Monday 10 November 2014

Representation of Ethnicity in Spooks

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



Camera
Spooks uses a variety of different camera angles, movement and composition throughout. From the start the basic close up shot is used predominately to  signify the tense situation in which the captives find themselves in and the discomfort is apparent from the women crying and the other captive Danny's grimace, this insinuates to the watcher that they may have been made to make a decision which isn't going to end happily. Furthermore when introduced to the terrorist who has taken them captive, a low angle shot is used to show the power in which he has over his prisoners from their perspective. Moreover this portrays him as a powerful figure which is supported by the inclusion of the gun in his hand. In addition the movement of the camera when focusing on the characters faces suggests that the cameraman is almost 'shaking' with the tension in the room, this is used to support the idea that the scenes unravelling in front of the camera are being filmed with a handheld camera. Once again this also signifies the lack of equipment that the terrorist has at his disposal and shows a potential weakness.

Editing
Danny the black character is portrayed as a stereotypically brave male, with shots often cutting to him with a stereotypical 'Stiff upper lip' which is associated with the idea that British people will not let it show of the sheer discomfort that they are in and will maintain this to the end. This is supported by him maintaining his composure right till the end where he shows some aggression towards the terrorist and refers to him as a facist. In comparison the Terrorist is portrayed with the stereotypical shifty untrustworthy type that is often associated with Arabs. This is supported when he reacts to Dannys taunts and switches the gun to shoot him rather than the other captive who we are not given the name of.

Sound
Throughout the clip the ambiance in the room is incredibly tense, this is supported by the tense beat of the drum and Spanish guitar playing in the back ground which signifies a foreign setting which is not British. Moreover the music playing faintly resembles 'The Call to prayer' by Muezzin which is of great significance to the Muslim community. 

Mise en scene
The room in which the scene is set is all bleached grey/dark colours to signify the atmosphere in the room, this oppressive setting is deliberately used to connote the idea of Arabic terrorism. The clothes worn by the characters differ also as the terrorist in the background with the rifle is wearing a stereotypical balaclava and dark clothing, on the other hand the terrorist who clearly holds the most power is dressed in a suit with the buttons casually undone from the top which does not represent a stereotypical Arab. Furthermore Danny is dressed in a suit also which is not the kind of clothing generally associated with a black male which suggests intelligence and importance? Moreover the inclusion of the white male and female through the phone call is also a stereotype which is associated with white people that they are well behaved and stay out of trouble, in this case, captivity.




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