ethnicity represented in spooks essay

Discuss the ways in which this extract constructs the representation of ethnicity using the following:
Camera shots, angles, movement and composition
Editing
Sound
Mise en scene


In this extract of spooks, ethnicity is represented through camera shots, editing, sound and mise en scene. Firstly we notice the setting and this very quickly tells us it’s a baron area, deserted and cold. The fireplace is not in use so connotates coldness in the area which reflects the atmosphere. The fireplace also adds to the grand and big room which contrasts the stereotypical Iraqi buildings. The clothing in which the characters wear is contrasting with the stereotypes. The stereotype of an Iraqi leader would be a sari, and quite loose clothing due to the weather and religion. However, in this extract the Iraqi leader is wearing a plain suit which makes us think differently from the stereotype of that ethnicity. The two spies would have a typical stereotype of black clothing, and gadgets. However, the woman is wearing a suit, and as is the man. The woman appears to be Iranian, and is wearing clothes which don’t really tell us this. The sidekick is of an ethnic background and is a black male, yet is the one treated with least respect as he rarely talks showing the Iranian, British woman is more dominant, and he ges a knife put to his neck, showing he is weak despite the stereotype of a black male being strong and powerful. We also can tell that he isnt a vital character as he doesnt play much of a role in the scene.
As the photo was placed on the table in front of the spies, non-diegetic music is played of bombs and explosions which shows danger and could be seen as typical for that ethnicity, as Iraq is a dangerous place and this is a dangerous situation the characters are in and the music emphasises the tension. The stereotype of violence is also portrayed as the guard is carrying weapons for the Iraqi leader; this associates this ethnicity with danger and violence. So the guard is shown as a stereotypical Iraqi man as he connotates violence. The lack of lighting in the room exaggerates how mysterious this masked guard is and so adds tension to the scene and a horror factor.
A steadycam is used to film this extract which adds to the atmosphere as it is shaky and so adds tension and an amateur feeling to the scene almost as though they were not allowed to film there. However, it is not too shaky that it’s hard to watch without losing concentration. The camera angles used are to show which ethnicity is dominating the other, for a lot of the scene the Iraqi leader is superior to the Iranian woman and this is shown by the camera looking down on her. This happens both when she is sitting at the table and when she is sitting in front of the video camera. The video camera is a prop which connotates hostage, violence and fear which some may associate with the Iraqi ethnicity.

Downton Abbey Opening Credits

Downton Abbey Opening Credits

Downton Abbey is a costume/period drama and from the opening credits we can tell this.
The first scene is a man walking a dog in a large field with a large castle in the foreground, this already creates a historical, british type setting. It then goes on to show the interior of a building which isn't very modern and shows close up shots of objects. For example, bells, letters, crockery and cutlery, flowers, candle lit lamps and chandeliers and other household objects, but they are all very old fashioned, and so this helps set the scene. The crockery shot especially helps us realise things...

The cutlery is set perfectly, along with the glasses. The gold trimmed plates with a gold emblem on against a dark oak table suggests this is a house holding a wealthy family of upper class and adds to what we already know if it being set in the past. 

The chandelier is a well known old fashioned type of lighting, and it is being polished in the shot below. This not only suggests wealth and a greater sense of the time period, but also that the person polishing is probably a maid or butler as we saw a hand setting the crockery on the table, a hand turning on the candlelit light, and a man walking the dog and also someone tending to the pan on the stove. We also see a bell ringing which could be for a maid, and we see a woman in uniform go upstairs with laundry. So again, wealth and upper class is shown due to them having a maid/butler(s). Yet it also adds mystery as we have seen the characters belongings and associates and their home, so we have an idea of what they are like, and have had an insight into their life but we are still not introduced to any of character. 

When watching the opening credits on mute, you can imagine that the sound would be a very classical type soundtrack, no lyrics or narration just a simple piano or violin or even an orchestra.
I then listened with music and the music is a piano, there is no singing and its not heavy going music, as it a piano it adds to the fact that its set from many years ago where they would have listened to this kind of music. Because the music is not to loud or upbeat it doesnt take the attention away from the images being shown on screen.

The text also is a basic serif font which is thought to be a less modern font, the credits simply fade on and off in either white or black to help the audience read it more easily. It is a smooth graphic transaction, even at the end when the name of the show is revealed, it keeps the same font, uses black and white and has a smooth and slow movement.

Convention of TV Drama - Waterloo Road

Name of drama; Waterloo Road
Broadcaster; BBC 1
Scheduling; Wednesdays 7.30pm
Writer/Director/Producer; Ann McManus/Julie Edwards/Johnathan Leather

Conenventions
Characters;
Teacher; Mrs Hopwell- has no power, control or authority over her class and gets scared and intimidated by Michaela when she gets up to argue back. She also doesn't break up the fight which shows she is a weak character. She also represents women poorly as she cant break up the fight or especially stick up for herself but the male teacher immediately solves the situation so he is portrayed as a masculine heroic character.
Pupils;  Michaela- stereotyped as her uniform is rebellious, hooped earrings. She starts the trouble by confronting the teacher and seems confident she can argue with her & Lindsay

Narrative;

Drama Screenshot

This is a screenshot from Waterloo Road. We know it is set in a school as it is in the toilets with writing on the wall which would most likely be found in a school environment. Also, the girls are wearing uniform and are teens. This screenshot gives teenagers a stereotype as they appear to be taking drugs in the toilets which gives off a negative view of teenagers, and they have altered their uniforms to make them look more rebellious as they have leather jackets & hooped earrings. The camera angle is interesting as it an overview looking down on the pupils which gives the sense of secrecy and invading privacy and makes the viewer see superior than the pupils who are causing trouble