'The Fear' essay

Discuss the ways in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound, mise-en-scene to construct the representation of social class.

Mise-en-scene is used to represent social class, as the props used in the scene show that the scene is set in a wealthy upper class place, and we can see this through the use of modern computers and decor (art, fancy chairs). You normally don't find pieces of art found around in places of which are lower class. The computer could be used to both show upper and lower class, as even though it is setting the scene to be upper class, it could also be used to hint at Ritchie's lower class identity as when he looses his temper with the receptionist, he looks like he is about to cause damage to the computer keyboard before his old friend walks in, implying that maybe he isn't aware of the prices of upper class items and doesn't treat them with as much respect as people who know the value of them would. The styling of the characters in the scene also portray differences in social, as the receptionist is made to look professional and classy, same with the doctor but Ritchie is made to look scruffy and as if he doesn't take much pride in his appearance  which could be relating to both what kind of personality he has, but the job he has and the social class he fits into.

Another way in which social class is represented in this clip is through the use of camera shots, angles and movements. One of the shot that is used a lot in this scene is a wide shot, which allows the viewer to see more of the setting and begin to make judgement of the area where the scene is taking place is. For this instance, in the wide shot the viewer sees a rather spotless room looks clean, with a lot of fancy furniture and technological equipment such as computers and electronic equipment which automatically shows the viewer that the setting is both extremely professional and trusted but also quite wealthy looking aswell. This is suggesting to the viewer that as the doctor owns this office, he is being portrayed as upper class, whilst Ritchie who has come to see him and already started causing mayhem is the lower class character.

There isn't much editing used in this clip, but there is some camera cutting to show more of the upper class 'posh' surroundings. This is used for the viewer to recognize the differences between social classes.

Sound is also a major element used to represent social classes in this clip, as non diegetic sound is used to show that the receptionist is higher class than Ritchie. We can see this through the tone and manner in which the receptionist speaks, compared to Ritchie who has a Scottish accent which is often seen as lower class, sometimes seen as 'uneducated' and 'rough', and he also speaks in an aggressive tone which shows he might be short tempered which is seen as a lower class trait.

In conclusion, I think that camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-scene contribute into the representation of classes, but I think that mise-en-scene and sound contributed the most into creating upper class and lower class images for the characters in the scene.