Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs representations of ethnicity using the following:
· Camera shots, angles, movement and composition
· Editing
· Sound
· Mise-en-scène
The
exam allows 2 hours for this analysis. After completing the task, we
look at the examiner's report. The examiner drew particular attention to
candidates' failure to analyse editing:
'As
with the January and June 2009 series, this technical area proved to be
the most problematic for candidates and the one technical area of
analysis that was often omitted in candidates’ answers. Many
candidates ignored editing altogether and only a few of those that did
cover it were able to make meaningful links to representations by, for
example, showing how the editing created particular viewpoints which we
are encouraged to identify with or how screen time indicated
the shifting relationship between characters in the sequence, for
example through the discussion of the rule of thirds.
'Most candidates made reference to the pace of editing to reflect the frantic situation and emotions
of the immigrant characters. The use of shot reverse shot and cuts to
aid continuity were mentioned by many candidates, as was the use of
cross cutting between the two situations to enhance tension. More able
candidates demonstrated the ability to link the use of editing to the
representation of characters, such as the use of long and short takes to
represent power and the use of eye line matches to reinforce a sense of
dominance. Most candidates who addressed editing were able to address
the type of transitions used and could comment on the pace of
the editing. There was evidence on occasion where students engaged with
the rule of thirds and juxtaposition of characters in the narrative
using editing devices, which is very encouraging.
'However,
many candidates’ responses seem to be very limited in address of the
issues of editing and all too frequently it was absent from their
responses – which does not enable candidates to reach a level four on
the marking criteria for the use of examples. Weaker candidates often
omitted any discussion of editing or offered quite simplistic accounts
of how editing was used, for example in the use the shot reverse shot
sequence between characters. A common error in the terminology of
editing continues to be with the use of jump cuts.'
