Hotel Babylon

In this clip, the white people seem to be predominantly more powerful than those of other backgrounds. In the beginning, the first three characters we see are white men from professional backgrounds. When the first man is by himself, there is no non-digenic music until the two policemen are shown. This suggests that immigrants are usually worry free until immigration services come into the picture, showing how cruel white people can be. The receptionist at the beginning is also of higher power than the black man she ordered. This all suggests that those of other races are of a lower social status in this workplace.
While the immigration officer is speaking to the receptionist, there is use of an over-the-shoulder shot. This suggests equality between them as they are both of the same race. This is used often, when white people are speaking to each other in this clip, their eyelines usually meet, showing they are both equal. However, when the woman gives an order to Ben, he is sitting down, showing a high angle shot of him. This reinforces the idea that other races have no power in this environment.
When the man rushes down to inform Jackie of the immigration officers, the non-digenic music implies a hectic situation. This is also suggested by the handheld camera (shaky) as this implies confusion and fast pace. The music is also changed from the previous scene where the receptionist is speaking to the immigration officer, reinforcing the idea that the staff have to react quickly when the immigration service arrives.
It is significant that the man named Ben (who is told to "deliver forms" to another compartment of the hotel) is the only African American in the reception area, and he does not seem quite as calm as the receptionist, stuttering when asked to deliver forms. This suggests that other races feel out of place in comparison to white people. It is also worth noting that he goes instead of any of the white people in the room, which gives the idea that he is on the side of the immigrants despite his presence in the reception area with no other immigrants. This suggests he is seen as an immigrant just because of his race. This shows how unfair some of the other races are treated in the world. Rarely do we see any other race than caucasian in a position of power in this clip.
As Ben rushes down the corridor to find Jackie, there is a long take of him running. This suggests that this is routine and the hotel often comes under investigation. There are many short takes when Jackie runs around trying to round up the immigrant workers, which gives the narrative more pace as well as reinforcing the confusion and hecticness of the situation.
As Jackie is in the kitchen she speaks several different languages to communicate with the immigrants. This suggests that those of other races are more open and accepting of other cultures. All of these different languages are only spoken by those of non-caucasian race, and the only language that the white people speak is English. This suggests that white people are less tolerant of other cultures and are elitist in attitude compared to the others.
The use of parallel editing while they are in the room to when Ibrahim is cleaning outside is significant. This shows that they are all in the same danger, even though Ibrahim's is going to come sooner. It is also significant that Jackie locks herself in with the immigrants to support them through the difficult situation when she had the option of leaving them to fend for themselves, since she is in no danger from the immigration offices. This suggests that there is more closeness between other races which is caused by the overwhelming danger of immigration officers, they must join together to keep themselves safe. It could also be that she sympathises with them more than other white members of staff as she is of Asian descent. It is also worth noting that while she has locked herself in with the immigrants, other white members of staff are outside of the room. This may suggest that she is isolated from other white members of staff.
When they are locked in the room, a diabetic woman faints, showing a high angle shot. This suggests those of other ethnicities are weak and vulnerable when faced with the danger of Immigration officers. This is all contributing to the idea that white people are asserting their dominance over other races unfairly, and it is difficult for members of those races to retaliate.
It is worth noting the lighting in the room where they are locked as opposed to the hallway where Ibrahim is cleaning. The hallway is well lit, as Ibrahim believes there is no danger and everything is fine. Where it is darker in the area where they are all hiding as they all know there is an investigation. This shows that those who pay no attention to the immigration service are much happier, until they are caught. Where those who are knowledgeable about the trouble they're in lead much darker lives.
After the woman faints, a black man shows medical knowledge to try and help her wake up. This suggests that Black men can often be more educated than white men but are still forced to take a lower quality of work simply because of their race. This is an example of how unfair white employers can be.
When Ibrahim is seen by the Immigration officers, he tries to run and falls, and there is a low angle shot as he is being dragged away. This suggests the men are forceful and in a position of power over the immigrants, even dominating their lives. The use of parallel editing as this happens alongside the diabetic woman being treated is significant, as well as the fact the non-digenic music reaches it's peak as Ibrahim is caught, then lowers in volume once the woman has recovered. This shows that while some can be safe from the immigration service, they are quick to forget those that are not so lucky.
In conclusion I think that this clip is an excellent example of white extremism in the world. They take advantage of their social backgrounds to dominate and instill fear in members of other races. They cause constant fear and strife for the people that must run from them. However, is it worth it? The white people seem to live amongst themselves, but those of other races are open to each others cultures, especially in this clip, where different languages are spoken among them, and they are all united against one threat. We can even speculate that the white race may turn towards aggressive and domineering behaviour because they simply don't blend in among other cultures.

ER Essay

In this essay i will talk about the representational issues about age in the show ER, through mis en scene, sound, editing and camera.

The white lab coats connotate purity, innocence and peace illustrating that the doctors are miracle workers and have only good intentions; to heal and save people’s lives. The white lab coat also informs the audience that the doctors have a high and important profession; this leads to the audience taking the doctors in white lab coats seriously as they watch on.

The first child the audience sees in the clip is playing Sudoku; this highlights the intelligence and maturity of this young child as he’s playing an intellectual game. The game allows the audience to see into how the child is like; grown up for his age and smarter than his looks/ age bring forth; he’s mature for his age as children are stereotyped to be slightly dumb and just like to play with toys that aren’t intellectual.

The first child has stage make-up on to show how ill/weak he is, lighter make-up is used to make the effect of a white face which connotates the child is unwell. Dark bags underneath his eyes illustrate that the child is sleep deprived most likely because of his illness. His cracked, dry white lips convey that the child might have not eaten in a while or had the energy to do so, this also illustrates that he’s dying as he’s losing colour from his face; not getting sufficient nutrition and his body is giving up on him. All in all this creates sympathy for the boy as the audience feel obligated to sympathise for him.

The male doctor with the child has a sympathetic look on his face, which furthers the sympathy the audience has for the child as they realise that if even the doctor is sympathising for the child there might be little hope that he might get better. 

The props used all display the location of scene and profession, such as: the medical costumes, medical lighting, medical furniture, and not forgetting the equipment that’s used to hear heart beats that’s wrapped around the doctor’s necks. This reminds the audience about where the scene is set and the accents of the actors tells them that it’s set in America.

There are any people walking in different directions with props e.g. Medical equipment, connotating that it’s a busy day in the hospital and there are many patients who need looking after; there’s a lot of people in need of attention. A busy atmosphere displays a realistic image of the hospital setting and signifies that the staff are hard working,

Doctor’s are positioned standing over their patients to signify their inferior position over them, as the doctors are the people the civilians are trusting with their medical care. The doctor’s facial expressions express their frustrations of having a number of irresponsible patients; this goes against stereotypes, as parents are supposed to be grown up enough to be responsible for their children but in matter of fact they’re being ignorant like children and letting their kids come in harms way. Tired facial expression again demonstrates that they are hard working \ serious expressions demonstrate their determination to save patient’s lives.

The woman Doctor wearing a white doctor’s coat contrast from her male partner who wears a nurse’s uniform signifying that she’s the more inferior person in their relationship.

Maturity of the young boy’s dialogue contrasts with the young boy in the reception who got bitten by a gerbil. The boy in the reception goes with the stereotype of children being clueless and reckless where as the sick boy in the hospital bed is more independent and did research on his illness showing maturity which is unusual for a boy his age. During the clip the ill boy response “he’s okay I will tell her tonight” Shows his maturity and independence.

Old womsn in waiting room states in the dialogue of the conversation between herself and the doctor “I am here for her” Highlights she’s seen as waist of space. This goes with the idea that older people in the way of things as they always have to be looked after and taken care of; like children and babies. Older Doctor uses medical terminology – Woman says she does not understand what he meant, goes with the stereotype that older people are wiser and more knowledgeable. As the drunk is on the operating table, consistent beeping is heard connoting age can be a burden to society.

Woman doctor’s voice is more sympathetic with children and sterner with older people, this is because older people are meant to be capable of looking after themselves where as children more or less have to be baby coddled. A baby can be heard crying in the distance; the mother is possibly not looking after her child and needs to pay more attention to the baby, shows again that older people need to look after children but it’s difficult to do so when the parents are as incapable to look after themselves as they are to look after their offspring.

“Would you like me to be there?”  Older male is seen as a kind of parental figure.

Fade at start of clip. Continuity editing treats the child and the doctor equally at the start of the scene. Cross cutting to child being childish contrasts to child genius. Short reverse short  of the conversation between an intelligent boy and the boy doctor; they have a close relationship or a close relationship is about to form. Cut from waiting room to surgery room a difference between older people being more capable to succeed and older people that act younger than their age and are incapable of taking care of themselves. Short reverse shot between doctor and child illustrates that they are equals. Cut to young people and emphasises on younger arguments suggesting arguments are less important in comparison to other story lines. Long take arrow creates impression of busy place (hospital).