun in the barn and the hand gun involving the key protagonists. This contrasts to how the brunette women display authority by attempting blackmail. Overall this could suggest males and women are equally dominant although just portray it through different criteria.

A final way in which representations of gender have been displayed is through camera work. For example the low angle looking down on the male in the whole illustrates his vulnerability and helpless position which displays him as subordinate. However a different low angle in conveying the tiger illustrating dominance of man and a hierarchy with the animal being lower. Establishing shots such as before the male jumps looking on in the long distant horizontal plane suggests his thoughts which leads to the male’s hasty decision. An extreme close up on the woman’s face when she’s been knocked down demonstrates her fear and panic further suggesting the women’s weak position compared to the male. A pivot shot is used which creates the effect as the camera is on a fixed position that someone or something would be looking at them for example the dangerous tiger which overall represents vulnerability to the male and the woman.

Overall the particular extract conveys elements of representation through various ways of media aspects. In conclusion a mix of equality is suggested overall, however the traditions where the male characters save the day are clearly presented. Although a mix of response from empathy juxtaposed to spite is displayed from the audience involving both genders.

Explanation/Analysis/Argument:  /20  (19/20)

Use of Example:  /20  (19/20)

Terminology:   /10  (9/10)

Co-ordinating the Shots: Film Editing

• The general idea behind editing is co-ordinating the different shots so there is a coherent narrative.
• This is called continuity editing - its purpose is to provide efficient and artful transitions.

Editing

• In filmmaking, the task of selecting and joining camera takes.
• In the finished film, the set of techniques that governs the relation among the shots.

Editing is the process of preparing language, images or sound though correction, condensation, organization and other modifications in various media... Editing is, therefore, also a practice that includes creative skills, human relationships and a precise set if methods.

Juxstaposition:

• Edwin S. Porter, The Great Train Robbery 1903 - shots in sequence create meaning for audiences.
• From exterior shots to set, audience is encouraged to believe the events they see are immediately sequential.
• Exterior, train pulls away --> Interior, train carriage --> Exterior, roof of train.

The Kuleshov Effect:

• Lev Kuleshov, circa 1920: intercut an actors face with unrelated footage taken later.
• Audiences interpreted emotional responses on thye actors face based on the juxtaposition of images.
• Whilst much of the moving image we see uses this effect, it does not usually draw attention to it.

Contrast 'four main functions' of film editing:

• 'Make sure that the production is the required length of time;
• To remove unwanted material or mistakes;
• To alter if necessary the way or the sequence in wehich events will be portratyed;
• To establish the particular style and character of a production.'

Relations in Editing:

Graphic Relations:

• A graphic match is achieved by joining two shots that have a similarity in terms of light/dark, line ir shape, volume or depth, movement or stasis.
• A graphically discontinuous edit creates a clash of visual content by joining two shots that are dissimilar in terms of one or more of the above visual principles.

Rhythmic Relations:

• Manipulating the rhythms experienced by perceivers through joyful juxtapositions of longer and shorter shots.
• As well through transitional devices that affect the perceiver's sense of beat or tempo.
• Straight cut, Fade-out/in, Dissolve, Wipe, Flip frame, Jump cut.

Temporal Relations:

• Difference between temporal duration and screen duration is reconciled through editing.
• It's a simple technique, however, most films only show for roughly two hours yet sufficient intersection of story and plot to provide perceivers with everything they need in order to understand days, weeks, months and years in characters lives.
• Most narrative films are presented in roughly chronological order, with notable exceptions.
• Two most common disruptions to chronological order are flashbacks and flashforwards (mostly flashbacks).

Spatial Relations:

• Allowing the audience to understand the way people are positioned.
• The camera needs to be placed in particular places within the shot to help the audience identify and make sense of the sequence.
• Establishing shot, Shot/Reverse shot, Eyeline match (POV shot), Re-establishing shot.
• 180 degree rule, Cheat cut (becoming or physically moving through a wall)

Thematic Relations:

• Two  powerful techniques are used to manipluate the perciever's place in the hierarchy of knowledge. Therefore, affecting their understanding of the film:
• Montage sequence, Crosscut editing.

Improving: Using Sound Elements

Original paragraphs:

A lot non-diegetic music and sound effects are used to show the difference in class in the sequence. For example at the beginning of the sequence when Merlin is looking through the woman’s room, the music playing is eerie and sinister which connotes that as a lower class citizen, he shouldn’t be there, looking there. The unlocking of the door, and the resulting jolt Merlin does again suggests he shouldn’t have been there. Non diegetic sounds are also used when the sequence moves to the town; the goats/sheep “bah”ing suggest the peasants are mainly farmers and need to work hard. This also adds verisimilitude to the scene.

Diegetic sounds suggest the different in wealth and class as well, of course. The echoes of the woman’s footsteps on the floor as she walks to her room shows the wealth because firstly, the echoes would only come from a stone floor something the peasants wouldn't have been able to afford. Secondly, the echoes themselves show the vastness of the castle. In contrast, the footsteps in the town make dull thuds, maybe squelches, showing that the ground the people are walking on is mainly mud and/or dirt showing they live in poor conditions.

 Speech used by some the characters show their higher status over overs; the prince for example will say what he wants, what he thinks, showing he doesn't need to worry about consequences. The shouting at of the end of the sequence again shows authority; the old man shouting at Merlin is shouting, telling that he shouldn't have done what he did, showing that he is more important, this is confirmed when the Merlin answers quietly. However, when Merlin shout back which suggests that he feels he should be as important as the other man.

Improved paragraphs:

A lot non-diegetic music and sound effects are used to show the difference in class in the sequence. For example at the beginning of the sequence when Merlin is looking through the woman’s room, the music playing is eerie and sinister which connotes that as a lower class citizen, he shouldn’t be in the room. There is a straight cut to the Lady walking down the hall with the music becoming more high pitched to show us that she is of importance and clearly linking to the previous clip. The unlocking of the door, and the resulting jolt Merlin does again suggests definitely doesn't have the right to be in the Lady's room. Foley sounds are integrated within the clip when the sequence moves to the town; the animals are making noise and the the stall workers talking suggest the peasants are relaxed in this environment; this also adds verisimilitude to the scene - as this is what you would hear in everyday market scenes.
Diegetic sounds suggest the different in wealth and class as well; the echoes of the woman’s footsteps on the floor as she walks to her room shows the wealth because firstly, the echoes are coming from the heels hitting the stone floor; peasants can't afford the luxury of nice shoes. Secondly, the echoes themselves show the vastness of the castle. In contrast, the ambient sound of footsteps Merlin creates in the town make dull thuds and squelches which adds to the verisimilitude; as we can see the ground is covered in mud connoting the poor living conditions of the towns people.
Speech used by some the characters show their higher status over overs; Arthur, for example, speaks in an educated accent, talking his mind whilst wearing armor to back up his authority and reinforce that he is of higher class. Parallel sound is used at the end of the fight sequence, in time with the last three hits that Arthur gives Merlin, this compliments the drama within the scene and gives the ending to the fight an upbeat quality; it is also used in time with swooshing of Arthur's weapon when he hits the fruit to give a more verisimilitude approach to the action and also reinforce how strong Arthur is.The argument between Guyus and Merlin at of the end of the sequence again, shows authority; Guyus is shouting at Merlin, telling him that he shouldn't have used his magic in such a pathetic cast of emotions, showing that he is not only above in the hierarchy but also more like a fatherly figure to Merlin, this is confirmed when the Merlin finally answers him in a quiet tone, feeling weak. However, not before shouting at Guyus which suggests that he feels he should be as important as everyone else.

Sound: Micro Elements

• Sound has the power to create certain moods, can signal events that are about to happen.
• The power of music to manipulate audiences emotions has always been acknowledged in film.
• Sound is decoded by the audience so they know how to feel

Main things

• human voice/dialogue
• sound effects
• music
• in TV drama these create balance between the realism of the program and the drama that is created by the sound.

Types of Sound

• The world of the TV program we see on screen is called the DIEGESIS
• VERISMILITUDE: the believeable logic of the texts world (which appears real)

Two types of main sound - Diegetic and Non-diegetic.

• Sound is part of the programs world (diegisis) and can be anything ranging from dialogue to birds singing.
• Non-diegetic sound takes place outside the diegisis. Helps to provide an appropriate emotion or mood and adds to the realism of the drama.
• Foley Sound is the reproduction of everyday sounds.
• These reproduced sounds can be anything from the swishing of clothing or leaves. The best Foley art is so well integrated into a film that it goes unnoticed by the audience.
• Without these crucial background noises, movies feel unnnaturally quiet and uncomfortable.
• Dialogue - voice overs.
•  Normally first person narration. E.g. Hitch and Scrubs
• Generally about the main character and the audience can get a sense of satisfaction of having privileged information that other characters don't know.
• Direct mode of address: when characters on screen directly address the audience.
• Alternate voiceover.
• Rare in a TV Drama but when used, used for effect.
• Tends to break the verismilitude of the drama and stops the action taking place (breaking the fourth wall)
• Music is used to help us feel thing and feel part of the story; sad, happy, scared or amused.
• This use of music is a convention of TV Drama.
• Incedental Music is used to add emotion and rhythm to a drama. Usually not meant to be noticible.
• Oftern provides a tone ot emotional attitude toward the story and/or the characters depicted.
• In addition, background music often forshadows a change in mood. For example, dissonant music may be used in film to indicate an approaching (but not yet visible) menace or distaster.
• May aid the viewer in understanding the links between certain squences or scenes.
• Sound motif's are used to associate with particular characters.
  Parallel and Contrapuntal Sound

• Parallel sound: when we watch aTV Drama the soun we hear usually compliments and follows the sequence.
• Contrapuntal sound: doesn't meet audiences expectations.

Stings

• A sting: either a brief crescendo or or stab of music used to enchance the drama or current situation

Ambient Sound

• Ambient sound, also known as natural sound - the sound occurring in the area where they shoot the drama. It is often used to created in dramas to create verismilitude (realism).

Merlin Essay

The sequence starts with a establishing panning shot of Merlin walking down the corridor which establishes him in a high class environment. Eye line shot is used from Merlin's point of view because he is the only one in the room however when the lady enters it switches to her level indicating she is of a higher level in society. The use of the point of view shot when the lady looks into the mirror intrigues the audience to her character and status compared to Merlin. A reaction shot from Merlin as to when the lady enters the room indicates to the audience that he is doing something that he shouldn’t be therefore the audience may believe him to have a lower social class. From the reaction shot we can tell that it’s the woman’s bedroom from the props and her questioning of his actions as to being in the room.  When the scene changes to the market, you can see that merlin fits right in with this class, the panning shot lets you see that he is on the same level as the stool runners. The camera is often positioned behind Merlin so its as if Arthur is attacking the audience which shows his dominance in the scene. When Merlin and Arthur are having the conversation in the market a response shot is used this helps the audience see both points of view. There are also alot over the shoulder shots of Arthur which indicates to the audience that someone has always got his back, whereas with Merlin he is left to fight his own battles indicating he is of less importance in society. A high angle shot is used when Arthur falls down  showing that he is no longer dominating the spotlight like he should be.


The Mise en scene throughout the sequence is mainly dark, gloomy and eerie reflecting the time era of the medieval period. The setting in the first scene shown in the sequence is of high class as the architecture is grand, consisting pain glass windows which indicates the idea that the house is of a high social status.  The colours of the clothing used throughout the scene helps give understanding of the characters class; the royal purple of the female characters dress represents a high social status and connotes royalty, whereas Merlin’s clothing consists of brown and green which connotes a poor, lower level of class. The dialect of the characters also plays a big role in the idea of class throughout the sequence, as the female character and Arthur’s accents indicate that they are of a higher status. On the other hand Merlin’s dialect reflects a lower class of society.


During the fight scene the audience can notice that Arthur supplies them both with a metal, heavy weapon reinforcing that Merlin's status is low, as he hasn't his own weapon. However, later on in this scene Merlin uses less expensive objects such as a rope and wooden box to defeat Arthur; two peasant objects, dividing there social class. Also at which the skill that Arthur uses his weapon shows that he has a higher class. Arthur’s outfit consists of metal plating and armor  and he also has guards at his side this immediately signals that he is of a higher status than those of the town. The lighting aspects at the end of the fight scene show Merlin silhouetted so that he is hidden whereas Arthur has all lighting on him to represent a higher class and status. The older character shown in the tower is seen as more superior as he looks down onto the courtyard where the two men fight. The mise en scene in the tower is dark and mysterious which could reflect the idea of magic and that his class may be higher compared to Merlin as he has mastered the idea of magic.


There's a lot of continuity throughout the whole sequence, especially in the fight scene between Merlin and Arthur - Graphic match is used when Merlin and Arthur are fighting in the market, to a shot of Guyus watching them fighting from the window. At the beginning of the sequence there is a pan shot of Merlin's perspective entering the  bedroom to show his curiosity of a place unknown to him, it is then a inter-cut to the lady walking along so you know he's going to get caught by her - you can see by her clothing that she is of higher status (purple connoting royalty). Also in this scene, when the lady is looking at herself in the mirror you see from her perspective, an old lady in the mirror - the facial expressions and movement have been swiftly edited as if it's her moving as the old woman. This gives the audience a use of dramatic irony because they know something that the other characters don't - this also intrigues the audience to the lady's character.


When the scene changes, you watch Merlin walk through the castle court yard which is near enough empty; telling the audience that it's hard to be able to make it within the castle walls. A jump cut is then used when Merlin finally reaches the market and you can see that he fits right in with this class, the panning shot lets you see that he is on the same level as the stool runners, and there is a lot of people in this part of the town, showing there are a lot more poor people than rich. A shallow depth of field is used with Merlin's confrontation to the Prince, so the audience will focus on Merlin's facial expressions and what he's saying. Half way through the fight scene it cuts to Guyus in the tower looking down on his apprentice (like father to son) this also shows his significance and that he'll be of importance later on in the sequence.


In the final scene there is a two man shot of Guyus and Merlin having an argument, the camera track shots whilst they walk in and discuss what just happened, spatial relations are used in this shot with the camera keeping on Guyus' eye level to show that he's in power at this moment in time.

A lot non-diegetic music and sound effects are used to show the difference in class in the sequence. For example at the beginning of the sequence when Merlin is looking through the woman’s room, the music playing is eerie and sinister which connotes that as a lower class citizen, he shouldn’t be in the room. There is a straight cut to the Lady walking down the hall with the music becoming more high pitched to show us that she is of importance and clearly linking to the previous clip. The unlocking of the door, and the resulting jolt Merlin does again suggests definitely doesn't have the right to be in the Lady's room. Foley sounds are integrated within the clip when the sequence moves to the town; the animals are making noise and the the stall workers talking suggest the peasants are relaxed in this environment; this also adds verisimilitude to the scene - as this is what you would hear in everyday market scenes.


Diegetic sounds suggest the different in wealth and class as well; the echoes of the woman’s footsteps on the floor as she walks to her room shows the wealth because firstly, the echoes are coming from the heels hitting the stone floor; peasants can't afford the luxury of nice shoes. Secondly, the echoes themselves show the vastness of the castle. In contrast, the ambient sound of footsteps Merlin creates in the town make dull thuds and squelches which adds to the verisimilitude; as we can see the ground is covered in mud connoting the poor living conditions of the towns people.


Speech used by some the characters show their higher status over overs; Arthur, for example, speaks in an educated accent, talking his mind whilst wearing armor to back up his authority and reinforce that he is of higher class. Parallel sound is used at the end of the fight sequence, in time with the last three hits that Arthur gives Merlin, this compliments the drama within the scene and gives the ending to the fight an upbeat quality; it is also used in time with swooshing of Arthur's weapon when he hits the fruit to give a more verisimilitude approach to the action and also reinforce how strong Arthur is.The argument between Guyus and Merlin at of the end of the sequence again, shows authority; Guyus is shouting at Merlin, telling him that he shouldn't have used his magic in such a pathetic cast of emotions, showing that he is not only above in the hierarchy but also more like a fatherly figure to Merlin, this is confirmed when the Merlin finally answers him in a quiet tone, feeling weak. However, not before shouting at Guyus which suggests that he feels he should be as important as everyone else.

Merlin Notes

merlin notes - editing


There's a lot of intercutting throughout the whole sequence, especially in the fight scene between Merlin and the Prince - a lot of close up, slow motion shots of the weapon hitting the fruit give impact and show the strengthof the Prince compared to Merlin.
At the begininning of the sequence there is a pan shot of Merlin's perspective entering the  bedroom to show his curiosity of a place unknown to him, it is then a straight cut to the lady walking along so you know he's going to get caught by her - you can see by her clothing that she is of higher status. Also in this scene, when the lady is looking at herself in the mirror you see from her perspective, an old lady in the mirror - the facial expressions and movement have been swiftly edited as if it's her moving as the old woman. This gives the audience a use of dramatic irony because they know something that the other characters don't - this also intregues the audience to the lady's character.

When the scene changed to the market, you can see that Merlin fits right in with this class, the panning shot lets you see that he is on the same level as the stool runners. A shallow depth of field is used with Merlin's confrontation to the Prince, so the audience will focus on Merlin's facial expressions and what he's saying. There is also an over shoulder- shot reverse shot between merlin and the Prince to show that the Prince always has someone watching his back and Merlin just has someone watching him. Half way through the fight scene it cuts to the old wizard in the tower looking down on his apprentice (like father to son) this also shows his significance and that he'll be of importance later on in the sequence.
In the final scene there is a two man shot of the old wizard and Merlin having an argument, the camera does a tracking shot whilst they walk in and discuss what just happened, the camera shot keeps on the old man's eye level to show that he's in power at this moment in time.



Extra notes:
1st scene, music is mysterious.
Props in the woman's bedroom; flowers, beads etc.
Pace of the editing.
Pans round the room so he sees what he's looking at.
juxtapostition onto the Lady walking down the hall.
purple connotes royalty, riches.
music is choir like.
length of shot is longer. zooms in.
dialogue, 'what are you doing in here?' he has no right to be there.
music hits a sting and ends
she has more time on screen.
match on action.
high angle shot of him in the court yeard (looking down on him)
re-establishing pan shot at eye level to show he fits in to the market.
mise en scene, natrual cheaper materials. these structures are weaker
people are dressed in lower class, lots to show that tehre's more poor people
two men dressed in cloaks to show binary opposition
crowd noise is silent because merlin is insulting someone above their status.
the fact that he doesn't have his own weapon shows he's not skilled
sarcasm 'my lord' happy to be cheeky
shows merlin doesn't care that Arthur is on a higher level than him because it's an eyeline shot
Arthur stands on something higher to show he's higher
upbeat jolly music, you know it's not a serious fight; just boys playing.
cuts to Guyus to show us that he's important
wearing glasses and reading a book; experienced and wise.
exstreme close up of his eye shows that no one knows he has this power. (almost a direct mode of address)
uses and crate and a rope (lower class objects) to protect himself - Arthur useds a big weapon.
non-diegetic 'poinging' of the rope, to reinforce that it's boys having fun.
Merlin looking at something in the crowd then point of view looking at the teacher.
lighting is darker in the shack than in the castle to show the status.

The Hustle Essay

Extract – The Hustle

The opening shot of Hustle straight away introduces the rude and almost bored shot of the shop assistant; the camera is kept at his eyelevel to show the audience that as it’s his shop, he is in control of what is going on. The woman who walks into the shop is wearing a black suit, which connotes that she is a sly person and quite serious. When showing the response shot of the assistant talking to another customer, it pans to a close up of the ring (which is of importance at a later date) to her face and the stereotypical blonde wig. She speaks alluringly to the shop assistant and her stance shows that she is using her body to get her own way which conforms to stereotypical representations of a woman, the other customer has a common accent and the camera line is never on her level to show her lack of status and her clear binary opposition (Levi Straus 1969) to the blonde woman. This sequence establishes the characters and the narrative to help the audience to understand the plot.

There is a parallel narrative going on in the second scene, the pub scene is a stereotypical place for men to be; compared to a woman shopping. There is no music, so the audience know that what the men are talking about is of more importance than of the woman in the shop (upbeat music is played throughout to connote her stereotypical excitement about shopping and buying a dress – Laura Mulvey) the camera angles between the two men are quite simple, just using a two man shot and an over shoulder shot so the audience concentrates more on what they’re saying than what they’re doing. This scene also shows that the man is using his intelligence to hustle the rich man whereas the woman is using her body and over-acting (stressing when losing the ring) to trick the shop assistant, also the use of ‘I’m late for my hairdressers appointment’ shows another feminine trait that she is a typical woman alongside her stress of ‘my husband is going to kill me!’ to show that she may be a rich woman but her husband is still in charge and has a power over her.

Even though the shop assistant is shown to have more dominance over the lady hustling him, as soon as the other man who is part of the scam enters, the dominance instantly switches. The camera pans upwards to the blonde man who has a laid back approach to the situation, the camera level keeps to his eye line from that point onwards as he has the upper hand. This also subtly shows that even though the woman is in a team with this man, he still is pulling the narrative forward – by carrying on the hustle and getting the money from the now subdominant shop assistant. Also in the end scene, the woman is seen on the phone and you hear the person on the other end saying ‘keep him occupied for a few more hours’ meaning she’s still being used within the group.

Transactions are used significantly within the sequence to show that these events are occurring at the same time, when the shop assistant goes and looks for the dress it does a black foggy sweep to the two men talking (one of which is smoking and creating a ‘foggy’ atmosphere) later on in the pub scene there is a quick sweep transition to a wide shot to show the two men have become comfortable and moved to the sofas, the music is also upbeat to say that he has the man hooked now so what he says is no longer important to us. It also keeps with the upbeat panic of the woman, who’s ‘lost’ the ring, The shot is a close up and tracks along with her to show her hurry and typical feminine worry about the smallest of things – before this shot, you have a point-of-action shot to show the assistant putting the dress in the shopping box and her reaching for her purse without the ring on her finger.

Direct mode of address is used twice within the sequence, initially by the woman telling the audience that she’s sure she can rely on the shop assistant, the second by the blonde man who walks casually towards it mumbling ‘three, two, one’ then smiling and making eye contact. Even though both hustlers did this, you can see that the male character has the upper hand, as he’s more laid back about the situation and talking as if he knows the shop assistants reaction before it even happens, whereas the woman’s comment was just in passing to finish the scene.

Overall male and female stereotypes are really established within this sequence, especially as it progresses. The men are the dominating characters throughout the clip – even though the shop assistant becomes the lower hand, he does start off with the dominance to the two women. Moreover the hustler woman chose a character to play that’s stereotypical; she is still a subdominant character in the sequence as she doesn’t push the narrative forward.