Ethnicity on TV

Ethnicity on TV

1) Can I identify what ethnicities people are?

This screenshot shows a mixture of different ethnicities, because theses ethnicities are easy to identify it makes it easier for the viewer to watch as they don't have to think about what ethnicities people are. For example, the doctor who helped the diabetic woman had a African accent making it easier for the audience to understand.

2) Are people from different ethnic backgrounds shown as having different interests, personalities, attitudes, behaviours?

In TV different ethnicities are usually have stereotyped behaviours. Some characters from different ethnicities do show some of these stereotyped interests and behaviours, for example: this screenshot shows an Asian woman at her desk, Asian people are often shown as having an interest in technology, due to stereotyping, which could be why she is sat in front of a computer.

3)  Is their ethnicity represented as being important in their life? 


This clip would suggest that they do care, they care because they are trying to hide themselves because of their ethnicities. Near the end of the clip people from different ethnicities are all sitting at their different tables and on group pray before they eat meaning it is important to them. It is also represented when a worker pulls out a 'tribal' photo out of their locker, suggesting that their ethnicity is important to them. A reaction shot has been used in this scene so the audience can see what reaction she has had to the situation.

4)Are people from particular ethnicities portrayed as being better, more 
 powerful, than others?

yes in this case the white receptionist seemed more powerful as she was the one who was ordering everyone around, this also applied to the immigration officers when they had to grab Abraham. Also the white people in the film had better jobs such as being the managers or the receptionists whereas the people from different ethnicities have the lower paid jobs such as cleaning and cooking. A pan was used in the dinner hall. it pans across from one table to another where we see 2 characters praying before they eat.

5)Are people from particular ethnicities portrayed as being abnormal /weaker/ 
 more pathetic than others?

The immigrants are portrayed weak in this clip as they are the ones who are having to hide, and the immigrants are usually the ones from different ethnic backgrounds. They hide because they cant stand up to the immigration officers making them seen week and pathetic. A close up has been used in the scene that involves the receptionist, it was used because she is an important character who was about to be spoken to.

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

All the hotel staff are working together and treat each other with respect.The white receptionist is trying to help the immigrants to hide and the immigrants are all trying to help each other. However, the white immigration officers are clearly against them. However the people of ethnic backgrounds have been given the lower paid jobs, suggesting that their employer was being unfair. A close up shot was used to zoom in on the woman face to see her reaction. 

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

I think that the message in this clip from hotel Babylon is about how immigrants living in fear of being sent back to where they were originally from. It also highlights how people of different ethnicities can be treated in the workplace. In this scene a point of view shot has been used so we could see what the woman is looking at from the woman viewpoint.