Downtown Abbey Textual Analysis

Downtown Abbey Class & Status

Camera Shot/Movements
First of all there is a is a tacking shot as this allows the audience to follow the character to the location where then character is heading. After this shot comes a long shot so it allows us to see where the scene is located and lets the audience familiarise themselves with the scenery. Then we see a mid shot of a character sat ion her room this is so we can see what sort of emotions she is showing and how she reacts to events. Next there is a high angle shot of the character on the bike and also the high angle shot is a point of view shot as well so we see it through the eyes of a character the high angle shot shows us that she has power over the character as she is looking down on them. Next we see a long shot of the female character and allows us to see her emotions in more detail as it allows us to see her body language too. Then there is another long shot in the servants quarter  and we start to see a different way of life to the others in the house there is and from the long shot we see that the table is very cramped and full with people. Then we see how their life is like as there are loads of quick mid shots to show the audience that there life is always at high tempo to satisfy the higher classes needs. Then we are introduced to the owner of the Abbey at a low angle shot to show us that he is very powerful and people below him show slight fear of him.

Sound
Throughout this episode there is two different sounds diegetic and non diegetic sounds. First there is diegetic sound such as dialogue and also all the added noises onto the scenes like the forks clashing together to show they are working hard and the sound of an iron etc. Also there is also non diegetic sound like the music at the start of the clip is quite upper class showing what sort of people live in the house.

Editing
Throughout this clip we see a lot of editing by cutting to different shots. There is a lot of cross cutting between the two pieces of action by what is happening in the upper class sections and the lower class sections and this allows us to establish how different the two lives of upper class and lower class live. Also there is a lot of quick cuts one after the other to show how fast paced a lower class life is and makes it seem that they are all running around and panicking. Also when the woman rings the bell there is a jump cut to the lower class and this shows us the different types of life they live. Also the same shot is a reaction shot too as the lower class react to what is happening with the upper class lives.

Mise En Scene
When the character is riding up to the Abbey he is minuscule compared to it and this shows that the job he is doing is very minimal and not key to their everyday life. Also the clothing he is wearing is very dull and looks unwashed for a while showing that he doesn't have the facilities to do everyday things in life. Next is a contrast in life as we see the upper class as the woman is still in bed as the lower class are up and doing their jobs for them. Also we see her looking down on the other character to show that she has authority over him and he is a weak character in the drama. Also the fact that she has a room to herself and it is includes a fire shows us that she is a powerful character. Next is the rooms colour she has a well decorated room with a lot of colour and the same for when the owner of the Abbey is walking down the stairs is still well decorated compared to the other quarters. He is wearing some elegant pieces of clothing which will Also the owner of the Abbey is very smartly dressed to show that he is in the upper class of the Abbey. Then there is the contrast to the lower class as they colour around the quarters is very dull and not very well decorated. Also the clothes they wear look dirty and rough as they have been worn too much. Also with the props with the characters we see that all of the lower class people are eating a very sloppy bit of porridge and compared to the upper class they have a banquet for their breakfast.

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Editing

Cut

Sudden change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another. On television cuts occur on average about every 7 or 8 seconds. Cutting may:

• change the scene;
• compress time;
• vary the point of view; or
• build up an image or idea

Less abrupt transitions are achieved with the fade, dissolve, and wipe (see below)

Matched cut

In a 'matched cut' a familiar relationship between the shots may make the change seem smooth:

• continuity of direction;
• completed action;*
• a similar centre of attention in the frame;
• a one-step change of shot size (e.g. long to medium);
• a change of angle (conventionally at least 30 degrees)

*The cut is usually made on an action (for example, a person begins to turn towards a door in one shot; the next shot, taken from the doorway, catches him completing the turn). Because the viewer's eye is absorbed by the action he is unlikely to notice the movement of the cut itself.

Jump cut

Abrupt switch from one scene to another which may be used deliberately to make a dramatic point. Sometimes boldly used to begin or end action. Alternatively, it may be result of poor pictorial continuity, perhaps from deleting a section.

Motivated cut

Cut made just at the point where what has occurred makes the viewer immediately want to see something which is not currently visible (causing us, for instance, to accept compression of time). A typical feature is the shot/reverse shot technique (cuts coinciding with changes of speaker). Editing and camera work appear to be determined by the action. It is intimately associated with the 'privileged point of view' (see narrative style: objectivity).

Cutting rate

Frequent cuts may be used as deliberate interruptions to shock, surprise or emphasize.

Cutting rhythm

A cutting rhythm may be progressively shortened to increase tension. Cutting rhythm may create an exciting, lyrical or staccato effect in the viewer.

Cross-cut

A cut from one line of action to another. Also applied as an adjectuve to sequences which use such cuts.

Cutaway/cutaway shot (CA)

A bridging, intercut shot between two shots of the same subject. It represents a secondary activity occurring at the same time as the main action. It may be preceded by a definite look or glance out of frame by a participant, or it may show something of which those in the preceding shot are unaware. (See narrative style: parallel development) It may be used to avoid the technical ugliness of a 'jump cut' where there would be uncomfortable jumps in time, place or viewpoint. It is often used to shortcut the passing of time.

Reaction shot

Any shot, usually a cutaway, in which a participant reacts to action which has just occurred.

Insert/insert shot

A bridging close-up shot inserted into the larger context, offering an essential detail of the scene (or a reshooting of the action with a different shot size or angle.)

Buffer shot (neutral shot)

A bridging shot (normally taken with a separate camera) to separate two shots which would have reversed the continuity of direction.

Fade, dissolve (mix)

Both fades and dissolves are gradual transitions between shots. In a fade the picture gradually appears from (fades in) or disappears to (fades out) a blank screen. A slow fade-in is a quiet introduction to a scene; a slow fade-out is a peaceful ending. Time lapses are often suggested by a slow fade-out and fade-in. A dissolve (or mix) involves fading out one picture while fading up another on top of it. The impression is of an image merging into and then becoming another. A slow mix usually suggests differences in time and place. Defocus or ripple dissolves are sometimes used to indicate flashbacks in time.

Superimpositions

Two of more images placed directly over each other (e.g. and eye and a camera lens to create a visual metaphor).

Wipe

An optical effect marking a transition between two shots. It appears to supplant an image by wiping it off the screen (as a line or in some complex pattern, such as by appearing to turn a page). The wipe is a technique which draws attention to itself and acts as a clear marker of change.

Inset

An inset is a special visual effect whereby a reduced shot is superimposed on the main shot. Often used to reveal a close-up detail of the main shot.

Split screen

The division of the screen into parts which can show the viewer several images at the same time (sometimes the same action from slightly different perspectives, sometimes similar actions at different times). This can convey the excitement and frenzy of certain activities, but it can also overload the viewer.

Stock shot

Footage already available and used for another purpose than the one for which it was originally filmed.

Representation Of Gender In The Street

Camera Shots/Movements

First of all there is an close up turned into a establishing shot to show the location of the scene that all the characters are in. Then there is a close up of the character to show his reaction to the character turning up to the yard and he looks nervous and anxious to see him implying that he is going to have to give him some bad news. Next there are a few shots mixed together to make there audience feel like they are involved with the conversations and also there is a two shot as you see them having a conversation. Next there is a close up of the character with disability and then the man in the van looking down as the other character is giving him some bad news as he looks down awkwardly. Then straight after there is a close up as his reaction is disappointed because he thought that they were gonna be there for him but when he has got back they are not treating him the same as they did before. Next it cuts to a shot of a female next to a car and is a high angle shot of her to show that she is a vulnerable character and then we see a long shot of the characters in the scene and allows the audience to get a idea of where the characters are situated and a slight insight into their lifes. This is when we find out why there is a high angle shot of her as she screams at the man when he tries to help. Then he begins to walk off and we see a two shot of both of them as they begin to have a conversation and this is the typical shot for conversations.

Sound

 There is a lot of diegetic sound in this clip to make all the scenes seem more realistic for example there is a lot of back ground chatter in most of the scenes or noises of cars going past . There is a key bit of non diegetic sound when he is walking down the street to show that he is angry and add to the effect of him becoming angry towards everyone staring at him and the song builds up as he becomes more annoyed towards everyone.

Editing

Throughout all of there is a lot of editing but the area which has a lot of editing in series when he is walking down the high street. First we see a cut to change from one scene to another. Then we see a cutting rate where we see a lot of frequent cuts to show all the people around him and how they react to the burns on his face. The same cuts also get faster and faster as we see a cutting rhythm this is used to make the scene become more tense as the main character in this scene as he is getting angry because he notices all of the people looking at his face and can see his reactions. Next there is a inset where theres a special effect in the scene to make the disabled character the centre of attention as when it cuts to him he is clear and everyone else you struggle sometime so all of the audiences focus is on him.

Mise En Scene
We see in this clip that everyone who comes into contact with the disabled character always tend to look slightly afraid of him due to how he looks people always stare at him. Also to emphasis this the light when he is walking down the high street is all focused on him to make the audience know that he is the centre of attention. Then we hear his voice his voice makes him sound very common and he uses some swear words as well and we find out that he is an average man. This is added my the way he walks he sways from side to side in some angry paces.  Also we see that his clothes aren't the best and well cleaned so we can infer that he isn't well off due to his accident in the war as he goes to the office and meets with an army general. Also by when we see him walking into his old work place before and after his injury he is short on cash but now he has a disability less people want to employ him even his old work place doesn't want to employ him again. He wears quite plain clothing suggesting that he isn't that bothered and can't be bothered anymore. 

Grand Budapest Hotel Prezi

American Beauty Mise En Scene

Mise En Scene
In this scene we see that the lighting is very dark around the room and gives us the feeling that the parents showing their anger towards each other as dark can represent anger. All the lighting is centred around the girl and she seems to be the centre of the attention of the scene and throughout the film. The props show us that the family is very upper class as they have candles and wine glasses on the table shows they are upper class. Also they are all symmetrical so it looks like the whole meal is staged and shows that the family is tearing apart. Also with the costumes they are wearing it seems that the parents are dressed in very formal clothing shows they are upper class. But the girl in the centre of the picture is completely different and looks rebellious by the colours that she is wearing shows that she is a danger and in love. Colour in this scene is very dull until you get to the girl in the centre she looks out of place as all the colourful objects are around her and it looks like she is brightening up the room. All the characters in this shot seem to be very angry in there posture as the man has his fists clenched to show that there is anger towards a character and they all look miserable. Also they are all quite isolated from each other as normally a family would be sat close together engaging in conversation. Also each of their facial expressions show anger towards a different character but the women are mainly focusing on the man as they look agitated with each other in this scene. The hair and make up most of their hair cuts are normal but the make up is mainly focused on the girl in the centre as she is the important character in the scene. The shot is a very wide shot to back up the point that the family is isolated.

Grand Budapest Hotel Research

 

A media company does have a big influence on the film that is made as they are choosing the director and once this has happened supplying them with the right resources and if they need them some staff to get the cast etc. Also it is possible for small companies to succeed like The Grand Budapest Hotel was a small film with a small budget of $31 million but then went on to make $172.7 million this can all be done if you have the right director with the right actors they will be able to produce a good film and that is what Wes Anderson did.

Different film companies can work with other people for instance all the companies that help produce the film they can send their employee’s over to help make the film better and also these companies can have an input money wise and this links in with publishing it. The budget the films are forever changing as it needs to think about production, marketing and distributing the film.  Marketing is another big part they work together on to produce different types of advertising for TV and on the side of buses. Distributing can be a good if the companies are from different countries as one company can focus on one area and another in a different region for example a British and American company working together to distribute these quicker. Disney are one of the big six and are very wealthy so this allows them as a company to produce more marketing sources in different countries and also if they have an add on the TV this will allow them to have a longer advertising stint as well as having their film shown in more cinemas and for a longer period of time than others.

The Grand Budapest Hotel was released on many different formats such as; blu ray, DVD, Amazon and streamed over the internet. This all effects how people watch the films and all these new ways to watch a film generate a different feeling of the film as you can watch it in the cinema or sat at home with your family or even on your laptop. But there is also problems with this some people download the movie for free and no money what so ever will go towards the film and products like amazon prime movie only one set fee will go to the company instead of a large group of people paying to see the film separately.

The producers of the films have to work very hard to produce a film that will give the audience an enjoyable experience, they have to think about different types of viewing when making the movie so people that view the movie on their phone get the best possible experience which will be just as good as seeing it in a cinema. Audiences always used to go and watch films at the cinema and if they enjoyed it and wanted to watch it again purchases it on DVD. Many people now do not do this they won’t go to the cinema they rather wait till the DVD or blu ray comes out or even wait for it to come out on demand like Netflix or amazon prime movies. So this is why it is important that the company thinks about the audience and how they will view the film.

There are many technological ways that the movies and other industries have come together to promote a movie. Such as TV some channels allow advertising to appear on their channel for a fee and these help promote the movie. Also things like the internet help the movies advertise like YouTube they place many trailers on their to get across to different audiences as not everyone likes to go onto YouTube. Music industry allows the company to make a bit more money after the film has been released by producing a soundtrack of the movies that include songs that have featured in the movie and allows them to attract more attention for themselves and the artists involved.

Many media companies attract their audiences by a trailer as this is the best way of showing what you are going to watch but also this has its downsides as it reveals part of the story and people do not like this. Also another great way to draw an audience in is to have a very well-known actor that everyone enjoys to watch as when they see that name they instinctively become more interested. But in this case it was the director Wes Anderson he has produced some great movies of a low budget and he spends a lot of his time focusing on the look of the film and this draws in many people as some people like the arty side to film making

Recently there has been release of Netflix and other on demand apps so people can watch a massive amount of movies for a set fee and this is a great way to do it. Also people tend to buy DVD’s too and watch it at home with their family; this all helps the movie after its release but doesn’t allow the box office to show how well the movie actually did because people prefer to watch it at home. In my opinion I think that it is a bad thing because although technology is getting better you don’t get as good as an experience as you do when you’re watching the movie in the  movie.

Representation Of Disability In TV Drama

Stereotypes and Counter types
A common disability stereotype is that they are weak and vulnerable, most of the time you see the disabled character often with a carer to help them with everyday things. But a counter type for this would be that they are powerful and people are scared of them. For example in a TV drama if they were a bully like in bad education Leslie "Rem Dogg" Remmington is not vulnerable he is one of the bullies in the class at school.

Breaking Bad Representation Of Disability

Camera Shots/Movements
At first there is 2 close ups of each character so we as an audience begin to understand the characters emotions at this point the two characters seem agitated. Then it cuts to an long shot of the whole table and the atmosphere is tense this is backed up by everyone being silent whilst they are eating. At this point in the clip we do not know that Walter Jr is disabled as we can't tell from looking at him that he has an disability. After there is a close up of  Hank and he gives a hostile look towards Marie and this adds to the clip having a tense atmosphere. They begin to have a conversation and Walter Jr ignores them and it cuts to a close up of him and he begins to talk with anger and this is when we find out he has cerebral palsy as he has slurred speech. We also learn that he is quite a strong character as he begins to argue with his mother and blames her for what has happened like a typical teenager does. Then we see him stand up and a low angle shot of him to show he has power this is strange in media because usually the character with a disability is vulnerable and has a carer to help them but in this clip we see none of that Walter Jr is a independent teenager. As Walter Jr is talking we see a long shot of the whole table which allows us to see all the families reaction and then we see him walk off. This is against the usual role of a disabled character in movies as Walter Jr is quite powerful in his family and is very independent which is a counter type of a disabled persons stereotype.


Sound

There is not a lot of sound in this clip the only sound in the clip is the characters speech and the diegetic sound of the characters eating as we hear forks touching the plates when eating to make the scene become more realistic. The reason there isn't much sound is because it adds to the effect that the scene is tense and the clip doesn't need non diegetic sound.

Editing
In this clip there are a lot of clips to cut from character to character to show the audience there is a conversation going on also this is to allow the audience to see each of the characters reactions to the way Walter JR is behaving. But once again there isn't much editing there are just cuts to another shot.


Mise En Scene
In this clip the atmosphere is tense and this is by the scene being silent and none of the characters talking to one another. Also in this scene we find out that Walter JR's mum and dad have split up and this is causing distress on Walter Jr as it now is affecting his relationship between him and his dad. Walter Jr is a character with cerebral palsy but still lives a very normal life. He seems to blame his parents for what has happened and that's why in this scene we see him arguing with his mother as why his life is changing.

How does this Link with the other areas
If you are disabled it can cause people to be mean towards you and if you are a different ethnicity or gender cause them to be racist or sexist. But in general people with a disability are usually seen as weak an vulnerable.

Examples
Breaking Bad, Glee, Lost, House, Malcolm In The Middle, Game Of Thrones