Reece & Nicole's TV DRAMA blog: February 2013

MOCK EXAM- SOCIAL CLASS

Within social class, Merlin represents the stereotype of Working class. In this scene Merlin resembles his this stereotype through his clothing. He is introduced as wearing a ragged scarf and baggy clothing which emphasizes the suggestions that they are too big for him and that he cannot get any other clothes that would fit him which suggests that he is working class. Especially due to the fact that working class people are stereotyped as not having much money and are not respected. This shows him to not having much power as he wears ragged clothing and therefore has no money and so cannot have an powerful influence on society as he has no money to do that with. This represents him as powerless as money gives you power. This therefore reinforces the stereotype of working class as to being people with no money resulting in no influential power. Additionally, he reinforces the stereotype of working class through consistently throughout the scene being shot form an high angle. For example, when Merlin falls to the floor a number of times when Arthur tries to attack him. This high angle shot defuses any sense of power or status form him as the camera is looking down on him which emasculates him, making him appear weak and powerless. Moreover, he is not defending himself but trying to get away from Arthur which also shows his weakness. This therefore reinforces the stereotype of working class as he is representing this class as to being people who are weak and incompetent when it comes to defending themselves. However he does challenge the stereotype of working class as when Arthur says “don’t run away” the camera is focused on a close up shot of Merlin and then Arthur and his men are in the background slightly out of focused. This makes Arthur and his men appear insignificant and therefore low status opposed to Merlin who has prominence and in focus reinforcing him as to having prominence in the shot which gives him power. This challenges the stereotype of working class as they are typically represented as to being weak whereas Merlin represents them as being in power through the use of being most prominent in a shot. Additionally, he motivates the cut when he uses his magic to make Arthurs weapon come out of his hand and become tangled within a hoop. The close up shot of Merlin eye shows the magic and how that influences the shot to be cut to Arthurs weapon being taken out of his hand. This represents Merlin to having power, and so therefore challenges the typical powerless stereotype of working class and how they can still be represented as with power.

The character Arthur is stereotyped as Upper class. He reinforces this stereotype through mise en scene. Arthur wears silver clothing. The colour silver symbolizes wealth which highlights the suggestion that he is upper class as they are stereotyped as having lots of money and showing it through their clothing. Silver is expensive too which shows that his clothing is expensive and so he would need to be rich and so forth upper class to afford it. His silver creates the suggestion that he is someone of a high status as silver was worn but royalty in which Arthur is. His silver armour makes him appear intimidating opposed to Merlin who had no body armour on, as it gives Arthur the competitive advantage. This makes him appear powerful and in control which reinforces the stereotype of upper class that are symbolized as being powerful and high status. Through the use of sound he reinforces this type of upper class. This is shown through the use of sound that was added in and emphasized to appear louder on Arthur’s weapon swinging through the air. It created a sharp whipping noise which sounds powerful and as the sound is quick it reflects Arthurs skill with the weapon. The use of making the sound louder on the weapon gives it power and as Arthur is holding this powerful weapon it gives him power too. This reinforces the stereotype of upper class as they are represented as being powerful and educated and trained in what they do. In addition, there are fast pace cuts throughout the action scene when Arthur attempts to attack Merlin. These fast cuts reflect Arthurs quick retaliation skills to Merlin’s defences emphasizing his confidence and power. This reinforces the stereotype of upper class. Arthur is represented from a low angle shot when he has the weapon in his hand. This makes him appear intimidating as a low angle shot makes a person look taller, hence the intimidation. Also as he is looking down on someone suggest he is higher status and more powerful which reinforces the stereotype of powerful, dominant, upper class people.

To Improve my grade i have provided more examples within my answer as on the previous mock exam I only used 2 for each steretype and spent to much time analysing a partcular point , i alos focused on the technical aspects alot more ecspecailly editing.