In the extract from the series of Merlin status is represented through class in the first long establishing shot of Merlin, as the mise-en-scene conveys the setting of a castle. This is signified from the props of stained glass windows, and pillars. This shot also shows that Merlin is the male protagonist, because he is the first character introduced so it is form his point of view. Therefore the audience understands he is of higher status and is more important than the rest of the characters as he leads the plot forward. The next significant shot of Merlin is in Gwen a female protagonist’s room; by using a close up of him looking back at the door, it confirms that he isn't supposed to be there, because it conveys the detail of his facial expression of scared as he is snooping around and finds the props of a voodoo doll and a spell book which are iconic items for black magic, so builds up the tension for the audience, as the non-diegetic sound reinforces the tension of sharp, eerie sinister violins and whispers the combination these things and the low key lighting connotes that the male protagonist thinks the female antagonist is more powerful than him. Therefore, the tension is further increased through editing when the camera cuts to a long establishing shot of Gwen, wearing purple symbolising wealth connoting that she is royalty (upper class); coming through the same corridor Merlin was just in. This indexically connotes she is going into the room he is snooping around which increases the suspense even further. However, the eye line match of the two characters, communicates to the audience that they are of equal power, importance and status; which completely juxtaposes Merlin’s thoughts, despite his diegetic stuttering. The next significant shot is a medium shot of the female antagonist’s edited reflection, which is old. This can be interpreted in two different ways; on one hand this could symbolise that she is weak and fragile, because of the thin grey hair and lack of beauty, but on the other hand this could symbolise that she is wise and should be respected as she is elderly. However, I believe it is the first reason the director wanted to portray, because of the sharp non-diegetic roar of a flame or inhaling sound as the camera cuts to the mirror. This adds a sinister atmosphere and draws the audience in.
The change of scene to a working-class market stops the sharp non-diegetic violins and changes the low key lighting to high, because he is with people of his own status. Therefore, with a wide medium shot of the male protagonist walking toward the camera positioned in the middle of the screen which connotes he is of higher status compared with Arthur the male antagonist who is walking behind him with Arthur’s guards, marginalised, walking behind him for back up as though they are bullying Merlin through their facial expressions of mockingly happy at his misfortune of being teased. Arthur is wearing armour and leather gloves which connotes wealth as he can afford these items, the camera is still at an eye line match, which again connotes they are of equal status. Even though, Arthur is a king and Merlin is of working class. The audience acknowledges that Merlin is of this class, because he is wearing brown and grey clothing and no gloves which symbolises dirt and uncleanness as he works. When Merlin takes of his jacket it symbolises that he is up for a fight, as his body language in the medium shot connotes aggression. However, the fact that, Merlin drops the prop of a medieval weapon ball and chain when Arthur throws it at him connotes that Merlin doesn’t know how to use the tool and the diegetic sound made is emphasised to reinforce this as it make Merlin look less powerful, because his knowledge is at a disadvantage. Through the shot reverse shot the male antagonists creates the diegetic dialogue “you cannot address me like that” and the male protagonist replies “sorry, how long have you been training to be a prat, my lord” conveys sarcasm as the facial expression of smugness is illustrated through an over the shoulder mid shot as though Merlin is mocking Arthur back. Furthermore it communicates each characters reaction to the speech.
Nevertheless, in the first part of the fight scene, Merlin’s lack of power is reinforced with a high to low shot of Merlin backing away from Arthur changes the status Arthur has more screen time than Merlin. While the non-diegetic adventurous music begins so does the violence as Arthur swings at Merlin and misses conveying the brutal damage the weapon could really do to Merlin by presenting an example of power on the cabbages. The fight then cuts to a medium shot of an old man looking out the window to the fight the old man is in fact Merlin’s teacher, the audience understands this, because of the mise en scene of the shot; it had a prop of a book in it. As the extract continues Merlin falls to the ground through a high to low shot, at this point of the extract Arthur is of more important status.
However, this all changes again when the male protagonist starts using magic, the audience knows it is him, because of the extra close up of his eye changing colour. Therefore, there is an indexical link between his eye changing colour combined with the sharp non-diegetic sound and magic. Moreover, the colour of the eye turns orange the colour of flames; this could signify that the magic is dangerous. This is reinforced with the sharp non-diegetic sound that happens as the eye changes colour also the eye line match of the chains, box and rope moving. Therefore the male protagonist wins back his place of the more powerful as next the male antagonist falls to the floor through high to low shot, so Merlin celebrates with the crowd who are making natural diegetic cheers he expresses his happiness through a facial expression of smiling, until he sees the old man, his teacher. This shot reverse shot presents Merlin’s reaction to the teacher’s presence and facial expression of disappointment, as Merlin’s joy of gaining more power over Arthur turns to guilt. While Merlin is distracted by his teacher Arthur puts merlin back in his place as he uses a broom to strike him down, this is exaggerated through a Foley sound that was in the exact timing of the non-diegetic triumphant sound track. As Arthur sweeps around Merlin it connotes that the male antagonist thinks he is of a more importance than the male protagonist mocking him jokingly. However, Arthur restores his respect for Merlin through an eye line shot as he creates diegetic dialogue “there something about you Merlin; I just can’t quite put my finger on it” and lets the guards let the male protagonist go.
The last scene is parallel to the one before it as it is a wide medium shot of Merlin is in the foreground walking towards the camera with his teacher in the back-ground. There is also still an eye line match even though the teacher is supposed to be portrayed as old and wise they are still of equal status and importance. The diegetic dialogue “I’m just a nobody and I always will be” spoken by the male protagonist explains how he feels, which is reinforced through his facial expressions of sadness and disgust, because he has the power to send himself up the status hierarchy, but his teacher won’t let him use it. The fact there is no non-diegetic sounds emphasises the seriousness, and therefore juxtaposes the scene before as it was more of a teasing joke.
The change of scene to a working-class market stops the sharp non-diegetic violins and changes the low key lighting to high, because he is with people of his own status. Therefore, with a wide medium shot of the male protagonist walking toward the camera positioned in the middle of the screen which connotes he is of higher status compared with Arthur the male antagonist who is walking behind him with Arthur’s guards, marginalised, walking behind him for back up as though they are bullying Merlin through their facial expressions of mockingly happy at his misfortune of being teased. Arthur is wearing armour and leather gloves which connotes wealth as he can afford these items, the camera is still at an eye line match, which again connotes they are of equal status. Even though, Arthur is a king and Merlin is of working class. The audience acknowledges that Merlin is of this class, because he is wearing brown and grey clothing and no gloves which symbolises dirt and uncleanness as he works. When Merlin takes of his jacket it symbolises that he is up for a fight, as his body language in the medium shot connotes aggression. However, the fact that, Merlin drops the prop of a medieval weapon ball and chain when Arthur throws it at him connotes that Merlin doesn’t know how to use the tool and the diegetic sound made is emphasised to reinforce this as it make Merlin look less powerful, because his knowledge is at a disadvantage. Through the shot reverse shot the male antagonists creates the diegetic dialogue “you cannot address me like that” and the male protagonist replies “sorry, how long have you been training to be a prat, my lord” conveys sarcasm as the facial expression of smugness is illustrated through an over the shoulder mid shot as though Merlin is mocking Arthur back. Furthermore it communicates each characters reaction to the speech.
Nevertheless, in the first part of the fight scene, Merlin’s lack of power is reinforced with a high to low shot of Merlin backing away from Arthur changes the status Arthur has more screen time than Merlin. While the non-diegetic adventurous music begins so does the violence as Arthur swings at Merlin and misses conveying the brutal damage the weapon could really do to Merlin by presenting an example of power on the cabbages. The fight then cuts to a medium shot of an old man looking out the window to the fight the old man is in fact Merlin’s teacher, the audience understands this, because of the mise en scene of the shot; it had a prop of a book in it. As the extract continues Merlin falls to the ground through a high to low shot, at this point of the extract Arthur is of more important status.
However, this all changes again when the male protagonist starts using magic, the audience knows it is him, because of the extra close up of his eye changing colour. Therefore, there is an indexical link between his eye changing colour combined with the sharp non-diegetic sound and magic. Moreover, the colour of the eye turns orange the colour of flames; this could signify that the magic is dangerous. This is reinforced with the sharp non-diegetic sound that happens as the eye changes colour also the eye line match of the chains, box and rope moving. Therefore the male protagonist wins back his place of the more powerful as next the male antagonist falls to the floor through high to low shot, so Merlin celebrates with the crowd who are making natural diegetic cheers he expresses his happiness through a facial expression of smiling, until he sees the old man, his teacher. This shot reverse shot presents Merlin’s reaction to the teacher’s presence and facial expression of disappointment, as Merlin’s joy of gaining more power over Arthur turns to guilt. While Merlin is distracted by his teacher Arthur puts merlin back in his place as he uses a broom to strike him down, this is exaggerated through a Foley sound that was in the exact timing of the non-diegetic triumphant sound track. As Arthur sweeps around Merlin it connotes that the male antagonist thinks he is of a more importance than the male protagonist mocking him jokingly. However, Arthur restores his respect for Merlin through an eye line shot as he creates diegetic dialogue “there something about you Merlin; I just can’t quite put my finger on it” and lets the guards let the male protagonist go.
The last scene is parallel to the one before it as it is a wide medium shot of Merlin is in the foreground walking towards the camera with his teacher in the back-ground. There is also still an eye line match even though the teacher is supposed to be portrayed as old and wise they are still of equal status and importance. The diegetic dialogue “I’m just a nobody and I always will be” spoken by the male protagonist explains how he feels, which is reinforced through his facial expressions of sadness and disgust, because he has the power to send himself up the status hierarchy, but his teacher won’t let him use it. The fact there is no non-diegetic sounds emphasises the seriousness, and therefore juxtaposes the scene before as it was more of a teasing joke.
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