ScEnE aNaLySiS

The scene i analysed is from episode 4, 'Cute Poison' from series 1. In this scene, T-bag the Paedophilic maniac is pressurising Michael into fighting in an race riot between the Whites and Black, as Michael wants something back from T-Bag that he stole, which is instrumental to the escape plan. This scene acts as a vehicle for stereotypes and assumptions.

• The Scene begins with a high-angle shot of T-Bag highlighting his power and authority in jail as he is seen as the main catalyst to the white supremacist movement.
• The camera then focuses on Michael, with a long-angel medium shot signifying his low status role in the prison as he's a new inmate and is genrally preyed on by fellow inmates
• The camera then cuts to an shot of both T-Bag and Michael talking with T-Bag's associates behind him, once again identifying his power and authority, with Michael alone, isolated and vulnerable

• The mise-en-scene throughout the scene is typical of a prison. The scene is shot inside the prison's grounds with cell's in the background's and other inmates socialising, visible
• The lighting is low-key to reflect the dull and sombre mood of prison and to highlight that Michael finds himself in a dark and awkward situation, he's having to potentially fight a race riot where he has no intentions and just wants to free his brother
• The sound is diegetic to emphasise the importance of the scene. All that can be heard is the dialogue between the two characters

• In this scene, Michael is represented as they new inmate typically preyed upon by fellow prisoners. He represents innocence and vulnerability in the sense that he is wrongly being victimsed because he's 'new boy on the block' so to speak.
• T-Bag represents the Paedophilic maniac driven by power and authority in order to satisfy his needs in jail. He is also shown to be an inconsiderate racist, eager to inflict punishment on 'blacks' because of their skin colour.
• Furthermore, black african american are represented as menaces to society as T-Bag creates negative stereotypes in order to persuade Michael to fight.

• Propp's theory can be identified in this scene as Michael is seen as the hero, forced to overcome obstacles in order to achieve his overall aim. T-Bag can be viewed as they villain, wrongly preying on inamates in order to satisfy his ego

• In this scene, issues of race and the difference between right and wrong. The representation of the troublesome can be viewed at different angles, from Michael being caught in the middle of a sticky situation to T-Bag, a stereotypical inmate eager to stamp his authority on prison life.