Representation Essay (Practise): When They See Us

Explain how meaning is created in the extract, using the four technical areas: 

In the extract from the Netflix TV drama 'When They See Us' (2019), there is a representation of ethnicity and age, provided by the four technical elements - camera, sound, editing and mise-en-scene. In addition to this, typical stereotypes are used to influence the sequence of events that occur throughout the scene.

The two-shot of the mother and son in front of a mirror is symbolic of the character reflection from both the mum and son. Despite the situation and the lack of dialogue, it still manages to convey the relationship and warmth between the two. The voiceover aligns with the character interactions and their actions. "You watch them grow up and you start to think you did a good job...and then one night you look away" shows the inner reflection from the mother on who she raised her son to be. She looks away and leaves the scene at the same time the audio says this, and it is then that we see the boy reflecting on his past actions and his future predicament, and who he has become compared to what he was raised to be. He appears to be facing his inner turmoil and the seemingly alternative side to his character. The blue hue coupled with the low key lighting creates dark shadows which is symbolic of his current situation, as they stand in a dark place, both literally and figuratively. Furthermore, there is a lot of negative space in the shot which shows that there is not a lot of clarity as to what's around him which puts further emphasis on how this situation is going to affect him and his future.

The main people being represented are those in the ethnic minority, African-Americans and Latinos. In addition to this, it conforms to typical stereotypes that include ethnic minorities being in trouble and/or on the wrong side of the law. The court room scene shows that they are powerless in a political system that is working against them. Flashbacks show how they are oppressed and mistreated in the interrogation rooms. An establishing shot of the court room shows a Caucasian judge sitting higher above everyone, which is symbolic of a position of power over the ethnic minority as it is up to the judge to resign them to their fate. The establishing shot also shows an American flag, which is ironic, since it is usually a sign and symbol of freedom, when it is the opposite for the boys as they are both sentenced to the confinement of prison for the decisions they made. This scene also represents age as being the indicator for the wisdom and maturity of a person. All the boys being sentenced are young which creates this idea that it is young people that make unwise decisions that affect the rest of their lives as they have little to no wisdom or discernment. Furthermore, the adults in the scene such as the mother and judge have more wisdom as seen in the first shot with the mother and son, as she is emotionally invested and fully invested in her kid's life. Likewise, the judge is given the power to resign someone else's fate since they are older and meant to have the discernment to make the right decisions.

The combination of the close up shots and the flashbacks as an editing technique connects the audience with a story and a general idea of the events that transpired. This creates meaning for the audience and by showing the individual expressions of each character, it allows the audience to sympathize with them as a connection is created by the revelation of what has happened. Furthermore, the shots are long and drawn out with slow-paced music in the background, which gives the audience time to contemplate and process what is happening, allowing them to form their own opinion based on the evidence given.

When the judge declares that he is guilty, asynchronous sound is used and this appears to mirror the reactions of the jury and defendant as they try and process this. There is a montage in slow motion of the reactions of the different family members, going from the boys being charged then cutting to their parents. In addition to this, once the verdict is given, the score becomes the only audio heard - except for the muffled exclamations of the jury, - and has been slowly increasing in volume as the list of offenses are read out leading to the final verdict, and the diegetic sound has been removed to further emphasize the reality of the situation. Low toned stringed instruments make the audience feel the impact of the sequence of events and evokes emotions. The music has a sense of finality and impending doom with its ominous tones and the camera matches this feeling. The camera sinks lower and creates an effect that is similar to a fade to black, but is almost representative of a coffin being lowered into the ground. This combined with the emotive music symbolizes the death of the kids' futures, and this is something the parents know and understand, especially with the expressive reactions that they display. Judging by the reactions of everyone in the room - except the judge - it is evident that justice has not been served and the raw emotions shown elicit a reaction from the audience as we sympathize and feel sad for them. The flashbacks also provide evidence that the young men were trying to have fun but have now become the victim of this flawed system that is now working against them as we can infer that here it is innocents being judged guilty. Relating back to the point of how the diegetic sound has been removed, the family members are screaming and crying out, but because of the way it is edited, they are left unheard, and this can be representative of how people in the ethnic minority are often left ignored or unheard.