My Part 2 question for Media AS

1. Social Representations

2. Representations
My title sequence is built around representing the working
class of Modern Britain, the representation of the
working classes that I aimed for in ‘Benefits of Crime’ is a
positive one when based around the reasoning for the
plot. The idea of a working class plotting to steal may
perpetuate a stereotype held around the working classes
which sees them as more likely to commit crimes, yet the
positivity comes through the intention to support their
family with this plot due to an injustice in Benefit
distribution from the Government.

3. Costumes
The costumes used brought forward helpful social
representations to the working classes, they portray the
normality of the characters, below is some analysis:
Jacket is fashionable
for modern Britain
yet also connotes a
roughness to the
character and the
hoody beneath shows
the need for warmth.
Hair is down which
portrays the
character as less
formal and neat
about their image,
though it isn’t an
informal look at all
I found it more
typical of the social
class.
The comment on Hoody
showing need for warmth
supports the ‘poorer’
stereotype of the working
class, suggesting they
haven’t paid heating bills
and must find alternate
sources of heat; assisting
the reasoning for the heist.

4. Mise-En-Scene
The Mise-en-scene in the House portrays the normality of this main
character, we see her in her family homes which is not in any way
special. This places the audience with some form of sympathy to her
as they can make a link to her situation and class boundary, this
then sides the audience with her and creates a positivity to her. We
see a pre-set table with all her planning equipment on i.e. Laptop,
papers, files, bag etc. Which shows the audience that she has been
engrossed in the idea of this heist for moments even before the
film starts so there becomes and air of desperation and obsession
around her and the idea. The combination of normality in the
homes with the tea and the seemingly un-special house and the
scattered notes of the planning gives the sign that she is
unprofessional in this and that hints that something will go
wrong, this concern grown with the dramatic music and build of
the sequence.

5. Mise-en-Scene 2-Cafe
The location we see least of is shown through flash-forwards to the scene I
filmed, originally as a follow up scene but was incorporated into the piece. This
scene was shot in a café which I FELT WAS VERY TYPICAL OF FILMS SUCH AS ‘Pulp
Fiction’ and ‘Reservoir Dogs’ as they both revolve around Heists and both have
opening sequences in cafes; on top of this they are both Tarentino directed
which gives my film and ode to the director in a way. I believe the Café is a good
setting for a meet up when considering the lower-class that I centre my piece
around as it has the informal feel around it but a café is usually hectic which
connotes the high stress nature of what the characters are plotting. My café
was empty which foreshadows that something is not quite right in this plot,
suggesting flaws in the film. The café I felt was a very good place to set my
second scene as the social class is well placed their and basically because its
feasible that she would be able to meet there, and get it closed so they can meet.,

6. Camera work
Shots- To give an importance to the character we see in the house and then
outside I used a follow shot as the main basis in reference to camera work
to give a sense that this character will be the one of higher importance.
The follow shots give obvious indication that this is a character that will
be ‘followed’ in the scene but also puts an importance around her, we get
the suggestion that the characters in the film will look to her for
guidance and this then creates a poor representation of the heist crew as
she is clearly not the stereotype of a criminal leader.
There are multiple pans in my opening sequence which, with deeper analysis
portray the idea that the 99% not in the higher classes are merely ‘passing
by’ not making any mark on their society in any way. This is true for most in
this class yet is of course set to be challenged by the characters who are set
to make a large statement, this then gives centralisation as the camera
follows her movement from a distance, almost as an onlooker. These pans,
together with them mid, close up, we get the idea that they are not
important or well considered until the heist; perpetuating the
governments status in this film as they refuse benefits due to a lack of
consideration for their importance.

7. Audience Position
The only point of view portrayed in my opening sequence is the
point of view of the Working Class which immidietly puts the
audience’s support on their side. From the start of the opening
sequence we see two close-ups on a cup of tea being made by the
main character, this portrays her and all she represents as just a
normal person. It doesn’t support stereotypes of working classes
being less trustworthy which is brought forth by popular opinion
and TV shows such as Channel 4’s ‘Benefit Street’, just the mere
inclusion of the tea shots make them seem more normal and make a
connection between audience and character; these shots make the
connection as it connotes a warmness to the character which in
such as violent plot as a heist, warms is welcomed,
Often films can enforce stereotypes in working-classes and this
makes audiences welcome them less, I feel my Opening sequence does
not use many stereotypes that negatively place the class status and
this gives more reason to support these characters.