Downton Abbey Representation practice

 Downton Abbey Representation Practice:

In this dated TV drama, "Downton Abbey," there is a clear representation of Class and Status with a division among the people, where the majority of the "lower class" people in the house are serving the "First Class" minority. The servants are represented as unimportant, unseen and unheard as proved through the response of "what's it to you?" when one of the maids asks a question. This is highly contrasted to their first class "Lordships" who are represented as privileged and spoilt as they do nothing for themselves. In addition to this an underlying representation is seen of "Age" as the oldest servants are represented as authoritative over the younger ones as they are the ones who hold direct contact with the "Lordships" themselves.

CAMERA

• establishing shot- allows us to see how big the estate actually is
• servants are often seen blurred in with the background- symbolic of how they are just there, have no real important place 
• high angle shot- when the lord is walking down the stairs- he is above everything/everyone else.

EDITING

• faster shot duration during scenes with servants VS slower shots duration with the lordships .. shows that the servant life is busier than that of the master

MIS EN SCEN

• low lighting in the servant spaces.. minimal natural light, makes them seem imprisoned.
• uniform- puts them in a class/group of their own.
• red carpeted stairs- red is a very royal colour
• completely white dog- symbolic of the cleanliness of their lifestyle 

SOUND

• diegetic sound of soft piano is incorporated as we see the lordship vs non-diegetic sound when we see the servants (clear sounds of pots clashing or cutting or washing being heard.. seems very busy- behind the scenes.
• Interesting to note that Her Lordship doesn't even need to say anything to have it brought to her, only the ring of a bell.