Extract: Merlin Series 1 Episode 1, written by Julian Jones, dir. James Hawes.
1 Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of class and status using the following:
• Camera shots, angles, movement and composition
• Editing
• Sound
• Mise en scène
Representation
Confident candidates were able to analyse the ways in which the extract attempted to position the audience in relation to the young knight, Arthur, and the young magician, Merlin, and how it used cross cutting to the elderly and concerned Gaius. As a result candidates were able to explore the nuances of status representation, in terms of the representations used:
Stronger responses showed a good grasp of the ambivalent nature of the representation of class in the form of Prince Arthur and the pauper/magician, Merlin. There was plenty of evidence that candidates understood the representation of class and status with a variety of interpretations, for example, with the armed conflict in the medieval market between Prince Arthur and Merlin and the ambivalent status that emerges. Where candidates often relied on the use of binary oppositions and generalised analytical assumptions, in discussion of class and status representation, they did not take this opportunity to explore a range of representations offered by the extract, for example that Merlin had the respect of Gaius/Prince Arthur, despite his lower status in the medieval hierarchy.
Camera Shot, Angle and Composition
Most candidates used the correct terminology and could describe shot composition, movement, framing, and angles in relation to each of the characters and their situations and to link these to the construction of class from Morgana to Merlin and Gaius. The best responses identified the use of over the shoulder shots when Merlin is talking to Morgana, giving her dominance and the composition of Prince Arthur being in the centre of the frame with his guards behind him to show his power. Candidates could also discuss the binary oppositions constructed with the use of shot-reverse-shots, which strengthened their analysis.
Less confident candidates confused high and low angles and were unclear on panning and tracking, and though able to describe key shots used in exemplification, they tended to lack explicit links to how these shots assisted in the construction of the representation of social class and status. These candidates would also tend to focus on just identifying the narrative flow of the extract through the naming of the shots.
Mise en scène
The majority of candidates discussed this area with confidence. Location, character appearance and body language were all handled well, with some excellent attention to detail on objects in all settings. Some analysis of colour symbolism was less successful as it tended to be based on assumptions which could not be substantiated from the sequence.
Sound
The analysis of sound is continuing to improve with candidates attempting to link music with the representation of the characters. Music was generally well recognised and analysed with better candidates linking the choral, mystical music to the 'witch' and her status, the majestic music to Arthur and Merlin's own theme. There seemed to more confident use of terminology in relation to soundtrack this session. Many candidates were proficient in analysing diegetic/non diegetic sound and recognising the synchronous/asynchronous sounds, the importance of the ambient sounds and soundbridges in relation to how meaning is constructed.
Most candidates identified and analysed the jovial nature of the music during the fight to link with status – some analysing it as mocking Arthur, others as mocking Merlin. Candidates made frequent reference to the dialogue in the extract, especially the conversation between Arthur and Merlin, for example Merlin's use of the terms 'prat' and ‘ass’ and the sarcastic 'my lord' were particularly commented on showing that Merlin has lower status but does not comply with it. Many candidates also commented on Merlin's final speech as an example of his understanding of his low status. Some candidates commented on the sound of Morgana’s footsteps as a presence and the accompanying music, which added to her sense of superiority, as well as the tone of her voice.
Editing
Candidates often engaged well with the nuances of editing and the ways in which the use of long and short takes represented power and how eye line matches were used to reinforce a sense of dominance. Slow motion was identified as linking to status, either showing the power of Arthur through his skill or the uncaring nature of his class in destroying the villagers’ livelihoods.
Shot-reverse-shots were also linked very well to class/status. Many candidates referred to the use of this during the conversations between Merlin and Morgana and made references to eye- line matches to show equality between the characters. As in previous series, this technical area proved to be the most challenging for candidates and the one technical area of analysis that was often omitted in responses.
