Exam question ethnicity

Clip: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00vd137





Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of ethnicity using the followers:




Camerawork is the area that I am focusing on when analysing the extract taking from the TV drama "Line of duty". This Drama is shown on the BBC.




The first scene in this extract is partaken in the office where it shows the lead character looking upon a screen in utter disbelief. An extreme close up is used in this scene. This creates the image of his disbelief showing his opened mouth which may suggest that he is completely lost for words. Also the way he looks upon the computer screen with pure astonishment. This shot is used by the director to make the audience on edge as they firstly do not understand why the character is so in awe at his screen. This extreme close up and throughout the office scene the camera is angled downwards. This is used to make the character look weaker in the scene to the audience. This is because it allows the audience to look down upon a certain character and feel above him. This may make suggestions that the black character is weaker within comparison to the white woman. This because whenever the white character is shown to the audience it is always at an eye level shot meaning that she is also confused and relatively neutral in the situation but still has more power than the black character. The fast paced slight zoom when looking at the computer screen is used by the director in order to build up the tension to the audience. And also to highlight a key part of information to give the audience knowledge on the topic and situation. A handled camera is used and is relatively shaky. This is used in order to reflect the black characters mental well being as he has suddenly become on edge and very erratic. During the conversation many different lengths and angle shots are used. This is used by the director to again create a greater tension and make the audience feel like something big is about to happen. A  long shot over the females shoulder is used to highlight the black character is walking away from her without fully answering her questions prior to their interaction. This may suggest that the black male character is superior to her in his field of work and he can treat her as she is beneath him, disregarding her opinions and leaving her questions unanswered. This is a countertype of the ethnicity. Consistently through the office scene the camera, which is handheld, follows the movements of the black character. This suggests that he is in control of the scene and may be the most important aspect when in relation to the narrative. They do this through crabbing left to right. This is also used to show fluency by the director throughout the scene.




The scene moves into the house. This is where the extract climax's to the audience as they're is a confrontation. The scene starts with a long establishing shot which highlights the woman lavish lifestyle. It also does this by using a shallow focus which focus's on the car and the background as the black character walks past. The director has done this to make the audience notice the anger within the black male character. A handheld camera is used throughout this scene yet again to create fluency within the extract and also to ramp up the tension and intensity. During the confrontation between the white woman and black male close ups are used to show the characters emotions as the narrative continues. Also the women is seen to keep trying to get too close to the male character suggesting a sexual relationship may have already or is in the process of forming between the characters. This matches the stereotype that all white woman are sexual deviants and will sell themselves to get what they want. This is backed up when he says to her "No you loved his money!".  Every time the black character looses his temper and his voice increases in volume the camera zooms in slightly further, this again to reflect the characters mental wellbeing. Eye level shots are used throughout to show that both characters are on par with each other when fighting to gain control of the scene. An extreme close up is used as the black male character pause's in his speech. The director has done this in order to show the character is thinking and he does this by highlighting his expressions. This in partner with eh pause in sound increases tension massively in the scene and keeps the audience on edge as they do not know what to expect from the character. This also puts the black character in power of the scene. The scene ends as it started again using a shallow focus to highlight the violent shutting of the door. This goes with the stereotype that black people have a short temper and prey on white women. This again to show the audience the tension in the scene and the mental state of the male character as he is the one in control of the scene.






Finally the last scene is taken place in the car. This scene is less intense when in comparison to the last and is relatively equal to the first scene. This again to show fluency in the extract. The scene begins with both characters in the car driving fast on the motorway as a medium shot shows this out of the window. And also focusing the camera on the black character who is shown to be driving, again in control. This may suggest that he is on edge about his decision to arrest the other character. A canted angle is used throughout the extract, this to look up at the black male and down at the white female. This is used by the director to suggest his morale correctness in his decisions. The shaky camera again reflecting on is uneasy mental state. It zooms finally at the end this time to highlight his emotion and his speech as he is saying "Don't talk about my kids" as if the woman as weakened him and made him feel weak, also maybe he sees mentioning them as taboo. Consistently throughout this scene the director has used the camera work to show the character looking away from the woman as if he is trying to forget about what he has done and maybe he feels a certain level of guilt and uneasiness. This goes against the stereotype that all black people are thuggish and feel no remorse when making mistakes.