Class and Status Homework

Class and status can be shown through camera work, mise-en-scene, sound and editing.

When looking at the camera work used in this clip, there are several different camera shots, angles and movements which are able to represent class and status. At the beginning of the clip there is a close up which allows us to see that she is wearing large gold loop earnings, this is something which would stereo typically be associated with the working class. A medium close up introduces us to the other female characters, this shot is representing her to have a low status as she is unable to do anything about the situation as she has no power or control over the male character. A medium shot shows the boy to have a higher status than both girls. This due to him standing up and the girls are on the floor therefore an eye line match is being made which shows the girls looking up at the boy portraying him to be the more dominant character. A medium close up further shows the girls low status as they are seen to be crying which is portraying them as subservient opposed to dominant. A long shot shows a change in status for the young boy. This is due to him being surrounding by police who force him to the ground therefore the police are shown to have the higher status as they are able to control what the boy does. The young boys low status is further shown when he is siting on the floor crying which is showing him to weak rather then powerful. A high angle shot is used when the young girl is lying on the floor dying, this is showing her to have a low status as she lifeless and has been brought down by another character with a higher status.

When looking at the mise-en-scene of this clip, there are several things which are able to represent class and status. Firstly the boy is carrying a gun which portrays him to be from a working class/unemployed background as the are stereotypically more likely to involved with crime. This is also shown through him wearing a hooded jacket which is associated with crime related situations.The realism of characters is shown through them being portrayed as stereotypical teenagers being involved in crime, having bad attitudes and short tempers. This elements can also be seen to portraying these characters as working class. Verisimilitude is seen throughout the clip as a believable storyline is used and is something which can happen in real life however this situation would not necessarily  be associated with higher class people therefore this further shows that the characters are more likely to be from a working class/ unemployed background. When looking at the location of the clip, there appeared to be many alley ways and back streets in which the boys was able to run through after he has shot the girl. This would be seen as stereotypical for an estate which is associated with working class/unemployed people. The fact that the boy has a gun, this connotes that he is going to kill someone.

When looking at sound within the clip, there are were several things which were able to represent class and status. The diegetic sound of the girl shouting portrays her to have a lower status as she is obviously scared of the boy as he is more dominant than her. The diegetic sound of police sirens gives the sense of crime which is more so associated with working class areas as they are more  prone to crime. The diegetic sound of the vase smashing adds to the tense atmosphere in which is being created within  the house, this also shows the leading up to the girl getting shot as the boy is becoming even more angry and short tempered.

Lastly when looking at editing there are several eye line matches which show the characters either looking up or down at each other for example the boy appears to look down at the girl giving him a higher status than her. A shot reverse shot is used during the conversation between the two characters, this allows the audience to see the reaction to one another is saying  and also helps keep continuity throughout the clip. Montage editing can be seen to be used in this clip due to its use of straight cuts.