Connotations of colours

Red:

Ethnicity representation in Spooks

The camera movements in this scene are used to depict the contrast between the ethnicity of the Iraqi man and the two British captives, who the audience is threatened by and in support of, respectively.

 The scene begins with a crane shot, establishing the situation that the characters are in and presenting the Iraqi man, who is standing while the others sit, as in total control. This implies that he is a threat, which is supported by the use of similar shots when focussing on the British captives, indicating that they are of the same ethnicity. A panning shot follows the Iraqi, signifying his dominance and the attention being given to him by the captives, with the implication that the camera is showing their point of view.

Another demonstration of the Iraqi man’s power is the upward tilt shot used after he shows the captives the photograph of the dead agent. It emphasises his height over the British agents and therefore his authority.

As all of these shots add to his depiction as a threat in a situation that is dangerous to the sympathetic British characters, the representation of his ethnicity is intimidating and overall fairly negative. However, his dialogue does question whether the British agents are really moral, conflicting with the shots used to display his power.

Preliminary Task Requirements

There are three main requirements to consider when creating the video for the preliminary task.

1) Match on action
This is a technique that is significant in relation to continuity editing. After a shot is filmed, the cut to the next shot matches the image of the previous one, giving the feel of continuous time. For example, a shot of someone opening a door is followed by a shot of the door opening from the other side, though in reality it isn't necessarily the same one.

2) The 180 degree rule

The 180 degree rule states that the camera should only film from angles within a set 180 degree radius around the characters. If many shots from different angles are shown together it can disorientate the audience, stopping them understanding the content of the scene.

3) Shot/ reverse shot technique

This technique is a common convention used when filming dialogue. A shot is filmed from a certain angle, for example, of a person in conversation. The next shot will be the same but from the opposite, or reverse, angle. These can be used in quick succession to gives the audience the impression of continuous interaction between two characters, or to show a character's reaction to something.

Luther - Scene Analysis

In this scene of Luther, a British psychological crime drama following a detective, the protagonist is presented as in total control of the situation while he threatens another man over the telephone through the use of camera movements.

The camera first focusses on the character Ian. It is never stationary, giving the scene a shaky yet more realistic quality. This could signify the character’s nervousness and fear over the situation he is in, as a steady camera would give the implication of a more stable and confident state. When the camera cuts to Luther there is far less movement from the camera, signifying that he has more control and is less frightened than the man he begins to threaten.

A panning shot follows Luther as he walks away, meaning that the audience’s attention follows him. This indicates that he is a significant and powerful character. The panning continues as he enters the crowd, implying that he is gaining anonymity within it. This creates tension in the audience as well as the other character, as it supports his threat of an unanticipated and shocking attack.

A stationary shot tilted downwards to Luther on the escalator might signify insignificance as it downplays his height, though in this context it could also relate to his required secrecy after making a criminal threat. An upward tilt shot follows this, signifying power, and another stationary shot tilted down then shows Luther rising up the escalator. These shots juxtaposed connote the gain in power Luther is experiencing, as he is gaining height and elevation.

The scene finishes with a close up of Ian’s face, displaying his strong reaction of fear and panic, supporting the message of Luther achieving control.

Media Terminology

There is range of terminology in media used to describe the meaning of what is depicted on screen.

‘Juxtaposition’ describes the effect created when two contrasting things are combined to create a different meaning. For example, an image of a skyscraper may individually signify modernity, wealth and contemporary technology, while a hut surrounded by farmland might signify poverty and self-sufficiency. When the images are put together, however, the overall meaning will change. It now could signify the dominance of technology over nature, or the gap in wealth of different countries.

The words ‘signify’, ‘connote’ and ‘denote’ relate to semiotics, or the study of signs and symbols, that are seen in constructed media texts, whether included consciously or unconsciously. ‘Denote’ is used when the meaning in a text is definite and intended, while ‘connote’ is used when there are other possible interpretations of the meaning.

Doctor Who - Annotations on how gender is represented through mise-en-scene

This is a screenshot taken from Doctor Who, the popular family science fiction show, in which the character the Master gives a speech while his wife looks on.

Both of the characters in this image are dressed formally, though the woman, with long styled blonde hair and fairly bright makeup, appears more elegant. Her dress is bright red connoting passion and power, which is supported by the height of her position at the top of the stairs, above the man. The pink lighting that shines on her from the right could signify her position as a desired or loved object to the man. Though her height and straight, confident posture indicates that she is in control of the situation, her expression is nervous, while the man appears more relaxed and assertive. Despite his slightly more scruffy appearance and lower positioning to hers, it is clear that he is dominant to her. Her placement behind the railing supports the idea that she could be more of a decorative that he has put on display than an equal.

The setting appears to be a modern building, perhaps an office. The lighting is bright and unnatural which relates to the science fiction symbols on the wall behind the characters. The futuristic and elaborate design of the setting implies that it is a significant place, and the male character must be highly significant if he is in charge of it, while the women is perhaps more aside from the position of power.

Overall, the mise-en-scene of this image represents the man as highly authoritative and commanding, especially through his clothes, posture and positioning. The woman, however, is represented as more nervous and a subordinate to him, placed in the scene as a figurehead.