In the clip shown of The Monarch of the Glen age is represented in many different ways. Different parts of the clip help the audience understand that age difference is a vital part to help explain the narrative. Camera, editing, sound and mise en scene are all techniques in which age is represented through.
Mise en scene is everything involved within a scene. Including: setting, props, costume, design, actors, body language and objects. We first see the girl in the clip as she appears in jeans and a white top, the colour white has connotations of innocence and in contrast to other characters, displays her femininity. When Amy is asked to drive the truck she reluctantly agrees and the audience can see the masculine, blue colour contrast with Amy’s young age and her innocence. We are introduced to Amy's headmaster and are immediately aware of his elder age by his facial features and also his clothes. The tweet pattern shows old-age and a red tie is worn to represent authority or maybe his wealth. It’s clear that Amy is isolated as she is surrounded be older generations who emphasise her youth. When we venture inside The Glen we can see wooden walls and antique furniture which places the building in an age of tradition. Amy's age is not stereotypically seen in places like these so she begins to look out of place. Amy's female character influences how she appears to the audience as it increases her vulnerability and weakness. When Paul confronts Amy about the situation of her running away from home he uses hand gestures to put across his disappointment not just to Amy but to the audience as well. He points his finger at Amy which implies frustration and anger towards her. She finds it hard to look him directly in the eye which demonstrates to the audience she knows that she has done wrong and that Paul is not pleased that she lied to him.
Camera and editing were used in this clip to represent age especially by the camera shots used. An establishing shot opens the scene with a view of Scottish Highlands which sets the scene for the audience and displays this rural setting for them. Close-ups are very effectively used to show age as you are only able to see the characters face so you are then therefore let into the characters thoughts and emotions are clearer. The close-up of Amy in the care shows the audience her young face and we can see her youth through the expressions she presents. A crowd shot shows all the workers working in a unity. This allows us to see how all the workers are elder than Amy and could question as to why Amy isn’t working with them. Binary opposites are shown clearly with reverse shots and highlight Levi-Strauss’ theorem of clear character opposites. An eye-line shot is used as Amy looks at the photo on her mirror and the audience is let into her feelings and are able to see that Amy is just a girl inside. As Amy leaves the room, the camera slowly zooms into the photo Amy was looking at which lets the audience see closer what Amy was looking at and also feel empathy towards her. The only movement the camera makes is when it follows the character in focus at that point by tracking. Panning is also used when we enter a new scene to introduce the audience to a new setting. It’s also used as Amy tried to start the truck and you hear her speak before you see her face. The camera then zooms in onto her face to a close-up. Transitions were mostly cut and there was no fading. The cuts were fairly quick to match the tempo of this particular show/clip.
Sounds allowed us to see how age is represented by Amy and the other younger boy both have harsh Scottish accents and opposing that, the elderly headmaster speaks in Received Pronunciation which again, highlights his age and upper class. Digetic sounds are used to create normality in the scene, the sound of birds, weather and general background noise and dialogue. In Paul and Amy’s confrontation, he speaks in a way that a parent would address their child which creates the idea that Paul looks at Amy as a child and feels emotions towards her like she was his own. Non-digetic music is played firstly outside as the workers are working; the music is country and lively. It brightens up the scene. A quick change in scene clashes with the music and a slower song is played as the woman discovers that Amy has runaway. This could demonstrate concern for Amy as she is only a child and shows the woman has sincere worry for her.
Overall age is represented very clearly due to all the above factors and a clear determination between different generations and how they appear to us. I think the most contributing factor, out of Camera, Editing, Sound and Mise en Scene is definitely mise en scene as its the visual interpretation of the clip which allows the audience to see how the different ages act and are shown.
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