Representation Essay: Hotel Babylon

Explain how meaning is created using the four technical elements in the following clip:

In the clip extracted from the British drama TV series Hotel Babylon, meaning is created through the representation of ethnic diversity and the contrast in gender. The scene shown illustrates the distinct lack of power the immigrants have compared to the immigration officers who do not hesitate to abuse the authority they have over others simply because they are privileged white Englishmen. Through Stuart Hall's reception theory the audience is provided with the dominant reading that white males are ruthless and hostile towards others and women are more caring and tenderhearted in the representation of gender.

The camera shots used link closely to the lives of the people in the shot. For example, when the officers appear in the building, wide and mid shots are used to create this sense of dominance that exudes from them. Mise-en-scene and the placement of people help determine this as well as the different social positions coming through the media text. The three men are standing in a triangular order, with the main immigration officer, John, in the front to illustrate the daunting and almost threatening stature they impose on the receptionist. The three men are wearing dark navy suits which is a symbol of professionalism, but also contrasts the lighter clothing the woman is wearing. The woman is blonde and wearing a white suit, and this coupled with the brighter lighting portrays her as being almost angelic, staying calm while discreetly alerting the immigrants in the building to hide. They are both in positions of high authority as seen when John shows his badge and when the woman orders the man to take papers down to housekeeping.

High angle shots help emphasize the fact that immigrants and people such as Jacky are in a weaker position in terms of societal position and have less authority and an impact on how they can enforce change. This is seen when she tries to bargain with John on letting one of the caught cleaners go free but is unable to change the outcome of the officers' decisions. The whole scene is shot from the immigrants' point of view and because of this, we as the audience can empathize with them despite their actions being illegal. Due to this point of view, the immigrant officers are seen and portrayed as the 'bad guys' despite them just doing their jobs in order to obey law regulations. Further more, the immigration officers are men who appear to do their job in an intimidating manner, and quite easily comes across as ruthless and uncaring, whereas the women in the scene show the more caring and human side as we see Jacky rushing around trying to help the others when it could cost her job and more trouble despite not being an immigrant herself. This is further accentuated when one of the cleaners is caught and taken and she pleads them to stop, saying "I'll sack him" and reveals through dialogue that if he goes back home, he will most likely be killed like his father and brother were. Despite being told this information, the men refuse which produces an idea of their personality as being inhumane.

People in the ethnic minority have had to adjust to a life that is unjust and unfair and we see this through the actions of one of the cleaners while they are hiding in a staff room. The immigrants are portrayed in a stereotypical image of being criminals and dangerous. Due to one of the staff having a hypoglycemic attack, it is revealed that the man helping is a qualified doctor. This countertype of illegal immigrants being highly qualified shows that they can't use their qualifications to create a better life for themselves and have to settle for a low paying and low maintenance job where they continue to remain unseen in their daily lives. There is a clear contrast between the clothing that the people are wearing throughout the scene and the association between this and their social position. People in the foyer of the hotel are wearing suits and formal clothing as they are more well off in terms of money, and the workers in the lobby are the image of the hotel and it's reputation. The cleaners are wearing red uniform, adhering to the dress code, and cooks and maids are wearing attire that is fitting for their position in the hotel. They have less strict clothing boundaries as they are on the lower levels and empty hallways, out of sight from visitors staying in the hotel, which adds to the fact that is seems that no one wants to see the lower class individuals.

Non-diegetic sound is used throughout the first half of the scene, adding tension and suspense by the upbeat tempo and beat of the score. This adds a sense of urgency to the reality of the situation as they understand that their lives are in danger if they get caught. The music fades out however, when Jacky is doing a headcount of the workers and realises there is one missing, then picks up again when one of the maids passes out. There is a change in the tone of the music after one of the cleaners has been taken away, and it takes on a more somber and melancholic mood and creates this atmosphere of loss that is evident. The diegetic sound is mainly dialogue and the natural sounds that come with everyday life such as footsteps and the sound of keys being forced to unlock the door.