Social powerpoint

Social Representations

RepresentationsMy 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.

CostumesThe 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.

Mise-En-SceneThe 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.

Mise-en-Scene 2-CafeThe 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.,

Camera workShots- 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.

Audience PositionThe 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.