Class and Status Representation- Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is a historic drama series set in the pre WW1. It focusses on the struggles that the upper class family has in contrast to the people who serve them. The idea of the drama is to make sure that we learn to see clearly that we are all part of the same human condition whether we are upstairs or downstairs. During the extract we have watched we can see a clear divide of the classes, many of the characters from each social convention carry many of the stereotypes of each class or background that they have emerged from.

Camera work

In the opening of the scene we have a tracking shot following a man on a bike. The man is a post man and is part of a labour force. He is seen cycling up to the Abbey house and the tracking shot that is following him pans out into an establishing shot. Because of the camera choice that has been made here we, as an audience, move from focusing on the postman to the house. The man appears insignificant and small as the house is brought into perspective. This choice of camera work could convey or communicate that the upper class is more powerful and focused on than the insignificant working class.

In the scenes which contain characters from the upper class Steadicam is used to show that the scene is controlled and planned, as though these people live this life of luxury everyday. We contrast from this managed environment to an unfocussed chaotic surrounding when we begin to see scenes form downstairs with the lower class. The camera work used is hand held and gives a jointed impression to suggest that the situation is slightly manic and uneven. This could also convey that these people are not taken into consideration as much as the upper class characters should be because it is difficult to focus on their element of things.
During further filming of the scenes set downstairs we are given constant reminders that the characters of the lower class are being controlled and ordered with what they have to do, these reminders come from the small shots of the bell being rang and the way the upper class have their food served to them in comparison to what the workers are eating at the table around them.

Sound

Lots of elements of sounds are being used in scenes mainly set downstairs because the environment is needed to be shown as chaotic. Diegetic sounds of movement that are constantly heard assist the idea that their working environment is difficult, cramped and laborious.

In massive contrast to this we are given a quiet, calm and serene surrounding when we see the characters of the upper class. Non-diegetic music is used to covey the message that the upper class characters are in control and hold a higher position of authority because they get other people to do their work for them, thus living up to the usual stereotype of upper class people being spoon fed and ungrateful for what they have.

Editing

The editing during scene with the upper class characters appears to be controlled, cleaner and holds a lot of continuity editing. The composition that is used is organised to make sure we get a sense of authority from each of the characters.

In the downstairs scenes the editing is fast paced to show a pressured environment, this supports the stereo type that lower class and working class people only tend to take orders and act them out accordingly.

Mise-en-scene

In the downstairs scenes we see an environment of people working in a dork, dull area. The reason for this is that this area is not on show, there is no reason for it look nice for the servants at all because at the end of the day they don't live there of even spend fifteen minuets straight there because they are usually busy doing horse for the upper class family. The servants, maid and waiters are all dressed in smart uniform simply because they will be scene and inspected by either visitors or residents of the family, therefor they must present themselves as the same to not draw attention to themselves and create this visualisation that they are invisible.
In the upper class scenes we see that the halls and the house are spectacular and decorated with pieces of art work and amazing architecture, this is the way the family show of how rich and powerful they are, through the way they look and where they live. Each of the upper class characters wear their own individual outfit so that, in like the lower class, attention is drawn upon them. They want people to tell them haw they look. the scenes in the home contrast further with the working environment because they are light and airy, we can see so many aspects of their home which ultimately they take for granted.

The ways that these elements are used to portray the two classes helps each class to live up to the expected social classes and they definitely help to enforce the idea of there being a significant divide the two types of people.