Criminal justice extract

Write a response to the "criminal justice" extract;

how is the prison represented in the extract?

refer to camera work, editing, sound and mise en scene.

There are many different representations created in the extract of "criminal Justice" towards how prison is represented, examples of these representations are mainly corrupt, enclosed, cold and violent which is portrayed through the camera work, editing, sound and music as well as mise en scene.

The editing used in this film sequence of criminal justice build towards the representations, which are mainly corrupt. there is a use of match on action when the main character Ben walks through a cell gate. he does this after walking through a dark tunnel and after walking into a blue tinted lit room, this therefore creates a contrast between the two rooms and reinforces the representations of cold and isolated; this therefore creates the enigma. this representation has bee created through the clear contrast through the match on action, although the security guard is there, the blue lighting creates a negative view although the audience are unaware of whats about to happen.

The 180 degree rule has been kept throughout the whole sequence simply in order to make sense and work logically. the fast paced editing at the fight scene as well as the unsteady camera creates the representation of uncontrollable (corrupt) and violence. the audience are unaware of what will happen next due to the really unsteady camera therefore makes the seem more violent and unpredictable.

The camera work used works with the editing in order to create representations. for example, there is a deep focus shot on the inmates with the security guards in the foreground, but we can still hear the two guards conversation. this is one of the strongest examples in the sequence which creates the representation of strong corruption within the prison.

There is also a use of a tracking shot at the beginning when Ben is walking through the tunnel, the camera then zooms as he is walking through the gate, this is all been done from a low view. this could represent the idea that the character is important and builds up on the enigma, its also has a link to the idea of a boxing match, as the fighter walks through the tunnel and is usually viewed from a low angle shot in order to make them look superior and more intimidating, which later proves to be the opposite as he looks more vulnerable.

when we see the two shot of the villain and Ben, it is viewed from a low angle shot, this makes the conversation between them look intimidating and presents the idea of a conflict. later there is a cut shot to the guard who is stood to the right and quite far away from the gate; the left third is taken up by the gate, the middle third is left blank with the prison wall and the guard is seen in the right third, this implies that he is not part of the police service and shows a clear representation of corruption in the force.

The camera has a close up shot of Ben's face, this presents his expressions and emphasises his emotions created from what is happening around him, at this point the interrogation from the villain. The camera is also very steady when ever filming the character Hooch, apart from when he has his confrontation with the villain. this portrays the idea that he is not violent and is presented in a positive way. when the camera is unsteady on hooch it represents the idea that he does have a negative side that is uncontrollable, and also allows the audience to see this side of him as well, the unsteady camera is at the scene where he is with the villain, this could also imply that something is not right and that there may be some confrontation.

Mise en scene plays an important role in this sequence. the red chair featured in the fighting scene could represent danger and contrasts against the grey colour scheme in the rest of the set. the red could also be linked to the representation of violence as it is in a prison and the characters look very intimidating. the villain has darker clothing than the rest of the characters, this could represent the idea that he is more negative than the rest of the characters which can then furthermore be linked to being more dangerous.

The lighting used in this sequence is kept very dark, but the lighting has a blue tint, this emphasises the negative impact and idea that there is trouble as well as heightening the dramatic impact. One scene with the lighting is where the villain has key lighting on one side of his face and shadow on the other side, this makes him look more intimidating as a character and clearly shows he has a negative side to his personality.

The fighter character has no hair and doesn't talk for the whole sequence, this makes him look harsh and violent as he is wearing a hoody which can also be portrayed as yobbish, he is also the only character that is wearing a hoody which also makes him stand out from the rest of the characters. Hooch is wearing a grey cardigan and blue top, this makes him sand out from the rest of the characters are they are all dressed in complete grey. he is mocked by the villain as the "father figure" and also is presented this way as he is dressed the smartest and he also appears the oldest character there, therefore we automatically assume that he is a positive character that is non-violent. while the interrogating conversation is taken place with with Ben and the villain, the inmates are sat in the shadow which makes them look negative, this contrasts against Hooch who is sat in the light, making him look more of the positive character. The two guards also create a contrast against each other. the young guard is clean shaven and looks innocent where as the old guard has a beard and is the character to be corrupted, this gives the impression he has experience with the prison and has experience with these awkward situations.

Sound and music also has an important part in this sequence. amplified gate at the beginning emphasises the representation of being isolated and enclosed. footsteps amplified in the empty room when Ben is walking to the group portrays the idea he is walking for a purpose which therefore builds the enigma, there is also the amplified heart beat as he is walking which reinforces this, it implies its his heart beat and possibly his nervousness which therefore makes the audience feel this emotion as well. There is also a use of ambiance throughout the sequence as we can hear the rest of the inmates shouting, cheering and pressuring the other characters, this could further more be linked to the representation of violence/ aggression. While Hooch and Ben are talking, their conversation is slightly more amplified than the other conversations, this has been done in order to make the audience more aware of the conversation as well as making it seem more important. throughout the sequence, all the dialogue is slightly echoed, this reinforces the idea o the empty room and further more strongly shows the representation of being enclosed.

An eery score is played throughout the conversation/ fight part of the sequence in order to build the enigma. it also makes the place seem more cold as it is quite a negative tune due to it being slow paced and a low tone. when the villain character shouts, all the sounds go quiet including the score, ambiance and amplified sounds, this portrays the idea that he has power over the other characters including the security guards and yet again links to the representation of being corrupt. During the fight the punch sounds are slightly amplified to portray the representation of violence, further more, when Hooch punches the Fighter his punch is even more amplified to make him sound stronger and more important. this however makes the sequence build the representation of corruption and violence.

To conclude, the representations created by music, mise en scene, editing and camera work have been created in the extract from Criminal Justice in order to portray the idea of prison as enclosed, violent, corrupt and cold. this has been well done by all the use of filming techniques working with each other in order to portray these representations strongly to the audience, over all, the representation of prison is completely negative.

Sound &&+ Music

How Sound And Music Is Used

In This Clip (0:00 - 02:32)

In Skins Series 3, Episode 7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Kn1jbCC4Is

In this sequence taken from episode 7 of Skins, sound and music play an important role in creating an eary atmosphere which leaves the audience on a cliff hanger and not knowing what to expect next.

The first sound that can be heard is an ambience of the muffled sound of cars driving past which gives the impression that the characters are hidden away from other people, which further more gives the impression they are up to mischeif and makes the audience want to know more on what is happening. Over the muffled car sounds we hear a dogs bark amplified which also seems muffled and quite far away, this usually portrays the idea of something rebelious happening that is taking place somewhere that many people wont be around. It is also possible to make the link to other films etc that use this sound as it usually used at a night time to create an eary situation that something is not right, which therefore fits perfectly with this scene, we as an audience know something is not right by the atmosphere created by only just two of these sounds.

The camera then cuts to a LS where there is dialogue; 3 people arguing which has also been made to sound distant, this makes the audience feel like they are actually there just watching what is happening, but we are left in suspense as we do not yet know why they are arguing. JJ then walks into the shot, his feet on the gravel and his unsteady, heavy breathing have been amplified, this represents that he as a character does not feel secure in this atmosphere which reinforces the idea that something rebelious is going on.

The camera the cuts to a MS of the three people having a conversation from the background then becomes clearer and the audience find out its about drugs, which then comforts them as they know why JJ is insecure about the situation as a character. The Dialogue has been made louder in order to support the idea of drugs so the audience securely know what is going on in this scene. However, the ambience of the dog barking and cars have been continued on through the scene which portrays the idea that the dramatic impact is being built, which leaves the audience wondering what is about to happen.

We then see a point of view shot from JJ which repetitively cuts between a CU of him and the point of view shot. At this point the conversation is muffled again and we hear JJs breathing being amplified again, this shows that he is worried for something and then we see why. As the figure crouches by the bush we hear a sting which sounds spine-chilling; at this point the audience know something isnt right which hightens the dramatic impact even more. Then there is Dialogue used from JJ as he whispers "Cook", although we see JJ is trying to whisper he also does it loud enough so that it is nearly a shout, this creates the effect that he is trying to distract Cook without having anyone else notice, which clearly dosnt work as one of the drug dealers raises his voice louder in order to talk over JJ. This gives the impression that JJ as a character isnt noticed and appears to be unimportant.

As we see the police torches, the sounds do not change untill we see the MS of JJ running to grab Cook and the yobs scatter. We then hear the amplified sound of the police cars and the ambience of the police officers shouting and running. There is a quiet score in the background of fast, upbeat violins which create an action like atmosphere as above this we can still hear the sirenes. This builds the impression that theres alot of trouble happening and leaves the audience in suspenese to if the characters will escape it or not, which is then reinforced as JJ and Cook escape through the fence which has been amplified. While we see Cook and JJ running freely away, all the outher sounds are faded out and the score has been made louder with an added piano and it has changed slightly to a more positive upbeat to show that the characters have escaped the trouble, therefore we as an audience feel relieved and still look at the characters in a positive way although they had just taken part in a drug deal and escaped running from the police.

When the characters finally stop running, their footsteps are amplified as well as their heavey breathing in order to show their fright and determination into running away. The score then fades out which represents the idea that there will be dialogue or something else important is about to happen. The Dialogue then starts and when cook finnishes his sentence the score completely stops which enforces the idea that the situation is back to being serious again. In the background, we can still hear the non-digetic sound of the dog barking, this gives the impression that theres is still something happening which could relate to the two drug dealers still struggeling with the police. The ambience of the dog barking is heard throughout the rest of the dialogue aswell as passing traffic, which represents the idea that they are still rebelious.

To Conclude, Sound and music play an important role in TV Dramas such as Skins as they create the atmosphere of emotions and feelings for the audience. They create a variety of different effects and can change the perception we as an audience have on certain characters or events. In this series of skins we can see that sound and music has been used to create an eerie and uncertain atmosphere, however we still see the main chracters Cook and JJ in a positive way due to the techniques used.