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.
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