Exemplar paper, May 2011
1. The extract is from the fantasy TV drama Merlin and it is from the very first episode. We see two very different classes in the extract. Merlin is a poor boy, so we see lower class. We then have people from the upper class, such as Arthur who is royalty.
The mise-en-scene in the extract displays the two classes very distinguishably. The first character we see is Merlin who is dressed in clothes which look cheap and like rags. We then see a woman, played by Eve Myles, who is dressed very well in a long flowing purple dress. Clearly her status is above Merlins. The extract starts in a building which is quite posh. The walls are made of stone and it is a vast building. This contrasts with the setting of the fight scene which is very much were the poorer people live. The overall colour design is red which connotes royalty. Merlin himself is wearing red. Perhaps this to show his importance, despite his status, breaking stereotype. Arthur is wearing armour which supports stereotypes of royalty from the age where the clip is set. When we see the woman’s reflection in the mirror we see a monsterly face. This breaks stereotypes of the posh, elegant women. Another part of this extract which helps construct the representation of class is the camera techniques. The majority of the time the camera is on someone with a high status and the camera angle is low, which enhances the person power. An example of this is when Arthur wins the fight and we see him from a very low angle so he is towering over us. Throughout the extract we get a lot of close-ups of Merlin and we also get point of view shots from him a lot which makes us relate to him. Often in dramas like this we are made to relate to the poorer people so this fits with stereotypes. When Merlin exits the building we see Arthur behind him over his shoulder. Arthur is out of focus even though he’s talking. Usually people with power would be in focus when talking. Throughout the fight scene we get a couple of low angles on Merlin, showing that he has the power throughout the fight, until the old man appears and distracts him. A zoom in is used when Merlin is picking up things at the beginning of the scene to enhance their importance. The sound in this extract also helps portray the different statuses, especially the dialogue. At the beginning Eve Mules character says “what are you doing here?” which signifies her power as Merlin reacts to this in the expected way, and leaves, responding to her power. The dynamic switches when Merlin is with Arthur. He doesn’t treat Arthur with respect even though he is royalty. He says, “I’ve told you you’re a prat. I just didn’t know you were a royal one.” This shows he is clearly not afraid of Arthur. Throughout the extract there is a lot of non-alegetic music playing to enhance the storyline. During the fight scene the music is very fast paced which adds to suspense and excitement. When we’re outside in the poor environment we hear ambient sounds of chickens and wood being chopped. This contrasts
to the echoing and quiet we hear when the woman is walking and we hear her footsteps high in the sound mix. At the end of the extract there is a moment of silence with Merlin and the old man talking. Merlin says “If I can’t use magic I might as well die”, the silence that accompanies this enhances how serious he is and that he doesn’t like being poor. The final section of the extract that helps portray the different statuses is the editing. During the conversations that we see we often get shot-reverse shot sequences. When Merlin is looking around in the room at the beginning we cross cut to the woman outside which builds tension as we worry for him. We’re on Merlin’s side. We also get eye-line matches when Merlin uses magic during the fight which helps us connect with him and also enhances the fact Merlin usually has the power even though he is of a lower class. We get a match on action when Arthur throws the weapon and Merlin almost drops it. These help keep the continuity system and again make us see we’re on Merlin’s side. There is a tiny bit of CHL in the extract when Merlin’s eye lights up, these enhances his power and continues to go against the typical stereotype of royalty having more power than the poor. Overall I feel this extract goes against stereotypes of class as we see Merlin has power and doesn’t respect Arthur even though he should. There are, however some parts which support the stereotypes of class.
Score: 17 + 17 + 7 = 41/50