Cutting It

Discuss the ways in which the extract uses camera shots, editing, sound and Mise-en-scene to constructs representations of relationships

In the extracts from the TV drama ‘cutting it’, the couples’ relationship is represented in two obvious ways, as them being in a loving and close relationship and also as them being in a deceitful relationship, and these representations are constructed through the use of camera shots, editing, Mise-en-scene and sound.

The closeness of their relationship is shown throughout the whole of the clip. One way in which the closeness is shown is through camera shots. The main shot that shows this closeness is a two-shot of both the characters when they are in the cab. This shot just shows the couple as the focus of the scene, and you can see her resting her head on his shoulder. This intimate gesture shows the nature of their relationship as being relaxed, and happy. Another shot which shows the closeness of this couple is a cut-in, of the couples’ hands. It shows that they are holding hands, and their wedding rings are on show, symbolising their commitment to each other. Another way in which the couples’ closeness is also shown is through sound. When the woman gets hit by the bus, the only sound you can hear is his heartbeat. Although this sound is used to build tensions because you don’t know what has happened to her, it could also be used to show his emotions in that, everything around him has stopped, and that he is panicking about his wife. The non-diegetic sound that is used before doctor’s office scene played out was an upbeat, happy music which could also have been used to show the nature of their relationship. Another way in which the closeness of their relationship is shown is through the Mise-en-scene. The main one being the wedding rings, obviously symbolising their commitment and love for one another.

Another representation of relationships shown in this extract is secrecy and deceit. Camera shots are used to show this through over-the-shoulder shots. These shots are typically used to show confrontations, and in this scene, they are having a row because she took him to the hospital without him knowing. Another shot which could be used to show secrecy in their relationship is the cut in on the man’s ring, when she is in the doctor’s office. In this scene, he is fiddling with his ring and taking it off, which could be used to show that he is having second thoughts about their marriage. Another shot, could be the close up of the woman in the doctor’s office, because her face shows no obvious emotions, except that she is upset, which could be interpreted either way. This could be used to show that the audience is in the same position as her husband, in that we don’t know what she was at the hospital for and that we also don’t know whether it was good or bad news. Another way in which secrecy is shown in this extract is through Mise-en-scene. In the scene in the cab, the woman says “I would want you to love again”, to which the man looks confused, implying that he doesn't know what she is referring to. Also when they are in the cab, they both talk about being unfaithful, indicating that they have both been deceitful in the past in their relationship. Sound represents secrecy in their relationship, as when she is in the doctor’s office, non-diegetic sound of an upbeat piece of music, which changes to a rather depressing piece of music is played over the scene, so the audience does not what has been said, and also as he is not in the room, neither does he, meaning that she could either choose to tell the truth or lie to him.

In conclusion, relationships are presented in two main ways in this extracts, them being closeness and secrecy. These representations are shown through the editing, sound, camera shots and Mise-en-scene. However Mise-en-scene is the most important because it sets the scene, and it can also be used to show the contemplations of characters (him playing with his rings), but also the intimacy of their relationship (them holding hands, both wearing their rings).