AS Media Mock Exam - Key Media Concepts (TV Drama)

The division of people into sets based on perceived economic or social status is the definition of class. The extract depicts the inner workings of the Downton Abby mansion in the midst of a sudden crisis that has emerged. It highlights the differences in class and status of the different characters, due to the fact that mise-en-scene, camera angles, sound and editing differentiate the working class from the upper class.

Firstly, during the establishing shot, camera, mise en scene and sound have been used in order to portray the theme of wealth. For example, the scene begins with a wide angle panning shot. These types of shots are used to give the audience details about the context of the scene in order to figure out what is going on. The scene also cuts away to a wide high angle shot with the woman of the manor at the peak of the high angle as a visual representation to the audience as to the class difference between the denoted boy on a bicycle delivering a telegram and the woman of the manor. Through the use of mise en scene, this shot denotes a large manor with impressive architecture, intricately detailed décor and huge gardens at the front. Moreover, this scene is very well lit with a mixture of natural light, which reflects off of the manor to add to the decadence of the building, and artificial light, hanging from impressive, crystal chandeliers. Additionally, the non-diegetic sound of background music is very elegant and calm sounding, whilst also containing a sense of foreboding due to the mixture of major and minor chords within the piece. Together, these three factors tell the audience that the inhabitants of this manor are wealthy people. The audience are instantly able to infer that the people living in the mansion are wealthy. This is an accurate representation of the upper class bourgeoisie due to the fact that people who have had money passed down through the generations have been known to love in lush, brilliant, detailed manors or castles as a symbol of their wealth and status. It conforms well with the typical genre conventions associated with an upper class soap program due to the fact that the scenery in conjunction with the camera shots and the music ultimately demonstrate how the upper class live. This majorly differs from the proceeding scene whereby the back of the house is shown when the delivery boy gives the newspaper. There are three people in this scene as opposed to just one person at the front of the manor. The magnificent building previously shown has now been replaced with a dark, dismal alleyway with prominently grey coloured surroundings to reflect the bleak, bland atmosphere typically associated with the working class.

Contrastingly, there is a major difference executed between the classes through the use of editing, camera, sound and mise en scene. Editing and camera have been utilised to depict the lower class due to the quick cuts between medium shot, to panning medium shot, to panning two shots. The slow, peacefulness of the previous scene of the woman of the manor looking down at the delivery boy has drastically changed now due to the hustle and bustle created within the scene contrast the fact that the working class are constantly moving about and rushing, whilst the upper class are just relaxed and at ease. Additionally, the lack of eye line match between the scenes emphasises the pace at which the workers are working at. Moreover, the diegetic sound of cutlery, cooking equipment and dialogue being said at a rapid pace is coupled with the diegetic sound from the ringing of the bells, rung from the upper class people that live in the mansion. Interestingly, the typical associations with a manor inhabiting both working and upper class are apparent due to the diegetic dialogue of “No rest for the wicked” (as said by one of the maids) infers that frequent gossip is exchanged about the upper class. This depicts the working class as people who are jealous of the upper class which is an accurate representation of how people in general as well as the working class react to people having the money to do as they please. Furthermore, the monotonous nature of the colour of the clothing of everyone in the room is a mixture of black, white and grey. These are very simple colours and shades and have been shown as part of a dress or head scarf in one solid block of colour. This massively contrasts with the intricately designed night ware shown on the woman of the manor in the preceding scene. The low-key lighting within this scene gives an almost sombre feeling. It also contributes to the stereotype associated with the working class which is that they will forever be working and, just like the lighting around them, haven’t got a bright future. This can also be inferred through the sound of their voice. The regal, received pronunciation in which the upper class speak in is completely contrasted with the accent of the working class being that of origin from the north of London. These combined factors present the audience with the impression that the upper and the working classes are stark opposite. The status that is being portrayed here is that of a very low one, which is an accurate representation of the typical working conditions of the working class when working as maids and servants for the upper class. This scene illustrates clear similarities to the ways in which the lower or working classes were depicted during this period drama’s time frame.

To conclude, director Brian Percival implemented many different shots, sounds, sceneries and editing techniques in order to convey a simple message. The upper and working class of Downton Abbey are very different in terms of how they dress, live, talk and what surrounds their everyday lives.