Downton Abbey - Class And Status

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IscFlwFNB6I

Textual Analysis

Camera Angles/Movement: At the start of the clip they use a tracking shot if the guy on the bicycle, this is used at the start or draw the audience in as they follow the action. The producer uses an extreme long shot this provides the audience with an idea of where it is set which is an old Victorian house, also this shot gives the audience a feel of when the place is set. They use a tracking shot at the start of the clip which shows that they have the lower class might be in a rush because he might be late. Later on in the clip they use a high angle shot this shows that the separation of the classes as she doesn't have to get up early and do anything because serves them. In the breakfast scene the kept changing angles so that the audience felt like they where involved and it draws them into the action of their morning routine.

Sound: At the start clip the lower class man who is on the bicycle there is a fast-pace non-diegetic music which is used as he cycles through to the mansion. This shows that he is in a hurry and his morning routine is generally rushed because of the amount of work he has to do. Whereas when it switches to upper class women in her bedroom, the non-diegetic music changes from fast-past music with a tracking shot to a smooth panorama of her room and a gentle calming non-diegetic music plays. This shows that because she is upper class she doesn't have to wake up early or rush around because she is getting served by the working class. You can hear the diegetic sounds of the bell as an upper class person calls a butler. This emphasises the power that the upper class have against the working class.

Editing: When they showed the working class boy cycle up to the mansion, there is a quick cut to the upper class women in her bedroom. Also the non-diegetic sounds cut and a gentle calming music. This again shows the different contrasts in the working class and upper class lives. When the upper class wanted something they rang the bell and instantly it cut to a downstairs scene where they have all the bells to show they need to attend them. As the clip goes on we see that they are rushing around to have their breakfast, and what they have done to make it seem more rushed by using jumped cuts this gives the effect that the breakfast punch is happening at such a pace that the audience feels like it is being involved. 

Mise en Scene: The boy at the start of the clip is wearing dark work clothes, this is quite a neutral colour which suggests that he is an average working class boy. Also the lighting outside is bright which shows that it is early morning, but as he is cycling he is under the shadow of the tree, and he is wearing black work clothes which shows that he is working class because he has to work for the upper class. Whereas the upper class women is sitting in her bed with the natural light bleeding a little through the window. This again shows that she is upper class she is wearing more graceful nightwear. The posture of the young boy is also different to the upper class women because he is on his bike and he is slouching a bit which shows that he is a working class boy because of the way he holds himself. Whereas the women even though she has just woken up she has a much straighter back this is because she is upper class and she has been brought up to hold and compose her herself better than a working class person. We also see how quickly one of the servants attends to the person as the bell is rung. This shows the power which they have because they are upper class and the attendants are working class.