Textual Analysis - Downton Abbey
This dance scene in Downton Abbey between Matthew and Mary represents how things were at the time it was set in. The opening shot is an extreme close up on the record player, the significance of this is the needle being put on the record so we know the music is diegetic. A mid shot is used on one of the main characters, Mary, in the next shot. The lighting is dim and slightly low-key so we know this event is set at night. The clothing choice for this character is important also because she is wearing all black. Not only does this go with her hair colour but it portrays the significance of the event and how formal the dress sense is. The rule of thirds law is used in this tracking mid shot as Mary slowly walks into the room, suggesting there is something she is walking into; something the audience is about to see.
The mise-en-scene in the next long shot of Matthew is important because it gives us a good idea of what time this programme is set in. For example, the extravagant decor such as the well-crafted tables and candles give us a good idea of the class that these people are; middle to upper class. The high angle gives us a point of view shot from Mary's perspective, thus making the audience feel involved. Very little sound is used, diegetic nor non-diegetic, aside from the music and dialogue to demonstrate the significance of the music and the subtle, calm tone it creates. The next tracking mid shot of Mary walking down the stairs is an over-the-shoulder shot. This gives the audience an idea of the pace of the scene. The camera cuts are straight but not so often to express how slow paced the scene is. The stairs are littered in flowers and garlands which could tell us that the scene is seasonal; perhaps near christmas time. The dim lighting along with the frequent use of the colours red and green portray this idea also.
The long shot that follows this includes the full bodies of the characters, setting the audience aside from the characters in the scene. The point of view of the audience is like they are looking in on the scene, observing. The grand doors on the far side of the room also demonstrate the wealth of the people that own this house. A mid two shot is used to tell the audience that the two characters are talking to each other, conversing. This is a neutral shot to demonstrate how formal this occasion is.
A long cut close up shot is used when the couple are dancing. This tells us how significant the conversation is and stresses the words they are saying. The shot is a tracking shot and the only things in focus in the frame are the couple, telling us that we should listen to what they're saying. There are no body language details as they are not important at this point. The 360ยบ rotation of the shot allows us to see the decor of the room they are in. This is significant because the mise-en-scene allows us to tell what class the people are and how wealthy they are. Props such as a grandfather clock and golden candle holders with lit candles in tell us that they are wealthy as these would have been expensive in the time that this programme is set. After this continuous long cut a long shot is used to establish how alone the characters are in the room. This is important because of the story line. The scale of the room they are in is also established which can also tell us the wealth of the family. The producers are stressing this wealth as these people would be the 1% of their time with this much wealth.
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