Dean’s Sister

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Ingredients to Analytical Paragraphs

• Response to the question; macro idea; establish the context of what is being discussed

• Micro examples—mise en scene, sound, editing, camerawork

• Analysis/Argument—how the example justifies your macro idea; link to drama/plot development; how we view school

• Media Terminology—protagonist, long shot, foley, etc.

Example ParagraphQuestion: How is Dean’s sister presented?

Towards the end of episode two in series one of Educating Essex, after a voiceover introduces the dramatic topic of Sam’s bullying of Dean, viewers are presented with Dean’s sister. Shown from a high angle long shot, a typical convention of ‘fly on the wall’ documentaries, she is represented as an aggressive and potentially confrontational woman in her early twenties. The high angle shot creates an omniscient vantage point for the viewing audience. Thus, through this shot we judge Dean’s sister.—he upcoming actions and behaviours become paramount in our assessment of her. Our judgement of her is initially not given substance, for she stands with her brother and mother in school’s foyer, waiting for Mr. Drew. However, within seconds, she swears, thus presenting her as aggressive. These diegetic pieces of dialogue within her initial conversation with her mother and brother create a negative representation of her because swearing is associated with unrefined tastes. The mise en scene, particularly the location of her conversation, helps to solidify our opinion of her, for she swears in a public place, ignorant of the people around her and the place where she is. The editing during this sequence is minimal, for the director wants our attention to be focussed on her words; rather than the ‘cutting’ of the narrative. Her actions within this moment of the documentary help to establish the dramatic nature of this sequence, for we soon see a confrontation between Sam and Dean’s sister. Ultimately, her actions her foreshadow the drama surrounding the issue of bullying in school and how, as Mr. Drew expresses earlier in episode, is ‘never a black and white’ situation when trying to resolve it.

Select a still to write a response to.

Dean’s Sister

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Dean’s Sister

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Dean’s Sister

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Dean’s Mum

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Dean’s Mum

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Sam

Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:

Sam

Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:

Sam

Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:

Mr. Drew

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing

Mr. Drew

Macro Idea:Micro Examples:Area Example(s)

Mise En Scene

Camerawork

Sound

Editing