The Maid Representation Work:
Clip 1:
Big Picture Ideas:
gender: stereotypes; women as maid, a female based industry - men not represented
gender: stereotypes; women as maid, a female based industry - men not represented
age - young, strapped for cash? young vs old
ethnicity: maids usually of ethnic minority, this time it is a white woman
social status; lower socio-economic class; simple but neat clothes, not generally what one would wear to an interview - seems smart, but cannot work elsewhere?
ethnicity: maids usually of ethnic minority, this time it is a white woman
social status; lower socio-economic class; simple but neat clothes, not generally what one would wear to an interview - seems smart, but cannot work elsewhere?
Sound:
- non-diegetic 'ding' every time the total comes on the screen
- no sound; presents moment as it is
- non-diegetic 'ding' every time the total comes on the screen
- no sound; presents moment as it is
Camera:
- lots of close-ups of the woman's face
- shaky, hand-held camera; nervous?
-willingly accepts job; urgent?
- pans from woman to green piece of paper tacked to the wall with the rate; shows the amount, as well as emphasising low rates
- when they walk outside and close door, there is a close-up on her face
- lots of close-ups of the woman's face
- shaky, hand-held camera; nervous?
-willingly accepts job; urgent?
- pans from woman to green piece of paper tacked to the wall with the rate; shows the amount, as well as emphasising low rates
- when they walk outside and close door, there is a close-up on her face
Mise-en-scene:
- seems almost taken aback by the lady asking her about parole and priors
- looks disappointed (?) when she hears that there is a six hour cap; nervous?
- when they walk outside and close door, there is a close-up on her face - pay not ideal, but can make it work
- as the scene progresses, she realises that she wont be able to make what she needed
- three locations; inside trailer, outside, laundry room
1: dull, natural light
- seems almost taken aback by the lady asking her about parole and priors
- looks disappointed (?) when she hears that there is a six hour cap; nervous?
- when they walk outside and close door, there is a close-up on her face - pay not ideal, but can make it work
- as the scene progresses, she realises that she wont be able to make what she needed
- three locations; inside trailer, outside, laundry room
1: dull, natural light
2; brighter, but still dull
3: washing machines
- the other woman is rather confident, she has gone through the process a lot
3: washing machines
- the other woman is rather confident, she has gone through the process a lot
Editing:
- totals come up on screen; needs money for something - a rather large sum ($500)
- emphasises how poorly paid maids are, with all deductions
- continuity editing
- shot duration
- emphasises how poorly paid maids are, with all deductions
- continuity editing
- shot duration
Clip 2:
Big Picture Ideas:
gender - good mother, spending time with daughter, taking care of her; maternal instincts; challenges at same time - hiking is rather masculine, something a father would typically do with his son - maybe father is not present? she has to take over both roles
gender - good mother, spending time with daughter, taking care of her; maternal instincts; challenges at same time - hiking is rather masculine, something a father would typically do with his son - maybe father is not present? she has to take over both roles
socio-economic status: housing area rather run-down; woman challenges, as she is neatly presented
Camera:
- close-up of feet; mother behind daughter; supports her, there to catch her if she falls
- close up of mother holding daughter, almost crying; potentially in a difficult situation; shielding child from something
- close up shots of them holding hands
- wide shots; shows them in forest together
- close up of mother holding daughter, almost crying; potentially in a difficult situation; shielding child from something
- close up shots of them holding hands
- wide shots; shows them in forest together
Sound:
- sentimental and rather emotional music (non-diegetic); adds emotion
- bear hunt song (diegetic)
- laughter (diegetic)
- forest sounds - focuses in on moment
- sentimental and rather emotional music (non-diegetic); adds emotion
- bear hunt song (diegetic)
- laughter (diegetic)
- forest sounds - focuses in on moment
Mise-en-scene:
- trailer park
- forest
- trailer park
- forest
- forest colours are vibrant, a stark contrast with clothes, which are rather muted; they feel alive in the forest; a place of happiness.
- daughter dressed warmly; attention to detail
- daughter dressed warmly; attention to detail
Editing:
- continuity editing
- long shot durations; these are the mother's favourite moments, lasting a long time - precious
- continuity editing
- long shot durations; these are the mother's favourite moments, lasting a long time - precious
Clip 3:
Big Picture Ideas:
gender: female is weaker, the victim; abusive partner who is dominant; women to be subservient and obedient
love and relationships - abusive relationship; negative, contrasts with relationship with daughter; positive, grandfather and girl have good relationship
Sound:
- During the first 'present' shot, the sound from the past is overlayed, over a close-up of her face; a flashback?
- no music
- During the first 'present' shot, the sound from the past is overlayed, over a close-up of her face; a flashback?
- no music
Editing:
-scene is potentially a flashback - cuts to a shot of her lying down twice
- continuity editing
-scene is potentially a flashback - cuts to a shot of her lying down twice
- continuity editing
Mise-en-scene:
- Set inside house
- Dark, dull lighting
- House is slightly cluttered; reflects turbulent relationship
- For the most part the husband comes across as charming; well-spoken, seemingly gets along well with father-in-law. Becomes less likable as the scene progresses, being forceful and assertive - shift; one moment charming, other rather abusive
- Girl's father does not step in/interfere; why? he assesses situation, but does not react
- Set inside house
- Dark, dull lighting
- House is slightly cluttered; reflects turbulent relationship
- For the most part the husband comes across as charming; well-spoken, seemingly gets along well with father-in-law. Becomes less likable as the scene progresses, being forceful and assertive - shift; one moment charming, other rather abusive
- Girl's father does not step in/interfere; why? he assesses situation, but does not react
Camera:
- shot of woman sitting on the ground, staring at the table where everyone sits. She appears in the background with cool, dark lighting, with an almost fearful expression - does not want to join. In the foreground, the light is warm, and you can see her father and daughter sit there.
- close up shots when the man and the woman are in the frame together; creates tension
- close up of father after prayer; religious, potentially catholic
- tracking shot: woman attempts to leave, not wanting to be in the room; situation is awkward? cannot pretend everything is okay? simply does not want to be there?
- close-up of daughter's face; looks at mother concerned; can tell she is not okay
- ends of aerial shot of her lying in a well - punished for earlier actions by partner?
- shot of woman sitting on the ground, staring at the table where everyone sits. She appears in the background with cool, dark lighting, with an almost fearful expression - does not want to join. In the foreground, the light is warm, and you can see her father and daughter sit there.
- close up shots when the man and the woman are in the frame together; creates tension
- close up of father after prayer; religious, potentially catholic
- tracking shot: woman attempts to leave, not wanting to be in the room; situation is awkward? cannot pretend everything is okay? simply does not want to be there?
- close-up of daughter's face; looks at mother concerned; can tell she is not okay
- ends of aerial shot of her lying in a well - punished for earlier actions by partner?