The lesson before, we deconstructed Shameless (Series 2, Episode 2, 33 - 37 mins), focusing on the representation of Marty's disability through the camerawork.How is the use of camera work used to present the character Marty in Shameless series 2 episode 2?
In shameless there is a character called Marty who has a disability called tourettes. This is important as we can see how disabilities are represented in TV dramas. However, Marty is represented to be ‘different’, ‘isolated’, ‘unsteady’, ‘vulnerable’ and that people should be cautious around him. Overall Marty is portrayed in a negative way in order to represent his disability to be dangerous towards other people as well as make him look vulnerable, therefore as a character we feel the tension but also sympathise with him.
During the beginning of the first sequence we see a deep focus shot of the three characters including Marty. There is a clear distance between Marty and another character sitting on the sofa, this represents him to be “isolated” and reinforces the idea that he is different from the other characters as he is in the foreground. The camera then cuts to a two shot of two characters having an intense conversation about Marty; this type of shot enforces the idea that Marty is different from them and should be treated cautiously. The camera in this shot is very unsteady, this portrays the realism of the scenario, and there is also a lot of use of mise en scene in this sequence in order to portray the realism of the TV drama shameless.
In the next sequence we see a contrast of colour, as Marty is alone in a dark room wearing dark clothing; this can be linked to the Propp theory where Marty is viewed as the villain. It begins with a cut to a high angle, long shot of Marty, the angle of the shot is also cantered which represents something is not right. This type of shot portrays Marty to be Vilnius and as a prison like theme to it due to him being sat in the dark with a low light from the window to show part of the character. The camera then cuts to a close up shot of Marty’s face, the shows and emphasises Marty’s emotion, which appears to be angry, which therefore reinforces the idea that he is dangerous. We can also see a deep focus shot which emphasises Marty’s Disability and portrays the idea he is vulnerable and should be treated cautiously.
The car sequence clearly enforces the idea that Marty is isolated from everyone else as we can see the 180 degree rule being used; the camera is focused from over Marty’s shoulder onto the other characters, this creates the idea that he has opposition. We then cut to a CU shot of Marty, which shows him to be angry and distressed. In all of the next couple of shots we can see part of the lighter or the lighters glow, this emphasises the idea of it being a motif, it leaves the audience wondering what will happen next as well as building up the tension. We then cut to a crowd shot which portrays the idea that the crisis is over and that the problem has been solved, but then there is a close up of the cigarette falling onto the petrol, this short sequence has had its pacing edited slower in order to create the dramatic impact on the situation. We then see the petrol catch alight and the car blow up; this ensures the audience what is actually happening before zooming in on the characters reactions to the flames. The next sequence is in slow motion in order to emphasise the dramatic impact that has been created. The camera then pans across each of the character’s where Marty looks happy and the others are still stood shocked, this emphasises the clear difference between Marty and the other characters; the panning has been used to emphasise this and show the contrast between them all.
To conclude, the use of camera techniques portray the character Marty in Shameless series 2 episode 2 to be very different and isolated from all the other characters presented. He can also be viewed as dangerous and to be treated cautiously by the other characters due to his disability of tourettes. This is important as we can clearly see how disabilities are presented in TV dramas, in this case it is negatively, however while feeling the tension from the character we as the audience also sympathise as he clearly does not understand due to his disability.
In shameless there is a character called Marty who has a disability called tourettes. This is important as we can see how disabilities are represented in TV dramas. However, Marty is represented to be ‘different’, ‘isolated’, ‘unsteady’, ‘vulnerable’ and that people should be cautious around him. Overall Marty is portrayed in a negative way in order to represent his disability to be dangerous towards other people as well as make him look vulnerable, therefore as a character we feel the tension but also sympathise with him.
During the beginning of the first sequence we see a deep focus shot of the three characters including Marty. There is a clear distance between Marty and another character sitting on the sofa, this represents him to be “isolated” and reinforces the idea that he is different from the other characters as he is in the foreground. The camera then cuts to a two shot of two characters having an intense conversation about Marty; this type of shot enforces the idea that Marty is different from them and should be treated cautiously. The camera in this shot is very unsteady, this portrays the realism of the scenario, and there is also a lot of use of mise en scene in this sequence in order to portray the realism of the TV drama shameless.
In the next sequence we see a contrast of colour, as Marty is alone in a dark room wearing dark clothing; this can be linked to the Propp theory where Marty is viewed as the villain. It begins with a cut to a high angle, long shot of Marty, the angle of the shot is also cantered which represents something is not right. This type of shot portrays Marty to be Vilnius and as a prison like theme to it due to him being sat in the dark with a low light from the window to show part of the character. The camera then cuts to a close up shot of Marty’s face, the shows and emphasises Marty’s emotion, which appears to be angry, which therefore reinforces the idea that he is dangerous. We can also see a deep focus shot which emphasises Marty’s Disability and portrays the idea he is vulnerable and should be treated cautiously.
The car sequence clearly enforces the idea that Marty is isolated from everyone else as we can see the 180 degree rule being used; the camera is focused from over Marty’s shoulder onto the other characters, this creates the idea that he has opposition. We then cut to a CU shot of Marty, which shows him to be angry and distressed. In all of the next couple of shots we can see part of the lighter or the lighters glow, this emphasises the idea of it being a motif, it leaves the audience wondering what will happen next as well as building up the tension. We then cut to a crowd shot which portrays the idea that the crisis is over and that the problem has been solved, but then there is a close up of the cigarette falling onto the petrol, this short sequence has had its pacing edited slower in order to create the dramatic impact on the situation. We then see the petrol catch alight and the car blow up; this ensures the audience what is actually happening before zooming in on the characters reactions to the flames. The next sequence is in slow motion in order to emphasise the dramatic impact that has been created. The camera then pans across each of the character’s where Marty looks happy and the others are still stood shocked, this emphasises the clear difference between Marty and the other characters; the panning has been used to emphasise this and show the contrast between them all.
To conclude, the use of camera techniques portray the character Marty in Shameless series 2 episode 2 to be very different and isolated from all the other characters presented. He can also be viewed as dangerous and to be treated cautiously by the other characters due to his disability of tourettes. This is important as we can clearly see how disabilities are presented in TV dramas, in this case it is negatively, however while feeling the tension from the character we as the audience also sympathise as he clearly does not understand due to his disability.
A sound analysis Laura - you are supporting your points well with examples. You are also integrating media theory well too.
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+ Develop analysis of other shots too, particularly of camera movement (comment on the tracking shot on the car and the use of the repeated pan)