Sample Exam Question 1 Essay: Practice
Hello everyone!
Today I will share my practice essay for question 1 of the AICE exam from my media class. The clip we used was from the movie "Agent Carter."
The extract from “Agent Carter” focuses on the theme of women in the workplace and how they’re just as important and capable of completing the same tasks as men, as well as even going above and beyond. The clip repeatedly shows how women are undervalued and underappreciated. The protagonist, who is a young woman, is constantly mistreated and more significantly, misjudged.
To start with, the opening scene uses different camera shots to provide background information for the film. It shows a man who appears to be making an enormous sacrifice and it is clear that it is a meaningful moment for the protagonist. The close-up shots of her facial expressions make it obvious to viewers that he is someone important to her. Similarly, the insert shot portrays a small photograph of the protagonist that the actor keeps alongside him. This is crucial to the audience’s understanding of the protagonist’s moving force and motivation throughout the film. It’s also significant because it adds irony and shows a direct comparison to the contrast between how loved she was versus how disregarded she is in the present day.
The next scene is essential in developing the kind of world the film takes place in by utilizing different camera shots and editing techniques. Several wide shots display the office’s ambience and more importantly, that it’s a male-dominated field. During this scene, the protagonist continuously proves that she is fully capable of completing her job, and the men's jobs, as well. The first example of this is when she has a conversation with her boss discussing her current role in the office. Their talk is done with over-the-shoulder shots and eyeline matches. Both these film elements help the audience feel more connected to the characters because they can actively see each one as it's their turn to talk and react. Additionally, this scene also establishes the way the protagonist is commonly treated. Medium close-ups are used to show her reaction to the demeaning phrases and pet names he calls her, as well as all the discreet forms of controlling and dominating her like putting his hand on her shoulder. This shot type further emphasizes his lack of respect for her as viewers can see how uncomfortable the protagonist is.
Next, both sound and mise-en-scène are crucial in building the rising action for the next scene. Before she leaves the office, the protagonist is left alone as the lights are shut off. Both the low-key lighting for the next moments and the diegetic sound of the lights being turned off add to the isolation the protagonist feels. Diegetic sounds are commonly used throughout the clip to further separate the protagonist from her peers. For example, when the protagonist’s boss shuts the door in an earlier scene, the diegetic sound represents the closing and missing of opportunities for her in the workplace.
However, other moments show how the protagonist, despite being painted as “powerless,” is truly significant and capable. Mise-en-scène and certain camera shots are utilized throughout the next scene to capture this. When the phone rings as she leaves the office, it flashes red on the protagonist’s face. This foreshadows the upcoming danger she will face. The low-key lighting continues the serious tone that has been set. Additionally, a close-up of the protagonist’s hand shows how she crosses out the number of agents needed to complete the mission. All these features show the audience the start of something new, where the protagonist isn’t held back by the men and instead, takes charge, herself.
The next scene is the most empowering of the entire clip because the mise-en-scène and editing techniques are very intentional. The scene portrays the protagonist by herself in low-key lighting, which adds a stern and heavy weight to her and her actions. This is contrasted by the lighter environment inside the room where there is a man listening to laid-back music. Whereas when the other two actors go outside to face the protagonist, the music changes to chilling and cold and they’re only lit up by moonlight and ambience lighting from street lamps. The color blue is all around the protagonist, from her clothes to the sky, it adds to the serious and intelligent nature of the protagonist. Additionally, the cut-on-action editing technique shows the audience how strong women can be, as well as breaking the previously-established idea that the protagonist is useless and can’t perform as well as the men from her office.
To conclude, several elements such as close-up and wide shots, diegetic sound, low-key lighting, the colors red and blue, and editing techniques add to the portrayal of the protagonist and the world she’s in. These film elements serve the underlying theme that women are just as important in the workplace, although being seen as otherwise.
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