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Wednesday 26 November 2014

Downton Abbey-Textural analysis.

Mise En Scene:

  • A major part of Mise En Scene that is used to establish Class and Status is costume. Costumes are used as a way of differentiating between class i.e upper and working class.
  • In the clip there are many instances of extravagant costumes and styles of uniforms being used, the working class servants all have uniform like clothes on (i.e all black) whereas the upper class characters have more extravagant, colourful costumes.
Editing:

  • Editing is used again as a way of defining class. The lower, working class servants of the abbey are often displayed in scenes that have very basic, quick transitions 'shot-reverse-shot' 'fast-paced editing' and 'cuts'. This kind of editing makes the viewer feel as if they are working a lot more and that they seem a lot more rushed.
  • This enforces the general belief that the poorer, working class work much more harder than upper class people (especially in this time period).
  • When editing is used well in situations such as the servants room where they are all working, the actors in the scene don't actually have to do anything other than move around. If there were no cuts then the actors would have to attempt more complicated choreography to seem as if they are physically doing more work.

Sound:

  • Most of the sound included is diegetic sound i.e the bell board, this also infers to the audience that the working class servants are rushed and have no respite.
  • When the higher part of the house (upper class 'section') is on frame, the non diegetic and diegetic sound is more tranquil or calm, this shows and implies that they have a more laid back life. 
  • When in the lower parts of the house (working class) the non diegetic sounds are 'harder' 


Camera shots

  • After the establishing shots at tyne beginning of the clip that 'set the scene' and show the stately home and the wealth surrounding it.
  • In the servants kitchen where they are all working the shot is usually a mid-shot that is just static. to get a good view of the room the shot changes  regularly (editing). 

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