Monk

Take length is used to represent status as someone with a disability. When Monk is considering the difference between 'popping' and 'banging', it uses an extremely long and drawn out take at points with minimal cuts, whereas this contrasts the rapper where his cuts are almost immediate. This connotes that, much like the plot leads onto, everyone is dependent on him; he is the most important focus of the scene. This is subverting the stereotypical expectation that a man with a disability would be overlooked or even ignored -- would be less important.

Slow pacing is used to represent disability as well. In the same scenario where Monk is considering the two terms, cuts are very infrequent and slow, meaning a slow pace. This slow pace actually portrays Monk in a negative light; it connotes that he is inferior because while everyone else can make a quick, decisive choice, he can not process the information particularly quickly or come up with a response. This conforms to the stereotype that disabled people are less able than what are considered normal people.

Shot/reverse-shot is another technique used in representation. This technique is initialized when the rapper asks Monk his opinion. However, despite starting the conversation, following this Monk holds the majority of the discussion with the reversing shot predominantly the focus. Even though the 'normal' person was the first focus of the technique, this is juxtaposed with dominant screen time on Monk's behalf, signifying he is directly more important than the rapper. This is also subverting the stereotypical view that the normal person would be directly more important.

Diagetic dialogue is used to represent disability in a good light. When evaluating the connotations of 'popping' and 'banging', he uses the description of 'evocative', and otherwise upholds a very sophisticated manner of speaking. This contrasts the 'normal' rapper's terms and pronunciation, like the examples of 'popping' and 'banging themselves. This signifies that Monk is considerably more intelligent than his peers. This is subverting the stereotype that disabled people are less educated and inferior to 'normal' to people.

Sound bridges are another sound technique used to represent Monk. When the rapper is talking, it is only synchronous. However, Monk's use of sound is asynchronous and forms a bridge through many shots even when you can't see him. This connotes he is important and is what should be the focus even when we can't see him. This is subverting the typical representation of someone with a disability because it signifies he is more important than the 'normal' people which would usually be the reverse.

Soundtrack is also used in representation. While Monk is going through his lengthy evaluation, suddenly a song begins to play, despite there having been no music playing before the focus was on Monk. The fact that music singles his character connotes he is the most important person in the scene, deserving his own soundtrack. This subverts the typical expectation that disabled people are inferior.

Ethnicity

One way ethnicity is represented is through the use of soundtrack. While a foreign antagonist is threatening to shoot someone, a typical slow, violin-based soundtrack is playing to create an escalating amount of tension. What's unusual however, is that backing these violins are authentic, too foreign drum-beats that are extemely strange considering the British context. While we can already see the antagonist is foreign, this music is conforming to a racial stereotype by suggesting he too needs ethnic music, rather than typical music. This is especially noticeable when he fires his gun and kills Danny; suddenly chanting and extreme ethnic music takes its place.

Another use of the micro element sound to represent ethnicity is silence. Throughout ultimately the whole of the scene the protagonist, weakened on the floor, enters through a couragous speech. All the while the antagonist makes absolutely no sound, all the way up until the climax. This suggests that the character is weak and inferior to the protagonist despite being in control of situation, unable to even speak. This is conforming to the racial stereotype, that the asian terrorist is an inferior person.

Finally, one use of sound that is subverting racial stereotypes is diagetic dialogue. The male protagonist who is a hostage, Danny, is black. Despite this he speaks in an extremely thick and clear English accent, speaking very confidently and in control. The reason this is subverting the racial stereotypes because we would expect both a foreign accent as well as a less talented speaker, for example, for him to stutter.

Cinematography is also used to represent ethnicity. One example of this use is the use of close-ups. One specific close-up is when it highlights the antagonist's gun-in-hand as the protagonist is telling his speach. We can quite clearly see the antagonist's hand shaking violently, unable to keep still. This contrasts the composure of the protagonist which close-ups reveal to remain very strong. This again suggests that the stereotypical foreign antagonist is scared of the protagonist, he is weaker, and is conforming to a racial stereotype.

The director also utilises his rule of thirds in the portrayal of the characters. This is most visual when we are shown continuous close ups of both the antagonist and the protagonist. In these shots, the protagonist is shown to be only off-centre slightly and passes through both of the power points of his side, suggesting he is important. However, the antagonist is viewed being pushed off screen, with only the edge of his face visible and only then visible on the right hand side panels. This connotes that the character deserves less screen time than the protagonist, whereas the protagonist's composition connotes he is important. This is both conforming to the ethnical stereotype and subverting it. This is because the foreign antagonist as inferior, conforming, but also subverting because it shows a black male as in control.

Finally, the director uses composition and focus to portray stereotypical ethnicity. There are several shots, specifically at one minute 20 seconds, where it shows both the protagonist and antagonist at the same time. However, in these shots, while the protagonist is quite clearly seen, the antagonist standing behind him is the victim of a heavy blur. This connotes he is less important and does not need to be seen as much. This direct contrast to the protagonist is the same as the previous comment where is conforms racial stereotypes but too opposes them, showing the asian antagonist as less inferior but still showing the black male as more important.

Editing is also used to portray stereotypical ethnicity through long takes. Even when the protagonist is not talking, he clearly dominates the amount of screen time with the protagonist recieving very little screen time. This is conforming to the stereotype because the British special agent is clearly dominating the foreign terrorist.

Fast paced editing is actually used to subvert racial stereotypes in instead showing the British officers looking inferior too, however. At the end of the clip, after Danny has been shot, it shows many fastly cut shots between several white British agents who have been listening to the event from elsewhere. The shots cut from each person very quickly, each showing either tears or extreme distress. This pace connotes a sense of chaos, and a lack of control. By suggesting that the British authoritive figures have a lack of control in comparison to the terrorist is breaking the ethnic stereotype.

Fade-ins are also used to connote power. Near the end of the scene, there is a fade-in from white to the flashback of the shooting. By coming in from white from previously the shot of an agent crying, it shows this flashback is the subject of their focus. This connotes that the antagonist is actually in control. This is subverting the ethnic stereotype by revealing an Asian terrorist to be puppeteering a group of high and powerful British agents.

In terms of mise en scene, the use of costume is used in the representation of power. In this scene, the antagonist is wearing a well kept and expensive-looking suit. This connotes he is powerful and important. This is subverting the stereotypical terrorist/antagonist attire as you would probably expect them to wear something more typically associated with another country.

The production design is used in character portrayal, too. The antagonist is keeping his hostages in a very dim, rough and horrible room with little windows or light. This dreary setting suggests little resources as well as very suspicious intent. This is supporting the ethnic stereotype by suggesting the antagonist has little to select from; he is considerably worse off than the white agents who are surrounded by expensive technical equipment.

Props are used to connote wealth and importance. For instance, one protagonist at the beginning and start of the sequence is shown to be using an expensive-looking phone. As well as this, another British person, a female at the end of the clip, is using a headset and computer. This contrasts the cheap and poor phone that the antagonist is shown to be using and lack of equipment otherwise. This is conforming to the ethnic stereotypes but suggesting that these officers are significantly better off than a foreign terrorist.




As a note, it was horrible trying not to repeat "which suggests he is inferior because he is Asian" over and over, and yet I did. Or something along that line anyway.

'Oliver Twist' Trailer

Rule of thirds is used in 'Oliver Twist' to contrast the the class boundaries. An example of this is the first shot of the trailer where Oliver is placed in a minimal selection of the direction centre, where this is contrasted to a tall oppressive man of better class who not only towers over Oliver, but also goes through each of the power points. This connotes the character is important, whereas Oliver is inconsiderable.

Another use of composition that highlights the class division is the way the actors are position. In that exact same shot, all of the impoverished class excluding Oliver himself have their faces turned away from the camera, to the point you can not see them, even including the maid. This signifies that these lower class people are unimportant and nobodies, in contrast to man standing next to him.

Shot angles are also used to explore class in the Victorian era. In that same shot, a high-angle shot is used showing Oliver, the centre focus of the image, small. This symbolises how insignificant Oliver is in comparison to the man who scales the whole shot besides him; he is portrayed as tiny, forgettable.

Diagetic dialogue in the form of the actual script portrays the class of the main character, Pip. This is evident in the scene where Oliver says "Please sir, I want some more." Pip does not ask for the food, and rather just states his wants; this is representative of the lack of education and upbrining Oliver has received, where he would have not learned the correct manners and etiquette for these types of scenarios.

Accent is another use of diagetic dialogue to represent a type of class. This is strongly evident when a member of the board states "he will be hung." The male speaks in an overwhelmingly posh and upper-class accent, which contrasts the cockney accent of the Arftul Dodger. The elderly male's accent is so stereotypical and cliche, it is clearly mocking the man but is a definitive and clear representative of the class.

Non-diagetic music in the soundtrack is used to juxtapose the two classes too. This is strongly apparent in the build up to Oliver Twist asking for more food. The music, unlike the optimistic and high-noted violions through the rest of the trailer, is extremely eerie, slow and tense; this tension is symbollic of the conflict between the two classes and how steep a gradient it is.

The Shining Trailer

Romance

About Me

This video represents me because it is a collation -- mostly -- of media that I am fond of; it spans the likes of TV shows, films, music and books through both video clips as well as music, as well as pictures. This montage of media reflects my hobbies and interests: I am a heavy consumer of media products, and they are mostly how I spend my time. From this people can connote I am mostly a technological person. As well as this however, this is also a few others of my interests, for instance table football; this is as not to pigeon hole me to a minute selection of tastes.