To compare representations of social class
G322: TV DRAMA
To consider representations of social class
What key words should we use for Social Class?
SOCIAL CLASSKey
words:IdentitySocio-economicclassauthoritystatuswealtheducationPrejudicePowerSuperior
Dominence
You should use these key words in any essay response about
social class.
ClassUpperMiddleWorkingLowerSocio-economicAB-C1C2-DEStereotypes(status
in society)
ClassUpperMiddleWorkingLowerSocio-economicAB-C1C2-DEStereotypes(status
in society)Well educated (private)Posh (language stiff lip)Country
houseConservative supportersClassic carsWinesProudWealthyInherited
wealth (estate/business)Females (mothers) do not need to
workLunches, teas, grand parties, tennisPoloShootingHunting
CricketGym Golf Large houseBMW/Merc (nice cars)Expensive
dogsHolidaysDesigner clothesPosh-ishGood education Further
educationGood jobs but not inherited wealthaspire to be upper
class
new money middle/working class that have wealth but are from
lower classUneducated Low incomeLack etiquetteMore likely to become
redundant due to globalisation of large conglomerates Breadwinner
and housewife Work under managerDependent on jobs work hard to pay
bills Insecure about income and paying billsIndustry jobsResentment
towards classes aboveMore kidsExploitation of benefits Labour
ScumTrampMessyUn educatedTeenagersRoughSmockingCouncil
estateBenefits Anti socialCriminalsAlcoholDrugs ChavsUnderage
pregnancy
Exam Style Question!!1. Discuss the ways in which the extract
constructs the representation of social class in the
extract.Mise-en-sceneEditingSoundCamera shots, movement and
composition.
Social Class in Downton Abbey:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscFlwFNB6I8
MESSoundDenotationProp CharactersSettingCostume Connotation
(links to stereotypical representation)
D
Accents ND
Connotation (links to stereotypical representation)
CameraEditing Angles
High angle.
Connotation (links to stereotypical representation)Pace
Juxtaposed
Cross cutting
Effect?Connotation (links to stereotypical representation)
Split into four groups each focusing on one technical
areaMise-en-scene
EditingCinematography
Sound
Show opening 10 minutes of Downton Abbey
Make notes on your particular technical area.
Mise-en-sceneServants costume own hierarchy- high status in
service.Upper attractive and more fashionable (fitted, hair and
make-up) higher life luxurious colours, reds, royal blues, greens,
purples, in contrast dull and unified costumes that the servants
are wearing strip them of identity and practical clothing Enormous
luxurious settings- wealth, more spaceMaids share a room- no
privacy, identity, claustrophobic Upper class lighter and more
space, lower, dark and dungeon like Props newspaper, delivers the
news and motive of the storyline, made for the educated upper class
to read. The servants only read when preparing the paper for
themServants and upper class only mix when servants are serving
them
CinematographyWider shots when with the upper class, to show
room and luxurious setting e.g dining table only a few sat with
loads of spaceLower class tighter shots, close-ups when they eat
there is a sense of lack of spaceLow angle shots, lord of house
coming down the house as he ascends the stairs representing his
power and authority Lower class high angle shots to infer their
unimportance Upper class close up shots to denote their wealth, one
character at a time, gives them identity and powerLower class
two/three shots (if not more) they are inferior and expendable Low
angle shot of the manor house to represent its grandeur Constant
tracking changing focus on servants- emphasises size of house and
how busy the servants are.Camera tracks Lord Grantham from behind
(we follow him).Cutaway shots used to introduce Mrs Hughes: her
keys represent her- duty before personality.
EditingContrasts the two forms of transport and communication
used with cross cutting. Pace of editing: who has the busier life
style?Upper is slower pace to represent their time and no rush to
workLower is faster pace to signify hard work, to make ends meet to
have moneyScene where Mary looks down at the paper boy to connote
she is looking down at the lower classCamera juxtaposes from Mary
in bedroom to servants room where the bell rings, gives the
illusion that the spectator is also taking down to the servants
area and then brought up to the LordsMotivated cut- newspapers as a
motive to take you from the lower to the upper class
SoundClassical non- diegetic music - denotes educated upper
class.Contrast in accents between Daisy and Mrs Hughes- hierarchy
in the servants.Posh speaking from upper class, northern accents
and colloquial Non diegetic intro to Lord to represent his power
and authority, violinUpper speak down to lower classLower, more
sounds sense of working hardUpper, more calm orchestra music
Independent TaskIn pairs: present your own analysis of a social
class representation.
Suggestions: Soaps, ANY Period Drama, or Medical/Police
Dramas.
We need to see the clip (were talking YouTube 4 mins max)I want
to see that both parties have had an influence on the final ppt.No
death by PPT please!REHEARSE!Ready for next lesson.
2nd Practice EssayHow is social class represented in the scene
from North and South? min 1000 wordsDiscuss all four technical
areas:
Mise-en-sceneSoundEditingCinematography
