In our scene you see the criminals being forced to lie down on the floor as many policemen surround them with guns from rooftops etc. This links to the thoughts of Britain being a strong army force.
When the criminals are on the florr you see a panning shot of many members of the british public all crowded together in a sort of group which we feel represents the feeling of community in Britain which maybe linked to the fact they are feeling quite a strong sense of group identity after fighting for the same things in the war which was before this was made.
Also, the British are seen as stereotypical quite humorous and this is quite strongly represented in the main character, Terry. In the scene he makes jokes depite being through quite a hostile situation. he says to stretch, the main criminal, "its a good job you didnt fancy a quick get away, they got guys out there ready for some target practice", or something similar.
Another point, this time linking to race, is that during the panning shot you can see that none of the crowd are of any ethnicity other than white. this is also true of the policemen and, in fact, any other character other than the criminals. This may represent the views of the time which may have still had some hints of racism towards minority groups. this could also be backed up with the way the criminals are made out to be less intelligent.
In addition, the criminals are the only characters who are dressed less smartly. Throughout the drama you can see that the majority of characters are dressed in either suits or smart clothing. this both shows that british are represented as being quite smart and also that the black people are seem as lower class.
In the scene you also see that Terry is welcomed back to safety by the women who works in the strip club. the idea of the strip club shows that women are heavily linked to sexuality during the time.
You can also see during the scene that is set in a quite urban, industrial area which shows that
Thursday, 29 April 2010
13q1: Media and collective ID
How is Britain represented in Minder?
Minder, set in the late 70's - early 80's is represented very stereotypically of Britain in that era. Through use of micro elements, story and charectors, the set of Minder has a very community feel to it e.g everyone knowing each others names.
The theme tune of Minder, 'I could be so good for you' is very illustrative of the music era in the late 70's. Not only does this non-diegetic sound represent britishness, diegetic sound such as cockney dialect is included to make the setting more believable to an audience. Nicknames such as 'young Terry' show the main charectors high-regard for himself and how he thinks he id of higher class to many other charectors. This diminutive shows a very belittling impression of Terry, whilst showing how the main charactor thinks he is superior.
The locations futhur represent Britain as a very industrial place, having a sense good of community e.g. charectors playing snooker in pub, the laundrette (very stereotypical of British communities)
Race is also represented in a specific way being that black people were thought to have been quite poor, violent and have less knowledge... in contrast to white people having more authority and easily out smart the main black character in the laundrette. In britian at this time, sex is also represented in a quite sexist way; such as female strippers being watched by men in suits... giving an impression that girls are almost "sex objects", they are also seen as quite vunreble and in need of a man's help, as the old women gets held hostage.
Minder, set in the late 70's - early 80's is represented very stereotypically of Britain in that era. Through use of micro elements, story and charectors, the set of Minder has a very community feel to it e.g everyone knowing each others names.
The theme tune of Minder, 'I could be so good for you' is very illustrative of the music era in the late 70's. Not only does this non-diegetic sound represent britishness, diegetic sound such as cockney dialect is included to make the setting more believable to an audience. Nicknames such as 'young Terry' show the main charectors high-regard for himself and how he thinks he id of higher class to many other charectors. This diminutive shows a very belittling impression of Terry, whilst showing how the main charactor thinks he is superior.
The locations futhur represent Britain as a very industrial place, having a sense good of community e.g. charectors playing snooker in pub, the laundrette (very stereotypical of British communities)
Race is also represented in a specific way being that black people were thought to have been quite poor, violent and have less knowledge... in contrast to white people having more authority and easily out smart the main black character in the laundrette. In britian at this time, sex is also represented in a quite sexist way; such as female strippers being watched by men in suits... giving an impression that girls are almost "sex objects", they are also seen as quite vunreble and in need of a man's help, as the old women gets held hostage.
How is Britain represented in "Minder"
The way Britain is represented is used many ways by utilizing mise-en-scene and class. The policeman wear very smart casual clothing to present their authoritative role. The scene where the victims are trapped by the black enforcers with the policeman outside show how the area is significantly secured. It shows how authorities appear to have the upper hand due to their overwhelming numbers. This presents Britain to be a very co-ordinate and diplomatic country. Despite the situation where the enforcers are making threats to the police. The police do not turn hostile and decide to remain in a calm state.
In comparison to the black leader, his clothing and social class appears less wealthy in relation to the police. His role is reckless and narcissistic when it comes to dealing with the authorities. The clothing he wears appears very tacky and untidy. This choice of wear represents how black people are stereotypically poor in society as commonly known in Africa. You're given the disrespectful impression how crude he responds to the policeman's demands. This representation of communication shows how Britain was embroiled in social and racial tensions during the 70/80s.
In comparison to the black leader, his clothing and social class appears less wealthy in relation to the police. His role is reckless and narcissistic when it comes to dealing with the authorities. The clothing he wears appears very tacky and untidy. This choice of wear represents how black people are stereotypically poor in society as commonly known in Africa. You're given the disrespectful impression how crude he responds to the policeman's demands. This representation of communication shows how Britain was embroiled in social and racial tensions during the 70/80s.
Minder Scene Analysis
The scene we chose to analyse the scene where the gun men and hostages are being released. We thought there was a very strong sense of Britishness portrayed through mise en scene. There were a lot of typical British police officers in the traditional uniforms. The weather when the main characters emerged from the launderette is a typical dreary British day, the lighting is very dull and bland and the road and pavement are all wet like it has just rained, also everyone in the crowd is wrapped up implying its cold.
Whilst the hostages are being released there is a crowd forming to watch what is happening, this shows a sense of community and that in Britain at the time these dangerous situations where a lot less common.
The police officers voice over the tannoy has a very strong British accent. This again builds up the atmosphere of Britishness and is very typical of a british police officer, furthering the stereotype.
When all the gun men and hostages have been released the three gun men and Terry are told to get on the floor, they look scruffy there shirts are off and open which makes them look primitive, whereas the old lady and the injured man in a suit are taken of and cared for, this shows that the police have prejudice against class.
Whilst the hostages are being released there is a crowd forming to watch what is happening, this shows a sense of community and that in Britain at the time these dangerous situations where a lot less common.
The police officers voice over the tannoy has a very strong British accent. This again builds up the atmosphere of Britishness and is very typical of a british police officer, furthering the stereotype.
When all the gun men and hostages have been released the three gun men and Terry are told to get on the floor, they look scruffy there shirts are off and open which makes them look primitive, whereas the old lady and the injured man in a suit are taken of and cared for, this shows that the police have prejudice against class.
Minder Analysis
How is Britain represented in Minder?
Our scene is an establishing high angle shot of all the characters asleep in the boiler room. This shot allows the audience to look into the room from a spectators point of view and review the status and hierarchy of all the characters. Physically, Stretch (the lead criminal) is seen to be sitting higher than the hostages. Terry, is shown to be sitting below Stretch but slightly above the hostages. This scene is a physical representation of the hierarchy within the group, as well as suggesting that Terry has a higher moral status than the other characters and is prepared to stand up against the offenders. Despite their racial differences, Terry and Stretch seem to have an equal understanding of each other and can empathise with eachothers lifestyles as from an earlier conversation they both have similar rough backgrounds. The hostages are seen to be wearing costumes in subtle muted colours; with connotations of a reserved temperament. However, the lead criminal is topless indicating his strength and masculinity.
Our scene is an establishing high angle shot of all the characters asleep in the boiler room. This shot allows the audience to look into the room from a spectators point of view and review the status and hierarchy of all the characters. Physically, Stretch (the lead criminal) is seen to be sitting higher than the hostages. Terry, is shown to be sitting below Stretch but slightly above the hostages. This scene is a physical representation of the hierarchy within the group, as well as suggesting that Terry has a higher moral status than the other characters and is prepared to stand up against the offenders. Despite their racial differences, Terry and Stretch seem to have an equal understanding of each other and can empathise with eachothers lifestyles as from an earlier conversation they both have similar rough backgrounds. The hostages are seen to be wearing costumes in subtle muted colours; with connotations of a reserved temperament. However, the lead criminal is topless indicating his strength and masculinity.
Analysis one scene in depth: Minder
Britishness
Trusting "I dont remember now but if he says he did he musta done"
"old lady who needs her tea"
"a quiet one" - pub
Age
Old lady is worried about her washing, while in a hostage situation.
Gender
close up of the old woman's face when she's crying implies women are the weaker sex.
Women are sexualised which is shown by the topless stripper.
There was only one female police officer and she was only comforting the old woman, all the marksmen and involved police officers were male.
Race
Racial tension within london - "dopey spades"
Location
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