Mock Practice (White Chappel 2009)

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of class and status in White Chapel

In the Mise-En-Scene props and costume were used to help identify the difference in status and class. In the opening we can already see a difference in class with two sets of people. In the first scene it shows a higher class. The chief police officer scene was set in a lounge where they were wearing suits, had comb overs, drinking whiskey and smoking cigars. This simply said 'upper class'. The language was also very formal which is another signifier of higher class. The other scene showed the standard police officers fending off youths who were throwing glass bottles at them. This scene was set on a street of council houses and showed general grime. The costumes of the youths were mainly hoodies. This was done, as hoodies can be a stereotype of youth and working class. 

In terms of camera angles and different shot types a tracking shot was used to film the chief police officers sat in the lounge, this choice of shot was used as it is a calm shot which can denote class and sophistication. To show the murderer a Dutch angle was used, this was done to create narrative enigma and suspense, in this shot it shows him stood in the green lit, industrial street. During the riots a lot of hand held shots were taken to make the audience feel more involved and get a better sense of the working class people.

The sound in the opening consists off violins varying the tempo to change the amount of tension as it switches from the different scenes; the reason violins have been used is because the violins could be a symbol of class.