This document analyzes how ethnicity is represented in a clip from the TV show Hotel Babylon. It finds that the camera angles, costumes, and non-diegetic sounds used reinforce harmful stereotypes. Shots are framed so that white men, through their suits and posture, appear to have higher status and authority over women and people of color. The sounds also quieten more when white men speak, suggesting their words carry more weight. However, some representations are more positive, such as immigrants working together in a caring community and an Asian woman shown as competent and protective of others. Overall the clip relies on stereotypes of white male power and the inferiority of other ethnic groups.

1. Hotel Babylon clip essay – How is ethnicity represented in this clip?
At the beginningof the clipfromHotel Babylon,the camerashotusedisan overthe shoulderwide
shot. The three menshownare white meninformal wear,overthe shoulderof alady.The 2 men
are at a slightlyhigherangle thanthe camera – it’snot particularlydistinctivebutitisnoticeable.
Thissuggeststhatdue to theirgender,jobstatusand ethnicitytheyare mildlysuperior.The ideaof
anglesrepresentingethnicsuperioritycontinuesasthe camerachangesto a pointof view shot.The
womanistalkingto a man of colour,and the camera isangleddowntowardhim.Thisreinforcesthe
stereotype thatwhite peopleare superiortoblackpeople inthe workplace.Thisisnegative
representationforbothethnicities.
The 3 menwear blacksuits;typical expensive office jobattire. Thisisiconographyof power,wealth
and manliness.The lady’soutfitisstereotypical of thatof a female receptionist,‘workappropriate’
yetfairlystylish.The blackman’soutfitshowshe hasa lowerrankedjob.Thisagainshowsthe
stereotypical hierarchy,withwhite menatthe top,womenandpeople of colourlowerdown.
The non-diegeticsoundisthere toaddtension,buildupsuspense.Itquietenswhenthe whitemale
firstspeaks,showinghisauthorityoverit,andothercharacters as itdoesn’tquietenasmuchfor
them.Thiscouldshowhowthingsnaturallyare a little easierwhenyouare a white male,asyou
don’tface the strugglesthatwomenorpeople of colourorimmigrantsface.The clipsuccumbsto
stereotypes,andwe asan audience fearforthe safetyof othercharacters at the hand of the white
men.Thisreinforcesstereotypesthatwhite menhave all the power,andare selfish.
The black man sitsbeside awhite man;theyhave aconversationateye level. Theyare showntobe
equal andboth worthyof each other’stime.The hotel isbeinginspectedforallowingundocumented
immigrantsworkthere soone couldassume the white male here isanimmigrant.If thatwas the
case,it wouldshowhow2 minoritiesgetalong.Thiswouldshow themtobe friendly.However,
because theyare talkingat theirleisureandnotworking,itcouldreinforce stereotypesthatblack
people andimmigrantsare lazy.Thisisnegative representationforthese people.
Shotsare editedtogetherina rushed,panickedmanner. 2of the 3 shotsusedare mediumclose ups,
usedforfacial expression,costume andbodylanguage.The shotsof these people runningandthe
speedatwhichthey’re edited show usthe distresstheyshare. The factthat evenwhenthey’re close
to beingforcedoutthe country,theywantto lookout for theirfriendtomake sure she can make
sure all otherillegal immigrantsare safe tootellsusthattheydo thinkof themselvesasa
community. Ethnicitiesthatare oftenseenas‘inferior’toCaucasiansare shownascaring, selfless
and fastthinking.Thisispositiverepresentationforethnicminorities.

2. These fastcuts change to a panningmovement,followingthe movementof awomanwhoclearly
holdsauthorityoverthe immigrants,yetworksinasecludedoffice.The panningmovementtellsus
that she isdictatingthe scene,she’sincharge and if anyone isgoingtosave the dayit will be her.
Thisis positive representationof anAsianAustralianwoman.HerAustralianroots are clearthrough
heraccented voice. Asthe pan cuts to a mediumclose up,herfearisshownto the audience.This
againshowsthat she cares forthe immigrants,andwantstoprotectas many as she can. In this
sectionof the clip,Asiansare shownas level headedandincontrol.
The camera shot of the Asianladyfroma highangle suggestsagainthatto anotherperson,she is
inferior.ASthe shotchangestothe white menwhoare huntingthe immigrantsitreinforcesthe
stereotype of AsiansbeinglowerthanCaucasians.Inthisclipthere’saclearideathat to the white
man the otherethnicitiesare lessworthy,ascameraangleslookdownonthem.