Monday 4 January 2016

Christmas 50: Representation

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of ethnicity using the following:

In this extract; it starts with a close up and a tracking shot of the faces of the immigration services who are all white and dressed in suits. This shows that because of they are white, they have higher jobs that are give them a lot of authority and power over people. As this happens, cuts occur as it switches from them to the black person sat on the sofa. This is not only showing that something bad will occur in the scene but also suggests that because of the power and the authority they have through their job role, their ethnicity is interferes with it as it is obviously shown that the black man in the suit is in a stereotypically lower position than the immigration service who are shown to be white. Following this, the black guy is sat on the sofa wearing a suit. This shows that he is doing well with his career which stereotypically would not be seen. His ethnicity is also not taken into consideration to the people he is sat around as he is sat next to a white man in a suit. In addition to this, is the same matter, to when the women says "before I forget, Ben have you taken the forms to house keeping"  this is chosen as a code line to help him and the immigrants.  Through all this equality is shown as everyone else in the scene who are not considered immigrants don't look down on the black or foregin people and work together with them to keep them safe as shown when the white man in the suit runs with 'Ben' to tell Jacquie about the immigration services. During this an tracking shot is used as the run as well as parallel cutting to show that they are hiding.

Jackie is Asain, she is dressed in a suit, showing that she is high up in her job as she has her own office and desk. This follows the stereotype of Asian womem being smart. She also follows this theory as she speaks different languages to speak to the immigrants who don't speak English. All the other immigrants where scrubs to show that they are cleaners and is the sterotype for foreginers as they are potrayed in a way to show that they cant get any other job because of their lack of English language and understand and English qaulifications.  Later in the extract, the black man in the scrub in the closest who helps the woman who has fainted, says 'I wasn't always a cleaner'. This is suggested that he used to be a doctor.  This is the complete opposite top what black people are stereotyped in TV dramas as they would normally put out as they aren't smart enough to have such a career like being a doctor.


Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of gender using the following: 
In this extract, the dialect used by the men is quite harsh as Ian uses the words "arsehole, bastard" straight after each other. While this is happening, shot-reverse-shot is used to show the emotions of both of the men. Ian using such harsh words in his dialect, show the typical emotions that men have which are portrayed mostly to be full of anger and quite stern. Though, through the conversation between Luther and Ian while shot-reverse-shot is being used- Ian is seen to be tearing up, showing he is weak. Representation for men is completely opposite as this is seen as feminine. In media Ian would be expected to be seen to react in a stern way and keep his emotions locked to look like the bigger person.
Most of the extract is set in dark lighting, this is because not only because of the genre of the show as it is crime but dark lighting exaggerates the point that the show does not go with every media stereotype of Gender and that it will be different. This is also seen when Alice enters the scene; she appears in natural dull make up.  This, like other women stereotyped in media, draws attention away from her being sexualised and shows that she is as equal to the men in the show. In addition to this, it's shown as she has a dark tone within her speech suggesting that she is not innocent and that she is superior.
The extract follows the men stereotype as Luther and Ian both rise their voices. In particular when Luther shouts "enough". This is seen as powerful as he attempts to take control of the situation as he tries to go by the theory of men being the hero of the situation.  However, Alice goes against this as she kills Ian, she becomes the hero in this extract. Being a woman, throughout this extract she is portayed to have a strong character and is also treated that way by the other characters as they show that they are all equal to each other. When she first enters the scene and starts speaking, the camera focus' on her blurrs everything else in the background, again this is to show the power and control she has.

During the fight scene, the background is blurred throughout as well as close ups being used to show how violent, Ian and Luther are being. Mid shots are quickly used to their anger towards each other in a clear way. This behaviour, is not controlling and power is common to be shown in media.
All the men in this extract are wearing dull, dark suits. This shows that they are have a good job which is professional as men are seen to be the most successful gender- linking to power and control of their gender compared to other women.
At the end of the extract, non-diagetic sound of music plays, as the camera focus' in on Luther's face and blurs everyone else' face in the background, building tension towards him as he shows that he is in  pain and showing his weakness therefore it shows the audience that women are not the weaker gender and in this extract is the opposite of that.

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