Case Study 2

Case Study ‘Spooks’

 

Ethnicity is portrayed in ‘Spooks’ through the use of many techniques. These include camera edit, camera angles, sound and mise en scene. Firstly camera angles have portrayed the two characters (Ahmed and Khatira) as evil, heartless beings. This has been done by the camera not showing full view of Ahmed and Khatira. The camera constantly shows the side of Ahmed’s face only showing from his eye down. Also glimpses of Khatira’s face can be seen as she is wearing a head scarf that hides the majority of her face, which she can be stereotyped as a terrorist. The effect of this is that is makes the audience fear the characters as they are portrayed as evil due to past events such as the 9/11 bombings. 

In contrast, there are the long and medium shots followed up by some close up shots of Adam and Fiona, two white characters living normally within their house. As they can be fully seen to the audience, they are portrayed as being less menacing and living more of a normal life compared to Ahmed and Khatira; the effect of this is that it shows that the two Asian darker skinned characters are foreshadowing something and could also demonstrate the balance of power. There are also over the shoulder shots of Ahmed and Khatira; the effect of this is that it shows that the two characters have power and again empathises the idea of foreshadowing something evil. Lastly, when Adam and Fiona are leaving their house, the use of the zoom camera effect from the jeeps wing mirror shows to the audience that they are being watched. This correlates with the theme of ethnicity that is portrayed within the programme because it shows that the white couple Adam and Fiona are perceived to be innocent and happy whereas the Arab/Asian couple Ahmed and Khatira perceived to be evil, heartless and miserable.

Camera edit portrays ethnicity in the extract in many ways. Firstly there is a normal pace on Adam and Fiona. The effect of this is that it shows they are having a normal life; however there is a slow motion effect on the little girl skipping. The effect of this is that it shows that the child is innocent and vulnerable moreover, being watched. There are countless slow motion effects that take place while the white family is in their house having a normal life, tis shows that they are vulnerable and are not aware of the danger ahead of them. Also there is a fast motion zoom effect as scenes switch from Adam and Fiona to Ahmed and Khatira. The effect of this is that its showing to the audience the comparison between the two completely different lifestyles of the two different races.

Sounds are used in the extract to portray ethnicity in many ways. Firstly in scenes on Adam and Fiona, there is happy and loving music playing on the radio whereas in the scenes of Ahmed and Khatira there is no music playing at all which would demonstrates that they are a miserable couple. Furthermore, slow music is played while Adam and Fiona are being watched. The effect of this is that it shows that Ahmed and Khatira are planning something sinister.

Mise en scene portrays ethnicity in many ways. For example Adam and Fiona drive a small common car (Volkswagen Golf) whereas Ahmed and Khatira are driving a huge aggressive looking jeep (Porsche Cayenne). The effect of this is that it portrays the contrast between the two different types of people following their interests and characteristics (Adam and Fiona, cute normal and happy – Ahmed and Khatira, powerful, aggressive and dark). Also in the scenes of when Ahmed and Khatira are in the car the lighting is dark whereas in the scenes of Adam and Fiona the lighting is very crisp, light and clear. The effect of this could reflect the two pairs of character personality and their roles. Ahmed and Khatira seen as dark and evil, Adam and Fiona seen as the hero’s; Followed by the innocence and purity of their child.