Spooks Analysis

It is clear from this extract that with the lower class, the camera angles are generally closer knit, with more two shots, close up reaction shots, ect. This can be interpereted as just in keeping with the smaller set, but can also highlight the more family orientated, close knit bond between the characters, actual love and caring, rather than the strict seriousness and business of the higher class agents. In the agent, higher class scenes, the camera angle changes more frequently, and from generally more separated angles, such as quick close up, long shot, eyeline match to areas of significance such as computer stills or photographs, which all culminates to build generally more fast paced, intense scenes, once again highlighting the contrast between higher class business life and lower class family life. however, this kind of shot is given to the lower status characters when they are being chased, showing that faster paced camera angles signify importance and excitement. This importance and excitement is with the higher class people all along, but is only given to the lower class people when they are in danger. It's at times like this when there are uber-quick camera angle changes, from extreme long shot, to quick pans scans of the car driving, to eyeline matches of important actions to close ups of reactions.

The different lighting used in each social status setting is also significant. In the lower class one, everything is lit equally, but still rather dully. This gives the sense that everyone in this setting is equal, both to each other and the viewers, albeit if it also proves that their lives are routine like and rather duller than that of the higher status people, whose lighting is a lot more detailed. The background tends to be darker for them, but with the lighting a lot brighter and more intense on the central characters, highlighting the more important, interesting and unpredictable nature of their lives.

Music is usually used in the background of the higher class scenes, usually that of intense, drummy, atmospheric music, and then when it cuts to lower class scenes the music isn't used. The only time fast paced intensity is used in regards to the lower class people is in chase scenes. This is where fast paced, violin chase music being played in the lower class scenes. The music played in these scenes strengthens the audience bond and conection between themselves and the lower class people. But even then the music is only played because they are being chased/led by upper class agents, almost as if music is merited with class and general social status, signifying importance. The chase music being played for the lower class characters still runs when the scene changes quickly to the upper class characters, showing they are still in danger and keeping audience sympathy for them in tact. The music only stops when the lower class characters reach temporary safety. The audience dont even see the characters reach safety, they just sub consciously know the characters have reached it when the music calms down.

All of this is edited so that the contrast between the different social classes is clear, without any significant help from the dialogue or even set.