Physical disability is represented as being frustrating for the disabled character himself, Tony, in the clip by using various techniques. In terms of camera angles and shots, many close-ups are used especially on the character’s face to really make the audience empathise with Tony by showing them so vividly the emotions which he is going through. This really highlights the fact that he is feeling frustrated purely because of the intensity of the shots themselves, clearly portraying the anger in his eyes. The use of a handheld camera in some shots of Tony, as opposed to a steadicam, represents the high level of chaos that he is experiencing. The sudden jerky movements of the camera are an insight into the hectic situation in which Tony has found himself, due to the huge amounts of frustration which have built up towards the end of the previous series. His frustration is also portrayed by the use of faster cuts between shots in comparison to the very start of the episode, and also the increase in music pace. This fast paced editing emphasises the franticness he is experiencing; by not having the individual shots on the screen for a long period of time, the audience is not able to take in vast amounts of information hence creating a sense of chaos and confusion. The music pace also contributes to this frantic ambience in the same way. The mise-en-scene contributes greatly to the way in which the audience interpret Tony’s emotions by accurately reflecting the sadness he is experiencing, as these dark tones are generally associated with feelings of depression and sadness as opposed to brighter, more joyful colours.
This disability of the protagonist, Tony, also causes depression and frustration for his friends and family closest to him. Once again this can be implied within the clip using certain camera angles and shot types. In one instance during the shot, a point of view shot is used for the character Sid (one of Tony’s close friends) whilst focussing on a picture of Tony before his life-changing injury, causing the audience to empathise with Sid by making them see the situation from his point of view, and hence showing the despair that the character is feeling for his friend. The lighting in this clip is also used very cleverly, especially during one particular shot when Tony’s girlfriend is shown in the shower, with some very dark, shadowed lighting, reflecting dark bar-like shadows on her and the shower cubicle, as if to imply she is trapped in this woeful situation along with Tony. The soundtrack, again itself plays an important part in emphasising this matter. The lyrics bombard thoughts of friends and family, which when played in sync with the shots of Tony’s friends and family show the closeness that they feel to him, especially expressing their concern.
The final of the more depressing topics of this essay, how Tony’s disability can damage and hinder the whole youthful experience, is implied throughout the clip by the costume of some of the characters. The costume worn by Tony’s sister, a very uniformed dress and blouse, could in more ways than one, represent dead-ended ness, in the sense that it could be the dress of a dead-end job yet at the same time implies how the whole psychological situation with Tony has hit a wall in the ways that family and friends can help his situation (has reached a dead end!). The sound bridge used within the clip emphasises well the contrast and difference between the two very different attitudes towards their current life for the characters Tony and Maxi. Again referring to sound, the soundtrack of the clip, especially the lyrics, reflects this negative experience of youth by repeating the phrase “it’s gotta’ get bad before it gets good” showing that there are bad times to come for the characters. Different shot types are also used to present this hindrance of youth by the very first shot when the change of focus between the pencils and Tony is used, which shows the separation and isolation of the character. Because of the fact that Tony is now illiterate, this change of focus represents well this fact, and also the clear barrier of understanding and literary gap of knowledge.
Lastly of all, physical ability can be linked in this clip with emotional outlet and expression via many different techniques. These techniques are namely the use of high angle shots when Maxi is shown on the rooftop, dancing as could be seen freely. These extreme long shots and camera panning of Maxi represent the freedom he is experiencing by showing the vast amounts of space available in which he is utilising to express his emotions, in comparison to the extreme close ups and still camera shots (not panning) of Tony which in contrast present his frustration via lack of space and freedom, as if he is trapped. During the shots of Maxi, there are large amounts of open sky that can be seen, which obviously imply Maxi’s freedom compared to the gloomy entrapment of Tony’s room. Costume within this clip is also utilised well in showing Maxi’s emotional outlet and expression. For example, His clothing involves some very baggy, loose trousers and a thin flowing t-shirt, which imply in itself his freedom and great expression of emotion, as if he is not being held down, and has room to express himself, as if he is totally free and not tied down, in comparison to the dead-end uniformed style clothing of Tony’s sister, used to show her entrapment.
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