Question 1 (5 marks): Analyse how mise-en-scene is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer.

In this extract, mise-en-scene is used through the use of outfits to create meaning. The criminals are all dressed in similar outfits: baggy trousers and t-shirts that are generally dirty. A lot of these characters also have big tattoos and un-brushed hair. These outfits and appearances are stereo typically associated with criminals, which therefore allows the audience to easily categorise them as the 'baddies' of the scene. This is further emphasised through the contrast in outfits of the police from the criminals: they wear suits and matching uniforms that are neat, smart and polished. Their uniformed, organised appearance connotes to the audience their authority and power. Therefore, when we see the police raid the house, the audience are easily able to understand that the men inside are bad and criminally acting by not listening to the police.

Another use of mise-en-scene within the extract is lighting. Outside of the house, it is normal daylight. However, this contrasts with the inside of the house, which is a dark, desaturated light and a lot harder to see. The sudden loss of light within the house, connotes a serious situation as well as danger - because darkness is usually associated with evil. Therefore, through the darkening of the lighting, the audience understand the situation has become more serious and dangerous.

Observer Q9

There is a dominance of colourful promotional material on the cover, for example -'free supplement inside' -which shows the social context of consumerism. People not only want but expect and accept self-promotion in media products. The Observer clearly knows this and happily promotes themselves on this tweet. There is also a dominance of photographs on the tweet, which is highlighted by the saturated colour and lack of text. This shows that, due to what the readers want, traditional broadsheet newspapers have slowly adapted to become more like tabloids.

There are also ethnically diverse representations on the front page, representing the diversity of modern Britain as well as the diversity of the readers of the Observer - this reflects the social and cultural contexts. In addition to diversity, there is also a diverse range of female representations. For example it has an image of  a woman who is following a stereotypical role of females: as a cook - but there is also another woman who is represented as fit and sporty. These representations contrast each other and show the social context of the time - how feminism has had a big impact on society.

The lead story is on Brexit, which shows the political context of the time - it shows that Brexit has the dominance when it comes to political debate in England. The use of big text, represents its importance within the newspaper and also suggests that it is serious and important. Many of the Observer readers are middle class and follow the left side of the political scale, therefore the Brexit article would be of a lot of interest to the audience - showing the importance of politics within our society.

Additionally, the fact that this article is in the form of a tweet gives the chance for a lot of interactivity - in the form of: retweets, likes and comments. This shows a social context in which audiences now expect to have a participatory relationship with media forms.