Downton Abbey - Textual Analysis

In this extract, from Downton Abbey, it presents representations of class and status. It portrays both the upper class and lower class, with the upper class having finer possessions and clothing as well as having a greater on screen presence, whilst the lower class are shown to be laborers who are maltreated, with little possessions.

Camera Work:

The clip opens with an establishing shot of the lawns and house. This shot shows the grandeur of the estate, which creates a feeling of the power that the upper class residents have. When the camera then cuts to the lower class servants downstairs, a handheld camera is used, making it look shaky, portraying the lower class to be less important. This is done to oppose the camera shots used with the upper class residents, which are still, lacking the shakiness of the cameras used with the servants, giving them a greater importance.
With the upper class residents, tracking shots are used to follow the characters, whilst with the lower class servants, it swaps between different angles to follow their movements. This makes it appear that the upper class have more control and a greater presence in the house. 
During shots upstairs (where the upper class predominantly reside), where a servant is also present, a shallow focus shot is used to show that that the upper class have the power, whilst the servants mean nothing.

Sound:

Whilst downstairs with the servants, lots of different diegetic sounds are used in the background, mostly sounds of movements or talking. These are used to show the crampedness of the servant's quarters, whilst also showing that they are hard working people, unlike the upper class, who lead a layed back life. Whilst upstairs, non-diegetic music is used to show the tranquility of the upper class and how layed back their lifestyle is.
During scenes upstairs where a servant is also present, diegetic sounds of movement and chinking are played. This shows that the servants are always in the shadow of the upper class, whilst also showing the business of their lives.

Editing:

When downstairs with the servants the editing is a lot more fast-paced, cutting more quickly between shots. this is used to mimic the fast pace of the servants lives, whilst also its stressfulness.
However, whilst upstairs, the editing is slower and more relaxed, mimicking the relaxed style of life that the upper class live.

Mise-en-Scene:

Downstairs, in the servants quarters, the walls are grey and dull. This shows the dreariness of their lives, whilst also showing their lack of money. This contrasts sharply to the brightly coloured walls upstairs, which shows the luxury of their lives and their wealth.
Similarly, downstairs there are very little decorations or possessions, showing the lack of disposable income. This also contrasts to upstairs, where the place is covered with fine paintings and furniture, showing the luxury of their lives further.
The costumes also help to portray the two classes. The lower servants, who just stay downstairs, wear outfit-like costumes, which are usually dull colours like grey, black or white, showing their laboring side as well as their lack of money to spend on colourful items. The servants who get to go upstairs wear more formal clothing, rather than just an outfit, showing their slight greater importance, however, the colours are still dull, showing the lack of money to indulge in such luxuries. The upper class residents however, wear finer clothes with richer colours, showing the amount of money and status they have.
The lighting also helps to create contrast between the two classes, with downstairs being very dark, whilst upstairs is overlit. This contrast shows the difference in power, money and lifestyle.