Hotel Babylon Essay

Camera:

 

In the Hotel Babylon clip, a large group of minorities are shown running into a staff room to hide from immigration officers. This shot is obscured by metal bars in the frame that look similar to prison bars. This could be symbolism for the ethnic minorities being prisoners and trapped in the situation that they are in- unable to escape. It could show that they are forced to stay where they are and are unable to escape, showing that the only job they would ever be able to do is in that hotel and they will never be able to go and find help anywhere else. It could also signify that it is their destiny to be in prison and it is inevitable- no matter how much they try to run from it they will eventually end up behind bars. This shot shows that they have no power compared to the other people in the hotel and the officers.

 

Ethnicity is portrayed as equal when different ethnicity's are put into the same room in the same situation with the camera at mid shot showing none of them superior . The shot of the man saving the women frames and focuses on him in the center with the others in the background this is the moment the audience can recognize that these people are more than their ethnicity and have skills and importance beyond being an illegal immigrant.

 

In the end scene in the cafeteria its shows multiple ethnicity groups eating dinner separated into their respective groups. The camera in this shot tacks at a contestant speed and shows each ethnicity group at the same camera level. This is done to show that the power levels between each group is the same and that they are all equal. The speed of the tracking camera also shows equality as each ethnicity group gets the same amount of camera time in the tracking shot.

 

Within the Babylon Hotel clip, race and ethnicity is presented through the use of camera angles, frame and movement. Through this use of camera, the worker taken away for immigration is made to appear insignificant and less than human. This one specific moment which represented ethnicity was during the second last scene – in this scene, the immigrant worker, Ibrahim, is being taken away by the immigration officers. Ibrahim’s face is not shown; the handheld camera tracks the immigration officers taking the immigrant away in a shaky format of only the back of his head. This aspect of the clip of neglecting Ibrahim’s face creates a perception of him being unworthy and insignificant enough to not be shown – his actions make the audience feel shameful towards him. Ibrahim furthermore appears less than human. This perception is created through the handheld camera, tracking the action with a mid-shot. The shaking effect of the camera reflects the hectic narrative of the scene, additionally, the shaking effect does not allow the audience to focus on Ibrahim’s self – only the action of the narrative.

Through the use of camera, the clip shows a representation of immigrants as insignificant and less than human. During the second last scene the immigrant worker, Ibrahim, is being taken away by the immigration officers. Ibrahim’s face is not shown; the handheld camera tracks the immigration officers in a mid shot, in a shaky shot of only the back of his head. By neglecting Ibrahim’s face the director creates a perception of immigrants being unworthy and insignificant enough to not be shown – the camera work make the audience feel shameful towards him. The shaking effect of the camera reflects the hectic narrative of the scene, additionally, the shaking effect does not allow the audience to focus on Ibrahim’s self. I believe that by doing this, the audience is asked to question how we dehumanise and ignore those of different ethnic backgrounds.

Mise en Scene:

Near the end of the clip, Ibrahim’s locker is being cleaned out of all his personal belongings. The locker door is covered in pictures of his family. The presence of the family photos highlights to the audience that Ibrahim had a family and was working to support them. The element of family allows the audience to connect with Ibrahim and the other immigrants because it allows them relate with the difficulty of raising and supporting a family. The removal of these belongings and the pictures makes the audience sympathise with the immigrants because they recognise their desperation to look after their family.

The lighting when they are in the cupboard is dark and dingy, the space that they are in is small and its almost as if they are caged in. The locked door shows how they are shut out and hidden from everyone as if they don’t exist.

Adam is dressed, in a standard cleaners clothing. This makes the viewer assume that he is like everyone else and has no talents other than cleaning. We then find out he is a doctor and helps cure the lady. This contradicts our original thoughts as Adam was a doctor before he worked at the hotel.

Ibrahim has been left in the corridor hoovering, whilst the rest of the immigrant workers are trying to keep safe in the staff room cupboard. Ibrahim is dressed in a red overall cleaning outfit, the use of the colour red could represent danger and warning that Ibrahim is going to encounter some sort of danger, foreshadowing the events that are about to take place. Ibrahim is also seen to be wearing headphones and is oblivious to what is going out making him appear vulnerable to the audience it also excludes him from the other immigrants highlighting the dangerous position he is in.

Editing:

When assessing the editing, graphic matching was used when linking the shots between Abraham and the rest of the immigrants in the stock room. The theme of the colour red was used throughout, in Jackie’s lipstick and shirt and in Abrahams jumpsuit, along with the red carpet and vacuum cleaner. By using the colour red, it foreshadows danger and shows the unity between the ethnic minorities in England. By using this link, it also creates a smooth transition for the audience as the colours do not contrast with each other.

The cross cutting between the two scenes in the hallway and in the cupboard help enunciate the panic and fear that the immigrants are feeling when the immigration officers arrive. The silence in the cupboard completely contrasts the loud hoover in the hallway scene, where Ibrahim is cleaning the floor. These two moments cut together creates a very tense atmosphere and bounces the audience member from immediate danger to hiding, which allows the audience to sympathise with Ibrahim, who is about to be taken away.

The pace in this sequence increase to a quicker pace with the shots where the workers where running to the stock room. This quicken pace is used to show the audience that this shot is chaotic and rushed. This shows a sense of urgency and panic. This makes the audience feel a sense of panic for these people as it is uncertain what the outcome is going to be.

Sound:

Dialogue at the end of the clip.

“We got him – it’s the rules of the game”

Got him – animalistic – tie to ‘game’ .

Game – value placed on these lives. Makes them seem unimportant. Not reality. Immigration playing with lives as though they don’t matter. Subverting a stereotype because the audience made to EMPATHISE with the immigrant.

 

Voices merging into one

Running into staffroom

Not individual. – audience feel sorry for them because they’re not individual.  – no recognition of where they come from or what their backgrounds are. BBC is challenging audience to recognise their own prejudice and assumptions about stereotypes.

 

 

 

Merlin Essay

Camera 

The use of a high angle camera shot whilst Merlin is exiting the castle and walking down the stairs to the market is representing how merlin is at a lower authority and is being looked down upon by you the viewer in the castle. This therefore suggests that the director has used the transition from a level shot to a high angle shot to represent how people quickly judge and relate people to class stereotypes. During the transition from level to high angle merlin is represented as a traditional middle class/lower class person, as the level angle suggests that he believes that he belongs in the higher class society (castle), however we then see him being represented as a less powerful and lower class person when we see the high angle shot showing him as lower and smaller from the higher class point of view.

The fight between Arthur and Merlin signifies the contrast between their classes.  It is shown when a majority of the time Merlin is on the floor looking up at at Arthur like how he metaphorically looks up at him because he is a higher class and Arthur is lower.  This is shown from the high and low camera angles.

The opening scene of Merlin looking through someone else’s possessions shows him as being the main focus, positioned in the centre-third of the shot. This emphasises that he is currently the most important character – however, once the lady enters, who is clearly of a much higher social class as can be told by her clothes, this changes and he is pushed to the side slightly. This shows the shift of power and importance, making the lady the main focus instead of Merlin.

 

EDITING

The use of quick fast pace shots of Merlin’s movements inside of the Ladies chamber suggest that he does not belong. The quick short shots create a feeling of being unwelcome and that Merlin is out of place. The lady is clearly of a higher class and would not expect someone of a lower class like Merlin to be there. The use of the fast pace quick shots suggest that Merlin should be quick about his actions as otherwise he will be caught. 

In the clip, special effects are used to alter the representation of class and status. During the fight scene, special effects are used to make Merlin’ eye glow and make objects move on their own. By giving Merlin magical powers it gives Merlin more control and power in the situation. This subverts the stereotype that lower class citizens do not have any power or control over upper class people. This makes the audience support and feel happy that someone of Merlin’s low status is able to gain power over an upper class citizen.

 

SOUND

The use of diegetic sound in the Merlin clip portrays class and status through the lack of sound compared to the chaos of sound.  For example in the first scene Merlin is walking through the castle and there is a lack of sound. The only sounds in these scenes are quick dialogue and loud footsteps as it shows power through volume and quick authoritative speech. This is contrasted to when Merlin walks outside the castle into the open market as there are sounds of animals, wet footsteps, as there is mud underfoot, and heavy chaotic chatter. This shows the difference between the higher class and lower class through sounds as the higher class have quick and powerful sounds compared to the chaotic and cluster of the lower class sounds.    

The use of the dialogue in the Merlin clip adds to the attitudes towards class and status pre- fight scene Merlin is bold towards Arthur and challenges him in attempt to argue. This shows to the audience that merlin is not threatened by Arthurs higher status, however Arthur and his knights are amused by this and the stage directions of laughter makes a mockery of Merlin’s character particularly because Merlin is clearly of a lower status. The laughter is visibly supposed to belittle Merlin’s character in this clip; however Arthur’s action can instead make the audience feel discontent with how Arthur treats Merlin as appose to feeling sympathy towards Merlin. Especially because of this disappointment with him living up to social stereotypes.

The use of sound in the Merlin clip shows representations of class and status through the sound of the regal female character’s footsteps. The sound of her footsteps are exaggerated to sound louder than what is natural through the use of foley. The exaggerated foley footsteps create a perception to the audience of the woman possessing higher status and power than Merlin’s character. Furthermore, the foley exaggerated footsteps create the notion of Merlin being of a lower class and status, reflecting the stereotype which is laid in this clip. This is done through the woman’s footsteps being the loudest, most overpowering sound in the clip (louder than Merlin’s sounds). Overall, the woman is made to seem the most authorative in this scene through the use of sound and foley.

When the lady in the purple dress enters the room, the loud non-diegetic music that was previously playing stops. Having the music stop in time with her entrance emphasises her importance and could suggest how the upper-class are more important than those in the lower-class. This is done because by removing the music, all distractions are taken away and the audience's focus is on the woman and her conversation with Merlin. It also shows how someone of a higher class can cause disruption to a situation so easily- like the woman caused a disruption to the scene.

MISE EN SCENE

In this film clip, the lighting and use of colour is important when assessing the representations of class and status. When inside the castle where all of the autocracy live, the lighting is dull and the colours are bleak which shows how the life of the wealthy are boring and uneventful even though they are privileged. This contrasts with the bright light and bold use of colours which are shown outside. By doing this, it represents the poorer part of the country in a good light, making their lives seem more adventurous and interesting. 

In the castle courtyard, the setting is very grey and dull, but also very clean. The only people in this shot are people in expensive clothes and of a higher class/more importance. This contradicts the shot of the outside market where everything is a brown/dirty colour and where knights stand out in front of the lower class who are in rags or loose clothes. The grey setting in the courtyard carries the connotation of the higher class being boring and having to follow certain standards, whereas the market is much busier and there is a lot more happening in the scene. This could imply that there is more freedom in this area for the lower class. The clothing/props of the characters also match the setting that they are in, a grey/lighter colour in the castle courtyard, highlighting the upper class and the brown and darker colours (uglier) in the market area, highlighting the lower class and showing a clear difference between the two.

The women is seen as rich and powerful. This is shown to use with the use of her purple dress in contrast to Merlin’s dirty, dark clothes. The women’s dress is seen in a rich material that looks new and clean. This dress would make the audience believe she has money and power as her dress looks well-made and new. This is a contrast for the audience for Merlin’s clothes which is dark clothes and look clean and used. His clothes don’t fit him which furthers the point that he his lower class to this women. The audience would pick up the contrast of the women’s dress fitting well compared to Merlin’s clothes which fall of him. This portrays to the audience that merlin is more stereotypically lower class compared to the women who is seen to have a higher status due to the quality of her clothes compare to his.

The actor playing the poor character is scrawny and youthful looking which shows us how he cannot afford a well-balanced diet to grow and develop properly. His baggy clothes help emphasise his lack of figure and wealth, as someone with money would be able to buy tailored clothing. The rich character is the polar opposite of the poor one, as he has a muscular build and a straight posture with tight fitting clothes and even armour. It allows the audience to really see the stark contrast between the rich and poor when they are standing next to each other, and also subtly shows how the rich have a higher social status over the poor.

Coming Down the Mountain - Representation of Disability

Explore the Representation of Disability in this Clip

'Coming Down the Mountain'

Camera:

The camera puts Ben in the corner of the screen when he is around his brother and friends at school, this is a metaphor for Ben and other disabled being rejected from society or pushed aside. This is contradicted when Ben is in the centre of the frame when he is at home with his family, making him the centre of attention by his parents.

The camera is generally level throughout most of the shots, shots that include both Ben and David are level, as well as the two characters on their own. This carries the image of them both being equal. The director could have used the camera to look up/down on either of the characters if the director wanted to look down on a certain character/member of society but he did not.

Editing:

During the scene outside of the school, the editing is purposefully cut quickly to cause confusion for the audience, there are 19 cuts in around 30 seconds of footage. This is done to make us feel like we are in Ben’s position. As well as this, there is a random cut to a boy shouting about a can of petrol, followed by the explosion later, this gives an insight into chaotic school life, but also highlights the confusion that someone like Ben may feel. Whereas other students would just see this as an ordinary event.

During the first part of the clip, David is narrating over an edit of old clips, showing evolution taking place. The clips show the evolution of man as well as other animals, mocking disabled people as the people who went ‘wrong’ during this process.

Mise en Scene:

During the first shot, the two-brother’s bedroom is showing, on the left side is Ben, and on the right, is David. The left side is very colourful with lots of posters and bright toys and bedding, whereas the right side is very dull and stereotypical of a teenage room. This is most likely set out like this because people with a disability like Bens are seen as childish and immature, whereas the stereotype suggests that teenagers shouldn’t have childish items and should be more adult. This shines a positive light on disability as it shows that they are still young and aren’t influenced by stereotypes. However, this could also shine a negative light on disabled people as they aren’t able to grow up and may be stuck in a childish state until shown otherwise, the fact that they are unique may make them be seen as outcasts from society too.

There is natural lighting throughout the whole video. Ben receives the same lighting as David and other characters, this was done on purpose to remind the audience that Ben (and those alike) are also human and should receive the same treatment as everyone else in society.

Sound:

In the opening few shots, David narrates how he intended to kill his brother Ben, he also described Ben and other disabled people as ‘really big potatoes with eye tentacles’. This obviously dehumanises disabled people as not a part of society, but the ‘broken ones’ as the chemicals used to make us have been ‘mixed up’.

We also sympathise for Ben later, the music slows down and a compilation of sounds play, this is a mix of laughter, narration by David, music and diegetic sound (the bus). Like the editing sequence earlier on, this is done to create confusion and to make the audience feel sorry for Ben as we hear what he hears all the time and puts us in his position. This makes us feel sorry for him and also shines a positive light as it shows what people like Ben have to live with and what the struggle is for them.