The document analyzes representations of disability in the TV show "A Touch of Frost" through its use of mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound, and editing. Key aspects highlighted include how lighting, costumes, shots, sound of speech, and editing are used to portray the disabled character Billy as vulnerable, dependent on others, secretive, and "different" compared to other characters like Detective Frost in ways that link to various theories about media representations of disability.

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C6thBrPD6g

2.  Miss-en-scene such as locations used in A
Touch Of Frost were the forest at the
beginning where Billy was taken from the
police and Billy's house where the
interrogation occurred. The forest had a dim
lighting which created a mysterious
atmosphere for when Billy was walking
through the woods, however the lighting
dimmed a little more when the police were
approaching him, which portrays the
stereotypical way of showing the disabled in
the media due to Billy having that spotlight for
that little while.
 This connotes that the forest is where Billy has
freedom and feels independent. However
using Paul Hunt’s (1991) theory, this shows
that Billy is his own worst enemy due to him
falling over and cutting his face (makeup blood
is another use of the mise-en-scene, the red
connotes danger and anger). Also, the slow
movement of Billy shows a representation of
the disabled due to having a delay and
restriction in actions.

3.  In addition back at Billy's house, the
lighting on Billy was very dim
compared to Mr.Frost himself. This
links to Paul Hunt’s (1991) theory as
Billy is representing the disabled as a
sinister due to him keeping secrets
from Mr.Frost. It also links to
Shakespeare’s theory of how the
disabled are not shown as important
as people without disabilities due to
their restriction on certain actions,
therefore people pity them
 In contrast, the costumes which the
characters wear are stereotypical. For
example, Mr.Frost (detective) wears a
long brown jacket, similar to the
detective Sherlock Holmes. On the
other hand, Billy is just wearing basic
casual clothing which is very dark,
which connotes dull and emptiness as
he feels restricted with his freedom
due to his disability.

4.  In the series A Touch Of Frost, it uses aspects of
representations of the disabled throughout the episode by
using cinematography (camera angles) such as a two
person mid-shot of the disabled boy, Billy, with his father
standing behind him which signifies that the father is
protective with Billy as he is dependant on others due to
him having a restriction from doing certain actions
independently, such as having a conversation due to
speaking difficulties. This links to Paul Hunt’s
(1991) theory of the representations of the disabled, in this
case Billy is representing the sinister of evil as he is being
secretive.
 Also, a two person high angle shot was used when looking
down on the detective (Mr.Frost) and the father
communicating, which makes them look vulnerable as
they're bowing their heads a little to try to make the
convocation more private to themselves. Furthermore, a
high angle shot was used on Billy when he was in the
woods being taken down by the police, which signifies his
vulnerability due to him looking petrified whilst all the
characters and the audience are looking down on him.
 The high angle shot was used again when the detective
walks into Billy's home and introduced to him, which
makes Billy feel threatened in his own home. This links to
Paul Hunt’s (1991) theory of the representation of youth
due to Billy being vulnerable and a burden due to him not
being able to look after himself properly as shown by the
cuts on his face.

5.  In addition, a medium shot was used in the living
room with all the characters in the shot (which
also included the 180 degree angle), which
relaxed the atmosphere as the camera wasn't
focusing on one specific character. Another was
used on Mr.Frost when he spoke, which signifies
that he has more power and control due to him
being able to show his body language and
interrogate Billy easier.
 However, Billy didn't have a medium shot, which
restricts him showing his body language and
showing how he really feels therefore, a close up
shot was used on Billy's face more than the other
characters due to the media mainly focusing on
his facial disfigurement, which links to the
representation of the disabled due to them looking
“different” from other people and how they're
treated differently from others due to their
restrictions. This close up shot was used when
Billy was repeating “I didn't see her”, which
indicates his guilt as he is not being honest.

6.  Furthermore, the diegetic sounds used in A Touch Of
Frost are: Billy's voice which is slurred and slow, which
links to Shakespeare's theory of how the audience feel
pity for the disabled due to them having a struggle in
everyday life, which makes the audience sympathise
with them and make them feel guilty. This links to the
speech of Mr.Frost towards Billy which was very
patronising like a adult would to a child. However in
general, he is very fluent and clear in his speech,
which indicates that he is in a high class and has had
full-time education. This shows that the disabled are
treated differently from others as they're seen as
‘different’.
 Also a lot of repetition was used. For example Mr.Frost
had to repeat his questions a lot to Billy as he wasn't
giving any answers. Again, this links to Paul Hunt’s
(1991) theory of the representation of the disabled, in
this case Billy is representing the sinister and own
worst enemy due to him being secretive.
 In contrast, before Mr.Frost interrogates Billy, he talks
to the father and says “I need someone with me when I
talk to him”, then the mother interferes and asks
“would it be better if I cleaned him up?”. This links to
Paul Hunt’s (1991) theory of the representations of the
disabled, in this case the burden due to Billy not being
able to clean himself. Also, it comes across as
disrespectful due to the mother making it come across
as Billy being filthy.

7.  The editing used were: shot
reverse shot when Mr.Frost was
interrogating Billy however, the
camera was on Mr.Frost more
than Billy, which indicates that
Billy is not seen as important as
Mr.Frost is the main character of
the series. Also, this indicates that
the media show the disabled as
“different” to others due to their
restrictions.
 Also, a blackout was used after
Billy got caught by the police at
the beginning of the episode,
which creates a tense atmosphere
as the audience then wonder what
will happen next (Barthes action
code).
 The next scene fades in, which
creates a relaxing atmosphere to
the audience.