Doc Martin four scene sequence analysis

Analyse in detail all four sequences.

EAA- Explanation, analysis, argument (20 marks)

EG- Use of example (20 marks)

T- Terminology (10 marks)

The establishing shot is of an outdated doctor’s surgery, lacking many of the modern items one would expect to see, this cultural code immediately positions the audience to regard the countryside as ‘behind’ in terms of technology and other advancements- this is a common stereotype of the countryside. The use of a wide angle allows the audience to see the contrast between the suit wearing Doc Martin (who represents the ‘city’) and the two boiler suit wearing tradesman (who represent the ‘countryside’). Doc Martin is positioned higher in the frame, which could connote power and authority, whilst one of the two workers appear lazy; he is seated, overweight and eating. The room appears uncared for, it is lit using natural soft key lighting and through the use of mise en scene, we can see that there are boxes piled up.  To convey the action in the room, the pace of editing is progressively shortened to add to the increased tension and there are a series of medium shots to help portray this. 

The insert shot is of an old fashioned police office which infers an officer who is hoovering; this implies that he has time to do other things- there is not much crime in the countryside. Additionally, when Doc Martin enters the room, the police officer is conveyed as being shocked because there is some sort of action happening which is rare and the use of the cutting rate helps to illustrate this. The utility of a tilt emphasises the police officer's power, however, this is then ruined by Doc Martin overriding his power by ordering him, this could portray the binary opposite as usually, the police order people, not the citizens and the police officer is from the countryside and Doc Martin is from the city. Through the use of mise en scene, we can see the stereotype of people in the countryside being classed as ‘backwards’ as the scene highlights the lack of modernisation and the minimalistic theme.

The hand-held shot is used to convey Doc Martins sense of immediacy and it is a two person shot portraying his establishment of power over the woman, this   is highlighted through the way that Doc Martin is walking through the shot- forward to the front of the screen. The scene has high key lighting to engage the audience in the fact that the woman is flirting with Doc Martin. In the scene, the camera is using a track method which helps to follow the action that is going on where the woman is repeatedly trying to get Doc Martin’s attention. Through the use of mise en scene, the audience is able to see the typical background and noises of the countryside- the seagulls that are generalised to the seaside and the sea. The stereotype is reversed when we can see the woman with her car, this can be seen as unconventional as it is rare to have a car in the countryside.

The buffer shot is used to portray a view from a different perspective and is also utilised so that we can see who is talking over to Doc Martin, therefore, we can now see the reversed continuity of direction. In the scene, there are no significant camera movements that can be noticed as the scene is being filmed in just one place. However, at the end of the scene, the camera follows the action by using the pan method and establishes the background. There is high key lighting which is natural and produces a brightly lit set to help adjust the surroundings with what the audience can see. In the background of the scene, we can see a seagull that represents a dominant ideology of the scenery. The scene is done as a ‘oner shot’ as there is no editing which has been done. 


Reflection and Target:
I have not added in any of the four key themes in racial representations by Alvarado. I also could have mentioned some of the Roland Barthes techniques and unity and conflict. There is also not enough of the analysis for the sound and editing.