Discuss the way social status is represented in this extract from Merlin. Make specific reference to the following technical areas:

Discuss the way social status is represented in this extract from Merlin. Make specific reference to the following technical areas:

·                     Camera

·                     Editing

·                     Sound

·                     Mise-en-scene

Immediately status is introduced to us when we are presented with an establishing shot of a grand castle home presumably owned by royalty, this is where we first meet our male protagonist. However Merlin is completely juxtaposed with the massive royal home as he is wearing brown, raggy clothes which we would normally associate with poor servant people although we know he is the protagonist as he is the first character we see and also he is presented to us in the centre of our screens. We first see the protagonist entering a room and placing something down this is presented to us with a close up, The focus of the camera on the protagonist could suggest that he shouldn’t be in the room this is reinforced by the tense non diegetic score connoting his low status. A long shot showing a lady antagonist walking along the grand corridor highlights the different status between herself and Merlin as she is shot from afar not only this but her clothing symbolises royalty because of the purple colouring, connoting her importance. The echoing sound of her walking with her heels reinforces her role of being important as it connotes that she powerful and controlling. As she enters the room where our protagonist stands the non-diegetic score abruptly ends suggesting that Merlin was in there without her consent. Although they are both at the same level arguing that they are of the same status. A number of shot reverse shot sequences have been used to show the woman arguing with Merlin, the antagonist voice is sharp and very assertive, while on the other hand Merlin seems quite lost for words. The difference in the way both the antagonist and the protagonist talk highlights the difference in status. This is reinforced by her having the most camera time when talking showing her facial expressions when talking. 

After leaving the room, the setting has changed and we see more lower classed people wearing the same sort of clothes as Merlin and there is lots of background noise. Arthur an antagonist is presented to us through a medium shot as he speaks down to Merlin, whereas Merlin was allowed to walk towards the camera suggesting he is of higher status. In contrast to this the way they are both dressed could suggest that they are not equal as Arthur is dressed in armour connoting higher importance, armour is associated with war and violence. However they both mimic each other suggesting that they are both of the same status although Arthur has followers standing behind him agreeing with the antagonist and laughing when he makes jokes connoting that he is important   and should be respected when being spoken too. Arthur then throws a weapon at Merlin and when he fumbles and drops the weapon, it could be seen as though Arthur has the upper hand when it comes to the fight as he has more experience connoting higher importance. Although Merlin doesn’t see Arthur as being higher in status this portrayed through his use of dialogue “my Lord” the protagonist says this in a mocking tone reinforcing this suggestion.

As the antagonist and protagonist being to fight, a non-diegetic score is playing and the use of long shots emphasises the action and danger. The protagonist is quickly knocked down highlighting that he is less experienced when it comes to fighting and he shot from above him making us look down on him connoting he is of lower status than our antagonist. The use of the fast paced shots and tense music emphasises the aggression and conflict between the two characters.  However things turn around for Merlin when a close up of his eye is presented to us and the sound effect backing up the idea that magic is about to happen. Now we see that the roles have been reversed, Merlin appears to have more screen time and Arthur has been put in his place. This idea is being reinforced by the use of camera angle when the antagonist has been knocked over and we are looking down on him signifying that he is weak and of lower status. However this is juxtaposed when Merlin realises his teacher has been watching by using a shot reverse shot we can see the guilt Merlin is experiencing this might be because he knows his magic shouldn’t be used in this way. The antagonist seizes this minute opportunity of weakness and hits him with a broom, the use of folly sound emphasises the power and is symbolic of the upper class winning the conflict.  On the other hand the antagonist realises that the protagonist may not be as weak as he thinks this is backed up by the use of eye line match showing that they are of equal status and piece of diegetic dialogue “I can’t quite put my finger on you,” this could be seen as respect between them both.

In the final scene it appears that it runs parallel to the scene before because there is that element of conflict. However the tone in Merlin and his teacher’s voice connotes that it is serious and they are arguing about a serious matter. Again eye line match has been used which does suggest that they are of equal status and by using close ups and over the shoulder shots we get an insight into how the protagonist and antagonist are feeling as we get to see they’re facial expressions. On the other hand though the use of diegetic dialogue “I’m just a nobody” This connotes that Merlin is of lower status however using magic is moving him up the social ladder to where he feels he should be. This scene has been shot in a dark room although Merlin’s teacher is stood by a window letting the light shine on him, this could be seen as iconic because he is trying to help Merlin. On the other hand Merlin, the protagonist is stood in a more shaded area which could connote that he is still learning the ways but just needs the help to send him the right direction highlighting the social status of them both.