Representation of disability via editing – the

street0 – 0.23

Millie and Jojo

Editing and representation of disability

In this case, the editing used in this short clip contributes to fabricating a

negative viewpoint of the disabled individual.

Different techniques provide the viewer with varied outlooks on both characters and situations, enabling them to form their own views on the

circumstances.

0 secondsThe scene opens with a setting of barbed wire. This short clip has been placed at the start of the scene to establish the setting. The clip lasts for a total of 5 seconds, before moving onto the next shot. This section purposefully lacks any information about characters with only subtle connotations as to where the scene is set. This leaves the audience to discover for themselves, what they are expecting to happen next.

5 secondsA matched cut occurs at 5 seconds, which changes the scene from a blurred background with a foreground of a protective metal grid, to a blurred background of a male through a glass window, with a foreground of a metal grid. This continuity of scenery maintains a sense of unity within the scene – insuring that the audience are aware that the surroundings of the clip have only marginally changed.

6 secondsAt 6 seconds, a jump cut manoeuvres the scene to focus on two male characters; one on foot and one in a vehicle. This abrupt switch from one scene to another alerts the audience to the action which is about to take place. The jerky cut could also act as a warning for the scenario to come, as it occurs just as the disabled character enters the scene. This section also acts as a cutaway shot, between the two very similar shots beforehand, and after (5 seconds and 8 seconds).

8 secondsA second matched cut, which corresponds to the edit at 5 seconds, is used here to link the two scenarios together. This averts the audience back to the action which happened before the interjecting cut. It creates a story, and shows the significant impact of the cut at 6 seconds – this could represent the fast-paced feelings of those whom are interacting with the disabled character.

9 secondsThe scene returns to the scenario between the two males; one in the vehicle and one on foot, with the use of a jump cut. The dramatic and sudden change of setting, again, draws the attention of the audience to the action within the scene. The recurring use of jump cuts could represent the danger that a character (or audience member) may feel when faced with a disfigured character – such as this one.

10 secondsA motivated cut, at 10 seconds, is used to reveal the face of the disfigured character. The audience were yet to view the character’s disability until now, and so this ‘point of view’ shot has been abruptly edited in to create a drastic exposure of the extent of the characters disfigurement. This sort of cut could invite a sense of shock into audience members, which would negatively highlight the male’s disability.

11 seconds A third matched cut is used, to refer back to the scene before the disability of the lead character was uncovered. This highlights the ‘normalcy’ of the situation between the two men, before the audience were aware of the character’s disfigurement. This could show that judgements cannot always reveal all about somebody, as from behind, this character appears to be the same as the other characters featured in the clip.

12 seconds The clip jumps back to the view of the lead character from the vehicle once again, with the use of a matched cut – which has a fast-paced cutting rhythm. The use of abrupt editing creates an unnerving feel to the scene, which could be argued that it represents the awkward feelings of the characters within the scene whom are interacting with the disfigured male. This could represent the theory of Paul hunt, whom created the idea that disabled people are the object of curiosity or violence.

14 secondsThe scene cuts to back to the view of the male character behind the shop door. The use of a matched shot links this scene to the previous one, at 8 seconds. This could also be considered to be a reaction shot – as we see the action from this character develop, after witnessing the scene unfold.