Ethnicity on TV

Ethnicity on TV

Can I identify what ethnicities people are?

Close up

            I can identify that the woman on the right is of African ethnicity due to the colour of her skin. I can identify that the man on the left may be Italian as he has a typically Italian moustache (big) and has a typically Italian job (chef). The woman in the middle I believe could be an immigrant from a European country such as Hungary. 

Are people from different ethnic backgrounds shown as having different interests?

High angle shot followed by a pan shot

The woman above is shown to have typical Asian stereotypes, interests and traits. She is interested in technology as she is on a computer. She is submissive as she is working in a backroom secluded from others. She is also shown as being intelligent as she gathers up all the immigrants and hides all but one successfully. It seems she has been put in charge of hiding them which emphasises her intelligence.

Is there ethnicity represented as being important in their life?

Over the shoulder close up shot

The man shown above is shown to be a black immigrant cleaner and nothing more. This is until it becomes apparent he has medical knowledge and helps a woman suffering from a diabetes attack. Maybe if this man had a different ethnic background he would have more opportunity in life with the knowledge he possesses. He then says “I wasn’t always a cleaner” which implies he previously had a better life situation and job. If his ethnicity was the reason for this then it plays a very important role in his life as it is the cause of a change in career and a life on the run from immigration control.  

Are people from particular ethnicities portrayed as being better and more powerful than others?

Close up shot

The white woman at reception is shown to have power over every other ethnicity that works at the hotel as she gives them orders. The three immigration officers are all white which emphasises that the white people in the programme have more power over the other ethnicities.

Are people from particular ethnicities portrayed as being weaker and more pathetic than others?

Long shot

The black man above is shown to be more pathetic than the white immigration officers as he attempts to run from them but falls over leading the white men to capture him quickly and with ease. This also shows that the black man is portrayed as weaker than the white men as he puts up a poor fight against them and they over power him easily.

How do other characters in the clip treat the characters from different ethnic backgrounds?

Point of view shot

The white receptionist has authority over the other ethnicities as she gives them orders and treats one of the black men with disrespect in one scene as she says he has a “brain like a siv”. This is shown in the scene above.

What is the message the clip is trying to portray about ethnicity?

Long shot

One of the messages shown in the clip could be that immigrants are a drain on society and steal English people’s jobs as they make up most of the hotel’s staff. It could also be showing that all immigrants are criminals and illegal as they are avoiding the law in the clip.

Analysis of white characters?

Over the shoulder close up shot

The two main white characters in the clip are the ones with the most authority. The main immigration officer is white and could be seen as a racist villain. He also has the most authority over anyone and any person of different ethnicity in the clip. The other white character is the blonde woman at reception, she has authority over the workers of the hotel and is portrayed as strong and the good character in the clip. The roles of these two white characters are typical as white characters are often portrayed as heroes on TV or other times as racist.

JACK ASTILL