Class and Status Clip Analysis

By: Nathan on 11:26

The first shot we see is a mid shot of the main character, this allows the audience to make a first impression of him. It allows the audience to see his clothes (scruffy, pyjama type clothes) which is stereotypically middle to lower class, the audience then see the character more closely. Here we can see he has oily hair, which suggests that he doesn't wash very often. This is a trait of some lower class people.

The next shot is an over the shoulder shot which enables the audience to see the other characters in the clip, this allows them to build an idea of them (in this case lower class individuals). It also allows the audience to see them through his (the main character) point of view. In this scenario their body language and facial expressions in response to what he is saying, gives the effect that they are disgusted. Another observation for mise-en-scene is that there are lots of empty alcoholic drink bottles and cans and other such items scattered around the windows and part of the house as a whole, this gives us the idea that the character is an alcoholic type person. This is backed up later on when his voice is typical of a stereotypical alcoholic.

On further analysis of this scene the audience can gather that their home is low quality, this view is gathered by the fact that the walls are un-painted and thus you are able to directly see the breeze blocks. This could represent the fact that they have not been able to decorate, this could be due to lack of funds, if so then this would back up the idea that these are lower class people. If you put this together we can see that the producers have used the stereotype that lower class people are heavy drinkers, careless and can't afford comforts in their homes that their more wealthy counterparts may have.

A close up shot is used on the main character as his mood changes; it zooms in and slightly back out various times sharply as if to represent a sudden change in the atmosphere as he becomes aggravated by the other character. This gives off the idea that lower class people are easily wound up, and that they can snap quickly when aggravated.

The sound in the background at this point is very different to the overall atmosphere of the scene; it sounds oriental which could be seen as relaxing and this can be seen by the audience as a contrast to previous parts of the scenes. It could also represent that the main character is intoxicated and thus why there is some calming and relaxing music. 

There is a lot of profanities used throughout this first scene by most characters which is stereotypical of lower class people as it is widely regarded that they have a lack of good education and haven't learnt formal and proper ways of speaking.

The editing for the clip is mainly down to the use of a bright filter that gives the scene a wintery cold feel, when they go outside this is carried on. Only we can see that the location is a council house, a place where lower class individuals stereotypically live

At the end of the video we see that the atmosphere between the family has picked up and is now quite a happy effect, there is some more upbeat music which helps to portray this effect. The main character is then embarrassed by the fact that the caravan only sold for very little. This is soon overcome by the family as they laugh it off, this is stereotypical of lower class families as they need to be able to overcome problems more easily as they face them more often.

Near to the end of the clip we see a young girl with a baby, this could be to represent that lower class people can sometimes make bad choices and end up paying the consequences.

Finally we see an establishing shot of the area, this reenforces what I said earlier about the council estate.