REPRESENTING CLASS

STARTER

To analyse shots, sound, editing & m-e-s in scenes.

To identify stereotyping of class in society.

"The media do not just offer us a transparent

'window on the world' but a mediated version

of the world.

They don't just present reality, they re-present

it."

[David Buckingham - Media Education: Literacy, Learning and Contemporary

Culture]

• What does class mean to you?• Can you think of any TV shows where the

characters are defined by their class?

Question:

1. Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of classusing the following:

• Camera shots, angles, movement and composition

• Editing

• Sound

• Mise en scene

Analyse this…

• You are going to watch the opening scene from Downton Abbey, in which class is represented.

• Watch the clip and take notes on how class is represented.

Missing the basics...

• If the question is on class/status, then use those as KEY WORDS throughout your response.

• Use them in your introduction

• Use them in your topic sentences

• Use them in your analysis of examples

Missing the basics...

• Topic sentences which establish an argument rather than just being waffle:

• The extract shows that the older servants believe they have a higher status than those that are younger.

• Social class is shown by the use of sound.

• Status is represented in Downton Abbey with the use of age.

Missing the basics...

• Exploring and analysing examples using This suggests... This implies... This highlights... This reveals... This shows the audience...

• This reveals the stronger status that the higher floor working servants hold over the other workers as the continuous long take makes them seem more elegant and steady with their work.

• This gives the audience a good view of how big the house is and how the maids need to work hard to clean everything.

• This shows her position as a low class worker

Analyse that…

• You are going to watch a scene from Shameless.

• Watch the clip and make notes on the representation of class in the scene –comparing it to the scene from Downton Abbey.

Shameless