Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs the representation of ethnicity

through the following:

Camerawork
Editing
Sound
Mise en scene

The people vs OJ Simpson extract

Ethnicity is represented broadly throughout the extract. Through the use of
stereotypes, (created by Hunt) ethnicity is portrayed to the audience in many
different ways, regulating their views on the topic through the use of
camerawork, editing, sound and mise en scene.
Camerawork is used throughout the extract to represent ethnicity. In the first
interior scene, a pan shot is used to highlight the contrasting ethnicity of the
man and women in the lift through close up shots of them both. This is used to
suggest to the audience the binary opposites of black and white in this extract
and how this follows the stereotype of races being conflicting in dramas. The fact
that a reaction shot is used of the man slamming his brief case on the floor
connotes the stereotype of black people being dangerous and villainous through
the action code (one of Barthes narrative codes). However, this act of rage could
also be used to highlight the idea that as a black man he is trapped in society for
his race and as he suggests the idea that they were only using him to imply false
equal, this supports the stereotype of black people being powerless to white
people. A low angle shot with selective focus is then used to further support his
dangerous stereotype and suggest to the audience a loss of control and possibly
panicked state of mind due to the trial. This represents a stereotype of black
people being weak and vulnerable.
A crane shot with inwards zoom is then used to present an establishing shot of
the black coalition in the exterior scene. This establishing shot highlights a sense
of unity in the black community, which is a countertype for the ethnicity. A pan
shot is then used in the interior scene to highlight the lavish home the white
people live in. this is a stereotype of white people as they are usually portrayed
as being the more wealthy race and having more assumed power. An upwards
tilt is then used in the scene where the protestors are outside of the court
building where the judge is in his office. This tilt signifies through semic code the
power and dominance of the East Asian man as he is above everyone else in his
office. This is a stereotype of East Asian people as their intelligence gives them
power and means they stereotypically have important occupations.
During the court case many mid shots of the black speaker positioned centrally
to challenge the stereotype of black people uneducated in comparison to white
people and having less dominance. This also highlights the historical presence of
black people in society and through the civil rights movement; it creates an
ideology of black people now having much more influence in society as the white
oppositional leader has to beg the judge to follow her case. The close up shot of

the white audience agreeing with the oppositions side highlights the unity of the
white race and their counter typical emotional closeness, for white people are
usually less emotionally attracted compared to black people.
Editing is used in the clip to connote the representation of ethnicity. The fast
paced editing is used in the clip to support the stereotype of black people being
dangerous in society. The fast cutting rate means that the audience is meant to
fear the character as it represents his confused and erratic state of mind. This is
juxtaposed by the slower cutting rate when the white lady is in the frame,
connoting a countertype of white people being more civilised and calm in
comparison.
A jump cut is then used to abruptly change the scene so that the intensity of the
action is maintained and doesnt lose the audiences interest. This quick change
supports the stereotype of black people having an abrupt manor about them,
which reinforces the mans early representation in the lift. A cross cut is then
used to move from one scene to the next, highlighting the contrast in lifestyles
both the black speakers and the white couple have; the black people are having
to fight for their rights and support their views (supporting the stereotype of
black people being pitiful), whereas the white couple are situated in a lavish,
stately home sheltered from the harsh realities the black people have to face.
This is a stereotypical representation of these binary opposites as from a
historical context; white people have always had an advantage over black
people.
As a cut to black is then used in the middle of the black people talking in the
exterior scene, this highlights through the symbolic code, that the fact that they
have no voice and are constantly having to fight against the system to be heard.
This supports the ideology that black people need to have the same rights as
white people, but as this drama is trying to construct a typical representation of
the times, it uses this editing technique to allow the audience to recognise the
stereotype.
Through a motivated cut in the court scene to the white audience is done as the
black man says nigger which causes the white audience to react negatively.
This use of the derogatory term highlights the stereotypical representation of
white people seeing themselves of a higher status to black people, and this is
why they disapprove of their foul language.
Soundtrack is used in the extract to highlight the representation of ethnicity. The
initial non diegetic, asynchronous low tone humming is used to signify
apprehension to the audience, connoting the stereotype of always having to
wary around black people for their dangerous qualities. This tension is then
heightened by the synchronous diegetic sound of the brief case slamming on the
ground. This cinematic effect of a loud smash supports the stereotype of black
people being criminal and represents him as the antagonist in the scene. This
loudness is then juxtaposed by the silence of the white women in the lift,
highlighting the stereotype that white people are weak in comparison, which is
ironic due to the racial issues that occur in the time in history.

The diegetic chanting of the black people in the next exterior scene supports the
stereotypical representation of black people as they are typically associated with
a close community where they depend on the collectivist culture. This also
suggest to the audience the historical context of the drama as it plays upon the
moment of the civil rights movement, meaning they can draw parallels with their
previous knowledge of their ethnicities representation.
A sound bridge is used during the fade to the next scene of the protestors in the
street, suggesting a continuing of tension and action. This could also be used as
a subtle semic code to propose the continuing of racial issues through the years
and connotes to the audience that this issue is still in our culture today. This
supports the stereotype for black people being pitiful to the audience, making
them feel sympathy for them. The fact that the judge is silent throughout the
entire transcript, even in the court scene could suggest the stereotype that East
Asian people are not as well understood in America, meaning that his silence
resembles a microcosm of their input in society. However, his silence could also
suggest the fact that in his powerful position he doesnt need dialogue to
connote his power, also supporting the stereotype that East Asian people use
their advanced intelligence as power.
Mise en scene is used in the extract to highlight the representation of ethnicity.
The initial setting in the lift connotes a trapped environment for the black man,
supporting the stereotype that they are trapped in a racist society, for the people
on that opposing team are only suing him to suggest a false unity of ethnicities.
The setting of the white couple stately home with the bar in the background of
the shot connotes their wealth and status which contrasts that of the black
people in the extract. This supports the stereotype of white people having
assumed status and importance in society.
The costumes in this extract are mostly all professional suit wear, for the context
of this extract is in a court. The fact that the black people in the exterior seen
where they are speaking to the public are all dressed in neutral, khaki colours,
supports the stereotype of them having little impact in society typically, despite
their efforts. Also as the white lady in the interior home scene is wearing a white
jumper, this could have connotations of purity and innocence, which is a typical
representation of white people for they are the model human. However, this
representation is contrasted with the fact that the lady in the court scene is
wearing a red suit dress, connoting power, but possibly a dangerous and
villainous side. This counteracts the uses stereotypes of white people are they
are stereotypically presented as the protagonist in TV dramas.
The lighting in this scene is very dark in the first interior scene, connoting the
negative atmosphere that the black person brings to the conversation. This
supports the dangerous and villainous stereotypes that are associated with the
black ethnicity. This is juxtaposed by the symbolic code through the lighting in
the interior scene of the stately home, for here there is a yellow tinge to the
lighting, implying a stereotypical happy and goo quality of life that the white
people have. The fact that the exterior scene of the black speakers is bright and

natural could foreshadow the concept of the black people gaining a voice and
rights in society, and there for challenging the stereotype of black people being
powerless.
Overall, it is clear that ethnicity is represented in various different ways
throughout the extract, meeting and challenging the stereotypes associated with
the different ethnicities.