Media essay question

Discuss the ways in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-scene to construct representations of relationship

The ways in which the clip ‘Cutting It’ constructs representation of relationship is by using camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.

The clip constructs representation of relationship by using a selection of camera shots such as an extreme close-up, close-up and cut-ins. At the start of the clip the clip the newly wed husband and wife Allie and Gavin are in a London taxi. They seem very close in this part of the clip as they are holding hands, the camera uses a cut-in to show both the Allie and Gavin holding hands in the taxi and you can see Allie is wearing her wedding ring. The camera uses a cut-in to show that this is important so that the audience can understand that their relationship plays a big part in this scene.

Another camera shot that is used to construct representations of relationship is when the camera is filming over the top of the husband and wife’s bodies lying on the pavement together at the end of the scene. This camera angle/shot is used to show both Allie and Gavin lying closely together staring into each others eyes as the camera slowly zooms out to show this. This constructs representation of relationship as the audience can clearly see they are in love or at least a very happy couple. If the camera angle was to be filmed on the side of one of the characters, the audience would not be able to get a full view of how the couple are lying next to each other and we would not be able to recognise that they are in a relationship or in love. Therefore this is why this particular angle is used, so that we can recognise that Allie and Gavin are close together and staring at one another. 

Not only are camera shots used to construct a representation of relationship but also sound is used to represent this. Towards the end of the scene when Allie had been knocked over by a passing bus, Gavin who is across the road who watched this happen stared at her in shock, unsure what he should do. As he is about to run across the busy road, the sound of a heartbeat is played loudly in the background of the scene to add effect. This represents that he is scared and anxious, but also because it is the sound of a heartbeat this could be representing love, which constructs the representation of the relationship he has with Allie who is lying on the pavement across the road. If no sound was to be played at this time, the audience may not know what his emotions were as he does not speak or a make a sound when his wife is knocked over. Therefore, by having this particular sound effect, it adds emphasis and tension to the scene, but because it is the sound of a beating heart, this can be seen as representing the relationship that Gavin has with his wife Allie.

In this particular scene of ‘Cutting It’ many different components are used to construct different representations, one of the main components being mise-en-scene. Mise-en-scene is shown to represent relationship in this scene especially at the end when the husband and wife are lying down on the pavement with flowers scattered over the pavement from where they had fallen over near where they were lying together. This is quite ironic seeing as they are both laying closely together on the pavement after Allie had been knocked over and seeing that there are flowers scattered around them this could be seen as romantic. Another way in which mise-en-scene has been used to construct the representation of relationship between Allie and Gavin is when they are both in the taxi (which I previously discussed about camera shots) and Allie takes hold of Gavin’s hand and holds it tight, which is clearly representing that they are in a relationship. They are also sitting very closely together in the taxi which represents that they may have a close relationship, this clearly shows that they have a good and close relationship.

Editing is also a component used to construct the representation of a relationship between the couple. One type of editing used in the scene to show a relationship is when Allie is shown in the hospital with her consultant but no sound is made a part from slow, sad music. Gavin is then shown waiting outside across the road, and the camera goes back and forth showing Allie again in the room with her consultant whilst music is being played. The sad music that is being played over the sound of the cars going past where Gavin is and the sound of the voices where Allie is, could show that because they are both a part from each other that they may feel quite sad as they come across as inseperable when they are in the taxi at the start of the scene. If happy music was to be played at this point of the scene when they are both a part, the audience may get the wrong message.

In conclusion, camera shots, editing, sound and mise-en-scene are all used to construct the representation of a relationship between the man and woman in this clip, as it shows that they are very close and loving towards each other. Particular camera shots and angles are used to show this, as well as editing, sound and mise-en-scene which clearly show that they are very much in love and happy together which is representing that they are in a good relationship. If any of these components were used in the wrong way, the audience may get a different message to what the director is intending to get across to them, therefore they are used very accurately to show Allie and Gavin’s relationship.